Between turning his dorm room into a mini-studio, collaborating with fellow students for his music and playing shows around the Louisville area, Alex Crittendon, graphic design freshman, is not a typical student.

As an aspiring rapper by the name of ATG, Crittendon has been preparing his debut album.

In December, he released a free EP — a short album, less than 30 minutes long — as a precursor to the album titled “Face Facts.”

“I think my style really matured on it,” Crittendon said.
Crittendon has remained hard at work since, creating new music and booking shows. He said that it has been difficult doing all that while in school.

“When you are juggling music and school at the same time, you can sometimes forget where your priorities should be,” Crittendon said.

Crittendon describes music as his first love, and he continues to work on it whenever possible.

Crittendon found himself fascinated with hip-hop at a young age.

“The whole hip-hop movement just had me really interested,” Crittendon said.

Crittendon said he was particularly influenced by two key hip-hop albums from the ‘90s: Nas’ “Illmatic” and Jay-Z’s “Reasonable Doubt.” He was also inspired by Chicago rapper Common.

He joined a hip-hop group called APEX, or Above People’s Expectations.

Another member of the group is his friend Dillon McCluskey.

“He is definitely my favorite person I have collaborated with,” Crittendon said.

McCluskey was similarly enthusiastic about their work together.

“He is one of the most creative people I know,” McCluskey said. “Every time we worked on something, whether it was a show, merch ideas or a song, it was great. My favorite songs I have ever made have been with him.”

Together, they have worked on APEX’s debut mix tape, titled “Cloud 9.” They also collaborated on a joint project, an album titled “Polos and Ray-Bans.”

Crittendon later decided to try his hand at a solo career.
Around the same time, he also decided to start going to IU Southeast, where he chose to major in graphic design.

“I love art, and I love computers,” Crittendon said. “I would spend countless nights drawing.”

He has incorporated his graphic design experience into his career as a rapper. Most recently, he designed the logo for APEX.

Crittendon currently lives in Orchard Lodge, and inside his room, his mini-studio is complete with a microphone, turntables and multiple computer monitors. Here, he creates his music.

“It is very musical in here,” said Ben Rogers, biology freshman, who lives with Crittendon. “Rooming with him is fun.”

Crittendon has played at several venues near IU Southeast. His favorite show experience was at the Vernon Club, a venue near the Louisville Highlands.

“Even though they were not used to my style, they dug it,” Crittendon said. “Signed my first autograph that day too. A guy in the crowd even came on stage and started roaring. It was crazy.”

He has also played at another popular Louisville venue, Zazoo’s Bar and Grill, and hopes to someday play at Headliners Music Hall.

“It is a crazy venue,” Crittendon said. “You have your own stage, your own sound guy, all that. It is great.”

During his first semester, Crittendon’s main focus with music was on the “Face Facts” EP, which consists of 10 tracks.

“I actually pushed it back four times, so that I could get it just right,” Crittendon said.

One of his main inspirations during recording was the music of Kendrick Lamar, an up-and-coming rapper who recently released his debut album, “Good Kid, m.A.A.d City.”

“Kendrick is my main idol right now,” Crittendon said. “His new album is great. I love the storytelling on it.”

He also credits popular rapper Wiz Khalifa as an influence.

“My favorite track on my EP is “Waiting For Tonite,” which was inspired by Wiz,” Crittendon said. “I do not usually make songs with that vibe, so it was a cool change.”

Crittendon released “Face Facts” on December 27 and he has continued to stay busy working on music. Currently, he is scheduling shows with some old friends.

“I will be in cahoots with my old crew APEX and doing a local tour,” Crittendon said.

He also plans to release more new music soon.

“My debut album will be coming this year. I want to say mid-to-late March,” Crittendon said. “There will also be mix tapes in between to keep fans satisfied.”

Students interested in his music can visit www.datpiff.com, where he made his album available as a free download.

By NIC BRITTON

Staff

nmbritto@umail.iu.edu