Published: October 15, 2009 10:33 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight October 2009 Edition
Kyle Hubbard
Kyle Hubbard
Houston, Texas native Kyle Hubbard is keeping alive the lyricist with his own sensational flavor that Hip-Hop music lovers will enjoy. Hubbard is not afraid to get his hands dirty when it comes to pursuing his overall dream of making a lasting impression in the Hip-Hop music industry. In this recent spotlight with our Webzine, the extremely talented Kyle Hubbard speaks candidly about his love for the Hip-Hop Culture. Enjoy!
Isaac: We'd love to know about your inspirations growing up. I hear so many influences in your music. How old were you when you first discovered music? Is there any kind of musical history in your family?
Kyle Hubbard: I can't really recall a time when music was not in my life. I suppose the point that music really started to make a direct impact on me was around the age of 7. I have vivid memories of my brother exposing me to the grunge acts that dominated the early 90s, and my father balancing out the diet with the greats from his time such as Led Zeppelin, and The Who.
This was pretty the much the music that dominated my youth, at least up until the point I got old enough to start to form my own taste. As far as musical history in my family, you would have to look at my older brother as the culprit who planted the "I can do this" seed in my brain. He is a beyond talented drummer and it really boils down to me wanting to be like him when I was younger. It was a very typical, younger brother in awe of his older brother kind of relationship.
My first venture into music was an electric guitar my dad bought me when I was 10. The guitar obviously didn't work out for me but it, without a doubt, got a much bigger ball rolling.
Isaac: What drew you to pick up a mic in the first place?
Kyle Hubbard: I have been writing my entire life. Writing is my first love and my deepest passion. Up until about age 12, my ultimate goal was to find myself in a position where I was writing top selling fiction novels, and I was very content with this dream but then something spectacular happened. A friend of mine left his CD wallet over at my house after a slumber party so of course I felt it my responsibility to rummage through my friend's property, and in the midst of that process I stumbled across an album that would instantly change my perception of everything.
That album was Wu Tang Clan's "Enter The 36 Chambers". Now this was something neither my dad nor my older brother had exposed to me and, point blank, it blew my mind. It showed me how many different forms great music can take. These men painted such vivid pictures with their words and from that point on I knew the most powerful way to get my writings across…from that point on I was going to be a rapper.
Isaac: As you hit your teenage years, did you know that this was what you would be doing for the rest of your life?
Kyle Hubbard: I knew, I without a doubt knew, no one else believed it though. I attended high school in the heart of a Texas suburb, and I think it's safe to assume that 95% of my graduating class when off to college. I knew from the day I walked into that school, that after my four year stay there that college was not next on my agenda, I was there to serve my time and get on with my music, but I was conditioned by the public school system, Not to mention all of my peers, though I love them to death, really didn't think that me going off to be a rapper was a wise idea. I had close friends pull my aside and tell me, "Dude, you need to consider college." I had teachers asking me everyday where I was trying to get accepted etc. etc.
Basically, I was lead to believe by my environment that some dreams are dreams and that's the end of it. So I did as the conditioning told me and enrolled in community to college just to find that my passion for textbooks and homework had not at all increased at all since I graduated at the bottom of my class in high school. So it basically came down to me asking myself "Do I want to go to sleep dreading tomorrow morning every night, or am I going to do something with this music?" If you took a look at my grades you might understand how easy this decision became. I said peace to the classroom and hello to the studios.
Isaac: Is there a performer in any genre of pop culture that you would like to work with?
Kyle Hubbard: I could, in all honesty, ramble off a list of about 25 or more people in the music game that I would go bonkers to work with, But for the sake of keeping a long story short, I will let you know who is number one on my dream list at the moment. I would love, love, love the chance to work with the group Chester French.
Their album "Love The Future" stays in pretty constant rotation in my Civic. I love their sound because it is almost impossible to define, beyond the word dope. I honestly feel that if those dudes and me ever had the chance to get in the studio together we could come up with some gold.
Isaac: Who are some musicians that you really like, present or past?
Kyle Hubbard: Jay-Z will always be number one of my list. I know this answer is almost cliché at this point, but it's cliché for a reason. His greatness is undeniable. Aside from him there is a young dude out of ATL named B.O.B. (AKA Bobby Ray) who is going to change hip-hop music, as we know it. He sets the bar so extremely high for everybody who has to follow him. He is the best new rapper I have a heard in a long time, and I use the word rapper lightly because he is really so far beyond just one genre of music. I can't wait to see what kind of stuff this kid is coming up with ten years from now. Beyond them I keep The Flaming Lips, Gnarls Barkley, and Jeff Buckley in constant rotation. Their work has had some of the most profound effect on me artistically.
Isaac: What is your ultimate goal with your music career?
Kyle Hubbard: My ultimate goal in music is to have a long lasting career that is decorated by quality albums along the way. When people ask me what I want from this hip-hop game, my answer is usually "A career just like Common's" Common is a guy who has been around forever and has maintained a high level of respect from the critics and fans a-like, and that's talking his entire time in the game. He is one of those rare acts that no hip-hop head can really deny. When the curtains close for me I just want to leave behind a great and lengthy body of work and want cats to look back on me and say, even if they didn't particular like my music, "Kyle Hubbard did his thing while he was here." That's all I want, a legacy of quality music.
Isaac: What has been some of the obstacles it has taken to get this far in your career?
Kyle Hubbard: This career path has provided me with many a sleepless night, horrible anxiety, and crushing moments. But I have learned through the years that any road you take to reach point B is filled with pitfalls and disappointments, I don't care if your trying to be an emcee or if your trying to get your masters, wanting something is never enough and if your not willing to suffer for it, to fall flat on your face for it, you may not deserve it.
One example in particular is when I took a trip out to Ft. Worth, Texas to do a show for a local venue up there. Everything was booked, they knew I was hip-hop act, and on paper everything was a go. I show up for the venue early to set up and I go up to meet the band I am opening up for. Long story short they end up being a country band, and along with that came a very country audience. I am sure they didn't listen to a word I spoke for my entire, grueling, 45 minute set. All they saw was a white kid with an identity crisis. That was probably my worst experience thus far, and I would be lying if I didn't say I wanted to heave it all away for about a week after that, but I came to a realization. If I am ever going to obtain what I really want, I have to know it's not the shots I miss that define me. It is what with the grace you accept your defeats that will provide you the chance for your next victory.
Isaac: Would you recommend this "field" to others who are aspiring to be musicians like you?
Kyle Hubbard: This is one of those yes and no kind of answers. It's not easy. It's hard to go to sleep at night knowing how talented you are and that talent isn't a guarantee of anything in this industry. If you know in your heart of hearts that you have what it takes then I say go for it. One must understand, however, the pain and obsessive behavior that comes with this territory, I have seen a lot of my relationships suffer due to what I do. It's hard to tell the girl you love that you can't see her the next few nights because you finally broke your writer's block and you have to work RIGHT NOW or else you might loose the groove again.
It's hard to skip a friend's birthday because you have to get the mix done on a track so you don't miss a mix tape deadline. The thing is though, at the end of the day after I just wrapped up an awesome song, or just performed an awesome show…that feeling is beyond words. That feeling is better than any woman or drug on God's green earth, so for me that makes all the bullshit worth it.
And even with that said I have no idea if I am ever going to blow and be famous, and the fact I still wake up to do this means I was built for it, defeats and all. So before you make the leap as I did, be sure your ready for a lot of lows…but just remember the highs are unlike anything else.
Isaac: Describe one piece of advice you've have been given to by others in the music industry.
Kyle Hubbard: The single best piece of advice I have been given over my time in the industry is that talent is only half that battle as far people working with you, You can be, talent wise, the next Jay-Z when you rap but if all you are willing to do is rap and none of the behind the scenes leg work then it doesn't mean two squirts of piss. I have heard cats so crazy talented that I was actually intimated by their level of skill, but they never once became a threat to my position or my hustle because they just weren't willing to get their hands dirty.
This is a business and you're not getting anything for free. You have to approach this shit humble and ready to learn. If you walk into a meeting acting like you're the shit and there isn't anything that anybody can tell you, then that's where the train stops for you. Understand the fact that your talented doesn't make you special. What is special is a talented cat who is willing to do all the tedious and pain stacking dirty work. If all you want to do is rap, then your dead weight get the fuck out the way and let the people who are willing to work towards their dream through.
Isaac: What genre of music do you consider most of your music?
Kyle Hubbard: I would have to say that I am an emcee first and foremost. The thing I love about hip-hop music is the fact that it provides the lyricist so much space to speak his thoughts and to get his message across. With that said I feel genre bending is becoming more and more of a passion of mine. My beat selection process has a pretty simple philosophy… if I can't hear a rapper on it then I want it. Nothing brings out the best in me like a challenging piece of music.
Isaac: What has been your favorite piece of work?
Kyle Hubbard: I would have to say thus far my favorite piece of work is my recently released project "The Neon Summer EP". Musically I hit strides on that project that I never came close to before. My personal favorite song of mine has got to be "Your New Boyfriend" though. That song however is in my new batch of material and hasn't really been officially released, although it has hit the mix tape circuit and at the time of this writing is available for free on the mix tapes "The Showcase Vol. 33" Starring Kyle Hubbard and Presented by Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes and J.Green MoneyTalkz (it can be DL @ http://www.coast2coastmixtapes.com/DJSite/mixtapes/mixtapedetail.aspx?mixtapeid=1743) and "Digital Dynasty 9" hosted by Ras Kass and presented by www.ballerstatus.com and Tha Advocate. (It can be DL @ http://www.ballerstatus.com)
Isaac: How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
Kyle Hubbard: Both my debut album "Tea Time With Alice" and my latest project "The Neon Summer EP" are up for purchase on iTunes. Just search "Kyle Hubbard" to navigate your way there. I am no fool, however, and I know that at this point it's less about the money and more about the exposure and fans I can gain, so with that said "The Neon Summer EP" is up for FREE download on my official website http://www.kylehubbardhtx.com and new free downloadable music is constantly being made available via my facebook page @ http://www.facebook.com/kylehubbardhtx
Isaac: Is there anyone you'd like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
Kyle Hubbard: I would have never even made my first step on this path if it weren't for my supportive family. From my big bro planting the seed in me, to my father giving me his blessings to drop school and pursue what would truly make me happy, and from my mother dealing with the pure horror of me leaving school to do this. I know it was epically hard for her to let me do this, simplify out of the fear of what odds I am against.
But even with that said she is my biggest fan and only pushes me harder. I swear to them, and to myself, all the sleepless nights and constant worry is going to pay off. I am going to make it, or die trying. My path is clear to me now, and my family's acceptance of said path goes so much farther than I could ever put in words. And I owe a lot to the people that believed in me when I couldn't believe in myself.
Isaac: Any last words?
Kyle Hubbard: Just a few…Support good hip-hop, and never let another man define you by your setbacks!
