NEWS
EVENTS
Clear Soul Forces Interview
RnB/Hip Hop | Wednesday 13th March 2013 | Annalisa
This four man Detroit collective consists of rappers L.A.Z, Ilajide, Noveliss and E-Fav who have united and joined forces through their love of music. Their lyrical flow smashes it and the production of their beats brings hip hop back to its roots. Embodying it in its purest form, these guys speak from their souls and together with their raw energy and passion, they present us with a new class of hip-hop to emerge from the city. Little did they know that a nine hour jamming session with Royce Da 5’9” would change their lives forever.
Firstly I just wanna say that I am loving your music right now, I love how you're bringing the old school sound back with your beats and lyrics. You guys are from Detroit, the birth home to the almighty Slum Village and Motown. You are shining the light back to Detroit, what do you think makes this city so special for music?
There aren’t any handouts given in the D so a lot of the artists out here have a blue collar. It’s so gritty and real out here that it kind of forces you to speak from your soul a lot more than artists from other places and I think that’s what makes people feel the music that comes from the city so much. We don’t hold our tongues out here that’s our approach to how we handle stuff. It's just who we are here we embrace the spirit of our city we live, see, and breathe it everyday the real shit.
How did you all meet, have you been friends for a while?
We all kinda came together by fate. L.A.Z moved to Michigan from Colorado and met E-Fav and introduced him to Ilajide who’s his cousin. We had a mutual friend named Robo Robb and he put on shows and the very first one that we ever went to we met Noveliss and we’ve been on since then! This was in about late ’08 – ‘09.
Legendary Detroit hip-hop rapper Royce Da 5'9" had an input into you guys becoming a group, can you tell us about that?
When we first started hanging out we used to just kick rhymes and we decided to all put in on a studio session and knock out some solo songs. We got word that Royce was working in the room next to us and everybody was hesitating on going and asking him to listen to our shit. So Ilajide had the balls to do it and he asked him to check us out. Royce said we better not be wack and after playing him our tracks and rapping for him for like nine hours straight he suggested that we come together and be a group.
You have a new album out Detroit Revolutions, tell us about the writing process of this- did it take a while to put together?
The writing process for the album was all really organic. We put the whole album together in about a month, just having late night sessions and taking it one song at a time. Looking back at it that’s some of the best times we ever had.
I hear that Ilajade’s bedroom closet was your writing spot?!
Yessir, the studio was in the basement of Ilajide and L.A.Z’s old apartment. R.I.P to the Complex!
So what does Detroit Revolution(s) mean to you?
The rebirth of Motown being recognised for all the talent that’s here. People know and are aware of how many dope artists come from the D but they choose to sleep, Detroit Revolution means us opening up the worlds eyes to the city again.
E- Fav: Well, a revolution other than meaning overthrowing a government also means; a complete turn. So what you have in the title of our album essentially is. Hip-hop coming full circle and becoming more relevant throughout our generation as well as a younger generation of artists/ fans as it once was, and the (s) is an inclusive statement to the city of Detroit, there is a movement bubbling here and we are just a part of it. Detroit Revolution(s) .
One of my favourite tracks off the album is ‘Runnin’, have you guys got a favourite?
E- Fav: It's very difficult for me to pick one but i'll have to say ‘Half As Long/ Twice As Bright’ and ‘Stack Yo Paypuh!!.’
You were part of the Red Bull Soundstage Sound & Vision Web documentary, where they help emerging young artists gain recognition through the industry. This must have been a great experience, what did you learn from taking part?
Yeah the Red Bull documentary definitely helped open some doors for us that would have been closed if we didn’t do it. It was eye opening and really cool to see a mini movie made about us and our journey as a group. I think two of the biggest lessons we learnt are you never know how much your story can impact a stranger's life and to always have a hand in the editing process when people put your video together. There is so much more we could have shown you that got cut out.
How important is it for you to be independent artists and to remain independent?
It’s very important for us to be indie artists. Part of what makes things go for us is the fact that we have final say over what songs we put out, what videos we shoot and all of that. None of us are really fond of the idea of having A&R’s and label heads trying to put a battery in our back and telling us what to rap about, how to dress etc. We have so much respect for guys like Tech N9ne or Brother Ali who can go their whole career being independent and still make noise on the music scene and make a living. They never have to compromise their integrity, it’s a beautiful thing and it motivates us to want to stay indie.
You have got a new track out with Kooley High "Freq Freq" how did the hook up come about?
We’ve been fans of Kooley for a minute shout out to them and all of Jamla 1st of all. The hook is actually one that Noveliss came up with actually and we laid it down when we went out to NC back in October.
You can see that hip hop is your passion, your life...it’s in your blood. How has music helped you with your personal obstacles?
E- Fav: Music has always been there for me, dating back to when I was a kid hip hop became my form of expression when I was 13 and a way to channel emotion in a positive way.
What message do you want people to take from your music?
We want people to take that it’s OK to embrace yourself and your talents no matter what the world says. Gimmicks aren’t necessary just be yourself and speak from the soul because that’s what all people have in common.
E- Fav: Be you and never compromise your dreams or who you are for anybody. Some people just hate.
What has been the best bit of advice that you have been given and from who?
The best advice that I feel like we ever received came from either our boy Marcel or William Ketchum…they said to keep the music first and to keep our circle small and as close knit as possible. Wise words!
Is it true that you are working with Slum Village?
Yessir, the track is actually already out it was on their latest project ‘Dirty Slums Vol 2’ and the name of the track was ‘Unfuckwitable’.
What are your personal goals with the group and what do you hope to achieve in the future?
E-Fav: The only goal I hope to accomplish with this group is making good music with my homies, if people happen to like it then I'm thankful to God for the opportunity to even do it. Personally I just want to continue building on my craft and just being the best person I can be.
A question we all want to know...when you coming to London?!
Lol when somebody books us!! We’re really trying to make our way overseas, promoters holla at us!
What is next for you guys?
We got a project called Gold PP7’s coming out in March and a project called Fab 5ive with Nameless (produced ‘Keep It Movin’ and ‘Knuckle Up’) coming later this year! We just revamped our site with a bunch of new merch and we’re doing a lot more videos and shows. Keep your eyes and ears open for us!
Check out CSF new track ‘Gotham City’ with Idris Alba
Keep supporting real hip hop at:
www.forceswithyou.com
www.facebook.com/clearsoulforces
www.twitter.com/clearsoulforces
Words by Tab Taylor @tiptoptab
