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  Aphletik Interview
interview 0299 added 11.05.05 words: Smiffy
technical:
QED
Originally from Long Beach
California, this West Coast rapper relocated to the UK
and won the best new Hip Hop act at the 2004 Diesel U Music
Awards (http://www.diesel-u-music.com/) and debuted with the
Bone Idols production crew on the ‘Keep On’ 12” which dropped
via Above The Clouds Recordings. He went on to release a second
platter ‘The Bump’ alongside a killer mixtape both dropped the
Eclectic Breaks imprint. He recently went goes solo on Adrian
Gibsons eclectic Freestyle label with three solid cuts of
up tempo party hip hop… and has a new record out in June. We
grabbed a few quick words with him in the run up to this years
U-Music awards...
Please introduce yourself – What’s your claim to fame so far?
 My underground hit, ‘Keep On’ Feat. Ty. Numerous shows with
members of Hip Hop’s finest; Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monche, Pete
Rock, The Pharcyde, Slum Village, Beatnuts, Ugly Duckling etc…
Can you please explain the name and how you got to it?
The name Aphletik was given to me by the heads I use to rhyme
with back in the day. They called me that because I could rhyme
at any pace, on anything. Sort of versatile like a Decathlon
athlete.
Who would you cite as your influences?
Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Too Short, Doc, The Dogg Pound, Pac, Hell
a whole bunch of West Coast MC’s first put me on to rhyme.
Do
you remember the first time you took the mic?
That was at a house party back when I was 15.
For you, which is more important: performing live or recording
in the studio?
Both. Because in the studio you need to put yourself in the
situation you’re talking about, so the listener can feel your
words. Performing live, you need to be the show, so you keep the
audience’s attention.
What’s the most important battle you’ve ever won and/or lost?
My father recovering from a life threatening illness.
Why do you rap? Is it purely about style or have you got a
greater vision/message to relay?
I rap for the love of a good rhyme. That’s why I keep trying to
improve my style. Hopefully I intend on setting up my own thing
label-wise, cause I roll with a gang of rappers and they’re all
nice.
"...I
rap for the love of a good rhyme...."
How important to you is the ability to freestyle?
Put it this way. If you can’t freestyle, you’re only half a
rapper.
How long do you tend to spend on writing a verse?
Depends on what I’m writing about. It could be 30 minutes to an
hour and a half, cause I write a line, then think of a better
one and so on.
What’s your opinion about using or being a ghost-writer?
 Cool if the money’s tight.
If
you could be part of the greatest ever posse-cut, who would be
the other emcees?
Me, Cube, Jay Z, Pun, Big L, Pac and Nate on the Hook.
Are you part of an existing group/partnership or do you prefer
to work with many different producers?
Yeah. My team is called TC (THE COMING). But I do work with a
lot of people. Currently producers, ‘The Bone Idols’.
Please give our readers a useful tip/hint to aspiring emcees.
Fuck the negative shit! Just keep writing and get yours homie.
Finally, here’s your chance to plug a website, event or any
product!
Check out Aphletik Events on
www.aphletik.com. Also watch out for Aphletik mixtapes on
the streets now! Finally my new single ‘Let’s Do This’ is out in
June.
Props to Julian Simon at Spiracle Management for hooking this
up.
-
Smiffy
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