Eli ‘Axcess’ Hammond was born August 4th, 1989 to parents Sandy and Earl Hammond. Axcess was born in Huntsville, Alabama where he spent his early childhood years. He later moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado where he would finish high school. Growing up his first love was sports. Basketball was what captured his heart. Eli spent most of his time playing on the basketball court with his older brother Arza, and trying to capture his dreams of playing at a big college one day. He always loved music, and was brought up by his father’s love for reggae growing up; but it wasn’t until his late teens that he turned his love for music into a career.
Right now, Axcess is playing football at a powerhouse division 2 school University of Nebraska-Kearney. They are currently ranked #4 in the nation and heading to the division 2 national playoffs. He will be expected to graduate May of 2012 with a degree in physical education and minor in health. Axcess plans on pursuing his music career after graduating, but if nothing happens he is happy with his backup plan of being a PE teacher and coach.
Axcess first started recording his sophomore year in college when he was 19 years old. As a teenager he would jot down lyrics from time to time but never gave it much thought. “After recording my first song, it was addicting. I was hooked after one hit. I take athletics into my music, and like athletics I practice a lot. With each song I record, I want to outdo myself on the previous song I made.” It all started with a friend’s laptop computer and a RockBand microphone. Now Axcess has invested in his own professional studio to help him boost his way into the industry. Within a couple years of recording, he gained major interest around his college campus. “I guess I was at the right place at the right time. My roommate Mikeb had the same interests as me, and people in our area had never seen anything like is. It’s kind of cool to see what we started in such a little town. We created a fun local scene for Nebraska.” After Axcess and Mikeb swept the local area, there have been many more local artist try to follow in their footsteps.
Axcess is just about to release his debut album “The Experience: Still Hustlin” which will be out in select stores and iTunes November 29th. This album includes guest feature from Cash Money’s artist Glasses Malone, “It was almost shocking to have Glasses call me and wanting to hook up for a track. It something I never really expected, and for that I am truly blessed.” The Experience: Still Hustlin is being released after his major mixtape “Hustle” that had great reviews. Axcess had the opportunity to have is mixtape release party in Grand Rapids, Michigan with mush success. “I have never been embraced so much as an artist before, it really boosted my confidence and made me more hungry as an artist to do better. That’s when I knew this was for me.”
What’s the first thing you would say to someone when they ask you to describe yourself as an artist?
I am simply an artist that writes about my life experiences, and that is why so many people can relate to my music. My music is built off my emotion.
How long have you been in the industry?
I have only been in the industry for a couple of years, so it is exciting to see how far I have come in such little time. I think that reflects on my work ethic as an artist.
Do you have any projects out now?
I have my recent mixtape “Hustle” out right now. You can simply find that by googling “Axcess Hustle Mixtape” and my debut album The Experience: Still Hustlin will be out on iTunes as well.
What inspires your music?
Everything I see in my life inspires me whether its my friends, girlfriend, environment, or random thought. I love to tell stories in my music.
Where are you from?
I was born in Huntsville, Alabama but I consider myself from Colorado Springs, Colorado.
What artists in the industry inspire you the most today?
I honestly don’t listen to much artists in the industry today, but i love listening to local music. I think Colorado has a hot music scene right now, and the artists that I look up to are Cnoteshce, Young Doe, Innerstate Ike and B. Serious.
Why is that?
I look up to these artists because I can relate to them the most because I am from where they are from, and I know what its like trying to come up in the game from Colorado. All these artists tell an amazing story, and I love listening to their music, its pure!
What makes you different from other artist today?
I believe I bring to the table variety. No matter where your from, what your preference is, there is always going to be one song you will love. I don’t like to consider myself any genre of rap because I feel it leaves you with less creativity. If I could explain my music I would say it is poetry in motion (PoeticMotion).
What do you want your future fans to know about you?
I am the kid next door. I am the kid who chose to chase his dreams, and through athletics I developed a work ethic that allows me to do so. Im a shy kid, but put me in a studio I become someone totally different! Music moves me.
What are your favorite experiences as an artist?
I love performing in front of crowds, and having people scream out your lyrics. Its a very humbling experience! Also it never gets old when people come up to you and say I love your music because I know it’s real. That’s what motivates me!
How can we contact you online?
Facebook: www.facebook.com/realaxcess
Twiter: www.twitter.com/realaxcess
Music page: www.reverbnation.com/axcess
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