BOOKER SNOW

Multi-Talented Artist

Interview by Teresa B. Howell

Teresa B. Howell: When did you first get into music?

Booker Snow: I first got into music around 1997 or 1998. I used to admire these groups in Detroit. One was ‘Vo Cab’ or ‘Vo Cab Crew’. The other was ‘MVPS’. This all most 25 years ago, so my apologies if I got the names wrong. We were all around the same age. But these crews were really tight like a family and I hadn’t seen that before with Detroit Hip Hop. Not with a group of kids my age. They were tight like younger Detroit versions of The Wu-Tang Clan.

So, one day I went to a record store over in Harbor Town for an open mic session going on and their crews were up there dropping bombs. It was MC after MC killing every beat. A friend of mine Jacquay Lawrence who’s ran with MVPS happened to see me and he said, “Aye Book, get yo ass up there!” I’m in the back minding my business enjoying the DJ and watching my peers kill it. I’m nowhere near as nice as any of them, so I shake my head no. Jac rolled up on me and talked me into it. I got up to the front and got the mic. The DJ put on Mobb Deep “God Father pt. III” and I’m nervous, 1st time performing in front of people... self, got busy. That packed record store rocked with me. From there, I was all in. I didn’t know when I was going to do music, but I knew eventually we’d come full circle and here we are.

TBH: What was your inspiration?

BS: My parents, my Mom was an amazing vocalist. I literally watched her bring rooms full of people to tears from the passion she gave in her performances. My Dad played the upright bass and my Uncle played sax. I can’t remember the rest of the band seeing that I was only 4 or 5, but I remember the music and lyrics. They would tour around Michigan performing and there I was with a front row seat. It was amazing to have that privilege as a child.

TBH: How has your music evolved since you first began in the industry?

BS: I’ve become more relentless. I speak my mind more. Whether it’s the business portion or if its in the music. If I don’t give a fuck about something, I just don’t and I’m not afraid to say it. As I continue to develop and mature, I’m finding that I’m not as angry but I’m still intense. I have to express where I am at that time with whatever track I’m given. I’ve done an Inspirational Hip Hop project. I’ve don’t a Blues Hip Hop project. I’m featured on my Brother Sove Reign EP “Weed, SeX and ComiX” and we just had fun with it. The music that’s about to release is more raw and more expressive. The filters have been removed.

TBH: Which ingredient do you think makes your sound different from others?

BS: My siblings and my age. I’m over 40 and I have zero shame about it. To me it gives me and edge. I’m careless about having a “following” of “fans”. It’s all about the Love at this point. Love it or dump it. It’s cool. I’m still going to put out my art. And then there’s my brothers. One of my brothers is 32. My next oldest Sove Reign is 26 and my youngest who listens to everything is 22. So I’m blessed to different perspectives on what I’m putting out. And I’m truly blessed because they know that they can tell me “nah bro” anytime with any song and give me advice and I’m receptive of it. But the most important ingredient is my Sister, Delta Wolf. Without her I’d be unheard right now. Period. She’s my producer and she calls the shots. Nothing is put out with her name on it without her approval.

TBH: What has been your biggest challenge in the music world?

BS: Building a consistent team. That’s easily been the hardest part of this journey. Life happens. Relationships change. It’s hard to stay steady in the industry without a solid, like-minded team where everyone is willing to struggle with everyone until the mission is complete.

TBH: Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?

BS: Yes. I have an advisor Donna Mitchell. My Distributor, Teresa B is dope beyond words. My main producer Delta Wolf is EVERYTHING! And being able to restart this with my brothers Ron Styles and Sove Reign has been great. Of course there are still pieces that need to fit, I’m confident that this is my new beginning. I’ve gotten a lot accomplish since restarting a few years ago after a long hiatus.

Left to Right: Eddie Griffin, Jessica Care Moore, Booker Snow, and Talib Kweli.

TBH: We all experience joy and pain when creating art. Has it been a balance of both for you? Explain.

BS: I don’t think its ever balanced with artist. That creates comfort. We’re never satisfied. We express our pain or joy in the creating process and we’re usually deep on one or the other. Then there’s a really brief sense of accomplishment once a project is done, then we go back into that creative space where its either one again. For me, it’s all extreme highs and extreme lows. I don’t think I’ll be balanced until my mission within this journey is complete.

TBH: Has the internet had an impact on the creation of music and sales?

BS: Without a question it has. The access and ease of connecting with various art is limitless. You’re not waiting for a record store to open or for the radio or network to play what you want to hear. What you’re trying to listen to may not ever even reach the radio. You don’t even need a ton of sales to make money. Some artists never perform live. Artists can drop something that grabs people’s attention and do a half decent video from their phone… boom… viral. And if your song is available to stream or download, you in there. New producers are popping up everyday with online beat making software. You don’t hae to be an actual producer. Although nothing beats a real producer, you can make solid beats that work for you. You can even start a record label from the comfort of your home. No paperwork. Everything is online. There are new distributors popping up every day and new information is available 24hrs. You can even promote your music through a multitude of media outlets for free. All it’ll take is a few shares and your life is changed forever.

TBH: If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?

BS: I don’t know if there’s anything I would change. Everyone has their journey’s whether good or bad. Experiences have to happen in order to learn. If someone signs a bad deal, that’s a part of their learning process. We all have to go through the highs and lows. You’ll meet real people. You’ll meet fake people. You’ll meet people who just want to make money. You’ll meet true artist. Hopefully you don’t experience anything too bad and you can recover and keep grinding. But the game is the game. Move as wise as you can. Hell, I’ve made a few bad calls. Keep going until its time to stop.

TBH: Name 5 artists that you admire? And why?

BS: 1. Nas is my favorite Hip Hop lyricist. He’s my G.O.A.T. He’s a true M.C. inspired by the greats ahead of him. You can hear it in his flow. He’s a true poet that’s an educated master at his craft. And you can tell that he’s still studying.

2. Stevie Wonder’s music is peace. It’s Love. He’s a conductor of light and colors. His music makes you believe in everything beautiful.

3. John Coltrane was insane, is the most brilliant of ways. He literally has something for any mood. His music can support your calm or crazy. But all of it is dope.

4. Sade is Sade. There’s nothing like her before or after. There may not be a greatest hits album as well put together as hers. Although, I can sit and listen to her projects completely through.

5. Royce Da 5’9” is an ever-evolving genius that doesn’t get the credit he deserves. He’s a poetic juggernaut and expressional warlord. I love the way he represents our hometown of Detroit and he’s just an overall good man. He’s a big brother and Unc to some top-quality lyricist in Hip Hop. Only 5 wasn’t easy…

TBH: What is the best advice you have received concerning music and movies?

BS: To not give a fuck, focus do my art. It was simple and understood. So, that’s what I do.

TBH: What are you working on now?

BS: Currently, I have a single and video coming out October 21st, 2021 named “Mind Your Business” featuring Sove Reign and ReeCee Raps and produced by Ron Styles. I’m have an EP with myself and Sove Reign coming out that’s produced by Delta Wolf. I’m completing a another EP produced by FDP (Friend Dap Pounds). I have a movie that I wrote named ‘Untouchable’ that’s directed by Quasheem D. Herring and Delta Wolf will be the Executive Producer and Producer of the soundtrack. Quasheem and I have two other films that will shoot in 2021 and the one to start the year.

TBH: What’s next for you?

BS: I’ll be releasing the second volume of my book of poetic letters to follow my first book, “Journey to Love vol 1, 40 Letter Dedicated to Love” available exclusively through Amazon. Just like the with the first volume, I’ll be releasing mini films of some of the letters.

TBH: How can you be reached for performances or interviews?

BS: I can be reached through my website, EastPawSnow.com through my contacts.