Citi Hampton – Q&A Interview
Tell us a little about yourself. Where you are from? How long have you been making Hip Hop?
My name is Citi Hampton. Im a musician, visual artist and spiritualist. I was born and raised in Long Island, New York. We refer to it as L.O.R.D.S. Island and it made me everything I am. I’ve been writing since I was 11 I’ve been producing since 18.
What influences you in making Hip Hop?
The Creator and the understanding that hip hop is our attempt to connect to the indigenous past of the ancestors that came before us. That inspires me to keep going.
Describe your music, and what separates you from other MCs?
I am a musician first. I don’t want to label myself as just an mc or a rapper. I wrote, produced, rapped and sang on every song on The Traveling Mind. What separates me from other MC’s is my mission. This is progressive hip hop soul music with the intent of preserving the culture. I have a full concise understanding that hip hop culture has a deep intrinsic connection to ancient african and indigenous culture. Every record I make serves a purpose and the intent is to wake people up in the physical realm to keep them feeling connected to the spirit. Keep the ancestors dancing in the spiritual realm and keep them connected to us.
Who have you collaborated with? Who would you like to collab with in the near future?
I’m working with Black Dave, Mike Street and Touché of Guitars N Bandanaz, my brother Virucide, my sister Bo$co clowe$, Machine Gun Funk I can’t really think of anyone else at the moment. There is no one im really interested in working with besides M.i.A, ab-soul, Brook D’Leau of J*davey, anyone making avant garde art.
Your definition of “Underground Hip Hop”?
In all humility I don’t have a defintion of underground hip-hop. Hip hop is universal. All is based off perception.
Production wise, who are your influences? Who does your production? And who would you like to work with?
I produce all of my records. Dilla is my biggest influence, but I love Prince, Thom Yorke, Rod Temperton, Brook D’leau, Ryan Leslie the list goes on.
Any current or future projects you are promoting?
The Traveling Mind at the moment. Im ALLways working. I’m working on new material but not until the world is fully acquainted with “The Traveling Mind”
Can you give us a brief description of the creative process of TRAVELING MIND OF CITY HAMPTON? Also/ what was the idea or concept description about your Album Art Cover.
Man, this album took 6 long hard and grueling hard years to complete. I wrote and produced all of the songs in my project apartment bed room, with a roland fantom x6, some bx5 studio monitors and a vision. This album is the story of a boy becoming man. I rarely wrote the verses down on paper. I knew the album would be special once it was done because of the theme. I wanted to make sure I said everything a young black man with knowledge of self is scared to say based off the conditioning of fear society has created.
The concept of the album cover came to me after I found this old funk group Slave’s album cover for “the Concept” in which it depicts the creator of the universe as this black man in the sun. I just loved the image. After some research I realized that painting was originally done by William Blake called “The Ancient of Days.” It represents who I am internally. I know I am royalty even if society is hell bent of proving otherwise. There was a lot of pain in my heart working on this project and if you listen you can hear it. Thank the source, I’m finally letting go.
Where can we find your music and info?
Google Citi Hampton.
facebook.com/citihampton.
You can download the album at citihampton.bandcamp.com. Type my name in youtube. I’ll be on tour in the fall so catch me when you can. It’s L.O.R.D. season
Any Shout Outs?
The Creator, The ancestors my mother and father earthly and astral and you. THANK YOU.
