The good people over at Consciousness Magazine has featured me on their site. Check out the interview below. Peace to Aaron. Check out a screenshot of the actual interview in the printed magazine here.
ScholarMan “The Intelligent Lyricist”
If ScholarMan was labeled a publication, you would have thought he was a distance relative to Consciousness Magazine. Being recognized as a talented hip-hop artist and producer, he lives up to his name, delivering messages and lyrical styles of socially conscious and awareness, while making a difference in his community and the music society.
The Maryland based artist began his hip-hop journey as a teenager. Investing in his craft since a teenager, the lyrical genius recognized that there was a void in the music industry. Continuing to follow his dream and live up to his expectation, he now has an international following from all around the world embraced not only by his lyrical intelligence, organic beats, but also for his revolutionized music. Candy Medicine, Soul Purpose and GameShift: The Movement are some of the albums he’s released. ScholarMan is here withCM to give us some of his views and motivations behind his music, along with sharing his new album ExiStance.
CM: When did you discover that you had what it takes to be an effective artist?
ScholarMan: I would say it was after my 2007 release Candy Medicine. Prior to putting out this album I primarily worked the local scene with mixtapes and compilations – but when I put out Candy Medicine, it struck a chord with some listeners all over the world and showed me that there are people out there who really appreciate and love my music.
CM: How did your name (ScholarMan) derive?
ScholarMan: During my first couple years of college I had a professor who always referred to me as a “scholar and a gentlemen,” so I ran with it. My name was just Scholar in the beginning but later I added MAN to stand out.
CM: Is it a challenge separating you as a businessman, artist and producer?
ScholarMan: At times yes, juggling making music and marketing it can be tough without a group of people like a record label backing you, but the good thing is it teaches you how to work smarter and not harder in the long run.
CM: How would you describe the Maryland Hip-Hop culture?
ScholarMan: The part of Maryland in which I stay has been primarily grouped into the Go-Go culture. I don’t think Maryland has ever really been respected for its hip-hop. But because of the new movement of music coming out of my area, that’s changing.
CM: Unlike many artists, you don’t only write lyrics, you write essays as well. What is the motivation behind your writing?
Writing for me is simply something I do to share what I am feeling about any given subject. Crafting essays is also a bit of therapy for me when I need to escape the realities of life. Most of my recent essays have been about the state of hip-hop and my opinion on how the culture and its music can improve.
CM: What are your thoughts on the new age of Hip-Hop vs. the Golden Era?
ScholarMan: I believe the new age of hip-hop has a bit of “follower syndrome” in comparison to the golden era. Many of today’s artists and producers craft their music to follow the success of already established artists instead of finding their own niche. I’m sure there were some who did this in the golden era but the difference is the greed involved. Artists seemed to have loved the culture and the music more in the 80s and 90s – it was evident in the sound and the delivery. But now when you listen to some artists it’s blatant that they only want a check, some even say this in their lyrics. All in all the difference between the old and new is the love for the art.
CM: What do you expect listeners to acquire after listening to your new album ExiStance?
ScholarMan: With all of my projects, listeners should be able to acquire that I love the culture, I love the art of lyricism and beats and that I want to see hip-hop improve. They also should see my awareness of what’s going on in the world and how I incorporate these things and my views in my music.
CM: Do you have any words of encouragement for up-and-coming artist who are hoping to pursue rapping as their career?
ScholarMan: Follow your dream, stick to your gut and remove those who hinder you from your life.
CM: Do you have anything that you would like to add before we close the interview?
ScholarMan: Thank you Consciousness Mag for the opportunity, look for more music and moves from me in 2011!
Check out my interview below with the Independent Music Awards. We submitted my video “Hopes & Dreams” for their best music video category shortly after it was released and the IMA’s have selected me/it for a spotlight on their website. Winners will be announced in the fall. Many thanks to the IMA’s, QueFilms, Karmia, Giacomo and Lagbara.
ScholarMan, one of our 10th Independent Music Awards Submitting Artists.
1. WHERE ARE YOU BASED OUT OF?
Bowie, MD
2. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR FANS?
My fans are eclectic, eccentric and love soulful music.
3. WHAT IS YOUR MUSIC VIDEO “HOPES AND DREAMS” B/W “SO ORIGI-NOW” ABOUT? WHAT ROLE DID YOUR DIRECTOR MARQUES GREEN PLAY IN SCULPTING YOUR VISION?
“Hopes & Dreams” is a song about my joys, pains and growth in the hip-hop industry. The purpose of this song is to show how I embrace my struggle and hunger in being an artist and producer. Marques, the director, played a key role in helping my vision become a reality. I presented him with the concept and rough edges, he smoothed those edges out and we made the video happen.
4. YOU BEGAN CREATING MUSIC IN YOUR TEENS, WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURCHASE THAT FIRST RADIO SHACK MIXER AND BEGIN RHYMING? WHAT INSPIRES YOU NOW?
I started created hip-hop music purely out of the joy of doing it in the beginning and that’s one of the main reasons why I still do it now. The only difference is there is a market and audience for my brand of hip-hop, so because of that it’s also a commodity. My inspiration comes from my life experiences in general – just about anything I see, witness, hear or do I incorporate in my music.
5. WHO IS THE LADY FEATURED IN THE VIDEO? IS SHE SYMBOLIC OF ANYTHING?
The lady in the video is Karmia Berry, an actress in New York. In the song I speak about hip-hop as if she were an actual female so in the video I wanted a young lady to be that on screen depiction, so we asked Karmia to do it. The idea was to show how hip-hop and I met – how it was a bit awkward at first but as we allowed ourselves to become a bit vulnerable to each other we started to build a connection.
6. YOU HAVE RECORDED QUITE A NUMBER OF ALBUMS, INCLUDING BOTH SOLO AND COLLABORATIVE ALBUMS. WHICH RECEIVED THE BEST RESPONSE FROM YOUR FANS? WHICH MEANS THE MOST TO YOU AND WHY?
My Candy Medicine release in 2007 I believe generated the best response because before it came out I was unheard of to probably more than half my fans. I believe the sound of that album took a lot of folks back to the time when they first fell in love with hip-hop. Every album means a lot to me because I give my 100% in all of them and each album is a reflection of my personal life during the period in which it came out.
7. I REALLY ENJOY YOUR BACKGROUND TRACKS. WHAT DO YOU USE FOR THEM, SAMPLED MUSIC OR ORIGINAL TRACKS? IF YOU SAMPLE TRACKS, WHERE DO YOU SAMPLE FROM?
I use samples and I also create original music. When I sample, I try to use rare chops from various genres. On “Hopes & Dreams” I used the Isley Brothers because I simply enjoyed the melody when I heard it. Normally I stay away from artists that producers commonly sample but I couldn’t resist on this track.
8. AFTER LISTENING TO YOUR LYRICS AND WATCHING YOUR VIDEO, YOU ARE APPEAR TO BE A VERY HOPEFUL AND SOCIALLY CONSCIENCE PERSON. WHAT CAUSES DO YOU SUPPORT?
I have always been a somewhat discreet humanitarian. I’ve always sympathized with the homeless so any chance I get if I am able I donate to them – whether it’s in the streets or thru a charity. Over the recent years I have done my part to support the Hurricane Katrina victims, the Haiti victims and the flood victims in Tennessee. I simply try to do my part, how I was raised and encourage my fans and supporters to do the same.
9. FINISH THIS SENTENCE: THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IS…
..not what it used to be. Artists are now in control.
10. WHAT’S ON YOUR IPOD THAT WOULD SURPRISE FANS?
Richard Pryor, Paul Mooney, Dave Chapelle – when my ears need a rest I listen to some comedy from the best that have done it.
11. WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND OUT MORE ABOUT YOU? WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND YOUR ALBUM?
On my official website, www.scholarman and my music is available on iTunes and on the websites of all major music retailers.
Check out the quick one-one-one I had with the Washington City Paper in regards to my recent EP “A Meeting With Andre Kostelanetz.” The Washington City Paper is one of the best sources for whats good in the Washington DC area for music and more!
Standout Track: No. 4 “Not Give Up,” which layers ScholarMan’s dense grind-minded lyrics over a lush orchestral string sample. The track exemplifies the seamless marriage of classical music and classic hip-hop that takes place on ScholarMan’s tribute to the easy listening Russian conductor/arranger, who died in 1980.
Musical Motivation: Last year, an odd sleeveless record mysteriously appeared in one of the Bowie, Md.–based MC’s crates. “I put it on, put the needle down, and was cleaning, eating, doing other things, but I kept hearing good sample chops,” he says. Struck by the music, ScholarMan did some research and discovered the recording was of an orchestra performing Kostelanetz’s classical pop. He decided an all-Kostelanetz project was a good move from both an artistic and business standpoint. “A lot of my fanbase is in Russia,” he says. “When people show me love, I show them love back.”
Press Pause: When first mapping out “Not Give Up,” ScholarMan thought the track needed something more than just his lyrics and Kostelanetz’s music. He eventually decided to layer in a sample and started hunting for hip-hop snippets in keeping with the track’s theme of perseverance. He ended up choosing a Ghostface Killah line (“I will not give up!”)from the “Run” remix, but it wasn’t the first thing that popped into his head. “My initial thought was of Puffy, of him saying ‘Can’t stop, won’t stop,’ or ‘take that,’ but I was definitely not using that,” he says.
“Hip hop is more than just a hobby or music for me. I love the music and I’m a strong believer in keeping the culture alive. I see hip hop as bringing people together, supplying hope and teaching those that need to be taught. A lot of that has been lost over the years with the commercialization of the art form. I’m not going to blame the mainstream for ruling hip hop, there is a reason for everything. But it’s good to hear artists such as today’s spotlight artist, ScholarMan, kick some knowledge and offer food for thought.
Those of you unfamiliar with ScholarMan and our fans of positive and progressive hip hop, will appreciate where he is coming from. He labels himself a “hip hop activist”, a term that he does not take lightly. With his Soganic label, he has dropped 2 critically acclaimed albums (Candy Medicine and Soul Purpose) and is gearing up for this third studio album, Gameshift: The Movement. He has also dropped a couple free EP’s, in which he shows homage to those that have come before him with new twists and old classics. We sat down and talked to ScholarMan, in what is one of my favorite Spotlights that we’ve done…..”
WYDU: Hey, what’s good? Can you give the readers that might not be familiar with your name and music a little background?
ScholarMan: Maintaining Trav. What’s good WYDU fam? My name is ScholarMan, rap activist and producer from the Maryland area. Ive been in the game for a minute but the public eye only recently noticed me with my ’07 release of Candy Medicine, my ’08 release Soul Purpose and The Pull Forward Series. I’ve been producing for over 5 years and been rhyming even longer. I represent Soganic Music, my recently re-established record label. My label mates are TrueBless and recently K-Mynez, both in Maryland as well. We release socially conscious hip-hop music, music that inspires that many can relate to; all while keeping the essence of hip-hop alive.
WYDU: Your music is among some of the more positive and thought provoking music I’ve ran across in a short while, why is it important to you to offer the listener more than the average “bling, bitch, gat” rhymes that run so prevalent in the mainstream realm?
ScholarMan: Thanks, appreciate that homie. I simply want positive change in our world man, there is enough negative things in reach compared to the positive, especially in hip-hop. I’ve experienced the street life and much of what influences “gangsta rhymes;” many of us have, but there comes a time when you must mature and realize that these things arent helping you, your people or your community grow. Simply upward movement man.
WYDU: You dropped a very intelligent and insightful writing about how the majority of African Americans do not support “real” hip hop, can you deluge into that statement some, and what is your definition of “real” hip hop?
ScholarMan: Appreciate it, cool. I get criticized sometimes about using the term real hip-hop; the whole aspect of “what isn’t real to you may be real to me.” I dig that to some degree. So..let me be clear, real hip-hop to me is soulful hip-hop, music with substance, music that not only is fun, but intelligent, vibrant and organic; music with heart. Trav, you used “bling, bitch, gat” music in the previous question, real hip-hop is the opposite of that, music that doesn’t praise the negative, but addresses it and searches for a solution.
WYDU: As an artist, you seem to still carry a genuine love for the culture and music, something that we don’t always see. Do you think it’s important as an artist to still be a fan of the music? Why or why not?
ScholarMan: Hell yeah homie. I love this music and I think every hip-hop artist should have some level of love and respect (beyond residuals) for it if they are going to say “i am hip-hop.” I think that is a big part of why “underground” cats cant surface, they don’t want to show love to another artist making moves but yet expect that same artist to ride.. – well you get my drift. So many of these artists walk with a chip. I strive to support good music, period. Like Common said, “just because I don’t like it doesn’t meant that I am hating. ”
WYDU: Your label, Soganic, and yourself have been releasing the Pull Forward EP’s. What are they exactly and what do you hope to accomplish with them?
ScholarMan: The Pull Forward Series is simply a counter to the term “throwback,” I never really understood/agreed with this term and decided to create my own, “pull forward.” When we reflect, we are pulling previous memories forward to our thoughts of today, so that is what the point of the series is. To look back at classic hip-hop music over the years and create new music using those tracks as inspiration.
WYDU: The first two volumes of the series have been tributes of sorts to the past artists and songs, who were some of the cats you look up to from the “golden ages”? Do you have an all-time favorite album?
ScholarMan: The artists that we paid tribute to on these volumes are some of my favorites. A Tribe Called Quest, Biggie, Outkast and others I have yet to honor, Common, The Roots and some others. An all-time favorite album…man, thats hard homie. There are so many I love equally. I need to get back on that one.
WYDU: They have been available for free on your site and you’ve also hit up various blogs about posting them, why did you decide to release them as a free download?
ScholarMan: Outside of honoring these artists with new remakes, I wanted something free to recruit new fans and followers. The Pull Forward Series is pretty much me saying “thank you hip-hop,” “thank you” to my current fans and “hello, nice to meet you” to newcomers.
WYDU: What is your take on the internet in general and it’s roll in marketing and releasing music?
ScholarMan: The internet can be a double-edged sword; it can be a great tool to boost your career and at the same time could be killing your career. Bootlegging is now digital and its easy to lose money as soon as your album drops, if not before. The best protection is knowledge, studying the game, learn techniques on marking and promoting and keep a handy team of spys to report piracy when they find it.
WYDU: You have a new album dropping in January, what should we expect from it? Why should someone who has never checked your music, check for this one?
ScholarMan: Yeah homie, cant wait for you to hear it. What you can expect on my new joint is a beautiful mix of innovative beats and rhymes, but this time a bit more political than my others. Since I am dropping “GameShift: The Movement” right after the new president is elected, I thought I would I get more in the trenches with my lyrics on this one. Conspiracy theories, world politics, racism, hood life and of course a love for life and hip-hop is on this one.
WYDU: Anything else you and Soganic have on the agenda in the near future?
ScholarMan: Yeah man, my new album “GameShift: The Movement” as stated, new K-Mynez joint next year, another Pull Forward release and much of what you have seen in the past and then some to come as well.
WYDU: Do you have any last words for the readers out there?
ScholarMan: Appreciate the time and attention and thank you for listening. Big ups to WYDU!!!
The first time I came across ScholarMan I was searching the internet for a new source of interesting hip hop related articles. I found an alluring piece on why a majority of African-Americans do not support “real hip hop,” written by ScholarMan, and also saw that he made music. Real hip hop music.
Equipped with a soothing voice, socially conscious lyrics, and soulful production, ScholarMan is a Maryland bred MC on the rise and is ready to snatch your attention with one listen. ScholarMan, after recently releasing his new album “Soul Purpose” and new free download “The Pull Forward EP Vol. 1,” sat down with Rhymehouse to talk about his beginnings, his purpose, and why true hip hop heads should check him out–
Rhymehouse: Tell us a little about ScholarMan and how you got your start in the hip hop industry?
ScholarMan: Like many emcees in the game, I started out rhyming in cyphers with classmates at my schools and with those who lived in my neighborhood. From there I acquired a cheap stereo, microphone and turntable and started recording my own tapes in junior high and high school. Before you know it I was able to land a job that provided a means for me to get a little bit more professional equipment, so got into beat making and laying tracks on a 4-track recorder. The rest is history really; I kept grinding to improve my talent as well as my studio.
RhymeHouse: You started your own label- Soganic Music– can you tell us why you started your own label and what Soganic’s purpose is?
ScholarMan: Soganic Music is actually a new name for a preexisting company Else Where? Entertainment. I started Else Where? Entertainment in the late 90s to establish myself and my team in the music industry as artists who release professional music and not just demos. We were able to release a few projects and do a few big things but I had trouble trademarking the name. Around the same time business differences divided my team. So being that I couldn’t trademark the name and other issues surfaced, I felt it would be good to start fresh, so Soganic Music was born, meaning soulfully organic. Our goal is to give you soulful and organic music that encourages a positive change in our societies.
RhymeHouse: Since running your own outfit takes a lot of money from your own pocket what are your thoughts on file sharing, bootlegging, and torrents where music fans can trade music and download albums for absolutely free? Do you think this hurts independent artists or helps them?
ScholarMan: Mannnnn, lots of money indeed. It seems like every year a new forum or site is brought online sharing music and I believe its slowly killing the business side of the game for some, and for others its a boost for their careers. I feel that when a person gets a free copy of your project from somewhere, listens to it, likes it and then buys it, it’s a good thing for the industry. Its those who get a free copy, listens to it, likes it but doesn’t buy that is hurting us. If it wasn’t for touring, merch and other means to make money in the industry, you wouldn’t see many cats consistently dropping albums. I personally encourage my fans to promote my music by releasing a free EP/mixtape every so often that they can download. This way, they can preview my music and then support me if they feel it. Not too mention putting my albums at a reasonable price to get them off the shelf in comparison to my counterparts.
RhymeHouse: You recently released a record entitled “Soul Purpose”– What was the “purpose” of this album. Was the purpose fulfilled?
ScholarMan: The main purpose of “Soul Purpose,” haha..that sounds weird, is to encourage listeners to “define their purpose in life.” Many of us walk throughout our lives wondering what our purpose is, what we should be doing with our talents; on this album I am sharing what I think my purpose is and how I plan on getting there. I feel my purpose is to inject positive change in the world through dope hip-hop. Hopefully when you listen to my album, you can hear and feel my message.
RhymeHouse: What is the album like and why should a hip hop fan check it out?
ScholarMan: “Soul Purpose” is soulful and organic hip-hop music that blends rich and lively samples with heavy drums and thick basslines, with a sweet layer of intelligent lyricism. Music with a message that doesn’t hit you like a sermon but instead like a conversation between you and your best friend.
RhymeHouse: In a editorial you wrote for HipHopLinguistics. com you said: “The government is using mainstream hip-hop as a means to extort the black community targeting our children from their early teenage years to their mid-20′s. This is why certain artists who promote negative themes are heard numerous times on the radio. It is a classic case of conditioning our youth thru modern day slavery.” Can you explain your outlook on this situation more?
ScholarMan: Sure. I believe that corporate America is using hip-hop as a tool to control us. “Us” being the young folk who follow hip-hop. The tactic being, start with the young because their minds are easier to condition than trying to reach the old. So what better place to start than young black youth; those who live in what they classify “lower-class” areas. My view is that they want us to stay deaf, dumb and blind. They want us to only care about money, drugs, sex and violence and nothing more. Forget being positive and changing your community. This is why damn near all that you see on TV contains these elements. Mental slavery or modern day slavery are terms I use, as we are no longer physically forced into slavery (at least for now), its all mental. All they have to do is flash money in front of a kids face and say “rhyme like this” or “do this in a video” and its done. Thats just a taste of what I wrote and how I feel, the issue is definitely a hot one and needs to be frequently addressed.
RhymeHouse: What other things do you believe are infecting the true essence of hip hop? How can artists/fans make changes?
ScholarMan: Good question. I talk a lot about “real hip-hop” and I think its just that, we need more real music. What I mean by real is simply share your struggles, your pain on your tracks. Every song doesn’t have to be about how you “stack more chips than me,” and things like that. My answer to this question goes along with your previous one. A lot of cats rhyme just for money, just to boast, and thats not the essence of hip-hop. Hip-hop came from poverty, struggle, racism, hate, love but we don’t hear enough of this journey in the music. I like earning money like the next man but money is not my only motivation for being in the game.
RhymeHouse: What is the hip hop scene like in Prince George’s County, Maryland?
ScholarMan: Not that big like some other places but its growing. There are spots in Baltimore, DC and Northern VA that bring in good acts so its improving.
RhymeHouse: How did growing up in that setting (lots of gangs/gang violence) inspire your music and you as a person?
ScholarMan: Emmmm, I dabbled in the “crew” life growing up. I always called them “crews” as we really didn’t refer to them as gangs in my neck of the woods. All in all they operate the same in certain aspects. Gangster rap was a huge influence during this time for me; I guess a soundtrack of the life I was trying to live. During that phase of my life I was rebelling against a few things that I didn’t agree with and rolling with a “crew,” doing illegal things, listening and recording “gangster rap” was just a few ways I tried to rebel. Over time I matured, changed my “crew” to a more positive one and my music is a reflection of my tranformation.
RhymeHouse: What current hip hop artists do you listen to and why does their music affect you?
ScholarMan: I have always been a fan of Common, he has inspired me more than any other artist because I guess I felt like I knew him personally through his music; I could relate, plus he is unique. At the time when he first came out for about 5 years or so I was one of the only cats in my area promoting him.. The same goes for The Roots, “Do You Want More?!?!” is a classic. Mos Def and Talib Kweli as well, I have been waiting on the next Black Star joint for a minute now!!! haha
RhymeHouse: What is next for ScholarMan musically? What projects can we be on the look out for?
ScholarMan: I drop a solo joint once a year right now so you can expect a new joint in 2009. In the meantime I am promoting my latest “Soul Purpose,” my boy TrueBless’s joint “Mission ISpossible” that I produced, the latest free EP “The Pull Forward EP Vol.1″ apart of a series of free downloads and a couple other 2008 releases in the works.
RhymeHouse: What does hip hop mean to ScholarMan and what does ScholarMan mean to hip hop?
ScholarMan: Hip-hop means love, change, and growth through music for those who embody the culture. ScholarMan means a vehicle to mobilize that movement.
I was sitting in my apartment chilling out. I had just finished writing the article and questions for Undadogg’s feature this month, matter of fact I’m heading out to check Andrea and her band perform tonight to collect footage. In the meantime I’m waiting for something to do and like clock work my brother Mark Anthony sends me a Yousendit file entitled “ScholarMan. Thinking it was some sorta new software for my Mac Book (the file was too big to send through regular e-mail) I e-mail him to ask him what ScholarMan was. He said it was an artist who submitted his entire PressKit to PulpMag. Cool. Let’s check this shit out shall we!!!
Scholar: n. 1.A learned or erudite person, esp. one who has profound knowledge of a subject. 2. A student; pupil. 3. A student whose merit entitles him to money or other aid to pursue his studies.
When I checked out his joints that are also self produced I hear Dead Prez, KRS-One, Common and Chuck D. Shit. The other day I was about to hang myself from my ceiling fan or off my balcony if I kept hearing that “Fergie-licious” song. I thought those days of Public Enemy conscious rap was gone for good. I thought that revolution fell in a bottomless abyss and buried by commercial sell your soul type music. Then out of Glenn Dale MD by way of Alexandra, VA comes Scholar, thank goodness. He has been rhymong for over 13 years and making beats for 8. ScholarMan a student of the rap game; an aficionado of the hip-hop culture, a connoisseur of hot beats and hot rhymes with a message. He delivers intriguing, emotional, thought provoking, lyric’s and music. He understands that music is a powerful tool and instead of using it to create music that makes me wanna bang my head repeatedly against a brick wall, he makes music with a positive, uplifting message. Something that kids and adults a-like need to hear. I caught up with ScholarMan via e-mail and spoke with him a little bit about what it’s like to be a “Scholar” in the study of Revolutionary Hip Hop.
Alleyne: Yo dawg, how are you?
ScholarMan: I’m good man, everything is on the up and up. Hope all is well on your end.
Alleyne: I’m good, I’m good just husslin’… I wanna thank you for taking time out of your schedule to talk with me and to PulpMag
ScholarMan: No doubt man, I appreciate the opportunity.
Alleyne: iiight lets do this!!! Aside from music and what is written in your bio, tell us something about you that your fans don’t know.
ScholarMan: Well, outside of being an emcee and producer, I love to sketch and here and there I paint.
Alleyne: An Artist, me too actually, I like drawing comic book characters, not really a painter though. As an artist, the musical journey is a long (trust me I know) and can not be done by oneself. Who are some of the people in your life who have supported you and continue to support you through you musical career.
ScholarMan: My pops has been there, he allowed me to build my first studio out of his basement without charging me any rent! Other than that, I work off my own drive and determination.
Alleyne: At what point in your life did you know you wanted to pursue a musical career and realize that you had what it takes to succeed in this messed up industry.
ScholarMan: I played around with the idea of becoming an emcee early in my teenage years. I went from one group to another for about 7-8 years and then in 1998 I developed my first game plan at starting my own record label with me being the first artist released. From there it was pretty much a lot of recording, producing, and trying different things to find my nitch as an artist.
Alleyne: What experience do you value more and in turn get more personal satisfaction from as an artist: The creative process of making a song from the thoughts, inspirations and feelings to the writing, producing and/or recording of that song OR performing the finished track at one of your live shows and feeling/seeing the crowds positive reaction and love for your musical genius.
ScholarMan: Wow man, good question
Alleyne: It was a question my brother Andrew once asked and i still struggle with that answer…
ScholarMan: I have been trying to figure that out myself because honestly I love it all. I love the feeling that I get when I make a hot beat, the feeling I get when I lay a hot sixteen over that beat and the feeling I get performing that completed song to a crowd. So I love it all! I think my maturity in the game I value the most.
Alleyne: Who are the musical legends that influenced you growing up, and/or affected your musical career and who are the unsigned artists you respect and love
ScholarMan: Aw man, where do I begin – Common, The Roots, Nas, Jay Z, Public Enemy, there are many. Common in particular, I’ve been listening to him since his “Soul by the Pound Days” watching his growth, so he has been my true inspiration. I admire and respect his growth in the game. As far as indie artists, first and foremost my label mate TrueBless has been an inspiration, I’ve been listening to more Zion I and Murs these days and Little Brother despite their major deal, I still feel connected to these cats because they have an underground hunger even with the major label deal. I can dig that.
Alleyne: Aside from me hahaha, who are some contemporary musicians you would love to have the opportunity to collaborate and work with.
ScholarMan: Common, Dead Prez, Black Star are my top 3.
Alleyne: Talk about the musical environment that you consciously chose to immerse yourself in that helped foster the development of your fundamental musical skills such as the self-examination of your strengths and individuality, creating improvisational music, and writing/performance techniques; shaping your musical competence and helping you discover your unique voice that your fans are blessed with in your musical creations.
ScholarMan: The basement! (laugh) I lock myself in the studio and just vibe to music until I fall out on most nights. Not only is the studio where I record but it is swarmed with books, photos of the great leaders, Malcolm, Marcus, Martin, El Che, pretty much a place where I can reflect and learn.
Alleyne: With the emergence of Online Independent Music Labels such as Magnatunes that are capable of selling there own music online, and can market/promote music primarily through the internet medium via the assistance of the burgeoning online communication networks such as myspace.com, do you think that the major record labels in the world will eventually cease to be the gatekeepers to musicians seeking lucrative sales and worldwide acclaim.
ScholarMan: I certainly believe that independent record labels will be sought out more and more by the majors as the indie’s continue to maximize on the resources that are accessible to them. Ten years ago you didn’t hear about many indie labels with their own online distribution, store distribution, not even a website! But now my label has all of the above and then some as we continue to grow. I believe you will see more joint ventures in the future due to these reasons. Big working with the small, and the small seeing the higher percentage out of the split.
Alleyne: Nurture VS Nature…Do you think music talent, song writing, music producing, playing instruments, performing etc…is something that is learned or something that comes naturally?
Alleyne: How do you feel about the Indy Music scene in Toronto?
ScholarMan: From what I can see the last time I was there, it seems to be just as huge as the scene here. The love for hip-hop and other ethnic music is definitely present.
Alleyne: P2P File Sharing. Do you think that with modern technology enabling us to share music is a heaven sent for indie artists or total hell for big record labels that lose millions due to illegal downloading of files?
ScholarMan: I think P2P sharing is a double edged sword for every artist, major or indie. I believe it an artist is relying strictly on CD sales to make money, P2P will kill that idea quickly, but touring, radio, endorsements and other ventures will make up for where P2P did some damage.
Alleyne: How do you define musical success? Is it a personal feeling of achievement based on goals you set out for your self? or is it “money in the bank” international stardom, fame & glory
ScholarMan: I think every artist in the beginning had a goal of being the next best thing, going platinum, etc. Over time with growth and maturity, goals begin to change. Personally, just the opportunity to be in the game and earning the respect of fans is success for me.
Alleyne: I’m gonna say a few words…tell me the first thing that comes to mind…
Alleyne: Scholar
ScholarMan: Determination, dedication.
Alleyne: Change
ScholarMan: Redefinition.
Alleyne: Journey
ScholarMan: Arrival
Alleyne: Destination
ScholarMan: Patience
Alleyne: Education
ScholarMan: Livelihood
Alleyne: Favorite word
ScholarMan: Freedom
Alleyne: Least favorite word
ScholarMan: Hate
Alleyne: Favorite word to cuss with
ScholarMan: Shit
Alleyne: Your favorite body part
ScholarMan: Bootie
Alleyne: Do you have sex or “make love”
ScholarMan: Both
Alleyne: For all of our readers who will hear some of your songs, read the interview, and become instant fans; tell them where they can learn more about you, your music and your production. Tell everyone your website addresses?
ScholarMan: More information about me and my team can be found at www.elsewhereent.com and www.scholarman.com. My tunes can also be bought at iTunes, CDBABY, Amazon.com, Kings Records, Rap Cella, Walmart.com, Circuit City.com, Best Buy.com, and many other retail chains.
Alleyne: Do you have any upcoming projects, events or albums coming up that you wanna give the readers and your fans the “heads up” about
ScholarMan: My latest album “Candy Medicine” will be out in January. I will be in London in January promoting it and when I return to the states I will be traveling to various places on the east and west performing and doing more promotions.
Alleyne: Cool, on behalf of the PulpMag Familia I wanna personally thank you for taking the time out to chit-chat with me. You are skilled MC and producer and you are bringing something to hip hop that has been long lost and badly needed. Keep on pushing and we will work together again!!!
ScholarMan: Alleyne, thank you for the opportunity, artist like ourselves gotta stay connected and communicate more. I appreciate you taking the time to listen to what I have to say.
Alleyne: No Doubt!!! Stay in touch and keep me posted on your new diskand i’ll have you back on Pulp again!!! ps. I’m always up for collabo’s!!!
ScholarMan: Well, I’m naturally a visual artist, my art teacher in high school wanted me to go to an art college and major in something visual, but I decided against that idea. Now here I am an emcee, producer who is doing pretty well. So, I believe it can be either or. Some got it; some have to work at it.
Alleyne: Where do you get your inspiration to write your songs?
ScholarMan: My family, the spirit of my ancestors, the Creator.
Entries (RSS)