I have been writing for Insomniac since the mid-90’s and have been privileged to meet and review some amazing artists. In all of this time though, I’ve never interviewed an artist so, I took it upon myself to formulate some interview questions to see what my subject’s perspective was in regards to Hip Hop, the industry and other inquiries. First on tap is Indiana emcee Id Obelus:
Is Hip-Hop Dead? If yes, explain. If no, explain:
Of course not! Even if hip hop wasn’t the global phenomenon it is today, it still wouldn’t be “dead.” The music, dance, and art that are the foundation of hip hop will survive as long as this Earth does. Even if people quit calling it Hip Hop, future art forms will develop that will be influenced by aspects of Hip Hop as we know it.
What is your vision of Hip Hop’s future?
To be honest, I can’t say I have a vision of Hip Hop’s future. I would imagine Hip Hop will continue to influence art for years to come.
Do you listen to other forms of music outside of Hip Hop, if yes WHAT?
Of course, even though my extensive music collection is 90% rap. I am open-minded and love all forms of music. Ween is perhaps my favorite band. I’m a huge Mike Patton fan. I’m really an experimental music junky. I like a lot of 60’s era psychedelic, old school country. Merle Haggard, Cash… I’m always open to check out music that someone suggests to me, and I often kick myself for sleeping on something incredible.
Who were your artistic/musical influences growing up?
When I was just a little sh*t, I remember playing the sh*t out of my mom’s collection of 45s. The Beatles, Herman’s Hermits, and American Breed stand out as my favorites at that time. I have a clear memory of dressing up in a ridiculous vest and freaking out to “Bend Me, Shape Me.” Next came Michael Jackson, I was obsessed with him. The group of kids I grew up all were. We all got perms and we envied my cousins who had the “Beat It” and “Thriller Jackets”!
I really became a rap addict from the moment I heard “Raising Hell” by Run DMC. It was my first “rap” cassette, which soon became the initial brick that built the castle of cassettes in my collection. Being an outsider to this culture that didn’t actually exist in rural Indiana, I truly absorbed all styles of rap music from all the stuff that was coming out of NY, to the gangsta rap from the west coast, to the Miami bass scene, and the even the in betweens like, MC Shy D. If it was rap, I had to have it. I feel that all of these artists played a roll in influencing me. I truly obsessed and still obsess over music. I suppose rap moved me most because I felt it was something I could do. A rapper doesn’t have to be in tune necessarily. I studied the delivery of the M.C.’s; their voices, words, and cadences. Another one of my loves growing up (and still) is art, in a visual sense. I was always amazed by the surreal and abstract; MC Escher, Salvador Dali, and Picasso. I had even signed some of my early artworks as ‘Ricasso’. Naturally my obsession with rap and abstract/surreal art came to cross and Id Obelus is the result.
What is your music background?
I have no real formal music background. I just grew up recording everything. My brother and I use to record ourselves doing these (comedy) skits with our friends ever since we were old enough to push a record. So naturally, when I became obsessed with rap- my best friend and I tried it ourselves and recorded it. Our earliest attempts consisted of us slapping the floor to create a beat and altering the rhymes of other rappers to suitably fit our names in. This evolved to the setting up of two boomboxes, one to play the b-side instrumental of a rap single and the other to record. By this time, we were reciting rhymes that we specifically wrote to these beats as if to reclaim them as our own. It was gradual progression for sure.
How do you describe your music to people?
I usually mumble some BS description while they look confused as I stumble on my words proclaiming it is really “wordy lyrical stuff.”
What image do you think your music conveys?
I’m not sure. I try to strategically place lyrics of significance to project some sort of positive message within the slapstick childish wordplay. Sometimes I get lost in my own art though. I try not to worry about conveying any particular image as an artist. Instead I try to let the moment dictate the song to create unpredictable imagery for the listener to escape into. I hope that people can just enjoy what I do and appreciate it as honest creative art.
What’s your outlook on the record industry today?
It’s weird, I’m really trying to adapt to it. It’s no secret that it is a whole new monster. I’m sadly nostalgic at times and wish the youth of today could experience what I had, the wonderful feeling of sifting through a record/tape collection and scanning the artwork/liner notes. But, those days are gone. On the flipside, the digital revolution has opened the flood gates for indie artists to be heard. It’s really opened the playing field. The fall of the record industry is a good thing really. I’m going to steal a phrase from my friends the Dreadnots, “we’re taking music back… out of the suites and into the streets” In saying this, we mean that artists are creating and pushing their own music without corporate agenda. Therefore, the music is pure and not formatted to fit a radio timeslot. Granted there is still a corporate hand in the music industry, but they are grasping for straws and ring tones.
What inspires you to do what you do?
Why do fishermen fish or golfers golf? I don’t know if it’s as much inspiration, but more of a fact that I’m an artist therefore I make art… always have, always will. Life experiences fuel the fire though.
What project or projects are you currently working on? When will they be released?
Random Art Projects are finishing up our sophomore album. No idea when it will release. Check anartlikesound.com for updates on that. The first record is available there as well. I’m also working on a sophomore ‘Done’ album with Nomar Slevik, SLAP, and Marcelo Martins. No Idea on a release date for that either. The 1st “Done” album is available digitally at all of your favorite digi-sites via EmBen Digital. I just released a free remix album entitled, “Freemixes ‘09.”
There’s a digital version available to grab at audiorecon.wordpress.com
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?
This question is tough. I love collaborating with other artists, there’s something magical about the process and the outcome when doing so. I would have to say, Ween. I propose we record a whole record together. They’ve always fascinated me from album to album. They are so talented and so very diverse. I like how they venture into all these different styles of music while continuously keeping it experimentally Ween. They are due for a Hip Hop record anyway. Ween, I’m your guy for this!
If you want to hear Id Obelus, check him out @
