A few years back, I was at Tower Records on Broad and Chestnut in Center City, Philadelphia. The rap section was, of course, all the way the hell in the back. They had little listening stations where someone had broken some disc-shuffle buttons, yanked off the volume knob,and nearly busted headphones. And that was when I first came across Hezekiah, whose album Hurry Up and Wait (featuring a pre-”Brooklyn Go Hard” Santogold) was beginning to make the rounds. I merely brushed him off as a third-rate Okayplayer cat judging by the artwork alone. I kept seeing his name and album cover on hip hop websites, on stickers plastered around Temple University, in the Philadelphia newspapers. There appeared to be more to this guy than just love from coffee shop chicks and white dudes.
His next album, I Predict a Riot , though was right up my alley. Collabs with Freeway and Bilal, matched with an apolocyptic Def Jux-like exterior, made it easy for me to get on board. Hez’s self described “concious porn” was entertaining, direct, and funky. I since went back and redisovered Hez’s history and slapped myself with my factory made Nissan tire iron : co-creator of the fabled Beat Society, upcoming music video director, and now collaborator of Tone Whitfield on the hella-dope live hip hop outfit Johnny Popcorn. It’s time for Hezekiah to learn you something!
1. At what point did you realize music is what you wanted to do?
when I was 15 my uncle showed me his record collection and broke down how only 8% of these artists are now making money off what they did. all I know is I should of took notes then lol.
2. How has Delaware (and later Philly) shaped your sound and molded you as an MC/producer/director?
well delaware shaped me as a man. and taught me how to stand alone. philly shaped me musically. all the way around.
3. Who are the people you look up to and learn the most from?
I look up to Rich Nichols (the Roots manager) and cats like Bilal. Spike Lee is the man too.
4. With everything you’ve learned so far, what do you wish you could’ve told yourself at the beginning? Would you have done anything differently?
If I would have known, I would have left those hoes alone and made more music lol.
5. What’s hard for you? What do you struggle with?
hoes lol. pimpin ain’t e-z i’m saying tricks don’t know their place. just joking. I struggle with the business. I think I have the music down but i’m getting the hang of it.
6. Here’s a scenario: tomorrow you become the CEO of a major record label. What are the first three things you do as boss?
I declare bankruptcy and get out anyway i can. i’m trapped. or just jump out a window.
7. What are some of your favorite albums?
nas illmatic, d’angelo voodoo, metallica master of puppets
8. What is inspiring your work right now?
keeping people inspired. I love when people say i helped them thru my music.
9. What advice would you give someone getting into the music business at this time?
keep ya day job/plan b, c, d, e, f, and g
10. Any words to live by?
oh yeah and h,i,j,k,l,m,n,o,p
****
I’d like to thank Hezekiah for giving me a sliver of his time to do this interview, and a big thanks to Dave Ghetto and Break Bread Projects for passing me the Johnny Popcorn (zing!).
HEZEKIAH/JOHNNY POPCORN PRIMER
Johnny Popcorn “Many Moons”
Johnny Popcorn “It’s Going Down”
Johnny Popcorn’s MySpace (with links for free downloads)
Hezekiah f/ Bilal “Looking Up”
Hezekiah “Soul Music”
Nice!