How did you get started with your music?
There was always music in my household. My mother was a big fan of Motown and my father played piano for churches. We, as a family, listened to a lot of Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, James Brown, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie and, of course, Michael Jackson. We were all big Michael Jackson fans. Especially me. I wanted to BE Michael Jackson. My older sister, on the other hand, was a big Prince fan. So after a while, as I got older, it was the whole MJ vs. Prince thing. Then I heard “How Ya Like Me Now” by Kool Moe Dee (the inspiration for my name) and I’ve been hooked ever since. I made my father buy me the tape. Then I went backwards and picked up everything that was hot before that. If the store owner told me, “If you like this, you’ll love this” I’d get it. Run DMC, Rakim, LL Cool J, The Fat Boys, Salt N Pepa, Kid N Play, 3rd Bass, NWA, Ice T, Slick Rick, BDP, Public Enemy. That’s where it all began for me.What are you currently working on?
Me and my homeboy Heron Gibran are working on an album together. We just started this company Black Broadway and we’ve decided to do a collabo album. We’ve been friends since high school and this project is a long time in the making. We’ve been throwing a lot of names back and forth but I think we’ve settled on Midnight Green. I’ll let you think about the inspiration for the name. Also, me and my partner Joe D from Dirty Water should have an album coming out later this year. This will be our second full length album. We put out our first album in ‘03 (Drowning). Since then we’ve done an EP and some mixtapes, but this one is going to separate the men from the boys. And, I’ve been working on more collabo stuff with W. Ellington Felton. We might do an EP or something soon.
What kind of music do you listen to and how does it influence your music?
I listen to everything, but, of course, nothing gets me going like hip hop. I just picked up Pharoahe Monch’s new album, which is extra dope. I just bought Sa Ra’s album (I know I’m late) and I’m digging that too. I’m a big Nirvana fan. I love the Doors, the Beatles, Sade and Nina Simone. My favorite purchase this year though is a tie between Kingdom Come and Amy Winehouse.
What’s your opinion on mainstream music today? What do you like or not like?
I try not to discriminate. If it’s hot, it’s hot. But some stuff is just pure garbage. It makes you mad because you put so much work into your art and these clowns throw together some nonsense and capture the imagination of the youth. It wouldn’t be so bad if their messages weren’t so damn poisonous. You can’t put all the blame on the artist though. The industry has to take some of the flack. But more than anything, I wish we could eliminate some of the violence in the music and stop talking about selling crack like it’s acceptable or something.
Who do you admire?
I really admire Jay Z, as far as rappers go, for trying to class things up a bit. The whole grimy thug thing is getting a little played. I’m an adult with responsibilities. That kind of image doesn’t do it for me anymore.
Why would people want to listen to your music over someone else’s?
Anyone who still wants to hear an artist bear his soul and be real with the music should check me out. Anybody who wants to listen to music that isn’t going to poison their brain should listen to me. Anyone who wants their intellect stimulated but doesn’t want to be preached to or talked down to should listen to me. Anyone who loves hip hop or good music in general and is looking for something original should listen to me.
Who have you worked with and how have they affected your work?
On this album I got the chance to finally work with my homeboy Phonte, who I’m very proud of. I went to college with him and anyone who knew him back then shouldn’t be suprised by his success. It was an honor and a pleasure. I’ve worked a lot with Asheru, a close friend of mine and W. Ellington Felton. Not to mention my number one main homeboys Joe D and Heron Gibran, who always hold me down. Can’t forget about Yahzarah who I’ve known since middle school. She’s not on the album but we’ve done a couple of recent collabos.
What is your local music scene like?
DC’s wierd, man. There isn’t a lot of support for independent music here. At least not like Houston, Atlanta, Philly or New York. I think that’s why you don’t hear a lot about artists from here. It’s hard to get that local support going. But I love DC for that reason. Who ever really blows up from here, and I believe it will be me or one of my homeboys, they deserve it cause it’s a hard hustle.
What suggestions do you have for other artists in music industry?
Keep at it and LEARN THE BUSINESS.
Where do you see yourself in a year from now?
Touring overseas, prayerfully. I hear it’s popping across the pond.
Any additional information you would like us to know?
Buy my album Magnificent Bastard at www.blackbroadwayrecords.com or www.cdbaby.com
Look out for the new Dirty Water album coming soon.
Check for my man Heron Gibran and the new Midnight Green project! |
nice song
Do ya thing papa!!! i’m proud of you SON!!!lol