LIVE IN THE CLUTCH : A BEAUTIFUL RHYME...

(CP) When did you first fall in love with Hip-Hop?

“My earliest memories of Hip- Hop was probably around the age of ten. I remember working out the differences between the music they played on MTV, VH1, and BET. Basically, MTV played Rock & Roll with weird music videos, VH1 played soft rock and alternative music with really sentimental videos, and at the time BET played R&B and Hip- Hop videos by artists. For example, Dr. Dre, Tupac, Black Street, Wu-Tang, and Mary J Blige. The Hip-Hop videos on BET were always like watching short films and a lot of them had performance shots of people dancing, there was always a party going on.”

“It was just more fun to me so I naturally gravitated to it before I knew anything about the music. Before I even knew what the different “genres” and “markets” were I just liked BET more. And, at that time music channels were primarily how you discovered music as opposed to today where we rely on Youtube and music discovery websites/blogs.”

(CP) From your perspective do you see any similarities in Hip-Hop within the Caucasian and the African -American culture whether it is socially, or lyrically within the United States? If so could you briefly describe the similarities?

“Yes, it’s all the same family, really. It’s hard to divide it up by race, color, or culture. Honestly, it’s way too complicated to compare by race. Living in Philly, I have performed for predominantly Black crowds. Travelling the state and the country, I’ve played predominantly White crowds. The main unifying factor anywhere you go is TALENT people respect real TALENT. They want to see you hit the stage and do something incredible, something not just anyone can do.”

(CP) The name of your current album is 'PEACEWORLD' could you briefly explain the meaning behind 'PEACEWORLD.'

“People are so obsessed with building brands in 2014 that 'PEACEWORLD' was kind of a protest against that. If you listen very closely, you’ll realize I’m just telling stories and sharing thoughts that are not very personal or provocative on there. The album doesn’t clearly define me as a person, but it showcases my talent as a songwriter and a rapper. I picked a bunch of different themes and just kind of vented. And, if you listen to the interlude and outro, you’ll hear that theme come through even more. It really describe a person who is very much on the fence, taking life as it comes.”

“Moreover, its my way of sticking it to the man like “LOOK AT ME, I CAN MAKE AN ALBUM ABOUT NOTHING WITH NO BRAND AND IT’LL STILL BE DOPE.” Also, its a confessional letter about how much I hate rappers and how DOPE I am. Also, the theme is a goodbye in many ways to my old approach to music. I have been writing and making much darker, harder, edgier music since then that the world has not heard yet. And, when they hear it may make more sense why I called the last album PEACEWORLD.”

(CP) Here at Clutch Players University we value consistency. What do you want to contribute to the culture of Hip-Hop musically and socially?

“Musically, I want to break down some walls. In 2014, everyone thinks the Hip-Hop THEY listen to is the REAL Hip-Hop. I wanna steal all of the elements and genres and flip them in dope ways. I want to show people that those walls don’t exist. For example, Trap shit, Boom Bap, Battle Rap, Old School, Trip-Hop, and Club shit they’re in no way exclusive, they all share so many elements, I want to do it all in new ways.”

“Socially, I want to make people feel powerful. Not by writing particularly inspiring songs. But, by doing shit that’s never been done, things that don’t seem possible, that don’t seem to make sense, making them pop, and rocking the fuck out. I want to let the people know when I’m performing, its for a crowd of kings and queens, and we’re going to put our cameras and Iphones down and get fuckin BUSY while I’m on stage. Be ourselves for a half hour or an hour.”

(CP) What can the people expect next from Mic Stewart?

“I’ve been working overtime with SAMlive (@SAMliveMusic). The producer who made eighty percent of the beats on PEACEWORLD. We kind of hit a stride and found a new sound, we made like eighty demos in the last year. We’re finishing a seven-track EP now, tentatively titled #456KTA. That will be a late summer / early fall release with free download and it will be available on all major on-line stores for purchase.”

“I’ll be playing local Philly dates through the rest of the summer. I have two bookings in September right now, details coming soon to MicStewartMusic.com. I’d like to tour, but we’re really focusing on finishing a longer album and video treatments to follow- up the #456KTA EP. Which, features Philly Emcee's Reef The Lost Cauze, STS, The Bul Bey, and a few other surprise guests. I can’t really speak on anything further at the moment.”

(CP) Could you briefly describe how you got your entrance into battle rap? What prompted you to do more rhyming and orchestrating albums?

“I just had a unique opportunity through Red Bull EmSee to make a bunch of money and travel across the country and I took it. I’ve always been a great free-style artist. I've free-styled twenty minute sets before, it’s how I began rhyming. All I had to do to battle was focus my energy on saying ignorant shit to my opponent. Aside, from the EmSee competition, I've never battled much, just some high school lunch room shit, and drunken fun here and there.”

“I make albums now because great music is timeless. God gives us all a voice and a mind of our own. We are all gold mines. I am just fortunate enough to have a skill and an outlet for mine that could effect the lives of others in a unique way. So I make records.”

(CP) The video 'I'm not from Brooklyn,' is very visual and authentic. Who came up with the concept?Why?

“Actually, I came up with the concept. From the beginning of my career my music has always been an inclusive, public thing. I was never the reclusive lab rat (until recently). We wanted to capture that spirit. So, we hit the street. The record is called “I’m Not From Brooklyn” and the theme is: I’m not from Brooklyn, but I represent a culture that has become Internationally appreciated which has deep roots in Brooklyn, so we gave a nod to that part of NYC. The director Derrick Woodyard understood and believed in the vision. He’s incredibly talented and I think he did an amazing job of bringing it to life.”

(CP) In your Ipod or phone what artists are in Mic Stewart play list?

“1. Mic Stew 2. Mic Stew 3. Mic Stew 4. Schoolboy Q 5. Mic Stew.”

(CP) Would you provide our Clutch Players University readers a glimpse into who is Mic Stewart?

“I wake up on a different side of the bed every day. I guess in that respect, I’ll say I’m raw. A bit of a clown, a bit corny, but somehow serious as fuck, I rap dope, I like girls. And, love Philly, hate Manayunk, love God, hate religion, love people, hate douche bags. I love my momma, act like my dad, middle-child, raised by single parent. Just the man basically. I studied World History and Physics. I hate stupid shit, petty shit, that shit irks me.”

(CP) If you could choose one album that describes your life. What album would that be?

“Probably, YEEZUS, or College drop out.”

(CP) Here at Clutch Players University we are fans of sports and Hip-Hop. If you were not doing Hip-Hop and you had to do a sport. What would be your choice of sport?

“Boxing. Boxing is my shit!”

(CP) Could you provide some words of encouragement for the Clutch Players University, dreamers, or visionaries?

“Yes, you guys are EVERYTHING. Like the world is a much worse place without you. Its a better place because you are HERE. Be realistic and honest with yourself, and do what you know you’re supposed to do, be who you’re supposed to be, and it’ll all work out. When you’re living in your purpose, you win even when you lose. And when you’re scared to be great, everybody suffers. Just be the shit, cause God made you that way.”