Published: Monday - September 11, 2006
Words by Thoreau "Lazarus" McMillan
Wade Waters (Photo: Robin Weiner)
With the surplus of thugs, pimps, and miscellaneous gangsters in hip-hop today, it can be difficult to find a voice that represents the struggles of the average man. Fortunately, there are a handful of groups like Wade Waters that spit insightful rhymes and stand for more than the status quo of money by any means.
With Soulstice representing Chi-Town and Haysoos holding it down for Maryland, the duo brings a unique combination hard–hitting lyricism and soulful beats to the table. Recently, the two took some time out to talk with BallerStatus about their new mixtape Return Of The Kings, politics, and the role hip-hop plays in their day jobs as an electrical engineer for the Navy and a college professor.
BallerStatus.com: Tell us about the title Return Of The Kings.
Soulstice: Well, when you think of kings of hip-hop, you think of artists like Rakim, you think of Nas. And the title, Return Of The Kings, is to let the fans know that that caliber of hip-hop is coming back.
BallerStatus.com: With mixtapes being so popular right now, what stands out about yours?
Soulstice: What's special about ours is that it really showcases what we can do. Most other artists just put their throwaway material on their mixtapes, but the tracks on our mixtape represent our best.
Haysoos: Yeah, we've got seventeen tracks, and fifteen are with original beats. When you get our mixtape, you're not gonna hear the same beats you already hear on the radio all day.
BallerStatus.com: Now for Soulstice, do you ever find yourself adjusting your lyrics because of your work with the government in your day job?
Soulstice: No, not at all. There are people at work that are fans and support my music as it is.
BallerStatus.com: And for Haysoos, does your emceeing ever overlap with your work as a professor?
Haysoos: Oh, all the time. I opened one of my classes with an old school rhyme. A lot of people today say they're fans, but don't know the history of hip-hop. I use hip-hop as a foundation for educating them on other material.
BallerStatus.com: What's your opinion on net neutrality?
Haysoos: I think that telecom companies are trying to control the internet the same way broadcast companies control radio airwaves. It's just an extension of capitalist greed. And as independent artists, if we don't have the internet, we don't have anything.
Soulstice: So in that area, we're opposed to any laws that could hinder the flow of information to the people. To me, the net-neutrality debate comes down to an attempt to further control what we see and hear. And you see what they want you to hear; they'd rather have you hearing "Miss New Booty" than music like ours.
BallerStatus.com: And your opinion on the Voter Rights Act renewal?
Haysoos: The Voter Rights Acts should definitely be renewed. Because even with it being in effect now, we've had problems with racial gerrymandering, we've had problems with vote stealing, and we've had problems with changing poll locations on election day. The people in power in this country are always finding ways to take away the vote from the poor man, from the Black man, and from the Latino man. So, the Voter Rights Act needs to stay in place. If any changes are to be made to it, it should be expanded.
Soulstice: Well, democracy functions when the people get the information they need to make a sound choice and when that choice counts for something. So to that end, the Voter Rights Act should definitely stay in place.
BallerStatus.com: Ok, can you tell us about your community involvement or charities you support?
Haysoos: I was a part of a program called Words, Beats, and Life. And in the program, we educated the kids on breakdancing and graffiti writing. We also held DJ and emcee workshops. Um, I've also had speaking engagements at the Freedom School.
Soulstice: I mentor and help interns on my job. I feel like I also contribute to the community by telling the truth in my music and painting a real picture. On some level, that's community service.
Haysoos: And as a group, we've participated in Take Back The Night, which is involved in taking a stance against violence to women.
BallerStatus.com: That's good to hear. So moving back to the music side of things, what are your plans? To stay independent? Or do you have the goal of being on a major at some point?
Soulstice: I feel like we have the potential to do something that a Kanye West has done. But even on a major label, we're still going to have that independent mindset.
Haysoos: Yeah, we're always going to be independent in our approach and our outlook on the industry.
BallerStatus.com: Ok, so as a group, what would you say you're offering that's missing from the game?
Haysoos: I would say balance. We're able to walk the line between independent and mainstream; we have a collective sound. As solo artists, my music doesn't sound like his, and his doesn't sound like mine. So as a group, we have a unique sound that's original and balanced. We offer music that's conscious and intelligent, but is danceable, too.
Soulstice: Yeah, collectively we have a vibe, we have a unique chemistry that's not hip-hop by the numbers.
BallerStatus.com: Ok, and would you like to see change in hip-hop?
Soulstice: Well, a lot of people have a defeatist attitude when it comes to the state of hip-hop right now. I feel like the south has contributed a lot to the game. And I feel like the internet has created a lot of opportunities to put their music out and for fans to voice their opinions on hip-hop. But, so many of the people that complain about the state of hip-hop are the last ones to support music that's different from what they complain about. So, I'd like to see people embrace the power they have to change the current state of hip-hop. People underestimate their ability to change things, so I'd like to see that change.
Haysoos: I'd like to see artists support each other more. Because it seems like when an artists starts to make money, other artists start to say, "He's sold out" or that "He's crossed over." But, someone else's success is only going to help all of us. I'd like to see an environment where it's ok to be a fan again 'Cause in order to really appreciate hip-hop or to succeed as an artist, you have to be a fan first.
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