[inline:jared2] One of our faithful Download of the Day followers, Brett, recently sent us an email tipping us off to rising Interscope artist Jared Evan, complete with a link to his single "Forever" off the "More Than a Game" soundtrack and a request to "interview this guy!" After listening to more of Evan's work, it was clear this kid is a serious talent. BroBible caught up with the singer, songwriter, producer, and rapper to discuss his mixtape that comes out today, "Radio In My Head," (click here to download) how he got linked up with Polow Da Don, and why 2010 is going to be a breakout year for the 20 year old. BroBible: How would you classify your sound and what artists/producers in the game inspire you? Jared Evan: I don't like to limit myself to one specific sound. Some mornings I wake up wanting to write a rock song, sometimes I want to write rhymes... At the end of the day, music is about expressing the rhythm inside a person and with me I just seem to have many different sounds within me. As for producers that inspire me: Rick Rubin, Jon Brion, DJ Premier, RZA, Ratatat, illfactor, Quincy Jones, and of course my homie Polow Da Don. Artists in the game right now that inspire me: Jack White, Kanye West, Thom Yorke, Anthony Kiedis, Black Thought, Mos Def, Q Tip, Andre 3000, and Lady Gaga (Pause). BB: Who were some of your musical influences growing up? JE: The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Cream, Bradley Nowell, Wu Tang Clan, Nas, The Roots, Tribe Called Quest. BB: What did winning the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival's Spit 16 competition do to your career?

JE: It started the domino effect that has gotten me to this point. It really helped me establish a lot of the early relationships that have carried me thus far. BB: How did you get linked up with Polow Da Don and Interscope? What other labels were in the running? JE: The video that Rik and I shot got circulated to several of the labels by Steve Carless and my manager Matt Graham. Polow was one of those people. As soon as he saw it he got Jimmy Iovine on the phone and they decided to fly me and my camp out to meet with the Interscope team. The first label that showed interest, though, was Bad Boy. Rik showed Puff two of the videos we shot and he immediately offered me a deal on the spot. He actually took us out the very next night and we had a crazy evening partying with him. I also met with Craig Kallman at Atlantic and some folks over at Def Jam, but at the end of the day Interscope just felt like home. As a label they really embody what I am trying to do. BB: Which current artists and producers would you most like to work with? How do you feel about the new artists who have made a big splash in '09 so far like Drake, Kid Cudi, and others? JE: Artists/producers that I would really like to collaborate with that I am not already working with are Chris Martin, Mos Def, Black Thought, Lady Gaga, Rick Rubin, The Black Keys, Ratatat, and DJ Premier. As for the artists that have come out in '09 I think that a handful of them are a breath of fresh air for the industry and really inspire me to continue to be true to my artistry. Clearly Drake and Cudi's singing/rapping style have broken barriers for me, as well as several other new artists. Also, Cudi's introspective lyrics and emotional content have helped allow my songs to become more acceptable in the mainstream.

Radio In My Head BB: How did you get involved in the "More Than A Game" Soundtrack? Do you have any pull with LeBron now to help bring him to the Knicks? JE: I was in L.A. and Interscope asked if they could use "Frozen" to complete the soundtrack. I wish it was more glamorous than that, but to keep it real that's just how it went down. I said 'What up' at the premier of the soundtrack and that is about as close as I have ever been. BB: What is your most memorable music experience so far? JE: Meeting Jay-Z at the Interscope studio and the first time I heard Led Zeppelin at the age of 5; I still remember the feeling it gave me. BB: Can you give us a list of your top 5 favorite songs of all time? JE: 1. "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin 2. "Wu Gambinos" by Wu Tang 3. "A Day in the Life" by The Beatles 4. "Scenario" by Tribe Called Quest 5. "Bold As Love" by Jimi Hendrix BB: What's next for you? Any plans to tour soon? JE: Mixtape drops today, I am releasing three videos off of the mixtape and working on finishing up my album with Polow, Timbaland, Jimmy Douglass, illfactor, illmind, and whoever else can help create the genre blending sounds I am aiming for. BB: I have heard that your video for "Frozen" is incredibly cinematic, do you have any interest in pursuing a career in film? JE: Actually, yes! I feel that the act of creating music and acting on screen are similar outlets of expression. It's one of the reasons my manager and I decided that Rik Cordero was going to be the guy to help me break into music. He really understands how to create visual representations of my music. As of right now I have met with some film agents and the label has helped recommend me for some parts.