I ask because I recognize a lot of Jeezy infused with some early 50 Cent. 
Those are all artists that I listen to so you may hear those influences. That’s why I try not to listen to rap music constantly. If you do you’ll start to rap like the music that you’re around in your subconscious, know what I mean? So I just listen to the sound of what’s going on in my hood and what my niggas and me are doing. That’s why I have my own style – that’s me – and that’s New York City. And that’s Dope.

That’s dope. There’s this stigma that “street rappers” careers don’t last long, with the exception of Jeezy. Usually because their environments change and they no longer have that hunger. How would you maintain the balance of speaking street life and keeping it real?
If you were really hustling in any type of way, you’re not going to lose that hunger; you’re going to keep hustling because you always want more. My first truck was a Chevy Tahoe, and then I got my money up to get a Volvo S80 joint. Then, I wanted a F150, and then I got my money up to get a Mercedes Benz CLS550. So it’s not in me to lose the hunger; I’m always going to want more.
Rap is just the new hustle. Now I want to get me a Ferrari [Laughs]. I want a bigger house, I want more b*tches [Laughs]. I’m not going to lose hunger. A lot of times people just get comfortable, “Alright, I got this record out right now Imma chill” and somebody jump in your lane.

I’m a believer that timing is everything with music. Seems like we are missing the rawness of say a Young Jeezy or 50 Cent or “Traphouse” Gucci Mane. So I have to ask about your current label situation; any deals lingering or are you still spending more money than you are bringing in?
I’m still spending more money but I got some deals on the table. I just flew in from LA about a record deal. I’m at the point where the labels are coming to me, and that was all a part of the plan. Everything is going according to plan.

How would you describe your progress from Bricks In My Backpack 1 to 3?
BIMB 3 is a total body of work. There hasn’t be anything to drop that’s f*cking with that this year. It’s not a lot of albums that’s come out that you won’t skip any songs. Pitchfork gave a 10 to Coldplay (only giving out three 10 ratings); a 2 to Kid Cudi’s album, 6.8 to Rick Ross’ album and those are all major label albums with major budgets. And then they gave my street album with a street budget, producers I paid out of my own pocket, promo I did out of my own pocket a 7.5. That lets you know the magnitude of the type of shit that I’m doing; high quality, street music.

Pitchfork is known for having a fair rating system. What are the streets saying about Brick In My Backpack 3?
Dope. Amazing. Crazy. You see I’m getting an interview with you. I had 2 joints out before this and I never got an interview with you on Radio’s joint. That let’s you know what the reaction is; it’s undeniable. Flawless.

So now that the trilogy is over, is this the end of Harry Powder? Is there a new aka?
May be another one. Depends how I feel. That’s the dope part about being independent; you can do what you want. I’ll call it the DJ Radio album if I want [Laughs].

What is the powder life? How does one live the powder life?
When you are able to do the finer things in life that you wouldn’t ordinarily be able to do. You’re able to that because you have financial comforts off of powder. If you were a teacher you’d be living the public education life. Or a garbage man would be living the sanitation life [Laughs].

So are you living the powdered life, or nah?
[Brief silence] You see my videos [Laughs] that’s a rhetorical question right?

Yes, you weren’t supposed to answer that — good job.
Allegedly [Laughs]

What are some things we can expect from you in the future?
Expect for me to put out dope visuals, promoting this album, new music. You’ll hear progression in all my music. I’m just going to keep getting better and getting hotter in the streets and on the Internet. Now it actually matters; the things that I put out people actually pay attention to it. Like, 50 Cent knows who I am. That’s an accomplishment. That’s what I work for. Now it’s all about capitalizing and monetizing what we’re doing. I got some powder moves on the way.

Where can the people go to follow your movement?
TroyAVE.com has everything. Get up to speed so you can sit at the cool table with everyone else.

So if someone asked me “who is Troy AVE?” what would be the first thing you hope I would say about you as an artist.
That he’s incredible; he’s incredible and he’s credible. People can say what they want, but they’re not going to say that my music is wack or that I’m a sucka. Whatever else people want to say after that is cool.

As long as they know that you’re incredible and you are credible.
Uh huh.

Contact:
Booking/Features: TheHarryPowderShow@gmail
Twitter: @TroyAve
Website: TroyAve.com