Big Tone Interview by: Conrad Magabo (couple questions also provided by Alex Tshering)
A few days ago I posted up a piece on Big Tone letting everyone know about his album that’s about to drop at the end of this month. Fortunately I was also able to get an interview with BT thanks to Chikara from Tres Records. Check out what he had to say:
CM: Thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to interview with us.
BT: Appreciate y’all for having me.
CM: Your upcoming album “The Art Of Ink” is AMAZING! How long have you been working on it. How did it all come together?
BT:Good looking out…I worked on the album for just about a year. I work rather sporadically, so it wasn’t really a consistant thing…2 or three songs here or there. After a couple good weeks, it just kinda came together. The concept came about after it dawned on me that this is the first project that I had written out. Alot of what I had previously released had came together in the booth, freestyling, scribbling here and there. But this one is the first where I actually had notebooks with all the verses written down. So I kinda got stuck on the word “Ink”. Plus, I was in the process of designing a tattoo that I’m getting ready to get. It all kinda went hand-in hand.
CM: At what point in your life did you say, alright, it’s time to get serious with this. This is what I need to do? What inspired that?
BT: I don’t know if serious is a good word. I can’t say that I’m even serious right now. I think I’m alot more passionate about releasing music than I have been in the past, but serious? I don’t know. I think when my peers started impacting the world with music they were creating. Music that I was present to witness, inspire so many people around the world. Maybe I got more serious about it then. But really, I just enjoy the creative process and the response from people who appreciate it. That keeps me pushing. And there’s so much opportunity to grow, so I’m working on it.
CM: Can you tell us 5 random things about yourself?
BT: I’m shopping for cologne right now like it’s going out of style. I’m also growing an interest in acting (like, really…I’ve always enjoyed writing, so I think I wanna write a short film, and then find a role in it for me. Hotness, son). I’ve read more books this year than I’ve read since middle school. I am a pancake master, real skills with a skillet. Been rhyming since I was 10.
CM: Who/what are your main influences? (doesn’t have to be specifically music).
BT: My family, My fiance, and My fam. I don’t know what life would be like if any of these areas of my life were different.
CM: What goes through your mind when you’re writing/creating music?
BT: Whatever the track makes me feel like, in regards to my life. Some tracks sound like they’re meant to be the backdrop to my love song, my “I just gotta check” song, my “I just learned something new” song, etc. The right track is just whatever track fits the mood for the theme of the day. I just go from there.
CM: What do you think about the current state of the music industry? It’s changed a lot during the past decade. What direction do you think it’s going? where do you see it going?
BT: I think people who appreciate music, will always support it. I think people who are jaded about it, who
once genuinely appreciated music, can’t let go of the past and accept that music is different now, BUT it’s still some quality shit out here. And what’s fresh is we’re being reminded that you don’t need a record deal to be an artist. I think that’s beautiful. I’m not concerned with the industry. I just wanna keep making music.
CM: What do you think about MP3/MP3 players and it’s effects on you/artists? Do you own an I-Pod?
BT: I just hate it when people have a whole collection of bold MP3’s. Like the whole “I don’t buy music anymore” mentality. That’s wack when you just sit around and free download your whole library, and then blog/criticize about how this mix isn’t good enough, or that track isn’t strong as the last one you ripped for free. However, I do feel that it is definitely a good tool though. Word of mouth to the tenth power. Accessibility can be a good thing, or it can be a bad thing. Gave my ipod to my girl last year. The only time I really vibe out to music is when I’m in my living room thumbing through albums.
CM: What songs/artists are you currently listening to right now? Who do you recommend that everyone go listen to right now?
BT: Blu, my personal favorite right now. But I’m all over the place with my library right now. I’ve been banging 36 Chambers
for the past couple weeks. Madvillain. Guilty Simpson. If I had to make folks go listen to one thing right now, it’d be Suite For Ma Dukes. I’ve only heard a couple songs.Dwele put me up on the couple joints I heard, which was Find A Way, Fall In Love, and Nag Champa 
…but I’m really checking for that shit.
CM: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
BT: Doing my best Pharrell Williams impression. I’m really looking forward to advancing into my career as a producer. I’ll be stepping in that direction more and more this year.
CM: Is there anything you want to let everyone know out there? Any knowledge you’d like to drop?
BT: I ain’t good at dropping knowledge. I’m still learning myself, you know? I do believe that music is the gift
that keeps on giving, and we really need to focus on putting more of our divine energy into it. I’m working on it. Being more open. To create with that intention. The Creator allows us to be creators…no halfsteppin’, y’all.
CM: From your experience as an artist, what advice do you have for all aspiring artists out there?
BT: Just stick to the script. Keep the Faith. Be true to you and yours, and don’t let time, money, or fame be the primary motivating factor. Push the envelope.
AT: You Established Mojoe Music System, LLC in 2005 “as a vessel for the preservation of progressive music,” enlighten our readers on exactly what you mean by progressive music, and what direction you see Mojoe heading to in the coming years.
BT: Progressive. There is no timeline or template for good music. Rock. Hip-hop. Soul. Jazz. R&B. Funk. Gospel.
I’d like to bring people together. I want Mojoe to help be a vessel for artists to share their creativity, without compromise. A melting pot for ill shit.
AT: I read that you are video game enthusiast, especially Madden, who was your favorite running back in Madden 93′?
BT: 93? Barry Sanders, of course. And Neal Anderson.
CM: For up and coming artist do you have a day job, or does music sustain your lifestyle?
BT: Yeah, I gotta day job. Kinda in that transition stage though. I got personal time stacked up, and when I need to take it, I do. Honestly, I’m blessed to be able to work my job, and do what I want musically. My job and my music career support eachother. And that’s a blessing. It’s piece of mind. Which allows me to feel no pressure when I create, now.
CM: Thank you so much for your time!
BT: Likewise. Peace.
came out earlier this month and I can’t stop listening to it. You’ll either be affected emotionally by the range of head nodding hypnotic beats or sit in disbelief from the genius behind it…or both. If you don’t know Dilla he’s one of the most influential producers of all time. He’s done collaborations with with everyone from 
is the title track from his album released in 2006. I always love it when I hear cats without a real singing voice sing to a track. … and conscious too?! What more can you ask for?
. It’s a timeless classic and definitely an album you need to have in your collection. It features priceless production by the late 
