Zay Mason

How would you describe your music to people who have never heard it before?

I would have to call it honest raw lyricism . Its gonna take you to a different place in Hip Hop people don't normally want to go. I represent the lost and forgotten and the people that are angry for no Damn reason.

Do  you think that hip hop is still as powerful and influential as it was say 5 or even 10 years ago? Why?

I think Hip Hop is even more influential now than it was back then. Popular culture takes a lot from one genre , from one lifestyle and I think that shows how important Hip Hop has become and how profitable it has grown to be. As far as influential in a positive way... that's in question there aren't many artists with big things to say or stories to tell, atleast in that mainstream bracket.

Would you say that your environment has an effect on your music?

Yes, definitely. Not to be a cliche- but personally I'm like a sponge I observe and take in everything and turn it into my own energy its one of the fun things about being artist you can draw inspiration from almost anywhere or anybody especially your own natural habit on a daily basis.

Where do you hope to be professionally in five years?

Hopefully by then I would like to put the talented people I work with in a better position to eat off the artistic visions we have as individuals. It would be cool to be able to give back as much as you've been given or give more.

Where can people find your music and connect with you?

thesentinelsmusic.com/

My personal Ig/twitter is @whoiszaymason and my teams handle is @sentinels_  

Mouse Sucks

You've been working a lot with the Dojo Fam Collective. Has that had an affect on your solo stuff?

Well naturally when you're around people for a long period of time, you pick up certain things from them. I've definitely learned a lot from them over the past couple years and I know that they've had an influence on the growth of my sound.

When creating your song "Toes" you used Rhythm Roulette. Can you explain what Rhythm Roulette is and why you decided to use it for this song?

Mass Appeal has a segment called Rhythm Roulette where they blindfold a producer and take them to a local record store. Then the producer blindly selects 3 records to sample. I did mine a little different, just closed my eyes and the first 3 samples in my library that I clicked on were the songs I was gonna flip for "Toes". My favorite producer of all time is Justin Nealis aka Party Supplies and when I saw him on Rhythm Roulette, I dropped everything and got to it. 

Is there a specific process you have for making music or do you just go by feeling?

The process varies for production. I try not to get too comfortable making music the same way and it's always fun to experiment. However when it comes to writing, I always come up with a funky hook first. Capital Ode put me on to that.

I know that you enjoy sampling a lot. Are there any songs that you are dying to sample or do you like to keep those things secret?

Sampling is fun. When I first got into making music, Charles Hamilton was on the come up and what he did with samples was amazing to me. Back in 2012 he had a show where he was making beats on stage and asking the audience what he should sample and after that I wanted to start producing my own records. Thus, I started off with a lot of samples in 2013 and these 2 tracks (which are from last year) but I haven't really been sampling at all on the new music I'm working on..... and nah, there's not really any tracks that I'm dying to sample.

Can we expect a project from you any time soon?

I'm not looking to release a full solo project any time soon. Or maybe I am. I might pull a Beyonce and drop it haha. But honestly, I'm just taking my time and building special original pieces.

Where can people find your music and stay connected to you?
 All my music can be streamed and downloaded from my Bandcamp and I love connecting with my fans via my Tumblr.

BMÅN

On your Soundcloud I read that there is a deeper meaning behind your name ‘BMÅN’. Would you like to go into it?

BMÅN stands for "Be Music Åbove Noise"

We live in an age where conformity is now considered the only acceptable way to think. Every time a thought is repeated mindlessly it is degraded in quality and meaning like in the game telephone. In a world where everyone is passing around these same thoughts the result is that we live in disharmonious noise, which is destructive to our physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

I am setting out to live as a model, as someone who thinks only from the original source; the cosmic music of ideas, and to bring those ideas into reality to encourage others to discover their own creative potential and bring out the music in their hearts to the world. For every person that has the courage to live true to their inner song, we will have a better, more magical, more positive world.

How did you develop your sound and figure out what styles of music you wanted to emulate?

I really try not to have a 'sound.'  My approach to music is how Bruce Lee approached martial arts "to have style without having a style."  I go into every song with the intention to create something that sounds like nothing I have ever made before and hopefully nothing like anyone has ever made before.  If the day ever arrives that I start making derivative versions of my earlier work then that'll be when it's be time for me to hang it up.  But, don't hold onto your pantyhose on that one because there's plenty of fire left in this kettlebomb.

What was the inspiration for ‘Queen Bree’ and how would you describe it to someone unfamiliar to your music?

"Queen Bree" is about a girl who broke up with me because she didn't think she was good enough to be my girlfriend.  Yet, I knew she was, but she couldn't see that.  That was my nickname for her, which she eventually rejected on the basis that "she wasn't good enough to be a Queen."  It's my hope in life through my music and other work that I can inspire many girls out there to realize that they were all born to be Queens.

You describe ‘Queen Bree’ as a ‘love trap’. What exactly is ‘love trap’?

I don't know what 'love trap' is really, I create an original genre name for every song I release.  I listened back to the song and those are the words that came to mind.

Do you have any projects you are currently working on?

Yes I am currently working on an internet project called FuturEchoes which I am really excited about.

In a nutshell this is what I call a discovery grid which collects content from across the web and presents it in a simple, easy to explore feed.

(You can check that out at FuturEchoes.com and read more about it at the FuturEchoes blog.)

Where can people find your music?

My music is currently available on soundcloud @bmanmakesmusic, on a great new app called Tradiio (http://tradiio.com/bman) and additionally many of my songs are on youtube hosted on my friend Bandit Tunes' channel.

Vasko Picasso: Artistry > Rapping

You say that you're an artist- not a rapper. What is the difference between the two?

To me being an artist is being able to be versatile. I feel I'm a total package. I write for myself and others. Not to mention, I engineer my own work. Also I don't just stick to the Rap/HipHop genre. I've been working on a lot of R&B, Pop, and EDM lately.

Do you find it hard to differentiate yourself from a rapper considering the style of music you make?

Yes I have in the past, currently I've been focusing writing, plotting ideas, and listening to inputs of others. I think in due time I'll deliver the world something unique.

You're new single, 'Gud For It', was recently released. What is the story behind the song?

"Gud For It" was a song I actually came up with back in 2013. I recorded the hook and song with some friends. We put it out but never pushed it. One day I sat down with my producer "LoopaBeats" and he cooked up this cold beat! I laid that hook and the rest happened!

Is 'Gud For It' going to apart of a bigger project?

I actually was planning to use it for my EP. Thought about how i wanted my EP to sound. Sat on the song and a few others then just dropped it! I'll use the others on my tape, it'll be out in June!

What can we expect from you in the future?

From here I'm just goin up! Working on my tape, writing out my EP "A Work of Art", and just pushing my brand. I always dreamed to be on a major label, but I feel I have to prove I deserve that check! So I'll be pushing out music, videos, performing, and learning tell then.

Where can people find you and your music?

Its all here : http://iamvaskopicasso.com

The Art of Lyricism

In the current day of music there are so many things that separate artists from the combination of genres and sub-genres to the cultural differences from different cities. In the new age of music there are elite artists with astonishing flows that call themselves lyricists. 
Here are the responses of three amazing lyricist on the difference between lyricists and rappers and their influences.

DeathSpitter Q

1. In your opinion, what is the difference between a rapper and a lyricist?

 A Lyricist writes music to convey a message, meaningful or an expression of themselves kind of message, or tells a story. A rapper, is a rhyming entertainer. They make music, that they usually don't write themselves, for money and often a 'brand' for whom ever that artist is signed too. So in lamest term a lyricist does it for the love a rapper for the money.

2. What is the 'realest' line you think you ever wrote?

3rd verse in Cruise Control: Is it worth it? No soul just to have some gold// While preaching old folks try to tell their stories told// To warn the younger generation, while we pacing// to get to the future but the past we erasing// we some know it alls I want it all// too big too fall gotta a lot to give but I ain't sharing with none of yall// that mindset will keep us lock down oh who// am I talking to? Well you know its just me and you.

3. Who is your favorite lyricist?

Hands down Andre 3000 and Eminem.

You can download the Black Moon Mixtape here.

Twitter | IG


Absent-Minded

1. In your opinion, what is the difference between a rapper and a lyricist?

The difference between a rapper and lyricist is that lyricists have the ability to play with words and syllables in a clever way. Rappers are pretty decent at that as well but I feel they mainly write catchy lines and hooks, so in my opinion you need a balance of both to be a great hip hop artist.

2. What is the 'realest' line you think you ever wrote?

I'm still the same beast just a different kind of animal// Lion on the beat I'm feasting on it like and antelope// I just bought myself a crib, a Lamborghini, and a boat// Flow so sick man they need to make an antidote.

3. Who is your favorite lyricist?

King Los, but I only saw one vid where he freestyles on Sway In The Morning and he KILLED it. The video alone changed my style up and motivated me to step up my lyrical game.

You can download his mixtape 'Closer to My Dreams' here.

IG

Andre James

1. In your opinion, what is the difference between a rapper and a lyricist?

In my opinion a lyricist is an individual of originality. Someone whose been inspired by not the beats, but the lyrics that speak to them like nothing else ever can. A Lyricist takes those inspirations and creates their own message of how they look at life and express what they truly feel and speak to those who will listen and relate.

2. What is the 'realest' line you think you ever wrote?

The line that I really feel will always speak to people and means a lot came from my song called "The System" where I spoke about my thoughts on the world. I said, "They tryna control us // Hope that we hopeless when we hear the truth // but what’s true? // Anything that can be proved // So when I’m in the booth I put it in a puzzle for you."

3. Who is your favorite lyricist?

Very few on my list, but my biggest lyrical influence came from Tech N9ne and the whole Strange Music Label. Tech's creativity thru his lyricism just opened my creative mind to a whole new level. He actually speaks about something with meaning, in a very detailed and creative flow with every song, showing his skill and creativity to the world and being humble through all the controversy in the industry and speaking about how he feels 100% and never holding back. Tech Nine is a true lyricist.