Published: June 14, 2009 5:48 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight June 2009 Edition
Brash
Brash Picture by Bill Llami
Fans of Underground Rap will certainly enjoy the realness of Brash as he spits rhythm and rhymes with a mission. His lyrical style is unmatched to many other cats in the entrainment business, and he knows how to delight and entertain his fans. In this special spotlight with Brash, our Webzine gets up close and personal with the rap superstar. Here is what formulated.
Isaac: What was the best part of 2008 for you musically?
Brash: I think it was working with Blacastan on "Spillin," either that or doing the 5 or 6 local gigs with Joey Batts in a two week time frame. It'd probably be easier to answer with what was the WORST time... it was January. I had just come back from living in New York City and was dirt poor. So Feb 08- Dec.08 because I actually grew my own sound past what it had been before. Come to think of it, November of 08 was the best. That's when I first got together with Colombeyond, super producer extraordinaire. He's executive producing my album.
Isaac: What do you feel was your biggest accomplishment for 2008?
Brash: I left the bullsh*t label I was on and started my own bullsh*t label that isn't bullsh*t. I haven't signed anyone yet but after I tour in early 2010 I'm going to rerelease Rustoes' album.
Isaac: Describe the music scene in New Britain, Connecticut.
Brash: People are really friendly, and there are a lot of real hip-hop fans out here. You wouldn't expect it because Connecticut's image is well... rich I guess? You have a lot of people fronting real hard out here and it's pretty annoying. Then we have a bunch of hidden gems doing it. Watch, in 3 years Connecticut is going to be the underground rap mecca.
Isaac: What has been the best venue to perform at and why?
Brash: Before Ben Wu died, it was the Webster Theatre. It was great because I could pack the place with people I know and not get screwed over for money. Now there's a new company there and a bunch of faces that I'm not familiar with, and since Wu-banger never wrote anything down, said company don't know me. People reading this don't know what The Webster is, but it's the Heart of Hartford music. Everyone in the state who does some sort of performing arts goes there at some point. Ben Wu was the glue for that place and since he died in Jan 08, rap music has completely vanished from there. Now Sully's is the spot.
Isaac: Elaborate a little about whom were your biggest influences in the music industry and why?
Brash: In the industry? Jeez... I'd have to say all the greats. You know; Big, Pac, Nas, Jay-Z, Jadakiss, Busta Rhymes, Eminem, Pun, Cypress Hill... but I'm into the underground sh*t. Sean Price, Jed Mind Tricks, old Cage, Rugged Man... I like that grime, nah mean?
Isaac: Let's talk about what you feel you will bring to the music industry?
Brash: I don't care about the music industry, honestly. I'm doing me now. I was signed to a label before that wanted me to blow a bunch of dance-dance happy sunshine BS out my ass, but I threw in the towel. Nah, you know what? When it comes to the music industry, I'd bring a reality check. Realness speaking, ya dig?
Isaac: If you had an opportunity to work with one artist or group, who would it be and why?
Brash: I'd like to be included on a Snow Goons record someday. Why? Because those beats are dope as f*ck, and over-seas royalties is good money.
Isaac: How would you describe your music to others?
Brash: Conscious angry rapper meets new millennium throw-back rap. I really owe Colombeyond for that phrase, "New Millennium Throwback Rap," I stole it from him.
Isaac: What type of feedback have you received from fans about your music?
Brash: I don't really listen when fans critique me, because I've already played the "what other people want" game and now I'm just being myself. I've heard that I remind them of one rapper or another, a lot of Eminem, a handful of others, but that fades out quick. My favorite is "I didn't expect that to come out of you," something a fan once said after one of my sets. I get really nutty and I and my friends beat each other up. I'm keeping an "it's the 90s" hip-hop mindset, and I'm avoiding stuff like Soulja Boy like the plague.
Isaac: Where can fans locate you at online?
Brash:
www.myspace.com/mcbrash is one spot. That's where I do a lot of my "hey look at me online" marketing. If you like what you hear, you can email brash860@gmail.com with your address and I'll mail you free music and posters and stuff from time to time, as well as email you mp3s hot off the press. Only for the core people who are legit fans though. SHWEET!
Isaac: What can fans expect from you in the next five years?
Brash: Aeon Audio, my record label, growing into a medium sized Underground Hip-Hop presence, as well as two or three solo albums from me. I'm going to be rereleasing Rustoes' album, as well as trying to convince my friend Blak Philly to sign a deal with me for his Sophmore release. 5 years is a little steep to know for certain what's going to come after that.
Isaac: Time for some shout outs to your family, friends, and fans?
Brash: Peace to Blak Philly, E. One, INF, Blacastan, Reasonace, DJ Dyslexic, Colombeyond, Teddy Roxpin, Young Cee, Domingo, Auditory, DJ Revelation, and anyone else I'm forgetting who is helping get my album, Mind Flex, off of the ground.
