(Smo-Bro, SBS-9001)

Download: Sound Foundation Megamix MP3

Aside from being the token “5 white guys and a black drummer” band from L.A., this record is a nice little heatrock chock full of moody loops, beats and breaks (what else would I be covering?) This album was to be the first release from comedians Dick and Tom Smothers (the smothers brothers) new label; SMO-BRO, with distribution by Buddah records…..It had all the right ingredients: a cover of Steppenwolf’s “Magic Carpet Ride” to get the white folks, a cover of “Aquarius” from the Hair soundtrack to get the hippies, “Dear Prudence” in case any Beatles fans might be checking out the back cover, They were pushing their cover of “Morning Dew”, and a cover of “Get Out of My Life Woman” to get any soul fans —- even closing out the album with the amazing instrumental “Soul Foundation”, and filling it all in between with originals from arranger and vocalist Rick Kellis. So, why did it go nowhere?

Logically, we would say blame Buddah, too busy pushing artists who were charting, presumably, because the myriad of covers didn’t do for the album what they hoped it would; sell on it’s own. Coincidentally, my 2 favourite tracks are originals written by Kellis: “Bruised”, and the aforementioned “Soul Foundation”, both the last 2 tracks of the megamix, which this time around, I get busy on the this record with 2 copies. These too tracks alone make this lp one of my all-time favourites.

Even still, to this day, the record isn’t “worth enough” to appear on famous record collector’s walls, so, sadly, the Sound Foundation doesn’t really get there dues in the beat digging circle. Anyone should be overjoyed to pick this up in the field if you haven’t come across it already. One of the strangest things about the album, is that given how well these guys were with the rhythm, and making it funky the cover of “Get Out of My Life Woman” (whenever I refer to this song, or any related covers of it from now on, it will be referred to as GOOMLW) does not contain the classic drum break. If you don’t know, GOOMLW, written by Allen Toussaint (who produced the meters), first put out by Lee Dorsey in ‘65, contains, by all accounts, the first “hip-hop” Drum Break as in: Boom Clack, Ba-boom boom Clack —- before that no one has been able to find any rhythmic open drum pattern containing that time signature that today’s music is soooo dependant on. Ah well, the record delivers the goods like Fed Ex, and the only black member of the group, drummer Billy Ray Morris, serves it up to ya.

Due to the 6 minute megamix of the album, I didn’t include some tracks like Magic Carpet Ride, GOOMLW and a couple other nice moments, but you get the idea by the amount of sample/dj fodder involved here. Give it a listen, if you collect records, find the album, if you dj; cop doubles —- and if you don’t; start.

Introduce yourself, crews, affiliations etc.

Sup everyone!? Its RDS from the 306!! I guess I just realized that I don’t have a crew or any affiliations. Damn.

What does RDS stand for and how did you get the name?

RDS is actually my initials. My dad said he always wanted the name Ryan, and almost legally changed it to that when he was 18, but instead he gave it to me and I got his name as my middle name. And my surname has just been passed on and on since the days of the Irish potato famine.

Your bio states that you are not a simple man. How are you complex, i mean do you read books and shit?

How am I complex? I’d say that I’m a pretty diverse guy since I am currently in my 3rd year of getting my Bachelors of Applied Arts, a computer nerd that enjoys drinking rye and cokes with a lemon, and I also enjoy making crazy ill beats. And, yeah I do read some books from time to time. Next one up is Fight Club!

How do you plan on taking the Canadian hip hop scene by storm? Do you own a weather machine?

Hahaha. You haven’t heard?! I’m like that guy in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan that can predict the weather by biting into a pigs spleen; except I make it rain, hail, sleet or snow!

You are from what some might call “Butt Fuck Saskatchewan” or Swift Current aka Speedy Creek. How has that helped or hindered you as a producer?

Being located in the Southwest corner of Sask has allowed me to focus more on my music and not the drama that can be associated with a scene sometimes. I can spend hours in my basement just digging, sampling, chopping samples and try my best to ignore the outside world. On the other hand, I think that being in Butt Fuck Saskatchewan has also hindered my exposure from the rest of the Prairie hip hop scene since there isn’t really anyone in that community that listens to any hip hop besides G-unit and other shit like that. But big props to Saskhiphop.com and all those heads. Thats what actually got me meeting artists around Saskatchewan and elsewhere.

You make your beats by sampling from old records. What type of equipment do you use to make beats?

Well Chaps, I know how you love to keep up with current technology and everything so lets get right into this! I currently use FL Studio 5 aka Fruity Loops for the majority of my beat making. I have done a few with Reason that I’m not really that fond of since they seem so synthy. Although some will come through (i.e. “Virtues The Truth” on Open Mic). Sometimes I will incorporate the two where I will have a chopped sample in FL but then drop in some strings or horns that I sequence in Reason. A good example of that is Gumshoe Struts “Forever Strut” on Open Mic. As for hardware I have my ex-girlfriends parents old record player that they gave me in Grade 12, and my Oxygen 8 midi controller.

Do you rob old ladies at garage sales in Speedy Creek to get records? If not where do you dig?

Well I have begun to notice that a lot of the garage sales in Swift Current that have vinyl will only either have a tonne of Christian records or old 45s from the 80s like Corey Hart or El DeBarges theme from Short Circuit, so I just end up hitting up the Vinyl Exchange when I’m in Saskatoon or Arcade Records and Tapes when I’m in Medicine Hat. But when I feel adventurous I will still hit up a garage sale or two with a case of beer and my homie Caswell.

How did you get started making beats? What were you early inspirations?

I started making beats very naively. I met my homie Clokwork (www.fatmanent.com, myspace.com / fatmanentertainment) on the internet back in like ‘99 or something like that. It was in some chatroom and he told me that he made beats. Then I came up with this one that was just a sampled loop from the Animals House of the Rising Sun. Sent it to him and 5 min later it was just so much more dynamic because it had chops and fresh drums. That beat was eventually used for the intro of the Big Time Hip-Hop Productions web site. My early inspirations were definitely Clokwork, Dr. Dre, [didnt know it at the time but… Jay Dilla, RZA, Timbaland and The Alchemist.

What are your goals as a producer? What do you want to accomplish with your music?

I just want people out there to enjoy the beats and songs that I produce. But what I really want to see and encounter is someone driving down the street (especially Swift Current) with their windows down, and pounding one of my tracks. I won’t even care if its from a burnt CD! I just want that to happen sometime. I am trying to encourage growth with this album and the music that I produce. I want some kids to feel like they can do something like this even if they are from a small town of 15,000. You can’t ever let things like that hold you back, ya know?

How would you describe your sound?

I’d use a few choice words: Soulful, original, feel good baby making music.

Your debut album is called Open Mic what is the significance of that title?

I wanted to show people that with this album I was basically down for anything when it came to recording. I let the emcees rap about anything they wanted, let them choose the beat they wanted on, and kept it all pretty loose and chill when it came to this. It’s been a long time coming and I learned a lot!

How did you hook up with the artists you worked with on this compilation? What was this experience like?

Since I was so secluded being in either Swift Current or Medicine Hat, AB, my only real options were either contacting artists via the internet or telephone. I sent out links and beat cds all over to artists from Halifax to Victoria. It became quite hectic and stressful having artists tell me they were interested and then, at the last minute, drop out. But I wont say any names. I learned that you cant really take anyones word to heart. I had so many stressful times trying to figure out the line-up for the album and I had some real surprises pull through for me!

How would you describe this album to someone who was crossing the street at a busy intersection?

Well I guess that would all depend if they had the walk signal or not. If they had the walk signal, Id take my time and be smooth operator about it ya know. Something like a Future Shop salesman. If they didn’t have the walk signal I would just tell them that they better listen to it before they get hit by a car and die.

Who would you like to work with in the future?

Murs! I know that may seem a little ridiculous but I’d like to be another one of the Saskatchewan producers that has worked with someone from the Living Legends.

What are five albums that you are listening to right now?

Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere
Ghostface - Fishscale
Alexisonfire - Alexisonfire
Jamie Cullum - Twentysomething
And RJD2 Dead Ringer is always in there too

What does the future hold for RDS?

Well in about a year I’ll be done school and I’ll have letters behind my name so I guess I’ll have to get a job. As for music, I’m always in search of more dope artists to work with. I would eventually like to get into group projects with some of the artists that I already know too. I guess we will see what happens.

Do you have any last words, shoutouts, or stories?

I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to listen to any of my pieces of music since the very beginning of my journey, read articles like this, and especially anyone who has or is planning on getting my album! Shoutouts to all the artists on the album and all the people that made this possible!

Introduce yourself, crew affiliates etc.

My names is Barfly. I am a member of Seattle, Washington’s Oldominion Crew. I’m in a group called Candy’s .22 with Existereo of The Shapeshifters as well as a Seattle based pop rock group called The Saturday Knights.

How did you get started in hip hop?

Back before hip hop was so dorky, I got put on. Punk Rock was already dorky by then so I knew I had to act fast and get into something less dorky, so I got into Hip Hop, which it turns out is really dorky, too. I’m currently setting my eyes on the horizon, looking for something less dorky to come down the pike but it all looks bad from where I’m standing. It’s because I’m getting old.

Does the Pacific North West have a unique sound and what challenges or advantages are associated with being an mc from this region?

Yes, the Northwest has a unique sound. The challenge is getting people in The States to be excited about something unique so I can eat off this before some inspired motherfucker who’s younger, smarter and better looking pinches my swagger and does what I do better than I can, leaving me in the poorhouse while he gets group-rate bob jobs for his pornstar girlfriends. That’s my struggle. It’s never over, but always overrated. …Or was it overpriced? I can never remember that one.

How did you become a member of Oldominon? Can you give me an accurate run down of the current membership?

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. It goes, “I was chatting online and…”

I met Oldominion in Seattle back in ‘99. Did a cut with them the night I met them all, moved back to Seattle a full-time contributor with them in early 2000.

As for a role call, I’m sure some people are big enough fans to sit here and read through a list of about 30 names that mean absolutely nothing to anyone but us as most of our membership are not recording artists. The most publicly active figures would be Onry Ozzborn & JFK (Of Grayskul), Mr. Hill, Sleep, Dim Mak, Coley Cole and myself but keep an eye out for Snafu, PeGee13, Iame, Anaxagorus and NyQwil. NyQwil is wild.

How did you link up with Existero and form the super group of Candy’s .22?

It was just mean to happen. We’re cut from the same cloth. Both of us grew up running around Hollywood, being fuck-ups. We have similar interests and backgrounds. I ran into the homie at a show in Seattle. Got really wasted, pimped his ass to the two chicks I was living with who proceeded to pet-rape him that evening and he’s been grateful and loyal ever since.

What is the meaning or story behind the name?

Simple math. Chicks are sexy. Guns are sexy. A Chick’s gun is compounded sexy, so we were gonna be a chick’s gun.

You have released two albums as a group how would you describe each and which one do you like best?

I have grown partial to Livin La Vida Boo Hoo. Factor really gave us a cohesive, well crafted album and I can’t wait to work with him again.

You teamed up with Canadian producer Factor for the Livin La Vida Boo Hoo album how did that come about and what was that experience like?

We recorded most of it one weekend in the desert East of Los Angeles. It was treacherous.

Your name would indicate that you enjoy consuming alcohol. What is your favourite regional beer?

Wildcat Strong! We can’t get it in the states. Anything called “Wild Cat Strong” is gonna be in my hand every chance I get.

You worked with Mr. Dibbs on your new Mixtape. How did that come about?

Mr. Dibbs owns Self Core Records, the label who puts out my solo work. We’ll be releasing my first solo effort later this year. It’s called, “I’ve Been Worse” and I’m very proud of it.

What is your best hip hop related experience or moment?

Going to jail and getting shot! (duh.)

What are you listening to these days?

I listen to Dios (Malos), Billy Squier, The Decembrists, Dip Set, Li’l Wayne, Ghostface, E-40, P.O.S., The Black Keys, Willie Nelson, The Beach Boys, Art Laboe Oldies tapes, PGMG, Modest Mouse, The Shins and so on and so on, you get it, you get it, you get it.

What inspires you to create the songs that you do?

Listening to people. I might be a decent writer but that’s only because I’m a helluva listener. The shit that falls out of people’s mouths from day to day is amazing. Motherfuckers are poets and don’t know I’m just plagerising their lives.

Also, I had a rough life growing up. No Nintendo, no sock monkeys. Just cigarettes for every meal and a lot of gun play.

How would you describe your music?

It’s all wrong. My approach makes perfect sense to me but I know it comes across as disrespectful to the culture the way I straddle genres with no irony or apology. I’m just making music is all. Not really trying to describe it or label it.

What are you currently working on?

Working on finishing up The Saturday Knight’s album and getting that into the release phase. I have an indie release with Mr. Hill that’s done. New Candy’s .22 in the works. I’m in the crawling stages of developing another solo record. I’m feeling a lot of pressure to take a couple more steps forward in my growth as a songwriter, so I’m more critical than ever about the songs I’ve been working on for this.

Who would you like to work with in the future?

Juelz Santana, Ben Gibbard, Terry Date, Jane Weidlin.

What do you think of Canadian hip hop and who are some artists you like?

I like a lot of Canadian Hip Hop. I like D.O.A., SNFU, Cee!!!!!!!, Epic, Josh Martinez, Prev Wonder, Buck 65, Sixtoo, A Silver Mt. Zion and all that mess.

What does Barfly stand for and against?

I stand for old ladies on the bus and I stand against the wall when there’s no seats at the bar.

Do you have any stories, shout outs last words?

Petition your government to permit my entrance into your fine land. Either that or let me trunk it across in your ride!

And we love Crown Royal!

…and Hockey!

oldominion.com
 shapeshifters.net

Introduce yourself, your crew and affiliations.

Nolto. I roll with the Side Road collective.

What does the name Nolto mean or stand for and how did you get that name?

Nolto is an acronym for “Knowledge of lack there of”, it is often spelled as “Nawlij or lack there of”. I originally went by Nawlij (or lack there of), and rarely said the whole deal, settling for just Nawlij. Then one day, during Third Verse (Ed. Saskatoon based hip hop radio show), Chaps (you) told me that I should just shorten it to Nolto. It was a good idea. So, I did.

What inspired you to be an mc?

I’m not sure. I wrote prose and such for a long time, all the while loving hip hop, and then one day I recorded a song over a Dren beat. That song was a diss to a girl I knew. So apparently I entered the “game” in order to diss a girl. The need to diss girls inspired me to be an mc?

You have released your second full length release with Factor called Red All Over how would you describe it?

As a colour-coordinated collage, in that each piece is independent of the others, yet they share a common bond. That common bond/colour is its concept. The concept is one that I thought up a long while ago. I was originally going to make a “Newspaper EP” with Comma Concept (of A HomeMade Effort) and we even recorded a track for “Obituaries,” and wrote most of “Comics” (which I reused for my first verse with Cam the Wizzard). Each song is a section of the newspaper, though none of the songs are about newspapers.

How is this album different from your first? How have you grown as an MC?

My first album was a learning experience. I had so much to say and so little focus. When I listen to it, I can’t help but think of what I would do differently now that I have more experience making a cohesive art package, instead of it sounding like a compilation. When I listen to albums in their entirety I find that there is no grand picture, just a bunch of isolated pictures thrown together. I miss the albums like Sgt.Peppers Lonel… Aqualung… SF Sorrow… etc. What happened to the art of meta-music? The creation of an artistic world. Hip hop is often boringly simple, even with polysyllabic rhyme schemes and intense vocabularies. That’s what I wanted to combat with this album. I wanted to try it all, while still framing it in a meta-musical concept (the newspaper).

When did you and Factor start making music together?

We went to the same elementary and high schools (in fact, we’re probably the only two guys that went to both of those schools and are this good at rap music), though we were never good friends. Hip hop eventually brought us together, shortly after highschool. Most of my friendships since highschool have been rap related (present company included).

You have addressed many issues like Homosexuality, Abortion, Racism in your music. Do you consider yourself a concious mc or are these issues just dear to your heart?

Conscious Mc, as opposed to an unconscious Mc? Even though I think I know what you are trying to get at by such a label as “conscious Mc” and consider it to be a positive association, I wouldn’t feel proud to be associated with that label. Too much garbage has claimed the title “conscious”, and by garbage, I mean music that requires little to no consciousness to comprehend or appreciate. Furthermore, “conscious” lyrics are not a substitute for good music. So I’d have to say: Yes, Homosexuality, Abortion, Racism and the like are all important issues of which I have strong opinions, but I don’t have to force myself to rap about them. I rap about them, because I think about them.

Where do you get your ideas or inspiration to write songs?

I get my ideas from thinking too much while doing too little.

What is your favourite hip hop momment and why?

Everytime I get a new album that I really like, discover a new group/artist that I really like, or leave a show that I really liked.

What is your favourite hip hop album and why?

That’s like asking a parent which kid he likes the most. Most parents say they can’t decide, when really they’re thinking: “Definately the oldest one.” But that isn’t necessarily true for me. Some of my favourite albums were released in the last few years. If further pressed, I’d probably settle for a response that included one of: Low End Theory, ATLiens, Druidry, Cold Vein, or Varsity Blues.

What do you think about hip hop and technology (Ipods, downloading) and how does that affect you as an artist?

I’m neutral. I believe that technology has aided my music, and hindered it. Selling albums internationally would not have been as successful without the help of online stores such as Phonographique, online publications such as ugsmag, and online messageboards/blogs; But I know that lots of people are burning my album rather than buying it. It’s a catch-22; with technology my album doesn’t sell as many copies as there are being burned, but without technology my album doesn’t get heard let alone bought. It’s a little comforting to think that whilst downloading my album, some may inadvertently be downloading viruses with it. I wouldn’t lose sleep if someone were to catch 22 viruses.

What do you do when you are not doing hip hop?

I work jobs and go to school fulltime. I read and write a lot. I listen to music. I kill shit on the regular too, mostly with friends.

What do you think about the current state of hip hop in Canada and beyond?

It’s in a state of transformation, just like it always has been. Hip hop became a trend in the last half decade, and so we have begun to see a lot of dabblers come and go. In the next 5 years we’ll be able to see where it’s heading next. Already in Canada we have seen the scenes from coast to coast establishing themselves and building ties to other scenes. This will encourage more development of scenes in smaller centers and more diverse establishments within the larger centers.

What makes you the most happy?

Lots of things: Friends, family, Tamara, music, books, inebriation, sleeping in on weekdays, Asian and Latin American food, cartoons, Diet Dr. Pepper, writing, climbing trees, walking and biking (I hate driving), chess, sudoku, juggling, debating philosophical issues, deconstructive philosophy, performing, and much more.

If you could be anybody who would it be and why?

I’m not sure. I’m inclined to say someone like Gandhi, but that wouldn’t be entirely accurate. I believe that “being” somebody isn’t as fun or as important as “becoming” somebody. So in that respect, I think I’d want to be a being that is becoming Gandhi. Of course, Gandhi was never “becoming Gandhi,” he just was Gandhi. So, for now, I’d like to be an undetermined being, who, for convenience’s sake, we’ll call a fatherless Jesus who promotes pre-marital sex and drug experimentation.

What are you currentlly working on?

The third Nolto and Factor release. It is a short ep called Scott-Free, Red Handed; Each song is a story that has to do with the others, but each song can be enjoyed as an independent track. I wrote it as if I was writing a script for a movie that jumps around in time. Each track title is a specific moment in time (ie: “5:34pm Thursday September 26th”). I think it is the best writing and planning I have done for an album. I’m excited for it, though I don’t know when it will be finished and ready for release. I want to explore what can be done within the medium of a music package. I don’t want to just regurgitate all the things I’ve been exposed to.

If you didn’t mc what would you be doing?

Something else that allowed me an audience. Either that, or I’d need to keep a diary… and that would just be lame. Maybe I’d have an online journal, which would be updated religiously. Or scrapbooking.

Why should people listen to your music?

Because they like it. And if they don’t like it, then they shouldn’t listen to it. If they were to ask me why they should like it… well then I’d just say something like: “You couldn’t genuinely like anything if you’re not using your own subjective standards to measure it against.” Then I’d go on to answer more questions without really answering them.

Who would you like to work with in the future?

I’d like to work more with the people I’ve already worked with. As well as: Die Young, Adverse and/or Adeem, Ahmuse, Qwel, DJ Exile, Yy, Shiina Ringo, Aloe Blacc, HomeSick Nomad, Rachael Yamagata, JD Walker, Gruf, and Listener.

sideoroadrecords.com

Introduce yourself, what are your rap affiliations, etc.?

Well hello there my name is V8 aka Troy Witherspoon. I have many affiliations… TFD, SAK, AngrySpace with K-the-I??? and Shortrock, but mainly I am the ceo. of TornFormDrawing (TFD). TFD is a crew that was started as an original chapter of the Chicago Chirocknation (chapter 6) started by graff writers Rok and Lady Jinx who are both world renown in graff mags all over the planetoid. I come from two north side rappers named Orel and Cheto which are the first abstract rappers from the north side of Chicago that sadly never put out too much material. Orel and I used to spearhead a 16 piece live hip hop orchestra for years called the “Freefrom Sessions” where we introduced hip hop to a lot of venues in Chicago that wouldn’t normally have let it happen unless we had a band. We paved the way for most of the city’s venues to this day that allow hip hop shows to be performed in Chicago. You name a small venue, we most likely played it first. I then disbanded from that and took the TFD name around the world finding all kinds of talented geniuses all over the planet… my boy Timmo in Japan, the genius skratch musician and brother of mine Dj ShortRock; who can take a track and lace it with pure love for not only the art but the soul and the lifetime it takes to master any art… K-the-I???, radioinactive of the Shapeshifters, Arc Sin of Defintive Jux, Vyle, Crisis Colossus, PFM, Jes the Universal, Dj Hato, Quest the Unborn Child, Shanobi Black, Davey the Drednot, Jarvis of 45 below, Crush Con 7, mpure, Polo, PK, and a bunch of younger graffiti writers still repping for TFD.

You are from Chicago right? Have you always repped that city?

Yes I am… i rep what I’ve learned in Chicago. Chicago is still growing out of the ghetto, there’s an extra million out of towners since i grew up and I’m only 26. The diversity has made for better times but with the culture dwindling away I find the people pulling away farther and farther from the hip hop more so than they already have.

You say people have been moving away from hip hop as it has divided into sub genres, do you think it is important for the sub genres of rap to come together? What do you think it will take for that to happen?

People indeed are moving away from hip hop… I see it in a a lot producers giving up on sampling and texture… even in most neo mc lyrics I hear kinda like a spiel or just raps for the sake of rapping for a certain brand of humans… but isn’t that the point? To persuade the buyer? I make music for myself, my friends and find it utterly amazing that I have the fans that I do. I find honour in the ears of humans and the hearts of women. I care less for the difference between hipsters and rabbits… ya dig? “rap coming together” I can translate into many things, but if you mean it as the unification of culture within the sub genre’s that is virtually impossible. There is too much ego in hip hop, I see it everyday in a million children’s eyes trying desperately to hold on to the excitement when it is indeed a very difficult culture to understand without struggle. The importance of sub genre’s coming together is a good idea if done properly, but style will naturally clash being as though a lot of music in general is not made by musicians you feel me? Shit a lot of music sold is just imitation art… humans are killing hip hop no doubt… but at the same time right now there is an explosion of wonderful hip hop emerging from all over the globe! We came a long way from the Bronx my friend and we must keep moving forward.

You are a graffiti artist too right?

Indeed I am… I’ve been bombing Chicago streets for over 10 years. I bomb freights when I can but as I get older I find less and less time to go out painting… but indeed… you will still see me up.

So I understand that you go back a ways in the Chicago scene. How has the scene changed there over the years?

Indeed… we pioneered abstract lyricism on the North Side of Chicago. I saw the culture flourish and grow from the beginning, the scene has changed drastically. Chicago has a hard time getting along with each other, it’s in the nature of the city. I personally don’t like a lot of rap from Chicago, but i got love for old Nacrobats and All Natural shit… the Opus are very impressive productionists and the Mole’s have always been good at sampling… but indeed it took hip hop a while to break through in Chicago. We were still having to breakdance to techno, house, and freestyle at the clubs till 94 or so. Hip hop in Chicago is not what you’d think it would be being as though we are such a massive metropolis.

If a hip hop homie was to roll to Chicago and stay with you for a week, as a good host, where would you take him? What would the necessary rap activities be? Any good tourist shit there?

Well… there’s a few bars but nothing too hip hop you know. Hundreds of wonderful jazz and blues bars/clubs… reggae nights anywhere are the most popping indeed… but a typical Friday night is like every night… we got taverns and clubs till 5am and food 24/7 everywhere. Chicago is all about drinking and eating, there are a lot of festivals in the summer… other than that we don’t do tourist shit but we can definitely go see some fine art at the Art Institute and chill by the lake… it looks like ocean… I got some friends with boats and it’s always nice to float out in the lake with a beer and a smoke. I got a 2 dollar Guinness spot on the north side… my favourite little shit-hole bar but the people are real….you know, just good old hard-working old men telling tales of despair. We’d kick in the last remaining -not too gentrified- parts of the city… i try to stay away from plastics and glass faces unless I’m VIP and it’s free you feel me. We’d go bombing for sure if you paint… no doubt… freights, streets, don’t matter. Basically just smoke a lot of blunts, chill with females, record tracks, and drink like sturgeon. Rap activities to me usually mean criminal activities… I come from the slums and love grimy shit ya dig… you would definitely get a good understanding for the city… Chicago is a lot safer now so we can go to a lot of neighbourhoods that weren’t at all safe 7-10 years ago. Most people love it here, it’s like NY but bigger and with way less people. Definitely come in the summer or you’ll freeze your bun buns off.

How would you describe your music?

I’m not sure… I do what I do…. i can’t explain the sound but the content comes from my disposition and disappointment in all governments and the rich reptiles that control us. All we have is music… music is my only freedom.

Seeing pictures it seems that you have an out there fashion style. Would you say that you dress flamboyant?

Well honestly… i dress cheap… thrift stores mainly but i do buy nice things when I can but it’s not that important to me how fancy my slave made clothing is you know.

Who are your favourite rappers?

Well right now I’m really feeling Lil Wayne, but from where i come from and what I’ve learned i must pay homage to the teacher Krs One no doubt… Kool G Rap, my guys Bigg Jus & Orko Elohiem, my homie k-the-I??? is too sick, my guy Vyle, radioinctive… a lot of my friends I guess… lol… Lateef the Truth Speaker has always been killing em, but indeed i still bump Biz Markie, Ed Og, Mc Shan, Del, Ultra Mag, and a lot of late 80’s early 90’s east and west coast hip hop… too many to name… it’s hard to give exact favourites… there are so many good rappers on this planet… so many…

Do you like east coast or west coast rap better?

I have and equal amount of appreciation for both coast’s style… I’m sure you can tell in my raps… i was raised on Freestyle Fellowship the same way I learned from Krs One, but indeed i do prefer the darker side of sound so the east coast is a little more familiar to me being as though Chicago is more similar to New York and Boston more so then anywhere else on the planet besides war zones like Brazil and other 3rd world countries There is a calm depression that is tied tandem to city living that I feel has built my style in it’s original form… being as though I came from Rap but I always had an extra incentive to do more with the art.

Do you listen to any Canadian rappers?

Indeed I do… been a long time fan of Buck 65 no doubt. He’s a sampling genius but we all know that…. Sixtoo is dope as well and of course Sebutones is one of the illest crews to ever come out of Canada. Peanuts and Corn are cool… Noah 23 is dope… Kunga 219 is interesting as well… and you homie…

What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on the AngrySpace project with K-the-I??? and Dj Shortrock… we’ve already released a limited edition 7 inch last year on TornFormDrawing (TFD). I’m also working on a short Ep for NET 31 records as well… and at the start of next year TornFormDrawing will be releasing a limited edition high art 7inch series starring, myself, radioinactive, K-the-I???, Bigg Jus, Orel, Orko Elohiem, DJ shortrock, Crush Con 7, Minotaur, Right Eye Rita, Vyle, and a few others I’m not sure yet… all art will be done by hand and distro will be selective… the project will have a website for itself indeed… other than that I’m steady making better connections and wonderful friends along the way. I’ll also be putting out Vyle’s highly anticipated mix tape in a few weeks… I’ve also been collaborating with Eliot Lipp, Epic, very experimental tracks with the Minotaur, radioinactive, Vyle…

Do you have any last words?

TFD is the Future… thanks for love Epic! let’s get these tracks done homie… hollatech.

MySpace.com/v8

Introduce yourself, crew affiliations etc.

What up to everyone reading this, my name is Matre. I’m an MC from LA rap group, The League; consisting of myself, Doc Lewd, Life Rexall (Shape Shifters, Chain Smokers, $Martyr) and my producer Jericho J (we also have a group together, M3JX2). I’m also a member of Universal 1 (an international all-elements hip hop crew), Large ups to the whole Shape Shifter fam, 2Mex, Xololanxinxo, Deeskee, la2thebay, Top2Bottom, Project Blowed, DJ Handprints and Nocando, and of course DJ Chaps, Factor G, Rove One and the whole Side Road family.

You have been holding it down on the West Coast for quite a while. How did you get involved in The League?

Doc Lewd and another homie, First Citizen, started The League way back. Lewd brought myself and Jericho into it early on, and a little after that we got Life Rexall in the mix too.

Why did you drop the word “English” from The English League?

A lot of folks were thinking we were British I was having a lot of people ask me if we were, and I new the name made it sound that way. We were referring to the English language. The League of English, like the cats that write your dictionary, the elite language authority you know what I’m saying Chaps.

You titled your solo debut Struggle Music. What is the significance of that title?

Struggle Music is a way of recognizing and showing my appreciation, gratitude and respect for the hardship and struggle (social, racial, economic, internal) from which so much great music is born, and from which Rap in particular emerged, as a part of a tradition of Black American music, that has for so long successfully practiced the highest form of alchemy, transforming struggle into beauty. This spirit of transformation is so powerful for me, and is a big part of what calls me to this music. Struggle Music is a title that refers to music that inspires me, and a statement of my commitment to work towards cultivating that same spirit in my own music, with the hope to work towards eliminating the violence and injustice that has been at the root of so much suffering in this country and around the world. The last song on the album, “Open”, strives to explain the album title.

You are known to have a real hype live show. Why do you think so many mc’s these days lack that energy on stage?

Do a lot of MCs these days lack that energy on stage? I don’t know I think rockin’ a party is an essential part of a hip hop stage show the music side of hip hop culture was built on that, and I feel that in order to maintain the culture, its good to maintain that party energy I’d like for hip hop shows to be a time when people will out let go, smile and laugh a lot, throw their hands up and rock em to the beat, not cuz they think its time too, but because the shit feels so goddamn good that they’re bobbin their head like their trying to break through a wall with their baseball caps before they even recognize their doing it. I take great inspiration from the Old School cats seeing Slick Rick for example, is like a kid going to Disneyland you have fun, straight up, you don’t worry about what time it is, or how you look, or even getting a drink, your just rockin’ with him until it’s done, then your cheeks hurt from smiling and your voice is hoarse and you walk out sweaty and feelin’ like you just got a work out and a healing that’s a fuckin’ show

I have heard that you “jump around on the stage like a kangaroo with no fear” what does that mean?

You might have heard that I do that, but the truth is that the only place that really goes down is in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and you pretty much have to be from there to know whats up. You might want to ask some of the locals, or you can hit up Akuma for the secret of the fearless kangaroo jump, its kind of like a bunny hug, but different.

Is The League still active and what are the other members doing these days?

The League is family, so were always in the mix together. Even when folks don’t see us all together for a while, we’re doing the same stuff that we’ve been doing since we started the crew working with thoughts and words and music and energy. Jericho and I are working together a lot; We have a project called The Exotic Dirt Years that folks can start checkin’ for pretty soon. Life Rexall just released an album with 2Mex, under the group name $Martyr, and he’s got his fingers in all kinds of projects always, and Doc Lewd is working on a solo project.

You teamed up with Canadian born producer Polyhedron for a couple tracks on the album including the banger “98 Degrees”, How did that come about?

Polyhedron’s got heat I’ve known him since high school, but I hooked up with him to do music through Life Rexall who works with him regularly.

What are some major hurdles facing you as an independent artist and what will it take for you to overcome them?

Being an independent artist, and I think an artist in general in this society, is a hustle. I’m learning more and more though, that my biggest challenges are internal, and dealing with those is what will help me most.

What are your favorite hip hop moments as a fan and as and artist?

As an artist, having the opportunity to work with DJ Rob One (RIP, thank you Rob) was one of the greatest experiences for me. In general working with older cats, and having the opportunity to listen to them, is a great experience that I’m real grateful for. As a fan, seeing shows like the Slick Rick jam I described above, and hearing albums that move me in that same way.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I really don’t know maybe retired in Saskatoon.

Is Saskatoon just like LA but smaller?

No, Saskatoon is a lot more friendly to Kangaroos. Umm I think the way a hip hop scene develops in a smaller place like Saskatoon is real different than in LA everything is very close knit. In LA the city is vast and spread out, and the scene is too, although I feel like we have a pretty good sense of unity in the LA hip hop scene
Is being independent in Cali different than in Canada?

I don’t really know enough about the situation in Canada to say, but I think it probably is if for no other reason than just how much less populated Canada is, so I would guess that its a lot harder to spark up a buzz and create a fan base with a lot fewer people to work with.

Regional artists in the States seem to be able to make a living, does it affect their motivation/drive?

I don’t know, I can only speak for myself on that It’s a challenge for me to work towards making a living with my music, because it becomes not only music and community, but business and hustle. And that brings a whole other element into the picture that can definitely effect how I feel about things. Motivation is a big question for me I guess maybe I’m working to find a balance.

What would you say to people that say hip hop is dead or past it’s prime?

Oh man I think this one well have to discuss in person Chaps, thats Pandora’s box. For now Ill just say that I agree with Mos Def when he said that hip hop is at, wherever were at. It’s not a giant that lives in the hills, it’s us.

What were your goals and aspirations when you started out? Have you accomplished them and how have they changed or evolved?

When I started out, I wanted to be the best rapper ever and I wanted to make music as good as the music that inspired me to do this in the first place. I’m not the best rapper ever, and I never will be, and as that becomes less and less important, I become more and more free to discover what my more enduring goals really are.

What are you listening to these days?

I always like that question. Most recently I’ve been bumpin’ the new album from The Coup, Pick a Bigger Weapon, I would recommend it. I’m still feelin’ the Danger Doom album and I’ve been looking forward to the Gnarls Barkley project (Danger Mouse and Cee-lo). I’ve actually been bumpin Lil Wayne’s album The Carter II (I know, it sounds crazy to me too, but he’s actually a unique and fresh rapper with some dope beats). Besides the rap, I’m always bumping a lot of Reggae and music from different parts of the world. I’m bumpin’ a lot of West African and Latin American music right now, hype dance music, Samba, Cumbia, Soukouss, as well as my periodic doses of good Country Music, Folk, Jazz, Funk and Soul. I love music Chaps.

What are you working on and what does the immediate future hold for Matre?

I’m working on a 7 inch with Factor of Side Road Records that should drop soon, in time for a tour that will take us through the Western and South Western U.S. and Western Canada (including the prairies of course). Like I said, I’m also working on The Exotic Dirt Years with Jericho J, and another solo album with different producers that isn’t titled yet. The right moment for the next League project is steadily descending from the future, so that should be up and coming too.

Do you have any last words, shout outs, stories?

To everyone reading this, thank you for taking the time to do so Love and Respect.

Struggle Music and all Matre / League projects available at: la2thebay.com
Info. and booking: theleaguemusic.com
 Myspace.com/mcmatre

Introduce yourself, crew, affiliations, etc.

Bleubird, Endemik, Jerk Circuit, Gunporn, Les Swashbuckling Napolean extraordinaire.

How did you get the name Bleubird? What does it mean and why do you spell it the way you do?

Well, the name just kind of fell into place… I had some assorted idiotic names when I was rapping about glocks and eating acid with the devil in high school, at one point I was called Dime One, then it changed to something like Flamethrower Mouth Wu-Tang Killa Blunt… but I wanted something that fit me… Charlie Parker was called “Bird”, i was always fond of the “Bluebird” school bus company, a Bluebird is a dreamer… and a symbol of happiness, but all that’s just some bullshit, the real reason is this: after I was jumped into my first gang in Miami in 1987 “Le Tigre,” the next part of the initiation was to hunt down a Blue Jay with a sling shot and slit it’s throat to the tune of Snoop Dogg’s “Gin and Juice” as an offering to the god of hip hop, after the that the name just kind of stuck.

Many people think you are Canadian, are you? I know you are form Florida and now reside in Montreal. Why the move?

No sir, born and raised in south Florida, I came to Montreal to get the fuck up out of Florida and the United States for a while, but the main reason was to be closer to my label / engineer / producer / peoples, I came here to isolate myself from my family and friends that I grew up with who don’t view a rap career as a tangible real thing… to build a vocal booth next to my bed and wash dishes and hang drywall so I can drink coffee and write and record raps. To get physically involved with my music and record label, help Scott crank buttons and fold seven inch sleeves, research and contact distributors and record stores, promote and develop the other artist’s on Endemik, have a say in the mixdowns of my songs…

What impact has this change in location had on you as an mc?

It’s affected me as a person… new city, new surroundings, new people, new ideas, more culture, more art, more music… naturally it transfers to my music. In Florida I was surrounded by distractions, the people around me were content with conformity, they were into real estate and bubble gum, I was back living with my parents and I felt I always had to escape to create. Now I have a space where I’m able to write and record and work with someone towards a common goal… ie - Big Scott aka Ended, in a city full of people who believe in the fight… in the struggle. With Scott’s help, plus blood sweat and tears, I’ve already finished my tour cd, 12 inch ep, plus various other projects abroad… and we’re also pretty close to finishing my new full length.

I have heard many people in the hip hop community compare you to or call you the fake Josh Martinez. What do you think about that?

Oh you mean Maxwell? I’m more “josh’s little sister” than “the fake Josh Martinez” they need to get more creative. These are the same people who like Buck 65 but couldn’t tell you who Jorun is. They can keep slapping labels on the window, I’ll just keep breaking the glass.

It has also been said in hip hop circles that you are that American mc who thinks he is Canadian. Care to comment?

Yes I care… I care soooo much about what people think that I cry in bed at night, in fact I wish most of them would stop riding their thumbs, sucking on their mommies keyboard, and maybe release an album… or maybe play a show or two… or hell they can even come battle if they feel like arguing their point. This is hip hop! We’re all still holding onto our nutsacks!!! Although I love Canada and it’s music, i have always maintained that I am American. America is where hip hop started, why should i front?

How did you get involved in hip hop? What inspired you to rock the mic?

It’s always been a part of my life, at a young age my older brother and his friends used to make me recite the lyrics to “Fuck Shop” by 2 Live Crew, if I fucked up or didn’t say the key parts loud enough they would kick my ass, I also used to creep into their breakdance circles and even develop dance routines with my Jamaican neighbor… I swear I had the smallest pair of parachute pants ever made… my mother used to complain “if you memorize your homework like you do those rap lyrics you might do better in school!” Of course I’d just slam my door and crank some PE or Tuff Crew. I had two 18’s in my room… MC A.D.E “how much can you take” would bump pottery off the wall in the kitchen. In middle school everyone was having themed parties like “casino” or “50’s jukebox”… my shit was “hip hop”, the invitations said “yo yo yo come rock the house with Jacques!” I was all polka-dot silk shirt plus house shoes trying to dance like Kwame. It took me a while to get serious though… I guess it was just natural progression. In high school I was writing a lot but too busy chasing skirt, lighting fires and fighting… when I moved to Orlando for college I began pursuing it more… and things branched out from there. Me and some friends started a drum+bass weekly where I used to mc and a hip hop weekly where I used to host the open mic… four turntables, 20 mc’s… it was insane… guy’s like Spytek, SPS, J-Storm, Diplo, Swamburger, X-144… I was exposed to a lot and eventually introduced to band called “Nature Kids” who I started rocking shows with and recording and eventually touring… after that the flood gates were slammed open and there was no turning back. The inspiration comes from everywhere, but mainly it’s my way of dealing with the world while escaping it at the same time.

You have carved yourself a nice home on the powerhouse Endemik Records. How did you find yourself there and what has that mean to your career?

Damn… did you just officially dub us a “powerhouse?” We better start hitting the gym and slamming some protein shakes! change our agenda from eat / sleep / work / rap, to work out / lay out / get layed / lay people out. Basically Scott saw me perform in Halifax when i was on tour with Grand Buffet, he asked who was putting out my record and i was like “record ??”, i came back a few months later for another show and we sealed the deal… poor Scott, he had no idea what he was getting himself into. Endemik has done a lot for me, Scott stood behind me and believed in me when nobody else did. I don’t know if you can call what i do a career… yet, it’s a constant struggle to keep my chin above the mounting pool of debt, it’s given me strong legs though and i manage to have fun and laugh a lot when I’m not eating shit.

What is the craziest thing you experienced while on the road?

Once i payed a hooker $50 to “raise the roof” while i jerked off to the American anthem.

You are in the European group Gunporn. How did that materialize?

I was on tour by myself in Europe, with a lot of space in between shows and time to kill, i was held up for a week at Nomad’s place in Gent, Belgium with Siaz… xndl had just given him all these beats and Siaz had the idea to get me, Marcus, and Nomad on them. I wrote and recorded all of my parts in about four days. Gunporn was born out of pure camaraderie and a mutual love and understanding of making rap music and living this lifestyle (spontaneous rap combustion), put a couple of traveling freak show rappers in a room together with some recording equipment and blammo! I came back a few months later and we toured on the album. Gunporn = Punk Rock!

You will soon be venturing on the road through Western Canada. This is a first for you. What are your expectations and are you tough enough to rock the mic in Prairies?

I’ve learned to not get my expectations up, i just take it as it comes… a lot of the crowds will be different for me because I’ll be opening up for the power outfit “Avarice to Lace”
I’m curious to see how they will handle me. I’m looking forward to killing the shows and chilling with all the homies, but the rest is up to jesusgod aka”the old erk.” Tough enough? Not sure… I’ve played some pretty rough places before and walked out on my own two feet. Should i pack a blade? Or pre-write some punchlines for the sucka ducks?

You have a new vinyl ep for sale on this tour. What can people expect from this record?

Pure fire! Sloppy Doctor + 1000 horsepower with exhaust and neon… It’s been a long time in the coming, everything came together exactly as i wanted it… three bangers from Alias, a mega duet with the homie Subtitle produced by Scott Da Ros, a dirty surprise from DJ Mayonnaise, and a special production collaboration between big Sole + Skyrider. I’m slowly creeping my head out from below the garbage heap.

You have released records internationally in Europe, Canada and Japan. What has this experience been like and what does it mean to you?

It means everything, i never expected things to go this far….i sacrificed everything for this… education, stability, friendship, relationships. Having all these people work together and believe in me is a feeling i can’t describe, the music business is set up like an evil machine busy cranking out cookie cutter “hits” and sucking the art dry of honesty + feeling. The network we have plugged into never ceases to amaze me with it’s vastness and ability to do battle with the corporate monsters… the word “indie” has already been dubbed and trademarked by the same labels that caused it’s creation… fuck indie! To me this is real music made by real people… from Endemik to Clothes Horse… Side Road, Shadowanimals, Nonsense, 6months, 2nd Rec, Plague Language, Granma, Hue, Peanuts and Corn, Model Citizens… ect. We’re all headed for the big fall on this arc togetherand Noah’s been banging a whore called money from the jump. The more i learn about the music business, the more i value friendship.

When people come to Bleubird show what should they be ready for?

Either the apocalypse or a nice quiet brunch at grandma’s… err… they should be ready for a performance. Either I’m going to piss you off or make you think… maybe a little bit of both while you’re laughing and bobbing your head. A mixed bag hiphopera extravaganza! It’s about interaction and exchange… i like to mixdown the messages with a good dose of ridiculousness but still rap hard as fuck! I never do the same show twice, and I give every show everything I’ve got.

What does the future hold for you?

Only time will tell, I’m finishing up my new album and working on a bunch of other projects, Nuccini! should be dropping on 2nd Rec in June. I’m looking forward to doing some more work with Sole and Skyrider… looking into possibly enrolling in university here to study French / complete my education / get legal! Maybe go teach English in Japan or South Korea… i would like to also do more than just speak out about what’s wrong in our world… maybe actually help instead of just pushing for this selfish and shallow gain. As a performer i use my voice and public forum to promote change and awakening, but i feel there’s more i need to be doing! I won’t allow myself to go under… I’m a rider.

What is the biggest obstacle facing you as an independent artist? Where do you want to be as an artist and what will it take for you to achieve that goal?

Money, debt, money money DEBT!! It’s like a brick wall i keep running into face first everyday. All the other shit i can deal with, the competition, the bad business, the jealousy, the lies, the “bitches + snitches” and “publicity frat houses.” I’d just like to be able for us (Endemik) to support ourselves through our music… i think we can pretty much handle it from there. We’re not fishing for the big duckets here, just stability to enable us to continue pushing the boundaries and releasing what we feel is good music.

What is your top five rap records you could not live without?

In no particular order: Pharcyde – Bizarreride, Company Flow - Funcrusher Plus, Deep Puddle Dynamics - Taste of Rain Why Kneel, Latyrx - The Album, and Goodie Mob - Still Standing.

What are you listening to these days?

Saul Williams, Epic + Nomad, Outkast, Dead Prez, soso, Fleetwood Mac, Noah 23, Cee!!!!!!!!, Tom Waits, Scott Da Ros, Skyrider, Young People, Peeping Tom, JD Walker, Can, Faust, Sixtoo, Iron + Wine, Coco Rosie, the little voice inside my head telling me to get out before it’s too late impregnate a girl and become a teacher… also the other one that tells me to keep going.

Who would you like to work with in the future, both producers and mc’s?

I don’t think I’m worthy of my wish list yet. I aim high and let the bullets fall where they may… Mike Patton, Sade, Saul Williams, Cee-lo, Organized Noise, Jel. Besides… “my closest peers are the greatest talent I’ll ever know.”

Do you have any stories, shout outs or things you would like to share with the people?

I think I’ve said too much already… come to the treehouse! www.endemikmusic.com, do more than you think you can. Support Phonographique!