Isaac: Who do you look up to for your own influences and why?

Matt "Espo" Esposito: My biggest influence to date would have to be Lupe Fiasco. His current CD is alright but Food and Liquor and The Cool were audio bibles for me. He raps because he wants to help people and tell his story. If his stories can make people happy, why can't mine?

Isaac: Do you feel that Indie music gets the respect it deserves? Why or why not?

Matt "Espo" Esposito: Indie music is starting to come into its own; a lot of up and coming artists have been going indie lately and having success. I mean, Lloyd Banks dropped one of the hottest records this year and he did it off E1. If Interscope was still heavily involved in that I don't think the album would have been as good.

Isaac: If you could change one thing about the music business, what would it be and why?

Matt "Espo" Esposito: Man there is too many things to change! But it would be nice to see an exec who cares about making good music, not just ringtone rap. The higher ups are in it for the cash, not the lasting legacy. 200 years from now the music will be around, not the money. Quality over cash.

Isaac: What has been one of your biggest setbacks and how did you overcome it? What lesson did you learn about yourself?

Matt "Espo" Esposito: My biggest setback so far was that I didn't rap with confidence. My first tape was god awful. I mean, the lyrics were tight but my voice sounded like a nervous freshman asking the hot senior girl to homecoming. I can't even listen to it anymore. My confidence started to grow when I heard other rappers like Webby and Mac Miller. If I wanna be in the same league as them, then I had to rap with some balls and just be comfortable being myself on the mic.

Isaac: What type of feedbacks have you been receiving about your music from fans and music critics?

Matt "Espo" Esposito: The feedback I've gotten so far has been great. I dropped my second mixtape and have about 850 total downloads as of now. For someone without any music videos, no sponsors or co-signs, I'd say that’s alright. And the only people I really promoted to were people in my hometown. The love I get it alright, but I still wish people took me more seriously. This is really what I want to do for life.

Isaac: If you knew that you would never gain fame and fortune with what you are doing now, would you continue to make music? Explain.

Matt "Espo" Esposito: Most Definitely. My goal is to make people feel from my music. Fame and fortune just happen to sometimes come with my goal. As long as I can help someone through a hard time or help a group of kids waste a night away, I'll be rapping.

Isaac: How do you handle negative feedback or negative energy about your music?

Matt "Espo" Esposito: Negative feedback is just part of life. It sucks, but it’s a part regardless. If someone doesn't like my music, I take it personally but it’s not the end of the world. Some of the best advice I ever heard was “take criticism in and then let it roll of your shoulders".

Isaac: What role do your family and friends play in the equation of your pursuant of a music career?

Matt "Espo" Esposito: My family is what keeps me going a lot of the time. My mom is willing to do whatever to help me succeed and my sisters are the same way. If my dad didn't pass away last year, then I wouldn't have realized how short life is and to not pursue your dream is criminal. My friends are my brothers to me. I dream about renting a shitty van with them and touring across the country, haha. Living the dream with my friends would be the perfect life for me.

Isaac: What is the best site/s that you can be found on the Internet?

Matt "Espo" Esposito: The best sites to hear my music would be-

http://www.youtube.com/user/matthewTesposito?feature=mhum .... and

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Matt-Espo-Esposito/128971817137070

Isaac: The floor is yours; final words & wisdom of thoughts...

Matt "Espo" Esposito: Lastly, I'd to say thanks for the interview! Taking the time out to find out who I am and what my music's about means a ton to me. And of course I gotta say..."The R.A.D.I.O. (Real Artist Don't Imitate Others) 2011!!!!!!”.