Exclusive Interview: Black ELement

1) Why the name Black ELement? Tell us the meaning. And why the capital L? Any significant meaning to that?

I've actually had the name since high school, and since there are five elements of hip hop, i felt that there was a sixth one. Thats the Black ELement which is making music with a purpose because in the beginning that was the essence of Hip Hop. I chose the black part due to the fact that ever since I been born a lot of people have mistaken my race. Since I'm a light skinned brother, I've been mistaken for Puerto Rican a ton of times and as much as I love my boricuas... (cue Styles P "I'm Black") I've always responded with "el negro". The capital L was something I added because Black EL is what everyone calls me for short, Black ELement is too many syllabus for some heads, step your pronunciation game up!

2) Where exactly are you from? Being an MC from New England, how does your perspective on things differ from an MC from say, NY or from ATL?

I'm originally from New Jersey, I moved up to the 'burbs of Boston in '97. Wherever you go though hip hop is like high school, you have all these cliques and bullshit reasons you can't get a show. I can honestly say Boston has had some terrible opening acts in the past. While there are a elite few who still hold it down in Bosstown (Special Teamz, 7L & Esoteric, Project Move), there is just a real lack of real hip hop in the Bean... everyone is either trying to be G'd up from the feet up or they rhyme the fucking periodic table. I love all types of Hip Hop as long as its real, I just feel a lot of these kids rapping in the Bean are either lying or teaching a chemistry class and I can't rock to that.

Right now I'm staying in New York for the summer and I can honestly say that people just keep more up to-date in NYC, but a DJ can throw on Mona Lisa at the club and people will rock to it like its '88. The scene out in NYC is obviously huge, and you have everyone and their mom trying to push their CD-Rs outside of Virgin. Its definitely competitive, and 99% of the time its not even how good you are but what connects you have. I'm interning for Sony BMG and Duck Down Records so I'm building relationships, networking and learning how the inner workings of promotion work on a major and independent level. But wherever you go right now Hip Hop is suffering, its gotten real boring and predictable not just the content but beats too. I don't think me being from Mass skews my perspective on the overall culture that much though, or I like to think so.

3) You have an album A Major Minority coming out soon. Tell us the meaning of the album title. Who do you have on tap as guests? Who is handling the production?

It's a concept album, and when I release the artwork I think a lot of people will have a bigger grasp of what the actual album is about. I chose the title because black people throughout history have made such a Major impact on our society today, we have our hands in multiple industries and now we may be looking at having our first black president in Senator Obama. As far as I'm concerned Minorities (not just blacks) were a major part in building this country to where it is today. I'm not by any means trying to make an over preachy or straight political album, think of it as a Spike Lee documentary on black America with Dave Chapelle as your narrator.

I hate when rappers have 13 guest spots on a 14 track album, why make a cameo on your own a shit? I try to keep the guest list slim for my debut album, there is something about holding down a whole album by yourself. However as of right now I have one definite lock for a guestspot and thats my boy Jelani (check dood @ myspace.com/jelanimusic), and we still have yet to lay it down but we've been meaning to get on this beat for years. I will definitely have a singer or two on there, but as far as other MCs you'll probably see at the most two (but you never know). Its a Black ELement project at the end of the day, not to mention my world premier I want to showoff my consistency.

I've worked with a lot of producers on this project, and they all bring something different to the table. Me name dropping everyone of them, would have people going "who?". But you got to understand when it comes to beat selection I'm one of the pickiest bastards ever. I keep my cipher tight like a catholic school girl, not just anyone is getting in there. The doods who your going to know soon enough are Ryan Durkin (Can't Call It), Kush Klien (Human), Danksta' , BBoySpaz, and Rami Afuni. Think of A Major Minority as my resturant and all of these guys are my cooks bringin something totally different to the table, so you get ur oxtail, with orange chicken in the same meal. In the next few weeks though I might be working with a few other producers so we'll see what happens, I probably won't finalize the track list until a week before it's release.

4) Do you certain studio protocol or favorite rituals or habits?

Yea, i sacrifice a lamb every time before I step into the booth.

5) Compare yourself to one artist, one athlete, and one politician. And Bill Bradley never dropped an album so you can't just answer with him.

Artist? Jackson Pollack, cause I do what I want and I don't give a fuck what you think.

Athlete I must go with my hometown on this one and say Kevin Garnett, I've been good for a long time, but I'm starting to get the results I deserve....oh and BEAT LA. chea!

Honestly, I'd have to say Barack due to the fact that I'm a fresh new face and I am just willing to let you into my personal life and inner beliefs (see Audacity of Hope).

6) How and where will your album be available?

When I feel its done.

Nah, I'm playing. I'm probably like 90% there it will probably be finished in mid/late July.

It's going to be available on amajorminority.com , worldwide for $0.00.

7) A particular song that has significant meaning or importance to you?

Can't Call It, cause a lot of us have dealt with deceit from people who we trusted and it just cuts you deep. The funny thing about all three of those verses is they are loosely based on reality, I've had cats use my lines in prep school acting like they didn't know, I thought my girl cheated on me so in turn I cheated on her, and one of my "boys" tried to dime me out cause he got in a trouble. Anyone can relate to being deceived, and Ryan Durkin did an excellent job of capturing the ambiance through the instrumental.

But if your referring to a song not by me that has significant meaning to me, I really couldn't tell you I listen to so much music. Recently i've been listening to N.E.R.D, Justice, and I got Black On Both Sides always in rotation when it gets 70 plus.

8) If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Extreme regeneration, like Wolverine. So i could sleep less and work more on my music, plus antimantium claws are always good to have for label negotiations.