Blakface x SeanWyze – Q&A Interview
Congratulations on this collaborative release Album “The Time Ahead”. We checked it out and we really enjoyed the fresh new sound & perspective you guys put on the table when it comes to quality Hip Hop. What motivated you create this dope project?
SeanWyze: We’ve been working up to this point for about 7-8 yrs now to make a project like this. Logik and Sin already have an untouchable dynamic when it comes to creating in the lab. When you have a formula like they have (Sin-on the production, raps, concepts and ideas. And Logik as well with the lyrical direction, engineering and the overall capturing of the Asiatic sound.) I just wanted to contribute the best way that I could, and basically got in where I fit in with them
Is this the first collab project under you belts? Or have you guys worked together in the past?
$in: This Is our 2nd official project teaming up with Sean. We dropped Ancient Scientist in late 2014. “The Time Ahead” was basically like the sequel or part 2. We’ve been helping each other make music since 08. Once I started taking music more seriously, I moved to Cali and joined my blood cousin, FunkLogik’s group along with SeanWyze, Poetik Force, Hawdwerk and some other artist. That eventually led to us starting our group Blakface, and breaking off with P and Sean which is how Asiatic Rhythms was founded. We been rockin like cut off stockings ever since.
So we noticed that this Album features a lot of heavy hitters in the game; Guilty Simpson, Poetik Force, Illa J, and Treklife. Producers; $in of Blakface, Jared Jackson, and Rokem. Why was it important to feature artists like this on this project? Also, once the project was done how did your camp feel about it regarding the final product?
SeanWyze: Well it all starts with Love. Love for the craft, and love for this movement that we’ve been progressively working towards for years now, and Everybody on the project has been apart of this movement. For Starters, we have a great relationship with everybody. Our fellow Asiatic, Poetik Force has been on a tear with his music, and we’ve been with him for the whole run so far, BIG UPS to him for his work. And I was blessed to make the “LA Scrubz” project with Rokem in 2014. He’s a good guy, and so is everyone else. Trek and Jared are good guys. With Guilty and Illa, I’ve always enjoyed and respected them from a distance. And to collab with them was such a humbling thing. When Logik first told me over the phone. I happily cussed him out in disbelief. But yea that was a really good look. To collab with not only J Dillas brother, but with his fav. The final product process to me was the best part because TTA was a continuation of Ancient Scientist. It just goes to show what hard work can get you; a whole lot of damn songs.
What got you guys into Conscious Hip Hop rather than the crap that has been infecting the public so long Commercial Hip Hop. Also, How do you guys feel about competing with the Establishment Machine that we call Wack Mainstream Hip Hop.
$in: I’ve always been into conscious music. Coming from the mid west is like the center of America. Everything comes through us so we hear everything and I grew up listening to artist from Slum Village & Little bBrother to UGK and Outkast. It’s the melting pot. I enjoy some of the new music. There is a time and place for everything, you got your moments when you want to reflect, learn, and think, but you also have those moments you want to dance and turn up, and just have fun. There has to be a balance and musically we are trying to bridge that gap, One song at a time.
How does social media play a role on pushing the names Blakface & SeanWyze.
SeanWyze: Its 2016, people get everything from Social Media, from Breaking news to Fashion to music to relationship tips, everything. So naturally its only right to move with the herd when it comes to Social Media otherwise you may get left behind. So we try to work as a collective when it comes to Social Media and to help each other out.
Give us some background on the concept and work put in to create the Album Cover Art?
The concept of “The Time Ahead” is to be forward thinking, We just wanted to create something that reflected that.
Our most popular question….What is your definition of “Underground Hip Hop”.
$in: My definition of underground hip hop is basically the sonic creations and vibrations underground artist create. It’s the songs you don’t hear on the radio or give you that exclusive feeling like you know everybody isn’t hip 2 it yet. It’s a classic hip hop feeling with updated sounds and issues reflecting what’s going on with everyday people, it’s the complete opposite of mainstream in my eyes.
Where can our BLOG audience find your music and follow you guys on social media?
@seanwyze, @sin_asiatic, @funklogik, @blakfacecrew
Where do you guys see yourselves in 5 years in the Hip Hop game?
$in: We will have more music and visuals dropping on a consistent level. Just steady progression until we reach our goals.. I see myself being able to 100% provide for my family with just music alone.
Any Shout Outs?
SeanWyze: Shout out to our manager, Oh for the work that she puts in for us. Poetik Keep working man. Everybody that help put this project together over the years, Dame & Pops. To the producers we’ve worked with in the past, present and future. Shout out to the fine people working at the dispensaries throughout the city, keeping us medicated, Thank yall
