It bugs me when most people claim that music, specifically Hip Hop, sucks with how vast the Internet is and how easy it is to find something great. There’s NO excuse for this sentiment when music is so readily available, and we can find something that speaks to us individually. However, we still expect perfect artist(s) to fall from the sky onto our laps, rather than putting in a little work to find something exceptional. We turn on the radio and blindly accept the lowest common denominator sound that we’re programmed to listen to. Case in point, Yugen Blakrok, a South African Hip Hop artist, just dropped her 1st release (“Return of the Astro-Goth”), and yet most people will miss out on this gifted talent because she either doesn’t fit the status quo or is perceived as not easily accessible. But if you read the review I dropped in late 2013 (https://insomniacmagazine.com/2013/11/yugen-blakrok-return-of-the-astro-goth-lp-review-by-cypher-73/) or read this interview, you the reader, have the chance to change this and tell others. There are no definitives when talking about art, but the culture can always change for the best if the energy is applied. Jah Bless to Yugen for allowing Insomniac Magazine to pick her brain:
C73 : Your LP was incredible. What I love most was vibe and atmosphere of the album. It took me away to another (pleasant) place mentally, which is very rare nowadays musically. Please explain the process in creating this sort of vibe.
Yugen : We partnered up to make something that would represent where we were, mentally, musically, in all senses. While there’d be periods of
isolation and focus, there’d also be crazy experimental phases during recordings. We collaborated to make the picture bigger, he’d pick
samples specifically for the tracks. I’d come through with verbal images, he’d set the audio scene. We’d keep what worked; explore the more
challenging concepts and just jam.
C73 : There were definitely a lot of battle type lyrics showing off your skills, but there was also thought provoking lyricism as well. What would you say was the underlying message of “Return of the Astro Goth?”
Yugen : I felt the title conveyed the message best in as few words as possible. This is the journey of the character, Yugen of Crow’s Nest.
The topics covered are some of the influences, the paint that colors the landscape, if you will. We wanted to make a time capsule.
C73 : Is Hip-Hop Dead? If yes, explain. If no, explain:
Yugen : No. It’s more undead than dead. Sometimes I think we’re just going through a rise and fall motion; other times feel like we’re goin’ round in a circle…it’s a type of energy, even though the label is used a little too liberally these days. No doubt, there has been interference, misrepresentation and enough hidden agendas to make a conspiracy theorist’s head spin. I reckon the fads will disappear as they always
do but I doubt that Hip-Hop itself (I’m talkin’ bout the sh*t that made Public Enemy, Wu and Beastie Boys who they were) will encounter
extinction anytime soon. Everything has its time; you gotta let things run their course.
C73 : What is your vision of Hip Hop’s future?
Yugen : I’m optimistic about it. Hip-hop has always been a reflection of the people in it. That said, what’s currently popular does influence and
also reflect mass culture. I feel as though more people are becoming more aware about what’s going on in the world and their role in where
we are. We need to take an even closer look at the words “independent” and “freedom”.
C73 : Do you listen to other forms of music outside of Hip Hop, if yes WHAT?
Yugen : Trip-hop, electro, blues, rock, tribal sounds & other ambient vibes. I listen to all kinds of stuff.
C73 : Who were your artistic/musical influences growing up?
Yugen : 90s hip-hop videos on tv. 80s pop. Khadja Nin. Enya. My mom’s blues and country & western tapes; she was the first person I knew who kept a book of all her favorite lyrics. I loved books, stories and languages and drew inspiration from art, dance and film.
C73 : What is your music background?
Yugen : I was in the choir in the first grade but was instructed to lip-synch cause I kept throwing the kids who could really sing off. That didn’t
last long – I soon found out that the other school choirs DIDN’T have mimes. I only started rapping after high school; a friend of mine was
convinced I could so I tried.
C73 : How do you describe your music to people?
Yugen : I tell them its Hip-Hop.
C73 : What image do you think your music conveys?
Yugen : I never think about that. People often interpret art in various ways and that’s always in my head. I like abstract thoughts. I worked with
Kanif out of respect and admiration for his approach to making music. In a nutshell, I make music for music’s sake, focusing on energy and
the spirit of the moment.
C73 : What’s your outlook on the music/recording industry today?
Yugen : Grim. I’m fed up with the people inside it, making sh*t decisions. I’m for artists owning their own music, ideas and image. I’m totally for
the independent scene and it keeps growing. Artists need to recognize where their power lies and make these motherfuckers obsolete.
C73 : What inspires you to do what you do?
Yugen : Love.
C73 : What project or projects are you currently working on? When will they
be released?
Yugen : I will only admit to there being secret projects currently under way. The rest is classified.
C73 : If you had an opportunity to collaborate with ANY artist or artists
(dead or alive) in ANY genre of music/art, who would you choose? And
why?
Yugen : I would ask Jack White, I suspect he’s insane but I’m convinced he’s a genius.
Again, thanks to Yugen Blakrok for this opportunity and please buy her album at http://iapetusrecords.bandcamp.com/album/yugen-blakrok-return-of-the-astro-goth
