The notes app on my phone is full of song ideas and snippets of possible lyrics, leaving voice memos for myself of melodies that i might think of, but mostly when I get in the studio with Shurk, we just bounce off each other so naturally that we start writing something straight off the bat
Why is sexism so pervasive in Hip Hop culture?
There’s always been a lot of fragile masculinity in hip hop, but tbh most of the stuff I’m really excited about in the scene rn is from queer female rappers
Best Hip Hop album ever?
Umm, its tie I think. British: Constant Dikestar American: Miseducation of Lauren Hill
What would be your dream performance venue?
I’d kill to play Love Supreme
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
Probably the documentary ‘Fursonas”
Any future plans?
I just cant wait for this rona situation to wrap up so i can get back to the club!
Tell us a few things about your new album “Trapologie”. What was the main idea behind it?
The idea behind our album is that we were used to do old school hiphop. But now things have changed a little and people are listening more to trap music. So we decided to adapt to what’s popular nowadays but at the same time, we have keep our values, our lyrics, and our taste for good rap with barz and punchlines. This is why it is called ‘’Trapologie’’ because we are new to trap music and now we are studying it, putting our stories, our lifes and passion into it !
Which song of the album represents you the most?
That is hard to answer but we thought about it and Lueur d’epsoir would be a good answer ! Why ? Because we all go through struggles and hard times, most of us have inner demons and challenges to face in life. This song is about giving hope and even if we face really big things and hard times in our lifes, we should stay strong and go through those phases to learn, to become stronger and a better version of ourselves, cause in the end, this is what it’s all about. It represents us because in this song we are really intense with our flows, deep with our lyrics and real with our content, it comes straight form the heart. So this would be a good one ! Literally, this song gives us goosebumps !
Is language a barrier in music?
Yes and no. It is a barrier in a sense that French isn’t the most speaking language in the world, compare to English. So it could be easier for an English artist to blow than a French artist. But we do our best to get known in Québec, France and other French speaking countries ! French is also our native language so its easier for us to rap in French than English !
Tell us a French artist we should definitely need to check out.
Dual-it is an artist that we are looking forward to do a song with him ! We discovered him recently and he got some skillz !
What would you change in the music industry?
If we could remove all the fake artists, to put on top the real ones, the real underground music artists that does music from the heart, than we would be happy to change that !
One last thing we should know about you?
We are simple people that are passionated about rap, lyricism and dope music ! We do music not for fame, money or anything like that, simply because we love it and we enjoy it !
I’m Lilkev where I’m from, im the Keyholder that’s why im Loksmif, with this rapper shit! got keys and I unlock doors, knomewel (you know my well) speaks to my inner Man been the same as your inner man, you understand? You know me well because we are in essence one and the same just at different places and circumstances you understand?
What is the main topic of your lyrics? Tell us a few things about your creative process
Life and everything in between, my creative process normally starts with finding or hearing a beat and the beat speaks its truth to me and I reply and we produce the song together as two instruments in cohesion
For which lyric you are most proud of?
Them all they are Truly mine and they speak to peoples conditions.
Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?
Tupac, ion that’s hard bc I like older artist so it kinda hard to choose, right now its Cormill, Datklien Beat, Jo3 beats and the Beat Grabberz but overall Kayne West
What does the future hold for Hip-Hop?
Hopefully it holds some ability to redirect the miseducated and misdirected listners that it has influenced over the last couple of years.
One last thing we should know about you?
I am a voice for the unheard the unspoken.. it’s more than rap I speak to the condition of a group of people that seek advancement, that seek liberation and financial security. Please lock in and check for my up coming album titled *How Can I Rest* streaming every some
Tell us a few things about your new song “Beauty Queen”
I wanted to try something different when I wrote this song. I wanted a different sound, something refreshing for a change. The song is about having that perfect woman, because in real life there’s no such thing. But we can all dream right? I wanted a song to build a women up not put them down so I kept that in mind when putting Beauty Queen together.
I had the perfect time to get on with it because I made this song during lockdown..so I had plenty of time to focus.
Why does hip hop today have so many negative stereotypes? For example why hiphop put women in a position of submission?
I believe it’s because of social media! All you have to do is go on Instagram and see what’s happening. A lot of artists are pretending to be someone there not. It’s all about money, fast cars, women wearing next to nothing, to me it’s all about bragging rights.
This now trickles down to the youth and it’s plain to see. Kids don’t act like kids they act like adults. To me hip hop has become an image, when it use to be about your true identity. Upbringing and struggles etc. I could on all day about this question you asked me.
“Beauty Queen” is not a sad song. Are you optimistic in general?
Yeah I am I guess, I just take every day as it comes because tomorrow could be your last we don’t understand how profound that saying is. I try my best nowadays not to let things get me down. And just focus on the things I can do to make myself happy in life. Everything starts with yourself, never forget that.
Which is your favorite hip hop album ever?
Skinnyman – council estate of mind! Blown away from when I first heard and even when I play it now
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
Paid in full
Any future plans?
Make more music! I’m working with a young talent hip hop producer and breakdancer. KUB you can find all his stuff on Spotify under that name, I’ve worked with him before. So I know this is gonna be good fun. I will also be working with Fidibeatz who again is a hip hop producer and a good friend you can also find his stuff on Spotify and YouTube under that name. Both lads have different sounds which is good.
What is the biggest challenge of being an independent artist today?
The “always on” content creation culture is an absolute nightmare! Building a following and creating platform-specific content across the many social media apps is a massive challenge. All for the sake of directing them to stream/buy your music! It seems that in orderto release a 3-minute song these days, you need to do everything but make good music. Launching a dance challenge, daily Tik Tok skits, and recording every moment for vlog content shouldn’t be a MUST for a song or artist to achieve some velocity. I find it grossly unsustainable and just flat out exhausting. It makes me feel like I’m not doing enough for mycareer because I’m not everywhere or everywhere all of the time.
Ultimately, I rather sharpen my songwriting, production, and other skills that translate intobecoming a master musician, not take on the role of content-creator for the sake of beating an algorithm.
What would be your dream performance venue?
I’d love to play a sold-out crowd in a massive arena like the Staples Center. While I do appreciate the intimacy of smaller venues, playing a large stage just feels right. And with my ego, I tell myself that I deserve it. I know I can make the world move.
In fact, I always picture my performance and the crowd reaction when I write songs. I grew up in the church and witnessed first-hand how “call and response” creates larger than life moments. Anyone who’s ever been to a RaneRaps show knows I leave it all on stage (even at risk of injury haha) for the sake of their enjoyment. The “I” becomes “we” when the crowd is singing back your lyrics, flailing about, and unapologetically letting loose to free their mind,body, and spirit.
And it’s the collective experience that fills me with joy. I love my life as is and derive happiness from simple things, but performing music reminds me how it feels to be alive and I chase that endorphin release continuously.
Why not achieve bliss on a large stage in front of thousands of fans? The more happiness I can impart on the world in this limited time that I’m allowed, the better.
You have already been featured in Spotify editorial playlists. Is Spotify the musicindustry’s new Gatekeepers?
Spotify is premier in breaking artists. It’s the nature of the game when so much of the industry is run by the algorithm, numbers, and playlisting. Granted you’re not guaranteed along career if you land on Rap Caviar but a Spotify cosign can create stars seemingly overnight. It’s the possibility of discoverability that keeps us musicians chasing success with playlists – most notably Spotify editorial playlists. And being discovered for one good song and following it up with another can take you from mom’s basement to label meetings and now the cover of that very playlist you were first discovered on. Slow growth (which most of us experience) is better than no growth but who could say no to accelerated growth? Sign me up and sign me up now!
Best Hip-Hop album ever?
A tough one indeed! I love so many albums for different reasons but I’ll go with OutKast’s “ATLiens”.
ATLiens caught my ear, from the instrumentals to the lyrics themselves. I spend a lot of time alone and the storytelling in their songs sounds like thoughts you’d have on a random Tuesday at 3:43pm. Oddly specific description I understand but my point is aside from late in the night, that’s probably when you’ll catch yourself reflecting on life and assessing all of the wins, conflicts, and more surrounding you at the time.While I don’t agree with all of thegroup’s stances on certain issues, I love their willingness to hold steadfast to their individualand collective identities, deliver tough love much like an older brother would, and vulnerably ponder life in front of us all as if they were thinking aloud.
A close second would be A Tribe Called Quest’s “The Low End Theory”. I listened to this album a lot in high school, but what made it special was the carpools to school with my younger brother. Our commute was at least 35 minutes each morning, so we had a lot of time to bond. It was magical trading lyrics with him to our favorite ATCQ songs. Seeing him happy and enjoying life made me cry tears of joy inside. Til this day he knows those songs just as well as he did then and I can hear him bumping them on occasion.
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
Fun fact: I usually binge movies about every 5-6 weekends when I need to recharge creatively. However, I haven’t watched movies so much in quarantine, so the films I’m choosing from are a bit slim. The best film would have to be Sweeney Todd. Yes, I’m just now seeing it in 2020. But, I can explain! That movie traumatized me since I first saw the trailer. I love gore but as a kid, it was simply too much. Earlier this year I was speaking to a friend about it and she revealed that it’s in fact a musical of all things. In true RaneRaps fashion, I added it to My List on Netflix and put it off for another few weeks.
When I finally dug into it, I had the time of my life. The grim story drew me in and the aesthetic… *chefs kiss*. The building tension to Johnny Depp enacting revenge on LordTurpin was a tough one but my desires were finally met. And while it didn’t inspire a song(dear Lord, I hope I wouldn’t be role-playing a demon barber lol), it refreshed my creativity and allowed me to push onward in my quest to unite the world under this groove.
Any future plans?
My main plans for 2021: create more brand awareness with singles and release my debut album. My fan base knows exactly who I am: a wild man who happens to make wild music. I type this as I chant adlibs to myself… Anyways, the world at large (aka a large slice of theinternet) doesn’t know I exist. I want to change this by delivering singles that showcase myknack for catchy tunes that remain authentic to my life story. And when I’ve imprinted upon this larger audience great music and bring them into my world, I’ll deliver my debut album. Regardless, the album is coming Fall 2021 or earlier. And some may call me biased but thequality of music… it sounds like a greatest hits. I can’t wait!
You mix guitars with lofi beats. Tell us a few things about your creative process?
So far I still feel pretty new to production and mixing which takes away from my guitar playing but for my recent releases they tend to start off with a guitar rhythm that ultimately sparks a theme or color that I use to develop the song. Usually I add textural elements next and some cliché vinyl crackling to give the music more character. After that I just start riffing around with some guitar leads and use them as a voice for the story that I’m trying to tell. To breakup any creative constraints I like to solo other instruments that I’ve been experimenting with such as keys or bass depending on the mood. Then I kinda sit on my mixes (like most producers do) for a while and debate whether I think the song is good or garbage. The more time I spend on a track the less creative I start to feel and that’s when poor judgement in the mix can start affecting the overall sound. Next thing you know you start bashing yourself for ruining a mix that was good like 5 iterations ago (haha).
Many people consider lofi beats as music to study or relax. For us it is something far more exciting. What are your thoughts?
Considering I came across chillhop and lofi beats while working at my first full-time job after college I’d say it can be great as background music for focusing on tasks but I think I was digging it more as music that I actually paid attention to thanks to artists like L’indecis, Saib and Idealism. Over the years I feel like this genre has become super saturated with beatmakers and not necessarily songwriters considering that most just sample beats and repeat. While I don’t think this genre is intended to be “exciting” like you mentioned, I think lofi beats can be a great foundation for building upon creativity and not having any strict guidelines.
Would you consider performing your music live? What would be your dream performance venue?
The instrumental music I currently write and produce doesn’t strike me as something I’d really perform especially because I feel like it’s kind of cinematic and more suited for sync licensing. Honestly I don’t feel like I fit into the beat scene that much because it’s not my forte and a beatmaker isn’t really what I aspire to be. This lofi stuff was just supposed to be a side project for me so I could get better at mixing and producing for my lyrical projects but I think I underestimated the learning curve of what it truly means to be “good” in these areas (haha). It’s funny because the whole concept of “lofi beats” is to intentionally have low quality sound within your mixes but since this genre isn’t the end goal for me I guess I see it as more of a learning experience for my music that’s yet to come. As for my dream performance venue I think the Red Rocks or any amphitheater of the likes would be sick to play; maybe some heavy acoustic or rock (haha Red Rocks) since I also write music in those genres but I don’t see lofi beats being a great headliner for one of these venues.
Favorite producer?
You’re stumping me with some hard questions (haha) I don’t think I can name a fav producer because I don’t really know whether or not some of my favorite artists produce their own music, plus naming a favorite producer would severely limit me in terms of the many different genres that I like. I’d say most recently since I’ve been trying to brush up on my guitar playing that Tom Misch might be one of my favs cuz he’s pretty low-key and he puts out bangers (haha).
Are Spotify playlist curators the new gatekeepers of the music industry?
It seems that way doesn’t it? Maybe some genres more so than others but I feel like the music industry has changed so fast over the past decade (even as I’m still learning) that some musicians are stuck with a label mentality and others are stuck with a starving artist mentality. Even though I’m so new to it all I really enjoy the learning process and not having to answer to anybody when it comes to business or creativity. I know and have worked with people on both sides of the spectrum and it can be detrimental to the artist to have no middle ground understanding. One thing that’s interesting is the global pandemic we’ve been experiencing in 2020 because I’ve seen big labels drop artists like flies and I’ve seen indie artists take some big steps in their careers. I feel like many struggle to see the potential that they could have just by creating good music, branding themselves and learning new skills to better themselves in terms of music as a business and a creator. Back to playlists I actually founded my own label (Le Steez) this summer and a big part of my mission behind it is to have artists supporting other artists. One of the ways I’ve been able to promote this is by creating playlists and running social media ads to target certain audiences which allows me to connect with many artists and helps them to get organic followers, streams and exposure.
What is the biggest difference from being in the booth instead of being behind the boards?
thats a good question, when im behind the boards producing or writing its for someone else, its their song, their style, sound etc. When im in the booth im giving you my thoughts, feelings, basically giving you ME and its exciting cause you dont know how people are going to take it in and if they’re going to like it. Some people have told me they love my beats but love my music more and some fans have told me the opposite lol…
For which lyric you are most proud of?
I Aint Here To Change The Game Im Just Here To Play It
Best Hip Hop album ever?
Nas – Illmatic for me is the greatest hip hop album of all time, its also my go to for inspiration
What would you change in the music industry?
A lot! the industry now is like all the artists out right now, just follows the trends and goes where the money is. One say someone is HOT and the next they’re gone and someone similar comes out next with one good song and is the next big thing until they disappear and it just keeps going.
Favorite music related film?
my favorite music related film would actually be Jay-Z’s “Fade To Black” when i need inspiration i watch that, seeing him work in the studio is very inspiring, especially when you watch him and Kanye West work together.
Any future plans?
Yes!, i have a lot of music coming out in 2021 and i will be releasing more home concerts as well until venues open back up and i can hit the stage, i had to cancel a lot of shows here in minnesota and LA due to covid
You blend numerous different genres. Tell us a few things about your creative process?
I come at musical creativity from a range of perspectives. I can just as easily write a song on the guitar as start with a loop and build from there. Unlike many artists I am not a fan of paring back to only a few simple elements, but rather have a few elements that have many-layered textures, but with those elements still being identifiable. Some have described my music as cinematic, and I think that is a valid observation. I think musically in terms of spaces and depth, and inevitably it links to imagery quickly being associated with that. In terms of the “Love Blast Lounge” EP I worked on linking loops, adding retro touches such as wow and flutter, and phasing, then layering more traditional instrumentation on top of that. Much of the EP has references to 1980s and early 2000s electronica as well as 1990s trip hop and hip hop.
You plan to incorporate live instruments in your performances. Which is the biggest challenge when it comes to instrumental music and live performance?
It is the leaping from the DJ controller to the violin and hoping the prayer to the tuning gods has been heard. Not dropping the instrument is pretty important also. The biggest challenges are with acoustic instruments, mainly miking, and tuning.
Your dream collaboration?
The Boards of Canada guys. I LOVE Boards of Canada. Problem is I would be tongue-tied, and a useless collaborator.
Best instrumental album ever?
Difficult to say which is best. But I think one of the most influential for me when growing up was Mike Oldfield’s “Tubular Bells” from 1973! The layering of ostinato, counterpoint and texture in my music is probably linked back to listening to this when I was very young. That and symphonic music such as Beethoven, Mozart, Mahler.
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
An oldie but a goodie. “THX1138”. A reminder of where we might be headed. George Lucas at his very best. Not so much a fan of his Star Wars series to be honest, but still enjoy it. Great science fiction is cerebral and often embeds warnings. Sadly not many appear to have listened to some of the warnings of the last one hundred years’ sci-fi writing and filmmaking.
One last thing we should know about you?
I have watched “2001 A Space Odyssey” about 500 times, and “Bladerunner 2049” about 100 times. Am in therapy for this right now.
From a jam to a released project. Tell us a few things about your creative process.
Creativity first, I always make sure the vibes are right.. I watch alot of documentaries, read to build up my creative ideas, and depending on the sound, I’ll reach out to specific producers and musicians to work alongside in the creation process. Writing is usually intimate for me, I do that on my own, for the choruses, I’ll bring in a vocalist or just run the idea in the moment at the studio.
Once we have the jams panned out, we’ll select the bodies of work we want to refine, & usually if I can visualize a music video or artwork right away, I know the message of the record was invoked.
I distribute my own projects, however, I do reach out to other labels from time to time to assist in the distribution and marketing, usually when I’m trying to grow in a new marketplace. After that, it’s all about pushing the music to the people.
Do you have a favorite track of your album?
Probably ‘Funny How It Changes’.
Best Hip Hop album ever?
Illmatic.
Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?
Benjamin A.D from South London. One of the coldest out, easily.
What would you change in the music industry?
I would take away the right to own an artists masters outright. It’s old, that ish needs to go!
Any future plans?
Continue making music meant to evoke positive change, pushing the envelope, and elevating culture and my fellow creatives. Thanks for the chat ! EL
Well, I’m Rissa Boo, a multipotential artist. I started my Hip-Hop activism with Graffiti and Breakdance when I was a teenager, then following my passion to Rap music. I’m also an experimented backpacker and a photographer so I’m crossing all my experiences and my background into my art in several forms.
Describe your sound in three words :
Rad, Energetic & Deep !
Now describe NYC in three words :
Madness, Busy & Jungle,
What comes first? The beat or the lyrics? Tell us a few things about your creative process.
First of all comes the subject, what I want to talk about. Then come some abstract ideas, both for the beat and the lyrics that I share with Alex Bruggeman who has made all the instrumentals of this Scientifik EP. Once I have a musical base, I write all the lyrics and then we adjust by sending back exports and ideas. But usually, I already know what I want like the structure or the FXs so it can be super fast !
Best Hip Hop album ever?
This is a very difficult question but if I had to choose one, I would say “Ill Communication” from the Beastie Boys because it brings a lot of different styles from the Jazz samples of “Sure Shot” to the guitar riffs of “Sabotage”, passing by tracks like “Shambala” or “Bodhisattva Vow” with tibetan sounds. Sometimes you only have instrumental tracks like “Sabrosa” or “Transitions” and a great collab’ with Q-Tip. Well it’s a perfect mix for me and I never get bored listening to it ! Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?
I think my favorite emcee is K-OS, a canadian rapper from Toronto. For the same reasons as the previous question. His albums are really rich in musical influence and he can rap and sing on all these different vibes. I don’t have a favorite lyricist and I won’t be original here, but I love guys like Nas or 2Pac for their conscious lyrics and actually that’s why I felt in love with rap music : for its political messages. Even if we can talk about everything, obviously ! And as a producer I would say Madlib. I’m a huge fan of samples (even if there’s no sample in my last EP) and he always makes us discover dope stuff with jazz music or dope brazilian bossa. He has a huge musical culture. This is the second reason I like Rap music, it takes influences from everything.
Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?
These days I’m listening to Sven Wunder with his album “Eastern Flower”, it’s like psychedelic folk and I particularly like the track called “Daisy”. Short but great !
Any future plans?
Yaassss of course. I have many projects in my mind like mixtapes and albums so I keep working on it, but for now I’m still creating music videos to defend my Scientifik EP. Everyone can see my work on my Facebook Page, Instagram or Youtube Channel so let’s keep in touch !
HipHop Paranoia 