Q&A With Detroit Veteran Blaze Ya Dead Homie
What’s the earliest hip hop memory you can recall?
Ok, gonna take you back here. The year had to be about ’88, August to be exact. Straight Outta Compton was set to drop, had the means to cop it, but the Parental Advisory was gonna be a problem for a youngster, besides my parents weren’t the ones you wanted to advise about tracks like “Fuck tha Police” & “2 Hard Muthafuckaz”. They weren’t having that shit! Luckily I grew up with 7 siblings & 4 of ’em are older, but it only took 1 of em’. My sister Liz picked the cassette up for me on the day of its release. Had to bump it on the front porch, but I knew every lyric front & back by the beginning of school in September!
Who’re some of your biggest musical inspirations?
I’d definitely kick the list off with N.W.A, Cube, Ren, Dre, Eazy, The D.O.C., West Coast g-funk. I’m heavily influenced by that era in general. E-40, Spice 1, Cypress Hill, The Notorious B.I.G., OutKast, 2Pac, Geto Boys, all of these artists have been on heavy rotation on the Deadman’s playlists. Lately I’ve been taking inspiration from rock acts like Rage Against the Machine, Rob Zombie, Pantera, Slipknot & Korn. Definitely been rocking a lotta Turbo on Satellite radio!
What’re your top 5 horror movies?
In no particular order: Halloween, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Friday the 13th, Evil Dead 2 & A Nightmare on Elm Street.
Not only are you signed to Majik Ninja Entertainment, but you also have your own imprint Grundy Entertainment. Do you have plans on signing anyone one day?
Not at the moment. Not to say that one day I won’t, but when I originally created Grundy Entertainment, it was for the sole purpose of collaborating with other artists without outside hindering.
You recently dropped your brand new album Cadaver. What was the inspiration behind that?
I took inspiration from everyday life around me, while staying true to my roots in the underground scene. Regardless of who we are, where we came from, color of our skin, stature in society, we all share one commonality; We all will eventually one day become a cadaver.
How do you think it’s being received?
It debuted at #9 on iTunes, so I was hype about that! I think it’s been doing well, it’s definitely different these days not being able to tour & get that connection & interaction with the fam. I did release 3 videos so far & they’ve been racking up hits, though. Thanks to the fam!
Our most important question: What’s your definition of underground hip hop?
Underground hip hop is any form of hip hop not readily accepted by the mainstream platforms like radio & video services. It encompasses everyone not being pushed by the machine. To put it in baseball terms, underground hip hop is essentially AAA to the mainstream’s major league. We’re all striving for the bigs, but we might not have been scouted yet.
How have you been dealing with all the craziness that’s been going on throughout 2020?
A lot of projects at the crib, painting, flooring, trim, electrical & that’s just one room. Yo, this is the longest stretch of time I’ve been at the house since probation in ’98, so sometimes I’m itching for the road. On the other hand, I get to spend a lot more time with my family & I’m blessed for that.
Any plans for the upcoming year? I’d love to see something for the 20 year anniversary of 1 Less G n da Hood
Damn, 20 years. That’s crazy! Honestly, that would be dope. Some years back, I did a couple 1 Less G n da Hood shows & had a blast with the homies! So anything is possible!
Lastly, is there any advice you have for anyone trying to set their foot in as recording artists?
Remember the saying “Rome wasn’t built in a day” ’cause for most artists, it doesn’t show up at the snap of a finger. You have to be consistent, persistent & remember your music might not be for everyone, but there is an audience for you. You just have reach ’em.
