Coming from a generation that watched Rap rise to unparalleled heights as a genre, it saddens me to see what it has become. The bulk of contemporary Hip Hop is an amalgam of clubby tunes with near zero depth, even less originality and Auto-Tune. Lots and lots of Auto-Tune. Gone is the socially charged lyrical matter the likes of Public Enemy and Tupac; instead it has been replaced with subterfuge to sell records that sound like every other record of the same ilk.
With the state of things as they are, a fair question is: “Can Hip Hop survive?”
Absolootly.
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The artist that would become Absoloot, was fostered musically from his earliest childhood. “I was maybe five or six and I can remember sitting in the living room and my parents were playing some of their favorite Jazz songs,” he said. “As soon as they played ‘Take Five’ by Dave Brubeck, I immediately fell in love with the melody. I remember asking them to play that song over and over again. Still to this day every time I play that song it’s like hearing it for the first time again.”
In his teens, Absoloot started writing lyrics and by the time he was of legal drinking age, he was already learning the intricacies of studio work. “I started going to the studio to get a feel for how things worked and after I recorded my first song, I was hooked,” Absoloot said. “The following year I put a studio together with some friends so we could record more often. After recording for a while, a friend recommended that I put together a mix tape. My brother Carl brought some songs I had recorded home for my parents to listen to and after finding they could relate to my music, they started S.O.C. Records and that was the first label I was signed to.”
Fast forward to present and Absoloot is beyond an artist coming into his own. Now co-founder and owner of As I Am Records (with Emaculant and other partners) he wears many hats and is immersed in his career as artist and businessman. “We thought it would be best at this point in our careers to have creative control over our projects, that’s why we chose the name ‘As I Am.’”
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In keeping with the name, Absoloot’s latest project is the four-track EP, “Our Voice” and the album lives up to its name. Again, in a world where the bulk of lyrical matter of Hip Hop is dedicated to the self-indulgent; Absoloot’s lyrics deal with the here and now in current events. “I feel like as an artist it is my job to be honest with my audience,” he said. “Therefore I can’t talk about the ‘hot topics’ [that other rappers talk about] if they don’t pertain to me as a person. My music speaks for whom I am as a person so I want my music to mean something to people, to be more than just a good song.”
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While Absoloot et al. are enjoying the fruits of their labors, it would seem a favorite facet of his career is his role of philanthropy. Absoloot partnered with ShoMi Entertainment and works with “The Homeless Voice”, a periodical dedicated to providing life-saving support for Florida’s homeless population. “We started working with ‘The Homeless Voice’ in March of this year and with everything that is going on in politics right now, I think that people are often forgotten. ShoMi and I agree that words can only do so much without action so our main focus was to help bring awareness to the growing homeless population in South Florida.”
A portion of the proceeds from “Our Voice” is dedicated to helping “The Homeless Voice” in its aim to help clothe and feed the indigent. “’Our Voice’ was released in June and consists of four tracks that we felt would best benefit the newspaper,” he said. “Two of which, are our most popular singles, “99%” and “American Soldier.” Even though they were previously released we felt they would best fit the EP because a large part of the homeless population can relate to the message within these songs.”
There is something to be said for those that do what they love. It is another thing all together to parlay that ability into the altruistic nature to give to those less fortunate than yourself. Absoloot is doing this very thing and what perhaps weighs even more is the fact that he is simply being whom he is. This isn’t contrived or publicity; this is just a man being himself and acting on what he has the ability to do for others. There simply should be more stories like this one.
Currently, Absoloot is working on his next project namely “Banksters” and will be the result of the research he has done on the national Occupy Movements and is in talks of an endorsement deal with Gordon Quatrell Clothing and Apparel Company. For more information on Absoloot, go to his website http://www.reverbnation.com/absoloot & http://twitter.com/Absoloot!
Christopher West – cwestlaz@gmail.com
Love this interview… ABSOLOOT is one of the few artist that raps about everyday life. He brings back the feeling of hearing a song and feeling like he talking about your life. I have always been inspired by the lyrical content on his records. Hip hop isnt dead its just doent have enought attention focused on artist that still want to make a song with a message!. Look forward to hearing the new album. One time for AS I AM RECORDS…. CHASEXCEL….
Uh Oh…He’s at it again…someone call the coroner…this dude is body’n the rap game…
I was not a hip hop fan until I heard Absoloot. It is refreshing to listen to music with a positive message. The fact that he is willing and ready to give back to his community is only icing on the cake. Keep making music and doing good work. What goes around, comes around!
Awesome piece, I hope this movement evolves beyond all barriers and finally breaks down the walls of Foolywang in Hip Hop
Awesome piece, I hope this movement evolves beyond all barriers and finally breaks down the walls of Foolywang in Hip Hop
Abosloot is a bringing back the ability to be lyrical in your music. It’s a breathe of fresh air to listen to music that isn’t watered down or in other words dumbed down to allow thee unintelligent to understand the music. I respect any artist that comes our express themself on a level that relates to real life struggles. It’s been said before Abosloot is more of an activist for our generation. He represents artist that still believe in rapping about what you believe in and express that thru the music verses just making a song because its what the trend is. Much respect to Abosloot. Takes a lot for an artist to be an artist and not just a rapper…
“Breaking The Mold”, what a great title to describe Absoloot’s work. A lot of these artists nowadays sound the same, they probably can’t even tell each other apart. I appreciate an artist who doesn’t just mimic what is out there. Absoloot is definitely a person of marked individuality. Keep doing your thing!
Huge s/o to the homie!
Absoloot is what the game is missing.
Intelligent thoughtful and wise beyond his years
He is ready to set this world on fire. Hip
Hop needs an injection of artist such as loot
That will provide words that can motivate, encourage
and uplift those who in need.
America, world wake up!! It’s time hip hop!!
Leethal
Absoloot is sbsolutely great…love his music..
It’s always refreshing to read an article about an artist that is actually saying something. I really hope some of these up and coming rappers take a lesson from a real artist. We love you ABSOLOOT!!!!
This is an awesome article. I am a huge fan of Absoloot and his movement. You have to respect this man for staying true to himself and doing what he feels is right. I for one am tired of turning on the radio and being dumbed down to what is being fed to us. Just about every rapper is talking about the same topics and they have NO meaning. I remember when hip-hop was of substance, fun, enjoyable. Now I have no I idea what it is. Absoloot in my eyes is bringing back the hip-hop I remember and love. Keep up the great work Absoloot!
Absoloot is def dope!!!!! loving the material and the orginality of the lyrics. Im team absoloot all the way real rap
Absoloot is more then an artist he’s an activist for our generation. I support his movement to the fullest! stand up for what you believe in and others will follow!