.gif of the day

.gif says it all.

Don’t you have those days where you use that same facial expression?

So…it was NAS who killed hip-hop.

Pic of the day

Random Photo of a Moth

A Poem: Surprise.

Surprise.
by Clyde Grant II

Bang!

Wait…

It’s too late to hear you.

I’ve already felt you.

Interview w/UK rapper, Kidd Neer

Kidd Neer

http://www.myspace.com/kidduk

– What’s the meaning of your rapping name?

Haha, well I’m not gonna lie and try to think up of an extremely complex meaning to my name but I guess i can divulge into the story behind it! Before I finally got some recording equipment, I decided to put some videos on the internet of me just rapping over a few beats using my mobile phone. But I was really embarrassed about it man. People saw me as the person who does nothing except homework, so me rapping was something I kept secret. It was almost my secret identity…I even had the mask on in the videos as if I was Spiderman whilst the others know me as Peter Parker haha. Just to make sure no-one would know it was me, I just had the name Whizz Kidd. But as I got my equipment and I started making tracks, I cared less about other people I know listening to my music and then in the end, I dropped the Whizz which is real corny and added my real name at the end of it to make Kidd Neer. I think it sounds like a superhero’s name….something you would’ve read in the marvel comics.

– When did you decide you wanted to rap?

To be honest, I don’t remember an exact moment in which I said to myself, “You know what, I wanna’ begin making my own songs.” I guess it was just a natural progression from being a huge fan of rap and other forms of music, to then just deciding to take it on myself. I’ve always thought of myself to be an artistic person but just didn’t know the medium to express myself through. I’ve never been a good painter, but when I started dabbling with music, it felt right for me to pursue it. I was passionate about it, I enjoyed it, and at least in my mind, I was good at it haha.

– How did people you know react, when they found out you rapped?

There’s a wide spectrum to how people reacted haha. I expected a lot of my close friends to show some interest and support me but that didn’t really happen which was disappointing to an extent, but also pretty cool because it keeps me grounded. Other people who I hadn’t really spoken to really showed an interest though, listening to all the songs and staying on the ball for when new songs drop which feels real good. It feels good to be recognized for something you create. Like every song I make I feel as though I’m giving out emotions which I wouldn’t necessarily reveal to you in a normal conversation. Other people didn’t like it. I’d think a lot of it had to do with it being me making it rather than someone else, so they had it clear in their mind that they were never gonna like it. And then there’s people I have never spoken to liking my music which is pretty cool. Like when I hear back from a few of my friends that so and so listened to your music and wants to hear more, I feel as though I’ve achieved something. Things like that just make my day. Whenever I hear one of my friends making music, I always try and make it a point to congratulate them and give them a word of encouragement because I know the difference it can make. Sometimes you just need that little push; especially in times when you begin to doubt yourself.

Were you surprised at first that the initial support was somewhat juxtaposed concerning close friends and people that you weren’t as close to?

Well a few of my close friends I’m working with musically so that’s all good. But to be honest, I wasn’t surprised with the juxtaposition. You know, whether I rap or not doesn’t make a difference to a close friend who likes you whatever reason. To other people who don’t really talk to you as such, through the music they are allowed to get to know me in someway. So in that respect it isn’t surprising. But you’d still expect your friends to just be there to boost your confidence when you begin to doubt yourself. Self-doubt is like a prison. As soon as the thought creeps in, you’re sent spiraling downwards. Sometimes you just need that mentor so to speak to bring you back up. Luckily I’ve made lots of contacts through music who are there to just give me any advice I need.

So, who do you think has been you musical mentor?

Ah man, I have so many haha. Firstly, my dude Ears has been supporting me for a while now, helping me with the mixing down of tracks, the creative direction of my music and the business side of things. He’s working with Adam Tensta who is getting huge in Europe and branching off to the U.S, and hearing his stories of touring and stuff is just such an inspiration. I then got dudes like Fat Tony, the good people from Supreeme and ADD-2 who I see developing at such a fast rate that I can’t help but be inspired. Whenever I talk to these guys, I learn something new about the industry and the way it works which is priceless.

– What was your first hip-hop memory?

Oh I remember this vividly. I was 9 years old and in Holland with my family, staying with some family friends. My brother was listening to the Marshall Mathers LP and I managed to sneak a listen. The track I heard was “Kill you.” At the time I remember just being amazed by the vulgar language. As a 9 year old, I was just like “Woah! Did he really say that?” The thing which had me even more interested in the music was the melody and the catchy hook. God bless Eminem! If he wasn’t around, I’d never have come around to writing my own songs.

– How would you say hip-hop in the UK differs from hip-hop in other areas around the globe?

UK hip-hop is basically built up of grime. Usually simple beats with high energy vocals laced on top of it. In the UK, it’s quite big but I’m not the biggest fan of the genre. In my opinion, there are a lot of garbage artists in the UK. Luckily, most of the artists who do transcend the UK-US gap are the talented artists. So in essence, we kinda weed out all the crap artists for you haha. In essence though, there isn’t a great deal of difference between the hiphop in the UK and the US. Aside from the obvious accent difference, at the end of the day, hiphop is hiphop and music is music.

– Who’s your favorite hip-hop artist from the US, and who’s your favorite hip-hop artist from the UK? In what ways would you say they are similar, and how would you say they differ?

Well man at the moment, my favourite hip-hop artist from the US is Kanye West (that’s if you wanna’ call it hip-hop!) whilst from the UK it is probably Kano. Aside from the obvious difference of one of them singing and the other not, they are both similar in the way that they write from their own past/current experiences. Kano often reflects on his life in the streets but the way in which he delivers it is so fresh and Kanye is…well Kanye is Kanye. 808 and Heartbreaks was amazing. The way in which he turned tragedy with his girlfriend breaking up and the death of his mother through singing is something which couldn’t have been achieved through rap. The problem is with rap is that it is often difficult for artists to convey true pain being felt other than through the selection of words.

– The internet has allowed for more of a global connection on between people on many levels.
How do you think it has helped the music industry, and how do you think it has hurt?

I think that the internet has affected the business side of the industry. Before, there was big money involved in rap music but that’s kinda gone downhill due to the ease of listening and downloading music online. However, I believe that in the near future the industry will return to normal. The labels have gotta somehow incentivise the music listener into wanting to legally download the music legally as opposed to doing it illegally. Conflicts such as the one between Kanye and 50 worked great in getting listeners to actually buy the cd. The sad thing is though that artists have to almost cook up these schemes in order to get their music sold. The music doesn’t sell for itself these days. But the internet has helped in so many ways. I believe that it’s helping push the wave of new talent coming into the industry. For a new artist like me, the internet has been priceless in terms of promotion and also helping to make contacts with other musicians. Overall, I think that the internet has been good for the quality of music being produced (aside from the crap musicians who spam add you on myspace…not good) but not quite for those artists who wanna see the 8 digit cheques.

How do you think music would be different if the internet didn’t exist?

If the internet didn’t exist, music would be spiraling downhill drastically. Like to be honest with you, a lot of the music I listen to these days are indie artists, save a few acts. It’s not even a conscious decision to go against the mainstream. It’s just I feel as though a lot of fresh artists are coming out of nowhere on the internet, and when you do come across them you have no choice but to follow them. There’s a lot of talent out there man, bringing a new, fresh sound. It’s just people have to begin to tap into it a bit more and support the talent.

If you could think up an acronym meaning for the word rap, what would it be?

Reciting actual poetry? That’s a bit crap but it was the best I could think of. It was either that or retards attempting poetry haha.

– How would you describe living life in the UK?

One word: rain.

lol, how would you say rain affects living in the UK?

Makes it depressing man. Waking up in the morning to the rain, going to school, and then coming back and it’s dark. I saw Dom Kennedy’s video to Watermelon Sundae and I was literally in a state of disbelief. The palm trees, the deep blue skies, the sun, everyone in the swimming pool chilling and a Barbeque to top it off. Seemed like heaven to me. I plan on moving out to the US after I’ve completed my education in the UK. I guess I’m kinda attracted to the flashing lights and the American dream.

To you, what is the American Dream?

The American Dream to me is the good life we all aim to achieve. This is in regards to both materialistic and spiritual. The idea that regardless of where you or your family come from, regardless of the class or status you were born into, you can achieve anything you put your mind to. Finally, it’s the idea that the impossible is possible. I’ve been reading ‘The Great Gatsby’ which is so perfect in portraying the American Dream and also the corruption of it. Nonetheless, the American Dream is an ideology of some sort which I strongly believe in and I hope to live out.

If you could describe rap music in one word, what would it be?

Reincarnating! It’ll come back to life soon.

Pic of the day

Creepy-looking ceramic owl.

 

I happened to snap a pic of a weird-looking ceramic owl on the set of a Fat Tony/B L A C K I E/Female Demand show the other night, at the Warhouse in Houston, Tx.

Pic of the day

My little sister's Toy Schnauzer.

Hollywood Floss Interview

 

Hollywood Floss

http://www.myspace.com/hwflosss
http://www.blog.myspace.com/ec_o

image.in: Why do you rap?

Hollywood Floss: First off, thanks for taking the time to even interview me…Second, no disrespect to any MC or rapper, but I don’t rap…I make all types of music and rap just happens to be one of them, i’m focusing on for the present.

image.in: Which type of music would you say you enjoy making the most?

Hollywood Floss: Lately, its been a whole bunch of genre’s mixed together, like rock mixed with rap and techno (no lie). I’ve been trying to just make better songs as far as instrumentation goes, instead of a sample and drums (not that there’s anything wrong with that *Jerry Seinfeld voice*).

image.in: Why do you believe most rappers, rap?

Hollywood Floss:
1. To get out of their current situation or,
2. They really love it and want to become good sooner or later.
3. Naturally gifted with poetry or spoken word, but need music behind it.

image.in: Since you rap, would it be safe to say MC’ing is your favorite of the four pillars of hip-hop?

Hollywood Floss: Its actually a tie between MC’ing and Production, but since Production is not a pillar, yeah we can say that lol.

image.in: What are your aspirations as a rapper? How do you plan to accomplish them?

Hollywood Floss: I want to put the best music out as possible, if that leads to me getting signed, cool- if not I’ll fall back on my production and help the next artist out.

image.in: A lot of people think the state of rap music has been in a constant decline for a number of years. What thing(s) do you think could be done to improve it?

Hollywood Floss:
1. I think it has to start with creativity and starting your own lane…Let me tell you, most artists want to be like their fav artist, but forget that you still have to be you…It makes no sense to be NAS or EMINEM, because the people or fans can go listen to them. The music game doesn’t need clones, but originality…Don’t be afraid to be yourself and start your own genre.

2. Don’t do it for the money, but for the love and the money will come.

image.in: Do you often listen to your own music?

Hollywood Floss: Hell yeah- that’s the only way to get better, and hopefully you’ll see yourself grow as an artist.

myspace. com/hwflossss – Hopefully people reading this will want to see me grow!
image.in: Which people (not just rappers) have had the biggest influence on your music?

Hollywood Floss: Its really not music besides the list below, its more growing up and seeing life for myself, wanting to travel and experience. Realizing I don’t care what others think about my art- if you have a problem make your own.

Datarock, Kanye West, Andre 3k , Coldplay, Jay-Z (Volume 1), Common (Electric Circus), N.E.R.D, Lupe Fiasco, Blu, The Beatles, and Lamont Dozier.

image.in: Who are some local rappers you’d like to work with? Why?

Hollywood Floss:
Kidd The Great – Great vocal talent.
Preso! – Straight up musicmaker, dope music.
Hero & Rad – Lyricists.
Nosaprise – Dope content.
Smash Bro – Very humble, and appreciates creativity.
Solange – She is a very good writer on the low.
Fat Tony – We’ve actually worked together Love Life and Invasion- I produced both, but is always fun to work with ’cause of the energy.

image.in: Who is the best rapper that’s under-the-radar right now, iyo?

Hollywood Floss: I truly believe i’m the best under-the-radar myself- people rather get one of my beats, but I feel my overall song input and creativity is under the radar if the people want someone other than me…i’m going to go with KiDD The Great.

image.in: Who’s your favorite non-rapping musician?

Hollywood Floss: Prince.

image.in: Why is prince your favorite non-rapping musician (not saying he’s not supposed to be or anything, just posing the question as a follow-up)?

Hollywood Floss: Just a genius artist, and I admire anyone who can play 1 instrument well- but to be able to play 20 or more instruments is just in another league and he can sing…He does what he feels is music and I want to take on that challenge as well.

image.in: Who’s the last artist you listened to?

Hollywood Floss: As I surfed the internet, I was jamming 808s and Heartbreaks.

image.in: What’s your opinion of the new Kanye album?

Hollywood Floss: It has its moments like heartless, paranoid and robocop…it isn’t his best, but I understand where he is in life and I appreciate him for pushing the envelope…If you listen to the actual words in some of the songs, they arent the most lyrical, but they’re true and easy to relate to. And i’ll take a song I can relate to over some musician trying too hard.
image.in: What do you like the most about rap music? What do you dislike the most about it?

Hollywood Floss: I actually like when people use compound syllables to rhyme, I think that’s dope…I hate all the rules it has “you cant do this,” “That aint hiphop!” Blah blah blah, just make music.

image.in: How would you convey to people that don’t believe rapping is a respectable form of music, that it is?

Hollywood Floss: Why try to convince them? I don’t need someone to tell me what’s respectable when it comes to an artform…If I bow down to them i’m admitting to them their opinion on music is more important than mine, and its not. You like what you like and we all have our own set of ears, so to each his own.

image.in: It’s a trick question…like you stated, you don’t need to convince them. Concerning taste in music (and opinions of art in general), do you think there is a line to be drawn between opinion and fact?

Hollywood Floss: Only when its the truth. Other than that, NO. Here’s an example of truth: Kanye has 4 studio albums, so that’s fact, but opinion is gonna be which one you like the best or how you rank them and in what order.

image.in: How do you think your taste in music has evolved over time?

Hollywood Floss: What’s funny is, as a kid I went to a 90% white school, and loved alternative music. But when I was coming home there was soul and r&b in the house, and it wasn’t until I was a teen that I discovered rap…So I would have to say my taste has always been open, but a couple of years ago I went through a rap or hip-hop only phase which hid those other sides…but now its grime, rock, crunk, dub, reggae or whatever’s good, i’m jamming..

image.in: What would you say was your best body of work?

Hollywood Floss: I hate to sound cliche and I will, but it truly hasn’t been made yet…that’s a question for retiring cats lol or people with insane catalogs like Madonna or Jay-z or something haha.
image.in: What do you have planned in the near future concerning shows, releases, etc.?

Hollywood Floss: SHOWS – I have Secret Awesome Fest 9000 coming up Nov.28, go to armfar. com for more info. Dec. 6th at the Cellar Bar 3140 Richmond Ave…But i’m always searching for NEW SHOWS and A MANAGER- so if you’re out there hit me up if interested, REPEAT I NEED SHOWS AND A MANAGER or BOOKING AGAENT- I don’t mind splitting the cash!

Releases – Out now, I have Art or Fiscal Intelligence and the Ari Gold Tendencies EP. I will have one more album called Big Fish, Small Pond- then I have an idea that will change the game (imo).

I plan on making 50 to 100 songs and let fans decide there own album to order…so if fan #1 likes 33, 50 , 10 and 2…they order that and i ship it to them, but fan #2 might order 99, 80,15 and 7. So remember where you heard it first on that idea!

Pic of the day

The number eight looks similar to the symbol of infinity, hence the name.

Sy Asaad Interview

One of the better MCs nowadays, Sy Asaad is more concerned with the craft than more trivial aspects of hip-hop culture...

Sy Asaad, ladies and gentlemen…hailing from Illadelph, has a wealth of music and words to offer. Any takers?

http://www.myspace.com/asaad215

image.in: Nice catching up with you again man…so, what’s been on the agenda with your music? How has life been treating you besides music?

Asaad: Glad to be back at it man. Welp, I have been recording on the weekends mostly, just puttin’ mad craft down. As far as life….its pretty live. Been meetin’ all the right people, I now have a new production duo/ famlily. That’s working out VERY well. Its called f5…like the keybaord key i never use..

image.in: You have a new set of songs on your myspace. Will those be deposited into an EP or mixtape of sorts in the future?

Asaad: That’s the new shit…that new shit!!! Its dope man…its mainly for my mixtape called, “The Plastic Tape”. Its working out and coming along well. ALSO, I do have a special EP with a producer named Ta-ku from Perth, Austrailia in the works…

image.in: What can listeners expect from The Plastic Tape?

Asaad: Aww man. The Plastic Tape is gonna hit first thing 09′. It will set the globe off the axis. Its basically me, not being basic & touching on the stuff I won’t be touching (plastic chicks), as well as showing how fun emceeing can be. It will be a long list of songs, maybe 30, freestlyes of the finest beats, and my original hits to showcase my skills.

image.in: Of those songs I just inquired about, one of them is called “Plastic.” It’s on some other stuff. What was your inspiration?

Asaad: I am Plastic. That’s where the idea for alot of my new music started. One of my brother/producers Tracknique gave me beats and I recorded a song called All Natural. Then he posts a beat on myspace called All Natural, but he hadn’t heard my version or knew I had a song even called that. So his beat was the I am Plastic beat you hear. No samples…all natural (unlike the All Natural that is sampled), so I flipped the title to the opposite of All Natural..Plastic.

My 2nd idea was to make a song about my toy collection. Then it sparked a whole epidemic on people who rely on superficial stimuli such as make-up, botox…so on. Then I tricked it. The reason people think its left-field is because I organized and rhymed it to show how stiff I was, to put an emphasis on a plastic feel. So my real inspiration was 400% Bearbricks, and the Angelina Jolie’s…haha.

image.in: You seem to have a solid stance on certain aspects of rap, and consequently some aspects of life…are you the type of person that would change his mind concerning a certain philosophy if you thought it was necessary? What are somethings you will never change you mind about?

Asaad: Welp. Time will show if I change up…i’m just gonna say i’m open to lots of new things and won’t try and predict the future. I let time do its job. Although, I will never date a chick who relys on make-up. Haha!

image.in: lol! What do you think causes people to get fake nails/hair/eyes/body parts added to their own?

Asaad: The fake ‘lashes, contacts, nails and hair are somewhat overlooked. That shit is to me, the epitome of not knowing yourself. It shows how numb people can be of their physicality because its still an artificial substance for superficial purposes. Whether its forever or temporary. So, I believe people rely on those things because they are either scared of themselves or so numb by social standards.

image.in: Some people would rather break than bend. Would you consider yourself a bender, or a breaker?

Asaad: I can’t quit. or break. People are gonna need me. I cannot…so I guess that makes me a bender. Pause.

image.in: What do you think would be the hardest thing for you to change musically at this point?

Assad: Musically, to turn my back on all that I fight for. Individuality and love.

image.in: Do people around often ask questions concerning your rapping endeavor? Does it ever get annoying?

Asaad: I’m down for ANYONE who cares enough to question my music. Shit I may even tell my debit code if it pops up. But what vexes me is when people think i’m some facade, that i’m trying and im like, “I’m doing.” I am no trend. I dont have a shirt on that says, “Look at me, i’m different.” I’m myself, and most super-superfical people never get that…

image.in: Speaking of people being trends, do you think that the recent surge of up-and-upcoming rappers will subside? If so, when do you think that will be?

Asaad: Well as I have said before, I gave up on mainstream hip-hop a couple years ago…so the wackness could continue forever for all I care. But the “hipster” thing was blown-out and blocked all the people who been doing what they do, rhyming, dressing, etc. before ’08 on out. And the people who banwagoned it, will continue to banwgaon other things.

image.in: So in other words- there are those who ride the bandwagon, and those who drive it?

Asaad: Those who “drive” it per say…are more than likely molded in it so much that its a lifestyle, not a trend. Take streetwear brands like BAPE…the owner Nigo..he is molded in it. That’s his life- but does Lil’ Wayne wear it in 2008?

So yeah, there are “drivers,” and they drive. But they don’t drive to get leeched by superficial trends…but rather to gather alike minds in the pursuit of hopefully individuality.

image.in: A lot of rappers talk about real & fake…even the Republicans during the recent presidential election referred to a ‘Real America’. What do you think defines real? What defines fake?

Asaad: This is another aspect of the Plastic theme. Rappers only shed light on how real they are, and only touch on the fake when comparing how real they are. So I decided to make a testiment to fake, not saying because i’m real.

I define everything as being real. Everything! Because its in existince somewhere, whether in reality, minds, maybe dreams. Fake is a term I use on people who are extremely forgetful of who they are and assimilate to fit whatever the popular norm of society is.

p.s. wtf is real america??!! I don’t wanna’ get into that. That vexes me.

image.in: Many rappers say the person they depict themselves to be in their rhymes is an alter-ego. Would you consider that to be fake, or simply artistic expression?

Asaad: That whole alter ego thing with rappers is okay…I wouldn’t say its fake, but its mildly annoying. Its like mick foley to cactus jack, dude love- whoever he is. It can be entertaining SOMEtimes, and other times I realize that they are being artists…but hey, artists take risks. And I respect that.

image.in: Can a fake person turn real, and vice-versa?

Asaad: An epiphany is an epiphany. Someone could wake up like, “I can change my life.” For better or worse.

image.in: Do you think anyone out there considers themselves fake?

Asaad: I’ve never heard anyone say they are fake. But i’m pretty sure it hits them subconciously…

p.s. – I’m out for presidents to represent me, get $, lol. And the winner is OBAMA…my man.

image.in: I get where you’re coming from with the, “I’m out for presidents to represent me.” What was your take on the whole ’08 election?

Asaad: O-8. Yeah…i’m super happy and excited that he won. I’m also happy that a halfrican-american man, who seems to have a positive outlook on fixing our nation was elected. I never saw this coming, BUT a politician is a politician. Blue, purple or red…and I don’t lay my faith in them.

image.in: The current state of hip-hop is quite similar to the current state of the economy…what’s your take on both at the moment?

Asaad: Meet the twins! But we can’t blame Bush on rap being sucky. Hip-Hop is healthy, though. Mainstream Rappers just suck, as always. The true heads of the underground are alive and well. Myself and f5 are set, i’m sure Speak and Pheo are set. Pac Div, South Broad, and a long list of others are set. Instead of complaining about the mainstream, we live and love the underground. It becomes moreso a culture thing as it once was. And we are all happy…somewhat.

image.in: Where do you think the line between fate and free will is drawn?

Asaad: Hmmm…good one. I think fate is inevitable, so it draws a line through everything. That and time are the Geppettos for all us puppets. Plastic and Wood.