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Q&A with Hip-Hop Artist The KwixMindedOne
KwixMindedOne Portrait by Salvador
Rojas
Interview by ESkribe.Uno.Los Angeles
BrownPride.com : What could you share with us about the early Misol
Tribe years?
KwixMindedOne: The Misol Tribe has always been a
collective of crews. It started with the I.T.S. Crew, and (around 1999) the Lost
Souls Tribe. I was in a group with Dario (Tizok) Debora and Everett, emcee name:
Xic. We were paying dues rocking shows. From backyard parties to clubs, I liked
to get into cyphers outside on the sidewalk at shows (and occasionally still do)
and that's what hip-hop meant to me (still does). It's for the love of the
art-form and total respect for the emcee inspiration. Also, when I do
spoken-word poetry I understand its roots in the ancient Flower and Song
ceremony. As a matter of fact, "I speak to the Spirits whenever I feel alone,
and they answer back through indigenous poems." The words we use are very
important- it represents who we are. We could do songs about fantasy worlds, or
we could rhyme about what's going on around us. Real issues and good causes
worthy of mention, that's what separates a hip-hop artist from a rapper; a
writer from a lyricist. That's always been Misol Tribe philosophy.
BrownPride.com : What was your personal background in music?
KwixMindedOne: When I was eleven years old I started with an
accordion (I was always interested in music). From there, I listened to
everything that was out there: the Cold Crush Brothers from New York City when I
was a kid to Arrested Development and Digable Planets in my teens. At the risk
of dating myself, I give props to the “Yo! MTV Raps” era in my songs. You can
bet there are hip-hop lifers out there that recognize it... When I went to
college, I went to ELAC (East Los Angeles College), from '96 to 2004. There was
a movement in the form of a musical revolution that evolved from artists that
wanted to express their political views, actively. Quinto Sol, Aztlan
Underground, Mictlan (now called Calle Placer- check them out), the Grounds
Keepers and the Kalpulli were just a few of the bands involved with that. I took
a keyboard class and studied Music History. I was fascinated by the Baroque
Period, and learned from the classic masterpieces. At the same time, MECHA was
putting together community fundraisers and the Spirit of Zapatismo was alive.
BrownPride.com : What was your major?
Album photography by Salvador
Rojas
KwixMindedOne: Chicano Studies. I continued on
to UCLA (University of Calif.in Los Angeles) and graduated in 2007. I went on to
do social work; and, from 2009 to present- attend USC (University of Southern
Calif.). I think it's important to keep reminding ourselves to be balanced. For
example, one on hand I wear a gold watch & the gold KWIX ring (straight up
hip-hop bling); on the other hand, I wear a turquoise ring and a woven
indigenous bracelet. All have precious value to me, for different reasons. It's
keeping all of them in mind, and not worrying about them (per say) but that
state of awareness keeps a person balanced. That's with everything from making
music to life in general... it's a state of mind.
BrownPride.com :
Who have you collaborated with on songs?
KwixMindedOne:
Recently, I've collaborated only within the circle, with A10 (Aaron and Rahten)
and King Darius. On A10's Not An Album I was the only feature, on a track called
Last of the Old School. Truth is: I was rushed because they were cranking out a
song and video every week. I was there when Tizok filmed the I'm Just a Fool
video (you could see me in the Rosslyn Lofts writing my verse in the
background). Exactly 7 days later we were filming the Last of the Old School
video. It was a faster pace than I prefer, but that's how they did it... with a
forward momentum. And I've known King Darius for a long time now. I always
wanted to work together on something. And I'm glad we got the opportunity to
make that happen on his new mix-tape project. (F.Y.I. The Reign of King Darius
album review is forthcoming...)
BrownPride.com : What are you working
on now?
KwixMindedOne: Right now we're working on Fe Eva
One's EP that is scheduled for release this summer. For those of you that don't
know, Felicia "Fe" Montes is a female emcee, Sister is an original Daughter of
the city and leader of the people. Since her roots in the female group In Lak
Ech and Mujeres de Maiz her message has been about gaining knowledge and
respecting rights of existence, justicia... and then there will be peace. Check
out her Independence Day music video on LatinScene.com. It's a P-Flaxx
Therapy session, Shorty's Sons Production. She has a book coming out and I've
been working with her on the audio album soundtrack for her book. I'm such a
perfectionist on the sound engineering that's why you know that it's gonna be
done right. The thing is: It takes more time and I don't know about making the
deadlines (Smiling)... Other than that, I have also been working on my solo EP
titled "Transforming Words into Visions" which is a melodic rendition of a
visual picture description inscripted in the minds of the listener, because I
myself am a visual learner...
BrownPride.com : Damn! Homeboy that
sounds deep! Dare I ask when that EP Transforming Words into Visions is gonna be
released to the public?
KwixMindedOne: No. No release date
set. I haven't finished the songs yet. I'm a wordsmith that's perfecting my
craft every time I perform. That's where I see how the crowd reacts. I'm
constantly refining my show and keeping my lyrics live. Sometimes I improve my
verse or hooks with a modified word or phrase. Over the years I pretty much got
my lyrics where I want them. Everything has been thoroughly thought out, it
isn't just rhyming words over a 4/4 beat. It's about documenting life and ideas
and being confident in knowing that you gave the best of yourself. I really
would be happy just to perform my set and rock the shows. Honestly, riches and
fame aren't motivations for me. Especially, when it comes to the music. Now that
being said, I've built a pretty-good sound-quality recording studio as far as
home studios go. Not for the purpose of making piles of loot, but I was on a
quest for that good quality sound. It was for the crew, so that the Misol Tribe
could have access to quality sound recordings. Of course, it's been a journey
(not an overnight thing). There's been technical difficulties and device
compatibility issues along the way. But now, with technological advances, I can
say all the equipment works together. And that's a big thing to me, because I
know what it took to make it work. One piece at a time. Even the cables and
wires for the system add up to a few hundred dollars. But no one sees that until
they start putting a lil recording studio together and begin to realize the cost
involved. I have it just to ensure myself that what I'm working on is going to
be in excellent quality when it gets to you. Whether it’s hitting your eardrum
over the sound system at a show, or you're just chillin' out in your car
listening to the CD (eventually when it comes out), you know that you're
guaranteed to get that authentic sound.
BrownPride.com : One last
question, if you don't mind a personal one, whose opinion do you seek when you
need advice or a fresh perspective on your own songs?
KwixMindedOne: Two women, my niece and my ex. My niece gives me a
fresh perspective because she in her early 20's. She has a younger view of my
verse. I value that because she might be in an age group that's not of my
generation, but very interested in the content of my music. And my ex knows me
so well, she catches all the wordplays and double meanings in my lyrics. It
feels good to see someone decipher a crypted message in the words of a song.
I'll be the first to admit, there's a lot being said in each 16 bars. And a lot
of it won’t be absorbed with the first listening. But after listening to it
several times you begin to get a clearer picture of the message. The letters are
profound and the beats are from the heart....Coming Soon! Transforming Words
into Visions! Peace Out!
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