HOMEBOY SANDMAN

Homeboy Sandman is one of those rare things in the current age of hip-hop.  An MC who – over eight albums, nine EPs and god knows how many guest verses - always brings something new to the table.  He’s an artist in the truest sense of the word, always pushing the boundaries of his craft and treading new boundaries with every release.  With a diverse-subject matter and a cadence and flow that refuses to be pigeon-holed, he is a wordsmith who delivers bars over beats like a supreme athlete running through an obstacle course. So, an announcement of a new album always creates a huge buzz of anticipation.   “Dusty”, his first album for indie-label Mello Music Group (which adds him to a roster of incredible talent including Oddisee, Quelle Chris, Ras Kass and Open Mike Eagle) , is scheduled for release on 18 October, so we sat down with the boy Sand to discuss the new project, his earliest hip-hop memory and who his favourite football team is.

Homeboy Sandman and Lisa Wolter rockin the Butter Beanies available in our shop!

INTERVIEW

1. What is your earliest hip-hop memory?

When I was just a toddler and I was misbehaving my father would tell me, "don't push me, 'cause I'm close to the edge."

2.  We love that intro to “Stakes Is High” by De La Soul where they ask people where they were when they first heard “Criminal Minded”. Given it’s the 25th anniversary year for “Illmatic”,  where were you when you first heard the Nas classic?

Lunchroom in the IS 73 cafeteria I believe is the first time I heard, "It Ain't Hard to Tell".

3.  You’ve recently signed with Mello Music Group where you’re joining a whole roster of tight artists. Congratulations on that.  Can you tell us a bit more about the new project "Dusty"?  Is there a concept behind it and, if so, how did it come about?

I'm not gonna let that cat out of the bag but they might soon keep your eyes and ears peeled.

4.  From your impressive catalogue of work, what’s your favourite project and why?

I think the one i'm working on today. Right now. It's untitled, but I feel in a really good place. Trying to combine the purity and focus of The Good Sun, with the sonic depth of Humble Pi, with the introspection of Hallways, with the unbridled energy of First of A Living Breed. And then some.

5.  Name one producer that you’ve not worked with that you’d like to work with and why.

Q-Tip. Creator of some of the most beautiful beats I've ever heard and that i grew up loving.

6.  What are your three favourite non hip-hop songs of all time?

My top 2 are "Knocks Me Off My Feet" by Stevie Wonder and "I Know You, I Live You" by Chaka Khan. Not sure what my third is but I really like the Dave Brubeck Quartet and "Music for Your Neighborhood" by Jude Swift is my sleeper.

7.  What fashion brands do you like rockin?

CMNY, Clear Weather, Brian Wood, Butter, Grateful, God Made New York, Cinoci

8.  What’s your favourite place to eat in New York City?

Whole Foods hot bar.

9.  Do you ever suffer from "writers block" and if so what do you do to combat it?

Yes. By trying to become a better person. Trying to do what god wants me to do.

10.  We love football (Soccer) - are you a fan? If so, who is your team?

Liverpool. I did a semester abroad when I was in college and I lived in london. that's who my friends rooted for. In the days of Hesky and Owen.

11.  What’s better – margarine or BUTTER?

BUTTER BABY!!

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Homeboy Sandman's new album Dusty is out on 18 October 2019.  Available on all streaming sites and from your local record store.  

https://homeboysandman-mmg.bandcamp.com/album/dusty