I got to interview a really dope lyricist introduced by an artist I work with named Velly Marsh. This guy is the Your Old Droog of underground hip hop not because we think he's a secret alias of another rapper but because you will never find any information about him online. He is one of the last true underground artists to commit homicide on hip hop instrumentals because his fans and followers only know him buy his avatar on Soundcloud. Here's what he had to say:
First off, can you tell us a little about yourself and where
you're from?
I’m just a guy trying to leave his mark in music I prefer to be
a mystery to the general public but I will tell u I’m 25 yrs old and Spanish I
don't really put it out there cause people be all hung up ova race these days
like it really matters I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana and I've
been on my own since 15 and let me tell ya the years before that weren't no
walk in the park.
How long have you been rhyming for?
I been rhyming since I was 17. I never laid any tracks; I
would just go to house parties eating muthafuckas alive in a circle. I never
had respect for sheet writers that couldn't flow, to me it was like being half
and half and not all the way in. Not everyone is able to hear music the way we
do, its difficult to explain but it’s really something special I've only just
begun to appreciate. I've squandered my talent up until recently.
Who are your favorite artists and which artists have
influenced your style?
The artists that influenced me were Soulja Slim, Big Pun, MF
DOOM, and Slim Shady.
I just listen and feel it and if it triggers something in my
mind, I just go from there. It’s kind of like getting lost in a pleasant way.
I've noticed that you use a lot of multi-syllable rhyming
and many technical tricks in your style. Is that something you developed on
your own or did you go on emcee and lyricist forums to learn techniques? I ask
this because emcees today have really broken down rapping to a science and have
names and terms for every aspect of a song and your style is a very difficult
skill to master.
Thanks for digging’ my style, its 100% my own creation. I
know I don’t sound like anyone and my style is my own. I didn't even know they
had shit like that that’s a goddamn shame yo. I always try new things and it’s
really the beats that talk to me. I know it sound crazy but fuck it; that’s just
how it is.
I've noticed that you're not active on social media and yet
you have a strong fan base on Soundcloud. Have you ever thought of using social
media to promote your music or do you think that's corny? I got a lot of
respect for guys like you that go the more artistic route.
I HATE SOCIAL NETWORKS SOOOOOOO MUCH! They're just full of
bullshit man, a bunch of random bullshit from nothing but sheeple. (I love Soundcloud
though)
You mention that you also paint in some of your songs. You
even have a song called, “4 Writerz Worldwide.” How long have you been into
painting? Did you start painting before rapping?
Oh no, I don’t paint bro but a shit load of my brethren do.
It was kind of a gift to all the wall writers out there because I dig what they
do and I know how it goes in their little world.
What do you think of the state of hip hop and what kind of
direction do you think it is going in?
Hip hop is bullshit. It’s nothing but a popularity contest
and so many listeners glorify ignorance. It’s truly upsetting because I love my
genre but it has been reduced to nothing but straight dog shit. People get
shine and props undeserving and it’s all due to media saturation. The
internet aided and also hindered the game of hip hop now. There’s so much
bullshit out there people feel it’s a waste of time to give even 30 seconds of
their day to listen to a new name and because of that, real artist almost never
get discovered. I don’t blame them because people actually record straight
garbage and put it out there
Do you listen to any mainstream artists or the radio these
days for that matter?
I dig Tyler the Creator, Earl Sweatshirt, Danny brown, and Grieves.
Do you watch battle rap? And if so, who's your favorite
battle rapper?
I don’t really watch battle raps but a couple of my homies
were in a few of the circuits; B.C and ATM.
I've noticed that all your tracks on Eating in Swimming
Pools have no features. Do you see yourself doing any collaboration with
another emcee in the future?
I don’t really play well with others but I guess if they're
cool people and I like what they do; who knows, maybe.
Can you offer any advice for up and comers in the music
game? By up and coming, I mean independent artists who are looking to make a
cool buzz on the underground.
I can’t offer any advice seeing as to how I haven't really
gone anywhere. I just make music because I love to and I know there are still
people out there that truly appreciate real hip hop music. If I were to give
any advice it would be just to do what u feel, don’t use anyone as an outline,
create your own canvas, be yourself, and just love what u do.
Thanks for all the support
-!nfidel Ca$htro
Check out his latest mixtape "Eating in Swimming Pools" only on Soundcloud