Artist: Wordsmith
Interviewer: Alexander Fruchter/Henry Adaso

Often times people resort to what is familiar to them, what they know, and what they like. They take the same streets to work or school, order the same food from the same restaurants, and see movies with established actors. Luckily our natural instincts force us to seek out adventures, and dive into what is unknown. Out of curiosity, and a need for inspiration we search for new art, food, music, what have you, to quench our thirsts and satisfy our needs. Here we are at the start of 2006, and SoundSlam is introducing you to Wordsmith, an emcee with a lot to talk about. Wordsmith is busy with two new albums set to drop simultaneously. He has also just embarked on a nationwide tour with intentions of building his fan base, and spreading his music.

In this SoundSlam exclusive, Wordsmith introduces himself and his music. Let’s get familiar.

SoundSlam: You have moved around a lot as a kid. How has seeing how people live in other parts of the world influenced your sound and subject matter?

Wordsmith: It taught me to be diverse for one. Music is universal and as artists our music can touch millions of people everyday Living in different states in the US and overseas made me kind of weird when it comes to my music, in a good way though. The way hip-hop is done or should I say presented in Germany is different from Hip-Hop in London and so on, but the one thing they have in common is rap/hip-hop consists of rhyme patterns. I think seeing how different cultures interpret hip-hop made me a detailed rapper. I think out of the box when I write, I am able to give each place I lived a taste of their sound through my music because I have first hand knowledge.

SoundSlam: What inspired “Repercussions of the System”?

Wordsmith: I got the inspiration from the track itself and the fact that my brother, Professa, made it. I have always written like that, I can’t speak for all rappers, but I let the beat tell me what the song is about, if that doesn’t sound too strange. I am a concept rapper, I can’t just write about anything. With this track, I saw a picture of our government, our system recycling these rapist and killers like cans. I chose to focus on a serial rapist who somehow never does his full sentence, which is true today. Child molesters and rapist are running rampant these days, always showing up on the news. Well, I wanted to paint that vision on this track by showing this rapist getting out of prison for the umph whatever time, gets a regular job in the world to blend in and seek out another victim. Long story short, he does what does best and rapes and takes the life of another woman, a woman with two young kids and a family. The judge gives him life, but he is out in a couple of years. Same ole cycle, sometimes our system is the reason why people like that can come back and commit the same crime.

SoundSlam: You are a classically trained actor...How has that helped your music career, or stage performance?

Wordsmith: No doubt, I appreciate you mentioning that. I think going to college and actually learning things like projection of your voice, positioning of your body on a stage, small things, like how make-up can be the difference between an actor looking weird under the lights and to the audience’s eye. Still, you won’t see me puttin’ that on for no Hip-Hop show though. Understand that it’s just the acting process. Anyways, of course you learn improvisational skills, but what I liked the best was becoming someone other than yourself. It’s the same with my music, there’s me, the regular cat that works 12 hour shifts at his job then theirs the rapper in me, Wordsmith, nothing but swagger and classical flows. In regards to stage performance, I am a detailed rapper like I said. So I write to portray a vision on stage with my words. That way when I perform a track there are parts I can act out and bring that element of actually putting on a show back to Hip-Hop. Most rappers rely on there music already being known, so they just get up there and spit. If it’s a show, I gotta’ give a show, that’s why its called that…On a final note, I think acting gave me that ‘no fear’ attitude when it comes to performing in front of people…

SoundSlam: You have graduated from college, some thing I think a lot of successful artists have done, yet don’t mention in their music. Why don’t more emcees and deejays, producers, etc. promote their education, and do you think their silence on the issue sends a message that education is not important in Hip Hop?

Wordsmith: I don’t think it so much has to do with the silence sending the issue that education isn’t important, I think its more that some rappers may look at it like its not cool to reveal that info about their life. People look for street credit and I guess having an education strips you of that, just my opinion. Still, groups like Boogie Down Productions promoted education to the fullest, but we are just in another era of Hip-Hop right now where talking about that doesn’t sell records. Personally, if that’s the vibe I am getting from a track and the concept is right, plus presented the right way, I have no problem promoting it, I am proud of getting a degree and I use my knowledge through the type of tracks I create.

SoundSlam: I know some independent artists that would donate a leg for international exposure. How did you manage to garner so much cross-border recognition?

Wordsmith: Probably because overseas heads are more open to different sounds. Plus, they study their Hip-Hop history, they know who the pioneers are, so you can’t fool an overseas rap fan. If you have good music and they see you’re not following a trend, but creating your own, the support is overwhelming. Loyal comes to mind right now. They really respect the art and appreciate the hard work that goes into creating an album.

SoundSlam: Are there any other artists that you feel could be labeled as a “Wordsmith?”

Wordsmith: Definitely…Rakim, Nas, Cannibus, Ras Kass, Jay-Z, Eminem, AZ, Twista, Redman, Ludacris, Big L (R.I.P), Big Pun (R.I.P), KRS-One, 2pac, Biggie, even Heavy D., but he never gets no credit. Pull out an old Heavy record and you will see, Heavy was nice wit’ his words…

SoundSlam: Have you ever felt pressured to live up to your name? Do you feel that fans will expect a certain type of record coming from someone named Wordsmith, and that may limit your growth as an artist?

Wordsmith: I never have felt any type of pressure because I place my career and my ability to make good music in the hands of God. In regards to my name, I look at the meaning of my name and how I created from the meaning of a Blacksmith. A Blacksmith repairs and crafts tools, iron, etc. I feel like I do that with my songs, my verses, hooks, bridges, all that. Every time you hear a Wordsmith product I have reinvented and crafted a new work of art. I would say the only expectation I will have is fans will be use to a certain level of good material from me, but I have no problem living up to that, that is the purpose of being a musician, to be good at your craft…

SoundSlam: Do you see Rock-rap as a genre that’ll stick around for a long time or one that’s slowly going into extinction?

Wordsmith: It just has to be done right…both sides must balance each other out to the point that true Hip-Hop heads and true rocks heads will not be offended by the merger of sounds. You have to respect the Rap culture and you have to respect the rock culture. I think when I get on and I am able to release my rock project, “Rockstrumentals,” the people will see me reinventing myself again to satisfy myself, my brother, who produced the whole album, rap heads, and rock heads…

SoundSlam: Would you say that Rap influenced rock or was it the other way around?

Wordsmith: Rock influenced rap because it was already a mainstream success when rap was struggling to make a name for its self. Run-DMC and Aerosmith teaming up for “Walk this Way” was important for the genre of rap/hip-hop. It made rap cool to the average listener and gave it credibility.

SoundSlam: On ‘Respect the Game’ (mixtape joint for 730’s Hip Hop Disciples 15), you said “Fake like a rapper, you ain’t spittin’ sick”, do you think it’s necessary for rappers to upheld a certain edgy image in order to be successful nowadays?

Wordsmith: Only if you wanna play follow the leader…you can do what everyone else is doing or you can take your own path. Whether I fail or succeed at least I know I did it my way.

SoundSlam: If money wasn’t an issue, what 5 artists would you gladly collaborate with?

Wordsmith: Nas, Redman, Ludacris, Eminem, and LL Cool J, enough said…

SoundSlam: In the past, you’ve associated your album titles with words like “classic material” and “masterpiece collection”, what would you say are the qualities of a classic Hip Hop album?

Wordsmith: Having a concept…plain and simple. See some of these artist brag about how they did 70 or 100 tracks for their albums, well, if you need to do that many tracks then you have no idea what your album is about. What’s crazy is some of the more classic albums are the one’s that don’t get the notoriety an album that had 2 top ten singles. A classic album has top quality Hip-Hop singles and most of all a strong concept driven foundation throughout the album. That’s why albums have a title, so we as rap artist can be creative as possible. It’s like writing a term paper; you have your title, your opening summary, your thesis, your body, and your conclusion. I do the same thing with my albums or mixtapes…

SoundSlam: What would you like the fans to walk away from your music with?

Wordsmith: Basically, that I am conscious of the state of Hip-Hop right now, so they don’t have to worry about me polluting their ears with the current joints out there right now. If you’re a fan of the 90’s era, classical beats, theatrical overtones, detailed rhymes, concepts, and enough bangers to make ya grandmother say she was tapping her foot on the couch while she was watching jeopardy… then listen to my music…Finally, if you don’t mind I want to give a shout out to 730 for dropping my first official mix album next month called “Statements & Stipulations".... Big up to Alex, Nick, and Henry from Soundslam.com, ya’ll doing it big…I appreciate the luv…anyone can holla at me at wordsmithmusic@gmail.com or www.wordsmithmusic.com