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Emay‘s music has been winning over fans left and right (check out his latest EP here), but we still haven’t spent the time to introduce you to Emay (Mubarik Adams) the person. The thing is, this producer/emcee creates such a powerful brand of hip-hop that the music really speaks for itself. Still, there are important things that you should know about Emay, like his celebrity crushes, whether or not he’s into reality television, and if he prefers Jimi Hendrix or Bob Marley.
So here it is, the P&P interview with Emay…
Biggest celebrity crush?
I have the weirdest crushes man. The last one I remember was with Ellen Page from Inception. I’ve also had a crush on Kate Winslet since I saw Titanic as a kid. The most typical one I can remember was Beyoncé.
Where did the name Emay come from?
If you take my initials from my name Mubarik Adams (M-A) and say the initials. So if anyone has been pronouncing it like Ebay, I’m sending goons to your house. [Embarrassed. I’ve totally been pronouncing it like Ebay. Send the goons.]
Your production is far from typical. As a producer, who are your major influences?
My major influences are definitely DJ Premier, Lord Finesse, Q-Tip, DJ Toomp, El-P, J Dilla, RZA, Kanye West, Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind and Flying Lotus. Usually when people describe my production they end up saying one of the producers I’ve listed above has decided to have a child with another, which I think is ill because it means I’m developing my own sound based on producers I’m fond of. If all of the comparisons were of the same producer, then I’d be fucked. I hate when producers make their living based on being somebody else’s duplicate. I remember hating a lof of the producers in the Justus League for sounding so much like 9th Wonder. A lot of the lesser known Wu-Tang producers were the same to. I guess that’s great news for RZA and 9th though since they’re so influential. All the other niggas will either be in the background, or better yet, on soundclick.com.
Hit the jump for the rest…
Are you an optimist or a pessimist?
Optimist. Pessimism would make me suicide.
Introvert or extrovert?
If I really like you I’m usually more of an extrovert. I hope nobody that thinks I’m shy reads this.
Are you a fan of reality TV?
Nah. I don’t really fuck with the Jersey Shore‘s and such. It’s like watching a bunch of diva matches in the WWE. Fun for the eyes once in a while, but I could never care or keep up. I don’t even like wrestling anymore, period.
You cite West African, classical, country, and jazz music as some of the genres that you got into at a young age. How do you think that shaped the music you make?
African music is generally based on dancing, and although I clearly don’t make club joints, basslines are a huge deal to me. West African music has some of the illest bassline patterns I’ve ever heard, so that’s how that influences me. West African music also influences me rhythmically. Their are very subtle things I do with my production that express my West African roots. Classical, country, and jazz have contributed more to what I do melodically with my sound. As retarded and muffled as some of my sampling and composition may be, my work is generally very melodious.
Have you ever been arrested?
YE NIGGA I CAUGHT A BODY IN 95.
What’s in your car’s CD player right now?
I don’t have a car because I’m a bumb, but I’ve been listening to a lot of Cannibal Ox, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, DJ Quik & Kurupt, Papercuts, Daedelus, Radiohead, Star Slinger and Blackbird Blackbird.
Hendrix or Marley?
Dig what I’ve heard from both, but I’ll have to go with Marley on this one. And no, I’m not a weed head. I actually enjoy his music.
Do you play any instruments?
Really amateur on the piano. Everything I’ve ever composed was simply me using my ears to create. Never had formal training.
Top 3 rappers of all time?
Not a fan of lists at all, but some of my favourites are MF DOOM, AZ, and Sean Price.
Look at this inkblot, what do you see?
I actually see a phoenix, a flower, and some weird goat looking creature. [Weird, I saw a female anatomy diagram with a grasshopper head.]
Kanye West, Jay-Z, or Lil Wayne?
I’ll have to go with Kanye on this one. Especially since he makes beats as well.
These days a lot of rappers take pride in not writing down any of their lyrics. Do you write yours down?
Yeah, I always write my stuff down. A lot of the time I’ll freestyle a couple bars to, if I feel like changing something while I’m recording the verse. I personally don’t care what a rapper does to record his songs though. As long as the shit is dope.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever got?
Umm.. Fuck hip-hop, rip pockets, snatch jewels?
Pigeons or planes?
Pigeons. Bawse.
Check out more of Emay on P&P or at his website.
