Your hip-hop flow is unparalleled and has made history. Can you share how you honed your rhythmic style? Are there any similarities to free jazz? -Baroqsaverio
Throughout my career, others have praised the distinctiveness of my flow patterns, which is truly gratifying. In fact, Big Daddy Kane even noted that I effortlessly switch between seven to 10 different flows in one song. However, let me clarify that this is not intentional on my part. I do not write my songs until I have heard the music, as I believe in allowing my flow to organically blend with the music. As a result, my flow for one beat will never be identical to that of the next beat.
I appreciate free jazz as a perfect illustration. It’s something I enjoy, my friend. Through experience, I’ve discovered the importance of not overanalyzing the creative process and allowing for improvisation. About 15 years ago, I stopped writing songs with a pen because I realized thoughts can be captured much faster if they come straight from the mind.
I saw you on the Area 2 festival tour alongside Moby and David Bowie. I remember watching you jump up and down offstage during Bowie’s performance of Fame. Was that experience as good as it appeared? jlivechii
I grew up listening to David Bowie’s music. During my childhood, I lived in England for a period of time, staying in various cities such as Morecambe, Preston, and Blackpool. Artists like Wham!, Culture Club, and David Bowie were popular at the time. During summer breaks, my mother would send me away from New York for a month to stay with our family who had moved from Jamaica to England. This was also to keep me out of trouble in Brooklyn.
During my time in England, I witnessed my first public interracial relationship. While on tour with Bowie, I expressed my admiration for the beautiful interracial relationship between him and Iman. To me, Hunky Dory is the most incredible thing ever. I was curious about Bowie’s recording processes for songs like Space Oddity, the studios he used, and how he earned money in the past compared to now. Bowie had no qualms about sharing his knowledge and answering questions. I recall asking him about his makeup, eyeliner, and unique fashion choices, to which he simply replied, “I am a free spirit and I like to do things that others wouldn’t.” He saw Ziggy Stardust as a way to transform into a superhero persona.
Was bouncing around in straitjackets with Ol’ Dirty Bastard in a padded cell as fun as it looks in the music video for Woo-Hah!! Got You All in Check? Haemodroid
Many people may view Ol’ Dirty Bastard as simply crazy, but he was also exceptionally intelligent. It takes a smart person to be able to act crazy, and ODB was a genius in his own right, especially in the realm of high sciences. Although he had his flaws, every time I was in his presence, I felt a vibrant energy. Admittedly, it could be overwhelming at times, but when he was ready to light up a room, it was contagious. Even to this day, no one can replicate his unique sound.
Can you recall a time when you were a fan of Benny Hill? What was it that you found humorous about him? From Stockportman.
I am a big fan of Benny Hill as he is the funniest person for me. I grew up watching his shows, which were not only popular in England but also in Brooklyn. Benny was not just comical, he also pushed boundaries like no one else during that period. His comedy had shock value but was still humorous.
What was your experience like collaborating with J Dilla? How did his studio approach differ from other producers? Did you produce a lot of unreleased music together? Platesrecords.
There is no comparison to J Dilla. In the recording studio, he was not very talkative, but he had a great sense of humor. I have never been around Dilla and felt any negative energy. At one point, Dilla stopped coming to New York, so he would send me CDs with 20 to 25 new beats. However, all of the tracks would fade out after 30 seconds. I wished they could have lasted longer. I have a large collection of those CDs. Some of the songs we created together were based on me looping those 30-second clips.
Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest was the one who first introduced me to Dilla. He had a cassette tape with six amazing beats by Dilla that still stay with me to this day. Unfortunately, I ended up losing that cassette. However, Dilla’s talent continued to provide me with incredible new music and I never got a chance to mention the loss of the old stuff to him. We never even had that conversation. Our collaboration on “Show Me What You Got” was flawless and unfiltered, just like the sample we used from Stereolab.
Can you reword this sentence
“Missy Elliott has been around for a while. What are your thoughts on the representation of women in rap music now?”
What is your perspective on the current portrayal of women in rap music, considering Missy Elliott’s longstanding presence in the industry?
Currently, there is a significant representation of women in the music industry that has positively impacted the culture. Many talented female rappers have not received the recognition they deserve in the past, but now there is a notable shift. Personally, I am not a fan of the previous imbalance and I am happy to see women’s presence being strong and celebrated. Some of my favorite female rappers at the moment include Scar Lip, Coi Leray, Bia, and Little Simz. In fact, I am currently collaborating with Simz and I am excited about it.
Do you enjoy the movie Psycho? The track Gimme Some More from your classic album samples music by Bernard Herrmann from the film. – MESM
In the past, during holidays, there were often marathons of the film Psycho on TV. This involved playing several consecutive screenings. These marathons usually took place around Christmas. When I was younger, my family and I would gather in our home to watch these marathons since I was not allowed to go out late. My younger brother and I found it thrilling to watch Norman Bates and the eerie music in the film.
I did not originally conceive the idea for Gimme Some More. The track’s producer, DJ Scratch, brought it to the studio and it amazed all of us. Upon hearing the drums, I recognized the potential for creating something that would elicit a strong reaction from live audiences.
The genre of horror and the world of rap have long been intertwined. I am grateful to have had the chance to physically confront Michael Myers in the film Halloween: Resurrection. I had hoped that my character, as a Black man, wouldn’t be written to meet a tragic fate, and fortunately, that did not happen. It was an exciting experience for me to not only survive, but also to unleash some Bruce Lee-inspired kicks on Michael.
Are you longing for 2Pac? noamericano1
I long for Pac’s presence in my life as a friend, a sibling, a talented individual, and a rapper. I possess knowledge about 2Pac that is unknown to the public, as he was a close friend of mine and we shared many great moments together through our involvement in the music industry. He was a truly kind and admirable person.
I deeply long for my brother, the legendary Notorious BIG, as well. Biggie, Jay-Z, and I all attended high school together. It saddens me that things did not turn out differently for Biggie and 2Pac. They should still be alive.
Is it appropriate to set restrictions on the advancement of AI?
I am deeply concerned about anything created by the government and those in power that attempts to act as if they are God. I believe that manipulating anything that takes the place of our mind, body, and soul, to the extent that it diminishes their value, is a grave matter.
We were given these devices that store all our data and use it to help us think. When we type, the phone suggests words based on our spelling, making it easier for us. However, it’s almost as if the phone is taking over our thoughts and becoming a part of us. It’s unsettling to think about the potential consequences, especially if AI evolves to a point where it no longer needs humans. This is a dangerous situation that we need to find a solution for before it’s too late.
What motivates you to constantly evolve over the years? Have you ever considered stopping writing new content? mr_bert
All good things must come to an end, but I could never imagine retiring from my love for hip-hop culture. It has allowed me to experience the world in its entirety. Even if I am no longer releasing music publicly, I will always create music for myself, even as I grow older. The studio is my sanctuary, where I can be whoever I want without judgement or betrayal. I can embody characters like Thanos, a dragon, or a gentle giant. My passion for rapping still burns brightly within me, so for the time being, I will continue on this journey.
Source: theguardian.com
