Seven, Ap Apostle, Ignite Mindz
Q&A
With AP Apostle
October 2010
1. As We know you are known for more than one aspect of your craft, fill us in on how long have you been, writing, producing and performing.
Honestly, I’ve been writing since I was seven. I took honors starting in second grade so I was exposed to a lot of things academically earlier than my average peer. I always liked poetry and what’s funny is I never liked to read much but I could write forever.
Now musically, I’ve been writing seriously since ’97. I started recording and performing in ’98. Began dabbling with producing in ’99-2000 and been really working on that more since ’05.
2. What/Who/Where influenced you to take music as serious as you do and as a profession?
Well, I grew up in Camden, NJ,which ultimately has influenced me to be the person I am generally today. Harsh reality, understanding the difference between genuine and phony, all the music I was raised up on, family issues, my older cousin Sizahanz (who told me to listen to what people are talking about vs. just liking a song for a beat and a hook) and the fact that music is very therapeutic to me, all play a major part in the seriousness of my music. People have no idea how bad my temper has always been, but music is my way of dealing with my problems. Of course the pioneers of the game highly influenced me.True Hip Hop heads know the ones I’m talking about. There are too many forefathers who are not getting proper respect these days to mention.
3. Describe your style of music
Lyrically and skillfully passionate.
4. Do you believe there is a difference between “Hip Hop” and “Rap” and what comes to your mind when you hear the phrase “Real Hip Hop?”
Yes I do. Hip Hop is a culture, an art form, and rap is a portion of the entire way of life which is nowadays very watered down to cater to the financial status of these big corporations who barely know or could probably care less about the essence of the origin. When I hear the phrase “Real Hip Hop”, what comes to mind to me are the many styles of music that cater to the love of the art form and origin of the culture before the love of money overwhelmed the love for skill and the way of life. Don’t get it misconstrued and think that I don’t believe we should receive money for this. I’m just saying that at one time the business aspect didn’t come at the cost of self worth and integrity.
5. Give us a little background on your musical accomplishments and pinpoint the most rewarding of those.
Well to me, my most important accomplishment is my growth as an artist that stays true to what he believes in. As i said before, I really started in “97 so since then, I’ve completed three solo albums, four group compilations, two group albums, hell, I even have best ofs and many underground unreleased works and that haven’ t even officially been released at all anyway..lol.
AP Apostle
6. What is the meaning behind your stage name?
Well I had a very rough upcoming and I’ve seen and done a lot at a young age that many would find almost impossible to fathom. I’m only speaking for myself but due to my life’s tribulations and the fact that I’m still here and actually was able to get out of my situation in a sense, I’m a survivor.
Where I was raised many people don’t make it out of easily. I salute my dad for trying to make our life better by moving us back to his home town(Winston-Salem) to have a fresh start. Once we moved here I figured it was time for me to attempt a different and more mature approach at life. A lot of things I’ve done in the past had to be transferred to a more positive energy. At that moment I realized that my love for music and literary works combined allowed me to see that I really have far beyond normal talent; and I say this humbly. I feel that I have a dedication to my gift and love for my family to finally see light and music is the path I should take even through the BS that comes along with it. An apostle is simply someone on a mission. This is mine. Thus the pseudonym Apostle “AP”(Journey)the Emissary.
7. Who do you work with and who do you look forward to working with in the future?
Well my label(Soundchamba Productions) consists of Terror,Wax,Bino,E-ton,to name a few. I’m currently working hard with other ScP/O.O.G family members such as my partner Seven da Pantha, Equinox, and Imagery. I look forward to and will be working with artists such as Ty Bru, Ed .E Ruger, Poe Mack, Don Kotix, and many others. Really I’ve always been an underdog so that’s who I stand for. There’s a lot of mainstream people that I respect and would love to work with especially to show the world that if you look beneath the surface, there’s always artists that will give your favorites a run for their money. There’s a lot of people across NC ,the country and the world I would love to work with.
8. Talk a little bit about the current state of the North Carolina Independent music scene.
North Carolina is my second home and I’ve been here long enough to see that there is extremely a lot of talent here. Although, there is a problem. Carolina doesn’t have a sound in particular and the ones that had a chance to shine light on the state at first didn’t get to do it properly. Now NC does have some saviors and its many more to come. If a lot of people stop really being so competitive to the point that they don’t realize that they are in a sense losing competition with their selves and come together better, the game will have a serious problem on their hands.
Then everyone can stop running to this place and that place to pursue dreams, because then they’ll realize that this place we call home is an untapped source of dreams to become reality.
9. What are your upcoming projects/shows and is there anyone you would like to shot out?
I just finished the album that has meant the most to me (Dark thoughts Of A Bright Mind) basically because it shows the growth from a “Rapper” to a well-rounded artist with total creative control and a vision with CEO status. Right now the collaborative album “Lost Testaments”(AP and Seven) is almost done. Just be looking forward to the future of ScP. I’m getting involved with anything I can in my lane. Shout out to NC Hip-Hop and everyone going hard for the cause.
10. What kind of stamp or legacy would you like to leave behind when it’s all said and done?
That this guy stayed true to what he believed in and followed his heart despite all the adversity the path he chose presented.
Links to a couple of Tracks by AP Apostle… enjoy !
http://www.zshare.net/audio/819766951759bda4/
http://www.zshare.net/audio/8197719476bf9e68/
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