H.A.P.H. Interview
Lila sits down with former Roc-A-Fella artist H.A.P.H. to discuss his debut digital release titled “The Epitome”.
For more songs from H.A.P.H. please check his Myspace out
www.myspace.com/hiprokrazymusik
Lila) “The Epitome” Why that name for your album? Is it because you feel your album is the perfect example of what music should be?
H.A.P.H.) I chose the title for multiple reasons…
(1) Politics. For the amount of years that I have been round & about this game, I have personally or either my music has been in and/or on every major label A&R’s office/desk (some of whom I may have personally known). Not once did anyone overlook The Ranjahz social & business relationship with Jay-z & focused on the music. Knowing that our music was & still is that shit!! So this album is a message to those (excuse my language) “Dick Riders”. I’m still making good music & their out of a job!!! (laughs) “I’M THE EPITOME”
(2). During the last few years I’ve had the chance to really focus on being an artist opposed to a “rapper”, so while record companies were prolonging the inevitable, I was busy mastering my craft. I began teaching my self how to play instruments, such as the guitars & bass. Never has there been a dude from the slums of Brooklyn, that not only rap his ass off but, he can actually write, compose & arrange real music… I’M THE EPITOME”!! (laughs)
(3). This album reflects my moods, mental as well as emotional state of mind I was in on every song, opposed to what the market place requires or what everyone else is doing.
Lila) There are two songs that are my favorite on the album; “I Got Soul”, is one of them;
I love this song for the fact I do feel that Hip-hop is watered down, how were you feeling when you wrote the song? Did you hear another Soulja Boy song!! Just kidding, I’m going to get in trouble again!!
H.A.P.H.) Thanks you, glad someone can appreciate my hard work.. Naw, but seriously, I had a great time recording this song, mainly because this was one of the most creative songs on the album. When I was producing the track I was sought of in the experimental state of mind, by the time I track the guitar I knew I was going to do something special to this beat. I automatically thought I want to hear something different & if that’s going to happen, I’m going to have to do it myself. So I went in the booth did the hook & the rest is history. (yeah that’s me “singing” on the chorus shhhhhh..) (laughs)
Lila) well you did a good job (smile)
Lila) The other song that I like a lot, and I feel that a lot of people can relate to; “Never Give Up”.
I enjoyed how you have the children on the hook, I feel it gives it more of an emotional effect. Is that what you were going for? And again what were you going through or feeling when you wrote the song?
H.A.P.H.) Yes indeed!! This is definitely one of my favorites on the album. Mainly because it’s a color blind record. It don’t matter what color, creed, religion, race, nationality or regional location your in. This is a record for the masses. This is that record that can be played 8:00 am every morning while you take the children to school, or while your off to church on Sunday with your moms in the car. Music with such magnitude, passion & love are yet to be plumed & promoted, or talked about as much as the negative bullshit do. I love this record because it’s real, you can hear the passion, you can see the picture and you can feel the pain!!! The chorus has my daughters singing, that’s extra special to me. This was a very emotional record for me, I actually got teary on this joint. I put my self in every situation, from the single parent, to the single parent child. I know & understand what a struggle is like, so my aim was to share that with the world.
Lila) Awww, I’m going to cry
Lila) Going back to “I Got Soul”, I’m going to ask because of the song plus you have been around the rap game for a long time; How do you feel about the music being played today? For me Hip hop use to have meaning, value, and now it’s straight bullshit!!
H.A.P.H.) Well let me say that I can appreciate some of today’s artist & their music that we’re being conditioned to listen to but, I don’t necessarily have that urge that I once had to tune in. I understand that every aspect of this business is about money & politics, so not because “birthday sex” is played 8:00 am every morning while I’m driving my daughters to school doesn’t mean it’s a great record & on the other hand doesn’t negate the fact that Jeremiah may have a better record that can be played at a more appropriate time during the day! So, what was once about art & culture is now about money marketing & commerce. What was once about upliftment & entertainment is now about how much money you have or how many niggers you shot. (in a nut shell music today sucks!!!!)
Lila) “The Epitome” how much of the album is you? What I mean how much of it reflects you of what you gone through or going through?
H.A.P.H.) This entire album reflects me!! Every song was recorded on a different day & time from the other so, what you hear is exactly how I felt and/or what was going on in my life at that present time. Music is my life & my life is music. What you see and/or hear is what you get in person.
Lila) “The Epitome”, your solo album why now? With all the mixtapes you’ve done, why a solo album now? And will we be seeing more?
H.A.P.H.) I would have to first say It was a blessing to still have an opportunity to put out an album out with all the favoritism, politics as usual & over all bullshit that can often dictate anyone’s career. Second I never lost my drive, the will or belief in myself!! I wanted to separate myself from all the saturation. There’s a mixtape DJ born everyday, most of whom don’t know the first thing about scratching, cutting or even breaking a record for that matter. Everyday there at the least 30 mixtapes out on dattpiff.com 99% bullshit (and those are just the ones that make it). I understand that I have to stay ahead of the average rap dude in terms of business & making music. My mixtapes are more about lyrics, just turn the Mic. on & give me the beat. In contrast, on the album I was more focused on creating songs & good music opposed to trying to prove I’m the illest rapper alive type shit..
Lila) My beef bout the album is that you went digital with the album, WHY? Did you feel albums weren’t going to sale good in store’s?
H.A.P.H.) That’s cool your taking it up with the man him self beef on!! (laughs)
Naw, this whole digital shit was a blessing for me like I stated earlier. I’ve been on my digital grind for the past 3 years because I have the ability to see ahead time & think accordingly. By no means did I plan on dropping a digital album but, this is what I have been dealt. A homie of mine has a digital distribution situation, he eventually pitched it to me & I said let’s do it!! I did some research on the climate of the game, low & behold records are not selling but, people sure are downloading more than a lil bit!! Still if was presented with a decent physical distribution deal I may consider going that route. Not like I need to though.
Lila) A friend of mine loves your album he went as far to say “It ain’t watered down, it’s real Hip-hop… the rap dude is a beast”, “The album is grimy but intelligent”. How do you feel knowing you gave an album with hope for a rebirth to hip-hop lover’s?
H.A.P.H.) I’m humbled, in the same token gracious. All I want is for my work to be appreciate by all who come in contact with it. You don’t have to love it or even like it for that matter but, respecting what I do is a must!!! If you love good music? H.A.P.H “The Epitome” should be on every one’s of your playlist’s. Home, mp3 player, work, car.. I don’t give a fuck just bang it!!!
Lila) Wais (The Ranjahz) is featured on Ya Gotta, what is the current status of The Ranjahz? Can we expect an album from you guys in the future?
H.A.P.H.) Oh for sure. The ranjahz are still effective, we still got a thing or two to prove!!! Wais is currently wrapping up is solo album to be released real soon. So you can definitely look forward to seeing The Ranjahz collectively put out that quality product in the near future.
Lila) What is the current status of Javelot Music and what is your plans with it in the future?
H.A.P.H.) Ah man. I’ve had the privilege to see one company out of a few, come from a pebble to a roc, back to dust right in front of my eyes’s in a matter of years. So I plan on applying what I’ve absorbed over the years round about the industry. So we’re taking our time, thinking, planning and executing wisely and according to the climate of the industry. The company is a newborn, we’re still in the growth process but, I would like to think that we’re a step ahead of the average.
At the end of the day, knowing that this is just the beginning of our digital enterprise. Please stay tuned!!
Lila) Who is in your CD player at the moment? Which artists are you feeling these days?
H.A.P.H.) I must be honest with you, I don’t do too much rapper dudes. I’m big on old school or I do alterative!! (ONYX, Keith Urban, Outkast (Aquemini) that’s a fucking classic if I ever heard one before, Cyndi Lauper (Body Acoustics), or some 3 Doors Down) them my dudes right there!!! (laughs)… I’m a huge fan of hip hop still to this day but there’s not a variety to choose from. If I really want to hear some real shit I through my cd “The Epitome” in & rock!!!
Lila) (Laughing) he went there, so y’all step your game up
Lila) Thanks for the interview H.A.P.H. Any final words and/or shoutouts?
H.A.P.H.) Your more than welcome. ANYTIME!!! Thanks in return for providing a platform to enlighten the people..
Final words; HIP HOP IS ALIVE & WELL H.A.P.H “THE EPITOME” IS NOW ON ITUNES & ONLINE MUSIC STORE WORLD WIDE GO OUT & SUPPORT GOOD MUSIC TODAY!!!
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