Q&A With Rosamond, CA’s Rising Underground Hip Hop Artist Aven
Thank you, putting my home-town on the map is something I don’t take lightly I want to bring greatness to this place. We’re not exactly known for our music so I appreciate the kind words, as far as Rosamond goes, It’s a very small desert town on the outskirts of LA County, theirs definitely a small-town charm to it, but at the same time the desert has a way of making you feel trapped. The tall mountains surrounding our almost village like home can get claustrophobic at times & when you’re from a small town you grow a hunger, an ambition to see what the rest of the world is like behind those tall mountains. I’ve been in love with music for as long as I can remember. My first attempt at creating was at the age of 12 when I wrote my first verse to Nas’s One Mic instrumental, from there i knew it was something that I really enjoyed doing so I saved up my birthday money & bought my first mic.
Your style and rhyme scheme is super raw, smooth and ORIGINAL. How important is it for your to stay ORIGINAL? How would you describe your style?
Once again I show my gratitude for your kind words. To me, originality is as simple as being yourself. No one person is exactly like you so everybody has a story to tell. As long as you can stay true to you as a person then people will resonate with your music, because it’s real life. ITS YOUR STORY. A lot of people make the mistake of trying to chase after a trending sound instead of letting the music flow organically, they pretend to be something they’re not, & people can see right through the fallacy, so for me it’s very important to be original. I would describe my style as very methodical, moody, brash, poetic, it really depends on my mood that day, & who’s in the studio with me at the time. I’ll say this much I’ve always found my best work to be the things I’ve written when I’m in a state of melancholy.
Tell us about your Hip Hop and/or music influences? Any Desert based influences? Was there anyone in your life that motivated your to STEP IT UP when it comes to making dope Hip Hop?
]I have a great admiration for many artist across all different genres of music. NaS, Kanye, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Prince, Michael Jackson, Daft Punk, Lauryn Hill, Wu-Tang, Lupe Fiasco, Gym Class Heroes, Dj Premier, J Dilla, Rakim, & Little Brother. My all time favorite rapper however is JAY-Z, who just dropped an incredible project with 4:44. I don’t think Hov gets the respect he deserves as a story-teller, because people usually tend to notice his hits more than anything, but songs like “Soon You’ll Understand”, “You Must Love Me”, & “Where Have You Been?” have really influenced my style of music. If I have to pick someone who really made me step up my music, it would have to be my wife who is my biggest inspiration of them all & is the reason why I’m so hungry to be great, she pushes my ambition like no other.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g00-iGKN3Ok
Please breakdown the creative process of your album new EP?
The Creative process for this EP was CRAZY & I’d like to thank the homie Tony Nandez (who is the second half of the Catalyst along with yours truly) for sticking by my side throughout the entire process. we recorded this project in about a months time, but before that their were several different projects that were damn near complete that I would scrap because I wasn’t happy with the outcome. Never once did Tony Complain, we just kept working. & when we finally recorded a project that we both felt was special that’s when I knew we had to put it out.
Your visual to Tokin’ is super dope, we posted it on our IG page and it has been getting nothing but love from our fans! Who made that video?
Tokin’ is one of the more light-hearted songs on the EP. I’m proud of the reception it has gotten & I feel like I’ve made the right choice by picking it to be one of the singles. I love art, & have always been a fan of songs that have unique videos, such as Kanye’s “Good Morning”, Cole’s “Wet Dreamz” & Aesop Rock’s “Kirby”. I was never a fan of your standard “rap In front of camera” type videos so when I created the Visuals for Tokin’ I knew it had to be different.
https://youtu.be/Aa4ZXfjVVNk
Out the box type question, If it came down to 1 ALBUM only, what underground Hip Hop album would you consider THE BEST OF ALL TIME!!!???……One 1 album you can choose.
Wow that’s a tough question, my first instinct was to say illmatic, but if I think about it thoroughly, & I know this album isn’t considered to be “underground” but I would have to say my favorite album that was created would have to be Kanye’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. I think it embodies everything a Hip Hop Album should be. It’s has good song concepts, amazing song structure, phenomenal production, & heart-wrenching emotion on songs like Blame Game, & Run Away. Just a bona fide classic.
Here it is! Our most popular question! What is your definition of “underground hip hop”?
To me underground Hip Hop is a proving ground, it’s a part of the culture that every young lyricist should have to trial in. Once you make it here, you can handle the harsh reality that is the music industry. Study the culture & respect it, because if you don’t it will chew you the fuck up & spit you out. I’m a student of the game. So I know what happens to the people who have no passion for it.
Where can people find you on the web? Drop all the vital links.
Social Media Links:
Instagram: @Ant_holee & @TheOldRaven
Twitter: @Ant_holee
SoundCloud: https://m.soundcloud.com/theoldraven
YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g00-iGKN3Ok
Lastly, and shout out?
Yes, of course I’d like to shout out my rhyme partner Tony Nandez, the homie Jaccob Rollice who has a dope sound, Lord Hesh who I honestly feel is one of the best producer holding it down in the AV, OILSPILLER who’s just a MACHINE when it comes to free-styling & always has shows booked,
& Hutch Wordsworth who I feel like has a great work ethic & is really grinding. These are the dudes who are running shit in the AV so keep an eye out for them! Much Love to the home town. This ones for y’all!
