Benz and a Backpack

Kid Novice is an unsigned rapper coming out of the birthplace of hip hop, the Bronx.  He is a talented MC trying to carve out his place in the game.  Check out this interview as he talks about change in hip-hop, the importance of the internet, and where to find good eats in the Boogey Down.

What is RIGHT with hip hop right now?

I guess the best thing happening right now is CHANGE. We getting fresh air in an over-crowded industry. Some people hate change, they’re afraid of it. Im the type that prepares for it. Being an unsigned artist, technology has really helped in favor of the indie artist. Of course its hurting sales, along with the economy, but even major label artists could relate to the benefit of the new shit coming out via the net. There’s more communication between artists & consumers, artists & artists, and general fans. That connection helps sell music, helps build a fan base, helps with your exposure. The music coming out at this point is also in a better position than it was afew years ago. More lyrical cats are getting shine. More hungry artists are getting a chance to eat. There’s just more opportunity out there to take. So why not take advantage right?

How do you think the Bronx hip hop scene is different than any other in the country?

The most important thing about the Bronx hip hop scene is that THE BRONX IS HIP HOP. No, LITERALLY! It was started here. I think either many people forget, don’t know or are disrespectful and don’t care. With that said, it’s a responsibility that we, as Bronx artists, have to conserve the culture and take it to the next level. We are lyrical, we love all the elements of rappers/lyricists & we take pride in our craft. Even though there are all types of rappers from the Bronx, we all love & respect the craft. You cant live here and not know who KRS is or who Big Pun is. And that list would go on and on. Its all about repping the X!!

I know everyone has heard about hip hop being dead and I think even that saying is dying out. Its not dead, although it did feel like it at afew points, but its just changing. Things like the internet, the mp3, the economy are all factors that are affecting hip hop from the culture to the rap game to the industry to the street. Maybe we cant control the technology from within the culture, but we can control the music. The Bronx is all about street movements.

How would you describe yourself as a rapper to someone who has never heard your music?

Versatile. Truthful. Lyrical. Intelligent meets Ignorance. Comical at times. Definitely worth a listen, even for the harshest critic. I think I tend to cater to too many people in the world, but at the end of the day, I’m dimensional. I’m human, I think 24 hours out the day, even when Im sleeping (which I barely do). I have a lot of sides to myself, so I try to show them through my music as best as possible, something the average rapper either cant or refuses to do. I pride myself in lyrical content. Its all about having that playback value, making people repeat your every word and understand what you’re saying when they recite it. That’s how you make classics. Yeah, the bars that you hear in rap on the radio arent the most complex, and yeah some are just plain retarded, but Im glad that there are artist who, like me, strive to make something thought-provoking.

You recently made a track called Lark which has been called an Asher Roth/Charles Hamilton diss track. Why did you feel the need to make this song?

For the record, there is no beef between me and either one of those guys. I don’t know them personally, and don’t really care to. But the track pretty much puts my thoughts on the table, let the people take from the track what they want. If im wrong on anything I said, call me on it, my line’s always up. Now back to business.

Honestly, I don’t feel them. Not respecting how they’re moving. In my opinion, Asher is a carbon copy of Eminem: the flow, the voice & even some of the subject matter. I could respect him more if he got the success he’s receiving during Em’s run, before he went on hiatus. His style just seems alil too corny.

As far as Charles Hamilton, do I really have to mention it. Im pretty sure if you googled him, you could count the loses, enuff said. It would take days to explain why Im not feeling dude, and that’s too much attention for his career. Best of luck to both of them, no hate at all.

How has Twitter helped you promote yourself? Do you think in the future its gonna be like Facebook where everyone HAS to have one or is it gonna die out?

I think Twitter is a secret weapon. People have asked me a lot about twitter, as far as how it is relevant and is it helpful for an artist in my position. I cant deny the power in the tool called twitter. It’s insane, on some intergalactic chatroom shit. Only a fool in this game would ignore it. I havent seen a social site blow up like that since Face book & Myspace. And as far as it’s “staying-power”… let’s just note 2 things: 1) CNN, not the rap group, has twitter… you cant turn on tv and not hear about it, in every aspect of life… 2) When Twitter blew up, it made Facebook/Myspace step their game up, and now if you look at those two sites, they got the “twitter swag” on their frontpages. Twitter is more than a movement, it’s a phenomenon.

Whats a typical Friday night like for you?

You would have to know my daily labor to know my Fridays. Im all about the grind, taking the little steps day-by-day to get to the top. If I’ve won all the battles within my career in a week, then catch me in the strip club fuckers! I love the fucking strip club! Sorry for being so real, but who don’t love women & alcohol? Only a fool or someone stuck in a closet. I know of a few good ones that you could go broke in, especially in the Bronx! Shout outs to Badabing, Sin City, and I think they changed the name of “Player’s Club” but I don’t know the new name, either way they all were popping when I was a strip club hopper, so im assuring yall that shit aint change. Remember to bring singles & be single…cuz strip clubs destory relationships, unless your girl is down with the swirl lol.

Where can I get the best meal in the Bronx for less that 10 dollars?

Aight, there’s a lot of good spots. We got great pizza spots. There’s a Spanish restaurant on 149st near Lincoln hospital (where I was born). Great food, great music too lol. I remember a pizza shop in my old hood. It was on 167^th & Sherman named “Apollo”. Those fuckin slices could feed Africa for weeks, swear to god. It really depends what you’re in the mood for: Best Spanish Spots are in the South Bronx, Best West Indian Spots are North Bronx, and Pizza is everywhere. If you’re ever at a Yankee game, head up the block where Mickey Dee’s is, that corner has a Diner that’s hood-renown lol. If I mention my other favorite spots, your $10 dollars wouldn’t even GET YOU THERE lol. SHOUTS TO CITY ISLAND!!

What is in the foreseeable future for Kid Novice?

God-willing, I forsee success. Some days are harder than others, but when you have a support system like mine, and your followers start becoming fans, they see a future. Even at your lowest points on your journey to the top, as long as you have that vision and people who believe in it, they can pick you up when your down. We all get discourage at one point or another, and I know it sounds like sum after school special shit but: we fall to get back up, you have a whole life ahead of you, what are you going to do with it? How will they remember you when you go and for what? Im here to make a name that will last forever. That’s my vision. That’s Kid Nov’s future…

http://www.myspace.com/kidnov

http://twitter.com/kidnovice

And if you need a quick tutorial on how to make it rain, click here.

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