Str8HipHip

SHH: Where are you from?

N.Y.C.: I was born in Flatbush, Brooklyn, more specifically Kings County hospital. I ended up living in Crown Heights, Brooklyn till I was about 4 or 5 then my family moved to Flatbush, Brooklyn.

SHH: How was it growing up in Brooklyn, New York?

N.Y.C.: I grew up in Flatbush, Brooklyn on East 28th street with a block full of boys running wild. Man I tell you we had some crazy times back then. Everything that happened and could have happened definitely did happen back then. I wouldn’t change anything that did happen though because it’s very significant to me.

SHH: What’s the hip hop scene like in your area?

N.Y.C.: The hip hop scene right now in New York City as a whole is still there. It has honestly never left anywhere. I have been to places around the city, Nuyorican Poets Café (www.nuyorican.org) for example, and seen some pretty focused and sick emcees do their thing up there, live band and all. I feel that hip hop in general is going through a cycle. Everything is being reflected upon and with that brings change in the music and the people who listen to it.

SHH: Where were you in your life, when you decided to be an emcee?

N.Y.C.: Well this is an interesting question… I basically became an emcee after going through a relationship that I had in college. I wanted a more constructive way of venting besides what I used to do, (have lots of sex) so I went to the notebook. Instead of writing a journal I decided to write poetically. Slowly, but surely people told me that it sounded cool and that I should put it to music so that’s what I did. I didn’t take it seriously until about a year and a half ago. I guess I didn’t realize my potential until I came into my own. Once I did though, I ran with it and started to be as conceptual with my writing and music as I possibly could.

SHH: What would you say was one of the most important reasons that you decided to become an emcee?

N.Y.C.: I love the ability to completely express myself through music. It’s the only form of expression where you ridiculed and praised for being yourself to others. You can’t really beat that man.

SHH: What artists influence your music if any?

N.Y.C.: It began when I got my first PC. My aunt bought us all a Packard Bell home PC and my uncle used to work for 98.7 Kiss FM. He brought home CD’s all the time. One day while going through all of them I saw this single by Mic Geronimo called “The Natural” and I played it all day, repeat one. It was one of those tracks that I have always been able to harmonize in my head. Even to this day the track is in my head. It’s the reason why I appreciate hip hop music today. I have been heavily influenced by an array of artists from Common, Mos Def, The Roots, Talib Kweli, to Busta Rhymes, A Tribe Called Quest, and Miles Davis, to name a few. The list can go on but I have also been influences by Calypso, Soca, Reggae, 80’s music, which also happen to be heavy influences in my music personally. Growing up on all of that allowed me to understand things like hooks, measures, beats, etc. It set the foundation of what I have applied within my music.

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

N.Y.C.: I don’t really define myself with anyone to be honest. I like for people to do that for me. I always get I sound like this person, or that I flow like that person. This is all good, positive feedback to me, but I am more concerned with constructive criticism that can be offered by fans of my music. The more critical someone can be in regards to me, the more it pushes me to make better music.

SHH: What are you working on right now?

N.Y.C.: Being that I have just finished up my debut album, “… In Retrospect” (www.neveryetcontested.com), I have taken on new projects that have to do with Comics. While in Tokyo, Japan, I was able to make some very good connections with some people out there and it is highly possible that you might see me next to your friendly neighborhood Spider-man! Also, I have been working other future projects with new artists and producers so stay tuned!

SHH: Tell me what people can expect from your newest album ...In Retrospect?

N.Y.C.: Anyone who listens to this album is going to get what people have been missing in Hip Hop for quite sometime now, which is being conceptual. That is truly missed nowadays when it comes to hip-hop music. Everyone either sounds the same or isn’t challenging themselves when it comes to their creativity. I felt that I don’t just owe it to myself to do this but to everyone that knows me for the person that I am. This album isn’t a reflection of myself, it is a reflection of my life and everyone who has been apart of it. Hopefully it will be transparently viewed by the minds and ears of people who listen.

SHH: What's your outlook for 2008 (What are your goals for the year)?

N.Y.C.: Some of my goals for the year are to leave a lasting impression on this culture known as Hip Hop. At the end of year, being recognized for all the hard work and effort put into the music everyone around me has helped create would be gratifying enough.

SHH: What producers are you working with?

N.Y.C.: Being able to work with JJ Brown of 5G Productions, and Baldi and Suburban Graffiti (Live Band) has been really wonderful. Both producer and live band have a knack for being as original and authentic with their way of expressing music as possible. They are both also, ‘themselves’ when it comes to creating new sounds and innovative ways of portraying that. JJ Brown is currently working on his own solo album and is also working with Gym Class Heroes and Hall & Oates on a mash up album (www.5Gproductions.com) I would and will always welcome working with both for anything.

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

N.Y.C.: I would love to work with the Roots! If ever given the opportunity I would completely take advantage of working with some of the hardest working people in the music industry. I wouldn’t mind getting the chance to also work with some of the very people who I have appreciated in hip hop. Doing a track with the likes of Common, Talib Kweli, etc…would be a pleasure and an honor.

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

N.Y.C.: With music I have always felt the need to be as vivid and raw with anything I might do. To me it’s what separates the good from the truly great artists. You can’t be afraid to expose yourself within your music. I have no apprehensions of doing this and I believe anyone listening to my music will think that either.

SHH: If not music what would you be doing?

N.Y.C.: If I wasn’t doing music, I believe I would have found myself involved in something that would cause me to be creative. I have always been one that needs to be constructively active and definitely could see myself involved in something else in the entertainment field, writing TV series, or music directing to name a few.

SHH: Where can people check out some of your music?

N.Y.C.: You can now buy and download “… In Retrospect” on iTunes, www.amazon.com; www.cdbaby.com; www.5Gproductions.com; It’s just about everywhere you can get music online so definitely check it out!

SHH: You grew up without with only one parent, right?

N.Y.C.: Yeah, I never knew my father… only by his name, Kenneth Sumners, and that I look exactly like he did… My mother, Olive Jordan, did her best to raise me along with my aunt and grandmother. I guess in a sense you can say I have 3 mothers and no dad. All 3 were a big influence to me growing up and I am glad that they all were/are a part of it.

SHH: So, what's their nationality? Your heritage?

N.Y.C.: My family is from the West Indies, more specifically Grenada and Carriacou. I know that my family are direct descendants of the Ibo tribe of Nigeria, and that my grandmother’s grandmother was from Nigeria. I take a lot of pride knowing some of my family history. It definitely defines me and the person that I am. Being Caribbean is a great thing. Not only do I appreciate the culture and what comes along with it but it gives me a sense of individualism that I feel most people don’t embrace as much as they probably should.

SHH: How would you describe yourself as a kid growing up?

N.Y.C.: I was very independent of myself, bold, and always spoke up for what I believed to be true. I had a lot of confidence for someone who grew up in an unfair fashion with others. I guess what made me so confident was how smart I happened to be compared to others. I always felt that I could do anything I wanted to because I made sure to take care of the basics that people wouldn’t expect me to be/do. For example, I had no kids, wasn’t really into drugs while I was young, focused on sports, school, and music, and most importantly my circle of friends outside of my block were very diverse. These things gave me more leeway when it came to doing whatever it was that I wanted to do. I think responsibility goes a really long way in the eyes of adults.

SHH: Who played an important role in your youth?

N.Y.C.: I believe that the person who played the most important role in the person that I am today would have to be my aunt. I am very similar to her in many fashions. If she was my mother people would say, “Yeah I totally can see that!” It wasn’t what she was willing to do for me but more so what she was willing to enlighten me about life. In a subtle way she was able to mold me to be as independent as I could be, focus on what I can experience and not limit myself to what I can see with my own eye. I have always strived to do as much as I possibly can with what has been available to me and because of her I hope that I can continue to pursue and experience all that I can.

SHH: You went to Penn State, was college always the expected next step to you growing up?

N.Y.C.: No of course not. It was one of those things that could have been done if I wanted it to happen. I was basically in a situation where if I had said I didn’t want to go to college, regardless if it was Penn State I didn’t have to go. For me, deciding to go there was me wanting to escape my surroundings. It was also me feeling that I wanted to experience more than just Brooklyn, New York City. I felt that this was a way that I would be able to grow and have new experiences by going as far away as I could have. It didn’t matter how much money it cost or how far/long I would be away from my family and friends. Everyone I knew always did their own thing for the most part, meaning that in the end what they did was their decision to make.

SHH: What kind of person do you hope to be 15 years from now?

N.Y.C.: In 15 years I just hope that I am not more of a cocky, selfish rebel that I happen to be now. Maybe if I have a family and children 15 years from now I will be more so humble that I am right now.

SHH: If you could choose how you were to die, what would your ideal death be? (I read that question asked to 15 or so famous people in entertainment, and I loved it so I had to. you can have fun with it, doesn't have to be 100% serious)

N.Y.C.: I think going out while performing life in front of a sellout crowd in one of the famous arenas in the world would be a very nice way to go! Think about it, they might even rename that place for you depending on how big of an artist you might be!

SHH: When did your relationship with music begin (not professionally, but in your youth)?

N.Y.C.: Well this is an interesting question… I basically became an emcee after going through a relationship that I had in college. I wanted a more constructive way of venting besides what I used to do, (have lots of sex) so I went to the notebook. Instead of writing a journal I decided to write poetically. Slowly but surely people told me that it sounded cool and that I should put it to music so that’s what I did. I didn’t take it seriously until about a year and a half ago. I guess I didn’t realize my potential until I came into my own. Once I did though, I ran with it and started to be as conceptual with my writing and music as I possibly could.

SHH: Who in your life would you say helped push you to be an emcee the most?

N.Y.C.: I know this might sound vain but I would have to say myself. At this point of my life and with the current state of music I would love the opportunity to at least spread to the people who would appreciate music what I have to offer.

SHH: Shout outs and thanks

N.Y.C.: Everyone who is involved on this album is important in some way, shape or form. JJ Brown (5G productions), Furry Planet Productions, Godfrey Lewis (Redface Records), Clique Musique, Marcus Nero (Nero Music) who all worked on the production of the album. The talented guests featured, Baldi and Suburban Graffiti, Ja’mir, Ad Lib of the Flight Brothers, Tiffany Porterfield, Cardi The Celloist, and Mr. V (Vonzell Willams) The art work by Gordon Convery, Robert Blackman (Thanks cuz!) and everyone that has helped me through the years to complete this. Thank you.