Spotlight Nola: Slangston Hughes
It was only right I shared one of my favorite local artist, Slangston Hughes! He is a phenomenal addition to the New Orleans Hip Hop scene with his wonderful wordplay and passion for New Orleans and Hip Hop!
Tell us about Slangston Hughes. I come from humble beginnings, raised by three beautiful women (my mother, aunt & grandmother) that instilled the notions of hard work, knowledge-seeking and individualism. As most probably already know, I’m a lover of purple, snoballs and Hip-Hop culture.
Where do you draw your inspiration? Generally speaking, the events of my everyday life are enough inspiration for a lifetime. There’s so much for one to take in with the senses that at times it can be both overwhelming and thoroughly enjoyable simultaneously.
How did you get involved in music as well as specifically the genre of hip hop? I’ve always enjoyed listening to music and started battle rapping online at the height of Hip-Hop Internet forums. I started a rap group with two friends called the Spellbinderz while still in high school. The rest as they say is history.
What is the current state of New Orleans Hip Hop? The current state is very entrepreneurial. When I started doing shows, there wasn’t a lot of willingness and opportunities available for upcoming emcees, but the times have definitely changed to our benefit. Quality can be found across the board for the most part when it comes to the music produced and the events being thrown.
What role are you playing in the movement in New Orleans? I see my role as an innovator. I’ve always strived to push the envelope in pursuit of not only my own but NOLA Hip-Hop’s progression. Letting new audiences and live music patrons know that there’s an alternative to what they believe Hip-Hop is all about can be a substantial boost for our cause.
What is your vision for the New Orleans Hip Hop Community? My vision is one of constant collabs in music and events where we can all profit whether it be financially, musically or socially. With the right amount of like-minded individuals that combine their respective musicality, showmanship and business acumen, we as a community could be unstoppable.
Who are your favorite five local artist? That’s a tough question with the abundant amount of talent locally, but in no particular order as of today, I’d have to say Truth Universal (the premier trendsetter for underground Hip-Hop in the city and a true pioneer for many NOLA Hip-Hop artists including myself), Nemvenom (awesome upcoming rapper with a very unique recording style and high energy show. One of my favorite performers to watch.), Lyrikill (an emcee truly dedicated to furthering the reach and growth of NOLA Hip-Hop. One of the few people in the city, I see as competition, friendly of course), J-Dubble (my big brother within the Hip-Hop game who I continue to learn from. Great all-around emcee whether recording or performing) and Impulss (Another torch-bearer for the local scene representing far and wide for the Crescent City. His catalog is something that any rapper should aspire for).
What can we expect next from you? My main efforts are to infuse more of my upcoming projects with live instrumentation in the future. You can expect the “Fall Back” single, coinciding with a video and a mixtape named “Soil Searchin” in the next couple of months from me.
Tell us about Uniquity and what made you get this project started? Uniquity is a performance platform, started over two years ago, which gives Hip-Hop, R&B and Spoken Word artists from New Orleans and the surrounding area an opportunity to perform with a four piece band. Uniquity came about as a natural evolution of my live shows. I like many rappers, began playing gigs with a DJ and tracks. After participating in a local rap battle (Microphone Corivalry) that featured emcees competing over rap covers played by a live band, I decided to incorporate that performance element into stage show.
I think often time New Orleans Hip Hop can get a bad rep or mis-labeled such as grouping it all under bounce music. What do you have to say to that? Yes, New Orleans Hip-Hop is often linked with bounce music in addition to the prominent days of Cash Money and No Limit Records. That’s not necessarily a bad thing since it has given us a face and identity that could be seen and heard worldwide. The only problem I have with that type of thinking is that it confounds listeners to believing that we as artists are only capable of that specific sonic aesthetic when in reality, there is great depth of variety found within New Orleans Hip-Hop that does include that foundation.
What can we do to support local hip hop? The best thing you can do is educate yourselves on it. If there’s an emcee you like or find interesting, just from his or her name alone, Google them and check out their website or music links. Let the rest follow its natural course leading you to a show. I find so many people that don’t know what’s going on often on a weekly basis within the city. We can’t continue to financially put on our events if there’s no patronization.
What do you love about New Orleans? The real question should be what I don’t love about my city. Seeing the sun rise from Westbank Expressway high-rise, the Soul Rebels’ House Party at Le Bon Temps, my car’s tires rolling across cobblestone streets that predate the existence of the buildings surrounding them by several centuries, the canopy-like environment when walking down St. Charles Ave., etc. It’s the little things that we take for granted that I do my best, especially since Katrina, to try and enjoy to the fullest.
Favorite places to perform in New Orleans? Howlin’ Wolf and their sound guys are always on point. Dragon’s Den is like my second home. It’s where I came to be as an artist/performer and really appreciate the grit, feel and staff there.
Check out Dollar$ & Daialogue 1.5, Download Now!
FACEBOOK: http://on.fb.me/eg1DrO
TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/
REVERBNATION: http://www.reverbnation.com/
FLICKR: http://www.flickr.com/photos/
MYSPACE: http://www.myspace.com/
BLOG: http://www.slangstonhughes.
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