WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WANT PEOPLE THAT AREN'T YET
FANS OF YOUR MUSIC TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I'm a fan first making music for fans like me. I
like to have fun on track and in person. I'm just a regular cat who loves
hip-hop music.
WHAT ARE YOU BRINGING TO THE GAME?
In my opinion, you've gotta be somewhat of a
megalomaniac to think you're gonna bring something significantly different to
the music world. I'm more of a realist where I'm not bringing anything that
hasn't been heard before, but what separates me from the masses is my standard
for quality. I surround myself with likeminded artists and really
strive to make the best music I/we can. It doesn't matter how different
your music is if it doesn't really move anyone.
WHO ARE SOME OF YOUR MUSICAL INFLUENCES?
Run-DMC, Fat Boys, KRS-One, De La Soul, Nas, Ras
Kass, Redman, Wu-Tang, etc... I'm a 70's baby, and was fortunate to have a
young mother who always had her ear to the street when it came to new music.
WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Dope artists and wack artists. Like I said before,
I'm a fan first, so you'll notice I talk a lot about the listening experience
and the creative process in my music. Music is a huge part of my life, which
inspires me to write about it in itself.
WHO TAUGHT YOU ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE LESSONS IN
LIFE?
Definitely my Aunt Susan... She is by far the most
caring, giving and selfless person I've ever known. As long as I've can
remember, she's given her time and energies to help the less fortunate and the
people she loves. Even as I am what some may consider to be a
"grown-up", she continues to be a role model for me. She taught me
that this life isn't all about the individual, but the collective.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOUR LIFE WOULD
YOU? WHAT WOULD IT BE? AND WHY?
I would be lying if I didn't say it was to have more
money. I don't want to have to work anymore. Where I come from, money =
options. The more financial freedom you have, the more options you have to do
whatever it is you will. Whoever said money can't buy happiness probably never
had any money.
WHAT DO YOU WANT OUT OF LIFE?
Joy and to be remembered for contributing
something inspirational. I want my kids to have something to be proud of,
whatever it may be.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVE SPORT AND TEAM?
Basketball all day. I'm from Worceter, MA so I'm a
Celtics fan, but I've also been riding with the Bulls since I watched Jordan
drop 63 on the Celtics in the 1986 playoffs.
WHAT’S YOUR OPINION ABOUT THE STATE OF MUSIC?
I don't think there's anything wrong with the state
of music. Usually people have a problem with popular radio and television, but
I don't listen to the radio or watch BET, so it doesn't bother me. It's the
21st century. If you still get all your music selections from those media
outlets when the internet is at your fingertips, you deserve the shit you get
fed to you. Subscribe to a few blogs and trust the real taste makers to direct
you to something fresh.
HOW LONG YOU BEEN RAPPIN?
I've been writing since 1991, recording since 1996
and what I call a recording "artist" since 1999.
WHY DO YOU LOVE MUSIC?
It's simply beautiful. Its expression manifested
with rhythm. It's funky, soulful, hardcore, melodic and everything else you
want it to be. Music is one of the few art forms where you can literally make
something from nothing.
WHAT ARE YOU TOP 5 MOVIES?
Wow... I have a tough time with "top 5"
lists, because it changes so much... right now I'd have to go with:
The Matrix
Star Wars
Shawshank Redemption
Toy Story trilogy (I'm a dad)
Snatch
WHAT ARE 3 THINGS YOU CANT LIVE WITHOUT?
The 3 things every king makes it a point to have:
Women, Food and Entertainment
IF YOU COULD PICK 3 ARTISTS PAST OR PRESENT TO WORK
WITH WHO WOULD YOU PICK?
J Dilla, David Axelrod, DJ Premier
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE: COOL LAID BACK,
IN YOUR FACE, CONSCIOUS?
I think I'm all of the above. It really all
depends on the content or the mood of whatever song I'm working on. But
whatever style it's in, I try to inject my charisma and personality into it.
WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU’RE GOING TO SUCCEED?
Success is simply accomplishing what you set out to
do. The kind of music I make isn't "platinum" material so I don't
expect Diddy numbers anytime soon. I aim to make good music, so if I'm able to
release projects I'm happy with, then (in my eyes) I have succeeded.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU LOVED MUSIC MORE THAN THE
AVERAGE PERSON?
I figured that out early on, as I typically got more
excited about certain songs or albums than the regular listener. I've always
been fascinated by dope beats and lyrics.
IT NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME AT HOW RAPPERS CAN JUST
GO OFF THE TOP WHEN FREESTYLIN... HOW DOES THAT WORK FOR YOU, DO YOU JUST SAY
AIIGHT IMA GO ON THIS TOPIC OR DOES IT JUST COME TO YOU AS YOUR SPITTIN?
I'm not the best freestyle emcee around. I rarely do
it and spend more time trying to write songs. I appreciate the skill it takes
to go off the head, but I'm not very practiced in that area of emceeing.
