Artist: HARLEM'S CASH
Interviewer: HUNTER

How did you "Harlem's Cash" come to surface?
It's been a long road and right now I believe I am still in between exits; I have a long way to go but around late 2008 is when I started prepping myself to be introduced to the world. I dropped a couple freestyles where me and the production team The Government re-did popular beats like "Swagger Like Us" "Let the Beat Build" and a few others - not knowing that I would get such a good response from people. Every time I released a freestyle it would get over 1000 downloads in an hour; that's when I said let me put together a tape for the people to get a better idea of me. So, I went in the studio and in one session I created "On My Way To HARLEMwood" which was a collective of freestyles over classic hip hop, progressive, alternative, and electro songs. This was the first time I released a project and the world was paying attention, so much attention that the mixtape was listed on MTV as one to look out for that week, since then it has been countless appearances, features, interviews, 2 other mixtapes and working on the EP, Harlemwood Cashifornia which is slated to drop in 2k10.

Where do you all hail from? And, who influenced your sound & style?
The name speaks for it self. I am a Harlem native who was and still is very much influenced by my surroundings and my reality. I take from my past and my present alike when it comes to creating records, also realizing that the world is way bigger than the 100 blocks that make up Harlem, I try to speak from my perspective but in a way even if you aren't from where I'm from and never seen what I've seen, you will understand it, relate to it or even if it doesn't touch base with you it will open your eyes to something new.

Was it always in the plans to pursue music as a profession?
Honestly, my dreams were very average like the average child. I thought I was going to the NBA. I would dribble in front of my house everyday, go to the courts and shoot around, I was in tournaments in Harlem and that's where I met a kid (Loaded Lux) who at that time was about 15 and I 14, he really introduced me to rapping. At the time in Harlem, kids were running around battling each other on corners; after teen parties and he was one of the best at it. So I would run around with him and battle dudes and I took my loses but the wins are what made me say "Hey I can do this" and ever since then music has been my passion. The rush you get from having people shocked at what you can say and how you use your vocab is what pulled me in, and the feeling of someone relating to you as if you’re speaking for them is what keeps me here making music.

You titled your new album, "HarlemWood Cashifornia" -- Tell me why?
Harlemwood Cashifornia is basically an outlook on my life. Usually when you come from a "ghetto" your mindset is supposed to be just that, but what I'm doing is implanting it in people's heads that you can be larger than life. You can shoot for the moon, because you may land on a star. While growing up, I always heard the saying "you're acting hollywood" get thrown around when a person didn't act how their surroundings deem them to. My thoughts were, just because I'm from Harlem I can't strive for a better life? I can't want to see the world? Therefore, the title represents embracing your beginnings but knowing that's not where your story ends. Lyrically, where do you find your inspiration?
As of recent, I have been listening to a lot of artists and hearing what people want to hear and going to clubs to see what they like. For a while I didn't listen to anyone because I didn't like what I was hearing. I took a trip to ATL and it opened my eyes to what people like to listen to. The stuff we claim to be real hip hop and great music here in NYC doesn't go anywhere but NYC. I realized I wasn't making music for the people, we are making it for ourselves trying to out spit each other when really people just want to relate to you and have fun that's all. Since I realized that my music has been so much more universal and appealing to the mass.

Who all did you work with production-wise?
By the time you hear the project the list may be totally different , I'm working with a lot of producers this time around; so far we got 9th Wonder, Devo Springteen, Mr Fingaz, 6th Sense, Jet Audio and of course The Government who has held me down since day one. That’s two Grammy award nominees, three platinum producers and a few up and comers, the project sounds great collectively. Now a days, for unsigned artist like myself its easy for a dude to send you a mp3 of a track and tell you do you but for them to work on the actual songs with you and take time out of working for artist like John Legend, Kanye West, Mary J Blige, Jay-Z etc I'm honored.

What has been your biggest career moment to date?
To date I have been on BET Rap City, BET's the Deal, MTV's Mixtape Monday, The Source Magazine's Spit 16, Green Lanterns Invasion Radio on Sirius, Cipha Sounds show, recieved radio play on both major stations in NYC, went on a small tour with The Leaders of The New cool and everything I release every major blog posts. I can honestly say I haven't done anything "big" yet. In my eyes, these things are leading up to that "big" moment. All that work is going to get me to that place like the Grammys, MTV Awards, AMA's etc. So, I guess what I am saying is I won't be satisfied until I get that major career defying moment right now I’m just grinding until it happens.

Success, what has been the key to yours?
Standing for something and not letting anyone tell me different in this business everyone has a opinion and everyone believes they know what's best for you. At times you start to think maybe you should listen then when you do it usually turns around and bites you in the ass and that person or persons is no where to be found. So for me, I always try to do what I want to do. I would never purposely steer myself wrong nor the people I have around me.

Do you have any other outside, future aspirations?
Right now I'm trying to learn about the fashion industry as much as possible so when it's time to venture outside of music I can successfully do it. I believe if you're going to do something try to be great at it because when you're dead and gone that's part of your legacy no matter what, they aren't going to say well he rapped too so its ok his other businesses tanked, that's not how it works.

Tell me something that everyone won't automatically know about you all just from listening to your records?
My family is Jamaican, like really Jamaican at that. Its funny because I've never been to Jamaica which is gonna change though; I have to see where my family is from seeing pictures and hearing stories, it seems like an amazing place, excited to find out more about my heritage and see where my family is from.

How do you spend your time away from music?
My time away from music is non existent, a regular day for me is drop my 2yr old twin boys off at school come back home get online and check emails/chat with management, contact press/media, reach out to producers, write music, go pick the kids up, drop them off , go to the studio or a networking event (sometimes both) sleep for 2hrs, start over and do it all again. The whole time my blackberry is in my hands and I'm connecting with my fans via twitter, and facebook. There is really no leisure time in the life of a star in the making thats the difference in good and great, hard work!

Looking ahead, where do you see Harlem's Cash?
I see myself connecting with a audience and speaking for them -- there is a gap I intend on filling, there are millions without a voice that I will speak for and they will represent me in these streets, these schools, these offices and so forth. It's one thing to be heard its something totally different to be felt and love. its very exciting for me to know what im about to do but very frustrating at the same time being I want it to happen already, but timing is everything and when the stars are aligned they will shine down on me and shed light to those in the dark.

What's next for you?
"Harlemwood Cashifornia" is next up, in a span of a year i put out "On My Way To HARLEMwood', "1.5", and "Cashifornication" which were like maps that are leading you to "Harlemwood Cashifornia", now its time to bring you into my world so you can see what I have seen , feel how I felt, and want what I want. This will be the first time anybody has heard real songs from me, every tape I have put out has been me just rapping over beats along with my peers and solo but now you're going to get a chance to really understand Harlem's Cash-- the man and the artist. I have been thru so much in the last couple or years that this project is what I would have wanted my debut album on a major to sound like being it's so personal and real but at the same time very relatable, but no matter how it's presented to the people I'm happy that they're getting a chance to hear it because its been a long time coming and I along with my team have fought to make this happen.

Any plans to take your show out on the road anytime soon?
Other than the music festivals we are putting together a college tour which is going to be crazy, I didn't get a chance to go to college so this is going to be my shot at it, imagine cramming 4 years of partying into a couple months, its going to be wild...

For someone who hasn't experienced you live, what's to be expected?
Expect to hear the story of a kid that came from Harlem, expect to be entertained above all!

For Information on Harlem's Cash:
www.myspace.com/harlemscash
harlemscash.blogspot.com
twitter.com/HARLEMSCASH


Kerstyn J. Dioulo
Publicist | Artist Management | Communications Director | Marketing Consultant
E: glowconnection@gmail.com
www.twitter.com/Kerstyn