What’s the science behind your name? Or Is there any?
— actually there is no real history or anything behind it. the name was kinda just tossed around for awhile, and then next thing you know it stuck
What do you think of Mainstream Hip Hop?
— I have no problems with the mainstream at all, there is plenty of room for them to do their thing, i mean, just as long as there’s still room for me to do mine, its gonna be cool. shit, if the mainstream wasn’t around, what would the underground frown upon.
How was your upbringing?
— I had a basically normal childhood, which was regulated by reading comics and skateboarding.
What inspired you to become a hip hop artist?
— i think it was the freedom to say whatever the fuck you wanted to. I mean hiphop has so many different sounds
and styles that can be worked it. Its not a confining genre of music
What other hip hop groups do you listen to?
— im really feeling stuff like Aesop Rock and Josh Martinez, i also love shit like bjork and radiohead.
How would you describe your music?
— well, its funny cuz its hard to say, i got shit like the stuff on ‘slamfactor‘ which is more your raw type of hip hop. and then i got shit like my solo ep, ‘internal’ which is more experimental and sample heavy. so its hard to describe it as a whole.
How would you describe yourself?
— i would say im just a normal kid that has an odd obsession with music.
What are your future musical plans?
— well right now i am currently working on a new solo album, all the production will be done by myself,and will feature a
few other artists that ive done music with.
Out of the songs you’ve created, what is your personal favorite, and why?
— thats a hard one to answer, im not normally happy with the stuff i make after its released, because by the time it comes out, ive already moved on to do something else thats three times better. but if i had to choose anything, i think
that a song called “amends” off ‘internal’ is one my favorite tracks ive done, just because it deals with
an important period in my life and truly expresses what i was feeling at that moment of time.
Where can fans listen to some of your music?
— Of course you can check my music from ‘Slamfactor’ on DJSWINDLE.com, on this dope ass virtual turntable
thing they got goin on that site. you can also check my ep, ‘internal’ on hiphopinfinity.com, and my seven
inch ‘lust for the stars’ on sandboxautomatic.com.
Have you ever rocked events, if so, what was your favorite event you rocked?
— i think that this huge
RobOne benefit show that this store Below the Surface
threw a while back was the dopest show ive been a part
of. It was just dope on the strength that a lot of
good artists were apart of it like, anticon, kanser,
evs, westcoast workforce, and a bunch of other acts
performed as well. And plus it had a really good vibe
about it
Have you ever found Jesus?
— i was born a catholic, but that sort of fell threw when i got in high school.
How long have you been rhyming? How do you see hip hop, and you? Do you see Hip Hop as a religion, art, culture, a career, job, or just a hobby?
–i’ve been rhyming for about two years now, and to me its just been a creative outlet that seems to be coming a bit natural for me. hip hop is dope because you can do so many things with it. hip hop as a music is limitless. i mean, just look at the diversity within all the groups that are out there.
Do you have any hip hop quotables that you live by? Any song lyrics ever touched you?
— hmmm…. words to live by…..not really anything specific, ive heard a lot of good songs and its close to impossible to pick just one.
Can you tell us more about your track “vs”?
–“vs” was an incredible concept that swindle had and approached me with. i knew that in order for the song to work,
the interation with me and the beat had to be seemless. we worked long and hard to make it seem like a somewhat fluid arguement. i mean… i think it worked, swindle is the king of production techniques.
What is your favorite track featured on “SlamFactor”? And Why?
— i think that it would have to be “obstacle course”, because it is one of those songs where there listener dosent really have to interpret or anylize anything, they can just sit down and listen to the story thats being told.
In your opinion what is the concept behind “SlamFactor”? Or is there one? Please feel free to single out, and mention individual songs.
— actually there was a concept behind it. we wanted to create a raw hiphop album which was cohesive and easy to get with. i wanted to make some music that i normally wouldnt make on my own, so i went in and did the album in a different
mind state. and i definately feel ‘slamfactor’ has its own destict mood to it.
Some of the tracks on “SlamFactor” are aggressive, do they parallel your personal character traits? Do you put a piece of you in each song you create?
— its funny, cuz im not an aggressive person at heart but for some reason i do a lot of aggressive tracks, its probably cuz rap is the only true form of therapy i got goin for myself.- i always put a piece of myself in every song, some more than others, but i always try to give it all i got.
Tell us more about Swindle Entertainment? Are you happy with your label, and do you see yourself with them for the long run?
–Swindle Entertainment is a budding hip hop label thats doin it all, they got clothing, music, movies, and even brooklyn’s finest, “peanut chews”. I am actually not on the label, swindle approached me to do this project,”slamfactor”, and it was a chance for me to go out and try something new for myself, so i had no problem agreeing. as for the future, i think that the label will grow into something huge. their upcoming releases will prove that they only specialize
in dope music.
Do you have any player haters? Or any words you would like to make to player haters who frown on your music? Or is there any?
–not really, i try not to get into the politics involved in hip hop. i dont think that politics help this music move foward.
As an independent artist, how do you find the music industry? What resources online have lent their support to you, and your music?
— the music industry is an odd place, everybody has an opinion about something, and for an artist to survive you truly got to stick with the art and not let the critisism get to you. the industry weeds out egos like there is no tommorrow.–in terms of online resources, of course you guys have been a huge support, im truly grateful. Also hiphopinfinty.com has helped out a lot, along with belowsurface.com and truehiphop.com. i think dot coms rule.
DJ Swindle definitely added a lot of flavor to “SlamFactor”, any special props you would like to give him? Or would you like to comment on your working relationship? Do you have any shot outs you would like make?
–DJ Swindle is a fucking production genious that guy is an amazing producer. He’s one of the few people that sees music visually and because of that he can pretty much achieve anything he wants to do. that to me is dope. He’s also a very easy producer to work with, he doesn’t have that idea of “this is my beat and im not changing it for no one”, he has a very
open mind towards the input of the emcee, and thats hard to come by.– much respect to everyone ive worked
with, and thanks for the love and support people have shown me.
Interview By HipHopHotSpot.Com
