Str8HipHip

SHH: Where are you from?

Cly: I was born in Brooklyn and spent most of my life in Irvington, NJ, currently residing in West Orange, NJ.

SHH: What’s the hip hop scene like over there?

Cly: Well, you know Brooklyn has a lot of gangsta rap in the roots, and that hasn’t changed much in a typical perspective. Jamaica also has a place in hip-hop, like in Uncle Murda’s first single. I’m Jamaican so that means a lot to me, and eventually you will hear it in my music. In Jersey, there’s a lot of confusion for the most part with the typical young artist today. There are a lot of “rappers” and few “MCs” for the most part, which is sad. Everybody thinks that the formula for a hit is “Some shit people gonna dance to”. I disagree, I don’t have any favorite rappers because they made “Some shit people gonna dance to”. I feel artists become legends because of the substance in their music. Not because the beat made people want to move around.

SHH: When did you feel you wanted to start a career in music?

Cly: Growing up, my mother encouraged me to spend time after school doing activities that involved music. Whether it was being in choir, the few piano and drumming lessons I was taking, I was always doing some music after school. Honestly, I never thought to do anything with music until I was about 12 years old. I was in the hood. My mother was making ends meet as a nurse and helped me get anything she felt I deserved. I worked hard, got good grades in school, and was planning to be a doctor. When I was 12, I started writing and just couldn’t stop since then. I feel like it’s what I’m meant to do at this point.

SHH: What artists influence your music if any?

Cly: Notorious B.I.G, Busta Rhymes, Freddie Gz and Royce da 5’9 influence my music the most. Jay-Z, Nas, Bun B, Eminem, Ludacris, Common, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Slick Rick, and Snoop Dogg also influence my music, all for different reasons.

SHH: How would you describe your style/sound to the people?

Cly: I’m a very technical artist when it comes to the structure of my lyrics. I love hearing an artist flow on a beat to the point that it sounds like his or her verse is the only one that belongs on the track. So, that’s what I do. I want my flow to be the absolute best, and I work on it as often as possible. I’m a charismatic person, but I’m also very humble and I try to showcase those two characteristics the most in my music. My vocabulary is strong because I feel it helps match syllables in bars to help it all come together. Every word in every verse matters to me. (Laughs) I get very obsessive when it comes to how the lyrics go over a track.

SHH: What are you working on right now?

Cly: I’m working on my first mixtape. It’ll more than likely be titled “Mr. Time and Place”, after my nickname because of my lifestyle, but the name isn’t set in stone. We have about 10 tracks recorded for it already but I want the project to have about 22. My producers and I are putting in a lot of work and once I generate enough of a buzz to get the world asking about it, I’ll start full-focus progress on debut album.

SHH: What do you feel is most important when making a song?

Cly: The flow is what I focus on the most, but lately I feel that incomplete songs are hitting the major radio stations. Song’s should have clear beginnings and endings. Nowadays, the beat is the only thing in most tracks in hip-hop that tell where the song starts and ends. I want people to hear my tracks and not necessarily need a remix, but still want it because they felt it was that hot.

SHH: What's your outlook for 2007 (What are your goals for the year)?

Cly: I’m looking to make a lot of connections with DJs and for the internet market to have a strong awareness of my presence as an artist. I want people asking for that album.

SHH: What producers are you working with?

Cly: I mainly work with Sizzle. He’s worked with artist like Freeway, Fabolous, and Baby Ranks. I also work with Buff Billions on occasion. He’s worked with ChinoXL, Hussein Fatal. The Outsidahz, Young Zee, Queen Latifah, Redman, Method Man, MYA, 3LW. Also, look out for G-Spence and Outbreak. They are amazing and we have a lot of records in the works.

SHH: Who would you like to work with in the future?

Cly: I would love to work with classic hip-hop producers like Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Swiss Beats, Hi-Tek and DJ Premiere. As far as current producers, I’d like to work with Scott Storch, The Heatmakerz, The Runners, Dangerous LLC, and Darkchild.

SHH: What do you feel separates you from the next artist trying to make it in rap?

Cly: I feel like a lot of artists today are more concerned with how they’re going to get to the money, than they are with perfecting their craft. I love this music, and I want to make a living doing it, but more than anything I want to be the best. I’m looking to be common in the average person’s top 5 MCs. I’m not looking to fabricate a lifestyle either. I feel artists today underestimate the strength of relating to a fan-base, and focus more on intimidating them, be it with money or a gangsta façade. I can relate to regular people. I have life experience in the hood and in the suburbs and I don’t plan to hide either. That’s what makes me “Mr. Time and Place”. I’m not looking to fit in. It’s in my nature. That versatility is always going to be on display in my music, from the flow to the substance in the lyrics.

SHH: If not music what would you be doing?

Cly: I’d be making money. I was raised believing that’s what I’m supposed to do. I’m in college studying music and finance. My hunger comes from my love for hip-hop, and I keep my options open to ensure that no financial pressure forces me to put out any music I wouldn’t listen to and think is hot.

SHH: Where can people check out some of your music, or get in touch with you?

Cly: You can check out my music at www.myspace.com/clyapoc or right here at http://www.str8hiphop.com/user/51549. If you need to reach me go to www.blackstarbooking.com.

SHH: Any last words for the people in closing?

Cly: My brother Freddie Gz told me the game goes through shifts and changes, and it’s something I’ve seen for myself. Don’t try to change with the game, take your time perfecting your style, so when the world is looking for what you’re bringing, it’ll be worth the wait for you and your fans alike. No rewards without struggle.