Ask Rhymefest

1. How can you tell if an emcee has lost touch with what’s real?

You pose a very interesting question seeing as though I was just speaking with someone about the same issue this morning. Just because an artist is commercial, hood, or pop doesn’t mean they are not being sincere. Just because another artist may speak about conscious issues doesn’t mean they are being sincere. Honestly, Scarface is gangsta but he relates to me on a human level concerning his lifestyle. Common may speak about social issues but also makes songs about having threesomes (“Go”). Ultimately, I don’t know that it matters how in touch the artist is as a person. Either you enjoy the music and it has meaning for your life or it doesn’t.

2, From your perspective and experience how realistic is it that artists

are sometimes force fed tracks (whether its due to relationships,

marketing ploy or any other avenue that may jeopardize the integrity

of the artist)? Or do you think that artists don’t even care about

their “ear for beats” and choose whatever?

Major label artists are always force fed specific producers. At the end of the day, the label wants to go with recognizable names in order to garner the trust of the listening audience for an unknown artist. What a solution may be for you, would be to find the hottest untapped talent in the city and begin forming a relationship that grows into gaining respect from the majors.

3. Scale of 1 to 10. How would you rate your ability to tolerate stupidity?

I have a very low tolerance for ignorance although I’m learning most people are ignorant and my impatience only hurts me.

4. Why does it seem like the music industry avoids emcees from Detroit?

The music industry is not avoiding anyone, it is up to you as an artist to put yourself in a position where you’re desired by the people. They determine who is chosen not record labels. Stop looking at major labels as your savior and look to your own ability to lead through your talent. If you can’t inspire people to raise you up among the pack neither can a record label, BET or your local radio station.

5. With the current state of the game, how do you stay motivated to keep doing what you do? How do you define success, musically or otherwise? What keeps you going?  What advice would you give to a somewhat discouraged (with the state of the game) up and coming lyricist that loves good music?

First of all, you need to determine why you do music. Are you trying to make a million dollars or express yourself and be heard. If you’re actively trying to be a millionaire then there are certain things that you need to do. Lyricism is not one of them. If you just love hip hop, then there are plenty of ways to express yourself via social networking sites, local shows and youtube. My personal success is defined by knowing that my music can be the theme song of people’s lives. Whether it’s 3 or 30,000, songs like “Jesus Walks,” and “Bullet” have taught me that it is possible to alter the course of people’s lives through music. As long as I’m able to do that, I’m successful.

6. Do you have any plans, or have you considered releasing your mixtape acappellas?  I’m thinkin’ a fan-produced “The Manual: REMix Tape” would do very well…

That’s a good idea and I will take it into consideration.

7. Is your song “R.N.Q.” that you did with DJ Premier still going to be on El Che?  If not, why not?  Cuz that joint is CRAZY.

Although I love RNQ, I don’t see it officially making the “El Che” album because people have already heard it. “El Che” needs to be brand new and exciting from top to bottom, don’t you think?

8. Last year I think songs for El Che leaked, It was about 10 songs & you said you were scrapin’ the album & startin’ over. What will happen to those songs? Is “Angry Black Man in an elevator” still on El Che? Will “Stolen” & the others still see the light of day or will you make an official itunes El Che with these joints on there?

You may see “Angry Black Man on an Elevator” feat .Lil John on one of my upcoming projects however songs like “Stolen” weren’t as well received as I thought they would be so you may have to live with just the You Tube video for now.

9. Dream Collaboration? If you could do a song with any artist right now (not counting Michael Jackson) who would it be?

Devin the Dude.

10. Do you feel that R&B is more dead today than Hip Hop Is?

R & B is alive and well my friend. There are rarely any hip hop songs that survive without an R & B song. Look at all the rappers that are trying to make hits by taking 90s R & B songs and flipping them (a la Plies, etc.).

11. What are some of your thoughts on what the internet has done for hip-hop culture?

The internet has leveled the playing field. Whereas the average artist trying to make it doesn’t need major radio play and a million BET spins before they are accepted. Embrace the internet, grow your online fans and you’ll find in success in your music.

12. What exactly can I do to get better breathe control?

Exercise and cardio. Stop eating hog mogs and pig ears and hop on the elliptical machine. You should see improvements in no time.

13. Who are your top 5 and why?

There are too many artists for me to have a top 5. How can I possibly put Rakim over Eminem, or Eminem over Nas. These people have all contributed great works to hip hop and we can appreciate them for different reasons.

14. Do you feel that such factors as fashion, record sales, and popularity seem to have a negative affect on Hip-Hop?

No I don’t however, whenever your favorite past time goes corporate, it loses a bit of the magic.

15. Who is one of the up and coming rappers that you see a lot of potential in and want to work with?

B.o.B, I really like melody and his lyrical flexibility.

16. Do you think the commercialization of hip hop has helped the art form or do you think commercial hip hop should be left to “die” so that only those with real love for the art would participate?

Nothing commercial can be left to die as long as we live in a capitalistic society. If you care art, then support it and be prepared to spend your life fighting for it.

17. In the Intro, El Che is referred to as an “iconic revolutionary”…I may be assuming a lot here, but how do you see yourself as an “iconic revolutionary” in this rap game?

This is a good question and thank you for asking. In a world where everyone is concerned about how much they are getting for their services. I care more about the service than I do about the compensation. My aim is not to create a multimillion dollar corporation, but to inspire minds and change hearts. This is a lifelong task that often goes thankless but I am ready and willing to endure.

18. Will there be anymore free music?

Yes, I enjoy releasing free music. It allows me to be creative without the pressure of “What was his first week like.”

19. Is there artist creativity in mainstream Hip Hop of today?

Yes, perfect example, Kanye West, Outkast and Lil Wayne.

20. Are there any non-hip hop artists you’d like to work with?

I’ve always wanted to work with JK from Jamiroquai. The Streets (from the UK), Nina Simone and Nat King Cole.

21. Has the economic downturn affected the music industry at your level? If so, how?

Yes, everyone is less willing to take risks. Especially on artists who are not known for selling millions of copies.

© 2012 dN|Be Entertainment