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Akrobatik Interview

Akrobatik

Contributed by Alex on 4/11/08

Bostonian emcee Akrobatik has been a staple in the stacks of east coast hip hop aficionados since he burst onto the scene during the Rawkus glory days. He kept kept his early millennium momentum going and in 2003 dropped the highly acclaimed album Balance, cementing him at the top of his hometown scene. As a member of the Perceptionists, he dropped Black Dialogue, one of hip hop critics’ favorite albums of 2005. Akrobatik’s most recent effort, Absolute Value, hit stores in February and features a who’s who of hip hop superstars including Talib Kweli, Chuck D, and J Dilla. We had a chance to exchange a few words with the avid Patriots fan, and he reflected on the heart-breaking super bowl loss, the Boston hip hop scene, and the impact that Chuck D has had on his career.

For those on the outside, what’s the Boston hip hop scene like?
A: At the risk of upsetting some people, it’s pretty stagnant. The whole industry is hurting, so smaller markets are really taking a hit. So many people I heard about even last summer have fizzled away. I think people are starting to realize that without a dedicated fanbase it’s almost impossible to break into the biz. The days of people going into a record store to just buy whatever is out are over. You have to have your own fanbase, and in a city like Boston where everyone is trying to get, it becomes increasingly difficult. There are still a lot of hot artists in an around Boston, but the scene itself is suffering.

Why do you think people outside Boston miss out on the Boston scene?
A: Every city has its own local scene that it’s focused on. And out of that scene, a select few will go on to have national and/or international fan bases. It’s that simple. You can’t listen to everything.

What do you want people to get through your music? What are you bringing that’s unique to hip hop?
A: I want people to get that same feeling that they got listening to hip-hop when they loved it most. I am a disciple of Big Daddy Kane, KRS-One, Slick Rick, Rakim, EPMD, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Redman, Gangstarr, etc., so I want people to remember why that time was so dope, while updating the music so that it never sounds old. What I bring to the game right now that’s unique is my range of styles. I don’t think there is a more diverse hip-hop album on the market right now than Absolute Value.

You’ve worked with Chuck D before, what did he teach you? What are his views and how do you look at him?
A: Chuck was my idol growing up. I mean, look at him now even! He’s in the best shape of his life, still touring the world and making new records. Chuck is the official rhyme animal, and he made the greatest rap album of all time, hands down with Nation of Millions. I have had some great conversations with him, and he really encouraged me to stay on track and carry the torch. He referred to Mr. Lif and I as the Miles Davis and John Coltrane of hip-hop. That statement alone makes anything any critic says about me obsolete as far as I’m concerned.

You’re music is raw, but yet socially conscious. Do you think artists need to strike more of a chord like this now a days? will it “save” hip hop?
A: Oh, I can’t say what others should do. This is music. All that matters to me is that what I make or listen to is funky. Quality first. I listen to a wide range of artists, including Kweli, Snoop, Common, Clipse, Nas, Freddie Foxx, Wu-Tang. These guys all have varying levels of consciousness, but the music is almost always bangin’. That’s all that matters to me. I grew up listening to the Geto Boys, probably pretty far from socially conscious to most people. But aesthetically, it was some of the best hip-hop out… If everyone where trying to save hip-hop and the world in their music, it would get really boring really fast.

What’s different/new about your new album compared to your previous work?
A: Absolute Value is more focused, better beats, better lyrics. I see it as a full-fledged upgrade from everything I have done previously.

Tell us about The Perceptionists (with Mr. Lif and Fakts One) - how is the group’s music different from your solo material?
A: Lif and I are best friends, and our music is a hybrid of both of our mentalities and tastes. We make music together because of just how drastically different it comes out from our solo material. It’s always a brath of fresh air to make songs together and come out of our respective shells for a minute.

What do you think of the Giants beating the Pats in the Superbowl?
A: I think that the Patriots were not as well-prepared for the game as they may have let on. Tom Brady didn’t practice at all during the first week off before the game. Timing was off, New York’s defensive line was beastly, and Belichik was severely out-coached in that game. That’s what football is all about, one game and it’s a wrap. Don’t matter how many you win before that. Just like Memphis in the NCAA’s.