5. Da Brat’s Tomboy-Inspired Movie Screening Outfit: Hit or Miss

Site: TheBoombox.com

Oh, my bad, you were surprised that Da Brat — who was just realized from a three-year prison sentence for cracking a club hostess over the head with a bottle of rum — doesn’t always dress lady-like? I thought you had a bit of common sense. My bad.

4. T.I. Does Not Understand Why Some Are “So Against” Gay Marriage

Site: HipHopDX.com

I get it. You guys really needed a reason to mention T.I. That’s the only explanation I can think for a headline that’s clearly based on the epitome of not news. “To be absolutely honest with you, I don’t care.” You wrote it in the damn article yourself. The dude just doesn’t care about it. Why did you make it into a headline?

3. Eminem Warned 50 Cent Not To Die From A Hamburger

Site: HipHopDX.com

What? It really is just about name dropping at this point, isn’t it?

2. Seven Things XXL Wants to See from Kanye on Keeping Up With The Kardashians

Site: XXLMag.com

This, ladies and gentlemen, is what a face-palm looks like. Y’all are coming up with projections about things you want to see Kanye do on a reality TV show about an entirely-irrelevant chick that’s only famous for her promiscuity and big ass? Word, all right. Do your thing.

1. Hip-Hop Rumors: J.Cole Says Too Many Rappers “Fighting For Attention” On Twitter

Site: AllHipHop.com

Pssst… Hey, uh, AllHipHop.com…. I don’t think that word — “rumor” — means what you think it means. Generally, when people say things specifically, in a video interview, aloud — it’s not really just a “rumor” any more. Oh, and by the way: No duh.

Last week was punctuated with a solemn note as Adam “MCA” Yaunch — of Beastie Boys fame — passed away at the age of just 47. While many sites provided touching and fitting tributes to the fallen legend and recent Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame inductee, there was still plenty of time for these same sites to post some not-so-nice stories. Here are my favorites.

4. Drake Dating Rita Ora from Roc Nation

Site: RapBasement.com

*Stretch* *Yawn*, Oh, were you saying something?

3. Waka Flocka Flame Says He Will No Longer Retire

Site: HipHopDX.com

What? You mean that a whiny rapper, whining about how he’s “treated” in the rap world, wasn’t being serious when he said he was retiring? I’m truly shocked. Rappers always tell the truth.

2. Troy Ave Talks Wine, His “Merlot” Flow

Site: XXLMag.com

Okay, seriously, though, which one of XXL’s board members just bought a winery? This is getting ridiculous. Last week, you wrote an entirely-senseless diatribe loosely connecting hip hop’s celebrities to various wines, and now you interview some unknown rapper about his love for wine. Come clean with it — who’s paying for these articles?

1. Five Reasons Why Mekhi Phifer and Omar Epps Are Easily Mistaken for One Another

Site: XXLMag.com

Uhhh… Is this for real? Five reasons they are easily mistaken for one another? Maybe I should start calling this column, “Five Reasons Why XXL’s Articles and Turds Are Easily Mistaken for One Another”.

1. “Hip-Hop Rumors: Wacka Flocka Still Thinks Wiz Khalifa Has ‘No Swag’”

Offender: AllHipHop.com

Why?: Are we really  still on this “swag” thing? If that’s the worst thing you can say about someone — that they have “no swag” — you’re really reaching at this point. But, the blame shouldn’t be put on Wacka (this time), because AHH is the one that decided this was apparently headline worthy.

2. “Kanye West Meets Kim Kardashian’s Family in NYC”

Offender: XXLMag.com

Why?: XXL, you outed yourself on this one. By your own admission, this idiotic “story” comes straight from the mouth of none other than the Internet’s most notorious gossip pit — TMZ. The fact that you thought it was worthy of a full-blown story on the site is just sad, though. Get off Kanye’s nuts already.

3. “Hip-Hop Embraces All Things Wine”

Offender: XXLMag.com

Why?: As one commenter put it: “What happened to you guys actually writing rap articles? This shit Is fucking retarded.” Couldn’t have said it any better. Not only is the entire concept of “hip hop embracing wine” a terrible basis for an article, but the piece itself is just as weak. A few paragraph full of vague, trite observations about tangential connections between various rap artists and wine companies. Great work, ace.

4. “Azealia Banks Responds To T.I.’s ‘Bitch Shit’ Comments”

Offender: HipHopDX.com

Why?: Wait, who are these two artists we are supposed to care about the “beef” between? You guys actually dedicated two stories last week to this idiotic “beef” (read: An exchange of pissing and moaning via Twitter).

5. “The King Of Hip Hop Live: 100 Best Shots of Lil Wayne Performing”

Offender: XXLMag.com

Why?: Where do I even start with this one. Ignoring how creepy it is that you fools spent a few hours rounding up photos of Wayne performing live (and often shirtless), the fact that you have apparently crowned him “The King of Hip Hop” is, to put it bluntly, preposterous.

Name: Timothy McClure

Age: 25

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL

Label/Group affiliations: FW4S, BLS, Party Monsters, Alligator City

Discography: Analog LP, Grey Area LP, Kill The Radio w/ Fusik EP, 86′d w/ Sebino EP

How did you get started making music?

I just wanted to be a part of Hip Hop culture. I sucked at all the other elements. Rap was the one that stuck.

When did you start rapping?
I’ve been rapping since I was 14. That trips me out just saying it now.

What was the hip hop culture like growing up in Florida?

South Florida has always been dope. When I first got started the culture was very vibrant. DJ, MC, Bboy,Graff battles were everywhere. Miami had tons of New Yorkers who had moved down. They brought that vibe. You also had the Miami bass movement still lingering, we still had low riders. Now we have Donks. For those early years the local scenes were very productive. So much talent. Everywhere you went, every party, someone was down. Someone fucked with hip hop shit. I miss those days just riding the bus or the metro rails. We use to skate and everybody we skated with wrote graff or did some shit. The culture is still there. I just think it was way more thick when I was growing up.

If you could do something over again in your life, would you? What would it be and why?

One thing i’d say is to have bought a van and self-toured more when gas was cheaper. I regret not hitting the road more when indy hip hop was thriving, the economy was doing great and kids were throwing shows non-stop all across the states and attendance was great. Networking and trading shows (hometown for out-of-town). It’s a different world now and a lot more expensive for DIY touring.

So what is the touring environment like for you now? Do you spend a lot of time on the road?

I don’t spend as much time on the road as I should. I’ve played tons of shows, all over America. But I’m not that type of artist to be on the road for 9 months of the year, thank god. Kidding. Not really. Touring is stressful and lonely. It’s fun for like 4 days then you want to go back home. I’ve always admired bands/artist that can tour non-stop, I really do.

Tell us about a great music memory that you’ve had.

Seeing KRS-One live. Hands down. Never experienced energy like that in the crowd and on stage. He totally exposed to me what a show is suppose to be about. A real performance. Creating an impression that fans will always remember.

What kinds of specific things did you take away from KRS-One’s show?

I’ll tell you one thing, and maybe I shouldn’t say this, but I will ’cause it’s really cool. It wasn’t at the same exact show, but I talked to a soundman who had ran sound for KRS before, and I was just stating how much I love his shows and what he thought about running sound for for KRS. The soundman said before the show KRS briefed him that during his set he would keep yelling/asking him (soundmand) to, “turn up the mic”. KRS said, “I know the levels will be good. I know I’m asking you to turn them up, but don’t. I’m just saying that to get the crowd hype. Pretend your pushing the fader up if they look back at you”. It’s a placebo effect to get the crowd way more into it. Things like that, man. I love it.

What’s in the future for you, short and long term?

New full-length out before 2012. Some secret stuff in the works. Long term..I just want to own a DeLorean and a house where I can throw parties at where the cops won’t get called.

Protoman – I Be Up Late [Prod. Shawn Wayne] (aboveGround Exclusive)

Download/stream a 20-minute mix of Protoman’s work below. Also, check out his BandCamp page for new releases and fresh tracks. Look for Protoman’s newest LP, available for free download, next week.

Name: Botzy of Culture Cry Wolf

Age: 25

Hometown: Minneapolis, MN

Label / Group Affiliations: Culture Cry Wolf, Deaf to the Static Records / Hopeful Opus Productions

Discography:
Culture Cry Wolf – The Wesley Opus Sessions
Botzy – My Friends & I
Botzy – Deaf to the Static
Hickford Botsman – The Sales Pitch

How did you get started making music?

In summer 2006 I moved from Massachusetts to Arizona, completely blind. Somewhere in the first 6 months, I met an artist by the name of KonGeror ( now known as K. of Gahed Indie ). I had never rapped a bar in my life, while K had already been creating music and cultivating relationships for years. In my first few years of making music, I was able to observe advice from Carnage, Ernest Rhodes, P.O.S. and Toki Wright, somewhat vicariously through K. I consider myself extremely lucky.

Being based in Minnesota around so many huge independent acts: is it a net positive or negative for Culture Cry Wolf?

It’s a positive in my mind, absolutely. The amount of ground work thats been put into this city is insane. The venues are used to working with independent artists and the fans are accustom to supporting local acts. A lot of that is accredited to the vets in this city. Not to mention a lot of notable acts in the city have been helpful to us, offering advice, allowing us to open, etc. This place is amazing. Good Lookin’ Minneap!

Did you move to AZ as an artist? Were you making music before the move?

Before moving to Arizona, I had never played an instrument or rapped. I remember being younger, and wishing that I had “the ability to inspire”. I wrote a lot, poetry wise, but never anything to music.

What was your relationship with hip hop and rap like before you moved to AZ?

I’ve been a hip hop head since 12 or 13. I was the kid in the high school with his headphones on, and I knew the lyrics to every song. I listened to a lot of mainstream, but I also consumed a ridiculous amount of indie hip-hop. For me, it’s always been that way: Get Rich or Die Tryin’/God Loves Ugly, The Documentary/1988 … and so on. Rappers like Dose One and Aesop Rock were a bit over my head, until I started rapping. I didn’t get exposed to that kind of hip-hop until I could fully appreciate it. Now Aesop is one of my favorite artists.

CCW is something of a hybrid band. They encompass a lot of genres. How do you see the various genres influencing your music?

One of my major growth points as a rapper was a result of just that. Working with such a wide rage tempos and vibes has helped me find my voice. It’s pushed me in many different directions, and has taught me how to adjust to my surroundings. This is a very valuable lesson as an emcee.

If you could do something over again in your life, what would it be? Why?

I would never have started smoking cigs. They cost a lot of money! Plus it’s bad for your health.

Tell us about a great music memory that you have.

Culture Cry Wolf was playing a outdoor show with Prof and Soulcrate Music, in Soulcrate’s home town of Sioux Falls, SD. Prof had to cancel last minute, due to an insane injury…which made us as direct support for Soulcrate. We ended up playing for almost 800 people in the pouring rain. Such a blast!

What’s next for CCW?

Oh you know. We just released our the music video for “Day of the Dead”, which is off our new album “Día de los Muertos”. It was directed by the most wonderful Adam J Dunn. He is also directing our next video, for “Sweet Marie”. We shoot that next week, at a strip club in DT Minneapolis. Yep. A strip club, it’s gonna amazing. We will release that some time in October, before our CD release in November.

Check out Culture Cry Wolf’s upcoming album, Día de los Muertos, due out November 1 and can be pre-ordered in a number of different packages.

Name: Bryan “Braille” Winchester

Age: 30

Hometown: Portland, OR

Label/Group affiliations: Humble Beast, Hiphop IS Music, Lightheaded

Discography: 7 solo records. Working backwards:

2011: Native Lungs (www.nativelungs.com)
2010: Weapon Aid
2009: CloudNineteen (produced entirely by S1
2008: The IV Edition
2006: Box of Rhymes
2004: Shades of Grey
1999: Lifefirst: Half the Battle

Plus many collaborations, two group albums with Lightheaded.

How did you get started making music?

I started writing rhymes when I was 14. I think I was always a writer at heart, so I just kept writing rhymes even when I didn’t have any producers or studios to work at. Once I got access to a few smaller studios — recording on 4 tracks, digital 8 tracks – then I just couldn’t stop.

I figured as long as there were opportunities to continue making music, I would follow through with those opportunities. The door has remained open to continue growing, building and so forth… so I’ve just continued. Been doing music full time for about 11 years now.

If you could do something over again in your life, would you? What would it be and why?

Well, I’m far from perfect and I’ve sinned (first and foremost) against God – so there are a lot of things I’d do differently if I was able. But the good news is, God has been gracious to me. He’s restored and redeemed my life through the saving work of Jesus Christ. So really I don’t look back and think about the “coulda, woulda, shouldas”… I’m just amazed that God has brought me this far. I’ve learned, I’ve grown and ultimately saw my need for Jesus because of all my sins, mistakes, challenges and so forth. All of it… the good, the bad and the ugly has brought me to this moment – so I’m just thankful to be living under God’s grace and pushing forward.

Pardon my ignorance, but do you consider yourself a Christian or religious rapper?

I’m definitely a Christian, it defines me more then anything else. I’m not sure if it’s necessary to label artists by their religious affiliations or beliefs but I never shy away from being called a “Christian rapper”. Ultimately every artist has some sort of belief, philosophy or world view they are pushing through their music. We don’t always identify it as such, but what artists talk about in their songs, how they talk about it – it’s all infused with what they do (or what they don’t) believe. It’s up to the audience if they want to make the distinction. As an artist, I write from my heart, gut and soul. So what’s inside of me is what comes out, and as an artist I strive to let it come out skillfully and creatively according to my abilities.

Resurrect Me from Humble Beast Records on Vimeo.

Tell us about a great music memory that you’ve had.

I have so many memories. I’ve been blessed to travel the world. Do shows in Japan, Australia, Brazil, Europe, all over the U.S. and Canada. It’s hard to single out memories but some of the most memorable times were unexpected. Like, small shows where the turn out wasn’t what I expected but the show ended up being amazing. The friends I’ve made through the years in music, just clowning with my friends, fellowshipping after shows – it’s hard to single out one moment but it’s all really significant.

What’s in the future for you, short and long term?

Right now I’m the co-owner of a label called Humble Beast. You can check us out at www.humblebeast.com. Aside from putting out music, we are also doing some books, short videos and all kinds of stuff. So that will be keeping me busy for awhile. I plan to promote Native Lungs as hard as I can for the next 6 months or a year but I’m already anxious to continue making new music. It’s just in my blood… I like to create. I have a daughter, she’s 4. So I’ve got a lot to look forward to, just watching her grow and fathering her to the best of my ability. I hope to have some more kids as well – so I’m looking forward to that.

How do you think having a daughter has influenced your work as an artist?

I have less time. {Laughs} That’s for sure. Fatherhood is extremely important to me. So I travel less, stay up late less, go out to shows less. But, on the same token – I’ve grown so much as a man. So even though I spent less time working on music, I’m more intentional with my time. My daughter has traveled all over with me. She’s been to 40 different states. While she was 3 she would perform on stage with me. She’s in school now so I’m just adjusting as each stage comes.

What should people know about Humble Beast?

We are a record label out of Portland, OR. We also publish books and do a lot of video content. All of our music releases are available for free download at www.humblebeast.com, but people can also purchase physical copies or support via digital outlets like iTunes. Our current roster includes myself, Odd Thomas, Propaganda, Theory Hazit, Xperiment, Alert and Foreknown. We update the website regularly so it’s easy to poke around there and get a feel for who we are and what we do.

Any plans to tour in the near future?

Over the last 3 years I’ve been doing more spot dates then tours. So I’ll fly out to another city (sometimes another country) and rock a few shows, then come back home. My daughter’s in school so I’m determined not to be away for months at a time. I love performing though, I still travel frequently and probably rock 6 to 8 times per month. Right now I have a pretty bad hernia, so I’m just trying to finish up all the shows I already have booked and then I need to get a surgery. Hopefully, in November. Once I heal up from that I want to hit the road heavy again at some point.

Download Braille’s new album, Native Lungs for free from www.NativeLungs.com. Also, be sure to follow him on Twitter.

Braille: Feel It (Music Video) from Humble Beast Records on Vimeo.

At 26, Gliffics is one of Brooklyn’s veterans in the new school era of rappers. The slept-on MC boasts a limited catalog of pure-fire, boom-bap goodness that’s sure the satisfy fans of gritty, East-coast rap from the golden 90s era. His debut solo album, Against All Odds, premiered in April of 2011 to limited acclaim. Despite that fact, he’s a rapper you should be aware of and we caught up with the Brooklyn native to find out more about him and the album.

Name: Gliffics

Age: 26

Hometown: Brooklyn NY

Group/Label affiliations: The Gliffics inc – Independent

Discography: Against All Odds (LP released April 15th 2011)

How did you get started making music?

When I was 16 years old my good friend Pete was writing rhymes so I just started to write my own just to go back and fourth with him and then it became serious for me.

So did you get into battling after first starting to write or just into making songs?

I write songs & I produce music, it is more interesting to me then battling and it has always been that way.

When did you get to the point here you thought it was something you were going to pursue professionally?

The day I learned that my music makes a difference in someones life was the day I realized it was my purpose.

If you could do something over again in your life, what would it be? Why?

Tough question because i dont have any regrets, i feel like anything i went through in my life was a lesson from god so i embrace everything.

Tell us about a great music memory that you have.

I used to write rhymes acapella, when I first started I did not know how to count bars when listening to songs or instrumentals. My mentor at the time got me a job working with him in footlocker, I was 17 years old and he tought me how to flow over the music videos playing in the Footlocker store.

What’s next for you?

Continuous growth in all aspects of life.

Besides just growth, do you have any specific plans for future music/releases?

I am currently in production on my follow up release, I am working on doing bigger shows and reaching people globally, I am working on new treatments for my next music videos and I am also releasing my own branded rolling papers this Fall 2011. I am heavily invested into my craft, and I’m aiming for the sky.

Check out and download Gliffics’ debut album, Against All Odds from Amazon below.

Name: tabi Bonney

Age: old enough to party

Hometown: Washington, DC

Label/Group affiliations: Me Phi Me & BluRoc & whatever other affiliation that would like to have me.

Discography: A Fly Guys Theme, Dope, Fresh, The Summer Years

How did you get started making music?

God told me to just start beating on the cafeteria table in the lunch room and free style. That’s how it all started.

We first got familiar with your music through your affiliation with MURS. How did you link up with him?

Linked up with Murs via Myspace back in the day. He hit me up saying he was a fan and put me on the Rok the Bells tour.

Similarly, MURS told us that you were the one who introduced him to Damon Dash. How did you know Dame?

Social network once again. A producer who was working with Dame hit me on Facebook saying he was a fan of mine & that Dame wanted me to come to NYC and meet him. So I drove up from DC the very next day.

If you could do something over again in your life, would you? What would it be and why?

Yes!! I would’ve talked to this girl that I randomly saw on the street in high school. I didn’t have the courage then. I still remember her face…that”s how striking she was. Who knows I probably would have baby mama drama with her if I did though. But for now I have no kids & no drama.

Tell us about a great music memory that you’ve had.

I saw Bjork on my birthday a couple of summers ago on Coney Island. It was one of the best shows i’ve seen on the water & fireworks in real life were involved. Amazing!

Bjork is dope. What other non-hip-hop artists are you a fan of?

Lykke Li, Santigold, MGMT, Passion Pit, Tim Snow, Coldplay

What’s in the future for you, short and long term?

No one knows what the future holds but hopefully awesome superstardom, marriage, kids, and becoming a president in one of these countries in Africa. I might have to become a dictator for that and I’m not sure how I feel about that yet. Still thinking…

Any plans now for future music/releases?

Well my album The Summer Years just dropped. Probably release a Mixtape before the New Years.

Do you really have political aspirations?

Yes & No. Depends on my backing, funding & endorsers LOL

Lastly, you’re about to take off for this massive tour with MURS and Ski and all those dudes. Why should people come check you out?

Because it’s a dope show!! Live band! We’re not your typical artist who just stand on stage and rap. Plus it should be some good looking people there.

tabi Bonney’s album, The Summer Years, is available now via iTunes. Hit up HipHopAndLoveTour.com for all of the tour dates. Lastly, download the official Hip Hop and Love Tour mixtape with tabi Bonney for free.

Name: Simeon Viltz, Darshon “Race” Gibbs

Age: How old do i look?

Hometown: ChicaGO, ILL

Label/Group affiliations: The Primeridian, Moi’, SFG, Ray Elementary, High Noon, All Natural Inc., Guidance, JUBA Collective, 4 Fingers and a Thumb, #74… GOD

Discography: The Flash Ep (1998 Casette Tape and CD), The Go Figure Ep (2001 CD and Vinyl), The Solid Nugget 12 (2003 Vinyl only) with Higruallahz/PCP on Hedrub Records, Da Mornin Afta (2007 CD and Digital Release), Da CrackADawn (2011 MixP3 Digital Release only), Darling Lure (2011 Digital Release, limted CD release) with Primeridian on All Natural Records

How did you get started making music?

Simeon: I was born into it. My Father is from New Orleans and was a part of the group, Black Lightning (consisting of some of the Chi-Lites and EWF) where he played the trumpet and showed me some things early on. My Grandmother was a classically trained pianist who played in my church growing up. I gained some first hand lessons from her as well. Finally, my Grand Uncle played vibes in the legendary group, The Jones Brothers.

Darshon: Playing saxophone in the school, spinning records at my friend, DJ Jaytoo’s house, later a demo deal as The Late Show with The Twilite Tone on Relativity Records

If you could do something over again in your life, would you? What would it be and why?

Simeon: Hard to say. Life is all about decisions and every decision has consequences. I try to appreciate everything as it’s in Divine order. I would say that if I knew what I know now, I’d probably have matured earlier but that’s the beauty of growth.

Darshon: I don’t think I would do anything different. I am grateful for all my experiences and all te lessons I have learned to date, good or bad. Plus I don’t live with regret, don’t wana carry that baggage.

Tell us about a great music memory that you’ve had.

Simeon: Here are a few: Having jam sessions as a child with my Father who would play vibes while I’d play piano. Being in the studio with my oldest Daughter (almost 3 yrs. old at the time) recording a song for French producer GMJ on The Primeridian’s “Don’t Cry” where she started giving her younger siblings shout-outs and was in the pocket of the record. Being overseas with the JUBA Collective, learning from master musicians Kahil El Zabar, Ari Brown, Bobby Irving (keys; produced for Miles Davis), Fareed Haque, Frank Orall (Poi Dog Pondering), and artist D-Zine.

Darshon: Rocking with Rakim at the Metro Chicago. Rakim and KRS One inspired me to do this.

What’s in the future for you, short and long term?

Simeon: To continue to make music with healing and from the heart as well as fun… More work with TBG “DarlingLure,” finishing up The Primeridian – Rashid Hadee collaboration project, another Primeridian EP with Black Spade, Twilite Tone, Kenautis Smith, Tensei Beats, a solo project entitled Ray Elementary with producer Mulatto Patriot, another project with Ced No (I, Ced), producing a solo album, production work for The Pharcyde, The Electric and upcoming group SFG (be on the lookout!).

Darshon: Projects with Tensei, Rashid Hadee, Kenautis Smith, Twilite Tone and Dj Ron Trent.

You’re staying real busy with all of these side projects and other work. What’s the difference for you between working with different artists?

Simeon: It all varies between various artists/producers.   Some tend to be more free-flowing and in the moment while others can be more meticulous and thought out.   I tend to delve in between.  The best collaboration process is when everyone has humility and has genuine respect for one another and each other’s ideas/talents. With The Primeridian, we’ve been at it for a while so it gets to a point where it becomes 2nd nature.

Check out the video for The Primeridian and Tall Black Guy’s “Whistle While You Work” below. Their collaborative album, Darling Lure, can be picked up on iTunes now.

Name

The Black Sunn: Adam aka The Black Sunn

810:  Matthew McKeldin Sutton

Age

The Black Sunn: 22 (Sept 10th Virgo Boy!)

810: 22

Hometown

The Black Sunn / 810: Baltimore, MD

Label / Group Affiliations

The Black Sunn: Move Forward Music and Empire Distribution affiliated

810: Move Forward Music, Street Legal Entertainment, Empire Distribution

Discography

The Black Sunn: Born Alone, Die Alone (09), The Sunn Is Black EP (09), Godsound (09), Sol Parables (10), UniteDivision (11)

810: Supply And Demand (Mixtape), Glass Half Full (Mixtape), UniteDivision (Album) w/The Black Sunn

What do you think is the difference for you between working as a solo artist versus with a group/duo?

 
The Black Sunn: Solo I can do what the fuck I want without having to ask anyone. [Laughs] As a group/duo there are more opinions that have to be taken into consideration and the process takes longer but I honestly like both styles. I can’t dwell on one thing for too long, just like I crave my family’s attention I need that alone time to do my own thing. It’s the duality of the universe.
 

How did you get started making music?

The Black Sunn: I’ve been around hip hop since I was a baby thanks to my brother, DJ Bishop, but I wrote my first rap in 4th grade.  My first rap group was called MART with 810. Back then, I was Big A and he was DJ Bush. [Laughs] I changed my named to Sun Tzu in high school when I went through a heavy Wu Tang phase.  As I discovered myself and who I really wanted to be, I changed my name to The Black Sunn and got serious about this around 2007.

810: I feel like I was born into this; I come from a musical family and making music is something that I can’t stop making even if I wanted to.  If you mean rap specifically, I remember writing my 1st rap at 11 and I haven’t stopped since.

If you could do something over again in your life, what would it be? Why?

The Black Sunn: I wouldn’t — every moment in my life has been a lesson that I’ve learned from, some even ignored and repeated until I got the lesson.  I’m not ashamed of my life and I know when I die I’ll be proud of everything that I’ve accomplished.

810: I would do High School over; I never took it seriously.   I used to go to a prestigious school and I threw it away. I graduated, but there were a lot of missed opportunities in that part of my life.  Then again, the lessons that I’ve learned have helped me get where I am now. So In actuality, I probably wouldn’t change a thing.

Do you think your early involvement with music drove you decision not to take school seriously?

810: To a certain extent yes, but honestly I think without music it would have been something else to distract me from classwork.  High school is when I feel like I honed my skills. I feel school is to be taken seriously; without some form of knowledge we are very weak as a people. Even if it isn’t from a college or university, you should gain knowledge to excel in whatever your craft is.
 

Tell us about a great music memory that you have. 

The Black Sunn: My first memory is being 2 or 3 years old and my brother spinning “C.R.E.A.M.” by Wu Tang.  That’s my first music memory and that feeling is something I can’t describe but that’s why I do what I do today. I want to create a legacy that people can grow with in the same way I grew up with music.

810: When I was 15 and I went to my 1st studio, it was like a dream come true. I recorded a song called “We’re In The Studio” with a few friends. I never heard the song after that day though.

I think there are a lot of heads that grew up with Wu Tang and really fell in love with their style of music, what made them so meaningful for you?

The Black Sunn: Well like I said, my brother was a DJ and I was literally in Pampers listening to Wu Tang because of him. [Laughs] Some of my earliest memories are of Wu Tang so I always have that respect. When I got to High School I really began to discover their catalog and a lot of their music described how I was feeling at the time. I wasn’t a problem child but somehow I always ended up in some kinda bullshit. Their attitude just fit my view on life.

Looking at your “peers” in terms of modern artists, who do you think best carries on that legacy of really powerful, lasting hip hop?

The Black Sunn: We talking about longevity right? Because I’m big on that..but people who are in my age range? Kendrick Lamar, King Mez, Big K.R.I.T. — those are some of the first names that come to my mind; their substance is deep. Even Drake, though people like to hate on him, I believe his material can relate to a wide range of people. That’s what it’s about right? Touching people’s souls.  They take that with them through life and that makes it timeless.

What’s next for you?

The Black Sunn: Pushing UniteDivision by shooting more videos, organizing a tour, etc and working on my next solo LP.

810: More music is being made now and more greatness is being achieved. *Thumbs Up*

Do you have any specific plans for the future in terms of what will be released next?

810: Another solo project, although I don’t know what I’m gonna call it yet.  Songs are being recorded now. I feel like myself and Sunn have a opportunity to move to the next level and I will make the project that will bring people into my world. At some point I want to change the world also, whether through music or through my brand as a whole.

Stream 810 and The Black Sunn’s new album, UniteDivision via BandCamp and pick up the album for just $5.