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Remember when hip-hop was considered to be the voice of the downtrodden who dwell in the slums and crevices of America? Who would've thought that this profound statement would not only relate to the conditions faced in the United States, but perhaps the world. The Colombian born emcee, Soarse Spoken is no stranger to these matters as
he paints candid pictures about both his struggles in his native land and the United States in his latest album, Third World Prophecies. Check him out as he talks more about his new album, his life as an immigrant, and Botanica del Jibaro, one of the best record labels you've probably never heard of.
Why title your album, Third World Prophecies? Is there an
underlying theme or concept to the album?
All of the material that I have ever released with
Botanica del Jibaro has dealt a lot with the political and social
aspect of the issues we face on a day to day basis.
Being that I come from a "third world" country, I talk about the
issues that I, and others, faced in Colombia and now face here,
whether they be the same or different, directly in my music.
In what ways have you grown as an artist since Leadership Midnight?
I feel that I am always growing as an artist. I am always on a
quest to find myself and I am influenced by my surroundings and fellow
artists. For Leadership Midnight, It was my first experimentation in
putting a whole project together so I feel that it did not sound like
a cohesive project. It was pretty much a mixtape or compilation of a
whole bunch of different works I compiled through the time I'd been
making music. Third World Prophecies, on the other hand, is my first
actual album. It is a project I'd been working on for 3 years and from
the beginning I had an idea in my head of what I wanted the album to
sound like. And I feel I accomplished that vision.
For those who aren't familiar with your work, what can they expect
to hear on your new album?
For starters, they can expect to hear banging ass beats, fresh
rhymes and dope collaborations. I have the honor to work with some of
the most talented people I have ever heard make music. Expect to hear
somebody coming from the heart and putting as much soul into their
music as possible. I talk about life, music, love, death, hatred and
everything in between. So, sit back, pour yourself a glass of some
good brandy (or whatever your choice liquor may be) and enjoy the
tunes. Unfortunately I didn't put my money, bling, ho's song on there
(laughs). So, if that's what your looking for, you probably won't find
it on this album. For those who are familiar with my work, I think
they would be surprised as to what to expect. Most of my work so far
has been all over the place as far as the sound goes. In 'Third World
Prophecies' there is a more consistent sound and the issues I talk
about, I believe, are issues that most conscious people have or deal
with on a daily. Also, I get more personal on this album than ever
which is hard to believe [laughs]. But I don't want to isolate myself
from the audience so I hope they can relate.
Did you approach this album any differently from Leadership Midnight?
Well, as I mentioned before, Third World Prophecies is the first
album that I conscientiously put together as a whole project. I worked
on actually achieving the sound that it has and I think I achieved it.
Are there any guests on the album?
TONS. Production wise I have Climber on there which produced the
single I Walk Proud. I have Sharpsound, Metrospect, there is one
track from Astronote (France) on there. My man Prefuse 73 laced me up
with a track called "Libertat" on there. It's the only song on the
album in which I spit a few Spanish vocals. Also, Manuvers and Deviant
both, respectively, have tracks on there.
Emcee wise, I have Punchanello (Earthworx) on there, Seven Star. Stres
laced it up with some dope shit on a track called "Consumer Report"
which is probably my favorite song on the album. Also, I got Flow
Official on the Album. Big Up to Omniscient (who mixed the whole
album) and Emo!!!
Was there a specific reason why you named your mixtape Leadership Midnight?
I didn't just want it to be a compilation album, I also wanted the
project to have a concept. So the concept was a group of armed
assailants taking over a radio station and holding the DJ's hostage
and playing music which they felt was not being heard, which is hard
to find on the radio in the States. So through out the mixtape you
hear DJ's talking over the airwaves and taking calls from other
artists who are down for the cause.
Midnight obviously insinuates night time being the right time for any
take over seeing as how that would be the time when all the suits are
snug in their bed. and Leadership insinuates the ability to take
initiative over the situation we are facing with the radio waves.
Basically I saw anyone associated with the project, whether production
or emcee, as being part of that group of armed men who take over this
radio station. And the name of that group is Leadership Midnight!
The skits portray about how you (and a few others) feel about the
radio and how it is controlled. Why do you feel this way and what do
you think is a good way for a local artist to be heard?
Radio waves, they have been hijacked by companies like Clearwater
and all artists do not get equal or fair airtime to transmit their
music.
In Third World Prophecies there is also a song called Leadership
Midnight which breaks down the whole story in one song.
Payola is illegal but there are loopholes that record labels and
companies like Clearwater exploit to get an artist that the record
companies are trying to break as much airtime as possible. To be heard
nowadays you have to either be connected, be paid, or be persistent.
Since I'm not paid or connected, I guess I'll have to be persistent! Ha.
What are your favorite songs on that release?
Uff, That's a tough question man. I would probably have to say
that my favorite joint on there is the Spoken For Remix with Cyne and
Omniscient. I just love the griminess of the song and the production
makes your head wanna fall of it's neck.
My Spanish is horrible...what was Tal Vez about?
I really like that one as well. That was the first time I worked
with Mustafa which is an emcee from Argentina and is really one of the
nicest cats I've heard on Spanish rhyming. Also Manuvers killed it on
the production on that joint.
It's really just some grimy rhymes with political innuendo attached.
Why the name Soarse Spoken?
Soars - To rise, fly, or glide high and with little apparent effort.
The e on the end is for flavor.
Spo
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