RFT SHOWCASESTL 2017: TAKES PLACE IN
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BACKSEAT FREESTYLE
EPISODE II
Backseat Freestyle is a web series where St. Louis' best hip hop artists have the chance to spit some heat in the old school fashion of riding in the back of a car. No mics, no lights, no autotune. Here, the lyrics do the talking.
Today, we've got St. Louis rapper Dante Wolfe of the hip hop collective, MME.
Today, we've got St. Louis rapper Dante Wolfe of the hip hop collective, MME.
International feature: meet rebeca lane of guatemala
ain't no water in the water tower - new mvstermind video
q&A with mister barksdale
By Alexei Shaun
Q. Thanks for meeting up and chatting with For The Culture! What do you like most about the blog?
A: Versatility. I saw a lot of different clips, different artists, and different subjects. I’m all for a variety ya know. I think it’s pretty fresh you don’t see that too much around the St. Louis area.
Q. Are you from St. Louis ?
A: Born and raised. I grew up over in Webster Groves, in a small home behind a funeral home. Nobody even knew the street existed, it’s called Poke Avenue...I was like alright this is St. Louis *laughs*. I stayed in the Webster Groves area pretty much from kindergarten all the way through high school. Webster has a phenomenal educational program which offered me a lot of opportunities via sports, music, and just good friends.
Q. In what ways does St. Louis influence your creative process towards music ?
A: Musically St. Louis is a melting pot, for me personally I find it to be very versatile and a big conglomerate of so many cultures being smack dab in the middle of the natioin. I’m a little competitive when it comes to the scene here, but it’s not with anybody else as much as it is with the art. This is a really influential city.
Q. Where did you get your 1st start in the music business ?
A: I met one of my good friends Blvck Spvde. I was on the bus line and I was making a beat on my phone. Blvck Spvde was sitting near me in the back and asked, “Yo man what ya doing ?” I told him, “I making this beat man.” I asked him if he wanted to listen to it and the rest was history. Thus, I became the music director for The Hawthorne Headhunters. We had the homie Jason "Dirty Lynt" Moore on the drums, Coultrain, Blvck Spvde, DJ Needles, and myself. This led to being on tour with Hiatus Kaiyote and the connections just kept sparking from there on.
Q. Thanks for meeting up and chatting with For The Culture! What do you like most about the blog?
A: Versatility. I saw a lot of different clips, different artists, and different subjects. I’m all for a variety ya know. I think it’s pretty fresh you don’t see that too much around the St. Louis area.
Q. Are you from St. Louis ?
A: Born and raised. I grew up over in Webster Groves, in a small home behind a funeral home. Nobody even knew the street existed, it’s called Poke Avenue...I was like alright this is St. Louis *laughs*. I stayed in the Webster Groves area pretty much from kindergarten all the way through high school. Webster has a phenomenal educational program which offered me a lot of opportunities via sports, music, and just good friends.
Q. In what ways does St. Louis influence your creative process towards music ?
A: Musically St. Louis is a melting pot, for me personally I find it to be very versatile and a big conglomerate of so many cultures being smack dab in the middle of the natioin. I’m a little competitive when it comes to the scene here, but it’s not with anybody else as much as it is with the art. This is a really influential city.
Q. Where did you get your 1st start in the music business ?
A: I met one of my good friends Blvck Spvde. I was on the bus line and I was making a beat on my phone. Blvck Spvde was sitting near me in the back and asked, “Yo man what ya doing ?” I told him, “I making this beat man.” I asked him if he wanted to listen to it and the rest was history. Thus, I became the music director for The Hawthorne Headhunters. We had the homie Jason "Dirty Lynt" Moore on the drums, Coultrain, Blvck Spvde, DJ Needles, and myself. This led to being on tour with Hiatus Kaiyote and the connections just kept sparking from there on.
Q. I’ve noticed you like to make motivational posts. How does this currently hold significance in your life ?
A: It’s not necessarily motivational posts as much as it is a reality *laughs*. I try to alter people’s perception on realities. A lot of times I feel it gives people a chance to peek into who I am and understand my music even more. It’s completely universal and relevant through covering more than one genre or one specific idea. I like capturing everybody’s understanding and culture as well, so yes those posts are slightly meant for motivation and also for insight into my language and ethos.
Q. On a local level or national level, which musician would be your #1 pick for collaboration and why ?
A: Man such a tough question. I’d like to collab with Quincy Jones and I say this because that’s the foundation of who I am. I listen to tons of Quincy’s records. His approach towards sound, as well as emotion and how he uses psychoacoustics to stimulate one to be focused (if you will). I feel I have those same traits. I’m just in the beginning processes of understanding the fundamentals of how to do so. I’d love to do a collaboration with him, only because I want my music to hit the Hip-Hop genre, hit the Gospel, hit the Jazz, hit the Rock, R&B and Soul. I want it to all be a collective ya know. Quincy Jones was the best that did it and does it!
Q. Out of all the venues you’ve performed in which one was the most exciting?
A: I would say opening day of the Hiatus Kaiyote tour with The Hawthorne Headhunters. We were in Chicago at The Double Door. The Double Door is this phenomenal venue in the middle of like a 6 or 8 way intersection close to downtown Chicago. It was so exciting. I had never been on tour before and just met everyone not that long ago. Here we are in Chicago playing at one of the dopest venues from what I heard at the time. Ultimately the energy, the way they treated us, the hospitality, and the care truly showed how everybody was about the moment and the sound towards making sure everything is perfect for the ceremony (if you will). One thing I appreciate about The Hawthorne Headhunters is that it’s all about energy. We don’t necessarily perform it for the people, it’s for us also. This is what we do and you get to be apart of what we do, ya know what I’m saying. Everyone's energy was on 10, the place was packed with people, the lights, the transitions of the songs, and it was overall an incredible feeling. I left there like yeah I want to do this for the rest of my life. It was a wrap.
Q. You don’t play just one instrument, but multiple instruments. What kind of challenges did you encounter when initially learning to play these different instruments ?
A: Yes. I play the organ (B3 organ), piano, trumpet, tuba, baritone, and the drums. The origin of all of these instruments started in high school actually under the direction of Kevin Cole. He saw something in me and I just love that guy for really giving me a chance. The challenge was that I wasn’t the best reader of music. Chord notation I could get by with, but I was all about the feel and all about what was suppose to happen next via through my ears. The challenge of not necessarily being able to understand where the music is going through using your ears, can certainly put you in a position to begin reading music.
Q. Do you believe the concept of music theory plays a crucial role in being an artist/musician ?
Q: If it isn’t broke don’t fix it. If it works for you cool and if it doesn’t that’s great as well. Me personally, I looked at theory in an unorthodox way in the form of shapes or colors. I identified that with a completely different formula than the basics of what they try to show you in books, like a C scale or how this chord is relevant to this chord. It’s all about how you place musical elements, for instance a C Major Chord could also be put on top of a B Chord even though these two chords are right next to each other. How you place it and how you shape it to craft a new sound to me is what theory is. It’s a chance that either works or doesn’t. I feel that anything is worth it, whether it’s a specific way you like or don’t like. There have been instances where theory definitely played a part in band rehearsals to help us instantly know what to do, like oh okay we’re going to the “2”, then the “5” right, aw we’re going to the “7” alright bet, and now we have to go to the “3” (in regards to scale degrees). Theory can often be apart of the process and help a great deal.
Q. What is your perspective on key factors that have occurred in your life with correlation towards being an artist ?
A: My life hasn’t necessarily been the best. I was a firefighter for about 10 years and I saw a lot in this profession while still trying to understand what music meant to me. The ups and downs are really what makes the artist. The artist doesn’t get to just choose what about this or what about that, no the experience has to teach in order for you to choose what to write about. Thus far, my story has been a very horrific and gratifying process. In that I’m going to do some things which allow me to say what others are afraid to say, or play some things people wouldn’t necessarily understand as it pertains to music, as well as the emotion tied to the sound. You have to trust the process. Here embodies the beauty of it all and the reward.
Q. If you could give the younger you any type of advice from the knowledge you have now, what would you say ?
A: I was a very very meek younger me and I was also arrogant. I would definitely say time...Time and discipline. We often waste time as if it’s a luxury. Most of us don’t know the importance of how to utilize our time to the fullest capacity generally because of society. You have to pay bills, you have to get money, and you have to go places. At the same time I feel we all have gone through these phases were time was just something we knew we had. If I would tell my younger self anything it would be to use your time more wisely and be more aggressive with how you use your time. It’s all about synergy and it starts with your mind. As the head leads the body follows. I’d definitely tell my younger self to be more disciplined with time, like right now my time consists of being up everyday about 5:00am to start off with meditating, working out, practicing music, and going over the projects I have to work hard on. I just go about it and get it done.
Q. Do you have any fun facts you’d like us to know ?
A: I love bowling. I’m very COMPETITIVE on the lanes *laughs*. I was on the lanes for a few years, it definitely goes down. Also I ride the train a lot. I’ll ride it from the beginning of the line to the end which is by Scott Air Force Base. I like to bring my sketch pad and draw what I see along the way. I’m real big into arts whether it’s drawing, painting, or doing sketches. Also I’m currently doing a couple of individuals album artwork. Yeah, so I love art it’s real therapeutic for me and it’s something that I usually keep quiet on. I don’t try to be this way, it’s just kind of who I am in that you don’t know everybody’s story. I stay humble as much as possible and treat people with love and respect as much as I can. I’m just grinding on what I do. I know my time is coming and is actually here now to certain a point. Everything is definitely paying off.
Q. What new music endeavors can we expect from you in the near future and where can we find you on social media ?
A: I’m currently working on my album right now entitled “The Connection”. It’s a very interesting process to see how it’s all coming together. It’s due to drop this upcoming August which is my birthday month! I was going to drop it the beginning of April, but I had to put some more magic in there. I have some exciting music ideas that have come to life while working on this album. The music itself is completely unorthodox. I do not pride myself on being like any other artist or creating something others have already made. It’ll all be original music and completely opposite of my character. I’ve really challenged myself to tap into different personas. This will definitely be a project to anticipate. My social media can be found here:
Facebook @BarksdaleMusik
Instagram @Mr.Barksdale_63
Soundcloud @Mr. Barksdale
A: It’s not necessarily motivational posts as much as it is a reality *laughs*. I try to alter people’s perception on realities. A lot of times I feel it gives people a chance to peek into who I am and understand my music even more. It’s completely universal and relevant through covering more than one genre or one specific idea. I like capturing everybody’s understanding and culture as well, so yes those posts are slightly meant for motivation and also for insight into my language and ethos.
Q. On a local level or national level, which musician would be your #1 pick for collaboration and why ?
A: Man such a tough question. I’d like to collab with Quincy Jones and I say this because that’s the foundation of who I am. I listen to tons of Quincy’s records. His approach towards sound, as well as emotion and how he uses psychoacoustics to stimulate one to be focused (if you will). I feel I have those same traits. I’m just in the beginning processes of understanding the fundamentals of how to do so. I’d love to do a collaboration with him, only because I want my music to hit the Hip-Hop genre, hit the Gospel, hit the Jazz, hit the Rock, R&B and Soul. I want it to all be a collective ya know. Quincy Jones was the best that did it and does it!
Q. Out of all the venues you’ve performed in which one was the most exciting?
A: I would say opening day of the Hiatus Kaiyote tour with The Hawthorne Headhunters. We were in Chicago at The Double Door. The Double Door is this phenomenal venue in the middle of like a 6 or 8 way intersection close to downtown Chicago. It was so exciting. I had never been on tour before and just met everyone not that long ago. Here we are in Chicago playing at one of the dopest venues from what I heard at the time. Ultimately the energy, the way they treated us, the hospitality, and the care truly showed how everybody was about the moment and the sound towards making sure everything is perfect for the ceremony (if you will). One thing I appreciate about The Hawthorne Headhunters is that it’s all about energy. We don’t necessarily perform it for the people, it’s for us also. This is what we do and you get to be apart of what we do, ya know what I’m saying. Everyone's energy was on 10, the place was packed with people, the lights, the transitions of the songs, and it was overall an incredible feeling. I left there like yeah I want to do this for the rest of my life. It was a wrap.
Q. You don’t play just one instrument, but multiple instruments. What kind of challenges did you encounter when initially learning to play these different instruments ?
A: Yes. I play the organ (B3 organ), piano, trumpet, tuba, baritone, and the drums. The origin of all of these instruments started in high school actually under the direction of Kevin Cole. He saw something in me and I just love that guy for really giving me a chance. The challenge was that I wasn’t the best reader of music. Chord notation I could get by with, but I was all about the feel and all about what was suppose to happen next via through my ears. The challenge of not necessarily being able to understand where the music is going through using your ears, can certainly put you in a position to begin reading music.
Q. Do you believe the concept of music theory plays a crucial role in being an artist/musician ?
Q: If it isn’t broke don’t fix it. If it works for you cool and if it doesn’t that’s great as well. Me personally, I looked at theory in an unorthodox way in the form of shapes or colors. I identified that with a completely different formula than the basics of what they try to show you in books, like a C scale or how this chord is relevant to this chord. It’s all about how you place musical elements, for instance a C Major Chord could also be put on top of a B Chord even though these two chords are right next to each other. How you place it and how you shape it to craft a new sound to me is what theory is. It’s a chance that either works or doesn’t. I feel that anything is worth it, whether it’s a specific way you like or don’t like. There have been instances where theory definitely played a part in band rehearsals to help us instantly know what to do, like oh okay we’re going to the “2”, then the “5” right, aw we’re going to the “7” alright bet, and now we have to go to the “3” (in regards to scale degrees). Theory can often be apart of the process and help a great deal.
Q. What is your perspective on key factors that have occurred in your life with correlation towards being an artist ?
A: My life hasn’t necessarily been the best. I was a firefighter for about 10 years and I saw a lot in this profession while still trying to understand what music meant to me. The ups and downs are really what makes the artist. The artist doesn’t get to just choose what about this or what about that, no the experience has to teach in order for you to choose what to write about. Thus far, my story has been a very horrific and gratifying process. In that I’m going to do some things which allow me to say what others are afraid to say, or play some things people wouldn’t necessarily understand as it pertains to music, as well as the emotion tied to the sound. You have to trust the process. Here embodies the beauty of it all and the reward.
Q. If you could give the younger you any type of advice from the knowledge you have now, what would you say ?
A: I was a very very meek younger me and I was also arrogant. I would definitely say time...Time and discipline. We often waste time as if it’s a luxury. Most of us don’t know the importance of how to utilize our time to the fullest capacity generally because of society. You have to pay bills, you have to get money, and you have to go places. At the same time I feel we all have gone through these phases were time was just something we knew we had. If I would tell my younger self anything it would be to use your time more wisely and be more aggressive with how you use your time. It’s all about synergy and it starts with your mind. As the head leads the body follows. I’d definitely tell my younger self to be more disciplined with time, like right now my time consists of being up everyday about 5:00am to start off with meditating, working out, practicing music, and going over the projects I have to work hard on. I just go about it and get it done.
Q. Do you have any fun facts you’d like us to know ?
A: I love bowling. I’m very COMPETITIVE on the lanes *laughs*. I was on the lanes for a few years, it definitely goes down. Also I ride the train a lot. I’ll ride it from the beginning of the line to the end which is by Scott Air Force Base. I like to bring my sketch pad and draw what I see along the way. I’m real big into arts whether it’s drawing, painting, or doing sketches. Also I’m currently doing a couple of individuals album artwork. Yeah, so I love art it’s real therapeutic for me and it’s something that I usually keep quiet on. I don’t try to be this way, it’s just kind of who I am in that you don’t know everybody’s story. I stay humble as much as possible and treat people with love and respect as much as I can. I’m just grinding on what I do. I know my time is coming and is actually here now to certain a point. Everything is definitely paying off.
Q. What new music endeavors can we expect from you in the near future and where can we find you on social media ?
A: I’m currently working on my album right now entitled “The Connection”. It’s a very interesting process to see how it’s all coming together. It’s due to drop this upcoming August which is my birthday month! I was going to drop it the beginning of April, but I had to put some more magic in there. I have some exciting music ideas that have come to life while working on this album. The music itself is completely unorthodox. I do not pride myself on being like any other artist or creating something others have already made. It’ll all be original music and completely opposite of my character. I’ve really challenged myself to tap into different personas. This will definitely be a project to anticipate. My social media can be found here:
Facebook @BarksdaleMusik
Instagram @Mr.Barksdale_63
Soundcloud @Mr. Barksdale
Q&A session with saint louis rapper, zado
Photograph by Twitter: @doryymiller
By Cami Thomas
Q: Thanks for answering a few questions for the blog! How’d you hear about For the Culture?
A: I saw a backseat freestyle with the homie Najii Person in it.
Q: Did you grow up in St. Louis? What’s your connection to the city and what does it mean to you?
A: I grew up in Saint Louis. It's engrained in me. Everything i do. My vernacular is Saint Louis, my creative process is Jennings, MO. It means the world to me. I take pride in being from here. If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.
Q: How did you first get involved in music?
A: I was listening to Lil wayne, my favorite rapper ever. The way he rapped and presented himself made me want to do music. How cerebral he was while still being cool and calculated made me wanna write. I knew I could combine all the worlds together.
Q: Tell me a bit about yourself? Your upbringing, key points in your life that have helped shape your music and sound.
A: I grew up in southside Saint Louis then moved to Jennings when i was 13. I take both of those segments in my life as key factors in who i am. Bing on the southside made me humble. We were poor as hell, hotdogs every day. It made me appreciate the struggle. I remember I was 9, and I had a gun put to my head for no reason. I remember those emotions I felt: the fear, the urgency, the doubt, the anger. the vulnerability. You hear all that in the music. You hear me being me.
Q: What are you listening to nowadays? Who are some of your favorite artists in the game?
A: I listen to alot of my friends and peers as opposed to “the game”. I try to stay out of that mind frame. There's so much diversity here musically, we have our own Rap Game.
Q: What makes your sound unique? In your opinion, what separates you from other sounds in the city?
A: im not afraid to look or sound stupid or try new sounds. all my emotions are in it. Like every song is a peephole into my psyche at the moment.
Q: Where can we usually catch you? What do you like to do for fun?
A: Catch me in the scene. I try to be active in there as possible and support as much local stuff as I can. We all have to do our part to support these local geniuses if we wanna see Saint Louis become a staple.
Q: There’s a lot of crazy shit going on in the world right now. Do politics or current events ever have an impact on your music and creativity?
A: I do believe in music reflecting the current sign of the times, but my music is gonna always be about what I feel at the moment. I feel torn by the issues our country faces and sometimes it gets too overwhelming to even put in a verse. It's gotta feel right.
Q: What’s next for you? When can we expect to hear new music?
A: I'm finishing up my project entitled “Wrote A Self-Portrait”, my magnum opus. I have a video coming in April titled “NightDrive” too. It's fire *laughs*.
axj takes over lil yachty's "shoot out" in this dope freestyle
in case you missed it
visual for young juke's "projects"
40 n' mule
By St. Louis' Slikk Darko
Produced by Peace Sign Baker
New stl: tre casanova
watch the stunning new visual for bloom's imagination
backseat freestyle with najii person
No lights no mics; just the old school format of freestyling in the back seat! Check out Backseat Freestyle w/ Najii
watch the trailer for Eric donte's,
"god don't like ugly" the movie
The prodigal vampire son of the St. Louis music scene is pushing the limits. He's linked up with locally known videographer Jessica Page to bring forth a cinematic odyssey. God Don't Like Ugly the movie is coming soon; check out the trailer and tell us what you think.
Serve chilled
Local Voices: St. Louis' Drakkar Jones reviews U.K. favorite, Hed Kandi
By Drakkar Jones
House music enthusiasts who are familiar with the house music scene across the pond over in the UK probably know a little bit about the brand, Hed Kandi (HK). The UK based record label, founded a little under 20 years ago, hangs its hat on events, nightlife, promoting music artists and annual compilations. Now you may be asking yourself, “why should I be interested in what Hed Kandi has to offer?” Two words: Serve Chilled.
HK’s Serve Chilled compilation soothes the soul. It lifts you up from day-to-day stresses and places you into a paradise of lazy, hazy listenings. Whether you’re driving out trying to clear your head, to recovering the next morning from the crazy night before, Serve Chilled is the perfect companion for an afternoon in the sun, on the beach or those mesmeric summer barbeques. Granted, you may have never heard of Hed Kandi, but their 2016 compilation of Serve Chilled is definitely one to download and save in your iCloud or music library forever.
The compilation begins with a track that immediately drew me in before I downloaded it, “Honey” performed by one of my favorite UK-based artists, Katy B & KAYTRANADA. Katy B’s vocals automatically tugs you into this R&B, soulful headspace. The lyrics alone are hypnotic, coupled with her sensual voice and demeanor. You’ll want to keep an eye out for Katy B, she’s extremely talented. The next track that stood out, “Loud Places” performed by Jaime xx is another track that serves up the chillout haze we long for in a chill track. This track was released in 2015, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t worthy of listening to two years later. Good music is timeless. If you like the band The xx even a little bit, you’ll adore this track like I do.
House music enthusiasts who are familiar with the house music scene across the pond over in the UK probably know a little bit about the brand, Hed Kandi (HK). The UK based record label, founded a little under 20 years ago, hangs its hat on events, nightlife, promoting music artists and annual compilations. Now you may be asking yourself, “why should I be interested in what Hed Kandi has to offer?” Two words: Serve Chilled.
HK’s Serve Chilled compilation soothes the soul. It lifts you up from day-to-day stresses and places you into a paradise of lazy, hazy listenings. Whether you’re driving out trying to clear your head, to recovering the next morning from the crazy night before, Serve Chilled is the perfect companion for an afternoon in the sun, on the beach or those mesmeric summer barbeques. Granted, you may have never heard of Hed Kandi, but their 2016 compilation of Serve Chilled is definitely one to download and save in your iCloud or music library forever.
The compilation begins with a track that immediately drew me in before I downloaded it, “Honey” performed by one of my favorite UK-based artists, Katy B & KAYTRANADA. Katy B’s vocals automatically tugs you into this R&B, soulful headspace. The lyrics alone are hypnotic, coupled with her sensual voice and demeanor. You’ll want to keep an eye out for Katy B, she’s extremely talented. The next track that stood out, “Loud Places” performed by Jaime xx is another track that serves up the chillout haze we long for in a chill track. This track was released in 2015, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t worthy of listening to two years later. Good music is timeless. If you like the band The xx even a little bit, you’ll adore this track like I do.
Next comes another hidden gem that I wouldn’t have had the chance to love until I bought Serve Chilled, the group RITUAL’s track, “Josephine” keeps the chill vibes flowing. Alfa Mist on remix duties helps destress me even more. I kept this on repeat for a good three weeks. Best listening to when holding a glass of wine, or a mixed drink, eyes closed while the rhythms blesses your ears. “Shivers” performed by SG Lewis is a gorgeous homage to music. Cool rivers washing over me, smooth rhythms that make me move my feet, and those soul shivers taking me back to the day when music was a life giver, make a bad man change his ways. Pure bliss.
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“Needs” produced by Submotion Orchestra and Andrew Ashong giving us vocals whisks you to musical paradise. The seven piece band is based in Leeds, UK and dubstep, soul, ambient electronica, jazz and dub genres are said to be their influencers. Seb Wildblood enhances the ambient elements, remixing the already blissed out track. “Left To Waste (Walka Remix)” was a heavyweight last summer on Miami and Ibiza’s dancefloor front and is still being spun by DJ’s globally. Geez, this is a hell of a track if I may say so myself. What makes it so dope is the saxophone touch throughout the song and especially in the middle of the track.
“Samba (Sunset Mix)” by Simon Hardy is again, best listened to at the beach house, wearing your Ray-Ban’s, soaking in the sun, sitting by the pool, just loving life. Simon Hardy is the latest addition to HK’s roster and is already making a name for himself in the UK House music scene. Lastly “Happy Happy House House” is the best track to conclude this ambient, blissed out compilation. HNNY produced this very chill track with the intentions of having us wanting more Serve Chilled. So when the track is over, go ahead and play it back. I kept this track on repeat too; it’s that good. Just wish it was longer than 2 minutes. Hed Kandi: Serve Chilled is available on iTunes and it's worth every penny. Enjoy. |
"The lyrics alone are hypnotic, coupled with her sensual voice and demeanor. |
St. Louis' own
young juve - equal
St. Louis' Own
King Poppa - Hungry
The Takeover
St. Louis' Smino Freestyles for Genius
Q&A with Danté Wolfe
by Cami Thomas
Danté Wolfe is here to stay. The St. Louis native and au courant member of the MME music collective has been getting his hands dirty; most notably with the groundwork of his upcoming album, Carlton Ave.
The authentic, strikingly forthright story told in the single Temp Tags outlines a life of near death experiences, relationship woes, and crossing state lines. The old school trumpets and pipe organ blaring in the background set the tone for a tale reminiscent of an urban mafia movie, starring Wolfe and fellow MME artist Mvstermind.
After the release (and much acclaim) to Wolfe's Temp Tags, I had the chance to sit down with Wolfe and ask a few questions about his upbringing, and get the inside scoop about his music.
Danté Wolfe is here to stay. The St. Louis native and au courant member of the MME music collective has been getting his hands dirty; most notably with the groundwork of his upcoming album, Carlton Ave.
The authentic, strikingly forthright story told in the single Temp Tags outlines a life of near death experiences, relationship woes, and crossing state lines. The old school trumpets and pipe organ blaring in the background set the tone for a tale reminiscent of an urban mafia movie, starring Wolfe and fellow MME artist Mvstermind.
After the release (and much acclaim) to Wolfe's Temp Tags, I had the chance to sit down with Wolfe and ask a few questions about his upbringing, and get the inside scoop about his music.
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Q: Thanks for linking up with me man. I guess we can just dive right in. How has St. Louis and St. Louis culture helped to shape your music? A: After my upbringing in St. Louis I feel like I can go anywhere and figure out my way. The city exposes you to so much so young. I knew how to give attention to detail being from here. You have to know how to talk to different people. Being from St. Louis will teach you how much an opportunity is worth also. These are just some of things that factor into my music. The city has a jazz influence historically also. I want to utilize that more. Q: That's real. I definitely hear those jazz influences in your new song Temp Tags. Where do you draw most of your inspiration? A: I draw the majority of my inspiration from life; life experiences, life lessons. All of the records I've been writing this past year have been done on the spot. I'll stop and go through the beats I have at the time and make music about whatever I'm going through or whatever I'm feeling that day. Not just about myself either, world events too. I'll say something like "the white hoods turned blue, but the aim is the same." Because that's what I'm seeing going on and that's what's impacting me. Q: How’d you get started with MME? A: I went to high school with nearly everyone in the collective. Naturally I rapped in highschool but it was more so based in battling or just cyphers. I hadn't even really thought about making whole songs at that point. MIR, Con, and I usually would be taking the same path home. One day at the Metro Link Station MIR started asking me about rap in general and if I was still rapping. I told him "yeah". He asked me if I wanted to work on this project with him and shortly after that I was in MME. Q: What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done? A: In the first two stories I thought of, one could could probably get me into some legal trouble. And the second nearly ended me in some legal trouble. So I'll just leave that there haha. Q: What’s something that most people would never guess about you? A: I use this one because I heard it recently: That I like to watch anime. |
As an artist I'm a storyteller. This song is a vivid depiction of a pivotal time in my recent life. In less than a year my whole life changed. Through my music you can get to know me. I would say that's all you need to know. 
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Q: What’s a hardship that has helped shape you into the artist you are today?
A: Honestly just being down. I've had a couple periods of struggle in my lifetime. Whether it was skipping a meal, or being completely broke. Or even just straight sleeping on the floor. I would consider myself a prideful person so I don't like asking for things. Even from my parents. So finding myself in those situations and seeing where I'm at now, it shows me a lot about myself. I lost financial aid twice and could've just walked away from it, technically being a dropout. But I've always stayed my course and stuck to my plans. I feel like that shows in my music. There's definitely a beauty in the struggle and I draw on that in different forms for my music.
Q: Who’s your biggest mentor? Or someone you look up to within the music scene.
A: As cliché as it might sound I gotta say Mvstermind. Whenever I have a question or I'm trying to figure out how to do something music related he's one of the first people I call. Since the early stages he's always set a bar with the music.
Q: Where do you see yourself in three years? Musically and otherwise
A: In three years I will have completely found myself as an artist and a creative. I have a few professional goals in the entertainment field. Being a Theatre graduate I'm naturally drawn to film and production. So I'll be making the best music of my youth. And have some decent production cred to add. All of my business is in order also so we shouldn't be pressed for change.
A: Honestly just being down. I've had a couple periods of struggle in my lifetime. Whether it was skipping a meal, or being completely broke. Or even just straight sleeping on the floor. I would consider myself a prideful person so I don't like asking for things. Even from my parents. So finding myself in those situations and seeing where I'm at now, it shows me a lot about myself. I lost financial aid twice and could've just walked away from it, technically being a dropout. But I've always stayed my course and stuck to my plans. I feel like that shows in my music. There's definitely a beauty in the struggle and I draw on that in different forms for my music.
Q: Who’s your biggest mentor? Or someone you look up to within the music scene.
A: As cliché as it might sound I gotta say Mvstermind. Whenever I have a question or I'm trying to figure out how to do something music related he's one of the first people I call. Since the early stages he's always set a bar with the music.
Q: Where do you see yourself in three years? Musically and otherwise
A: In three years I will have completely found myself as an artist and a creative. I have a few professional goals in the entertainment field. Being a Theatre graduate I'm naturally drawn to film and production. So I'll be making the best music of my youth. And have some decent production cred to add. All of my business is in order also so we shouldn't be pressed for change.
Photographs by Skyler Brown
Be on the lookout for
AxJ
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Who: AxJ
Location: Atlanta Bio: AxJ (Ay-Jay) is an artist, poet, and MC after his listener's heart. He reigns from Indianapolis, IN but is currently making his home in Atlanta. Why you should be on the lookout: AxJ has steadily released captivating projects and has opened up for acts such as Big Boi, MGK, Trey Songz and Waka Flaka. Rather than draw comparisons to any of these artists though, he rather let his art speak for itself with his newest work titled The Light Bulb Moment. Calm Down: Never one to run away from touchy topics, AxJ gives food for thought with a push for revolution in his new song Calm Down. Flipping an older song originally produced by legendary producer Mad Lib, AxJ gives fans a timeless message regarding change and progress. "This song is me speaking my peace about it all" AxJ said. "It's not meant to be a popular song, but an honest statement knowing there are many of my peers that feel the same way. May this continue to motivate those wanting to take action and have the necessary conversations in order to bring about results of change for the better." |
From Novacane to Blonde: My Story of Falling in Love with Frank Ocean
By Cami Thomas
I was 17 years old the first time I heard Frank Ocean sing. My best friend Denise and I had snuck to the park around 1:00 am to watch the stars and talk out our post-highschool fears. We were both headed off to college; her to Chicago and me to New Orleans. Our conversation consisted of the usual college freshmen angsty comments and "we're growing up too fast" jitters. It was 2011 and the world was ours for the taking, if we could only muster up the courage to pack our bags and leave St. Louis for a lengthy four years.
The early morning was filled with the sound of loud crickets and the occasional car whooshing past with drivers probably wondering why two teenagers were sprawled out on top of a park bench at such an ungodly hour.
Per usual, Denise always heard about new artists about five years before anyone else. So when the whirring sounds and steady beat of Frank Ocean's Novacane played through the speakers on her phone, I didn't bother asking who or what this song was (because I knew it was someone I'd probably never heard of). Something about the song though, the numbness and emotional unavailability in Frank Ocean's voice perhaps, gained access to a part of my heart that was typically reserved for family and the closest of friends. He was guarded. He was intelligent. He reminded me of the hip, suburban but still wavy, type of young black musician that I related to the most.
For those unfamiliar with the song Novacane, I'll offer a succinct breakdown. Frank details his journey of meeting a young attractive woman at a music festival. The two smoke together and he realizes that what he's taking in must be laced with something unfamiliar, because he suddenly feels numb to everything that would usually bring him pleasure. He spends the rest of the song searching for something, anything, that will give him a feeling of gratification. Nothing works. Even sex with beautiful women leaves him feeling numb, and he feels terrible for letting these women think he feels anything. Check out the video below to hear the lyrics for yourself. Close your eyes and lay down if you want to have the full effect of me and Denise listening to music at the park at 1:00am.
I was 17 years old the first time I heard Frank Ocean sing. My best friend Denise and I had snuck to the park around 1:00 am to watch the stars and talk out our post-highschool fears. We were both headed off to college; her to Chicago and me to New Orleans. Our conversation consisted of the usual college freshmen angsty comments and "we're growing up too fast" jitters. It was 2011 and the world was ours for the taking, if we could only muster up the courage to pack our bags and leave St. Louis for a lengthy four years.
The early morning was filled with the sound of loud crickets and the occasional car whooshing past with drivers probably wondering why two teenagers were sprawled out on top of a park bench at such an ungodly hour.
Per usual, Denise always heard about new artists about five years before anyone else. So when the whirring sounds and steady beat of Frank Ocean's Novacane played through the speakers on her phone, I didn't bother asking who or what this song was (because I knew it was someone I'd probably never heard of). Something about the song though, the numbness and emotional unavailability in Frank Ocean's voice perhaps, gained access to a part of my heart that was typically reserved for family and the closest of friends. He was guarded. He was intelligent. He reminded me of the hip, suburban but still wavy, type of young black musician that I related to the most.
For those unfamiliar with the song Novacane, I'll offer a succinct breakdown. Frank details his journey of meeting a young attractive woman at a music festival. The two smoke together and he realizes that what he's taking in must be laced with something unfamiliar, because he suddenly feels numb to everything that would usually bring him pleasure. He spends the rest of the song searching for something, anything, that will give him a feeling of gratification. Nothing works. Even sex with beautiful women leaves him feeling numb, and he feels terrible for letting these women think he feels anything. Check out the video below to hear the lyrics for yourself. Close your eyes and lay down if you want to have the full effect of me and Denise listening to music at the park at 1:00am.
Pretty girls involved with me |
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I read the undertones in his lyrics as him coming out, before he officially came out later that same year. Though perhaps I was simply projecting my own feelings about men into his lyrics, for it was later that year that I came out as well. Either way, the song of a young, wavy New Orleans native fighting against his own emotional unavailability sounded distinctly different than anything my young ears had yet been exposed to. It felt oddly familiar too. He went to parties, met beautiful people, and recorded music, and yet felt distant from the people around him (maybe because he had yet to be honest about his true self).
Novacane remains my favorite song to this day. At 17 years old, I related to feeling a sort of emptiness when it came to superficial interactions with peers. I also realized that building a wall to block out your emotions (or to deny others access to your heart) comes with the steep price of feeling numb 24/7. You have to shake that off to experience true gratification. Or in other words, be smacked back into reality like in the end of the Novacane music video. The first step in being smacked back into reality is to come to peace with every part of yourself. Frank Ocean blasted through my speakers as I drove down the Mississippi via I-55 to make a new home in the Crescent City. Novacane reminded me of what life would be like if I wasn't honest with myself and the people around me. The release of Channel Orange threw Frank Ocean into the mainstream music scene and gave him the exposure he deserved. Then he disappeared, leaving fans with questions and demands and frustrations. Though if you'd grown to love and know Frank through his earlier music, his unexplained departure was barely a surprise; if anything, it was expected. So now it's four years later. I woke up this morning to an album cover featuring a shirtless Frank Ocean wiping the water from his face while he emerges from a shower (or four years of his own respective cleansing period). His hair is cut low and dyed green like the Joker. A bandage wrapped around his index finger signals to his fans that he's been working hard to give us exactly what we've been needing for the past four years. Blonde. Tonight I'll run back to the park where I first heard Frank Ocean as an angsty high school graduate. I'll find that same park bench, climb on top, and lay back so that the only thing in my vision is a sky full of stars. When I press play on Blonde, I'll be sure to soak in every moment. For knowing Frank Ocean and his tendencies, there's no way to predict when more music will be out. A lot of Frank Ocean superfans on my social media timelines have high expectations for the album and will likely be disappointed in anything that isn't Grammy worthy. That isn't the case for me. My only expectation for Blonde is that it teaches me as much about myself as Novacane did nearly five years ago. So far, that's already happened. It's taught me that sometimes you need to disappear for four years in order to heal, and that you can be unapologetic about putting yourself first. In our world of constant stimulation and distraction, taking a four year long shower to cleanse our minds may not be a terrible idea. |
I woke up to an album cover featuring a shirtless Frank Ocean wiping the water from his face while he emerges from a shower (or four years of his own respective cleansing period). 
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Worth Watching
Mvstermind | Mail Moolah
In the Lab with Najii Person
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Rapper Najii Person talks music, keeping his balance, and his loyalty to St. Louis
by Cami Thomas Najii Person is hard to miss. With his winding locs and powerful presence, he commands a room with the sort of comfortable silence that only comes from a true St. Louis music veteran. Yet with a baseball cap often worn low on his head, barely clearing his eyes, Najii admits he can be somewhat of a recluse at times. "I'm really like a walking ghost" Najii said between bouts of soft laughter. "I pop up and then I'm gone and next time you see me I'm on the internet talking about some music I got about to come out. You see this crazy cover art for the song and you know I been in the lab." The "lab" that Najii refers to is his recording studio of choice, tucked between sprawling buildings in downtown St. Louis. The studio is admittedly where he spends most of his free time. He's a private person who can seem to temporally disappear from the social scene, before re-emerging with music for his steadily growing fan base. Fans don't have to wait long to receive updates from Najii, however. His active social media presence gives his followers a glance at the day in the life of the budding 23 year old rapper. "You can usually catch me on Snapchat" said Najii. "Making a beat or something." Those who have walked down Delmar Avenue or Cherokee Street in St. Louis have likely laid eyes on promotional posters featuring Najii and his signature combo of long locs topped with a baseball cap. Posters for upcoming performances can often be seen sprawled about the city streets. Ironically, it's these same streets that he draws his biggest inspirations for his music. "I have lived in St. Louis all my life until I went off to college back in 2012 when I went to Chicago" said Najii. He has no doubts that his upbringing in St. Louis have helped shape his musical style and lyrical content. "I definitely would say it's helped; by going to all the shows, listening to what everyone was doing. But most of all, life has helped me grow as an artist." His content brings originality to the table, in that it's refreshingly honest and transparent. Najii isn't shy about chronicling the events of his life, and bringing light to common issues. Most notably, relationship scenarios. "Some songs would have never been written if I didn't go through certain things in my personal life" Najii said. Najii is young and still has plenty of growth potential to put him amongst the greatest to ever do it in St. Louis. And he has no plans of slowing down his momentum anytime soon. The next two years are full of excitement and optimism for Najii, though it's hard for him to anticipate exactly what's next. "The way God moves I couldn't even tell you" he said. "Life's just funny like that. But I would like to be touring and making quadruple what I make now. And hopefully by that time the first album will be about to come out but only God knows." There's plenty of mystery regarding what to expect from Najii in the next few years. We'll just have to wait and see exactly what he's got cooking in the lab. His passion for his craft though, is unwavering. "One thing I do know is I will be making music" he said. |
St. Louis rapper Najii Person. Najii sat down with Cami Thomas to give her a closer look at his life as a hip-hop artist and producer.
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YOUNG JUVE - STRESSED OUT |
ST. LOUIS AND NEW ORLEANS LOCAL YOUNG JUVE
PRODUCED BY ZAYTOVEN |
Marketing talk with St. Louis' Mvstermind, Gregory Davis, and Cami Thomas
I sat down to talk to Mvstermind and Gregory Davis about tips for marketing yourself as a musician. Mvstermind is a boss, and raps and produces a very impressive catalog of music. Gregory is the driving force behind some of St. Louis' best graphic designs.
Mvstermind, Gregory Davis, Cami Thomas
Visual by David Dobbs of St. Louis
Visual by David Dobbs of St. Louis