Persuasion is a form of social influence. It is the process of guiding oneself toward the adoption of an idea, attitude, or action. Some may believe the state of Hip-Hop has taken a turn for the worst; becoming watered down and straying away from its roots and foundation, lacking substance and originality. Queens native and emcee, Simply Suade, is out to convince the masses otherwise. Suade was born and raised in Jamaica, Queens, New York. Growing up, he admits music was not his first love. Basketball was his life. It wasn’t until his freshman year in high school that he discovered his lyrical ability and developed a passion for the Hip-Hop music and culture he now loves. “I used to listen to my boys rap and think to myself, I could do that. Probably way better too,” says Suade. “I started writing rhymes in my binder during class in school. Soon after that, I would start jumping into ciphers; even a few battles here and there. It was solidified with the hype and notoriety I was gaining that this here is what I want to do. I want to make music. I loved the feeling of having people hypnotized, hanging on my every word and line, and awaiting the next. I loved making music people could relate to and connect with. I want to be that voice people hear that says, “I know what you’re going through. I’ve been there. You’re not alone. I’m here for you”. “I am a perfectionist and my own worst critic. I don’t strive to make good music… I aim to make the right music,” says Suade from a recording studio in Midtown Manhattan. Meaning I know plenty of rappers have said it but I’ma say it anyway… I’m not like these other niggas. I’m not pretending to be something I’m not. I don’t make songs or freestyles claiming to be this or have done that and behind the scenes, really be someone completely different. Everybody’s a gangsta, a drug dealer, from the hood, a killer, a pimp, a baller, been shot or in jail. I’m not a gimmick. Exactly who I am behind the mic is the same person I am on a daily basis. I don’t follow the same formula or play “Monkey See, Monkey Do”. I have something different to say. I have a message. I don’t want fifteen minutes of fame. I’m here for longevity. I want to connect with people now and forever. None of that here today, gone tomorrow nonsense we see and hear every day. The latest release from artist Simply Suade, "Let's Ride", is nothing short of an eargasm; something smooth and catchy for the ladies, yet mellow and cool enough for the fellas to vibe to. "Let's Ride" is relatable to both men and women alike; whether you're a woman going through the stress and problems of life, waiting for the knight in shining armor to come along and save the day... Or a man who just genuinely wants to treat a woman the right way and change her life for the better