Coming
Up:
I'd like to start by going back... What were your
first experiences with and in Hiphop? What about it got your
attention, and how?
My
Mother.. brought the words to rappers delight home from work with
her. The song had just came out and I think it was printed more out
of jest then as a study (hell I am certain of that) but the words
were a magical spell. It was just perfect.
Talk
about the Hiphop Scene as you were growing up and some of the Artists
that had an Impact on You as a person and as an artist. What
I remember most about the hip hop scene was that it wasn’t
something so accessible as it is now. You might have heard Ladi-Dadi
on some tape that was a dub of a dub 10 times over. It was like the
best kept secret. So it was exciting. Also I just remember how it
was about what we were .. so it made sense it wasn’t telling us
what we were meant to be about.
To
me there's a huge difference in the Overall Scene then, compared to
now in terms of the Types of Artists that are out and the Roles they
play. Speak on that if you would. Well
at the very essence of it we have a bunch of artist that are
basically hip hop boy bands. They are a bunch of people cast to play
roles and archetypes. These roles are just overused marketing schemes
that people think are “no brainers” something that MUST work. But
it steals the very soul of the music.
Developing
as an Artist:
-We See What You're doing now, but...
Where have you
been?
I’ve
been on the streets and hoods all over the country. Growing as a
person. But also taking mad losses. Failing at things.. but failing
forward. See that is something that people don’t understand about
this life we are living. Failing forward is an important step towards
growth and success. Everyone fails.. and some folks fail and fall.
When whatever it is they are trying to do doesn’t work they are in
quit mode. Others fail and see it as a learning experience and
analyze their failure correct their mistakes and prepare for the next
attempt. I guess if you look at life like a boxing match.. that each
attempt at doing something is just a round in the match. You might
loose some rounds, some rounds you might have to spend shooting to
the body because you are trying weaken your opponents legs for those
last few rounds. At the end which rounds you won or lost is not as
relevant as the outcome. If you win.. then well.. your losses and
failures are all a part of your overall genius.
How
did you get started as an emcee? -Was it something you immediately
took to? Just
rapping outside with all the other kids. We would sit around and do
our freestyles. I seemed to have a talent for it so I kept on doing
it... It fit right into my personality type.
In
the interview we did for Empowerment Radio you mentioned that no one
touches on the "Actual Mathematics of Rap." I'd like to get
into that briefly if we could... Well
.. it would take a lot for me to break that down right now. But
suffice to say. An average beat is broken down into 4 beats per
measure. The count is 1 2 3 4, 2 2 3 4. The first four being the set
up and the final four being the closing. So if it were a rap it
would be .. “I was in place (1234) I won’t loose face (2234) Now
a word is broken into syllables each syllable accounts for a beat.
For example taking the same measure and changing the words (note that
the first example had words that are 1 syllable so each word
accounted for a beat) we change the flow and amount of words
necessary to complete the rhyme scheme. “Actually their compelled
to react to me (1234) Probably cause I speak words that are actual to
me (2234)”
Now if you have some musical training what I am
going to say is going to make more sense then if u don’t. But in
between these counts which are quarter notes you get 8th notes 16ths
and 32 notes.. 1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and.. or 1 a and a 2 a and a 3 a
and a 4 a and a. these are where the syllables are dropping.
(see
this is a lesson so it isn’t easy to break down in an interview..
lol) anyway… the mathmatics of it all happen when the artist is
taking words mentally dividing and and positioning these syllables
into this 4 count.
It is pure genius and people don’t belive
that they want to keep rap dumbed down.. if people understood the
mental capacity it takes to make this music.. .. my god
You
also mentioned that you came from a background in art and design. (as
did I) -Some think that because they don't have a degree in this, or
have a degree in that, but really would like to be doing this other
thing, that they are unable. -that somehow they're limited in what
they can do by their education or lack thereof. What are your
thoughts on this? -Are there certain concepts or principles that
you've learned as a visual artist that you feel have given you
advantage as an emcee? I
came from a background not a degree... Nothing is beyond a person
with the will to achieve. I think it is more so my exposure to
different philosophies and ideas, they help to instigate an open mind
and a free will. I am mentally free of the insecurities that many
people have about being artistic and exposing themselves to different
genres of art.
Your
Career Currently:
Where
did the name NYOIL come from? -Speak a bit on the meaning behind
that.
It
used to mean NY’s Original International Lover. But GOD lifted me
up from that place and set me to a task.. and when he did that he did
away with the extra fluff and useless stuff. He left me with NYOIL..
and that is enough. Now NYOIL means NY’s OIL which is that black
gold. We dig deep for Oil.. and now I plan on digging Deep for my oil
.. my people who are the true black gold. We go to war for Oil.. and
I am going to war for my people.
And when I complete my plans for
the youth movement.. it will stand for New Youth Overcome Individual
Limitations
You
say “God lifted” you up... Would I be correct to infer you
believe in Divine Purpose? Yes..
I do. If you acknowledge GOD or even a Higher power of some sort that
rules over the movements of all things .. even if you just break it
down to universal laws that govern chaos and order there must be
purpose because there is prescribed function to things. I have
talents, how could there be no divine purpose if I have a prescribed
function. My willingness to use these functions, my diligence when
using these functions dictate is I am in particular the ONE that will
realize the divine purpose of those talents.
Your
Video for the Track, "Y'all Should All Get Lynched" has
been very controversial and has gotten a good deal of attention,
including it's being pulled from YouTube. Tell us a bit about the
track and the video. The
track .. as you know it now was remixed by DJ Slice (createkickers).
It is just a song that speaks honestly about my perception of the
state of the music and our people. I wrote the song from a place of
frustration and aggravation. I said what I felt in my heart exactly
as I felt it. I didn’t overly concern myself with style and flair..
or excess flow all I wanted to do was to make the point. I needed to
say those words.
Why
do You Think You were Banned from YouTube?
Truthfully
I think it is because they don’t want a black man to speak in the
negative of this crap they have perpetuated. They don’t want anyone
trying to topple their tower of babel. The fact that a man stepped up
and said we are making fools of ourselves and to stop doing so.. was
too much for them. But of note.. all the content of that video was
YOUTUBE content.
And as of the time of this writing my video and
ID were locked and banned at Bolt as well.
I must be doing
something right.
It
does seem they are trying to silence your voice.
Can you explain
for our readers why you think that is? -What is their motivation? To
keep us dumb and unfocused. An abusive person tries to keep the
person they are abusing as ignorant and sheltered as possible. Once
that abused person gets some new knowledge or outside support or even
basic awareness, they are going to cease to accept the abuse.
You've
just put out your second track, "What Up My Wigger?" What's
this one about? It
is about the fact that black Americans have went from despising the
term nigger to taking it and using it in defiance.. to now embracing
and becoming that word. To the extent that people from other races
now call us niggah.. like it’s ok. And it is not. Where I am from
if a white boy call me niggah.. his ass is kicked, much less a
philipino or a Mexican. And at the end of the day.. they wouldn’t
tolerate being called a Gook or a Taco Bender or a Cracker or German
Oven Mitt. In fact you can’t even say the word Jew without being
concerned that they are going to protest you. But u can turn around
and call your own people a rack of niggers and your women bitches ..
that’s not cool brother.. So I put the song together to come at
them for that disrespect. I am in the process of making music that
gives my people back some dignity.
Do
you think the Hiphop Community is ready to Hear what You are Saying? They
better be
-What
about the General Public? I
don’t even care. I am here and a new age is upon us if u want it to
be or not.
The
Current State of Hiphop:
There's much misrepresentation and misunderstanding about our
Kulture among non-Hiphoppas.
-From Your Perspektive... What is Hiphop?
A
time frame and a lifestyle that captures this time frame.
Are
you not concerned with the way that Hiphop is represented by the
media and in corporate advertisements? Doesn't that representation
also impact the way people view you and your music? I
am concerned at how they represent black culture in general. It
effects and has effected me since they perfected televised
programming. This steady stream of mischaracterization is a mental
cancer subtly destroying the minds of ALL that are exposed to it.
Are
there Artists Out Now that you feel are Doing things to Build on the
Foundation laid by the Old-School to Golden Age Greats? There
are plenty of artist. But at this point I am not prepared to speak on
them because I am not going to endorse artist that don’t have the
testicular fortitude to stand behind their brothers and their word
when one steps forward with strength to represent. Right now they are
all sitting in the shadows waiting to see what will happen with my
song .. to see if I go anywhere before they get behind it. So I’m
not going to spend time speaking on them either.
-Why
do you feel that there's not been more support from other artists???
Because
they are trying to see if I am going to be blacklisted… ha haha ..
They don’t think you can just do whatever you feel as long as it is
good enough and succeed. They are going to find out how wrong they
are. Which is sad in the long run ..because I can imagine how
many of them stifle themselves with crap music and bogus songs in
order to stay safe.
Artists
you feel are utilizing the full power of what Hiphop is capable of in
terms of edutaining youth? KRS
used to, PE used to, Brand Nubians, Xclan
You
say, “used to...” -What's changed? You
go from being a young hot head with idealistic notions and dreams of
changing the world to a man with a family and a job to hold on to.
It’s a rough transition.. and those dreams and ideals rarely
survive such things. But also there it the fact that many of
these artist focused solely on their ascension and not in setting up
guards for the future. Hence when their time is up.. as most peoples
time must end there is no one to hold up their ideals no one to pass
the torch too. So then society at large has to wait to another torch
is ignited.
You've said that you "See Another
Awakening Coming." -What did you mean by that?
The
fact that this song.. with such harsh words is reaching the people.
That the people are taking this song and making it a BIG song. It
speaks volumes about the current condition of black America and
afrikans worldwide. We are a sleeping giant that has been doped up to
be kept asleep.. but we are beginning to rouse from that slumber..
and a new day is upon us.
Do
you feel that Hiphop is lacking adequate leadership at present and,
if so are you prepared to take on that role? Yes
hip hop has NO leadership because Hip Hop has no true leaders, just a
bunch of men and woman trying to keep a job and maintain a lifestyle.
Restoring
Balance in Hiphop:
What do you think it will take to Bring Balance Back to the
Images Portrayed via Hip-Hop Music? -How do Conscious Artists make
themselves Heard in this Day and Age where the most visible artists
are putting out a very different image and that's what the young
people seem to respond to?
Conscious
artist have to remember that they cannot think that just because they
are sending out a conscious vibe that people are going to feel what
they are doing. U have to be of the mindset that your still an
entertainer.. u are still performing and people want to be
entertained.. and there is a way to do that and still get your
message across.
Hiphop
and Rap Music's Influence on Youth:
Not only are Young
Adults "Standing on Someone's Shoulders" as you've said,
but Children have a Natural Tendency to Rebel Against their
Parents... Many Turn and Learn from the MTVs, BETs, and Internet
Sites of the World.
The Result is that P. Diddy and 50 Cent are
Raising Your Children. Back in the day Bam Spoke on Peace, Love,
Unity, and Having Fun. Nowadays you only hear about Bling, Money, and
Having Guns. It's really changed...
-What
Can Parents do to More Effectively Communicate with their Children
and Provide Guidance? You're a father... Do you guide your children
in terms of the music that they're listening to? I
keep it honest with my children. One thing they can say about me is
that I am always going to keep it HONEST with them. I don’t talk
down to my children, I have high expectations of them as I do with
all the youth. I don’t sleep on their opinions.. but at the same
token I don’t break myself to agree.. I present an opposing view..
or just give them right knowledge. They say .. the straight way is
free from error. So if u show your kids the straight way they will
know which road to choose. You also have to be involved with your
kids. It can’t just be about u coming home from work and the 1 or 2
times a week u even speak to your kid your coming down on them ..
they are going to look at you like.. “who the hell does this person
think they are.. they don’t know me”.. Cause u really wont know
them.
Looking
at Hiphop as not only a Strategy for Edutainment and Empowerment, but
in many cases a Surrogate or Auxilary Parent- What can we do as
Up-and-Coming Artists, Hiphoppas, and Rap Fans to Change the Face of
the Kulture and Work Towards both it's Dekriminalization in the Eyes
of the Older Generation and having a More Positive Influence on
Youth?
Find
independence. Learn to reach your audience without the help of the
establishment. This way you can comfortably reach the people doing
what it is that you do. Then you don’t have to conform to some
cookie cutter ideal of what our culture is about. This is a world of
economics and if we are unable to present ourselves on our own terms
because we are chasing the dollar and don’t have any of our own..
we are always going to be at a disadvantage and at the whim of other
parties.
What
advice do you have for cats looking to get started in the Rap game? Be
sincere and find a different way to get into the door. Don’t walk
the same path as the last cat.. he’s already done that .. you have
to find your own path.
The
Album:
I
understand you're working on the album now... Tell us a bit about
that process.
Right
now I am trying to view this project as a full story. Not just a
bunch of songs that sort of sound similar. I am trying to create an
artistic album that changes the way Hip hop is viewed. I want to
bring the music to a new level by doing things with the music that
hasn’t been done.
Do
you mean in terms of production or overall product? Indeed,
on a musical level I will bring new things to the table in hip hop.
Push the envelope.. some of it might hit and some might miss.. but in
all the cases I will be pushing the fold to find new ground and new
inspiration. With the overall product the way I intend on working my
projects and marketing them I believe I am poised to change the way
people promote music and package it as well. The process is already
working in that I am being heard throughout the world now.
Any
producers or other emcees you'll be working with. Right
now a few Producers are reaching out… a few MC’s are reaching
out...
Where
are you at in terms of finding distribution? No
rush. I want to master marketing myself and promoting myself. Once I
can show that there is a viable and real market for my style.. then I
can distribute the product however I see fit. Hopefully it will be
something I can do independent of larger labels. I feel that they
will try to shelve my project because they don’t want me to do what
I am doing.
When
can we look for that? Not
certain.
Will
you be Touring to Support the Album? I
have a wonderful stage show that I cannot wait to bring to the world.
Right now because I’m just coming up it is going to be a matter of
time before someone asks me to come on tour with them.. but when it
happens.. I am going to tear it up.
Anything
You'd like to say In Closing?
I have a lot to say.. But I
will say it with my actions and deeds. They will speak louder than
anything I could say.
You
said it best, “Actions, Not Words People.”
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