By Shamora EvansSM: YOU'VE BUILT QUITE A STRONG FANBASE IN PHILLY BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE RECOGNIZE YOU AS A MEMBER OF THE GROUP "((STEREO))TYPE". TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR GROUP'S ALBUM, "ULTRASOUND".
DREMATIC: Of course, I’m partially biased because I conceived it, but I believe “Ultrasound” is a tremendous artistic achievement. We approached the recording like a film, and it is important for prospective listeners to approach it as such to truly grasp what my comrades and I achieved on this project. On the surface, the narrative may come across as another melodramatic ‘hood tragedy‘, but it’s a little more sophisticated than that. The main character is used as a vessel to facilitate the action, content,and emotional feel of the music that was presented to the listener. I can go on and on about what the album means and represents but, ultimately, it’s up to others to make their own conclusions about what we’ve done.
SM: ALRIGHT...NOW, YOU SHARED A COUPLE OF STATEMENTS ON YOUR INDI-ARTS.COM WEBSITE THAT IMMEDIATELY DREW MY ATTENTION. YOU SAID, "...IF YOUR YEARNING IS FOR A MORE VISIONARY NARRATIVE...YOU MUST FOLLOW HIP HOP AND CONSCIOUSNESS INTO ONE OF ITS SAFE SPACES UNDERGROUND. 'ULTRASOUND' IS ONE OF THOSE SAFE SPACES." I AGREE WITH YOU 100%, BUT EXPLAIN WHAT YOU MEAN BY THIS TO THE REST OF THE WORLD.
down the road less traveled. We all, artists and audiences alike, need to hold ourselves accountable for the happenings within the culture. Things get stagnant when people play it safe by default. It seems that has become standard procedure for many in the entertainment industry. Fortunately, I’m not one of them…At least, I’m striving not to be.
SM: I COULDN'T HAVE SAID IT BETTER...OKAY, SO YOU'RE STILL WITH "((STEREO))TYPE", BUT RIGHT NOW YOU'RE WORKING ON A SOLO ALBUM. WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TO HEAR ON THE ALBUM, AND WHO ARE YOU WORKING WITH IN THE STUDIO ON THE PRODUCTION SIDE?
DREMATIC: Okay, well, this new album is a solo project, and it isn’t. I consider it a solo effort simply because I’m undoubtedly the lead emcee this time around and, not only that, but there isn’t an assemble cast like “Ultrasound“. It’ll be the first time that my performance will be on display with limited vocal accompaniment. In actuality, this isn’t a solo album, “WATER” is a collaborative effort between myself and producer “Y?Arcka“. It’s like a “Pete Rock & CL Smooth“, “Hi-Tek & Kweli” type of pairing. He’s a tremendous talent, and I hope this is the project that gives him the platform he deserves to be heard by a large audience. It’s been a pleasure working with a person that devotes so much thought and energy into his craft. As far as expectations are concerned…expect the unexpected!! With “WATER”, we’re looking to create an essential hip-hop album…scratch that; an essential album. And, we’re planning on attaining that the only way we know how with creative concepts, and strong beats, and rhymes.
SM: SOUNDS GOOD...AND YOUR FIRST SINGLE FROM THE NEW ALBUM IS CALLED "HIGH TIDE". WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE "HIGH TIDE"
DREMATIC: Well, the making of “High Tide” is discussed in detail on our video page. It came about quite organically, actually. It was the first song ‘Arcka’ and I did together. I recorded the rough draft without the chorus, initially. The title “High Tide” just stuck in my head for some reason. We got together in the studio and recorded the current version, and it stuck. It has a very playable quality. I hope people feel the same. “Sustenance” taps into the entire essential theme. It’s one of my favorites on the album. There are certain things that we, as human beings, just can’t go without; food and WATER are amongst them.
SM: OKAY, NOW YOU MENTIONED EARLIER WHEN WE SPOKE THAT YOU ARE DOING YOUR NEW ALBUM WITH PRODUCER "Y?ARCKA". WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WORK WITH HIM, AND ARE YOU WORKING WITH ANY OTHER PRODUCERS ON THIS ALBUM?
DREMATIC: Working with ‘Arcka‘…Well, he’s the executive producer of ‘Ultrasound’, and I can say with certainty that, without him, that album wouldn’t be what it is. He brings a level of precision and professionalism to his craft that I haven’t encountered in any of my peers. He definitely has his own way of doing things, but he takes the work seriously, and I respect what he does. During the production of ‘Ultrasound‘, I proposed that we do an album together because I felt we complimented each other musically and, to be frank, I was in love with his beats. Thankfully, he agreed.
SM: COOL, COOL...ALRIGHT, SO, WHAT I WAS TOLD ABOUT YOU IS THAT YOU ARE A "TALENTED LYRICIST", AND "LUDACRIS" SUGGESTED THAT TRUE 'LYRICISTS' ARE HARD TO FIND RIGHT NOW IN HIS SONG "LAST OF A DYING BREED" ["THEATER OF THE MIND" ALBUM]. DO YOU AGREE THAT GOOD LYRICISM IS ON THE DECLINE, AND WHO (IF ANYBODY) WOULD YOU NAME AS A 'TRUE LYRICIST' IN HIP HOP TODAY?
DREMATIC: As far as lyricism is concerned, I believe it’s about where your convictions lie. I view rhyming as an ‘art‘, so I value the process, and I make an attempt to challenge myself when doing what I do. Greatness, regardless of genre, medium, category, or task, is achieved by going above and beyond, not by fitting into a comfortable mold. I can’t speak for any one else, but based on what’s flooding the airwaves, few heads are really trying to go out of their way to say anything new, or profound. Well, even if it’s not new, it’s done skillfully. Don’t be discouraged, though. There are some great examples out there: “Nas“, “Andre 3000“, “Q-Tip“, “Common“, “Mos [Def]“, “Kweli”, “Lupe Fiasco“, “Black Thought“, “Jadakiss“…These are people I always check for.
SM: GOOD ANSWER, AND THAT LEADS ME TO MY NEXT QUESTION...YOUR RESPONSE TO NAS' CLAIM THAT 'HIP HOP IS DEAD!' WAS VERY WELL-SPOKEN. YOU SAID, "I PROTEST THAT 'HIP HOP' IS ALIVE AND WELL. UNFORTUNATELY, HIP HOP AND CONSCIOUSNESS HAVE TAKEN A COLLECTIVE JOURNEY UNDERGROUND WHILE MATERIALISM AND SUPERFICIALITY REMAIN IN CLEAR VIEW...IF YOUR EAR
IS DRAWN TO TALES OF MONEY AND STATUS TO MASK PAIN AND DISEMPOWERMENT, YOUR HUNGER WILL BE SATISFIED." YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, BUT WHEN DO YOU THINK THAT THIS SEPARATION TOOK PLACE, AND HOW DO WE GET BACK TO 'TRUE HIP HOP'?
DREMATIC: Um, it’s a complex answer. The terms “true” and “real” are relative. Everyone has their own opinion on what is good, or effective, music. I definitely believe that our sensibilities have been compromised by corporate entities, and that’s the unfortunate part about being an artist during this time. Radio is playing what people ‘allegedly’ want to hear. So, to break in, artists feel they have to fit into this mold to be relevant to a viable audience. It’s unfortunate, but things are turning around. Though mainstream radio may very well continue to be a landfill, you don’t need it to have a successful career. We take hip-hop back by creating from our own hearts and minds and not feeling compelled to play the role that people want us to. Going ‘independent’ is the only route nowadays. The facilitation of the stuff that people should be hearing, that’s where outlets, such as “S.T.I.L.L. Magazine©”, come into play. Taking control of our portals is the only way we can continue to authentically define ourselves and our experiences. With that said, ‘cheers to you’ for your part in this endless quest for real hip-hop. We’re in this together.
SM: SO, WHO DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD HOLD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE STATE OF HIP HOP? DO WE HOLD THE CEOS, THE ARTISTS, AND THE DJS RESPONSIBLE, OR IS IT SOLELY THE CONSUMERS, WHO ASK FOR 'FLUFF' AND THEN THAT'S WHAT THE ARTISTS BELIEVE THEY MUST SUPPLY?
DREMATIC: It’s everyone. CEOs don’t care what they sell, they just wanna preserve ‘the bottom line‘. Most people will ultimately accept what’s presented to them if there isn’t a better alternative. I feel that true change can come about in the music industry if the heavyweights could put their egos to the side and align for the sake of Hip-Hop. We have so many multi-millionaires, rich off of their conquests of the Billboard charts, that there does not, and should not be, external forces acting as the gatekeepers for our music. Things will happen if people act and demand what they want. Ultimately, substance will prevail. That’s the way I see it.
SM: WORD!! ALRIGHT, SO HOW CAN YOUR FANS AND FUTURE FANS GET A COPY OF THE NEW ALBUM, AND HOW CAN THEY CONTACT YOU ONLINE WITH QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS?
DREMATIC: They can check out www.wethinkwater.com for the latest on “WATER” and everything related to it. The album is in its final stages and should be out soon. There’s no set date at this time. When people demand it, we shall supply! Also, check out www.indi-arts.com for “Ultrasound“. It’s available on iTunes, also. Check out “Y?Arcka’s” album, “Un-Herd” on iTunes, also. This is going to be a wonderful year. Stay tuned to the moves we make.