Emcee Hype is a rapper from North Jersey/Mansfield, Pennsylvania. He has been featured on MTV-U and is constantly touring. He is a down to earth guy who is doing what he knows he was born to do-rap!
How hard is it to get into the rap industry?
I’ve never looked at it as an industry you have to get into. Hip hop is something you live. You’re either in it or your not. I kind of approach everything in life like that. If you sit around and dream about doing something, you’re not doing it, you’re just thinking about doing it. If you’re doing it already- making records and rapping or whatever- you’re already in it.
What are some of the latest trends in rap?
Well, I think that there are two big trends in rap right now. There’s the bling-bling rap that’s commonplace in the mainstream right now. And then there’s this backlash of indie rappers, or backpack rappers, or whatever you want to call it. In my opinion, just make the music you want to make. Nobody ever became a trend-setter by following the latest trends.
What is the future of rap?
It’s hard to say what the future holds for rap. In the beginning, everyone thought rap was a fad. Now, people realize that rap is a legitimate form of music, and they acknowledge that it’s not going away. There’s no sure-fire way to tell where rap is going, but like rock and roll it’s going to evolve. Going back to the last question, it will be the trend-setters, not the followers, who will shape the future of rap.
What do you like most/least about being in the rap industry?
I don’t like to look at anything as an industry. Music. Rap. Film or whatever. Industry is a big, scary word that wants to control what the individual does. On the other hand, I like what I do. I enjoy the hip hop life. I enjoy writing and rapping. I’m in it, and I love it.
What advice would you give to those you want to rap professionally?
Soak up as much old school rap as you can. Learn about hip hop, KRS-1, Boogie Down, Sugar Hill… all that. Emulation is the highest form of tribute, or something like that. Like anything else, you learn the building blocks, and then expand from there. Beyond that, just do it. Don’t wait for your ‘big break.’ Don’t wait to find a touring DJ. Just enjoy yourself and immerse yourself in hip hop. Write, rap, read everything you can get your hands on and live it.
Questions about yourself
Do you have any new records coming out?
I’m currently working on a new ep with my people, Jersey Bound Trunk Crew (me, DJ Gumshu and Party.Picasso). That disc will be done sometime in early 2007. I also have a record coming out with MC Jabee, a rapper from Oklahoma City. That album is called, Songs for Debutantes, and features DJ Vadim on the tables and beats. That record comes out in March on Bomb City Records.
What do you like to rap about?
Well, I’m not a very linear writer. I’m not usually one to tell a story from beginning to end, whether it’s a story from my own life or something more universal. I tell stories like they appear in my mind, shattered and fragmented. When you remember moments in your life, they appear in pieces. Some parts you forget, other parts are accentuated or just plain vivid. And that’s how my raps come out…. like landscapes littered with thoughts, memories, ideas, feelings… did I even answer this question?
What has been your most difficult experience while rapping?
I just don’t want to repeat myself. I don’t want to be the rapper who raps about girls all the time, just as I don’t want to be the rapper who raps about cars and money all the time. I want each rhyme to be unique and fresh, and hopefully thought-provoking, and of course I want it to be a good song. The difficult part is holding myself to all of that, and still writing a song that’s cool to listen to.
Are there any funny times you can remember while on tour?
Gumshu and Party.Picasso (of Jersey Bound Trunk Crew) are two of the funniest guys I’ve ever met in my life. I tend to videotape everything on tour… the van ride, the pre and post-show, everything. Those guys are my best friends and when we’re all together funny stuff just happens. Some of the funniest moments occur out of the blue. Occasionally, Party tends to break into a character and just run with it. We’ll be talking and suddenly his voice and demeanor will change, and you’ll realize he’s suddenly playing a character. Everybody else will just get in on it and suddenly we’re all in a movie of our own devise. We have a very weird sense of humor.
On your myspace page you said that the Bible was one of your influences. Are you a Christian? And do you discuss your Christianity in your lyrics?
I grew up in a Bible-preaching church, so it’s impossible for me to separate the Christian influences from the rest of my life. Everything in life is a culmination of experiences and memories, and hurts and triumphs… all that. And intertwined in the mix is my history with Christianity. I’m not a Christian rapper, or a gospel hip hop artist or whatever. I’m just a rapper. My spirituality is impossible to separate from who I am, and therefore it comes up quite often. It’s different than a John Reuben or a KJ-52 who preach in their lyrics. I share moments and experiences, and the inseparable spirituality of those moments. I guess that it’s kind of like Christ and his parables. Sometimes his parables were horrific in content, but it was underlying message that was meant to permeate. You feel me?
What do you think about the Christian rap group Grits. Some say they are not “Christian” enough in their lyrics. Do you agree?
I’ve seen Grits in concert and they’re dope. They’ve got skills and they do their own thing. I say let them be. They’re making their art, saying what they want to say, and who is any outsider to criticize them for what they do or don’t talk about? It’s dangerous for an artist to say I’m this or that, because then you run the risk of pigeon-holing yourself. As a fan, take what you want from a rapper’s lyrics, interpret and think. But don’t judge. It’s the whole plank-eye mentality.
What are your future plans?
I plan to keep doing what I’ve been doing for years. I get to hang out with my best friends in the world and make rap music. There’s nothing I’d rather do. I look at the Beastie Boys, who helped get me into rap back in the day, and I think, that’s what I want to be doing when I’m 40!
What final thoughts do you have?
That’s my final answer. Thanks for the thought-provoking questions, Zach. Much love.
Posted by zacharybuckler 
Posted by zacharybuckler 
Posted by zacharybuckler 
