Optic – Q&A Interview
Tell us a little about yourself. Where you are from? How long have you been making Hip Hop Beats?
My name is Optic. I`m from Tokyo, Japan. I had lived United States (Los Angels,California) for 10 years. I come back to Japan after I graduated high school. I was a house DJ/Producer before making hip hop beats. I started making beats almost a year ago
What influences you in making Hip Hop?
My influences are almost everything surrounds me. I`m inspired from nature, people and of course, music. I also get inspiration from watching movies and skateboarding with my friend. I usually go skate with my friend on every sunday after record shop.
Describe your music, and what separates you from other Producers?
My music is 90’s influential hip hop with new twist on it. I make my music with AKAI MPC 3000 using vinyls. MPC 3000 is old sampler and it doesn`t have many features but this is one of the best instrument for me to make my music. I never use preset library sounds for my music. sometimes I dig though vinyls all day.
Who have you collaborated with? Who would you like to collab with in the near future?
I`m not much of a collaborator but I look forward to work with someone near future.
Your definition of “Underground Hip Hop”?
My definition of “Underground Hip Hop” is to be creative with ingenuity. I think Underground HIp Hop is characterized by anti-commercial music.
Production wise, who are your influences? Who does your production? And who would you like to work with?
Production wise, I have a lot of influences. I don`t care about music genre but I like to sample from old electronic records. My favorite artist is Morton Subtonick and yes I produce my own music.
Any current or future projects you are promoting?
I`m already start making next album to release this winter on bandcamp. I`m also making beats for myself to spit on Japanese. I`m planning to release my debut CD album next year.
Can you give us a brief description of the creative process of Memories EP ? Also/ what was the idea or concept description about your Album Art Cover.
Memories LP was produced by using MPC 3000 and vinyls. I recorded straight out from MP to the computer. I used the software called wavelab 8 for the recorder and thats really it. The cocept and idea of the album cover is the memory that remains in my heart from my childhood.
Where can we find your music and info?
My music can be found in bandcamp, soundcloud and you tube. You can check me on https://twitter.com/optic_beat and https://soundcloud.com/optical-beat
Please give us a brief description on how the Japanese Hip Hop scene differs from the U.S.Hip Hop scene.
I really don`t know the difference but Japanese Hip Hop scene is still developing compare to U.S Hip Hop scene and I think independent artist and labels are increasing every year.
Any shout outs?
Thank you everyone for listening my music. PEACE from Japan.
