Published: April 12, 2009 10:01 PM EST
By: Isaac Davis Jr., MBA (Juniorscave.com)
New Music Spotlight April 2009 Edition
Mayhem
Mayhem
The one major aspect that makes this next entertainer stand out is how he is entering into the game. Mayhem is coming to the music industry to bring something back that has been missing in along time; originality. With few artists who can hold this claim, Mayhem is positioning himself to be the next artist who can be added to the list. In this recent spotlight, I speak one on one with the Hip-Hop entertainer.
Isaac: Let's get started with the interview. You grew up in Roxbury, MA and now reside in Lawrence. Elaborate a little about your background and growing up in Roxbury.
Mayhem: We'll I grew up in Roxbury/South End I lived out there up until I was 22 years old, Mandela Apts, I basically gained my street smarts and survival tactics from there, as well as basically my skills as an emcee. My Neighborhood I mean I felt like it was probably the most talented in the world I grew up with my peers such as Mr. Harvey from D Cipher Entertainment, and numerous of others. I mean it was a rough area but then again what area isn't? I'm just thankful that God blessed me with a dream and a way out.
Isaac: Describe the music scene in Lawrence, MA.
Mayhem: Lawtown man the music scene speaks for itself. You have legends such as Krumbsnatcha who came out of there. The legendary Scientific may he rest in peace, and lyrical giants Termanology and Reks. I mean the Lawtown scene is a vibrant scene not only hip hop wise but just musically; it's one of a kind. There are a lot of cats who are doing it out here like Sonic and others; we're all just overall hoping to get to play our part in the MA music scene you know.
Isaac: Your family is originally from Nigeria. How have you been able to incorporate some of your heritage into your music?
Mayhem: I guess the only thing that I have been able to incorporate into my music from my heritage is basically my respectfulness that I hold for the business and my peers. In my heritage, respect plays an important role in how you conduct yourself and how you yourself want to be treated.
Isaac: What is the overall goal for Mayhem?
Mayhem: Well basically, my overall objective is really to show a different aspect of lyricism. I want to be able to talk about relatable issues that we as a society can relate to. Man this is a recession I am not going to talk about diamonds for one I don't have them and two what is that going to do for the people who are struggling? It's only going to want to make them mug me (lol). I want to also show that you can be you, have fun, and make it in this game without being the super thug or the fowl mouth pimp, that's far from me.
Isaac: What has been the biggest draw for you to want to make music?
Mayhem: I guess my biggest draw for me to want to make music is the fact that I can bring something different to the genre of Hip Hop. I can teach the youth that hey you can still be a respectable person as well as an MC. I want to show the youth that there's more to rapping about bricks and guns, challenge yourself. I took on the challenge to make songs without cuss words, without disrespecting others, I feel that being able to bring that message into the game is my inspiration to make music.
Isaac: Who have been your biggest influences musically and why?
Mayhem: Well my biggest influence on me making music has to be my mother, I can remember her playing record when I was little the Donna Summer's, Willie Nelson's, Doll Parton's, Jackson 5, etc, but I can recall moments when I was little her singing songs. But as for Hip hop wise, it has to be the Pac's, the Big's, an all those who built up the genre, but as for currently, Talib Kweli, Common, Joe Budden, and all my MA peers.
Isaac: Let's talk about what you are currently working on at the moment. There are two projects that you are working on, one album titled Early May soon to be released in May, and A Beautiful Mind slated to come out this summer. What is the inspiration and concept behind this CD's?
Mayhem: Well the inspiration for the first project "Early May" is a project that has a lot of my previous unreleased song that I made while working on A Beautiful Mind. It's a project that I like to call an appetizer before the meal, which is "A Beautiful Mind" and the concept behind that album is basically the concept behind this album is to showcase where I am now as an artist.
Isaac: What do you feel is your greatest contribution to the music industry in particular to the Hip-Hop industry?
Mayhem: I feel my greatest contribution to the game itself is the fact that my music is overall relatable and universal. I make songs that can be applied to our day to day lives, that can be played by those who rep the streets, those who are in a relationship with God, those who may not even like rap, but can respect what I attempt to do with my music.
Isaac: Let's talk about your label, EMS Production, that you are associated with currently. How did the two of you form a business relationship? What do you feel has been the most rewarding aspect about being a part of EMS Production since you joined? And I also hear you have a label situation of your own that you are working on as well elaborate on that?
Mayhem: EMS Productions and I have been together from the beginning I am glad to know something that I and my brothers M-Dot and Revalation started has blossomed into a respectable label. I mean the most rewarding part of being apart of it is the fact that we all stick together and that we all challenge each other to be at the top of our game. Shout out to them. Yeah, I'm in the works with my Partner in Crime Silent Partner and we're putting together a label called A.F.T.R (pronounced aftar) which stands for Apart From The Rest Entertainment. We put the label together to not only provide us and others an opportunity to get heard, but we basically took control of our destiny and took it upon ourselves to learn to be business men. Shot out to Silent Partner, E.K., and all of those who rep AFTR.
Isaac: What are some other projects that you are working on for the rest of 2009?
Mayhem: I'll be involved in a bunch of projects for 09; I'm going to be working on a project with Silent Partner called let's make enemies as well as a project with my good friend and talented singer Hamilton Clarington on a project, and of course will be on many projects hopefully with my big brother and great friend DJ TKO (From Coast to Coast DJ's) and features on many projects.
Isaac: Give shouts outs to your family, friends, and fans.
Mayhem: I'll liked to shout out my Family and Friends, Massive Hustle Management, EMS, Team AFTR ,Team Nay May, The Naysayers, Stu-Cat, The homie Serge Didenko and everyone who supports me and good music in general.
Isaac: Final words for the mind of Mayhem.
Mayhem: Peace and God Bless, and thank you for the opportunity.
Isaac: You are welcome Mayhem; it's been our pleasure.
