Getting Personal with P.ersonal - An EXCLUSIVE Interview

May 16th, 2009 Posted in Uncategorized

n0 h0m0 (and no offense).  A few weeks ago I introduced you all to a very talented artist by the name of P.ersonal; well, the release date of his first album is fast approaching and we had the opportunity to discuss a few things.  And mark my words, this dude is going places.  Talent + strong work ethic = success (in an ideal world anyway).  Check out the interview, and I’d like to apologize in advance to those who have grown accustomed to my typical way of writing…I will be back on schedule shortly.

DWEEB: what’s up man?

P.: nothing much faam

DWEEB: Alright, I’ve never done an interview before so bear wit’ me.  You ready?

P.: Ready spaghetti

DWEEB: Alright, let’s get started with an introduction.  How’d you decide on P.ersonal as a name?

P.: The way I got the name was actually as odd as the name.  I guess in many ways my music embodied many personal issues which started me shaping my ways into political rap due to my mother being overworked at her job at the time and reaping none of the benefits.  The other reason switching my identity to a more mature being as the times changed.  The dot between the “P” and the “e” was brought upon by my peers who prefer calling me P.

DWEEB: Gotcha!  I think “overworked and underpaid” is a sentiment that a lot of people can relate to.  So it’s safe to say that friends and family are a big influence for you; What else inspires you and influences your music?

P.: I would definitely say that the quest to find those boundaries, that thin line, love and lust, and knowing the difference.  Love and Lust in short.

DWEEB: Haha yeh, I know that there’s often a thin line between the two.  You’re in Florida now, right?  I’m sure the “sights” down there can conjure up those feelings a lot?

P.: Haha yeah, I’m in Florida.  I actually try to stray away from Floridian girls, those are bad news bears hahahaha

DWEEB: Haha That’s girls in general (totally kidding ladies)

DWEEB: Aside from friends, family, love and lust…are there any artists that influence you, because you definitely have a unique sound?

P.: I’m deeply rooted in hip-hop.  Common, Little Brother, Nas, Blu, etc. all influenced me at one point and still do, but there’s artists like will.I.Am who steal me away, death cab for cutie and red hot chillie peppers.

DWEEB: Okay, diversity is a good thing.  Is your diversity a product of your upbringing (how/where you were born and raised)?

P.: I would assume so, my older brother is a part of an alternative band, so he really put me onto that, i use to be a poet as well so a lot of my other buddies introduced me to radio head, and it seems my father is stuck heavily in the disco era 70s and 80s.  I love that though, the fluidity is enticing.

DWEEB: Haha that made me think of Snoop’s “Sensual Seduction.”  That’s what’s up tho!  It’s starting to make sense; I definitely detected hints from mutltiple genres in your music.  Since you’re into so many different things, who would be your top 3 collaborations (from any genre) if you could work with anyone?

P.: Will.I.Am is definitely my number one pick, Pharrell, and Common, Kanye, Q-TIP, Lupe, oh dang it I over did it hahaha.  Other artists I listen to, Johnny Cash, Santogold, New World, and as of recent Oren Yoel; he produced a majority of ASHer Roth’s album, and I was blessed enough to speak with him.

DWEEB: Top 3, Top 5…what’s the difference lol?  How would you classify your music?

P.: I really don’t know.  Let’s say Hell on a weekday

DWEEB: Haha I never heard of that genre, but I like it.  So I know your album’s coming out soon.  What’s it called and when is it releasing?

P.: SYDNEY IN THEORY and the release date is set for May 26th

DWEEB: Okay, that’s what’s up!  Is it gonna be on iTunes or Amazon, or will we be able to get it directly from you?

P.: This one’s coming directly from me, which I hope the public’s reception will be large.  And in time, I can post it up via Amazon and/or iTunes.  Anyone can get it the 26th, after that hopefully my momentum will build and I’ll be able to charge you guys.  Hahaha self-reflection isn’t free, and I’d like to quote KanYe West, “my pain is your pleasure.”

P.: The album will be available on my myspace page, and a few other blog chains. Ill keep you posted as to where you can get it besides my myspace. (www.myspace.com/cafeP)

DWEEB: Cool, I’m sure it’ll be dope!  Do you have a favorite track on the album?  If so, is it one that’s currently for preview on your myspace, or will we have to wait for that one?

P.: That would have to be “Dooms Day Do-It-Alls”…and you’re going to have to wait for that one haha

DWEEB: Haha I figured, but as the saying goes “good things come to those who wait” (i.e., us…the listeners).

DWEEB: So I know that previously, you have worked with Mel B of The No Regard.  did he have a hand in any of the tracks on the album?

P.: There’s an unreleased album by the name of The Heartless Arts that I did in VA with No Regard. Recorded the summer of last year. Both Harley and Mel B make an appearance, we were actually apart of a larger group known as Cafe Society before it disbanded later that year.

P.: But yes, both of them play a major hand in the album. Harley produced Dooms Day Do-It-Alls and Mel on Take It To The Sky, Solar Rhythm, and more.
DWEEB: Aaaaah….okay I see.  I was actually gonna ask you about Cafe Society…but I guess it’s pointless to ask since it’s disbanded.  Anyway, how’d you guys link up?

P.: We’ve known eachother for years through online networking but really became good friends after a while.

DWEEB: That’s what’s up, classic story book case.  So I’m assumin’ that makes it easier to work together.  By the way, “Take it to the Sky” is my favorite track that I’ve heard so far.

P.: Of course it does, actually We havent worked together much, because were all on seperate paths but I do support them 100%.  Funny story behind “Take it to the Sky”, When I had left VA to come to FL, I lent every recording I did out there to an ex girlfriend, the only copies. We ended up breaking up, I had a show to do on South Beach, and Had no music. Harley/Majik was busy and Mel didnt have the track I wanted to perform so Mel sent me that beat and the night before the performance at 4 a.m. I finished “Take It To The Sky” and BAM! Alot of success has come out of it, due to a really shitty person, Who claims she threw the CDs out. I dont know why she would’ve done that if she knew they were the only copies of the work.

P.: Im happy now though.

DWEEB: Daaamn, crazy story…this is why I made my previous comment about the ladies being bad news bears in general (just kidding ladies, really), but I mean, I think you found a treasure in this sh*t(ty situation).

DWEEB: Do you have any mixtapes or anything that people can access to hold ‘em over until the album drops?

P.: I have alot of unreleased work, nothing anyone can really find. But, alot of features with alot of the people you see on my top, and alot of the people you might know.

DWEEB: Alright, I will point people to your myspace page so they can stalk you, I mean check out your work.

P.: Lmao

DWEEB: I don’t  wanna put you in a bad spot, but who are your favorite artists you’ve had the opportunity to work with to date?

P.: My bromie QuESt, he’s a really good humble dude..and always has something in mind, but Harley/Majik id have to say was one of my favorite artist to work with strong ethic, when you get him in there.  Everyone is in a trance when hes making a beat.

DWEEB: Yeah, I’ve heard some of his stuff…dude’s talented.  I suppose people like you all tend to gravitate towards each other…that’s a good thing tho.

P.: Yeah, I would say its the invisible circle

DWEEB: That’s a good way to look at it.  I’m trying to form my own circle now lol

DWEEB: So you’re obviously hard at work now…take us through a typical day with P.ersonal.

P.: A typical day starts off where it left off mixing a track I finished the previous night, or waking up to a text message. Sitting down in the P.hantom Zone, and catching some music videos before alittle Afro Samuari, just some 360 Gamage

DWEEB: P.hantom Zone?

P.: It’s my garage, I converted it into the pad for when I have friends over etc.

DWEEB: Oh, like a “man cave”?  That’s dope!  I need one of those.

P.: lol .

DWEEB: So you’re in FL now…is this better place for you musically/creativelyspeaking than VA was?

P.: I dont think so at all, Its a harder ear to catch, although I do have alot of support from peers. But in VA, I think I had a bigger possibility of mulitpling my moves.

DWEEB: How so?

DWEEB: Like, more opportunities?…or am I reading this wrong?

P.: The people I met were a little more easy going.

DWEEB: Oh, so it’s like easier to vibe with people?

P.: Yeah, and there were more opportunities I would say; I tell you what, Cafe Society wouldn’t have disbanded.

DWEEB: Aaaaah…sounds like you need to come back to the commonwealth so you guys can link back up; if not now, sometime in the future.  Would you say that’s a possibility?

P.: I wouldn’t I guess, because we’ve had a falling out…Nah scratch that I would.  Maybe after we sit down and talk about things.

DWEEB: Okay, I’ll take that…leave us a glimmer of hope.  You guys are all dope in your own right, so I just imagine that you all together would lead to  something really crazy.

DWEEB: What are your plans after the album drops?  Any touring / local shows?

P.: Let’s just say its “Red Carpet Treatment”.

DWEEB: Word?  It’s like that?  Well if you have a spare backstage pass, or ticket, or something…you know who to give it to lol.

P.: Lol.  After the album I plan to do some local shows along side my brother’s band and QuESt, and you might even see me doing some shows in VA;  some major shows including Wale, and many more

P.: But I’m also working on a film

DWEEB: Wow, that’s what’s up man!  Care to give any details about the film?

P.: It’s a documentary called ‘The Last Sunday Before We Fall’

DWEEB: Okay, so what’s it about?

P.: It follows 9 personalities on a road trip to Chicago, all creative minds in their own respect; a Comedian, a Photographer, a Poet, an Emcee, a Songwriter

P.: All of whom have never had a major interaction with one another; this film will capture those moments.

DWEEB: That is definitely a dope concept.  It’s good to see artists not restricting themselves to one area of the business that is the entertainment industry.  Once it gets closer to the time for that to drop, you will have to give me a few minutes of your time to discuss it a bit more.

P.: I want to send the film to some festivals and see what happens from there. It will also allow me to take a hiatus, but i really doubt I won’t be featured on something somewhere lol.  I will release an EP entitled ‘As Pretty as Funk’ and a mixtape ‘The Nothing Great’

P.: We could talk about that soon, remind me though lol

DWEEB: Most definitely!  You don’t sleep much do you?

P.: It’s hard to sleep, I say “good morning” before I ever say “goodnight”.

DWEEB: Haha a testament to your work ethic…it’s only a matter of time before somebody big notices…that’s if THAT hasn’t happened already.

DWEEB: Not talking huh?  Okay, next question…where do you see yourself this time next year?

P.: Lol nah I was just sending comments out to everyone online to check out my page

DWEEB: Oh lol

DWEEB: Let me log-on real quick

P.: I accidently sent a girl comment to a guy so I had to fix that stir up

DWEEB: Lmao…I mean, you’re human…that’s funny tho

P.: Just copying and pasting lol

DWEEB: That potentially cost me an interview when I was applying for jobs.

DWEEB: I also noticed that you have some nice looking young ladies baaad girls on your page…not bad meaning bad, but bad meaning good

P.: Lmao, yeah your right lol

DWEEB: More inspiration, right?

P.: YUP! lol

P.: Back to your question about next year though…

DWEEB: Proceed

P.: Hopefully by next year, I’ll have made my name a little more known, along side good people, and good music.

DWEEB: That’s a recipe for greatness, and if you stay working like you are now, I’m sure your goal will be realized.

DWEEB: I appreciate the time fam.  Don’t forget people, the album drops May 26th.

DWEEB: Any closing thoughts, comments, shout outs?

P.: Keep listening please and thank you, I want to shout out The Nameless Famous. Black, Willy, and Nrique, Javi, QuESt, Janei, and Elisa of Fierce Photography. I have to also thank you for taking the time to interview me.  Remember “Sydney In Theory” May 26th.

P.: PeaceLoveEndurance

P.: And Saluatations my friends

DWEEB: For sure!  And I trust you will be rocking a DWEEB shirt once the new ones come in…?

P.: Oh man that’s a most definite idea. I’ll model them too lol, send those photos to you (shouts out to Fierce Photography)

DWEEB:: Alright man…until next time!

‘Sydney in Theory’ - May 26

Check out P.ersonal on Myspace (click the pic)!