Adesso Means Now - ARTICLES

Monday

14Sep2009

Nobody Famous Loves The Kids

Having been recently blessed with a baby daughter, a trip to Brazil and the release of a new album, Order Up! Vol. 3, Nobody Famous isn’t slowing down. The producer/emcee from Georgia, who you’ve seen on the site before, is an independent thinker who is using his recording and performing experience to aid in the development of the artists he works with. As his star rises, Famous not only looks to expand his lyrical and production offerings, but also his charitable side in the form of a center for at risk kids.

The other day, I sat down with Famous to chop it up about his travels, fatherhood, and what’s occupying his headspace in the game. Check it:

Adesso: How long have you been in LA? How is the music scene different for you out here than in was in Georgia?

Nobody Famous: I have been in LA since March 2007. I like the scene out here because when I came, nobody knew me so they really just had to accept the music. Back home I lived in a small town a little north of ATL, so everyone knew everyone, so they saw me as their classmate or friend of 10 years, before they knew me as a producer or artist. Also, aside from Atlanta, things just get done a lot faster in LA.

Adesso: The south has pretty much held the Hip Hop torch for the greater part of this decade. Are you carrying that torch with you out here, or are you a part of something else?

Nobody Famous: I am just doing my own thing. I don't want to ever be part of a style or fad, or even a region because they ALWAYS die, then you are left scrambling to catch up to the next fad. I just make music that I would like to hear myself, if people like it, dope...if not, all good.

Adesso: In an interview with Kevin Nottingham (http://kevinnottingham.com/2008/07/14/artist-spotlight-nobody-famous/), he asked you about rap beefs and you said, “I just think that Black folks need to cut all the hate and start building each other up instead of trying to tear each other down.” How do you see yourself as part of a positive change?

Nobody Famous: Well I have been working with children for over 6 years now. My next move is actually creating a center for at risk kids to come to after school for homework help, and to learn an art such as music & video production or drama. We are currently seeking out grants right now and looking to get that started in Fall 2010.

Adesso: Wielding the double edge sword of being both a producer and an emcee, what is your approach to song writing?

Nobody Famous: Normally I just have to be inspired from life events. I don't ever force though. Sometimes I will be working on a track and lyrics come to me instantly, if not, that beat will probably go to someone else.

Adesso: Is there an emcee who you are most interested in working with? Why?

Nobody Famous: I would have to say k-Os. He is one of the most talented (and slept on) heads in hip-hop. He raps, sings, produces and all of it is dope without vulgar content...I have much respect for dude and love his albums.

Adesso: You traveled to Brazil over the winter, tell me about that experience.

Nobody Famous: Brazil was amazing. We spent nearly 2 weeks down there, learning about their culture, their form of hip-hop and did some shows as well. It was an eye opening experience; it really made me realize that all of us in the US take so many things for granted. As far as their hip-hop scene, it reminds me of hip-hop at it's infancy in the States...most of their subject matter is about what they see everyday in their communities, such as racism and poverty, and of course they rap about having a good time as well...and all in Portuguese.

Adesso: You were also recently blessed with a daughter, how has becoming a father changed your life and your music?

Nobody Famous: It has changed my life tremendously; she is a blessing and has made me realize what is truly important in life. As far as the music, I have to get it in when I can, for example during nap times, lol.

Adesso: You recently released the third volume in your Order Up Series (available on itunes), is this your best one to date?

Nobody Famous: The most recent release is definitely the best effort to date. I took my time with it, as well as took time to develop my own sample free sound. I still sample and love to do it, but when it comes to placements it's not too beneficial for the pockets.

Adesso: Was there a certain sound or aspect of your talent that you were trying to showcase?

Nobody Famous: This album, and series, is more about my production and the people that I work with on a consistent basis, than it was as me as an emcee.

Adesso: Up to this point, your releases have been a mixtape-structured series; will your next endeavor be similar or more album-like?

Nobody Famous: The next one will be an album for sure. I am not sure how I want to go about it yet, but I have a lot of ideas for it. You always hear you have your whole life to complete your first album, and that is how I am looking at it. The first "Nobody Famous" solo album has been a work in progress since birth.

Adesso: In an atmosphere where more and more artists are going to indie labels or are staying independent all together, how has your experience been with the industry?

Nobody Famous: My experience has been a learning one. I have always wanted to be a producer because I am a behind-the-scenes person, hence the name [Nobody Famous], but by being an artist and performing, I could help artists I produce with their craft because I have experience doing what they are doing. Also, I love the fact that we can all bypass the major labels (and their politics) and do what we love in our own way...it's a beautiful thing.

Adesso: You were featured in the 2008 Smackdown V. Raw video game, how did that happen?

Nobody Famous: Basically one of my friends who is heavily involved in the industry hit me up and said he needed a song about a motocross game by the end of the day and sent the beat. It just so happened I wrote the song so that it would translate to any extreme sport and not just motocross. The song didn't get picked up for the motocross game, but we got the call a few weeks later saying they were going to use it for SVR 2008, I was liked ever better! Wrestling is huge and that game sold over 5 million copies worldwide.

Adesso: What are your goals for the next year?

Nobody Famous: My focus for the next year is the program for the kids, and maybe some instrumental mixtapes.

Adesso: Thank you for sitting down with me, any last words of the day?

Nobody Famous: Thanks for having me! Be sure to pick up that Order Up! Volume 3: Chicken and Waffles (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002HUNTAY?ie=UTF8&tag=thishiho08-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002HUNTAY).

Friday

12Jun2009

U-N-I - Land of The Kings x Interview

From the heart of South Central to the shores of Malibu:

U-N-I films their new video for “Land Of The Kings.”

The incoming tide lathers a Malibu shore. Overhead, the passing storm fades the California sunshine to a grey tinge. Thunder rolls down the coastline. Dressed in indigenous garb, their faces are painted in the brightest of reds, greens and blues to match their Nikes, Vans, and Supras. This is the Land of The Kings.

Today, LA Hip Hop duo, U-N-I, is on-set shooting their forthcoming video off the critically acclaimed, A Love Supreme. Recently sharing the stage at the Lyricist Lounge west coast premier with Pac Div, Mickey Factz and several others, U-N-I is breathing a unique freshness into Hip Hop. Recently picked to represent the West Coast along with Nipsey Hu$$le in XXL Magazine’s July 2009 Hood2Hood Feature, U-N-I’s Y-O! (Mohawk rocking, Yonay Michael) and Thurzday (Yannik Koffi) have been garnering industry attention since winning “Best Breakout L.A. Artist” at the 2008 MTV Music Video Awards. In just a few short years, their music has quite literally brought them from the heart of South Central to the shores of Malibu.

With pacific waves throwing fume on beaten rocks, the tribal cast circles where land meets ocean tide. As the crew blows smoke over the beach, U-N-I’s drummer, Te'Amir Yohannes Sweeney, sits in the center of the group beating a drumhead covered in blue and red powder. With each beat and each step of the Steadicam operator, colored powder collides with the white smoke, creating a surreal filter that is apparent even to us onlookers. The 15 or so people around me gaze through the 4^th wall, barricaded with spot lights and generators, at a scene that is a snapshot of both a time long past and a new beginning for a generation of Hip Hop.

“The feeling behind the song is the emotion of accomplishment. The video is set to showcase a journey through obstacles in being King and accomplishing your goals.” Says Thurzday. Musically, the track is highly unique for Hip Hop, but not for UNI, a group who has carved their niche through experimental beats and high-energy performances. The song begins with a hard-hitting piano line evocative of Kanye West, and builds with deep snare hits and horn sections. Mixed in with the organic sounds is a myriad of synthesized notes and accents that are as colorful as the war paint adorning the group’s faces. Together with skilled lyricism, “Land of The Kings” has the makings of a classic song in a constantly evolving genre.

Among the Lost Boys inspired cast, is Ro Blvd, the beat architect behind the song and the album, A Love Supreme. He is dressed in reminiscence of Ruffio from Peter Pan…except this Ruffio is wearing Vans with “Rad” written in the soles! Initially meeting up with U-N-I for the track “The Launch,” off the group’s debut album, Friend Chicken and Watermelon, Ro’s relationship with U-N-I has developed from a single song to crafting their entire new album. A self-described “ new school cat, with an old soul,” Ro Blvd. credits the group for his development as a producer: “My skill level wouldn’t be at this point if it wasn’t for Thurz and Y-O,” he says.

The U-N-I team wouldn’t be complete without video director, Tomas Whitmore. With a distinct eye for the creative visual depiction of the group, Tomas brings a uniquely refreshing narrative to their videos. “He's the best,” says Thurzday, “I trust his vision and we always get something out the box and visually stunning. He's done all the [videos] that have been released and featured on MTV.”

The sun is now setting between the storm clouds and the deep blue Pacific. A flock of Brown Pelicans flies inches above the white caps. A small seal attempts, repeatedly, to climb a nearby rock. With the last few scenes of the day coming to a close, the equipment strewn across the beach slowly finds its way back, piece by piece, to the grip trucks and electric vans. The drum stops beating, for now anyway. As the reels go in for post production, U-N-I is heading to Europe to further the bands stated mission of “expanding and texturizing hip-hop's conversation: tackling the lust, love and hate of relationships.”

In this exclusive interview I sat down with UNI to discus the video shoot and their plans for the coming months.

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UNI Video Shoot 6/3/09 Interview

How did you like the shoot?

Thurz: The shoot was dope. Land of the Kings is an epic record that will have an epic video.

Y-O!: Simply amazing, felt like I was back home in Africa, LOL. To me this is by far the best video we ever shot so far.

Who is the director and how do you like working with him?

Thurz: We always work with director Tomas Whitmore and we trust his creative ability to capture the essence of the song. He has done KREAM, Beautiful Day, Soul Hop and Hollywood Hiatus. It’s always a pleasure.

Y-O!: Tomas Whitmore has brought another creative treatment to life. The same relationship & vibe we have making music with Ro Blvd. is equivalent with Tomas, we love it.

What is the feeling behind the song, Land of the Kings, and the video?

Thurz: The feeling behind the song is the emotion of accomplishment.The video is set to showcase a journey through obstacles in being King and accomplishing your goals.

Was the theme for the video there from the beginning of the song or did it develop after the record was cut? How did you come up with the theme?

Thurz: It developed after the record was cut. That's how all our videos are shot. The theme is based off the course we've taken with our careers and being from LA. We have done everything with no co-sign and no label. We've endured cats talkin’ down on us and have made the necessary moves to prove we are the best!

Y-O!: The way Tomas works with us is he likes to hear the finished product on our end, then he'll just zone out & come up with a treatment around it. Us being an indie with no co-signer, feel like we've done most than others. We've been thru many obstacles to make it where we are now & we feel like we made the right move as artists to say we're the Kings of our land.

What was your favorite location during the shoot?

Thurz: My favorite location was the stream. It was hilarious when Y-O! and his queen had to get in the water. That's going to be a memorable scene.

Y-O!: Ahha, my favorite location of the shoot was the time we weren't shooting. It would have to be when we were walking to the next location & 1 of the ladies from the video was ahead of us & her damn legs were shinning with a cute tail hanging out of the shorts. Ahaha. I'm sure everyone was looking @ that!!

So you're off to Europe? Have you been to Europe before and where are yougoing?

Thurz: I've never been to Europe. We're hitting Norway first and thenLondon and Paris.

Y-O!: Man, I am so stoooooked for our 1st trip to Europe. We're gonna hit Norway, Sweeden & hopefully more. I heard they have posters floating around in the Sweden streets with our faces on it. I expect to end up staying out there for a month.

Do you have any expectations or goals for the trip?

Thurz: The goal is to rock every show and make new fans

Having just dropped A Love Supreme, which is substantially building your fan base (I am one of them), what can people look for from U-N-I in the coming months? Are you going to push this album for a while or are you going back into the studio?

Thurz: We have several videos for this album. We will work the record while we record our official album.

Y-O!: Don't be surprised if you see our faces on the big screens. We'll definitely work this album for a while to get the best out of it, while still recording for our debut album. There's so much opportunity out there for music to take advantage of.