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Interviews
In this Q&A session I had the chance to chat with the multi-talented, über-authentically soulful artist known as Miles Bonny. He shares his wisdom, the drive behind his inspiration, and philosophies that are crucial for independent artists to be aware of and embrace.
I caught up with the incredible New York poet, Santos Taíno aka "The Sensual Angel" and had a brief Q&A session with him. He shared his experiences & insight into the world of artistry. Peep it.
Achickwitbeatz: Who is Santos Taíno?
Santos Taíno: Taino is the pride of my culture, so it has special meaning for me because it is the cultural name of my forefathers. I'm originally from the South Bronx, a product of those streets. That experience never leaves us, but I believe we can become more than what the gutter teaches us. Fight for every inch and never let your dream die.
Achickwitbeatz: When did you discover that you needed poetry to be a part of your life?
Santos Taíno: At a very early age I discovered that putting your feelings on paper and vocalizing your emotions, you find peace.
Achickwitbeatz: What is the most valuable thing you've learned since you began performing?
Santos Taíno: Poetry is never about you. Poetry is the reality of your perception.
Painting pictures in the mind of your audiences where they are in touch with you.
Achickwitbeatz: What are 5 attributes/skills that would place an artist on your top 10 list?
Santos Taíno: Honesty
Well-studied
Extensive vocabulary
Visualization
Vocalization
Achickwitbeatz: Conversely, what are 5 attributes that would place an artist at the very bottom of your list?
Santos Taíno: Jealousy
Self-centered
Repetitive
Unprepared
Boastful
Achickwitbeatz: What can people expect from Santos Taíno?
Santos Taíno: People can expect the type of poetry that moves them. Something that has some type of meaning for them.
Achickwitbeatz: How can people connect with you and stay current with what you have in the works?
Facebook- https://m.facebook.com/santos.t.santiago?ref=bookmark
I had the chance to catch up with the phenomenally talented traveling poet/entertainer, KeSera. In this brief Q&A she shares her insight on utilizing the gift of creativity and using personal struggle to propel towards triumph while encouraging others along the way.
Achickwitbeatz: Who is KeSera?
KeSera: My name is a funny story. I used to be a rapper. I was noticed by a well known DJ in Chicago named Titan. When he first heard me rap, he loved it and asked me did I have a stage name. I didn't so he came up with Krazy Kase. LOL I used to LOVE THAT NAME. I went on to record music under that name and as I got older I eventually dropped the "Krazy" and kept Kase. Me being who I am, I wanted my name to have a meaning so as I matured in life I changed it to KeSera. You can still call me KeS (Kase) for short and KeKe; which is another child hood/professional nickname. I was able to keep my identity in this name. Its symbolism is so deep and free that it also prohibits me from being put into a box as its meaning, when spelled in its natural form, is "whatever will be will be". Thanks Doris Day for the idea. I felt that the name fit me well.
Achickwitbeatz: When did you discover your love for poetry?
KeSera: I was always a writer. As I stated above I started as a rapper. I was forced to walk away from the business to raise my son and to finish up school. Not until my play sister, Brianna Bri Eazy Olgesby, told me to come to an open mic at this place called Jus Joking, didn't even know I knew how to do spoken word. I was just reciting a rap I had at the time; just slowed it down to fit the venue. As I began to venture out into it a little more, I was awarded many different stages and the RESPONSES from event goers had me stuck! I mean, they were in tears about how my stories of survival has given them a new view on how to deal with their own personal situations. SUCH A BLESSING! I then began to use it as therapy for self. I get to be me when I do poetry, not too many expectations outside of be on time and prepared to spit and any given...lol I seriously cant see myself without it at this point. IT's a connection with God that Ive missed so long in my personal life.
Achickwitbeatz: What would you say is the most valuable thing you've learned since you began performing?
KeSera: BE ACCOUNTABLE for your words and actions. IT is a gift to be able to lead and seed through both so you have to be careful what message you are sending. Always be prepared for any and all unforeseen things. Its rough out here. I was surprised to find that its just as cut throat as the rap game but as long as you walk in God's purpose, then you should be all good.
Achickwitbeatz: What are 5 skills/attributes that would place an artist in your top 10 list?
KeSera: Creativity
Delivery
Insight (what did I learn from your piece)
Captivation (were you able to keep me interested)
Confidence (do you believe in self)
Achickwitbeatz: Conversely, what are 5 attributes that would place an artist at the very bottom of your list?
KeSera: OVERLY COCKY/EGOS
Poor Research/Incorrect facts
Timid on the mic
LAZY, LAZY LAZY (always want someone to give an opportunity and never want
to work for it)
Did I say COCKY lol
Achickwitbeatz: What's next on the horizon for Ke Sera?
I am really taking my time in this. Getting my feel for the genre as a whole. I am currently under artist management with Strawberri Taylor and can be seen performing across the country for her show Verbal Intercourse; which is one of the hottest Erotic Poetry shows in the country. I am also performing personalized pieces for weddings, bridal showers, birthdays etc and want to expand in that as the response and love shown is so fulfilling. I ultimately want to become a public speaker using poetry as a base in discussion. The rest, you have to wait for as God told me to keep it under wraps until its time for it to materialize so you will have to hang around to find out. :) I really want to be a voice for the people and say them in the words the people think and feel. God is doing a mighty work in me and for that, I say thank you cuz mannnn, HIS vision for me is so profound. HE'S PREPARING ME :) I plan on retaining my membership with POET (People of Extraordinary Talent) as it feeds the community aspect. Community Service is a must so I will be looking for other ways to expand in that area as well. IT's hard where I live and I really can't afford nothing but my time so POET allows me to do just that...UNTIL what's for me manifests.
Achickwitbeatz: How can people connect with you and stay current with what you have in the works?
KeSera: I or my manager can can be reached by email:
kesera.poet@gmail.com
strawberri_t@yahoo.com
In this brief Q&A multi-talented lyricist and filmmaker, Torben shares his relationship with artistry, the benefits of being independent and the importance of remaining committed to your passion.
Achickwitbeatz: Who is Torben?
Torben: When I am at my best, I am a maker. Torben is a family name, dating back to my great-grandfather, so it also is a reminder for me to continue a legacy paved by inspiring men before me. Lately, I've mostly been working on documentaries and music. I'd like to think that my underlying desire to create can be translated into any project and that I would add to whatever room I find myself in. I take creation a bit seriously (probably too seriously) and feel out of sorts if any days lapse without working on one project or another.
Achickwitbeatz: When did you discover your artistic side and that you needed it to be a part of your life?
Torben: I think for me it was less of a discovery and more of an environment I was born into. My parents are both artists and my earliest memories involve sitting in the theater watching dress rehearsals. We would often drive home critiquing the performance we'd seen and, as you got older, your opinions began to carry more weight. The question was always "what TYPE of artist are you going to be?" My parents were probably surprised when my brother Anagram and I refused to participate in theater and instead spent hours upon hours working on hip-hop songs. Growing up, art was always something I did for enjoyment. It replaced sports in early high school and my dedication was serious. I went home every day and saturated my life with music and writing. I barely made it through high school because my mind was elsewhere. It wasn't until I was about 24 that my crush on art grew into a real relationship that includes all of the inherent struggles of trying to make a living and the frequent downs of making. It was then that I realized, despite the disadvantages, I was going to keep working and trying to improve my craft in various areas. When you pass the idea of thinking of creating as strictly enjoyable, and instead begin thinking of it as a rewarding struggle, you've entered into a new relationship beyond a hobby.
Achickwitbeatz: What would you say is the most rewarding thing about being an independent artist?
Torben: As an independent artist you have the freedom to completely control creative decisions. Your decisions have consequences, but the ups and downs are all received and interpreted by you. You can bring things out into the world directly and gather feedback from audiences. You are also often in charge of your time management and the way you present your ideas through various platforms.
Achickwitbeatz: What would you say is the biggest challenge for independent artists to overcome?
Torben: Indifference. There are many other challenges, typically related to resources and exposure, but I personally feel like there is always the looming presence of indifference. It can be difficult to know how to best engage the right niches and find the audiences who will respond enthusiastically to your work. Perceived or real indifference is particularly dangerous because it feeds on the insecurities you already possess and can kill your motivation to continue. I think, at some point, something deeper than instant audience gratification has to drive you, because it can take a really long time for others to see value in what you make. With some exceptions, when you look at the biographies of most artists, it took them a lot of years of creating in the dark before others gained interested in them. We sometimes forget that many of our favorite artists never achieved "success" in their lifetime. An artist I admire once said that there is always an "art coefficient" -- an unknown variable that your work is up against. You never know what "x" will be and you have to weather the times when, for one reason or another, it is indifference. There are a lot of people working hard and getting their work out. You are one of them and your work matters, but you cannot control the reception of your creative endeavors. Most independent creators are up against indifference, not haters.
Achickwitbeatz: What are 5 skills/attributes that would place an artist on your top 10 list?
Torben: 1. Honesty
2. Sincerity/Thoughtfulness
3. Creativity
4. A respect for the tradition and where they fit in
5. Relatability
Achickwitbeatz: Conversely, what are 5 attributes that would place an artist at the very bottom of your list?
Torben: 1. Contrivance
2. Insincerity
3. Unoriginal
4. Unwarranted ego
5. No personality in the work
Achickwitbeatz: If you could offer any piece of advice to multi-talented artists, what would it be?
Torben: Even if you are involved in a lot of difference projects, try to dedicatedly focus your work on one at a time. I work best and make the most progress when I force myself to immerse myself in the task at-hand. I personally think it's fine to spread yourself out into different projects that feed you in unique ways, but when you do, you'll notice quickly that it's hard not to feel fragmented. I studied Integrated Studies in school and one of my main takeaways is that you can focus multiple areas in service of one goal, but not without mindful and deliberate effort. I personally think my works gets much more interesting when I integrate my different influences, so it's worth the discipline. Everyone will tell you to put more work and time into becoming great at one thing, and maybe they are right, but I've never been able to do that because I look at working in different mediums like eating from different food groups.
Achickwitbeatz: What's next on the horizon for Torben?
Torben: I have a lot of exciting work on the horizon. I am excited to announce that my old group M.E.D. (Mental Elastic Dynasty) is reuniting for an upcoming EP. We are already in the process and I'm excited to soon begin sharing some new music with our fans. I am also currently working on a number of documentary projects. A documentary I am co-producing entitled "Street Fighting Man" that follows three Detroit men fighting to build something lasting for themselves and future generations (http://www.streetfightingmanthemovie.com/) is on its way to audiences soon. I am also working on short documentary collaborations in SLC, where I live, and could possibly release up to five new movies in 2014. Finally, I am working on an upcoming feature covering both sides of the marriage equality debate in Utah. Other than that, each day I'm just trying to push the boulder up the mountain, little by little, in hopes that all of the work is leading to further recognition and sustainability.
Achickwitbeatz: How can people connect with you to stay current with what you have in the works?
Torben: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/torben.bernhard
Twitter - @torbenb
Instagram - torbenbernhard
Vimeo - https://www.vimeo.com/ohomedia
In this brief Q&A I had with talented Michigan emcee WuZee, he shares his love for the craft, his inspiration and some valuable viewpoints for independent artists.
Achickwitbeatz: Who is WuZee?
WuZee: (Lol) for sure, but first I would like to say I can only be myself at all times so if anything I say offends people you should get a life. With that being said, my philosophies on music would be "do the right thing", "be yourself", "have a vision", "respect the n**gas who did it first", "have fun", "positivity energy activates constant elevation", and "love is love" (lol). In a nut shell it's realer than that I'm just not a typer. So yeah, for the most part.
Where I'm from? I am from Grand Rapids, but for the past 5 or 6 years I've been back and forth from GR to Kzoo I've lived every where in GR I've been every where in GR. Shoutout to every one I f*ck with...y'all know who y'all are. But Kalamazoo...I feel like there is something to offer here so I guess that's why i keep ending back up out here. Shoutout to Kzoo and the people tryin' to play their roll, y'all know who y'all are too!
My stage name? Well, Wuzee started off as Wuzee D. I used to gang bang when I was a kid or whatever and I was/am a drinker lol so yeah, then I was like 16. I got a little older and got knowledge of self so Wuzee D turned into Wise Universe Allah. Ok, so I could break that down more but like that's a lot sooo yeah...but that's pretty much the whole name situation. But I am who I am and at the end of the day, I will be who I will be (lol) and that's pretty much WuZee good bad or ugly.
Achickwitbeatz: When did you first discover that you needed music to be a part of your life?
WuZee: I first discovered music needed to be apart of my life when I was a kid, as young as I can remember! My mom and her 2 sisters (my aunts) were crazy groupie Prince fans (lol) so like my whole life has just been that kinda swag...and on top of that my granny put me on like oldies like doo-wop and sh*t so I know everything about music from 50-90s- big ups to my granny- I love you! But as far as Hip Hop, I would have to give it up to my cousin Sean. I have always been a writer but as far as being young and exposed to sh*t as it's coming out was just f**king crazy because people talk about Dilla and Madlib and DOOM 'n' sh*t, but were never really listening to them when it was really first coming out. I was fortunate to be able to because this fool R.I.P. "Mr. Muther F**king Everything" was always on everything off rip like he had an "okay player" since the beginning so like even to this day I'm enlightened...it's crazy. So once we linked up and started going through the sh*t and finding our spot, sh*t just started happening and then from that point on I really have been living this music thing...and like it's way bigger than Hip Hop.
Achickwitbeatz: What would you say is the most rewarding thing about being an independent artist?
WuZee: That's a tough question. I would like to say the feeling of knowing people feel you for being you, but half the time people are just losing money because they're in a city where they're getting slept on so they give all this money and hard work away for free. Which if you're just a part-time rhymer or whatever then yeah do that, but if you're tryin' to be for real you got to be smarter than that. So everybody has a skill and my skill is rhyming 'n' not going to come off my money then a work a bulls**t job for just for nothing. Have a vision.
Achickwitbeatz: What is the most valuable lesson you've learned since you became an artist?
WuZee: "If you build it...they will come."
Achickwitbeatz: What are 5 attributes/skills that would place an artist on your top 10 list?
WuZee: Longevity
Originality
Vision
Rhymes
Swagger
Achickwitbeatz: Conversely, what are 5 attributes that would place an artist at the very bottom of your list?
WuZee: D**k riding
Biting styles
Wack rhymes
Too much swag
Money dumb sh*t
Achickwitbeatz: What can people expect from WuZee?
WuZee: MORE OF THAT RAW SH*T! The plotting never stops and the sidewalk will be taken back, my word is my bond!
Achickwitbeatz: How can people connect with you and stay current with what you have in the works?
WuZee: https://www.facebook.com/wu.doncornelius
That's my direct hook up, just message me or add. I'm blocked for life from sending friend requests so yeah do it up! Trying to get away from the social medias so hopefully I will see you all in person! Peace everyone #footclan #cultgang #bnfv #brokenfamous #screwface
One of my biggest Hip Hop influences, dynamic emcee and educator Saan Solo took some time to have a conversation about this thing we love so much called music. In this Q&A session, he shares the unique story of how he began rhyming, his genuinely endearing philosophies on music and some gems that can be implemented by other independent artists who love the craft.
Achickwitbeatz: Who is Saan Solo?
Saan Solo: "Stop playin, it's the s double a-n/ s-o-l-o, here to say hello/..."
I'm saan solo - originally from da zoo (Kalamazoo, Michigan) and proud graduate of Michigan State University...I currently reside in Harlem and teach in Brooklyn.
Solo is more than a name, it's a lifestyle. Don't get me wrong-I'm a people person/social butterfly, but I love some down time, some "me" time...it lets me reflect, ponder, formulate, and create with NO DISTRACTIONS!!! I've lived by myself since '94, not married and no kids...I've made numerous cross-country trips by myself; go to games, bars, movies, restaurants, functions/events etc by myself. A lot of times, I meet people out at said places but when I wanna leave, I wanna leave. I really don't like answering to people...but life is all about balance. I'm quick to call up a group of people and organize a gathering 'cuz I don't ALWAYS want to be alone...it's just that I embrace it whereas others run from it. Would you believe I know people who'll arrive at a spot first and sit in their car instead of going in until the person/people they're meeting gets there??? Unthinkable for me, but to each his own. As such, I apply that to every aspect of life and music. If something becomes too popular and I was a fan of it at first, I automatically/sub or consciously go against it...don't wanna be like everybody else. Some years back, I found a Fat Albert t-shirt and a dumb Donald t-shirt at a vintage store in East Lansing...everybody was askin' me where I got 'em, could they have one of mine, and so on...it was unique 'n' old school heads could relate to it..c'mon, who ain't love Fat Albert 'n' da' Cosby kids??? Well fast forward a few years later and then I think it was FUBU that came out with a fat Albert line...now, E'RYBODY was rockin what was once my own lil niche...needless to say, you know what happened to them 2 shirts. As much as I love Fat Albert, them joints went straight to my donation pile!!! Same wit' a phrase I was sayin for 15+ years..."excuse me Doug E" (u know, from "The Show"- 'excuse me Doug E, excuse me Doug E, excuse me Doug E Fresh you're on'?) after every time I sneezed...I said it in class after I sneezed once and a student said, "aw u like that song too??? 'Teach Me How to Dougie' is my jam!!!". Away with that saying...got countless other stories like that, but that's how/who I am with music too...don't like to talk about the current fads/trends as e'rybody else - no mention of designer clothes, cars, rims, jewelry, money, etc. I may like some of those things, but it's so much more to talk about!!! I'm more into multi-syllable rhymes, puns, idioms, hyperbole, wordplay, punchlines, metaphor, similes, different cadences, etc...sprinkle in some real topics and issues of the day, plus everyday stuff anybody can relate to...I treat this as a literary art, not just simple ABC 'n' Dr. Seuss rhymes with no substance.
Achickwitbeatz: When did you discover that you needed music in your life?
Saan Solo: Moms 'n' pops had me in the church choir knowing I couldn't sing..smh...but I ended up gettin a solo "Please Be Patient With Me" and I LOVED the spotlight even though I was horrible. Them "Christians" lied to my face telling me how good I was...lol. I was 8/9 and I knew I sucked...it led to me writing a song with my bro on the plane to LA dedicated to our parents. We tried to sing it to 'em when we landed and even though it was corny, I liked their reaction. Over the next couple years I began to hone my skills as a public speaker reciting the "I Have a Dream" speech all over town while a 5th grader; serving as Malcolm X in my school's wax museum (again, that balance...MLK and X); and advancing through classroom, school, city, and state levels of a speech competition...that experience coupled with the simultaneous explosion of hip-hop made me KNOW i had to MC. I wrote my first rhyme in 5th grade after I got called out by a fellow classmate/teammate/usher board member-Chris. My dad used to take me to either Boogie Records or Flipside for getting perfect scores on my Friday spelling tests...I had memorized the lyrics to all of my 12 inches. One day after b-ball practice for our church team we was just standing around waiting for everybody to get picked up...my dad was the coach so we had to wait (you know how parents always late). Somebody started beat boxing and I said one of the rhymes off my Whodini 12"...they was stunned and unbeknownst to me, none of 'em had heard it..."that's you???" "You wrote that???" As I looked around 'n' realized that nobody was hip to it, I slowly convinced myself and took ownership, hesitantly stating "yeah that's me, I wrote it". I repeated it a few times, tricking them and believing it more each time I said it...until Chris said, "nawl man, I don't know where or when but I think I heard it before...If you so sweet, have another rhyme ready at the next practice". I was steaming now 'cuz I was semi caught in a lie...this was a Tuesday and the next practice was Thursday, so I did the only thing I could do- I went home and wrote my first rhyme- practicing in the mirror, using a handheld tape recorder and all the memory techniques I'd learned from doing so many speeches. I incorporated some of my teammates names, the place we practiced at (Northglade Elementary), and a few other things so they KNEW it was mine. I unleashed on 'em that Thursday and even though it wasn't as sweet as Whodini's, they went CRAZY, BONKERS, BANANAS!!! The rest is history, ain't been no turning back since...
Achickwitbeatz: In what ways would you say music has helped you in your role as an educator?
Saan Solo: Connecting with the kids...they always wanna hear me spit some bars so I use that as a motivator to have them behave and get their work done..."you don't handle your biz, you gets no rhymes"...has worked out pretty well!!!
Achickwitbeatz: What would you say is the most important thing that you've learned since you became an artist?
Saan Solo: Whereas you definitely have to have quality music, that's only a very small portion of it...probably 10%. it's a music BUSINESS and the hustle n' grind is the other 90% that CAN NOT be slept on!!! Seen cats with less talent get further than those who they learned from...why is it that it's so many wack cats at the top of the charts??? Their marketing and promotions are stellar...
Achickwitbeatz: What are 5 skills/attributes that would place an artist on your top 10 list?
Saan Solo: Lyricism (wordplay, cadence, delivery)
Creativity
Subject matter/concepts
Uniqueness
Longevity/consistency
Achickwitbeatz: Conversely what are 5 attributes that would place an artist at the very bottom of your list?
Saan Solo: Lack of the 5 mentioned above
Achickwitbeatz: What can people expect from Saan Solo?
Saan Solo: Quality!!! I'm a perfectionist and don't just put out product for the sake of it. My music, videos, artwork, packaging, etc. gotta be professional quality and industry standard...none of my stuff gon' be lookin/soundin like demo level. I think too many underground/local cats get too excited and happy to have material out there. If you oversaturate the market with weak stuff that's what you gon' be judged on...why not sit back and do one classic as opposed to 3 or 4 average joints???
Having said that, I'm long overdue to drop new material. My first CD been doing well out here in NYC because it was new to their ears even though it's old to me n' the folks back home...but because it's timeless I'm STILL selling out of 'em at shows to this day...
However, I got 3 projects I'm wrapping up as we speak. A solo album, "Bringin '88 Back"- arguably the greatest year in hip-hop; a collabo EP with someone whose name I can't mention just yet; and a mixtape I'm gonna be giving away free of charge- a DJ masterpiece that includes yours truly kickin' verses alongside some of your favorite MC's on some of hip-hop's most classic songs (i.e.- a verse or 2 off the original plays, then the DJ seamlessly brings in the instrumental as I flow over that, giving the appearance that I was right there in the lab with 'em when they created the joint...sooo much fun). Gonna be droppin 'em over a 6 to 9 month stretch starting round Labor Day. Video footage for two tracks already shot...new team of photographers, graphic design, website creators on deck...relieving me of some of the business aspects so I can focus on the music- which is gon' be comin' at you plenty!!!
Achickwitbeatz: How can people connect with you and stay current with what you have in the works?
Saan Solo: twitter.com/saansolo -please follow
saansolo@gmail.com
UNDER CONSTRUCTION: www.saansolo.com www.reverbnation.com/saansolo https://www.facebook.com/pages/Saan-Solo/252195991461248
In a climate where some feel pressured to replicate mainstream music moguls, Kalamazoo rapper H shares his philosophy on being unique, authentic and delivering music true to yourself.
Achickwitbeatz: Who is H?
H: A breath of fresh air to the music scene...unorthodox maybe even, but diverse with subject matters and life events. Harmless Fun, Energetic Vibes equal I!!
Achickwitbeatz: When did you discover you needed music to be a part of your life?
H: When I was four or five coming home from an event at my church were our choir was just rocking, so much that I remember getting home and jumping onto my parents bed singing "I wanna be born again, I wanna be born again" and "Joy" shouting "joy joy joy joy" like the choir. I knew at that age I truly loved music, and the love has only grown throughout my life.
Achickwitbeatz: What would you say is the best thing about being an independent artist?
H: You rely on yourself so you hold yourself accountable for all the things you are doing, and all the things you are not. You can be tough on yourself and motivating at the same time. You're your biggest critic and while being independent you should be able to keep it real with yourself and admit to your strengths and weaknesses.
Achickwitbeatz: What are 5 skills/attributes that would place an artist on your top 10 list?
H: Energy
Message
Style
Production
...that's it.
Achickwitbeatz: Conversely, what are 5 attributes that would place an artist at the very bottom of your list?
H: Too Much Swagg
Low Vocabulary
So So Beats
Common Theme Songs
...that's it.
Achickwitbeatz: What can listeners expect from H?
H: A different sound mainly. I'm true to myself so what may be huge in the world nowadays probably isn't to me and won't be talked about. I talk about how I've done in my life up to this point pretty much.
Achickwitbeatz: How can people connect with you to stay current with what you have in the works?
I had a brief Q&A session with talented Grand Rapids, Michigan emcee, Ashim. In this session he shares his philosophies on independent artistry, his motivation and he drops some food for thought for fellow creative types.
Achickwitbeatz: Who is Ashim?
Ashim: Ashim is a psuedo hood almost smart weirdo who listened to too much rap and read one too many books [laugh]. I do not beez in any trap, I'm not extra political or conscious, I'm kind of a juxtaposition in motion. I AM ALL THINGS AND NOTHING [laugh]. I grew up poor, in Kalamazoo MI, grew up with Gutter and Anagram and those guys, so a lot of my musical philosophy, at least the foundation I credit to Gutter. The way I ingest music and interpret it and appreciate it was all kinda molded by the experience with those guys coming up listening to Wu and Ras Kass and Redman, having 3 hour cyphers or sitting on the block while people got they work off or whatever. Since then, obviously, I've evolved a bit reading one too many books and becoming a NPR supporter [laughs], but that was the basis of it, it all started on the West Side of Kalamazoo. Ashim is my father's last name, and that's a story for another time.
Achickwitbeatz: What do you love most about being an independent artist?
Ashim: What I love about being an independent artist is what I love about music today- there's no ceiling, there's no floor. You can make whatever music you want and someone, somewhere, will become an audience for it. I think for a long time mainstream artists and independent artists were still dependent on a medium to reach their audience, and it put them in kind of a box because the people controlling the conduit said "this is what you are or should be, and this is what your audience wants". Now you can be absolutely everything you want, throw that sh*t on the cloud and have a direct line to your audience - as great or as small as it may be. Also, there was a shift in hip hop, one where in terms of content in the golden era mainstream we focused on the struggle more than the victory, and now that's kind of flipped, and every rap song is about the victory - being rich off cocaine, having nice cars and bad b*tches and what not, but it opens up an avenue for indie guys, because a lot of us fans, like me, still relate to the struggle and we wanna hear the every man story more than we relate to waking up in new Bugattis, so we get to add our own voice to the fray and hope it finds it's audience.
Achickwitbeatz: What is the most valuable lesson you've learned since you became an independent artist?
Ashim: Two things: Direct feedback is invaluable and of no value at all. People listen with a different ear to a local guy or girl than they do to Drake. People listen to me with the ear of the seasoned critic every rap fan is in real life, on the inside... instead of just appreciating the music as the whole I thought I presented it to be, because you can't tell Drake "yo I think you should add a layer to the hook for rounding" or whatever. What you get from Drake is the product, no changes are possible, and is accepted and judged as such. For a guy like me though, the immediate feedback is a bit different, and sometimes it's useful but a lot of times you have to learn to ignore it or run the risk of trying to please everyone and disappointing yourself. I mean I love that anyone listens, anytime, and I'm completely willing to sit through the inception of any fan's career as the rap answer to Simon Cowell to my Big Boy Studdard if it gets you to listen. But at some point, I want people to accept the vision as presented, no changes pending. The second thing is to plan to plan again. Avenues dry up quickly - the thing that worked for Indie Rapper A or Indie Rapper B may not be available to you as a viable option. The mixtape markets are over saturated, you can't pay Facebook to connect you to your fans in any meaningful way, and the novelty of being a trap star or a white rapper, female rapper or psuedo political but grossly misinformed conscious rapper is as worn as Kat Stacks box. So you have to appreciate the idea that at some point your game plan from jump can't be your game plan going forward, and I think that's important to note for anyone in serious pursuit of a career in music, which I may or may not be depending on my mood and the lotto numbers. I think I should get points for the Kat Stacks reference. I make 2011 today.
Achickwitbeatz: What are 5 attributes that would put an artist on your top 10 list?
Ashim: Content is number one. I've spent most of my life breaking down lyrics like most hip hop kids and I've come to believe lyrical miracles aren't worth a tenth of substance. Song structure is important. Sometimes being overly lyrical can subtract from the whole of a song, or sometimes a beat is too dope, too imposing, or sometimes a message is heavy handed. You have to have not just all the ingredients but the right balance to make a dope song, and that's song structure in a nutshell. Social relevance, track record, and impact all figure pretty heavily in my top 10 too.
Achickwitbeatz: Conversely, what are 5 attributes that would put an artist at the very bottom of your list?
Ashim: Ummm... I'm not one of those guys. I know how hard it is to put together a project of 12-18 songs and kinda bare it all for mass consumption and critique so I'm not one of those guys who's gonna say this guy is trash or that guy or whatever. He did the work. At the end of the day, a huge part of success in any arena is doing the work. And having a great work ethic is a formidable talent all by itself from where I sit, because mine isn't that great [laughs]. That said, Snoop Dogg, Lion, Tiger whatever the f**k, the coonery needs to stop.
Achickwitbeatz: What can people expect from Ashim?
Ashim: I can't decide if I want people to expect anything from me [laughs]. I'm sort of working on a project I don't have a title for or a theme - that's backwards for me, I usually start with a title and theme and let it shape the body of work for cohesion - but it could come out this Sunday or in 10 months [laughs]. I'm 10 or 11 songs in, just counting songs I like, not ones I'll never let anyone hear, but I haven't even starting the process of reaching out for features so... It may go featureless, or I may decide I need this guy to drop a verse and the project may end up in 'waiting for 16's' purgatory like has happened so many times before. I don't know what anyone should expect, but either I'll impress or disappoint or worst case just deal with your indifference.
Achickwitbeatz: How can people stay current with what you have in the works?
Ashim: The soundcloud page is where I post a lot of stuff. Half finished stuff, finished stuff, and crazy ideas inspired by one alcoholic beverage too many. I also have a facebook music page but if any of you are fans of it I don't know because I currently can't spare a f*ck to give on it. Same for Twitter and IG and the like. Interwebs are wierd.
https://soundcloud.com/akatwhitty
In this brief Q&A emcee Sheba Shane shares her inspiration, what lies at the heart of her music and the why behind the need for her perspective.
Achickwitbeatz: Who is Sheba Shane?
I was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. I like to call myself an honest emcee. I'm motivated to rap by words ultimately, but also by the fact that there are so few women's perspectives in hip hop. Mine is just another. Black women in general struggle in media to find something that we can 100% relate to, so we have to try and find pieces. We'll take out a word here or change a word there. I try to create lyrics we can say verbatim. But some slick sh*t. Lol.
Achickwitbeatz: When did you discover you needed music to be a part of your life?
I've always loved music. An older cousin and I formed a group when I was about 9 called Sugar & Spice. We did routines in front of the mirror, wrote raps, had dance contests. I got a lot of musical instruments as gifts as a child like a guitar, a keyboard, a drum set. In high school, I played basketball and would carry this big boombox to every game so I could play music in the locker room. So, I always knew.
Achickwitbeatz: What would you say is the most challenging thing for independent artists to overcome?
The most challenging thing for independent artists right now is investing time and money in the wrong things. There are a lot of predators in this industry who just look at you like a dollar sign. They are not genuinely interested in advancing your career or supporting your music. I suggest you ask about past winners of contests and showcases anytime someone asks you to pay.
Achickwitbeatz: What are 5 skills/attributes that would place an artist on your top 10 list?
1. I like witty artists
2. Wordplay/Vocab
3. Flow
4. Story-telling
5. Creativity
Achickwitbeatz: Conversely, what are 5 attributes that would place an artist at the very bottom of your list?
1. Unoriginal
2. Uninspired
3. Lacking substance
4. Monotonous
5. Poor production
Achickwitbeatz: What can people expect from Sheba Shane?
You can expect me to tell the truth. It can be ugly but I promise to let you know how I really feel about as much as possible. I got a mixtape coming out this summer, The C.O.M.P (The Contents Of My Purse) and that will be available on datpiff. Previous mixtape "Sheba Baby Volume One" is currently available for download on datpiff.com. You can catch me live on selected tour dates with The Nappy Roots.
Achickwitbeatz: How can people stay current with what you have in the works?
Follow me on Twitter, FB and IG @shebashane
Check me out on www.reverbnation.com/shebashane
www.shebashanemusic.com coming soon
In this brief Q&A session Las Vegas independent house label executive Bruno Browning shares his story, his prospective on the music industry and helpful information for independent artists.
Achickwitbeatz: Who is Bruno Browning?
Bruno Browning: How much time do you have? I’m from Atlanta Georgia but I've called Las Vegas home since 2000. I've lived in some cool spots and they definitely influenced my music. I actually “discovered” electronic music during my year living in Europe in 1991 and it changed my life. My time in San Francisco’s scene was like attending graduate school for house music. My tastes, style, knowledge and views of the “scene” were not only refined but clearly defined.
As far as my musical views they’re pretty straight forward, if the music is real and it comes from a real place then I’ll support it, regardless of genre. I really dig seeing cats going nuts on the floor while listening to a genre that might not necessarily be my first choice. It just goes to show you that music is universal and just because you’re not feeling it doesn't make it any less powerful for those that are.
Achickwitbeatz: When did you discover that you needed music to be a part of your life?
Bruno Browning: Although I had been in the scene since 1990, I never thought about actually making music. I sang in school and could read music but that was as far as it went. In 2000 my brother and label co-founder Curtis Bledsoe offered to teach me how to mix. Shortly after I bought myself some 1200’s and a full set up and started playing every day. After a while it got to the point where I would be playing a record and think: “I love this track, but I wish it had some horns after the break down”. Eventually those thoughts evolved into my decision to start a label, teach myself how to play a couple of instruments, produce, engineer, and finally release my music. How dumb was I? It’s in my nature to take on big tasks and well this was a big one. I taught myself to play the piano, the bass and I even play the harmonica (just for fun). It’s taken us longer than some but it’s been on our own accord and I’m good with that.
Achickwitbeatz: What do you think the biggest challenge is facing independent artists?
Bruno Browning: One of the things I see happening today is labels putting out releases every week. I think in an already over saturated market it just makes it harder for the music to be heard. The turnover is so quick that if you blink you've missed a release. I might personally have more than one release out a month, however Soulsupplement Records will never release more than one release in a 30 day period. The one release a month policy is designed to allow each release time to simmer and be played. That way every artist gets a full shake, not just three days of support from the label. This was a conscious decision and I must admit that sometimes it’s tempting to try and “keep up” with other labels, fortunately caving doesn't come naturally to me.
There's about a million more but that's where my head's at today.
Achickwitbeatz: What are 5 qualities/skills that would place an artist in your top 10 list?
Bruno Browning:
-Love of music
-Walking their own path musically
-Hard working
-Consistency
-Not taking themselves too serious
Achickwitbeatz: Conversely, what are 5 attributes that would place an artist at the very bottom of your list?
Bruno Browning:
-Genre hopping (jumping on the genre of the month…every month)
-Laziness (musically and professionally)
-Taking themselves too serious (none of us are curing cancer)
-Always involved in “DJ Beef”
-General bad attitude
Achickwitbeatz: What would you say is the most rewarding thing about being an independent artist?
Bruno Browning: The ability to write and record what you’re feeling without too many people telling you to change something. Of course if you have a label you can do pretty much whatever you want and there’s a lot freedom that comes with that. Now with that being said I can still get all in my head when doing work for other labels. Sometimes I tend to over think what the label wants and that just causes all sorts of mental blocks. Because of this when I get asked to do a remix I never listen to the original and that tends to make my remixes sound completely different. Being an independent artist allows us to work with a lot of labels and a lot of artists and that is truly rewarding.
Achickwitbeatz: What's next on the horizon for Bruno Browning?
Bruno Browning: I’m teaming up with fellow Las Vegan DJ A la Mode for a monthly party in LA and I have gigs in New York beginning in 2015. I've got Ep’s and remixes coming out on many new labels and many that I've been on in the past. You’ll also see a lot more of me gigging the last part of 2014 and for the foreseeable future.
Achickwitbeatz: How can people connect with you to stay current with what you have in the works?
Bruno Browning: To stay up on any news you can always go to:
http://www.soulsupplementrecords.com/news.html
And people can always get me on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/swampyfunk
or just email me at: bruno@soulsupplementrecords.
It's been a pleasure.
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