Do you think there will ever be a day when the lines between the labels of mainstream and conscious hip hop would be blurred?
Well, I don't know. I think that's dependent on what success the albums have. For example, my latest album is exactly what that is, but its success will be viewed on how it reaches people. Troubadour has incredible hook-based, melodic music. And lyrically, it's relevant. It has potential to be on the radio, so I don't understand why you can't do both. I think that is the answer to that question – not the only answer, but I certainly think that's one of the answers. It just depends on success.
With the current political climate, especially here in America, what impact do you think Barack Obama's election will have on hip hop's global message?
I do wonder about the effect his election will have on the entire scenario that is music and politics and the way everything is. The same things which elected Obama are the same feelings that create music like mine or new music from Lupe Fiasco and other artist like that. People are saying, "Enough of the same thing." Artists are being more vocal in saying we need change, we need things to be less stagnant, we need solutions, we need new ideas. Beyond hip-hop, it will be interesting to see the impact his election has on the public consciousness, as well as the collective public feeling and discourse.
That being said, do you consider yourself a rapper or something larger?
Well, I don't know. Hip hop is pretty large. What I do is different than what a lot of hip hop is. The truth is I touch on so many different elements and feelings of music. In my shows, you'll see more diversity and you'll see more people inclined to the music, because it isn't just one thing and it stirs a lot of different feelings.
Since your music is genre-bending and pushes the envelope, what kind of impact do you hope your music will have?
I hope it's appreciated for what I put into it. I think it's a good moment for people to hear this music. It is one thing to say, "Yeah, I'm tired of the same old things." But it's another thing to do something about it. I feel like I did something about it. This is the nature of my sound. It is kind of new, but it is relevant. I hope it has a great impact. I hope it reaches as many people as possible – not for the reason of me being well-known or anything of that nature, I just really think there's something in the music to be appreciated.
Article comments
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2 - abdikadir
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