If you keep your hand squarely on the heartbeat of the music blogosphere like we do, you've probably felt a quickening pulse at the mention of Seeing Suge. Which means you've probably heard of the project's sole MC - Emay. Partnering with much-hyped producers Star Slinger and Blackbird Blackbird, the trio has quickly garnered the attention of writers and fans of both hip-hop and chillwave alike. We recently caught up with the group's young MC to tell us a little more about himself, his plans for the future, how a guy from Ontario spans the globe to collaborate with artists in Manchester and San Fran and what the hell it's like to be blowing up at only 18. Check out the interview after the jump.
So Emay tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Mubarik and I'm a music producer and rapper from Ontario, Canada. I love movies and apple juice.
How long have you been making music?
Technically I've been doing music since about the year 2000, but that was just messing around on my older sisters keyboard. I've been recording and producing since the year 2006 though!
In life and music - what are your biggest artistic influences?
My biggest influences have to be religion, and emotions in general. In terms of in music it has to be DJ Premier, J Dilla, DJ Toomp, Nas, Sonic Youth, Slowdive, Enon, AZ, Mount Eerie, Ramona Falls, Guided by Voices and a lot more.
You mentioned Slowdive. Your next album, still untitled, is said to be centered around sampling that band's shoegaze sound. How did you decide to go in this direction, and when can we expect the album?
I've been wanting to do this project for like 2 years now, but I didn't have the recording equipment or the proper skills to accomplish it, but now that I'm more comfortable with what I can do. I've upped the ante and have been working hard at finishing this album! It should be out during the first quarter of 2011 for sure. Hoping to have all the tracks recorded before January. So far Sleep is the only track from the project I've let loose, and that isn't the final mix of it. I really hope people like it, it's pretty in-depth, but still has bright elements to it!
That depth is certainly evident in your existing material. Your lyrics are pretty contemplative and atypical for such a young guy on the scene. Explain a little bit about your writing process.
I actually really dislike my writing style at times because of how fragmented and vague it may seem, but I guess it all works out because my thoughts are always fragmented and vague as well. I usually just hear an instrumental that I think I'd sound legit on, sometimes I do a little brainstorming before I write, but sometimes I literally just pour out whatever I feel onto a sheet of paper. It really depends on how I'm feeling at the time that determines how I write. Also, what I choose to write about always depends on what the instrumental sounds like obviously, and a lot of the times I feed off of what the beat-maker feels about the instrumental, whether it's me or someone else like my dude Star Slinger.
People might not know it from your flows, but you're only 18. How do you think your age influences your music?
I think my age influences my music a whole lot. Especially when it comes to subject matter. Although some consider my subject matter to be generally really mature, there are always certain areas in my work that are insanely immature and teen-like. It probably isn't as obvious yet, but I've yet to release a full project that contains my raps and my production together for the entire project, but people will be more aware of what I mean when that's released.
Your 19th birthday is coming up here pretty quick, any plans?
I usually don't do that much on my birthday, will probably do a mini party at home with my family. Cut a little cake and call it a day. (Laughing)
People who follow you a bit more might know this already, but you recently turned out a well-received remix of Karen O and the Kids' soundtrack for Where the Wild Things Are. What’s the story behind the Emay, Karen O and the Kids project?
I actually didn't even expect that to do as well as it did. My dude Austin from Vinyl Meltdown always sends me music to check out, and he had sent me the soundtrack to the movie, and I was pretty much blown away on the spot, and decided to do that project. It was probably the most fun I've ever had making instrumentals since I was so used to specifically making beats for other rappers and such. It's actually kind of funny how I heard Karen O's music before I even watched the film.
You more than likely saw the movie then, what did you think?
I thought it was amazing. I think they did a perfect job of projecting the book into a full length film. My favorite part was probably when Rumpus was going nuts in the forest with the other beasts. It really brought back memories from when I'd read the book in kindergarten. Spike Jonze is a genius.
Your work as Emay definitely put you on the map, but in someways this recent project, Seeing Suge, seems to have put you on a whole new level. It doesn't hurt to have two much-talked about producers in your corner. How did you get involved with Blackbird Blackbird and Star Slinger?
It all started when I was on myspace listening to random bands and I had stumbled on Kiss Kiss Fantastic's page and loved their stuff. After browsing their page I saw someone named [at that time] Bye Bye Blackbird make a comment on their page and decided to click on his page to see what he had as well. After listening to his Happy High EP I was pretty blown away and had to hit him up! I asked him if I could remix his "Ups and Downs" track from that EP and it all started from their pretty much. After like a month or so of just chatting it up he told me about Star Slinger and I dug his stuff immensely also. So after a couple months of just talking and what not, we thought of doing a three way collaboration, and this seemed like the typical "talk about it, but it isn't going to actually happen" type of deal, but in the end it just happened to fall into place really well. We're all pretty busy with our solo stuff but we ARE working on a full project gradually. The internet is a really powerful tool. If it didn't exist this collab wouldn't of happened, and I probably wouldn't be making music.
Well the future is certainly looking bright for you. Fantasy 5-Year Plan. Hit us.
To have a shit load of dope albums. (Smiles)
If things stay on course it's likely you could have the opportunity to work with quite a few different artists. If you could collaborate with any band, musician, or artist, dead or alive who would it be and why?
Somebody I definitely want to work with is Yann Tiersen. He's just a phenomenal composer.
Coffee or Tea?
Tea anyday, but I still fucks with coffee. (Laughs)
Would you rather make girls dance or make girls cry?
I guess I'd rather make them cry, but they have to be smiling while they cry. (Laughs)
Lastly, any advice you can give for up and coming artists trying to make waves in the scene?
Utilize all the resources available to you and experiment, experiment, experiment!
Thanks for your time Emay.
//
As a young, level-headed, forward-thinking hip-hop force, it seems that Emay is certainly a name to watch. You can bet that we certainly will be. You can grab Seeing Suge's single "Breaking" (plus bonus tracks from each individual artist) over on Bandcamp. Also be sure to check out that Where the Wild Things Are remix over at Vinyl Meltdown. Lastly, we'll keep you up to date, but don't forget to keep an eye out for Emay's forthcoming yet-to-be-named release sometime early next year. We'll leave you with Emay's latest single "If You're Breathing".
If You're Breathing
// Emay
Thanks for your time Emay.
//
As a young, level-headed, forward-thinking hip-hop force, it seems that Emay is certainly a name to watch. You can bet that we certainly will be. You can grab Seeing Suge's single "Breaking" (plus bonus tracks from each individual artist) over on Bandcamp. Also be sure to check out that Where the Wild Things Are remix over at Vinyl Meltdown. Lastly, we'll keep you up to date, but don't forget to keep an eye out for Emay's forthcoming yet-to-be-named release sometime early next year. We'll leave you with Emay's latest single "If You're Breathing".
If You're Breathing
// Emay
