Tell us a few things about your new song “El Capitan”. What is the main idea behind it?
I had a goal of becoming a boat/ship captain. And I did it. Simultaneously, I wanted to give a nod to all the hip hop/funk Gods that paved the way for me to make the sauce.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
“Coming in hot, stacks been steamin’, our boat should have been named Karen” WE AINT STOPPING.
Do you think there is a true underground hip-hop sound today?
I think Hip hop has some many subcategories now, that I can’t put a definition on what underground Hip Hop is. Homeboy Sandman is less known, but I’d consider him a genius, but he is considerably less known.
What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?
Hip hop resembles community for me personally. Along with other cultural values, the community is what drew me into the genre in the 90s. I was alone most of my childhood and found an escape when I first heard Pharcyde and Common. I shared similar experiences and felt a sense of belonging when people would find parking lots to battle in (rap and dance). And I was accepted in, by always hosting the beat! Man, I valued those days!
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
Listen to your gut.
What is the most useless talent you have?
I can binge listen to albums. Especially if it is an old soul record.
Tell us a few things about your new song. What is the main idea behind it?
Out Like Trout is all about being drama-free, basking in positivity, and doing your own thing.
For which lyric you are most proud of?
Ouuu, good question. So many to choose from! I had a lot of fun with “always bubbly, soda/show off the pearls, boba” but I also think the mental health shoutout with “mind playing games but I’m boxing it out/left hook, jab, knocking it out” deserves mention too.
Do you think there is a true underground hip hop sound today?
I think what’s really cool is that, probably due to streaming and technology, a lot of artists who would have been considered underground 10, 20 years ago have established sizeable fanbases and are able to make a comfortable living. There’s always going to be a tug-and-pull between underground and mainstream, emerging and established artists, but the lines are definitely blurring. And I think that’s great for music as a whole.
Trap music came to rule the world, but at the moment the genre feels stagnant. What does the future hold for hip hop in general?
Evolution. Even trap has evolved. T.I’s album Trap Muzik from 2003, Gucci Mane in the early 2010s, and Migos in the last few years all sound different, just as an example. The exciting thing about hip-hop is you’ve got both a rich history to draw from, like Drake is doing with soul samples and Grizelda are doing with raw bars, but it’s also moving with technology and you’ve got guys like Kanye always experimenting. Inspiration from the past, excitement for the future. Always scenes bubbling too, like the Detroit scam-rap scene that mixes 80s sounds with offbeat raps. I wouldn’t have been able to predict that! Or New York drill borrowing from London drill borrowing from Chicago drill. But it all slaps. Just keep evolving. And if it gets redundant, I’ll switch to K-pop.
Which book should we read while listening to your music?
My sound is pretty expansive, but overall it is astral, cinematic, genre-bending pop.
Tell us a few things about your new song ‘(God Is) The Camera’. What is the main idea behind it?
(God Is) The Camera is a multi-dimensional trip around the conscious universe. It’s a pretty intricate, ethereal, sexy and subversive fusion banger with a drill-pop vibe, epic rap verse and transcendental middle 8. Lyrically, it’s kinda sexy and philosophical and portrays the parallels between a conscious universe and the humxn experience.
What first got you into music?
I started playing piano and singing at a really early age, and then taught myself guitar, but it wasn’t til 2016 when I started releasing songs as myself with a full package. I’m a Leo rising (actually the moon is in Leo as I write this), so I am designed to perform. I am really grateful for my background in music and how it has allowed me to create and sustain such an elaborate universe with my artistry.
Favourite album of the past year?
Has to Shortcut To World Peace by… me! On January 1, I released and 11-track CD which featured the title track (my last single) and includes songs that have and haven’t been released yet. You can buy them on my website, NEO10Y.SPACE – it’s been getting great reviews from Billboard, Paper, The Evening Standard and lots of great playlist features, so definitely check it out!
What would you change in the music industry?
I think inclusivity, women’s and LGBTQ+ rights, more payout to artists from streaming are really important. More conscious artists are needed for a spiritual revolution. There is a history of violence and abuse in music that still needs to be exposed. I had to come forward about some problems with an editor back in 2019 and it helped so many other artists heal and move forward with their trauma, and as a result, I would say that the music industry is a better place today. I think it is really important to use your voice.
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
My music video for Shortcut To World Peace is so epic and underrated – created by me, OZAT and Rob Daglish who also did such an amazing job editing the film. It’s the story of a protagonist who dies to manifest a utopian dimension of peace. I have flirted with the expanse of the astral realm and death throughout my life and artistic narrative. The video is a story of a resilient artist who dies so that their message of LOVE could expand and manifest a utopian dimension of peace. I can only hope that the mainstream chooses love and embraces non-violence now.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
I get a lot of online hate from enraged anti-vegans because I talk about the need for a vegan future now a lot in media and my art. There is even a hit piece on me that has a million views on YouTube, all you have to do is Google “worst vegan” and it’s the top hit. Pretty wild, but as long as we are talking about it and educating each other about a conscious future, that is all that matters!
Tell us a few things about your new song. What is the main idea behind it?
this song was just a vessel to get some things that i was feeling off of my chest. The main idea was to let it be known i have what it takes.
For which lyric you are most proud of?
“breaking my character im bout to tear every ligament” with me going out of my usual realm i was making sure i went to the greatest extreme to deliver.
Do you think there is a true underground hip hop sound today?
i think hip hop is subjective and can be what you want. underground hip hop wants meaningful bars cause that is apart of the art.
What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?
hip hop symbolizes black culture.. the triumphs and the struggles in a tasteful manner that we can digest.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
lost, misguided, intoxicated, vulnerable
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
i cant discuss that at the moment.. maybe in the future haha
I wanted this project to be multi-dimensional, and to have something for whatever kind of mood you’re in. You want a catchy, summertime bop? Listen to “No Lie.” You want a smoky trunk-rattler with a West Coast feel? Bump “Ease Up.” You want something reflective and chill? Play “Golden.”
I changed my moniker to Wolfgang Tatum after years under another name because I switched my focus from being the best rapper possible to making the best music possible. In doing so, I wanted this EP to be a sample platter of what I’m capable of and what’s to come.
Which song of the EP is your favorite?
The answer changes almost daily to be honest. If I had to pick one, I’d say Motion. I wrote that track with the intention that anyone from a toddler to a grandma should be able to vibe with it, and I think I accomplished that.
Your music has an old school vibe. Are you into today’s Hip Hop? Or do you prefer to listen to old classics?
I absolutely listen to new music! Some current favorites are Tierra Whack, Vince Staples, Run The Jewels, Remi Wolf, and EARTHGANG.
What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?
I think Hip Hop is beautiful because it can symbolize so many things. It’s been modern folk music for POCs. It’s been swaggerful bravado that grants confidence to listeners. It’s been deep self-reflection and catharsis for the artists. Hip Hop, to me, is freedom – if you have something to say and a passion to say it, you can make your voice heard.
Favorite music related film?
Whiplash comes immediately to mind – I related a bit too much to the main character when I first watched it and J.K. Simmons is incredible, as always.
Tell us a few things about your new song. What is the main idea behind it?
The song was actually inspired by a friend of mine and one of their stories about them and someone they were seeing at the time basically trying to put on an act like, “Oh yeah this is just us hooking up” when in reality my friend knew what was really up and I said, “Yeah this a song”
For which lyric you are most proud of?
Really can’t pick one really proud of the whole song as a whole I feel like this is probably one of my favorite songs I’ve written so far, but if I had to pick my favorite lyric is “I’ma drive it out, don’t hit the club”, I hate the club.
What do you enjoy most? Writing music or performing your music live?
At this point definitely writing, just being able to just sit in my room and just have everything come together as soon as I hear a beat is a vibe.
What would you change in the music industry?
I wanna create more opportunities for independent artists, cause there’s too many artists out there that don’t want the label help so I wanna help open that door wider
What advice would you give to your younger self?
The only advice I would give to my younger self if I could would be to stop being scared of your music and just drop it.
Future plans?
My future plans is really to just keep working to get my name out there and slowly build a bigger following, but I am working on an EP that should be out by the end of the year.
Tell us a few things about your new EP. What is the story behind it?
My first drop in a while. I lost my connection with a woman that was very important to me. We don’t talk much these days, but I think about her everyday. This was my way to express that.
Which song of the EP reflects you the most?
Personally I think intermission. Its my favorite song on that project for sure. I just love the chords and theres a real bounce to it. It just feels very free and light.
Do you think there is a true underground hip hop sound today?
I think so, but i also believe that the definition of underground has changed. Especially with people being able to upload to DSPs on their own. I live in New York and I can say theres a bunch of talented people around here that would be considered “undergound” but have thousands of fans around the world.
What would be your dream performance venue?
MSG baby. I live not too far from the Barclays Center. Its a really dope venue and Im a Brooklyn Native, but nothing will beat playing at the Mecca. I saw Drake there, I saw Kendrick there, J.Cole, Travis Scott. To be able to play there would be a dream.
You are not afraid to saturate your soung. What is your creative process like?
Usually, I have to have a beat that is so good I can think lyrics on the spot. I always start with the chorus that is the most important thing for me to start on. I proceed to freestyle on the beat until I get the flow I like. Then I mix the vocals add effects then master the track for it to be published.
What is the story behind your name?
I’ve had many artist names, but I wanted a name that stood out. I’ve always felt like the outcast with everything I did so I thought of the name barely human. It represents never being able to fit into society so I felt “barely human”. The 6 in front of the name has to do with my birthday and numerology. It also just looks like a b so it fits in with the name.
Favourite album of the past decade?
Nasty by Rico Nasty has to be one of my favorite albums. I remember listening to every song on that album daily.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as an artist so far?
The biggest challenge I’ve faced so far being an artist is definitely being able to love my music even if people don’t. Being a small artist for some reason attracts many people to hate on you for no reason.
What was the best film you have watched during the quarantine?
Not going to lie I haven’t watched any movies during quarantine.
What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?
I got suspended from school for smoking in the parking lot haha.
How many beats do you listen to before you end up using one? Tell us a few things about your creative process.
Since I produce my own beats and mix master my own songs, I’m involved in the whole process of creating a song. I start with messing around with samples or just play around on my midi keyboard or my guitar until I have a cool idea that’s worth adding layers on top of and turning into a beat. I then hop on my mic and try coming up with cool melodies or flows for the hook. If I am able to come up with a cool hook idea on the beat, I keep evolving the song, if not I just sell that beat. But if the hook is good then the rest of the song is pretty straightforward and easy. I just get on the mic and freestyle on the beat till I can cut up cool enough parts for my verses. I then decide if the song needs a feature or not. But that’s mainly it. That’s my creation process with trap music, I just try to have as much fun with it as I can which is what I believe this genre is meant for.
For which lyric you are most proud of?
When it comes to my rap songs, I’m mostly just freestyling and don’t put too much thought into what I’m saying and focus more on my flow and melodies (like pretty much every mainstream trap artist). As I said I like to have fun with it so I don’t think I could point out a specific lyric of mine that I’m proud of. However, if you do listen to some of my non rap songs, there’s a lot more lyrically rich content in them. Kind of ironic right?
Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?
Having grown up on primarily rock music, I got into rap and hip-hop really late. I really caught on to the wave as it made it to the mainstream so I naturally enjoy the modern wave of rappers. I really liked XXXtentacion’s music, Tory Lanez has been making some fire tracks. In terms of lyrics I see no one coming close to Kendrick and I guess my favorite producer would be D.A. Got That Dope.
Trap music came to rule the world, but at the moment the genre feels stagnant. What does the future hold for hip hop in general?
Trap music is just so simple and catchy that it has the ability to hook your average music listener very easily and with all the iconic artists that brought this genre up and brought forth the whole culture behind it, the genre was bound to take over the world. Once I got into it I started experimenting with the genre and tried to make it my own and that’s what I think is lacking currently. All these rappers have found a formula and stick to it to the point where every song sounds pretty much the same and if they don’t experiment and innovate their sound, they’re gonna fall off! Which could lead to either of the two things; hip hop dying out of the pop culture with the artists or a new wave of rappers with a fresh sound will evolve hip hop and make it bigger than it is even now. Which is I constantly prioritize experimenting with my music.
When not writing music, how do you spend your time?
I mostly play with my dog, go hiking or kick it with my homies. Nothing too crazy haha but then again, I spend so much of my time just working on my music.
You’d give up making music for…
I don’t think I’d give up making music for anything. Although I have and will give up everything to keep making music.
How many beats do you listen to before you end up using one? Tell us a few things about your creative process.
I listen to about 15 beats before using one. My process begins with purpose, to communicate a message or emotion. I disect, contemplate, and develop that idea into a story. Next, I find a beat that matches the mood and further excites me. Finally, I convert all that preperation into music.
Which song of the EP reflects you the most?
She Kept It Real. It is the longest of the three tracks. It features my rapping and singing and explores diverse parts of my psyche.
Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?
Favourite rapper and lyricits is Drake. Favourite producer is Boi-1da.
What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?
To me hip hop symolizes a cool spirit and provokative authenticy.
In which state of mind do you imagine people might listen to your music?
Motivated and inspired for Wholehearted. Sad and contemplative for Frank’s Crib and She Kept It Real.
What is the most useless talent you have?
I can crack my ankles an infinite amount of times.
HipHop Paranoia 