While the rest of the city was sleeping Dirtwork Productions was making moves. Morburn got a chance to chat with the super-producer to find out what Dirt Work is all about.
29
Jan10
Features, Interviews
Jan10
Glasses Malone - otherwise known as G. Malone – hails from Watts and Compton and is the next artist to drop an album with the currently unstoppable Cash Money Records. With his smooth, steady flow and slick style he’s about to breathe some fresh air into the West Coast rap game. He talks to us about what’s behind the name, what he’s learned so far about the rap game, who he’s enjoyed working with, and what he knows about rap up North. Stay tuned for his debut album Beach Cruiser, coming soon.
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26
Jan10
Features, Interviews
Jan10
Since the seminal release of Liquid Swords, The Gza/Genius has been one prolific in-the-cut kind of dude. With the tsunami of rappers coming out these days, only a few know what the worth of one’s word and how not to drown in the abyss of ‘fake shit’. Gza spoke to me from his hotel room in Toronto on the good ol’ days (remember like, back in ‘79? That was my favorite shit ga’), hip-hop, writing and focus. Never one to hold his tongue, his brutal honesty can chop through you like the greatest samurai in the Empire. When the emcee came to live out his name, he made sure you wouldn’t forget the first sword slash to your brain.
12
Nov09
Features, Interviews
Nov09
On October 27th, Brooklyn, NewYork artist Sha Stimuli released his long-awaited and highly-anticipated first official solo release My Soul to Keep on Chambermusik Records. This album is probably one of the deepest hip hop records of all time and so far it has fans and critics raving. In this interview, Sha talks about his first steps in hip hop, explains some of the concepts on the album and even addresses the Beanie Sigel vs. Jay-Z situation. Enjoy…
14
Jan09
Features, Interviews
Jan09
New York is the birthplace of the culture we know as Hip Hop. Not only has it given us music which has spanned the entire world, It’s also launched the careers of legendary talent such as Dj Premier, the late Notorious B.I.G and of course, Jay-Z. In an era where music from the south is flooding the mainstream, Skyzoo represents the movement to bring New York back to its glory days. Crowned by Hot 97 as one of the top 10 MC’s in the game right now, Skyzoo is now working harder than ever to honor his Brooklyn roots, and prove that he deserves to be up there with the greats. His mixtape’s boast collaborations with artists some people could only dream of having on their full length albums. With the pride of NY on his back and the support of industry friends such as 9th Wonder, Skyzoo is determined to push harder and show the world that the soul of hip hop lives in New York City.
16
Dec08
Features, Interviews
Dec08
As one of Montreal’s finest exports to the music industry, introduced to the scene more than a decade ago, it’s hard to believe that A-Trak was only 15 years old when he won his first World DMC championship. As a man of many accolades, he has graced the cover of just about every popular DJ magazine, appeared in countless other music publications, has toured the entire world over, and has even developed his own scratch notation system which has been used by many battle DJ’s on the scene today. Not only has he rocked more capitals then you can name, but A-Trak has worked with a wide variety of highly renowned artists ranging from Jay-z and Kanye West, to Chromeo, Mstrkrft and Justice. Now in 2008, A-Trak is bringing a new sound to the clubs and is an influential driving force in spreading the new electro trend to the masses. Essentially, there isn’t much he cannot achieve, including the thick beard he is currently rocking.
18
Sep08
Features, Interviews
Sep08
Any rapper will tell you that one of the harder challenges for anyone trying to make it in the music industry is being everywhere at the same time. In an age where Myspace pages and blogs allow anyone to log on and get to know an artist’s music, the key is to turn as many heads as possible. Donny Goines is a man who fully understands this trend and is mastering the art of self promotion one website at a time.
Born in Manhattan, Donny spent most of his early years going back and forth between Philly, the Bronx and Harlem. He quickly realized that the only way to surface from his surroundings would be to turn his circumstances into something positive. Fueled by his passion for writing and performing music, Donny set out to get his message heard, and subsequently succeeded by being awarded this years’ Underground Music Award Buzz Factor award.
So let’s say it how it is. You’re name is everywhere these days. From blogs to websites, it’s clear that you’re working your ass off to get heard. What is it that keeps you wanting to take it to the next level and what’s your ultimate goal in this industry?
DG) Thank you for recognizing that because I do work very hard at this. My motivation is simple, I want to make great music and be remembered for doing great things. Money, fame, women, all that’s cool but at the end of the day when you die none of that goes with you. A legacy does tho, and that’s what I am trying to build.
Hard work is nothing new to you. I heard that you served 3 years with the navy before deciding that you belong in the music industry. What made you leave the military and pursue a career in music instead?
DG) Well I decided to leave that motherfucker waaaaaay before music really came to mind haha. It was a real controlling envoirment and I didn’t enjoy myself there whatsoever. They believe and practice many principles that I don’t normally embrace such as conformity and things of that nature, so I really had a hard time adjusting to the whole thing. Although the Navy taught me alot of invaluable lessons such as a strong work ethic, discipline and drive it really just wasn’t for me at the end of the day.
Everyone and their mother have a record out these days but once in a while, a true artist has his work come to the light. You’ve been grinding for a while now, what do you hope to bring to the table that is different then what we hear every day? How do you plan on standing out amongst all the rappers we see out there nowadays?
DG) Well I just finished recording all the tracks for my debut album “Minute after Midnight” and I think people are really going to be impressed with the creativity and concepts within it. When making music, I always try my best to make clever songs and speak on subjects that anyone can relate to. I think about how people feel when I write and try to capture “emotions” within my records. When you listen to many of the artists today, you honestly just don’t believe them most of the time. There’s no conviction in their voice, or meaning in thier words. I on the other hand, try to do just that so when listening to my music you can expect a certain feeling or mood to come along with every song.
Technology has played a huge role in facilitating the promotion of music. You have set up many blogs to show people what you’re up to. In fact, I noticed you call yourself the suicide blogger. Can you explain where you got the name?
DG) Hahahahahahaha I just love that name. To be honest that blog wasn’t intended to be just a personal one at first. I was going to talk about many subjects within it (and will do so more often in the future, I’ve just been very busy as of late) and just “bomb” people but I decided to chill with that haha. I don’t like to offend people too much, just a little bit (I’m kidding) and some things are better left unsaid I suppose. I am just the type of person who speaks my mind and thats where the idea came from. Shout out my man Bigga Threat hahaha.
Can you talk a little bit about the “Bars” segment you’ve been working on?
DG) Bars is something that I wanted to do for many reasons. Basically its an online video series which showcases myself and other up and coming artists just spitting “Bars”. At first I did it to show unity within New York’s underground scene but once I felt that was properly done I reached out to other artists from all over (Rain from North Carolina, Jon Hope from Rhode Island, Blu from the LA) to appear because its bigger then New York at the end of the day. Bars is simply a vehicle used to promote myself and other artists who are doing their thing in the game. I’ve always been the type that likes to share the spotlight so to me it was a no brainer.
You’ve released quite a bit of work so far. “The Non Fiction EP” hosted by Shake & HipHopDx came out and made a lot of noise for you, as did your first studio album “The Prologue”. Can you tell us a little bit about how those projects came together with the different artists and producers you worked with?
DG) Well as of now I have 5 under my belt. The Prologue was my very first studio project. I did that with no one and was just getting my feet wet with that. The second was “About the Author” which featured Production from Kwame, Scram Jones and Fury to name a few. That one was more Producer driven. The next one after that was called “The Excerpt” Pg. 1 which was the first of a trilogy. That one was a concept album which focused on one aspect of my life. The Artist. After that I dropped the “Off the Books” mixtape just to show people I really gets in lyrically and just spit my ass off. The last project I did was “The Non Fiction” EP with my boy Shake and HipHopDX. We had a contest for producers to send in the beats, I then had to pick the best of the best and make a cohesive EP. That one was fun. All of these projects are available for free download on my Myspace page so check them out if you get a chance.
This year, you won the 2008 UMA Buzz Factor award. What was it like being recognized for the moves you’ve been making and all the hard work you have done? Do you feel like you can finally relax or does this motivate you to work even harder?
DG) It feels very rewarding when people start to recognize you for your hard work and sacrifice. That’s exactly what it is, hard work and sacrifice. I have given up so many things to pursue this career and when people actually praise me for the work that I do it makes me feel like the pain was worth it. As far as relaxing, I NEVER relax. I could win a Grammy tomorrow and I would still have the same exact attitude I have today because there’s always work to be done. I never rest on my laurels and really give a 110% in everything I do, and will continue to do so as long as I am still passionate about the music.
What’s next on the plate for Donny Goines? You’re now working on a new album “Minute After Midnight”. Who are you working with this project and when is it expected to drop?
DG) Early to Mid Dec. The album is being mixed and mastered as we speak. Amalgam Digital is distributing it and I am taking it independent all the way. I am very proud of the work I’ve completed and I feel that once people hear it they will understand everything that I’ve been trying to say. Musically, its my best work to date and I look forward to its release.
How do you feel about the state of hip hop right now? Rappers little Lil Wayne sell millions in a day whereas other classic artists like Ghostface are having trouble getting their music out. Are you hoping to tap into the mainstream?
DG) Hip Hop overall today is garbage. A lot of these artist suck and I really don’t even listen to 90% of the music out there today. I don’t like a lot of the music that’s being marketed so heavily these days and its an overabundance of bullshit out there. As for myself, I don’t really care if I am the biggest thing mainstream. As long as people enjoy my music and I am able to live comfortably and take care of my family, I’m good. The fame doesn’t really allure me too much, the respect is what I’m chasing after.
Times have changed and you no longer need a major label to distribute your music. Give us a crash course on how artists can put out their projects independently and why it can benefit them more then signing a 360 deal with a label.
DG) Well first off a 360 is not in an artist best interest. Besides them taking the standard fees, the also take a percentage of your merchandising and touring. Which normally was intended for the artist. Labels are not needed in this day and age because the Internet allows you to be any and everywhere you need to be. I built my career from the Internet and that’s exactly how I distribute and promote my music. You may never get rich or famous independently but at the end of the day you will be your own boss and do as you see fit with your music. I decided to stay independent for this first album and most likely will stay that way unless I get some kind of fantastic offer from a major but really, I don’t care. The Day of Independence is not only July the 4th anymore.
How do you feel about the Hip Hop scene in Canada? We have a saying over here: “Hip hop ain’t dead, it lives in the North”. Have you done any shows north of the border and do you plan on coming back here soon?
DG) Well being that I’m actually BANNED from Canada I cant really answer that question. I have family in Montreal and I use to visit quite often but the last time I went they banned me because of some issues that occurred in the states. The funny thing is, I have never even been convicted of a crime but because I have been arrested for several things things throughout my life I feel as if they judged me on that and denied my entrance. I got love for Canada but as for now I can only get ya’ll music via the Internet. I’m sorry people. Much love to all ya’ll out there and keep Hip Hop alive.
Flash round:
1) If you could work with any producer, who would it be?
Dr. Dre
2) If you could have anyone as your hype man, dead or alive, who would it be?
Busta Rhymes
3) What’s the most over used word in hip hop?
Movement (Grindin’ falls at a close second)
4) What’s the name of your favorite song off any of your releases?
Do it for Hip Hop
5) How do you know when you’ve found the right beat?
Divine
Don’t forget to checkout Donny’s official websites…
The Suicide Blogger (Official Donny Goines Blog)
Donny Goines MySpace
Written by Didier “C4″
