I recently did an interview for the Japanese music blog Beats N Miso. Here's the link. Many, many thanks to Aomiso and the crew at the blog.
The following is the pre-translated interview:
1. What was your inspiration for becoming a rapper?
I had always listened to rap from about the age of 8, but I never thought it possible to be a rapper myself until 1999, 2000, when I was in my late teens and discovering music that resonated with my particular wavelength, so to speak. That was the time I really got into The Roots, Common, Mos Def … that Soulquarian movement. Growing up, my preferences progressed from pop rap to New York rap—Nas, Jay, DMX, Wyclef, et cetera—which were more based on aspiration or projection or just good beats. But once I began to delve into Com’s, Mos’ and Thought’s material, I became convinced that my own thoughts could work in the paradigm of authentic rap lyricism. That’s when I started writing.
2. Where are you from?
I’ve lived in many places, but the simple answer is that I’m a Bay Area guy with roots in Denver.
3. What is your impression of hip hop in Japan? Do you know any artists?
Honestly, I’m not familiar with any artists outside of King Giddra, Teriyaki Boyz and DJ Krush. But from listening to those artists, I feel like the elements and themes that permeate the American hip hop tradition apply in Japanese hip hop, likely adapted to cultural and societal nuances unique to Japan. Sonically, I’d say Japan’s prominent artists are more open to different aesthetics than America’s prominent artists are. That isn’t to say that we don’t boast a diverse palette here in the U.S., it’s just that the mainstream tends to favor one sound at a time, so the big artists tend to follow the trends and copycat. I’m under the impression that that’s not the case in Japan.
I must make special mention that DJ Krush’s beats are so dope to me.
4. What are your top five albums on rotation?
Corinne Bailey Rae’s The Sea, Mayer Hawthorne’s A Strange Arrangement, Mos Def’s The Ecstatic, Gang Starr’s Full Clip and J.J. Johnson & Nat Adderley’s The Yokohama Concert.
5. Have you been to Japan?
Only on a layover in Tokyo between San Francisco and Manila.
6. How would you get rid of pigeons who keep waking you up at 6am?
I would do as Cesare Borgia, who had the tyrannical governor Rimirro de Orco murdered and displayed in the public square in order to curry affection from and to strike awe into the hearts and minds of the people of Romagna. I’d take the bully pigeon, kill it and lay it’s carcass on the window sill for all pigeons to see. Let ‘em mess with me then. They’d love me and let me sleep.
7. Pancakes or Waffles?
Pancakes, if only for their relative abundance in comparison to waffles.
8. If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be?
I’d go to Vancouver and see my parents.
9. What can we expect from Proc in the future?
Expect more of the same brand of rap music from me, some hip-hop production work for my partner, Amin, and some traditional songwriting for my partner, the6th. I’m going to try to have complete projects out every 15 or so months.
10. Name one underground artist you would recommend we check up on.
Check up on Delorean out of Sacramento, California.
11. If you could collaborate with anyone dead or alive who would it be?
My dream is to get my old high school jazz band back together. One of us went on to be a jazz drummer of some accomplishment. Another is a lead guitarist for a local rock outfit in Denver. I wonder what kind of mish-mash we could come up with given a few months.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
