Published: Saturday - September 20, 2003
Words by Fulika Cassell
Stimuli (Photo: Underworld Music)
Being named in the Unsigned Hype column of The Source magazine is definitely a big feat. And Brooklyn emcee Stimuli isn't taking lightly. Nicknamed "The Gift" that hip-hop's been waiting for, this smooth flowing, quick witted 25-year-old BK emcee is a lot more than just hype and he's more than ready to make you believe it.
He takes total charge of the microphone onstage and stimulates both your mind and body with his charming, yet cocky rhyme style and stage presence that shouts "superstar."
BallerStatus recently got a chance to speak with this clean cut, educated, well-spoken and extremely confident young emcee just before he took the stage along with a live band at Brooklyn's Crystal Manor Ballroom to celebrate the big event. Check out the convo.
BallerStatus.com: Let's start off with your name, it's interesting and different, how did you come up with it and what does it mean?
Stimuli: It's funny 'cause I really don't have one of those stories about my name. It just kinda came to me about the time when I use to get high or whatever. It was just a funny name to write and I guess when I started saying it in some of my rhymes (playfully), it kinda stuck. And the fact that nobody hated on it -- 'cause you know in the rap game you want to pick a name that people gonna flap to -- and after I chosen that name for myself, I realized that the reason I had chose it was because of the definition of the word, you know? And with my music, I always like to provoke some type of emotion, thought and response. So, that's really what the name is all about.
BallerStatus.com: Ok, so recently in The Source, you were named the Unsigned Hype artist for October 2003. Tell me how that felt and what has happened to your life since the article came out?
Stimuli: Ah man, the Unsigned Hype is a beautiful thing. A lot of people think it is political, but I've learned within the past year that it's not because I've had the real serious grind. Letting people hear my music, letting them hear me live and making it in there for me was... I mean, growing up at age 12 and 13, reading The Source every month, seeing groups like Mobb Deep, Biggie, Common Sense, Eminem up in there and then to finally be in there, is like, "Man." I don't think I fully absorbed it all yet. Maybe after this month is over and the next person is in there and it'll probably hit me.
As for right now, it such a beautiful thing that I wanted to just do something small to celebrate it 'cause with so many accomplishments to come in the future, something like this is gonna seem like, well nothing. Well, hopefully it'll seem like nothing. But, since the article, I've gotten lots of people calling, labels. Umm, yeah we just getting lots of looks right now, people wanting to purchase the single and I'm getting noticed everywhere I go as the Unsigned Hype Artist. It's like a little bit of things are paying off, but it's just the beginning and I'm taking it all in stride. I'm happy that it happened.
BallerStatus.com: Ok, let's talk about the show tonight. You are performing with a live band, how did that come about?
Stimuli: Well, I've always thought that I would progress to perform with a live band, you know, later on. But, after I seen some of the MTV unplugged performances like Roots, Jay-Z, Lauren Hill and I thought they were great and I've always been a fan of live bands and music. But I thought later on, like maybe on my third album or something I'd be able to do it. Then, one day at one of my shows (an R&B show), it was like three R&B acts and they all had bands. So, the promoter suggested that I use the band and I thought it might be a good look, because for me I've always done shows in places where there's an R&B crowd. I've always been able to kinda switch up my shows and do material that caters to the R&B crowds, so I figured if I could use a live band, it'll be crazy and bring my show to another level. And being unsigned, I think that's something that's kinda unheard to use a band and still have people feel you.
BallerStatus.com: How is working with a band different from a DJ? And which do you prefer?
Stimuli: It's real fun, because I can stop whenever and address the crowd and like, vibe with the band. It's just fun for me. I'm just trying to do something different.
I think I prefer the band, but I can't always use a band. It all depends on the venue 'cause you can't go to a gutter hip-hop venue with a band. People gonna think I'm trying to be The Roots or something, so I like to just keep it in the middle. When I'm playing something like this, I'd use the band and if it's more street oriented, I'd use the DJ. I can still do it like that. Just throw in a CD or record and I can still put on a good show.
BallerStatus.com: So how long have you been an emcee and interested in music?
Stimuli: Ever since probably 1987-88, right after Michael Jackson turned white, I started listening to rap. And my brother (Lord Digga, producer for Master Ace and more) had me hanging around the studio with the Juice Crew when I was 11-12 years old and I just fell in love with the music, the whole thing. From there, I just started writing and the more I lived, the more I started including what I was seeing [in life] into my rhymes. All that helped mold me and what I was doing. By the time I was 15-16, I was around Biggie and my brother was doing tracks for him and that just took me to a whole nother level. I mean, I've been around it since I was young, so I'm really a old school rapper, but I'm still young. I just have all this knowledge of hip-hop history.
BallerStatus.com: I know you said Biggie was one of your big influences; anybody else you admire?
Stimuli: Well, [Big Daddy] Kane is one that definitely influenced me and got me writing. Definitely Jay-Z, he's a big influence, especially his entrepreneurial ship and the music. He basically has controlled that for so many years now, and right now I thing people are kinda feeling the void. But, Eminem is also definitely an influence, he great with the word play.
BallerStatus.com: Ok, so let's talk about the state of hip-hop right now. What do you think about all the rivalries and what not?
Stimuli: Like I said I definitely think it's something missing right now. It's all kinda crazy. Hip-hop is based so much on reality and you got people who talk about thug life on records and then they go out and really try to prove it. That's why you hear so much about shootings and all that other stuff. Yeah, to me it's crazy and I hope it doesn't end up the way it did with Biggie and Pac. I mean, I don't think it's that bad, but certain people place themselves in danger and I'm not trying to walk that path.
BallerStatus.com: So do you consider yourself a conscious rapper?
Stimuli: Nah, not really 'cause I talk about both sides of things. The closest thing to me being conscious is that I expose myself in my music. I expose my weakness and I expose the truth. I talk about going to school and things that I've done. I just flip it different ways. I've heard the conscious thing before, but I wouldn't consider myself a conscious rapper.
BallerStatus.com: Is there anyone in the industry you would like to work with as far as producers or other artist?
Stimuli: Wow, I wouldn't mind doing something with Dre from Outkast. I like Eminem. As far as producers, I like Bink, Just Blaze...umm that's all I can think off right now.
BallerStatus.com: Tell me what your plans are for the future in the music business and what you're working on right now?
Stimuli: Well, right now were working on part 2 of my mixtape (Let Me Show You The Way), that I put out in March 2003. Right now, we formulating the new tape like a street album. Everybody has kinda jumped on the mixtape thing, so we decided to give away basically quality material in song form and hopefully make some money off this one. With the last one (mixtape), we give away a lot, just introducing me. So with this one, we just trying to come up with the right marketing ideas to push it the right way. As far as writing, I'm still creating more and more songs everyday. Umm, I'm also trying to lock down this role in a movie right now. It's not official yet, I haven't signed a contract, but I'm in talks and going through readings and rehearsals, so I should know in next month or two. It's been hectic having the Unsigned Hype thing and trying to ride that wave while it's still here, you know?
Editorials & Columns Soulstice From France Blog #3: Day 4 Embarking on a 9-show winter tour in Europe, one of my goals was just making it through the tour without getting sick. ... full story
Digg It
Del.icio.us
