Erik Gonsalves Aka Empire

Background: Despite being a true Hip-Hop emcee, both in the eyes and ears of whomever listens, Empire wouldn't even be doing music if it wasnt for his childhood love for oldies music! Empire formed his conscious style due to his diverse taste in all genres of music including R&B, Rock, Alternative, Reggae, Rave, Techno, Pop, and Country. Even though he's been writing and producing music since 1998 and writing poetry even earlier than that, Empire's love for music far exceeds time. His passion, motivation, and inspiration comes from everything he's been through in life; turning negatives into positives and taking both as a blessing. Not only is Empire's music a way for him to be able to vent, but a way for him to be able to live and to also reach out to others by relating to what he speaks about. Empire grew up in a household of poverty, drug abuse, and neglection as a lot of people can relate to. As early as the age of six, he embarked down a road of trouble, hardship, confusion, and ignorance. To say the least, he was lost. Along the way of trying to find his true self and passions, his journey consisted of gangs, drug use, homelessness, vandelism, and struggling in school. Somewhere in the mix of growing up, Empire discovered his talent for writing poems and rap songs and continued to refine his skills for twelve years now. Even though Empire was lucky enough to graduate from high school, he never pursued any extended education. After high school, he finally found God in his life and started becoming wiser. A couple years after high school, Empire enlisted into the U.S. Air Force in hopes to gain more experience in life and build his job history. He left the military after two years with an honorable discharge, after discovering it wasnt what he thought it would be, but came back with an even greater drive, passion, focus, determination, and skills to steer and move forward in his music career. Still being plagued with the struggles of life, Empire continues to jump over hurdles and overcome the unexpected obstacles that life brings to continue to follow and someday achieve his dreams and goals. He's looking forward to one day, getting signed, performing and traveling around the world, being recognized for his talent and messages, working with the artists that have inspired him, being an inspiration to others as well, and being able to provide for his family and friends. After two group albums, numerous performances, competitions, and collaborations, Empire is currently working on his solo album titled "In Due Time", which will all be written, recorded, and produced by himself! People have even said that he is an "undiscovered phenomenon". So be on the look out for Empire because whether you're ready or not, he's coming!

Interests: Creating music!

Goals: I'm looking forward to one day, getting signed, performing and traveling around the world, being recognized for my talent and messages, working with the artists that have inspired me, being an inspiration to others as well, and being able to provide for my family and friends. After two group albums, numerous performances, competitions, and collaborations, I'm currently working on my solo album titled "In Due Time", which will all be written, recorded, and produced by myself!