Check the Shine interview below and find out more about the latest MC to pop off, SoulStice. Recently featured in XXL magazine, find out where Chi-town's next legend got the brains behind his talent, and what his plans are next...
Shine: What made you decide to pursue hip-hop, as well as a degree in engineering?
SoulStice: I got interested in music at an early age, so hip-hop has been a part of my life for a long time. Growing up in a house where both of my parents were teachers, education was also very important. So it was always understood that I would to college and get a degree. I’ve always been interested in computers so it seemed natural to go into computer and electrical engineering which wound up being a good fit. But the whole time I was in school, I was still nurturing my music career. I’m very passionate about making music, so I had to keep it up.
Shine: Do you prefer one over the other?
SoulStice: Right now, I appreciate the chance to do both. It keeps me on my toes and I get to do a variety of different things every day. A little variety is always good. At the end of the day though, I’d like to devote all of my energy to making music.
Shine: Who have been some of your musical influences?
SoulStice: A lot of artists have influenced me over the years, some hip hop and some not. In reality, anyone making great music is an influence. If I had to name a few names, Nas, Common, Big Pun, Black Thought, Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell…
Shine: What do you think you can bring to the hip-hop game as an artist?
SoulStice: I bring my own unique perspective, my own voice. When you look back, most of the great artists were great because they were strong individuals with a unique set of experiences and deep insights and the ability to translate all of that into music in a language that’s crystal clear. That’s what I try to bring to the table.
Shine: Most of the recent debate in hip-hop has been around what a lot of people consider to be the fall of N.Y. (rappers) and the rise of the south. Where do you think the midwest fits in?
SoulStice: The midwest has always kinda been its own entity. You’ve got artists there that resemble east coast artists, a few that resemble west coast artists, some that sound a little southern and then some that sound completely different. It’s a mixture, but the scene as a whole still stands apart from everywhere else. The “midwest” sound has still never really had a whole movement that’s reached into commercial radio and TV like the east, west, and the south so I think that still makes us the underdogs.
Shine: What can fans expect when they cop North by Northwest?
SoulStice: Really good music! North by Northwest is a complete experience from front to back. Lyrically it’s extremely solid, emotionally it’s got its highs and lows and musically it’s some of the best production out right now. Between the lines, it’s the story of how I got started and found my voice as artist.
Shine: Now that you’ve secured a distribution deal with Raptivism/Ryko, what’s next?
SoulStice: A lot! My group Wade Waters (SoulStice and Haysoos) is due out next on Wandering Soul Records. We’re releasing a mixtape this summer and an album this fall. Now that the distribution is official the music is going to reach a lot more people and get a lot more exposure. The Ryko deal just brings me one step closer to where I wanna be, but there’s still a long way to go – I’m try to take this as far as I can!
Shine: Are there any artists or producers you’d like to work with that you haven’t yet?
SoulStice: My producers are some of the best in the game! So I feel fortunate to get to work with the producers in my team. Outside of that, there are few producers I’d like to work with, DJ Premier, Kanye West, Pete Rock, Timbaland, and Just Blaze to name a few. As far artists, I’m still looking forward to doing a joint with Common on some straight Chi-Town sh*t. Doing a joint with Cee-lo would be dope too.
Shine: What’s your ultimate goal as a hip-hop artist?
SoulStice: I want to continue to make music from the soul and have it reach the hearts and minds of people worldwide. Ultimately everything I’m striving for leads back to that.
Shine: What can people look for from you in the future?
SoulStice: You can always expect great music when you see my name on something and you can look for me to keep coming out bigger and better than I was before. Keep an eye out for the Wade Waters album, DarkWater coming this fall!
Make sure you check out my websites for the latest: www.wanderingsoul.com and www.myspace.com/soulstice
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