ARABLAK

www.twitter.com/arablak :: @Arablak

www.reverbnation.com/arablak

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.