Category: Interviews

Jay Suttin x Jack Bashful – À La Carte [Interview]

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Describe your sound in three words

Eclectic. Imaginative. Deliberate.

Boiled under lockdown in digital kitchens. Many people suggested that Lockdown could turn out to be one of the most creative times. What are your thoughts?

Yeah I think so, it’s been a great reset for a lot of creative people finally free to play and collaborate, hopefully once things go back to ‘normal’ everyone can remember to set aside a more proportionate slice of their time to their creative processes.

Is these days the impact of rap music on youths positive?

Overall, unfortunately no, I don’t think it is. It used to be when hip hop music was about bringing people together and being a creative outlet for those unattached to mainstream society and culture and while pockets of that do remain I think nowadays it’s a cartoonish parody of itself where style is everything, content is an afterthought and for any actually talented young people it can be very difficult to be heard over the noise of all these voices shouting so loudly with so little to say.

Do you think there is a true underground hip hop sound today?

I don’t think there’s any ‘one true underground sound’ There will always be people who want to bend rules and blend genres and create ‘new’ vibes and personally I think that in itself is the truest expression of hiphop; something which sonically is always evolving but at its core, it respects the values at the foundation of what hiphop is, or was. It can be crusty boombap or wavy bass driven drill but there should always be an artistic merit and creative worth and for me the lyrics should always evoke some kind of emotional reaction from the listener.

Best Hip Hop album ever?

Wouldn’t call anything a ‘best ever’ but I have a great nostalgic affiliation with the slim shady LP so I’ll go with that

Favorite music related film?

Again not a favourite but ‘Searching for Sugar Man’ is worth a watch, it tells the story of faded 70s musician Sixto Rodriguez who, unbeknownst to himself, was a household name in South Africa

Any future plans?

Stacks of new music and videos to come out of my label G A C K in the coming months, my own next album ‘Yodecahedron’ will be dropping early next year and pandemic depending a return to stages ASAP

Thank you!

Follow Jay Suttin
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Slippery Trashmouf – What the Fuck [Interview]

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  • Describe your sound in three words

From The Underpasses

  • Existential nihilism, drug dependency. Is rap one of the best forms of self therapy?

Nah, honestly the best form of therapy for me has been various meditative/mental exercises? Rap has been a very good way to vent my problems and i suppose elements of it like gigs and making music with friends are very therapuetic. Honestly i’m still tryna find a therapist/get some medication and im still chain smoking spliffs, though i will say it definitely helped me stop doing psychedelics at every available opportunity. Life’s becoming a bit of a trip innit.

  • How do you relate to the Scotland music scene?

It’s a love/hate relationship honestly.
There’s a lot of garbage, there’s a lot of people who think that because they’ve had a rough background they deserve more attention despite not having the skills/actual mindset to achieve it.
I think that focusing too much on the ‘scottish’ element can really stop your reach, my second largest listener base according to spotify artists is london. Its less about relating to the scene and more about finding individuals that you relate to/relate with you I guess.

  • Favorite hip hop album of the past decade?

Uuuhh damn okay that’s a hard one tbh.
The livi boy in me says LIV 3 by LIV (check it on bandcamp its a love letter to Scotland’s rap scene) cause it was the first tape i was ever on that wasn’t mine and my first time really working properly with other artists, Spawn Zero and Barz Fury (whos last solo albums both also could have taken that spot)

On a non hometeam vibe, Babau by Tzusan, or maybe idk CLBRKS last double tape? Sniff also just dropped a banger? I don’t really listen to a lot of music tbh aha.

  • Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?

Okay i’m definitely cheating but Sleep’s Cousin and Spacepope kinda sound the same vocally so i have a theory they’re the same person. Kaput by Sleep’s Cousin pulls me outta panic attacks, Celladwella by Spacepope makes me wanna cause em to other people.

  • This is your first E.P. Any future plans?

Goddamn do I?

Nah I do aha, lots actually:Postulated Substance Abuse is my next tape, just waiting on final masters from Barz who’s also featuring along with Spawn and entirely produced by Hypnokid (its kinda lofi kinda meditative kinda acidrap)
Theres a collab tape with Dimwitted and Franky coming together, follow @speaksleazy on Instagram cause i cant really say much right now its all in beta phases but we are working on something that will hopefully help bridge the gap between ‘scottish hiphop’ and the ‘uk hiphop scene’ cause somebody bloody has to.

Other than that I’ve just dropped three singles and a feature on Mackenzies last album and one on Spacepope’s last e.p. too, Spawn says i did a feature for his next tape but apparently i was out my face cause i cant remember recording it at all but he says its good and i trust him.

  • Favorite music related film?

Uuuuhhh… I don’t really watch films tbh.
Can I just say the What The Fuck music video on youtube cause all i have in my noggin as far as films go is The Bad Batch and Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas and i was waaaay too baked to remember the soundtracks (except white rabbit in the bath obvs)

Thank you!

Follow Slippery Trashmouf
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Israel Nke – Dream State [Interview]

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  • Describe your sound in three words

Soulful, storytelling, rap.

  • Is there a happy memory from your prison experience you would like to share with us?

The fact that i was able to do an exam( A Level Maths) and got an A grade, I was stoked because i put the work in then got the results.

  • What are the top three things that need to change in prison?

The food, more intense Education and More visiting time.

  • Best Hip Hop album ever?

Get rich or die trying

  • Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?

Kendrick Lamar, Jcole and am not sure

  • Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?

Sorry not sure

  • What would you change in the music industry?

Sexualisation and racism.

  • Any future plans? 

My future plan is to use my sound to wave.

Follow Israel Nke
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Samad Savage – Don’t [Interview]

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  • Please Introduce yourself

SKOODWIDIT, I’m Samad Savage, repping Montclair, Jersey.

  • Describe your sound in 3 words

Impactful, thought-provoking and energetic

  • Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer

Lupe Fiasco, Big Pun and Chuck Sutton

  • Best Hip Hop album ever

The Cool

  • Top Hidden Gem Artist

Rapsody

  • Future plans

I plan on changing the world or sparking the mind that does

Follow Samad Savage
Instagram

Essense – Novocaine [Interview]

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Describe your sound in three words

Vibey, swaggy, & soulful

Does love make you wanna run in real life too? What advice would you give to your younger self?

It did at one point but I’ve learned that love is unavoidable. It always seems to find me. I’d tell my younger self to stop running. “Be who you are, learn how to feel”

Which track in the “The(Essense)tial” EP represents you the most?

My song La Da Di literally describes me in my element. Just in my house bumpin to some music, in my own zone. I’m an introvert. I like to be by myself. I can have my own private party.

What makes NYC one of the most influential places in the world? What do you love and what do you hate in the city?

We set trends. We create waves. It’s just a vibe. I love everything about my city. I hate when people try to act like it’s not the best city in the world!

How do you relate to the NYC music scene?

I’m a fan of this new NYC music scene. Especially the NY drill scene. Definitely a vibe.

What is your favorite album of the past decade?

It’s a tie between H.E.R’s first album and DVSN Sept. 5

What would be your dream performance venue?

The 106 & Park stage. RIP 106…

One last thing we should know about you?

I’m from Brooklyn. YKTV

Thank you!

Follow Essense
Instagram

https://soundcloud.com/ssensemusic/novocaine

Kontent – Peach Flavored Vodka [Interview]

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Describe your sound in three words

Refreshing, innovative, fusion

As a bass player, would it be safe to assume that your tracks start always with the bass line? Tell us a few things about your creative process.

No, I unfortunately left my bass back home in Italy, therefore here in LA I can’t do that yet. Usually my tracks start more with keys, since that is my main instrument but it can also start with drums or with any exciting sample. “Peach Flavored Vodka” is actually the first song I started with a bassline but I’ll definitely do that more in the future.

Since I’m a producer, I love to start producing and writing at the same time. The distinction between the two often blurs for me, since production gives me endless possibilities of where a song can go. Other times I write piano songs and then turn those into hip hop beats. All the first songs I wrote were mainly piano songs.

Your video describes your 15-year-old past self. What advice would you give to your younger self?

Enjoy every moment while it lastsand embrace your age.

Favorite rapper, lyricist and producer?

Kanye West (both)

Moving from South Tyrol to Berlin and then to LA, which are the main differences between these places and what do they have in common?

South Tyrol stands basically for small town / countryside vibes. It is very quiet, peaceful, people are very friendly but there’s not really an artistic open-mindedness. The mountains, even though they’re beautiful, unfortunately block people’s horizon.Berlin and LA, on the other hand, are major cities where you can be whoever you want to be. Berlin just has the downside that its music business is still limited in its variety and you won’t find enough support to sustain your career in every genre you’d like to create.In LA you have the wholemusic business and that’s why it became my current home.Aside from artistic freedom, it is also the center of the music industry, which inspires you to keep pushing because you know there arepossibilities forsustaining your career.

Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?

Audrey Nuna

Favorite music related film?

Inside Llewyn Davis

Any future plans?

Becoming successful in the industry, either as an artist or as a producer.

Thank you!

Follow Kontent
Website/Facebook/Instagram

T H R O N E x Infatuation – Checks Like Degrassi [Interview]

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  • Please Introduce yourself

We are T H R O N E. Hip Hop duo and real life couple of YVHIKV and Hayatheus.

  • Describe your sound in 3 words

Freeform. Thoughtful. Genre-bent.

  • Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer

Hayatheus: Certainly MF DOOM and Madlib.

YVHIKV: Noname was probably the latest addition to my favorite rapper list.

  • Best Hip Hop album ever

Hayatheus: Probably Good Kid, M.A.A.D City by Kendrick

YVHIKV: Channel Orange by Frank Ocean.

  • Top Hidden Gem Artist

Hayatheus: Right now for me it’s Adé Hakim. His music is incredible.

YVHIKV: Kaiit from Australia. She’s jazz and soul. 

  • Future plans

Keep developing our craft, keep releasing, get as good as we can and then get better. Oh and move to Japan and do shows in little local shops. 

T H R O N E Instagram
Infatuation Instagram

Madd skillz – Off The Dome [Interview]

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Describe your sound in three words

Versatile, Dynamic & Psychedlic

Platforms offering sound recordings in a netflix style subscription-for-access model changed the art of sampling in a drastic way. Do you think that having such an easy access to samples affects the quality of instrumental music today?

I used to use samples for all my work, but I felt there was a huge restriction in truly getting taste of my soul out on to a canvas. In other words, I couldn’t truly express what I was feeling and any deep rooted emotions I’m holding onto because I was unable to play the rhythms I wanted with the timing that matched my moods.

Your music could work perfectly as a soundtrack. If you were asked to rescore a film, which one would you choose?

Oh wow, maybe along the lines of The Matrix, Gladiator or Interstellar. I really like films that bend the mind, so creating music around that would be extremely fun.

If you had to choose one Synthesizer (analog or digital) which one would it be?

Given the choice, I would go definitely go analog just to get that constant smooth sound. I feel that it gives more presence of the soul in mixes and fills up so much space In those frequencies only the subconscious can pick up on which is so key in music because people do really pick up on harmony with an innate ear for them disregarding having a professional one.

What is the best instrumental album ever?

Ouf, I’m a huge fan of Thom Yorke’s Suspirium. It’s got a mix of some instrumentals as well as vocals. I feel those albums have the most dynamic because they serve you the best of both words in terms of vocalization and instrumental work. That album itself really taps into a mysterious dark world dwelling deep in my mind that feels very real and once experienced if that makes any sense.

What would you change in the music industry?

I’d make the producers take over, haha! Well, to be honest, I would like the algorithms on streaming platforms to become so advanced in music that it caters to even the small guys putting them in front of the listeners that matter most. I think a great idea would be to give free to bare minimum streaming music memberships to people who can’t afford it but limiting them to listen to only independent musicians with premium features rather than full scaled and/or signed artists. It’s definitely been implemented with some music platforms out there but it should be normalized on the big players. I think it will ultimately improve their algorithms analysis and allow room for independent musicians to reap more profitability and fanbase for an audience that is unchecked.

Any future plans?

I’m hoping to sign to an independent label in the near future that can scale my music to a much larger audience. Right now in the present, my focus is on improving my instrument playing skills on my guitar and keyboard. As for my craft, I’ll definitely be objectively chipping away at it until I have several compositions to call it an album!

Thank you!

Follow mass skillz
Twitter/Instagram

https://soundcloud.com/prodmaddskillz/sets/off-the-dome

Sonikem – Baile De Paris [Interview]

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Please introduce yourself

Born in France and of Beninese and Cameroonian origin,, I’m a Producer, DJ, Rapper living in Paris. Playing all around the world in clubs and festivals, i regularly publish instrumental projects but also many titles with artists met during my travels or online notably Japanese, Brazilian or French

Describe your sound in three words

Passionate, Open minded, universal

In your music, there is a clear focus on the groove. Would it be safe to assume that your creative process usually starts with the beat?

In fact, i didn’t have any real process for making a music, i can start from the beat, a sample, a melodie or from a text. I let myself be carried away by the inspiration of the moment.

What is the main topic of your lyrics?

The main topics on this album are the party, the atmosphere in the favela and the stories that happen to the artists.

Is language a barrier in music?

Not at all, I don’t speak Portuguese, but many artists spoke English and otherwise we used translation software. when you’re looking to work with someone and especially in music, language is never a barrier.

Your album is dance oriented. Considering that during the covid area parties almost do not exist, in which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?

It is true that the project came out in the midst of a pandemic. But you should know that in many countries and especially in Brazil it has not stopped people from continuing to party. So I bet on the fact that when the evenings resume my album will be part of the projects to play to the public! 😉

Do you have a favorite song from your album?

Not really because every song is a story to tell. 

Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?

All of them!! Go listen their songs, follow them on social medias and push them we are all independants so this help a lot! 

Do you cook? If yes, which is your favorite dish?

My favorite meal is Plantain with rice and chicken and yes i cook 😉

Any future plans? 

I’m working on new projects with Brazilian artists  more Hiphop / Trap oriented. So stay tuned 😉

Thank you!

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Iv_collin – Seat at the Table [Interview]

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  • Please introduce yourself

Hello my name is Albert Collins Williams IV so that’s where my stage name came from. shocking my list of bad rap names is only two I started 0ff as POETIClly inspired then I switched to collin_the inspiration so third time the charm I think I will stick with iv_collin. I started rapping my freshman year of high school but really started taking it serious my sophomore year after doing a poetry unit for my English class.

  • Describe your sound in three words

I would describe my sound as introspective, relatable & gritty I do my best to not sugarcoat anything with my music I want you to feel like you know me as if we been friends for years.

  • For which lyric you are most proud of?

If I can talk to younger me I’ll tell myself to never change be yourself everything will be okay. I chose this lyric because think of how much time we waste trying to seek validation from people who will never give it to you. Not to mention that most of them are trying to seek their validation from someone else.

  • Best Hip Hop album ever?

Alright not you tryna got me in trouble haha I know the typical answer is the blueprint by Jay Z or illmatoic by Nas. But this a hard question but ill give you a couple options I think are the best.

Good kid mad city by Kendrick Lamar
My Beautiful dark twisted fantasy Kanye west
2014 forrest hill drive J Cole
To Pimp a butterfly Kendrick Lamar

  • Why are misogyny and sexism so pervasive in Hip Hop culture?

You know at times it feels like we are stuck in the past but honestly I feel like the women in hip hop are breaking dow n barriers for years now look at Cardi b, Meg the stallion , Rapsody and the city girls.

  • Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?

I think Jon Keith is an hidden gem I been listening to his album anti hero a lot this year .

  • Favorite music related film?

I would say 50 Cent get rich or die trying I grew up in the 50 cent era so that movie means a lot to me.

  • Any future plans?

My futures plans are investing more mercy for my label H.W.N.S (Hustlers With No Sympathy) I just made some new stickers that everyone should checkout at hustlerswithnosympathy.com. also I’m working on the sophomore album Last Call to Paradise the first single Seat at the table is available now.

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