- 21
- Jan
- 08
- Jan
The interview I did with Uffie back in April was published in FAKE so I now have the okay to republish it for BIGSTEREO readers. The magazine itself is beautiful… the editors of FAKE did an excellent job. So, if you are in Spain (or Europe) try to get your hands on a copy. It’s free!
Uffie related — US fans can celebrate because Vice Records has furthered their engagement with Ed Banger. Vice is putting together a special Ed Banger Records compilation due January 16th, 2007. Ed Banger Records Vol. 1 will be available as a digital release only.
I have to preface this Q&A and say that back when I did this there was absolutely no info out there on Uffie. I was working off a short three sentence press release, and everything on the Internet was like, “Oh ha ha listen to this funny song.” A lot of this is probably old news to you cool kids.
You’re 18, correct?
/// Yup, Turned 18 in December.
Being so young, how did you end up in Paris from Miami?
/// Well I came for holiday because my father used to work here and fell in love with Paris… so I just moved here.
You seem to come to music through fashion. What is the fashion connection? Are you a designer or ?…
/// Well I do clothes but just for myself. But I organized a fashion show and after party for Lee Cooper and booked DJ Feadz. He introduced me to everyone and music somewhere recently became my life.
Is fashion or music more important to you?… or at this point is it all pretty much intertwined?
/// It really comes together. For me fashion isn’t hype shit that’s going on. It’s style, an image, a way to express yourself. Music is the same. When I feel a certain way I dress that way, and I will sing a certain way…
When and why did you decide to try and make it as a recording artist?
/// I never really decided, “I want to do this let me try.” Some producers made me drop some vocals for them, and I just got a contract. For me its all about fun and doing it my way… It just came naturally. I am blessed because I am part of the Ed Banger family while starting out and have some of the best producers and people around me. I would have never come to this without them.
From both “Pop The Glock” and “Ready To Uff” it sounds like you are pretty close to Feadz. Are you two dating?
/// Yes, we’ve been together for 2 years. But it’s very important to us that the press and people respect that that has nothing to do with our music. It’s great to work and travel with someone I love and to share this with him, but it is separate from our relationship.
And how did you end up working with Mr. Oizio?
/// He liked my voice, and I was really honored and excited to try something with him. Our styles mix well together, same with Feadz, so we continued working together.
How much of your music is you and how much is it the producers you work with? Is it a collaborative process?
/// It’s really a collaboration at this time. I bring my attitude and personality and what I want to say, but the way it comes across is definitely effected by my producers… I express my point through words and they do it through their sounds. I guess you could say everyone adds their own little touch.
Do you have plans for a full length album?
/// Yes, I am working on it now….. get ready for 2007!!!
Besides Feadz and Mr. Oizio, what producers would you like to work with?
/// I also am working with Sebastian. I love his style, and he really brings something crazy to my vocals. I would also love Justice and some people from the Baltimore scene. They have a great thing going on out there with Spankrock, Amanda Blank, Aaron la Crate.
Amanda Blank and Uffie on a track together would be crazy. You have to work that out. There are definitely two emerging scenes right now in Paris and Baltimore. Even though stylistically there are differences,
do you vision these styles coming together? Or are they just too isolated?
/// Funny you mention that… they are verrrrry different styles, but there’s something at the heart that has the same message. I can’t say much on this subject except keep an eye out for this!
A few years ago, there would be very few outlets for “Pop The Glock.” Do you feel like a lot of your early success has been because of reaction and play from the Internet?
/// For sure. That’s where it all started.
How so?
/// I never expected this reaction because I have a commercial image with an underground style. There really doesn’t seem to be room for this in general, but the Internet has proven the world is ready for
something new.
Then in general, how relevant are traditional formats like radio and MTV?
/// They are still very important. A lot of people don’t accept music until it’s hyped, and one of the only ways to be on top is being broadcast through MTV…etc. A lot of people see new music on the Internet, but that is still when it’s underground. I think MTV and all that is the next step.
Artists like M.I.A and Lady Sovereign have had a lot of success with “Internet rap”… to some degree, do you feel like you’re following in their footsteps?
/// I guess you could say that connecting it to the Internet people going nuts, but the styles not at all… I have no idea where I will be next year.
As an artist, who has inspired you the most?
/// Mostly hip hop, dirrty south, Miami bass…
There seems to be a lot of hate towards your music. People take issue with your style (or lack of style) of rapping. Do they just not get it?
/// Ah I have been hoping someone would ask this. That’s exactly it. The people who hate what I do say it’s because I don’t respect the elements or I don’t rap well or blah blah blah. I believe my fans are the people who get what I do. When I make music, I don’t try to make rap or hip hop. I just listen to (rap and hip hop) so it does influence my style. I am not trying to concentrate on having a crazy flow or something like this because that’s not me… I admire people who do that, but it’s not what I want to do. People want to classify
me as a rapper, but you can’t because its not me. I mix up everything and find my own style…
People can have issues with what I do, but they need to think of something new to say because I am not trying to be a rapper. I am just trying to say what I want in a style I want to.. have fun and make fresh
music.
So who’s hotter: L’trimm or JJ Fad?
/// Supersonic of course!
Your press bio says you survived a typhoon. What is that about?
/// Yea. I grew up in Hong Kong, and we decided to take time off and go sailing. There was a typhoon so we followed a fishing boat into the Phillipean Islands… but hit a reef. Our boat sank and the Coast Guards didn’t come, but the village people helped us out.
Miami, Paris, Hong Kong. It sounds like you grew up all over the world. Where’s home (or where would you say you are from)?
/// I don’t really have one. I would say mostly Miami because that is where I was as a teen… but in general I don’t feel like one city or country is home. Home is a feeling for me because I really don’t think I will ever stay in one city longer than four years.
So is the world ready for Uffie?
/// Only they can tell us that. We will see! But I do hope so because people need something this fresh!