Interview With CuzOh Black!

When it comes to hip hop, the lamestream media loves to portray our genre as the epitome of society’s problems.   Instead of dwelling on the negative we support the positive contributions from Hempstead, Long Island’s own CuzOH Black.  In this interview, CuzOH discusses his new single “First Class”, Revolt Radio, joining the U.S Army, and getting involved with the National Kidney Foundation.

Sincere: What’s good CuzOH?  Tell the world where you’re from and who were your musical influences growing up?

CuzOH Black: Everything is good, thanks for asking.  I’m from Hempstead, New York.  As far as my musical influences growing up in the early years there was a lot of Luther Vandross, Guy, Phylis Hyman, Earth Wind & Fire, Sade mixed with a lot of Heavy D, Shinehead, NWA playing in the house, but once I got a hold of my own walkman (laughs) & I listened to a lot Outkast, Smif N Wessun, Wu-Tang, Black Sheep,  LL Cool J, Das Efx, Grand Puba, EPMD, DR. Dre, Snoop, Bone Thugz N Harmony.  There was so much good music out when I was growing up. 

Sincere: You have released your first project “Everybody’s Favorite Cousin” in Nov 2012 and you’ve had some great feedback from your fans and the blogs on the internet.   Are you happy with the overall response?

CuzOH Black: Oh yeah of course when dropping a project, especially your first you set big goals. Did I meet every goal?  No, but I gained a good amount of new fans and supporters while opening some new doors for myself in my career. Also, like you said, the feedback was Awesome!!  I’m really looking forward to taking it to the next level on my next project.

Sincere: I am definitely a fan of your new single “First Class”.  In that track, you’ve expressed giving your all despite the struggles and overcome the negative things in life.  How important is that for someone who is trying to better themselves in this rough world?

CuzOH Black: Thank you very much!! You have to give it your all through life and never give up, it’s the only way to accomplish your goals. The negativity, the haters, the naysayers, the mistakes will always be there. If you listen to most people's success stories, the beginning was beyond hard for them, they just had that special drive. Even if you just struggling to pay your bills, are you going to sit there and watch your life crumble? Or find a way?? My mother always told me growing up and still does to this day. When there is a will, there’s a way.

Sincere:  Are you in the process on working on a new album?  If so, do you have a name for the project and are there any guest appearances?

CuzOH Black: Right now Wordsmith and myself are finishing up a collab EP titled "Back Stage" that will be dropping in August and then we will be jumping right into the creation of a full album titled "The Brosins".  No features lined up at the time for that, but I assure you we will have a few surprises. Stay Frosty!!

Sincere: You are also a part of Revolt Radio, which created a video called “The Side Effects of Commercial Radio”.  Personally, they are destroying our ears with this trash.  What made your team decide to put this idea into fruition?

CuzOH Black: COMMERCIAL RADIO!!!! LOL and We all know that you hear those same 10-15 songs on commercial radio right now, the side effects might be a little over exaggerated but even if you like the stuff that they play you do get tired of that mess after while. Over at revoltradio.com we pride ourselves on playing a wide catalogue of Indie, Commercial, old school, new school Hip-Hop music. Artist out there can submit at musicsubmissions@revoltradio.com and you need to get to know my dude @djnominal 

Sincere: Do you think a balance in hip-hop would benefit the industry as a whole?

CuzOh Black: Definitely, everything in life needs balance. Man, Hip-Hop used to be a very eclectic genre of music, think about all the different type of artist that were rocking in the 90s.  Everybody had their own angle, persona, swag, and the radio and video stations displayed that.  I don't know when Hip-Hop became so complacent.

Sincere: Nu Revolution inked a 2-year deal with digital media distribution Ingrooves/Fontana.  Wordsmith is really grinding to take the label to new heights.   What are your thoughts about this joint venture?

CuzOh Black: Yea man, my Brosin Wordsmith is a beast, one of those people with that special drive that I was speaking of earlier, he is going to be huge soon. As far as the deal, it is a huge blessing and a opportunity to show what our label NU Revolution Entertainment is all about.  We are able to move at the pace we like (which will be explosive) adn do what we want to do creatively, and with the platforms Ingrooves/Fontana can help with, the skies the limit.

Sincere: The internet has helped a lot of independent artists get noticed & put out their own music without major backing.   Do you see record labels existing in the next 15 to 20 years?

CuzOH Black: Yea, I think the labels will still be here. I think a indie artist can only go so far on their own. 

Sincere: You have worked with artists such as Chubb Rock, Roc Marciano, Sha Stimuli, Awkword, and Granddaddy I.U. to name a few.  If you had the opportunity name one artist and producer you would love to work with?

CuzOH Black: Geeesh 1?? Okay...CuzOH Black Featuring Andre 3000 Produced By DJ Premier.  Dope

Sincere: You have received a scholarship to play football for Morgan State University but you decide to quit the sport to join the U.S Army.  Was it a tough decision to make or you knew this is what you wanted to do?

CuzOH Black: It was a very tough decision, I played football since 6 or 7, and was actually good, but you know things happen for a reason. I had a great time in the military, and got some

great training.  If I could go back in time and do it again, would I? I don’t know. When it comes to being a athlete, you always have that what if in the back of your mind.

Sincere: They’ve been a lot of talks on how the U.S. gov’t is handling the wars in the Middle East.   A lot of people are not happy with way the system loves to use our tax dollars to build bombs instead of using that money to build better schools for the youth and creating jobs.  As someone who have served our country, does that thought comes to your mind?

CuzOh Black: I can agree with you on that.  I come from one of those less fortunate school systems that had out of date textbooks, overcrowded classrooms, teacher cuts and etc.  When I went to college, I felt the immediate impact of a lesser education.  At the same time, we do need to keep our military strong and prepared at all times.  We are fighting different types of wars these days and the government need to focus their efforts to improving our military for the modern war.  Tricky situation because its damned if you do, damned if you don't.  I do know this country has trillions of dollars and there is no reason at all why any of our schools should suffer and why the education gap between the inner city and the suburbs should be substantial.

Sincere: Outside of music, I see that you give back to the community in many ways.  You have shown support to the National Kidney Foundation.  Explain to your fans what made you decide to get involved with this foundation?

CuzOH Black: NU Revolution Entertainment, we pride ourselves on giving back and doing for the community.  One of the main reasons we do music is to get ourselves in a place where we can really make a impact in our communities and charities.  The kidney walk is just the beginning.  I got involved because a few years ago my step pops, Speedy Nelson’s father was in need of a kidney and of course Speedy gave his up which to me is the ultimate sacrifice for your loved ones.  Not money, not time, but one of your vital

organs to save a life.  My father Don Johnson, the smoothest dude you would ever meet (Besides me LOL) also suffers from kidney disease and I know my turn to donate is coming soon. I also have a good friend Nick whose mother will be passing any day now due to kidney disease.  The seriousness of Kidney disease has impacted my immediate circle in a big way.  NU Revo will be working hard with the National Kidney Foundation to support, build awareness, and educate.

Sincere: Unfortunately, we will not hear the propagandist’s report the positive things artists are doing in their communities.  When the Boston bombings happened, TMZ tried to link the actions of the terrorists to the violence in hip-hop.   Do you see this as another sensationalized scare tactic by ignorant media hacks?

CuzOH Black: Haaa, According to the news, Hip Hop is the root of all evil.  Hip-Hop is the strongest, most popular, most influential genre of music out there, and still the most hated and feared.  Some of it we bring on ourselves through the lyrics in our music, a lot of it is due to ignorance. I have yet to see a rapper drop off some home made bombs at a marathon or shoot up a school or college campus so they need to get a grip.

Sincere: A rap battle featuring 2 prime heavyweights from the 80s between Big Daddy Kane & Rakim has been ongoing for years with the average hip hop fan.   Who in your opinion is a better overall emcee Kane or Rakim?

CuzOH Black: Damn, answer this wrong and be hated by people everywhere!!! LOL I'm going to say emcee wise, Rakim is the better of the two. The depth in his lyrics and some of the things the God MC has taught us through music is unparallel.  Overall artist and performer wise Kane got it.  He did a wider variety of records, more complex cadences in his flows, and dude could on stage spit one of the most complex songs, dance, do the splits, pop up, keep spitting and wouldn't miss a beat. 

Sincere: Thanks for taking the time out from your busy schedule to conduct this interview.  Do you have any final thoughts and shoutouts?

CuzOH Black: Thank you for the great interview and the great questions and for your support, greatly appreciated. Shout to Wordsmith and The NU Revo team. Shout to my nephews G & Rell any my entire family for staying behind me, and understanding my drive and focus.  Special shout to Rahmel Unique and Jo Jo, promise to never forget you.   To all reading, follow your dreams, and make them happen.  Come by some of my social networks and chop it up with your favorite cousin at facebook.com/cuzohblack, twitter.com/cuzohblack, instgram.com/cuzohblack. Stay in the loop at my official website cuzohblack.com

 

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