There are a few people in hip hop that can make the transition to rapping successfully. Kanye West has made himself a household name by making the transition from being only a producer to rapping and producing. Now can a deejay make a successful transition into rapping and hold it down successfully behind the microphone and the turntables? Just ask Baltimore born-Washington DC bred deejay/rapper Sean Armstrong aka DJ Face. Sean Armstrong is a member of the multi-platinum producer 9th Wonder's DJ group True School DJ crew. As Sean Armstrong takes control of his musical career, he's finessing the musical aspects of emcee/deejay/producer to make himself a commodity. We speak with Sean "DJ Face" Armstrong as he delves into his project "Marble Cake Diaries", his work with 9th Wonder, Tajai & Phoenix and his views on hip-hop.
Ty DJC: How did you get started in the music industry?
DJ Face: I got started as a DJ. When I was young, my older brother was a DJ and pretty much taught me most of what I know. He laid the foundation. From there I went on to writing rhymes and making my own beats.
Ty DJC: What equipment do you use to bring your creativity into fruition?
DJ Face: The equipment I stand by for DJ-ing is Technincs 1200 Turntables and my Rane 57 mixer. For making beats, I still use my trusty ASR-10 as well as the Maschine.
Ty DJC: I have spoken to a few producers in regards to quality difference between vinyl and MP3s in regards to sampling. Some are in favor of sampling using vinyl as the quality is better and MP3s are not the greatest to use. Do you have a preference on how you sample music?
DJ Face: My preference is sampling straight from vinyl because there is just something about that "grit" in the sound that you can only get from vinyl. If a song is badly ruined on vinyl but I want to use the sample, I'll look for the mp3. I sample from mp3's as well but only if it is a decent quality.
Ty DJC: Is it difficult balancing the roles of being a DJ/Prodcuer/Emcee and are there any advantages of playing all three roles?
DJ Face: It's never really been a tough balance for me. Each element kind of inspires the other. Knowing how to DJ gives me an advantage with song structure. For example, as a DJ I know how to make beats that DJ's will find easy to mix just by the way I start my beat. Also, it can encourage a DJ to "bring it back" so to speak, and do tricks with it because of how my beat starts. Also other things like, DJ-ing gives me ideas all the time for drum patterns for making my beats. Knowing how to make beats allows me to bend my writing and flow better with the beat. They all go hand in hand for me.
Ty DJC: You are from Baltimore and now living in DC. How has coming from Baltimore influenced you musically and personally?
DJ Face: Coming from Baltimore has always been a big sense of pride for me. I love Baltimore. I needed to move to DC though for the more abundant DJ-ing opportunities. There have been a few guys to make it in the industry from Baltimore but I always feel like we are the underdog City when it comes to this. It only helped me to work harder and continue to make good music and bring more shine to what I know first hand, is a city full of talent.
Ty DJC: The "Marble Cake Diaries" mixtape will be released November 19th featuring some guest appearances. What can fans expect from the mixtape?
DJ Face: Well first I want it to be clear that this is an official album release. I've done several mixtapes in the past, but Marble Cake Diaries is my official album. Having said that, I think the fans can expect just some solid, well produced hiphop music. Like a Marble cake, how it swirls around with no straight lines but blending perfectly, this is an album that blends different aspects of my life through music. Weather its about having fun, sharing knowledge or telling a story its all blended together well and kind of "coloring outside the lines" if you will. I think there's something on this album for everyone.
Ty DJC: Your first single/video titled "Took Control" from your upcoming mixtape featuring Tajai of Souls Of Mischief and Phoenix is receiving a great response from fans on the internet. How did you get connected with Tajai and Phoenix?
DJ Face: First of all I just want to thank you and every other blog/person out there that has watched and shared the video, I really appreciate that. Back in like '05, '06 I did a remix for "Quality Equality" on Tajai's Power Movement Remix project. I lost touch after a while with his management but then Twitter popped up and I was able to connect with him. I reached out, reminded him who I was and he was down to work. One of the most humble legends I've met. Tajai was super professional and great to work with. We all had a ball making that video and I think it comes across when you watch it. I met pHoenix through Twitter because she is a part of 9th Wonder's Jamla Army. I listened to her music and when I was thinking about someone to sing on this track she was the first to come to mind. She's full of energy and talent.
Ty DJC: Last year, you have collaborated with E-Major to release "Louder" which is dedicated to the late J-Dilla. How did J-Dilla influence your musical creativity?
DJ Face: Who didn't Dilla influence, lol! Seriously though, I'm a huge Tribe fan so that's how I first got introduced musically to Dilla and his style. He's someone that you just can't duplicate. Like, even if you bite his style perfectly, you still come out sounding like a Dilla rip off, lol! I guess from him, I learned that you don't have to be so perfect with everything, it's the imperfections that make a song real and give it more life. RIP J-Dilla.
Ty DJC: You are a member of 9th Wonder's True School Corporation. For those who are not familiar with the movement can you shed some light on what you guys are bringing to the table?
DJ Face: True School is all about "the preservation of a generation through music, art & film." Our focus use to be from 1979-1997 but now it's more like 1979-2002, 2003. Our thought is, there is something on the radio for our parents and something on the radio for the youngins but there is nothing really representing our generation, or that "Golden Era". We want to be sure that we continue to show love to what was a GREAT time in music, art & film. So when you see a True School party advertised in your city, understand that this is what the party will be about. We play all the best Hiphop & R&B from the time period I mentioned. We have taken this party to many different states & countries and it's always a good time. We also use our platform to give back to the community through, toy drives, coat drives, food drives and other forms of community service.
Ty DJC: What are your thoughts about the current state of hip hop?
DJ Face: I think the current state of hiphop is pretty good right now. There is a lot of good music out there, people just need to take the time to find what they're looking for. If you aren't feeling what's on the radio, search the blogs, the internet is your friend, lol! I like what a lot of new artists are doing right now because there are some who truly understand the music that came before them. Your Kendricks, your Action Bronsons, your Clear Soul Forces etc. I feel like the cycle is coming back to that Golden Era.
Ty DJC: Are there any emcees in the Baltimore or D.C are we need to look out for?
DJ Face: Absolutely. Look out for my man Al Great out of Baltimore, he's featured on the last song on my album called "Cycles II". He's dope. Also keep your eyes on Sean Toure, Ab-Rock, E Major & Maimouna Youssef.
Ty DJC: If you have the opportunity to work with one artist who would it be?
DJ Face: This is a tough question because there are a lot of emcees I would like to work with but if I had to just pick one, probably Nas.
Ty DJC: Thanks for taking the time to conduct this interview with me. For those who want to conduct business with you or check out your music, how can they get in contact with you?
DJ Face: Thank you for the interview, I appreciate the love. If people want to reach me they can follow me on twitter @djfacemusic or on Facebook at Sean DJ Face Armstrong or email me at djfacemusic@gmail.com. My single for Took Control is available at SeanArmstrong.bandcamp.com
Fire !!!!!!! Hip Hop U Don't Stop
ReplyDeleteThat took control record is FIRE!
ReplyDelete