#14
Interview Exclusive! Denzil Porter + Chuuwee Fin The DJ Smack’Em Radio Bonjour Bxtches 1
mixtapes
#HipHopBreath
2
Edito Ce nouveau numéro de HHB a mis un peu de temps à venir, mais il est bien la! Decouvrez l’interview exclusive du legendaire Ras Kass, ainsi que du kicker New Yorkais Denzil Porter, du emcee Chuuwee, et de Fin The DJ avec son parcours de rappeur et maintenant de DJ. Réalisées par LadySu. N’hésitez pas à partager, commenter !
@LadySuMusic @HipHopBreath
3
Check Hip Hop Breath on Facebook /Hip Hop Breath
4
Sommaire
Chuuwee … P.6 Fin The DJ … P.10 Smack’Em … P.15 Denzil Porter … P.16 Bonjour Bxtches mixtapes … P.21 Ras Kass … P.22
.
5
Chuuwee Interview Hello Chuuwee. For those who might be a little unfamiliar with the name, tell us a little about yourself. Who is Chuuwee, where are you from and when did you start out in hip hop? Chuuwee is a complex soul and simple man. All around stand up guy and Audio Alchemist. Im from Sacramento, CA grew up a lot of the time in San Antonio, TX. You just realized "The South Sac Mack" (With JR & PH7). How did you decide on the title and also about the collaborations? I decided on the title after the first few songs I'd written when they sent the beats over. From the gate I wanted to do an album about my life growing up as a teen in Sacramento. I stuck to that theme adamantly and eventually it became The South Sac Mack LP. How long did it take you to make the project? What was the most challenging aspects in terms of
putting the concepts and then recording? It took about a year or two to complete the entire project what with everyone's schedules and it took another 2-3 years to actually release due to a dispute I had with the previous record label I was signed to. That was the most challenging thing about the entire thing I'd say. The concepts weren't too hard to stick to it was actually trying to make sure every song wasn't about the same thing was the challenge. Were there any particular inspirations for you in making this project, and in a wider sense, what else acts as your biggest motivational factors? Sacramento in itself and all of the experiences I had there were my biggest inspirations for the album. I wanted to create something huge that would reflect my city better than its current reputation holds. I wanted something that anyone from Sacramento could be proud of
6
7
and share with people from out of town. Do you have a favorite track ? My favorite track from the project would either be Lonely in Land park because it pushes my usual limits of song structure and composition, or Meanwhile Off Mack because that to me sonically is the best song I've ever creates. Everything about that song is perfect to me.
What has been your best experience ? My best experience thus far hands down would be touring in Europe this last summer. Ive been trying to get to Europe since 5th grade and music took me there. LadySu @LadySuMusic
Can you tell us about your next project? My next project is called Dystopia. It's my reflection of today's world to sum it up simply. I'm taking everything that's going on around me and everything we have survived in these times and putting it into a feeling basically.
From the days you started out rapping, which artists would you say you learned the most from, those who influenced you the most in developing your own style? I learned the most from my mother, Mos Def, Del The Funky HomoSapien, Evidence, Jay-Z , Kanye West and Drake .
8
All DJ LSM’s projects on ladysumusic.bandcamp.com
9
Fin The DJ Interview Hello!! For those who might be a little unfamiliar with your names, tell us a little about yourself. Who are Chaundon, Fin Th e DJ, where are you from and when did you start out in hip hop? Chaundon is the stage name I went by since 1996. I retired the name around October 2015 and decided to use my given name Finian St. Omer II. The reason behind the name change is I am no longer living the "Chaundon" lifestyle. So to continue to rap about something I no longer do would go against my belief of keeping it 100% real with my creation of music. I can't sell a lie and be comfortable with that. It's unfair to the fans who buy my music. I decided to use Fin The DJ as my name when I am spinning at parties because it is simple, catchy and easy to remember. Plus it sounds better than DJFinian. I was born and raised in The Bronx. Hunts Point Avenue in the South Bronx. My involvement in Hip Hop began in the summer of 1990.
How did you decide to become a DJ? Before I started rapping I always wanted to become a DJ. Back then I could not afford Technic 1200's. So I went the cheap route and bought 2 Panasonic belt drive turntables and a Gemini Mixer. Once I built my first crate I saw how much money I was spending and decided to rap because it was much cheaper!! Fast forward to 2015, I decided to buy the native instruments DJ controller. I really wasn't ready to DJ until I got hired to be the resident DJ at The Bar Ber Shop in Raleigh, NC. Once that happened my brother DJ Flash gave me 500 gigs worth of music to get me started. Now that is what I call support!! THANKS FLASH!! Then another good friend by the name of DJ Case Jones had a 2nd pair of 1200's and a Rane mixer and gave it to me for an amazing price that I could not refuse. From there I began
10
11
practicing juggling records and scratching so I can be a better DJ. Flash shows me the tricks of the trade from time to time. I then joined this service called Gigsalad and I've been getting hired to do corporate parties, weddings, birthdays, you name it! Tell us about your last project/next project. How did you decide on the title and also who to have as the various featured artists and producers? My last project was called By The Way produced by ATG. It was an EP that followed my album The Jammington, also produced by ATG. The album I just released on January 11, 2016 is called GEMUARY starring C-Minor, Tuscon, and myself. The entire project was produced by THE G.E.M.STONES. I decided on the GEMUARY title because it's a Golden Era Music released in January. Drop the jan and enter GEM and you got GEMUARY. It's my labels way of saying the beginning of the year belongs to us and we are setting the bar. Welcome to GEMUARY 2016! Were there any particular inspirations for you in making this project, and in a wider sense,
what else acts as your biggest motivational factors? The inspiration in creating this album was to introduce my artists CMinor and Tuscon to the world. I want them to experience all the great moments of being a full time artist, traveling, and getting paid for doing what they love. I am extremely proud of these guys and I believe in them. This is why I signed them. Do you have a favorite track from the project? If so, which one and why? I don't have a favorite track because every recording session brought different energy in creating this album. It's a body of work. I can't pick one. That like saying what's my favorite organ. I need my brain but I need my heart to beat so blood can circulate ya dig?! From the days you started out rapping/djing, which artists would you say you learned the most from, those who influenced you the most in developing your own style? I learned from the great emcees from my neighborhood in Hunts Point. They go by the names of Mike Smooth and Fred Black. Mike was the 1st one in my hood to land a deal. It was an Indy deal but it 12
13
showed me it is possible for one of us to make it out the hood being an emcee. That inspired me to take it to the next level. Then I started studying Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick, Craig G, Mad Skillz, BIG, Jay and Nas. I paid attention to their strengths of painting pictures and picking dope beats. When it came to developing my own style I just listened to my own stuff and picked it apart as if it wasn't my music. I heard the strengths and weaknesses. I removed the weaknesses and I found my voice and style. What has been your best experience to date in the rap game? I have so many experiences. It's impossible to pick. From hanging out with Pete Rock, creating music with Sean P, General Steel, Dres(the list goes on) Touring the U.S. Canada and Europe with Little Brother. Watching 9th Wonder create the beat for THREAT right in front of JayZ. See it's impossible to pick one. I'm just blessed to have experience all of this and have the opportunity to create more incredible experiences with my label Golden Era Music Inc. LadySu @LadySuMusic
14
Download the TuneIn app and listen to Smack’Em Radio 15
Denzil Porter Interview
Hello Denzil. For those who might be a little unfamiliar with the name, tell us a little about yourself. I go by the name Denzil Porter, given to me by my mother in 1988. I am a Hip hop artist from The Bronx, NY. I'm recognized for my abilities in bars, wordplay & storytelling and I represent the youth from the stoops - not those who force the story, those who are forced to live it. I started writing rhymes as early as 8years-old, but it wasn't until high school when I started finding a lane in the more aggressive side of the art, which plays a huge roll in who I am today. I released a record called "Intuition" a few years ago, which gave me a good introduction to a wider audience as a story teller. The song got me on blog sites near and far, and since then my presence on the web has been a vital piece to this journey. I was "Unsigned Hype" for The Source Magazine in 2015 and opened for Wu Tang, Dipset & a whole lot more. Your album “Red Wood Road� is on the way.. Do you have a release date? How did you decide on the
title and also who to have as the featured artists and producers? "Redwood Road" is something special to me. Unfortunately, it does not have a date, but it is completed. It's the story of where I want to be. Claws (my Producer) and I were inspired by The Redwood tree. These are the tallest trees in the world. We wanted to make a song as if we were talking to the trees, but not about strictly smoking as one would expect. So he whipped up a beat and I got to writing. The song was soooo melodic, we just had to make a full project out of it. Meanwhile, I was working on a project more gritty, darker... more bottom driven, called "White Plains Road", which ends up being the other side of "Redwood Road". "Redwood Road" will be a project about where I want to be... A higher place and things we go through and notice to get there. "White Plains Road" is where I'm at! That's what we are going through right now. After completing these catalogs I feel I can't just throw them out there and treat them like something to build. This is something I can give 16
17
when the time feels right. I'm very confident about "Redwood Road" and "White Plains Road", but I want to know exactly what I'm doing before I put a date on those. In the meanwhile I'll be putting out my other projects and EPs. I check on "Redwood Road" every now and then and it still sounds fresh. It has no features. It has a sonic sound with a few selected producers. Those I can't wait to share, but I feel I must. What was/is the most challenging aspects in terms of putting the concepts and then recording? Hmmm, the most challenging aspect for me is being satisfied with myself. I'm my harshest critic and sometimes I feel I go so hard, I wonder how I will beat that last one and if there will be a limit to this trying to beat yourself. Some papers get thrown away, some notes get deleted and sometimes I just leave it and find a way to finesse it. I know at this point art takes time, so I don't bust my bubble trying to rush things - especially thought. Songs like "Intuition" took me 4 days to complete. Some verses that are listed as #1 on the internet took me about an hour or so. A lot of it is second nature at this point so majority of my challenges are outside of the creative process. Were there any particular inspirations for you in making this
project, and in a wider sense, what else acts as your biggest motivational factors? Currently my biggest motivation is my daughter, but I'm motivated by so much and so many I don't know where to start. To make a long story short, I'm a story teller so I'm motivated by everything around me - the hate, the love, the fake, the real, the light, the black, there is nothing that I can't make a song out of or at least a punchline about. My father was a huge motivation. He made sure and is still making sure that I am in the booth and working on my craft. Musically, folks like Tupac, Nas, Lupe and Bob Marley are all artists that I use for motivation. It's a wide question. I can go on forever lol. From the days you started out rapping, which artists would you say you learned the most from, those who influenced you the most in developing your own style? I would say I'm a mix of everything. I can't say exactly who influenced my style. I've always looked at Hip Hop kind of almost (and I say it this way for a reason because wrestling isn't real) like wrestling. Everybody has to be their own character or represent something or someone. I've always tried to look at what I could do differently or maybe possibly be recognized as the best at. So I'm not sure; I've never thought who to compare myself to, but I listened to 18
19
a lot of Common, Kanye, Lupe and Nas. I think these guys helped me choose the path or the style of Hip Hop I represent. Who are you listening to at the moment? At the moment I'm listening to Chris Rivers "Medicated Consumption" and Oswin Benjamin's "Soon You'll Understand". I've been feeling close to home lately so that's who I've been vibing to on my playlist. New York is about to make a scene, so I feel they are a good listen to be ahead of the gun. What do you think of the current rap? Current rap is the same as old rap, there's just less choices given to the people... meaning good music is out there, just this time around, you got to go find it. There has always been a feud on what's Hip Hop and what's not. There's nothing new today and I feel the only reason people were saying it's dead is because it wasn't being fed to them anymore... or at least the flavor they liked... I was one of them. Now I realize there is plenty of good music out there. Guys I'm meeting now, doing their thing, who have had music out for years now, just didn't know distracted by the common thought. If I could change one thing, there would be more radio play for my taste, just like anyone else.. of course it wouldn't be all of what you
are being served right now, but I would give you more options for your plate. Until then, it's just buffet style I guess. Find what you like and get it. Anything else you would like to say to our readers in France / Europe / Worldwide? To everyone who has reached out to me from France/Europe, all the way to Australia amd South Africa, thank you all! I'm literally a dude from a basement, just moving up to the top floor and all the love is motivation. It is a drive for me to reach that top floor using the elevator. Thank you! Stay positive and always look up! Look out for me! If you haven't heard my stuff, check it out ondenzilporter.com and shout out to Hip Hop Breath for shedding light on my work.
20
Get your slots ! #3 hstd by Buggs Tha Rocka / #4 hstd by Yukmouth / #5 hstd by Skippa Da Flippa / #6 hstd by Nyzzy Nyce ‌
To be continued! Stay Tuned! 21
Ras Kass Interview
Hello Ras Kass. First of all, how are you? Im great, thanks!! Tell us about your last project "Lyrical Hip Hop Is Dead". How did you decide on the title and also who to have as the various featured artists and producers? I always like to give out some free music around New Years and basically i was inspired by Kaytranada who released "Instrumental Hip Hop Is Dead" in 2014. I contacted him and asked if it would be cool to record/remix some songs to his tracks and he gave me the blessing. theres 6 songs: all produced by Katranada and features Royce 5'9, Rampage the Last Boyscout (FlipMode Squad) Guilty Simpson, 4rax (of the Mekanix), 210West, Flobama, and me & Teedra Moses' son, Ras Austin
The hardest parts were the remixes. some of Kaytra's beats actually change tempo mid-song, so adjusting a verse to a constantly changing bpm is crazy lol Do you have a favorite track from the project? I like them all but if i had to pick a favorite i'd say The Chase. the sample is really dope Who are you listening at the moment? 50 cents mixtape is dope. and anything produced by Justice League What are the good and bad things in the hip hop for you? The artform and recording/performing touring is tres bien! lol the politics & deceit is what is bad.
How long did it take you to make the project? about a month What was the most challenging aspects in terms of putting the concepts and then recording? 22
23
Do you think there is a place, in the rap, for all those artists who sound the same? (And which many websites and radios talk and play regulary). Yes I think everything has a place, but it shouldn't be called rap or hiphop. And it shouldnt be the only "Rap" that get all the media coverage. Its unfair that many dope artists get no press but some gimmick rapper gets 1 million Youtube views. Do you think the return to the roots of some rappers, the return to conscious lyricism can save the rap, and bring artists to do the same? Thats definitely what we need to do. Respect the pioneers and the history of HipHop! I'm returning to my roots now and 2016 i'll be releasing "Soul On Ice 2" !!! please spread the word. its gonna be Epic! Much Love to Hip Hop Breath & LSM! Salute!!
24
DJ LSM
Monday | 8pm #LSMMedicineShow 25
For Submission
hiphopbreathe@gmail.com
26
Thank you to support Hip Hop Breath.
27