Interviews

I still don’t understand how, but Canadian interviewer Nardwuar has landed a ridiculous amount of dope interviews over the past 25 years. From J. Cole, Girl Talk, Lil Wayne, MGMT, Snoop Dogg, to Sonic Youth, The Strokes , Fleet Foxes, and The Mars Volta the list goes on. So the other day at SXSW he ran into ASAP Mob and set up an interview, which as usual was hella entertaining. Its almost creepy how much he always seems to know about every artist ever, from that white chick in ASAP‘s “Purple Swag” music video, to local restaurants/ tattoo shops that ASAP Mob hung out at growing up, Nardwuar never fails to creep out the musicians by knowing more about the person then they do about themselves. I love how he ends his interviews the same way every time, and each time its always super awkward / funny. Anyways, peep the interview below:

Harry Fraud Interview

By meetykatz

February 18, 2012

Interviews

Interview With Insightful

By hejmonster

November 16, 2011

Interviews

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Over the past few months, I’ve really taken a liking to the music produced by Matthew Suggett, more commonly known in the music world as Insightful. Recently, I sent him an e-mail and was psyched when he agreed to answer some questions for us. Below the questions you can find some of my personal favorites by him. If you like what you hear, make sure to “Like” his Facebook page and be sure to check out his collection on his Soundcloud and Bandcamp pages.

Where are you from?

I was born in San Diego, CA, a couple miles from the Mexican border. The weather cannot be beat. I now reside in Oakland, in a peaceful, yet chaotic one bedroom studio with my girlfriend and my dog Elvis.

How old are you?

I am the ripe age of 22. My spiritual power number.

Who were your biggest influences growing up? Have they changed since?

Honestly, people who really know me know I love Enya. She was always played during my child hood while my mom cleaned the house. Peaceful and epic. During that same time period, my older brother Anthony played a ton of Wutang and 2pac when I was like 8. Although I didn’t understand the content fully at the time, I think it definitely shaped my tastes subconsciously. What influences me now is actually soul and acoustic sappy music, and a lot of non English speaking music. In all honesty, I love all music and my influences definitely changed and will continue to do so ’til I return to light.

What genres do you use to label your music?

It sucks ’cause when an elder (40+) asks me the same question I try to describe it in the least “hip hop” manner ’cause in their minds they’ll automatically think Im trying to sell crack and swag out on bxtches without any emotion. I would consider it “experimental instrumental magic”.

How old were you when you started producing, and are there any specific programs you prefer using to produce?

I was 17 when I first was dabbling. Shit sucked, but I hermitized myself in my room and literally did that day in and day out for years and I do that to this day. Light the incense, open the windows, and do what comes natural. I use Reason and Logic for a majority of my work, with recorded sounds from a handy feild track recorder.

Are there any specific tracks of yours that are extra special to you?

There are actually various tracks that made me emotionally break down and cry as I was making them, like the sounds brought somthing out of me that I was going through that day or somthing that was lingering over me that month. I mean, a random person could listen to it and be like, “this sucks and your a pussy”. I dropped an album “Elena” dedicated to my beautiful mother, and I was like “Yo mom, I’m making an album dedicated to your beauty and life, write somthing that embodies that shit.” and she was like “Igght son.”. She comes back in 15 minutes with this beautifully written poem/story, and we recorded it together. That was probably the most special thing I’ve done, ’cause I collabed with my mom.

What’s the story behind the name, Insightful?

At the time I was in a group called People Of Earth, which was a group of 12 extremely talented, beautiful, spiritual assholes. I picked the name for three reasons, I liked the word, I liked the meaning, and it’s what I was/am.

Have you ever toured? If not, do you have any plans to in the future?

I havent toured yet, but have been doing a duo performance in the Bay Area with the brother B.Lewis, with Ableton and two Mpd’s. We play a monthly in San Fransisco called Bumps run by my man Joe Mousepad. We’ve been working alot with the RESONATE fam out in Stockton CA. We are hopefully going to get a tour going with Thriftworks, Rufio, Joob, Joe Mousepad, and other tribe members.

Alright, well that just about wraps it up. Thank you so much for your time, looking forward to hearing your future sounds. Be easy!

Pom by Insightful

Brother Of Mine by Insightful

She by Insightful

Styles & Complete Interview

By drehms

October 19, 2011

Dubstep, Electronic, Interviews

2 Comments

So about a month or so back I posted about these dudes Styles & Complete for their grimey dubstep remixes to dope songs like Drake’s “I’m On One” and “B.O.B” by Outkast. I was lucky enough to get in interview with these two about touring, their music, and their careers before Styles & Complete, check it out below:

D. Rehms: You guys have been featured on mad blogs for your ill songs and remixes, your movement is definitely increasing daily, and I see you guys blowing up in the near future for your unique ill sound. Who are Styles & Complete?

Styles & Complete: We are a DJ and a producer that have very similar visions of what good music is. We teamed up because of that and stay in the studio.

DR: How’d you come up with the individual stage names?

Styles: A-Styles was a name that my friends gave me in middle school and it stuck. Now I like to say it stands for All Styles.

Complete: DJ Complete was just a name that I thought sounded pretty cool.

DR: Where are you guys from?

S & C: Charlotte, NC.

DR: How did you guys meet?

Styles: We met on YouTube. I Ieft a comment on DJ Complete’s “I Love College” remix, offered help, and we joined up I think the next day and started making music. 2 years later we formed Styles&Complete.

DR: What musicians have influenced you guys the most?

S & C: Tons of hip hop artist and producers from the late 90s and early 2000s, especially dirty south producers like Lil Jon, Organized Noize & Three 6 Mafia. Recently we have been stuck on some Nero, Skrillex, Datsik, Skism, and the list goes on.

DR: What’s some of your guys favorite music to listen to?

S & C: Dubstep, Hip Hop, & Electro/House

DR: What genre would you call your music?

S & C: #DirtySouthElectroSwag

DR: The first track I heard by you guys was your masterpiece of a remix to Outkast’s classic song “B.O.B.” What was your favorite remix you’ve done so far?

Styles: I would say our latest remix of DJ Khaled’s “I’m On One” with Drake and Wayne. I feel like that drop goes the hardest of all our shit.

Complete: “GTFD“. It’s our first original, and there’s something cool about hearing people going crazy off a production that’s 100% original.

DR: I’ve read up a little on you guys. A-Styles, you’ve produced for a bunch of well known hip hop artists from The Ying Yang Twins to Da Muzicianz; what was one of your favorite beats you’ve ever made?

S & C: There’s alot of stuff that wasn’t released that I really liked but out of what we released I would say Ying Yang Twins “Wild Out”, “Big Butts”(Styles&Complete production), and “Popcorn Popper” with Bone Crusher and Fabo from D4L.
DR: And DJ Complete you are the team DJ for the Charlotte Bobcats, also really cool. Are the Charlotte Bobcats your favorite team?

S & C: Actually yes… it was the Hornets for me before that. I don’t really rock with other cities/states teams, so I wasn’t really into the NBA in between the Hornets and Bobcats.

DR: I read on your Facebook page that you decided to join forces with one goal in mind: Make POWERFUL CLUB MUSIC. While you make movingly powerful house music, you also make ill dubstep as well. What music style are you focusing more on in the future for Styles & Complete?

S & C: Basically we always want to take the feeling of dubstep, specifically the hard drops and aggressive feel, and continue to blend it with electro & hip hop in creative and original ways.

DR: Who do you look up to as an artist?

S & C: Anybody who grinds hard and keeps it real business-wise… regardless of genre. We’re influenced by such a wide range of music thanks to the digital era, that we really can appreciate any genre. So we really look up to those who have been successful in their genre’s and stayed true to their style.

DR: How do you come up with new beats/ideas for songs – what is your inspiration?

S & C: Either one of us gets a random idea or we just wing it until something starts sounding cool.

DR: Are you touring anytime soon?

S & C: We have some shows coming up in North & South Carolina in the next couple weeks, then we’re looking to plan tours in the early spring. For booking information contact Jack@moodswing360.com. Also, check out our promo video of us performing at UNC Chapel here!

DR: Are you making any albums/EPs/Mixtapes anytime soon?

S & C: Right now we are working on an EP and will continue with remixes and mashups as well.

DR: Who would you like to collab with or produce for in the future?

S & C: Anyone… honestly anybody that likes our sound and is inspired, we can find a way to make it work with any style.

DR: What separates your guys’ sound from other house/electronic/dubstep artists?

S & C: We choose not to have rules and limitations as we’ve noticed other EDM dj/producers have. We also like to incorporate our love for hip hop and I think we just got our own sound.

DR: Have you performed yet? If so, what’s been your favorite show?

S & C: Yeah so far we’ve done shows around Charlotte, as well as college shows at UNC, UNCW, Wake Forest and USC.

DR: Nice, Any music videos coming in the future?

S & C: Definitely! We are brain storming ideas.

DR: Goodshit! Thanks again for talking with Skood Music Styles&Complete! We will be keeping an eye out for any dope future releases from you guys.

Interview: Jimmy Murton/SweetJames MostDope

By drehms

September 3, 2011

Hip-Hop, Interviews

6 Comments

The other day I hit up Jimmy Murton, Mac Miller’s friend for life and part of the Most Dope crew, and asked for an interview. He was chill enough to be down and answer a bunch of random, interesting questions about himself, the Most Dope crew, and Mac Miller‘s success. Check out the interview below:

D. Rehms: What is your real name, because I have friends who call you “Sweet James Most Dope”?

JM: Jimmy Murton. I got the nickname “SweetJames” from playing lacrosse.

DR: How are you affiliated with ~~Most Dope~~ and Mac Miller? I know you guys have been friends for a minute, but how long?

JM: Since he was 6 and I was 8. I had a friend who lived next to him; we used to play pick up football and invite him. Then he moved closer to my crib and ended up going to the same grade school as me… and the rest is history.

DR: How did the name “Most Dope” come about?

JM: I think Q thought of the name; Mac loved it and ran with it. Just means like, live every day the best you can, be the happiest you can, and nobody is as dope as us (ha).

DR: What does the thumbs up signify?

JM: Mac thought of thumbs up late one night randomly. It just means stay positive.

DR: That’s sick , you dudes are definitely the most dope crew out right now, but what is the Daily Bread? You and the Most Dope crew always rock their clothes.

JM: Bill is our good homie and makes hella ~~dope gear~~ so of course we wear it. Look out for my clothing line coming spring 2012: TOTL (Top of the Line)

DR: Oh word, so you got the clothing line coming in 2012 called TOTL, Tree Jay has his own weed affiliated ~~website~~, and Mac is clearly doing his thing musically- looks like the Most Dope crew is more successful than most people are at this age.

JM: We’re trying.

DR: How important was it for Most Dope to stay together when Mac really got big off the “Nikes On My Feet” ~~video~~?

JM: At the time, I was at school in Florida at Lynn University, but I came home and dropped out – it seemed like the right thing to do. We’re all family; it’s only right to make the move together.

DR: Damn that is pretty wild, but for sure a good decision. So I noticed from Twitter and a lot of Most Dope pictures/videos- you stay with a 40 in your hand while you party… but can you smoke like TreeJay?

JM: TreeJay and I grew up smoking together, we were partners you know like every second of every day we chiefed together, no exaggeration, but eventually I hit a wall and stopped smoking. I’ve had like 11 concussions now, and so when I smoke it makes me weird and crazy haha. So I just drink now.

DR: I feel that. So I saw that picture of you, the Most Dope crew, and ASAP Rocky- how did you guys meet up? Are Mac and ~~ASAP~~ possibly talking collaborations?

JM: We’re just similar dudes. Bill hit up Rocky like a month ago to see if he could drive up, give him some gear, and take pics. They did, and since then we just been fuckin with them. They are all real as hell and hella cool. As far as collaborations I can’t really speak on that but I would love to hear something from the both of them.

DR: Yeah I definitely would love to hear some music from them two. Love both Mac and ASAP, they’re saving the new age of hip hop.

Moving on, what was your favorite show on Mac’s tour last year, and why?

JM: Favorite show was Boston – there were 45,000 people there. It was just amazing to see that many people support him. It was a free show, but still…that shit was unreal.

DR: Wow that’s nuts, mad people. What is the road life like? How is your life different now then it was before?

JM: Tour life is hard as fuck. We were on a van last tour – this tour we have 2 buses – but it was so hard partying all night and then getting up after one hour of sleep, driving hours to the next spot in a car full of people. Then we’d go straight to the venue on no sleep and sell merchandise. We worked hard and played harder. Life is not different really; I drink more, hook up with more chicks, and get to meet a lot more cool people- thats all though haha. I’m pretty much the same old kid.

DR: Well that sounds awesome yet tiring at the same time. So what is your “job” for the Most Dope crew? Hypeman on stage? Merch dude?

JM: Both. But honestly Mac and I have just been best friends our whole lives; that’s why I’m there. It’s a blessing.

DR: Yeah, I wish my best friend was a dope ass rapper. Are you musically talented?

JM: No, hahaha. I’m an artist though. I customize clothes, draw, I’m just really good with my hands. Sculpting, fixing things etc. I designed two of the tattoos on my body. Check out my Tumblr I have some random art up on there. (Tumblr: imissmygrittycity.tumblr.com)

DR: Speaking of talent – who do you think is the most underrated artist in the industry right now?

JM: Mac. He’s lucky to have so many fans, but people in the industry underrate him. Everyone thinks he’s a fad and can’t understand his popularity

DR: You think hes underrated even after Donald Trump talked about him?! What did You think about that video when you first saw it?

JM: I thought Donald was a fuckin’ lame. And yeah, I think Mac is the most underrated, he blessed with a huge fan base that he really deserves but people in the industry underrate him. Everyone thinks he’s a fad and can’t understand his popularity.

DR: I don’t see him going out of style anytime soon.

JM: He won’t, wait until his album drops. You’ll see.

DR: Who do you think the most overrated artist is?

JM: To be honest the most overrated in my opinion is Tyler, the Creator. I believe Tyler is an amazing creative mind – a true artist with serious talent in marketing himself and directing videos – but as a rapper I believe he is the most overrated. The amount of love he is getting from the industry is ridiculous. The fact that he won best new artist over Wiz (someone who shouldn’t even be in that category) is stupid. But good for Tyler for real. I love all of the shit he does except for most of his music. And I like his attitude a lot, its similar to mine. He has a unique creativity.

DR: What music influenced the Most Dope crew and Mac Miller the most?

JM: Mac and I listened to everything growing up, but classic hip hop really took over. I fuck with trap rap and everything though; I fuck with it all.

DR: I remember seeing Mac tweet about his influences and named off some classic artists like Marley, and Hendrix as well.

JM: Yeah man – we listen to it all.

DR: Growing up, how has Mac evolved as an artist/ person (besides the name Easy Mac)?

JM: He used to play guitar in a band. He played piano, guitar, bass, and drums. Then one day he started freestyling and the rest is history.

DR: Has Mac ever laid down guitar on any of his own tracks?

JM: Yeah a bunch, you’ll hear some on the album.

DR: What do you think you’d be doing if you never were boys with Mac? Is that even possible to think about?

JM: I really don’t know, prolly playing college lacrosse or some extreme sport.

DR: What are your ambitions /future plans for work?

JM: Focusing more on clothing. Moving to New York. There isn’t enough going on [in Pittsburgh] for me. I have a lot of energy and need adventure. NYC is perfect for me.

DR: Thanks so much for granting SKOODMUSIC an interview.

JM: No doubt.