Hailing from Philadelphia, Has-Lo, Recently signed to the Indie Super label ‘Mello Music Group’ where he joins an array of talented artists including Detroit’s Apollo Brown and D.C.’s Oddisee. Has-Lo wasted no time in making his presence felt by releasing his debut album ‘In Case I Don’t Make It’, a gritty, introspective gem which consists of emotionally fueled, unrestricted lyricism painted upon dark, eerie beats which create the perfect backdrop for the tone of the album. The seemless blend of the album is also due to the fact that Has-Lo produced it himself. Read full interview after the jump
I got a chance to chop it up with Has-Lo, and get his take on the state of Hip Hop, starting out and even this years E3 gaming event.
DR: Ok first off, congrats on the success of the album, very dope debut. For the people who aren’t hip to you yet, would you like to introduce yourself?
Has-Lo: Thank you! I’m really happy that the album is out and is as far reaching as it has been. As for me, I’m Has-Lo. I rhyme. I produce. one day I hope to have my albums be considered hip hop classics.
DR: You may well be well on the way to your goal! Mello Music Group seems to be churning out quality all year round, how do you feel to be part of it all?
Has-Lo: it feels wonderful. it’s the start of the dream, you know? it’s ill to watch it really happening
DR: that’s one thing I’ve been wondering, what were doing before you got signed?
Has-Lo: In terms of what?
DR: Music. were you close to any other deals at all?
Has-Lo: there were a couple blips on the radar but nothing concrete. I had a situation with Kevin Nottingham’s label, hipnott records first, we didn’t end up putting a project out though. I think a few indies were kinda interested but I’m new. Not everyone wants to be bothered with that risk, which I understand. Mello music group just really believed in the album though.
DR: That must be reassuring, and also makes your job easier as the artist to just create.
Has-Lo: it’s very reassuring. Sometimes you’ve got something but you can’t get others to see your vision, so it’s a big relief when someone does finally take a look. It’s nice to be able to just create, but it’s still a lot of work. a lot goes into putting a record out. You don’t know how much it really is until you’re on a label and they start giving you all these checklists lol.
DR: lol I can imagine. So in the track ‘Forgotten Styles’ off of your album ‘In Case I Don’t Make it’ you say ‘I know the feeling, they say I’m analytical as if what they listen to is making any real sense. The lost arts reappearing, I’m living proof‘. How do you feel about the emergence of artists like Jay Electronica, J. Cole etc.. who gained attention for their skill rather than the gimmicks seen of late?
Has-Lo: I feel like my elders who told me all things move in cycles have every right to say “I told you so” right now. It’s really refreshing to see things slowly coming full circle. Balance is something we SHOULD strive for. There’s room for everyone’s message. Not to be on a soapbox lol
DR: lol No I totally agree. I remember KRS One said something like not everybody’s a gangster and not everybody is a revolutionary, they should just play everything and let the people make up their mind on what they like.
Has-Lo: I agree with that, not everyone is a gangster or a revolutionary…and that’s fine. Be you.
DR: the best advice. Speaking of ‘staying true’, how did/do your family feel about your career choice? was there the popular conflict between the route your parents want for you and your personal desires that exist in so many households today?
Has-Lo: my mother was never like that. she was always supportive of my creativity and my life choices…obviously as long as they were positive choices. At the same time it’s hard for family and friends to wrap their heads around the idea of you being a professional “rapper” or “musician”. I don’t think it’s real to them until you can show them something tangible, whatever that tangible thing may be.
DR: That’s great, I think support from parents/family is a very important part of growth. Now your lyrics are very descriptive and you seem like you definitely know your way around a dictionary. Is there anything particular you enjoy reading to spark creativity or just for leisure?
Has-Lo: not anything in particular. I’m more of a ‘pick a random book up that looks interesting’; I’m an impulse reader lol. I haven’t been reading much lately though, I’ve got a few that i’ve got to get around to.
DR: cool! ok, if you could pick 5 artists dead or alive, past or present to sign to your personal record label who would they be?
Has-Lo: Hmm. I’d sign Raekwon, Q-Tip, Elliott Smith, M83 and Gang Starr
DR: That’s a super team! I see from your tweets you’re a gamer, thoughts on E3?
Has-Lo: Yes I am! I was happy to see microsoft try to bring some core experiences to the kinect, although I wished they’d get back to having more exclusive titles and content, the new dashboard update looks slick as well.
I was more interested than I thought I’d be in nintendo this year. The Wii U looks really cool, I got those warm fuzzy new hardware feelings from it.
Not too in love with sony this year. then again, I’m not a huge playstation guy. They had some cool things but I just don’t see where the vita is necessary, but they do always come with the first party exclusives, the stuff you can only get on the ps3 so that’s something they continue to get right. Ubisoft was killing it too it looked like, but we NEED another rainbow six title! lol. So def some real dope games this year, a few surprises too, I wasn’t mad at E3. I could go on talking about it for a forever though so I’ll stop here lol, video games are for me what sports are for other cats.
DR: Haha yeah I own a 360 and wii, the wii gets neglected but Ima pick it back up for The Skyward Sword! so what games are you currently playing?
Has-Lo: I have a 360 as well, right now I’m trying to catch up. I finished portal 2 not too long ago, I’m super late but I’m playing arkham asylum now lol. Alan wake, I finally grabbed the dlc for that, and I have a bunch of others that I haven’t gotten too yet but that I’m going to play through over the summer! Gotta get ready for gears 3 after all.
DR: GOW3 that’s the monster we’re all waiting on! This has been a dope interview, can you reveal any new projects your working on?
Has-Lo: I wish I had been working on GOW3 lol, but yea it’s been real dope talking with you man. right now I’m working on my instrumental album and we’re pushing to wrap up this remix project. that’s going to be next actually, and it’s really shaping up. I’ve got a couple other surprises up my sleeve that I should be able to reveal soon…but not just yet. Until then I’ll be tossing out some smaller stuff that’ll be just something funky to listen to as kane might say. As a matter of fact you posted the ‘cock diesel’ joint with me and zilla rocca, so that’s an example right there. No slowing down for me anytime soon.
DR: Very dope track might I add, shout out to Zilla Rocca! Thank you for taking the time out, I wish you nothing but success!
Has-Lo: thanks a lot man! Anytime. Peeeace.
Buy ‘In Case I Don’t Make It’
Follow Has-Lo on Twitter
Has-Lo Bandcamp
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