BLAQ PHAME

Pushing boundaries... not just talking...

interview by:Odell Vickers Jr.

Yes, a man may say, you have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2:18 american king james version

I had been a follower of his music for a few years now. His skill with sounds & samples are stellar. His abilities on the mic are equally impressive, but it was when I saw his reference to the concept “faith without works is dead”, that I had to reach out to this “‘Port City” talent.

The Official Post. What’s good Phame? What have you been workin’ on?

Blaq Phame. Aww man, life is good. Thankful to be here having this interview with someone of your stature. I’m here in Shreveport, working on a couple projects right now. About to complete my first solo attempt, which is a mixtape “ The Art Of Insanity “. I’ve also been working aside Robert Crutchfield, building a catalog of songs for various projects - one being the CBS (Crutch, Blaq, and Slim) album. And of course, you know I get a lot of developing acts that come to me for production and instrumentals for their mixtapes and demos etc.

TOP. How long have you been at making music?

Phame. I think it’s safe to say a little over 14 years. I started out young. When I was in high school, most of my peers were into sports and medical assistant programs and stuff. But I was always into music. I played the french horn in band and was a 1st chair violinist in the orchestra. I started getting into poetry and it came to a point where as I got older my poetry began to kind of transform and become more aggressive. Which in turn lead me to rap. And it just stuck with me.

TOP. Which do you prefer; rapping or beat making?

Phame. Wow... That’s a tough one! Ummm, well I guess it depends on the type of mood I’m in. There are times where I just literally have so much to say that I find myself writing for days at a time. And then of course, I know you’ll feel me on this one... When you’re a producer and you get new equipment, you pretty much lock yourself and the studio and just create until you need more inspiration or fall asleep, which ever comes first. lol

TOP. I can definitely relate to that. What artists are you listening to these days?

Phame. I’m a huge Kanye West follower. He’s more adored for the controversy that surrounds him, but when I listen to his music I hear so much more. Dude has a sick sense of sound placement. It’s like, a painter who will intentionally mix odd colors to come up with the most abstract visual. And while, confusing it may be to grasp his entire concept... The painting is so refreshingly different from anything you’ve ever seen, to the point where you’re left with no choice but to be attracted to it... But honestly, you might catch me listening to all types of stuff. I grew up on Air Supply and groups like Hall & Oates, so I get drawn in to a lot of different things.

TOP. Sometimes when I’m about to construct a beat, I’m locked-in to what it will be before I sit down. What’s your production process?

Phame. I usually see it first! It may sound crazy but I usually see some kind of visual in my mind and then it’s like, I try to sit down and create the score for it. It feels cinematic in a sense. But when I get clients that want a particular sound I have to shape-shift and really just get into them as artists, and that’s usually where some of my most prized work is. Other artists always seem to pull something special out of me every time.

TOP. How would you classify your lyrical style?

Phame. Oh wow... My lyrical style... Hmmm well if I was to create the category in question, I would say... It would be a mixture of conscious rap, with a hint of hardcore element to it. If it were possible to mix Common with DMX, lol you would probably get me.

TOP. What do you think about the current state of hip-hop?

Phame. It definitely has a pulse. It’s alive and breathing. There’s a lot of new artists that have come about and completely changed the format of what our perception of hip hop is. And that’s to be expected for a genre of music that is forever changing. I mean, I’m a 80s baby. And I’ve seen hip hop transform several times. Hip hop is a pheonix. And for those who say it’s dead or has died, I think they’re right. However, just like the pheonix... Whenever it dies, it’s reborn a new (even more beautiful) creature than before. In my opinion of course.

TOP. Anything going down in the Shreveport music scene that’s impressing you?

Phame. Yay and nay. I would say “ yes ” to the fact that the local talent is growing and beginning to become more aware of itself but I still feel that we are on the fine line of staying in a comfort zone, or actually being brave enough to take chances and become the difference that is always needed for the culture of music to progress. I’m hoping that (we) can all step up to the challenge and be that difference.

TOP. What’s your dream project? Who would you most like to work with?

Phame. … always wanted to see a collab between the titans of the game. Something real risky. Like a conscious joint with a Common, a Nas, and maybe a Scarface on it. Man, I would love to work with Kanye... I just feel that it would be monumental. But honestly, I really would like to work with anyone who’s into creating timeless material. That’s something that is not seen very often nowadays. Nobody wants to make songs that will hang around for decades. It’s all about “ what’s hot right now “ in hip hop now. And I understand it from a business perspective but feel it’s not good from a cultural stand point. But I’m sure it’s coming though.

TOP. We don’t get too political around here, but do you have any advice for our president?

Phame. Yea... Don’t fall for the okie doke Obama! If you’ve ever played chess, you know what I mean... Pawns are sacrificed often. But in the game of survival, all pieces on the board are important and I feel that our president is being used to do in a short period of time what no president could ever pull off. And they’re using the fact that he’s highly favorable to do it. Other than that I say, “ hold ya head up because no one’s perfect, and with the weight of an entire country on your shoulders... it’s easy to make mistakes in the eye of the public. “ People forget that it’s just as much (our) responsibility as it is (our) governing body to ensure the future of (our) nation. Gotta get out there and be heard if you got something to say. Period.

TOP. Any last thoughts?

Phame. Yes... Odell beats BANG!!! And I want one! Lol

Odell. You got it homie!..