Where are you from?

Teaneck New Jersey

What made you get into Hip Hop? 

I started making music, but it was kind of a formless mix of everything I liked, my own little world of music; but when my friends starting rapping and needed original beats, I started to develop music that they could use to spit to.

I still kept crafting my own style but eventually I needed a lyricist to complete my tracks.  When none of my artist friends seemed to be able to dwell in the same sonic space as my instrumentals…I started spitting so my music would have a voice.

How long have you been rapping?  

About 2 years now.

What are your feelings on the current status of Hip Hop Culture? 

I have mixed feeling about the hip hop culture; there are two sides to every coin.  On one side, I was lucky enough to travel the world, and something we don’t really know in America is that hip hop is the music of choice for young people all around the world.  We had it in our heads for a long time that anyone listening to hip hop was trying to be black, but hip hop doesn’t belong to us, it’s really something for all kinds of people, and anything that can bring so many different groups together in harmony is a good thing.

Clothing is also apart of culture, and hip hop has given a lot of brothers and sistas an opportunity to eat, with all the different clothing lines out there.  Honestly the only problem I have with the hip hop culture is the symbiosis it has to maintain with the hip hop industry.  Which cares less about the music you make, and what you have to say, and more about how much you do or don’t sound like whichever artist is on top at the moment…. I feel like I’m preaching so I’ll shut up now…sorry. Lol.

How different is Hip Hop now compared to 20 years ago? 

I guess if you think about it a lot has changed and a lot hasn’t.  From the rock the crowd big money singles of Kane to Hov or the lyrical complexities of Rakim to Nas, I think that’s just the animal we’ve come to love.  There definitely was more fun back then.  One think I always hear rappers or people talking about is how battling was the beginning of hip hop and if you don’t ever want any part of it, don’t pick up a mic, but Mcs came along to help shout out the Djs were the real stars back then, and the music was center stage.  I think that’s something we forgot.

What direction would you like to see the culture move in?

As a culture I would to see it be more involved in the things that could help us as a people, and that doesn’t mean just black people.  Unfortunatly a lot of things go down, and we simply aren’t educated to the game, politically that is.  Hip hop was/is a means of telling other people what’s really happening in the hood.  But now we need Hip hop tell us what’s happening in the world.  I that I approve of his ethics but Combs attempt to really get our community voting was admirable, and we need more artists with the power to send messages to get of their ass and start sending them…whatever they are….say something!

What role does the Vanguard play in the Hip Hop movement?

Vangaurd stand for the elite, the frontline of a movement, and the way I think the artists associated with Vangaurd try to live up to that is just doing the best music they can, their own way without regret, without compromise.

Do you have any Projects in the works? What should your fans expect in the next year?

Right now the album the Movement, a compilation of artists all of whom I respect as people and musically should be released later this summer.  At the same time, I’m crafting and untitled solo album, with richer soundscapes, vulnerable lyrics, and the same range of variety I’ve become known for dropping.

Where can we buy or listen to your music?

You can hear on soundclick.com, the artist Cicero.

What is your definition of Freedom?

A state of mind, where control is yours, because anyone can tell you what to do, what to say, and how to think, but no one can make you think anything you don’t want to.  Your mind is yours.

Who is your favorite Mcee?

Rakim  Rza, or Ricky D

Do you have any shouts outs or last comments for the reader?

Annakin Seed, god damn the force uh this one.