Ear To The Street

CAUSE is a pretty unique name – how did it come about?

Actually, a friend of mine that gave me the name. It was back in high school there used to be these freestyle ciphers and every time I would share a freestyle or a poem it would be about something. Compared to all my friends who would talk about guns and all this other nonsense I would always come with these issues that would come in my life. So, a friend of mine was like, “yo, you always rapping about a cause, I feel your name should be CAUSE.”  Ever since then I just adopted it.

Growing up – whose behind your inspiration to become an emcee?

Actually, Tupac. Tupac Shakur. Just because he took his issues from life to the microphone and back into life. He was a full artist. He was impressionable to the people and that is something I admired – from any artist. Those not only are they artist but how are they off the microphone and how they treat people and how do they treat the movement.

Favorite song from Pac?

*laughs* There  are so many.  At this point its “Changes”. “Changes” is probably number one. “Dear Momma” is number two. I just feel those are his most honest songs.

Pac inspired you but when did you decide to actually rock the mic internally?

Wow. I think the first time was when I went to the studio and messed up. *laughs*.  Honestly from that point I realized how hard it was. I realized how much of a challenge it would be. Its one thing to be in a cipher and to clown around then to actually go to a studio and create something you’re proud of. It’s a lot of hard work. I felt it was going to be easy because I did freestyle ciphers so easily. It became naturally for me. So, the first time I actually went to the studio with a friend and messed up. I was like I gotta make this full time thing and I gotta work hard it and its actually going to be a challenge. That’s what made me have to push full force. Ever since then I’ve been trying to repeat that. Every time I step in the studio I try to repeat that.

On the track “More than Music” – you speak on how rap / hip hop is more than music. Yet, how did you come about that at such a young age?

A lot of it was how I grew up. Hip Hop is suppose to be about your experience. You can’t blame someone who has money and they talk about money in their music because that’s what they know. Or somebody who dances a lot like Soulja Boy you can’t blame them because that’s their culture. My culture was my mom came from Columbia and went to Columbia, the University, and my father went to Columbia University. I come from an educated household. So, that’s how I grew up. I grew up observing the different struggles not only  in America but back where I’m from which is Ethiopia. So it was just something that’s always been with me. My life has always been it’s a lot more than music. The world is a lot more than where we are.

 Speaking on the Soulja Boys – what’s your view on the “mainstream” rap?People expect me to hate on it. But I like where its at for the simple fact at this point I feel artist are doing what they want. I feel like everyone is starting their own movement. Even if people are feeling like its in a bad place I feel like from the downs in life you really have a bigger appreciation when life is up. It also gives you more motivation; more drive more inspiration to bring it back up to the level you’re happy with. So, I feel it’s beautiful because its coming full cycle about to get into the real hip hop because people miss it.

Who are feeling on the underground circuit that is getting ready to “blow up”?

Actually, I don’t look at artist as “underground” or “commercial” – I just look at artists who are more popular than others within their community. I respect Immortal Technique whom remains underground and has pretty good following. I just got put onto Blue Scholars and respect their movement. I’m very selective. Wordsworth. I respect few artists and I listen to a few artists. Being an artist myself I like zone out and I listen to different genres of music as well.

So who all do you listen to on the side then?

Oh, Otis Redding. I listen to Stevie Wonder. I listen to old Ray Charles. I love Amy Winehouse. I like soul music. I like Daptones. Even some Dave Matthews – Dave Matthews is on point.

The EP is definitely a banger but what else are you currently working on?

At the time I’m actually working on a mixtape and an album. I never wanted to do a mixtape but I feel like people wanted it from me so I decided to do it. It more like a remix tape, like redoing the hooks and stuff like that.

When should we expect the LP to drop?

Well, actually the mixtape will drop this fall I’m looking around November. The LP will  be around in the spring.

How close are you to finishing the LP?

Oh, still recording it.

If you could collab with any artist – right now – who would it be?

I would have to say Joell Ortiz. I would love to work with Joell Ortiz. His technique and how he rhymes and his flow and his delivery are so on point to my style I like it. I would love to work with him

What about producer?

I would have to say Midi Mafia. Midi Mafia makes some good tracks. Sabzi from Blue Scholars.

When it’s all said and done what do you want to have accomplished in this industry?

I would like to gain the respect of the people. I would like create a good catalogue that people can always go back to and always relate to. Music that is timeless. That’s really what I would like to accomplish. To be a good leader and a good role model at the same time. That’s my goal in this industry.

What can new people coming to your music expect?

A different sound. They can expect an artist that is not afraid to speak about issues that are still going on. I noticed that there are limitations on what people can say when they get to a certain part in this game. I never want to get to that point where I’m restricted. So I think for the person listening to me for the first time is someone going against the grain. Controversy lyrics.

You can peep more info on CAUSE at his myspace at: http://www.myspace.com/causenewyorksfinest