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OB
Ontario, Canada
www.myspace.com/itsob
www.digiwaxxmedia.com/EPK/ob/ob.html
www.myspace.com/itsob
www.digiwaxxmedia.com/EPK/ob/ob.html
OB: “I am a Caucasian male who grew up middle class. I also grew
up watching in living color and listening to hip hop and it messed my
brain up. It made me think I could be a rap star. I’m a young man
who loves to do music and have fun. You should never take
yourself too seriously. I’m also a comedian but do love music. I
grew up listening to music since I was a kid. My father and brother
were into blues. Oh, and to this day I have been shot 30 times from
a gun haha”.
DSB: Being a native Canadian how has hip hop influenced you and
your peers over time?
OB: It took a little while for hip hop to be in the mainstream of
Canada. I was exposed to it at a young age. I used to recite MC
Hammer’s “Can’t Touch This”. I was also good at the MC Hammer
dance! Hip Hop influenced me right away but I’m noticing that as the
years go by it starts to get more and more prevalent. Drake and
Socrates are showing that Canadians can really do hip hop. I can
easily say that this year has been by far the best year for hip hop in
Canada. Everything has a positive vibe about it. There are these
stereotypes geared towards Canadians. People say “don’t do hip
hop if you’re Canadian”. But it’s exciting right now because we’ve
actually had a lot of success in Canada. Everyone is excited from
all the success Canadian rappers are starting to gain. So it’s a cool
time right now.
DSB: What’s so different about your music that makes the people
want to listen to you as opposed to an artist from the States?
OB: My music is my life. My story and my twisted view of the world is
what makes my music different from anyone else’s music whether
from the States, Europe, Mars or Venus. My upbringing makes me
different from a lot of rappers because I’m not doing the same thing
that other rappers are doing or talking about what they’re talking
about. I don’t know if being Canadian makes it that different from
the States or is it me being myself? When I’m doing my own thing I
sound like me. It’s my life.
up watching in living color and listening to hip hop and it messed my
brain up. It made me think I could be a rap star. I’m a young man
who loves to do music and have fun. You should never take
yourself too seriously. I’m also a comedian but do love music. I
grew up listening to music since I was a kid. My father and brother
were into blues. Oh, and to this day I have been shot 30 times from
a gun haha”.
DSB: Being a native Canadian how has hip hop influenced you and
your peers over time?
OB: It took a little while for hip hop to be in the mainstream of
Canada. I was exposed to it at a young age. I used to recite MC
Hammer’s “Can’t Touch This”. I was also good at the MC Hammer
dance! Hip Hop influenced me right away but I’m noticing that as the
years go by it starts to get more and more prevalent. Drake and
Socrates are showing that Canadians can really do hip hop. I can
easily say that this year has been by far the best year for hip hop in
Canada. Everything has a positive vibe about it. There are these
stereotypes geared towards Canadians. People say “don’t do hip
hop if you’re Canadian”. But it’s exciting right now because we’ve
actually had a lot of success in Canada. Everyone is excited from
all the success Canadian rappers are starting to gain. So it’s a cool
time right now.
DSB: What’s so different about your music that makes the people
want to listen to you as opposed to an artist from the States?
OB: My music is my life. My story and my twisted view of the world is
what makes my music different from anyone else’s music whether
from the States, Europe, Mars or Venus. My upbringing makes me
different from a lot of rappers because I’m not doing the same thing
that other rappers are doing or talking about what they’re talking
about. I don’t know if being Canadian makes it that different from
the States or is it me being myself? When I’m doing my own thing I
sound like me. It’s my life.
OB: I always try and sound just like me but I can give you a list of artists that I admire and people that influence me. First is Jay Z, Marvin
Gaye, Pharell, Kanye, Lupe, Drake, Andre3000, Ray Charles-many dudes. That’s the main thing; I’m a big fan of music. I don’t try to sound
like anyone but I’m obviously inspired and hope that one day I’ll be able to do as well as those guys are doing but I don’t try to sound like
anybody else.
DSB: How do you feel about hip hop and the rap game today?
OB: I think there is a new wave of artists that are bringing a new sound and this is creating a change right now. It’s a great time. I think there's
a lot of great music out there—not great…but that’s because there are so many avenues for everyone to get their music out. You are going to
hear a lot of shit but there’s just as good music as there is bad music. You just gotta figure out how to make money. The business of music is
suffering because people aren’t making money off of it. New avenues create a downside and that downside is that music is free nowdays. I'm
approaching it from a business perspective but as a fan, I feel like we have some of the best music there has been. There's just so much
music that's easy to get and its thrown at you and everybody else and you hope people like it. This has to be the best time though. Its amazing
and its free. This is the best time for hip hop. We are getting so spoiled we are taking it for granted. There are 100 mixtapes that come out
everyday day from artists. There's too much going on.
DSB: What are some of the projects that you have worked on in the past?
OB: My brother and I were producers first. That’s how I started doing music. I've worked with a bunch of Canadian artists like Bishop Brigante.
I've also worked with Tommy Knox out of Canada and I did a track with Ace Hood titled: "On my Grind". As far as me, I put a single out called
"So Fresh Wes" about year ago and "Ms. Goodcookie" recently. I'm a brand new artist who is getting ready to put out my new product. It’s all
original. Its kind like an EP.
DSB: I read that you do comedy and a bit of acting. Will you continue to pursue that in the future?
OB: Yeah. I would love to. It’s what I first started doing seriously. I got sidetracked with music and never fully did it. But if an opportunity like
that ever presents itself I would love to.
DSB: You have become affiliated with some of the top media outlets. How beneficial is it for artists to build with these outlets?
OB: I can’t say enough good things about Digiwaxx. For one, I would encourage any artist to do whatever they have to do to get involved. I feel
privileged that Digiwaxx saw enough in me that they wanted to help me and my career. In terms of all the blogs that have shown a lot of love
like 2DopeBoyz and Music Cartel, the core DJS and DJ groups, Bombsquad DJS and so many other people have been nice and encouraging.
In the beginning it was hard to listen to me because I’m a hard thing to explain to people. I'm from Canada, have red hair and make jokes too.
But despite all these elements people have still supported me. Artists should take advantage of these media outlets because they help you so
much.
DSB: What can you tell the next upcoming artist coming out of Canada or even the States that most rappers won’t tell.
OB: First off I feel like I'm still an upcoming artist. I haven’t accomplished anything yet. I'm still trying to get my foot in the door. What I would tell
anyone is...and people always say this but sometimes it becomes so cliché. Don’t be afraid to be yourself because people will accept you if
you are yourself. People like people that are just themselves. Your music has to be good if you want to do music. My music is good but if
people who aren't my mom or my girlfriend say my shit is good then that’s when you know you’re being yourself. Find yourself and your style. I
promise. People like honesty. What's cool about Canada is that people are coming out being honest and being themselves and I think it’s
because they don’t have to pay for health care lol.
DSB: What can we expect to hear from you in the future?
OB: We are just finalizing my 1st EP (full album length, all original songs- a production my brother and I did). It looks a lot like an album but just
in case it doesn’t go quadruple we are going to call it an EP for now.
DSB: Any last words?
OB: Shot out to Digiwaxx, the American King Family, 2DopeBoyz, Boys and Clothes, all the blog sites and DJs supporting me. Shots outs to
Marcela, Ken Cash.
Shot out to DasStreetBuzz and Junior. Thanks for taking the time to do the interview. Be on the lookout for this new EP/Album/Mixtape.
Interview conducted by Vena
Email: vena784@DaStreetBuzz.com
Gaye, Pharell, Kanye, Lupe, Drake, Andre3000, Ray Charles-many dudes. That’s the main thing; I’m a big fan of music. I don’t try to sound
like anyone but I’m obviously inspired and hope that one day I’ll be able to do as well as those guys are doing but I don’t try to sound like
anybody else.
DSB: How do you feel about hip hop and the rap game today?
OB: I think there is a new wave of artists that are bringing a new sound and this is creating a change right now. It’s a great time. I think there's
a lot of great music out there—not great…but that’s because there are so many avenues for everyone to get their music out. You are going to
hear a lot of shit but there’s just as good music as there is bad music. You just gotta figure out how to make money. The business of music is
suffering because people aren’t making money off of it. New avenues create a downside and that downside is that music is free nowdays. I'm
approaching it from a business perspective but as a fan, I feel like we have some of the best music there has been. There's just so much
music that's easy to get and its thrown at you and everybody else and you hope people like it. This has to be the best time though. Its amazing
and its free. This is the best time for hip hop. We are getting so spoiled we are taking it for granted. There are 100 mixtapes that come out
everyday day from artists. There's too much going on.
DSB: What are some of the projects that you have worked on in the past?
OB: My brother and I were producers first. That’s how I started doing music. I've worked with a bunch of Canadian artists like Bishop Brigante.
I've also worked with Tommy Knox out of Canada and I did a track with Ace Hood titled: "On my Grind". As far as me, I put a single out called
"So Fresh Wes" about year ago and "Ms. Goodcookie" recently. I'm a brand new artist who is getting ready to put out my new product. It’s all
original. Its kind like an EP.
DSB: I read that you do comedy and a bit of acting. Will you continue to pursue that in the future?
OB: Yeah. I would love to. It’s what I first started doing seriously. I got sidetracked with music and never fully did it. But if an opportunity like
that ever presents itself I would love to.
DSB: You have become affiliated with some of the top media outlets. How beneficial is it for artists to build with these outlets?
OB: I can’t say enough good things about Digiwaxx. For one, I would encourage any artist to do whatever they have to do to get involved. I feel
privileged that Digiwaxx saw enough in me that they wanted to help me and my career. In terms of all the blogs that have shown a lot of love
like 2DopeBoyz and Music Cartel, the core DJS and DJ groups, Bombsquad DJS and so many other people have been nice and encouraging.
In the beginning it was hard to listen to me because I’m a hard thing to explain to people. I'm from Canada, have red hair and make jokes too.
But despite all these elements people have still supported me. Artists should take advantage of these media outlets because they help you so
much.
DSB: What can you tell the next upcoming artist coming out of Canada or even the States that most rappers won’t tell.
OB: First off I feel like I'm still an upcoming artist. I haven’t accomplished anything yet. I'm still trying to get my foot in the door. What I would tell
anyone is...and people always say this but sometimes it becomes so cliché. Don’t be afraid to be yourself because people will accept you if
you are yourself. People like people that are just themselves. Your music has to be good if you want to do music. My music is good but if
people who aren't my mom or my girlfriend say my shit is good then that’s when you know you’re being yourself. Find yourself and your style. I
promise. People like honesty. What's cool about Canada is that people are coming out being honest and being themselves and I think it’s
because they don’t have to pay for health care lol.
DSB: What can we expect to hear from you in the future?
OB: We are just finalizing my 1st EP (full album length, all original songs- a production my brother and I did). It looks a lot like an album but just
in case it doesn’t go quadruple we are going to call it an EP for now.
DSB: Any last words?
OB: Shot out to Digiwaxx, the American King Family, 2DopeBoyz, Boys and Clothes, all the blog sites and DJs supporting me. Shots outs to
Marcela, Ken Cash.
Shot out to DasStreetBuzz and Junior. Thanks for taking the time to do the interview. Be on the lookout for this new EP/Album/Mixtape.
Interview conducted by Vena
Email: vena784@DaStreetBuzz.com