Andre Damar – Q&A Interview
Tell us a little about yourself. Where you are from? How long have you been making Hip Hop?
I go by DAMAR or Andre Damar. It’s my real name, but it’s actually spelled Demar on my birth certificate. I was born in Bakersfield, Ca and raised in a lot of places but I stayed in Diamond Bar, Ca for the most part. I’ve been writing music for about 6 or 7 years now
What influences you in making Hip Hop?
Mainly past life experiences, whether it’s from my own actual life or a close relative or something I’ve seen a homie go through. I also think about the future in my raps as far as where I want to end up and goals I want to accomplish whether it’s family or personal values. I just try to keep it relatable as possible and make sure I’m always having fun with it.
Describe your music, and what separates you from other MCs?
My music should resonate with everybody in a different way at some point. I can’t really put it in a specific genre or category. I just want it to make you feel some type of way at the end of the day.
Who have you collaborated with? Who would you like to collab with in the near future?
Hah! Not too many big names really. But I got a track with Buddy on this project I’m releasing on May 26th, 2014. I’ve also got a joint with Fashawn that’s in hole. Some smaller names would be Curtiss King, Noa James, Waju, Phantom Thrett and David May. I’d want to collab with Freddie Gibbs, Ab-Soul, Isaiah Rashad, Kdot, Planet Asia, Phonte, Bj the Chicago Kid, Erykah Badu, Musiq, Pink, Big krit, Beyoncé, Earl Sweatshirt, Frank ocean. To name a few hahaha. I am a big fan of others too.
Your definition of “Underground Hip Hop”?
Growing up I would say people like Heiro, Living legends, Ed Og, Mf Doom, shit like that. But now I feel like if your making music by your own terms, without much major backing,That could be considered underground or independent. Cats like Curren$y, Nipsey, Mac miller, Casey veggies, Tech Nine, etc.
Production wise, who are your influences? Who does your production?
When I listen to music I hear it differently. I look for beats that tell a story and without vocals as crazy as that may seem. Most of my production is in-house which would be Gunnah, Chris Charles, Mr. P, and OpenxHouse. I worked with my childhood friend, Savik, on “Damar & Friends” released a whole back. I worked exclusively with Huss on this upcoming project
And who would you like to work with?
I’d love to work with Lee Bannon, 9th Wonder, Blended Babies, Madlib, Curtiss King, Sledgren, cats like that.
Any current or future projects you are promoting?
I have project called “VibeZ” coming out May 26th which is Memorial Day this year, produced entirely by Huss. I have my hands on a lot of different projects, just trying to see which I’m push forward with. But for now, “VibeZ” is my main concern.
Can you give us a brief description of the creative process of VibeZ? Also/ what was the idea or concept description about your Album Art Cover.
I dropped by Huss house one day, stayed over for like 3 or 4 Months on and off. He would crank out beats while I would be writing. Basically vibing each other for the whole process. Everything from the beats, concepts and track order. We both had out hands on every aspect. So we thought it was only right to call it that. The cover art came from my boy Jasper from San Diego, Ca. Sent him the project and just based the setting of the shot off what he heard and that’s the way it came out.
Where can we find your music and info?
It’ll be available on my Sound Cloud (Soundcloud.com/andre-damar), Bandcamp (AndreDamar.bandcamp.com). iTunes within the week of its release. Plus I’ll be in the streets with physical copies and I’m trying to get them into some record shops throughout out California.
Any shout outs?
Shout to The Most High, My moms, my little brother, Myles. My Squad OSA. Anybody who ever went to Walnut Elementary, Diamond Bar HS, Walnut HS, and Del Paso Continuation. My Dad (RIP), my bro Marquis LeBlanc (RIP), And the dope niggas past and present keeping the craft alive.
