 "Photo: Teddy LaPerre/Echo staff photographer")
Known to the hip-hop masses as "Thee Tom Hardy," Thomas Hardison is a local artist whose musical influences are reflected in his style.
Hardy discusses his aspirations for music and his recent project, "The Hardy Boy Mystery Mixtape Volume 1: Curse of thee Green Faceded."
Campus Echo: Where are you from?
Tom Hardy: I was born and raised in the Bull City, Durham, North Carolina.
Campus Echo: How did you get your start in being a Hip Hop artist?
Tom Hardy: When I was in high school I wrote a poem and performed it at a Slam poetry competition. Pretty soon poetry turned to hip-hop.
Campus Echo: What label are you signed to?
Tom Hardy: In January 2009 Patrick "9th Wonder" Douthit signed me to his label called The Academy.
Campus Echo: Have you recorded any mixtapes since you decided to start rapping?
Tom Hardy: The name of my mixtape is "The Hardy Boy Mystery Mixtape Volume 1: Curse of thee Green Faceded," and is the first release on The Academy label. 9th Wonder produced the majority of the mixtape and production also came from Thee Band Geeks, E. Jones & Fatin Horton. Featured artists include Freeway, Young Chris (Young Gunz), Murs, Tyler Woods and more.
Campus Echo: What are you focused on right now—a new project, peforming, selling albums?
Tom Hardy: Right now I'm focused on my new mixtape, "The Hardy Boy Mystery Mixtape Volume 2: Secret of Thee Green Magic," which will be released June 2010.
Campus Echo: Which musical artists influenced you the most?
Tom Hardy: My favorite group of all time and my two favorite rappers are Andre 3000 & Big Boi of OutKast. Other influences are pioneers of Southern hip-hop such as UGK, Eightball, Little Brother, Kanye West and DJ Quik.
Campus Echo: If you could collaborate with any artist, who would you work with?
Tom Hardy: Andre 3000. I love the way he rhymes and also the way he produces.
Campus Echo: How would you like your listeners to perceive your music?
Tom Hardy: I want them to enjoy my music and be able to listen to it in any situation. Whether they're riding in the car, studying, at a party, I want the music to be fun but also have a bit of seriousness.
Campus Echo: What kind of advice would you give to up and coming artist?
Tom Hardy: Don't get ahead of yourself. Always be humble and take criticism well. Even if you don't like what someone says about you or about your music, it's their opinion and they have it for a reason.
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