Dead Prez just got back from an European tour, promoting their new album and hitting stops across the continent from Athens, Greece to Oslo, Norway. We sat down with Stic.Man to discuss the “Innovation Age”, personal inspiration, and today’s state of hip-hop.
Rappersroom: What’s the welcoming like with fans around the world in comparison to fans from the U.S.?
Stic.Man: People always think it’s different, but I don’t really see it. We get a lot of love from a lot of diehard supporters. I just think the touring circuit is a lot more grounded there than it is in the U.S. where everybody is trying to be all Hollywood. But regardless we’re just out there with a message that people can relate to.
Rappersroom: So with always having a message, is there any reason Dead Prez seems to have shied away from the limelight?
Stic.Man: Well, there is a “get rich” culture in America where a lot of people just brag about what they’ve got. That doesn’t appeal to me. Like don’t get me wrong, handling responsibilities and financial security are really important, but as far as living for fame and lavish luxury, that’s not me. For me, I just love making music.
Rappersroom: With the new album “Information Age”, why was it important for the world to hear this new message?
Stic.Man: It’s been like 8 years since me and M-1 recorded an album, and in that time apart we’ve both grown – We’re both fathers now raising our kids, and we’ve just really matured a lot, expanding on how we grew up to the men we are today. And it was really important for us to communicate this new chapter, and show where our journey has taken us. It’s important to keep telling the story. Like if there was somebody who heard our music when we were 18 years old and they tried to live their life by that, it’s necessary for them to see how that outlook has changed in 20 years of growth to where we are today.
Rappersroom: What inspired some of these songs on “Information Age”?
Stic.Man: On a track like “What If The Lights Go Out”, we were speaking to preparedness in the face of monumental events. From Y2K to Hurricane Katrina, people were scrambling to ready themselves for an uncertain future. “No Way As The Way” describes a search we all go through, trying to find the meanings of life. We looked through religion, spirituality, and perspective, really trying to show what that all means to us.
Rappersroom: You have a record on the album called “Dirty White Girl” – For the people who don’t listen to Dead Prez, do you ever think about what they’d say or how they envision you guys?
Stic.Man: I mean how can you imagine how other people envision anything. You’ve just got to create with your sensibilities and put it out there. Art is to be engaging, intrigue, and make people have some kind of feeling. You know in the streets “White Girls” are drugs – cocaine, dust, and all that. And we start thinking about all that, we’re out here promoting health and wellness. The track honestly has nothing to do with race, but we thought it would be engaging to show that connection.
Rappersroom: What are your expectations for this new album with the digital version out and the hardcopy set to release in late January?
Stic.Man: The hard copy is actually the deluxe edition with some unreleased songs that aren’t on the digital version. And these aren’t just a “couple extra tracks”. They’re very important for the totality of the message and vision behind the record.
Rappersroom: What have been some of the most rewarding parts of your career thus far?
Stic.Man: Being a vessel for these lyrics, melodies, concepts and all that, and to do it for a living – that’s a dream come true. Like, I can support my family off this and I feel very blessed for that. I wake up everyday and part of my job is song concepts. There are many different paths my life could have taken, and to be in this position is truly incredible.
Rappersroom: What kind of hip-hop do you listen to outside of your music and who are some of the artists that you listen to?
Stic.Man: To be honest, I’m not really a huge hip-hop fan at the moment. Of course, I’m big into the classics that really made the genre what it is today. With some of the newer stuff I feel like it became redundant, with less risk in it. But then again there are definitely people who stand out today who I really respect for the music they’re making. T.I. and Andre 3000 would be good examples of that.
Rappersroom: It seems like labels have been handing out a lot of money for a quick single lately, most recently with Trinidad James signing to Def Jam. What is your feedback on that?
Stic.Man: You’ve gotta ask yourself about what the business goal for a label like Def Jam really is. They just invested two million dollars in the message behind their artist, and they’ve got to feel confident that they can push that image to an audience. It’s just very interesting that all of these business people, like Harvard grads and whatnot, would invest in that message.
Edited by Kevin Lazaroff
Dead Prez is one of the most influential hip-hop groups of all time. Their music has been a source of inspiration for millions and they have continued to push boundaries since their debut album in 2000. Now, Dead Prez is hitting the road and taking fans on an unforgettable journey through their classic hits and new material from their upcoming EP “Information Age”. They are also talking about maturity as men, white girls, and more! In this article we will explore what Dead Prez has to say about touring, maturing as men, Information Age, “white girls,” and much more. So get ready for a deep dive into the minds of two revolutionary musicians!
Career Overview
Dead prez has been a powerful influence in hip-hop music for decades, with their lyrical focus on political and social justice that resonates today. Through conscious lyrics, they have developed an immense fanbase that looks to them as role models of personal growth and development. They’ve also gone through many changes over the years, from touring around the world to maturing as men in various aspects. In this article we’ll take a look at dead prez’s career overview, information age influences, and thoughts on “white girls”.
The Brooklyn based duo consists of stic.man and M1 who met in Tallahassee while attending Florida A&M University (FAMU). Their debut album Let’s Get Free was released in 2000 and introduced the group to mainstream audiences; since then they have toured extensively across Europe and North America. The two continue to work together on musical projects but are now focusing more on solo endeavors such as film production.
In addition to their careers in music, both members of dead prez have done extensive work outside of it—stic man is currently working on his first independent feature length documentary entitled “Babylon” which focuses on issues surrounding police brutality and racism within the U.S., while M1 has become increasingly involved with activism related to food sovereignty initiatives throughout communities worldwide. Together they speak out against injustices faced by people all over the globe using their platform as artists to make change happen wherever possible. With so much experience under their belt, dead prez has grown into mature individuals who are still making waves in hip hop culture today.
Reflections On The Music Industry
Dead prez has seen many changes in the music industry over their career. From the rise of digital streaming to the power of social media, they’ve experienced firsthand how technology can make or break an artist’s success. With this knowledge comes a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed and stay relevant in today’s ever-evolving landscape. The duo reflects on both the good and bad aspects of the modern music scene, noting that there is still plenty of work to be done for artists everywhere.
One thing dead prez does appreciate about being part of today’s musical environment is its ability to reach wider audiences with more ease than in years past. Through platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, people from all over the world are able to access their favorite artists without having to purchase physical copies of albums like they did before. This opens up opportunities for independent musicians who may not have had such exposure otherwise. However, while there can be great potential here, stic man notes that “the lack of real money coming back into our hands as creators” makes it difficult for them to survive off their craft alone.
The group also speaks out against racism within hip hop culture—namely when it comes to so-called ‘white girl’ rappers gaining more attention than black female ones—and calls upon fans to do better by supporting those who deserve recognition regardless of race or gender. In addition, M1 stresses the importance of developing yourself intellectually beyond just listening and following trends; something he believes will help create true change instead of just superficial acceptance among peers. As dead prez continues along their journey through life together, they strive towards making music that stands out above all else – no matter what era we live in now.
Conclusion
I’m so inspired by dead prez. They’ve been able to take their music to the next level, and have had a successful career in an industry that can be difficult to navigate. It’s amazing how they were able to maintain their integrity while doing it, too.
It’s also inspiring to hear them talking about maturing as men, using their platform for positive change, and understanding the information age we live in. Their song “White Girls” was particularly powerful, making us all think more deeply about our privilege and what it means on a larger scale.
Overall, I’m grateful for artists like dead prez who are pushing boundaries with their artistry while still staying true to themselves and encouraging others to do the same. We need more of this type of energy in today’s world!
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