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Protoman on Unity, Business, Motivation and Time Travel
Posted by Justin Boland on Jul 23, 2009 | 0 Comments
Protoman is dope. He’s also an independent hip hop, DIY hustle role model, and this interview pretty much kicks ass. Working hard, unifying his local scene, and learning how to make Teh Internets work right and make money-that’s pretty much the checklist in 2009, right? Check out his latest project and get ready to take notes-this is the Florida version of What Works.
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Audible Hype Loves Invincible (And So Should You)
Posted by Justin Boland on Jul 22, 2009 | 0 Comments
There is nothing about Detroit emcee Invincible that’s not awesome. The Invincible operation is a textbook case of what Audible Hype is all about: artist-owned label, fan-financed albums, flawless product (if you haven’t heard Shapeshifters, fix that) and it’s all backed up by a powerful live show. Better yet, Invincible is also an outspoken, wickedly intelligent community activist, working with Detroit Summer and agitating for social justice worldwide. This is a tribute, collecting gems from lots of interviews. Invincible has a lot of science to share about the DIY hip hop mentality.
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Falside on the Science of Beat Tapes
Posted by Justin Boland on Jul 21, 2009 | 0 Comments
I’ve interviewed Falside once before, for DJMSP.com-he’s probably one of the most focused and driven 20 year old guys I’ve ever come across. So when he contacted me about his new beat tape, Bugs In Ya Teef, I figured I’d do another short interview. Here, we’re digging to self-promotion as a beatsmith and how to pace your marketing when you run the whole operation.
Also, stay tuned for a few open questions to regular Audible Hype readers.
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Hip Hop 2009: Year of the Glut
Posted by Justin Boland on Jul 12, 2009 | 0 Comments
In 2009, literally every single artist in hip hop is pushing their free material right now. The genre has reached a saturation point that’s almost unthinkably absurd. Five years ago, prominent emcees were complaining that “everyone is a rapper, nobody is a fan” but the situation since then has gotten so much worse that even five years ago looks like the Golden Age of Opportunity.
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Man Mantis: Madison Beat Scientist
Posted by Justin Boland on Jul 02, 2009 | 0 Comments
This detailed discussion with Madison producer Man Mantis has a genuine wealth of information, so I’m running it to kick off a week of material focusing on hip hop production. Mantis is behind the MPC for Madison, Wisconsin live powerhouse dumate (all lower case, no typo) and Stink Tank, and he’s been elevating his hustle in 2009. This means staying busy, keeping humble, and even teaching school kids the art of making beats. Meet the Man Mantis.
Here, we’re going deep on sample culture, the creation process, and the 10,000 technical details that professionals eventually learn.
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An Interview with Nasa from Uncommon Records
Posted by Justin Boland on Jun 27, 2009 | 0 Comments
It’s been a long time coming, but I’m very proud to be kicking off the summer season of Audible Hype with this interview. Paul “Nasa” Loverro was the sound engineer behind most of the early classics from Def Jux, and these days he’s been running his own label, Uncommon Records. Actually, running a label makes it sound very calm and dignified. More accurately, he’s managing a unit of guerrillas and running an ongoing media warfare campaign. The military jargon is more than a metaphor: it’s also the best state of mind for running a music promo operation in 2009. You are at war in a literal sense, and you are seriously out-gunned and out-numbered, too.
What Paul is breaking down here, in generous detail, is the foundation work and the daily routine behind leveraging everything you’ve got into an organization that grows by design. He’s got a lot more experience in the business than most of us, but what really makes Paul Loverro worth listening to is his balance between big-picture strategy and small-detail dedication.
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Objektiv One: "I Seem to Have a System for Everything"
Posted by Justin Boland on May 07, 2009 | 0 Comments
In addition to Audible Hype, I’ve been running a hip hop production site for one of the World Around Records artists, DJ Multiple Sex Partners. My work there has been organizing sample collections (free downloads) and doing interviews with dope, professional-grade producers and beatsmiths. Lately the quality level has been through the roof, like recent talks with Man Mantis, HipGnosis, and Falside. Drummer / graphic designer / blogger / producer Objektiv One also made an impression…and then he whipped up a bunch of custom photos of his home studio. I figured this was so good it should be on Audible Hype.
I’m grateful for this interview-Objektiv One is a rigorously organized and ambitious dude with a lot to teach about hustle in 2009.
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Scroll talks Artist Management, MPC Performance, and Booking Hip Hop
Posted by Justin Boland on May 04, 2009 | 0 Comments
I’ve known of Scroll for many years now, and he’s always impressed me because he never stops moving. I didn’t appreciate how important that was until I grew up a bit: Scroll was always involved with whatever scene he found himself in, not only as an artist, but also booking shows, promoting, even doing volunteer shitwork postering for other local acts at 2 am in the morning. These days, Scroll is making a name for himself all over again as a solo hip hop orchestra. Doing gigs with 2 Akai MPC samplers and an assortment of other toys, building richly layered beats right in front of his audience-needless to say, that kind of act makes an impression.
Here, Scroll opens up about his years of experience, the endless frustration of doing independent hip hop, and his possible transition to artist management. This is a mix of rants, gems, and gear porn-enjoy.
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Godamus Rhyme: "Cats don't know how hard I work!"
Posted by Justin Boland on Apr 21, 2009 | 0 Comments
Godamus Rhyme has a simple self-assessment: “I am one multi-tasking motherfucker.” With a non-stop work schedule and experience in every aspect of the music business, he’s exactly the kind of DIY role model Audible Hype readers are looking for.
In this interview, he’s got eloquent and honest advice to share on everything from booking shows to managing multiple projects. This is some serious science. Enjoy.
