When I was living in New York, I reached out to as many emcees as I can. My friend told me about an emcee from Brooklyn and here’s my interview with that emcee: MC Faceman.
Who is The MC Faceman?
I’m a hip-hop artist from Brooklyn bringin somethin new and fresh to the hip-hop scene. Under the chosen subgenre of Progressive Hip-Hop, I work hard to cover topics and styles not abundantly represented in hip-hop, whether under or above ground.
So tell me about your latest project?
Right now I’m working on the debut album for which I unfortunately don’t have a title to disclose at the moment. I actually have my next two projects more clearly outlined in my head since they are both concept projects. One is an EP which discusses the philosophical positives and negatives to Religion, War, Peace, and Money. The other is a 16 track mixtape, each track being 16 bars, about human drives.. but it’s all told in story form. I can’t say much more about these projects, but I can tell you they will be huge in terms of art despite not being full-fledged albums.
Break down your new project.
I haven’t put much deliberation into thematicizing my debut album. It’ll essentially be 16 brand new tracks and a few funny skits as well. I plan on exploring different personal, political, social, economic, and philosophical issues though.
How did you begin with rapping?
I started writin at age 12 in between NES, basketball, and stickball. I started recording in sophomore year of highschool as a way to vent.
Tell us about your origins and evolutions as a rapper. What are your earliest memories with music and when did you begin rapping?
I remember laying down on the floor in my living room next to my boom box and listening to hip-hop with a kid from the neighborhood. Listening to my first uncensored albums was a big thing for me as a kid.
Top five rappers dead or alive?
There’s too many to consider.. I’ll give a top five in no particular order.. Big Pun, Canibus, Nas, Eminem, and Jay-Z.
Take us through your creative process of making music, what do you think about?
Sometimes I have the idea for a song already in my head and I’ll look for a beat that can suit that topic well, and other times I just pick a beat I like and create a topic that goes with the feel of the beat. Delivery and flow always has to match the beat.
The legend goes that Biggie had to have fried chicken in the studio. What is unique about your studio experience?
I like to have peace, quiet, and solitude. I think better when I’m alone.
What are some of the musical elements outside of what most would define as Hip-Hop that have helped you build your craft?
I like the way progressive rock will vary their timing and flip around their melodies seemingly at random.. The song structure is sometimes so complex you have to hear it a few times just for it to make sense to you. This is how I felt when I first started listening to Dream Theater, a progressive band. While I don’t have the production skills (yet!) to replicate what they do instrumentally, I do have the ability to progress my lyrical content, flow, and delivery to bring forth a progressive equivalent of this to hip-hop.
So talk to us about 2009/2010. What can we expect from you?
2009/10 will see the projects I’ve already mentioned and hopefully some video projects. I’ve been brainstorming on how to do some music videos and even some skits. Hopefully I can get a site up to link all my content together and some more merchandise to help promote myself. So far available for purchase I have is a t-shirt and stickers.
More Info: MC Faceman
Twitter: MC Faceman
No comments:
Post a Comment