Shamanix – Q&A Interview
Tell us a little about yourself. Where you are from? How long have you been making Hip Hop?
I am Shamanix – a shaman and lyricist originally from Upstate NY, lived in LA for a few years and am now stationed in Denver, CO. I remember writing my first verse during my senior year of high school. That was a time of intense spiritual awakening, and so hip hop and spirituality have always been intimately related for me. About a year or two after I began writing I started recording with a crew of fellow minded heads I grew up with. That was a really fun and creative time, but my life took a different direction and it wasn’t until late 2012 that I began fusing my shamanic training with hip hop. This process gave birth to my first EP, Initiation.
What influences you in making Hip Hop?
First, it is the pure artistry and craft behind writing lyrics that are meaningful; lyrics that can move someone in the direction of a deeper understanding of this wild and wonderful thing we call life. I am influenced by spirit, by truth and understanding, and by ascended states of consciousness. And as always, I am influenced by the people who connect with and find value in the music I create.
Describe your music, and what separates you from other MCs?
I am trained as a shaman and that is the main focus of my work (www.bluemorphoclub.com). My life has been a journey of discovery — what is the meaning of this? What is the nature of reality and Spirit? What is my purpose in this world? This impulse led me to the Amazon jungle where I met and participated in ceremony with a Master Shaman who later became my teacher. Through my apprenticeship I have learned an enormous amount about life and my music reflects this transformational journey. I am an MC — a Master of Ceremony — in a way encompasses all aspects of my life.
Who have you collaborated with? Who would you like to collab with in the near future?
I have worked with a number of artists on my first project. INTY, who is principally an EDM artist (and my teacher), performs some of the vocals. I also have vocals by TC and Vanessa Bryan. MRE produced the entire EP. I currently have an opportunity to collab with Killah Priest on an upcoming track.
Your definition of “Underground Hip Hop”?
Anything with roots that reach beyond the superficial and isn’t pure commercialism. Underground to me is the place where you find the gems in a world of darkness. The points of light that shine through to reveal something transcendent, real and meaningful.
Production wise, who are your influences? Who does your production? And who would you like to work with?
MRE is my main producer and INTY co-produces. I like it all. Anything from the raw, gritty east coast sound to more contemporary, electronic influenced. I am interested in working with anyone whose art I connect with. If I resonate with someone’s work, let’s see what we can create. I’ve always been a big fan of The Alchemist. 9th Wonder, Madlib and El P too. Those guys just make sounds I connect with.
Any current or future projects you are promoting?
My first EP called Initiation is available for free on Bandcamp: http://shamanixofficial.bandcamp.com/album/initiation
I have another EP that is in works for later this year. And I am writing a full length piece that I will begin production on after the next EP is out.
Can you give us a brief description of the creative process of _Initiation___? Also/ what was the idea or concept description about your Album Art Cover.
Initiation describes an allegorical, metaphorical and biographical story of my life, thoughts and inspirations that led me to Shamanix. It captures the early days of what I call my initiation. Initiation into life, into spirit, into shamanism, into adulthood. My subsequent projects detail the later parts of this same journey, offering outcomes, solutions and conclusions to what initiated this quest in the first place.
Where can we find your music and info?
Check out the album here: http://shamanixofficial.bandcamp.com/album/initiation
And you can contact/follow me here: https://www.facebook.com/ShamanixOfficial
The music video for Alive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ps6djrotHk
Any shout outs?
All of you! Everyone who has supported this journey, everyone who has influenced me creatively and personally, and everyone who has been and will be affected positively by the spirit of this project.
