Redrama

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THE FINNISH POP CULTURE PORTAL

Music
Interview : Redrama

When and how did you decide to become a musician?
when I was 10 years old I wanted to learn to play the guitar.I started doing that and later got into jazz and funk(all sorts of black) music. when I heard Nas, mobb deep, epmd's first albums I just knew I wanted to write lyrics and rhyme.So Hip Hop was the definte artform for me

What musicians or artists did have a major influence in your life / work?
Nas, Mobb Deep, DITC, the fugees, epmd, redman, scientist, Bob marley.etc..

What are the positive and negative aspects of being a musician / singer (in Finland)?
There's a positive scene here, lot of alternative stuff going on.people aren't that caught up in mainstream formats of making music.In general there's a lot of original artists/ musician here.One negative thing is that cause of the long, cold and dark winters some people tend to write very depressing music.

How could you qualify your style of music?
Hip Hop/ reggae

Have you ever considered the possibilty to change totally your style of music?
If so, what style of music would you choose?
I want to keep my music changing and growing all the time.If i once decide to totally change it there's allways gonna be a hip hop feel to it.

What are stories/topics you tell/treat in your songs?
Most of it's based on my own life and experiances. What I see , hear and feel basically. I also talk about social problems like racism and injustice.

What is your favorite song in your repertoire and why?
A day at a time cus I think that anybody anywhere in the world can relate with the song and I like the versatilty of fast/slow singing and rapping.

Do you tour regularly? Do you actually prefer performing your music live or in a studio?
I love being on stage but my favourite place in the world is the studio. The feeling I get when I write songs is hard to top.

During the process of making an album or a song, what is the moment that you prefer?
When it all comes toghether.
When my rhymes and beat just click.

What kind of music / What artists do you currently listen?
A lot of reggae stuff like Buju Banton, Sizzla ,Capleton etc..Hip Hop's been mostly Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, Dilated peoples, madlib,Redman's Muddy Waters.

A stupid question but... what is among all the songs you've been listening in your life the BEST song?
Mobb Deeps shook ones.I just love the dark feel of it. I havent lived the same life but you just feel the heart and soul in the song.

Internet is something interesting for musicians because it gives them the opportunity to touch a larger audience but it is also a threat for them (regarding the copyrights). What is your opinion regarding this medium?
For me it's positive that basically anybody anywhere can get there music out to anybody anywhere.

What are your actual and future projects?
I'm producing for a couple of hip hop artists right now. the future holds working as much as time allows with my alien allies crew(MadCon and Paperboys)
Interview by Vincent Lefrançois - 2003