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Illsamar On Her Debut EP, Mental Health & Creating Content As An Indie Artist [Interview]

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California emcee Illsamar dropped her debut project “Foreign” at the end of last month. Eight tracks of covering everything from mental health and the “Voices” that come with it, to a beautiful acoustic remix at the end. On the day of the EP release, Illsamar hosted a listening party for the project. While I wasn’t able to attend the album release party I was able to ask her some questions about the album, creating video content of her journey and more.

Dead End Hip Hop: For those who still don’t know. Who is Illsamar?

Illsamar: I am Iliana Isamar Pardo by birth. Born in Michoacan, Mexico but raised in La Puente, California. I was brought to the states at 2 so I don’t have any relocation of Mexico. I am a proud Mexican but the country I know is America. I am based out of Covina, CA. Just 20 min outside of Los Angeles.

DEHH: Now I’ve only been to California once, but through storytellers like Jurny, Prop, Earl and more you quickly learn California while a beautiful place isn’t one to be completely romanticized. Can you talk about growing up in Cali for a bit?

Illsamar: California is such a long state that every region is very different. I am from the Los Angeles county. A small city east of the city called La Puente. I am currently living in Covina. What I love most about southern california is the diversity. You get to learn and experiences many cultures through art, music and food. La Puente is majorly a town with Latino folks so growing up that’s really all I knew. As I grew older I started to travel out and see new places. It’s also really awesome knowing that Southern California birthed so many great artists. It’s like you feel that you are a part of the musical history. What locals know about California is not what you see on a broadcast. It’s not all Hollywood and bright lights. As a matter of fact, Hollywood might be one of my least favorite towns. You don’t run into celebrities, those great “LA Parties” that you hear are secluded and the city continues to grow in tourists and people who move out here to hopefully break through. It’s more than that. It’s visiting the smaller towns that show you culture. It’s taco stands on every corner, street vendors and BBQ’s every weekend. It’s not perfect but the weather is great!

DEHH: When did you make that turn from a fan of hip-hop to “I need to be creating hip-hop”?

Illsamar: It all happened indirectly. I was hanging out with a few friends who were talking about starting up a band and they were still looking for a co-front man. One of the guys asked if I would join. I joked and told him that I don’t sing. He said, “But you can rap!” I mean I dabbled with freestyles but I never wrote a song. I agreed to it. We dismantled within 6 months, too many creative differences. From then on I knew i wanted to continue making music. The love I use to have for writing re-kindled and I really loved being on stage. I started making Hip-Hop music and haven’t stopped since.

DEHH: Who are some of your influences in music?

Illsamar: They vary. And when you say influences I don’t know how to answer that because I feel like I need to directly be influenced by them or sound like them. But I do have artists that inspire me and I got back to for a quick lift. Kanye West, Kid Cudi, Big Sean, Logic, J Cole, Atmosphere, Common, Kings of Convenience, Jack Johnson and Asaiah Ziv.

DEHH: Ok, let’s talk about “Foreign” where did the idea come from? You had been releasing music before that, why a project at this point in your career?

Illsamar: I knew that I was long overdue to release a project. I had a couple mixtapes and some singles but nothing that was cohesive. I wanted to give my fans and supporters a project. Aside from that I felt like I was ready to create something cohesive. A short project that can prepare me to create a nice full length. Originally the project was going to have a different concept and a different name. But in the time of writing and recording a couple unexpected events occurred with the people in my life. A very close friend attempted suicide and over dosed a couple times. Three times we thought we lost him. Then another friend was admitted into a mental institution and doctors till this day could not figure out what was wrong with him. I myself battle with depression, used to have had suicidal thoughts and I am a recovered substance abuser.. Mental health has ALWAYS been around. It’s not made up like some twitter posts like to mention. It’s just now we have the internet and people are using their socials as diaries. With Foreign I wanted to bring awareness to mental health and those who battle with it daily. I called it Foreign because I feel that someone who is going through it feels foreign to society. We don’t feel like we belong. Foreign is also how I feel as a Christian in society and as a person in the Church. I’m not your typical Sunday Christian so I always feel alienated.

DEHH: “Voices” hit me like a bag of bricks. I feel some are just now becoming comfortable talking about their mental health. Can you talk a bit about the importance of discussing your struggles on the record?

Illsamar: If you are going through it and you can voice your thoughts. Just do It. Is what I say. I know some cannot talk about it and I don’t blame them. Its really hard, feelings of being rejected or not understood. I make sure to be a voice for those who are silent. So people don’t feel like they are in this alone. That there are many people like them and that there are people who truly want to help.

DEHH: Nowadays I feel like it’s rare for emcees to take musical risks in their music. If you aren’t ripping every verse you’re doing it according to the majority. But I absolutely love what you did with “Gold In The Sky” how did that joint come about?

Illsamar: Gold In the Sky is actually an acoustic remake of a song produced by Germmanii called Sunrays. I released it a few years a go on a mixtape. We use to always perform the acoustic version and I thought it would be a great idea to include it. If i’m not listening to Hip-Hop I am usually listening to folk, acoustic and singer/songwriters. It’s my first love. I don’t want to be limited to one genre and I love that Germmanii is an artist with many tastes. We came together and recorded out live acoustic version of Sunrays.

DEHH: When people are done listening to “Foreign” what do you want them to walk away with?

Illsamar: Truth and clarity. I want people to be completely honest with themselves and not be afraid to be vulnerable. I want those who are battling with mental health to know that they are not alone and that there are people out there who can help or at least be a friend that is just willing to listen. I also hope that it stumbled the ears of those who don’t quite understand what it is to battle with mental health. And I hope that they listened with open ears and be more receptive and understanding to others.

DEHH: Now you had an album release party last month for “Foreign” can you tell me about the work that goes into planning an event like that and how did it go?

Illsamar: The turn out was great. A nice crowd with people chanting and rapping along. It was a bit surreal to know that people sincerely came to see you perform. The planning was stressful. A lot of investing into a show with no cover charge. I didn’t want to have it at a bar/venue where the age limit would be restricted so with a help of a couple friends, we came together and leased a private loft for the night. It was not cheap but well worth knowing you didn’t have age restrictions. I also didn’t want to charge at the door because I didn’t want to give anyone an excuse to not come. I know I wasnt going to make a profit from attendees but what really matters is people coming and see what I can do. I budgeted and created a sheet on how to save for a couple months and I made it happen. I was super broke for the month of September but it all came together. One thing I also learned is to not be afraid to ask for help. God put someone in my path that made the event happen. This dude I connected with provided sound, a DJ and even brought a stage to the event. You just never know how many people are willing to help until you start asking around.

DEHH: You’ve been doing a vlog series tracking the progress of the project and just your life journey in general. What is the importance of creating content like that and what has it been like recording your journey thus far?

Illsamar: As an indie artist it’s super important to have consistent content. Fans become invested in the music and want to learn about the artist personally. I love to show people what goes on in the back scenes and allow them to be a part of the journey with me. People tell me that they feel like they know us for a really long time just off the vlogs. I love that the director Amalia Sepulveda can really grab the eyes and ears of those watching make them feel like they are there with us. It’s important to make it as personal as possible. It also helps when there isn’t any new music coming soon. Keeps the fans around while you work on something new. Recording behind the scenes is not always fun. Some times I am having days where I don’t want the camera in front of me specially when I am feeling depressed. But I always push through it or do my best to show what I am currently feeling.

DEHH: 2018 is almost over but what can we expect from you in 2019?

Illsamar: More new music. I expect to release a couple more music videos for foreign and then after I have some collabs I am already in the works on. I also have some singles that I want to release I am also going to be putting on this bi monthly pop show around Southern California called Back Around. Going to hit as many cities as possible. Hopefully gear up and start writing for my first full length.

Devin Burgess On Hip-Hop In Ohio, “Trash”, Hip-Hop Hot Takes & More [Interview]

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Cincinnati’s own Devin Burgess isn’t your average emcee, live shows dressed in robes, he even called his latest project “Trash”. The packed LP though is anything but and as was calculated by Burgess himself, these are only tracks that didn’t make it onto an upcoming project. I had a chance to sit down with the Cincinnati standout to talk about “Trash”, the power of Ohio Hip-Hop (because I’m tired of ya’ll sleeping) and what a live Devin Burgess show is like.

Dead End Hip Hop: For those who don’t know who is Devin Burgess?

Devin Burgess: I am a 24 year old emcee/producer/audio engineer from Cincinnati, Ohio. I’m a rapping ass, self loathing, goofy ass sadboi that really cares about my art and craft.

DEHH: Now tell me a bit about growing up in Ohio and the Ohio Hip-Hop scene. I try to explain to people but cats really do be sleeping on what we’ve done over the years.

DB: I mean sh*t. Cincinnati has had a crazy and interesting ass run over the last 20 years. From like the scribble jam era to “BadAzz Battle” era, which was more of the harder, more aggressive Cincinnati sound, to now. Uptown is DEFINITELY running sh*t. I really didn’t become apart of the Cincinnati scene til like 2015 for real. That’s when I started to do shows on a more consistent basis. But yeah, Cincinnati is literally a melting pot of styles musically. I guess that’s perks of living in the midwest. Majority of the uptown artists here have their own niche, their own sound/style and I think it’s beautiful. Cincinnati was kind of going through a period where a lot of artists were trying to sound like someone else. It was apparent in the music. Granted, you’re going to come across that a lot, but now a days, I feel as if the artists here have their own sense of individuality. That is, when we’re not being so clique-y and politic-y. Lol I run into that a lot as well. That’s the beauty of being a solo artist here with no ties or affiliation to anyone. I’m neutral, and cool with just about everyone. I feel like that has something to do with my visibility here.

DEHH: Why “Trash”?

DB: Lmao well, aside from me calling these songs my “throw away” tracks, I thought it’d be funny to call my project Trash because its reflective of the climate. We live in this era where digesting music and giving an opinion on it happens SO RAPIDLY. When you talk to people about music it’s either one of two things. It’s fire and they love it, maybe even a classic, or it’s just trash. No context as to why, it’s just trash. So being the goofy individual I am, I said fu*k it.. Imma just call this Trash. I also thought from like a consumer standpoint. The things we dislike tend to get talked about more than the things we actually like. I see more people talking about how trash something is opposed to how much they love something. In my mind I thought, if I’m scrolling down to hear or see someone talk about how trash something is, I’m probably going to stop to see what they’re talking about lol. Like maybe folks would be like, “why is he calling his OWN album trash?” It was my attempt to spark interest if you’d never heard of Devin Burgess before. Granted, saying I’m trash may not be the best first impression lmao but hey, whatever works right?

DEHH: This is a compilation of joints left off other albums or projects, how were you able to mesh everything together and to still be able to present this as an album?

DB: Man I don’t even know lmfao. I’m actually proud of how I was able to do that honestly. I’ve been putting out bodies of work since 2012. My first ever project was called The Elegant Project and that bitch was like 19 tracks or something lmfao. So I’ve always put my focus into a body of work instead of a single. Like whenever I do projects, I don’t have a single in mind. I’ll just put out whatever feels right. That’s another part of it too. Feeling. As I was getting closer to the release date, I was conscious of fall approaching. So I tried to capture autumn sonically. Trash definitely feels like Fall to me. Anyways, since I was always the type of artist that cared about the body of work I was releasing, transitioning became important to me. I feel as if I understand what it means for a project to be cohesive. Being my own engineer helps with that for sure. So with trash, I just took my best songs (which honestly, i have more i could’ve put on it. it was originally gonna be like 18 tracks lmfao) and sequenced them perfectly. I’ve NEVER created like this before, and it’s probably my best, most organic, cohesive body of work to date.

DEHH: You collaborated with a ton of people on this project, how do you choose who you wanna work with and helping that chemistry shine on the mic?

DB: Yeah! I have a big thing for voices. Like whenever I hear a beat or I have an idea for something I can automatically hear someones voice on it with mine. I tell people all the time, I don’t force collaborations. I’m a believer in everything happens for a reason and If we haven’t worked together, then dammit it just isn’t our time to yet. I also wanted to let my city shine as well! Damn near everyone, (except Miir on Sundaze. She’s from Columbus, OH) is from Cincinnati. This was also my attempt in showcasing our talent and how versatile we are. Everyone brought their own element to these records and they were placed perfectly. As long as everything feels right, everything sounds right, then we’re gucci. I love collabs.

DEHH: I felt like an important part of your marketing campaign was doing live shows, I felt like every time I turned around you were performing somewhere in-state. Can you talk about the importance of live shows and what a Devin Burgess show is like?

DB: MAN LISTEN. COME TO A DEVIN BURGESS SHOW AND IT’S GON BE A NIGGA IN A ROBE DOING A LOT OF MILLY ROCKING, A LOT OF YELLING INTO THE MIC, AND YALL CAN WATCH ME GET HECKLED. How a nigga get heckled at his own rap show when niggas come to see me ON PURPOSE? lmfao I wear a robe because I am retired. I’m the only actively retired rapper in Cincinnati (probably the world) and caint no one take that title away from me lmao. My whole thing is comfort. I’ll pull up in some pajama bottoms and some houseshoes on. The heckling comes from me saying I’m trash or I’m retired, and the audience STRONGLY disagreeing lol. Live show performances are essential because it doesn’t matter how many followers you have or what ya IG numbers say, my nigga if you caint put on a good to decent show AT LEAST in ya home town, you can’t really expect to be getting booked else where, let alone niggas coming out to your event. So I always try to have fun. I’m very ME on stage. I’m me where ever I go, hence the lack of a rap name.

DEHH: You’re pretty open on social media so I was wondering if you could give me a couple of your best hip-hop hot takes

DB: Lmao aight. Yeezus is my favorite Kanye album, it’s perfect to me. Nas was never nicer than Jay-Z. The “Views” album by Drake was actually NOT as bad of an album as niggas made it (especially when comparing it to things he dropped afterwards). Streaming is the best and worst thing that’s ever happened to music. I still wanna hear this YAHNDI album. Producers should be more famous than some of these nut ass rappers. Engineers don’t get enough credit, like AT ALL.

DEHH: I’m actually really interested to hear your answer to this one but when people are done listening to “Trash” what do you want them to walk away with?

DB: I’d like for people to walk away confused. lmao confusion is like my whole marketing stragegy. It keeps people on their toes and it makes what I do seem somewhat interesting. lol No, but idk, I’d like for people to finally recognize my city’s potential. I’d like for people to recognize that I’m not here to play around. The fact that I can put a solid body of work without really trying says something. I feel like I’m one of the elite here, and I’d like for people to know that leaving trash.

DEHH: If “Trash” is a compilation of tracks left off of other perspective projects can you give us a hint into what’s coming next. I birdie told me you might drop something in December

DB: Of course! So yes, in December, hopefully no later than February I plan on putting together an album ENTIRELY produced and engineered by me. It’s going to have all the Cincinnati creatives on it. It’s my attempt to once again showcase the talent here. I put 2 instrumental albums out over the last 2 years, so this would be me killing 2 birds with one stone. After that, I have a project called DreamState I’m going to release and that’s my more melodic, and love side. I call that sh*t cuddle/cuffing music for sure lmao. Following that will be a project called I’m Retired. I was promoting that before Trash. It will be entirely produced by Denver, CO producer no_fvce (pronounced no face). And that’ll be my next BIG campaign. As far as trash goes, visuals are coming. I’m getting my merch together, and I got some shows lined up out of town. I’m trying to travel more. I’ve literally done a show in about every venue you could possibly name here in Cincinnati, including Bogart’s. So it’s time for me to take my talents to long beach, and other places lmao

Ghostface Killah & Big Ghost LTD: “The Lost Tapes” [Album Review]

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The Wu-Tang Clan has been through a lot these last couple years, but I think it’s understated how the crew has stayed together all these years. In the midst of all this, Ghostface Killah has remained busy and in my opinion is releasing some of the best hip-hop music right now. I mean come on, between “Wu-Block”, “Sour Soul” both chapters of “Twelve Reasons To Die” and more. Ghostface continues to impress and continues to release art that evokes that Wu-Tang feel while progressing his career as well. So what’s next? How about teaming up with Big Ghost LTD and grabbing a gang of legends for a project. That’s what these pair of Ghosts blessed us with in “The Lost Tapes”.

First off, stop sleeping on Big Ghost LTD, I mean it. I was reading some of his feature pieces years ago when I was in college and had no clue he was a producer. However between the Van Ghost joint with Anklejohn and his production on this, you can sign me up for whatever Big Ghost is doing. Every single beat on “The Lost Tapes” is dusty, grimy, underground fire that you feel in your soul. For some reason Wu gets a lot of flack for not just rhyming over RZA beats til 3005, but you’re missing all the way out if you don’t these tracks in your ears Big Ghost killed this.

At this point I don’t know how some don’t at least have Ghostface in the conversation for one of the best emcees to exist. This stuff sounds easy for him, from beginning to end Ghostface rips every beat to shreds. With a title like “The Lost Tapes” clearly this isn’t going to be a concept album, however Ghost has tracks like “Done It Again” that are centered around love. Other tracks like “Constant Struggle” have more of an anthem type feel to it. All of this said you still get OG Ghostface, smug, confident with razor sharp lines for you and your mama.

Lastly there are sooo many guests on this and it fits. Snoop Dogg, Planet Asia, Ras Kass, Hus Kingpin, Benny The Butcher, E-40, Bishop Lamont and more help Ghostface out on “The Lost Tapes”. Guest appearances aside, Ghostface remains the star and focal point of this album, Big Ghost LTD’s production sets the stage with gritty, crackling sounds that Ghost fits perfectly on.

I do feel “The Lost Tapes” has been slept on since its release, so don’t miss out, you can stream the project below.

DEHH: ICYMI Week 1-3

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Did you miss us…? We’re back to catch you up on the month of October with “Dead End Hip-Hop: In Case You Missed It” a weekly segment to sum up the very best content of Dead End Hip Hop. Don’t forget to send music to us at music@deadendhiphop.com

ARTICLES

Donnie Skillz writes on some rising international hip-hop talent: “Over a laid-back, solemn soundscape provided by 6tylate, Project begins to take you on a journey into his life. He doesn’t shy away from being honest from the jump as he talks about navigating through the music industry and family life” Also, Donnie writes and interviews emerging rapper Upper Reality here.  [Read more…] about DEHH: ICYMI Week 1-3

Devin Burgess: “Trash” [Album Review]

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The album is becoming a more and more diverse medium it seems with every passing year. When Drake’s “More Life” dropped and was advertised as a “playlist” some were worried that the album would eventually become obsolete sooner rather than later. I’m of the school of thought that albums will never die. I bring all this up because Cincinnati’s Devin Burgess approach to his album “Trash” is creative in an age where some are worried about albums having too many tracks in favor of streaming numbers.

By creative I mean that from the jump Devin Burgess, extending all the way out to his marketing campaign was unique. The album is called “Trash” which is just….why? But it works, the second you turn on this record you’re in for anything but trash. Devin Burgess has come out and said that “Trash” is more of compilation record of tracks that didn’t necessarily fit a particular project or theme he had in mind. However through loose themes of love and triumph, “Trash” still ends up being a cohesive piece of work.

Every type of track can be found on here but its Devin Burgess’ lyrical acrobatics and ability to mesh with any production that stops this from feeling like just another tape of throwaways. From the heavenly, beaming opener in “Sundaze” to the banger of a single in “Bounce Back” Devin Burgess can fill any lane and do it with precise execution. Devin Burgess even gives us a few anthems and deeper cuts to listen to in “Great” & “Prosper”. Again all of these tracks may be joints that didn’t make an album but put together “Trash” plays like an almost perfect compilation album.

I mentioned at the beginning of this that the loose theme of love is heard throughout this album and it’s honestly my favorite aspect of this project. In “Sundaze” Burgess mentions this love interest/relationship that fell apart, but it’s in tracks like “Drive” that help us relate to Burgess. “Drive” is an intense track and I strongly encourage you to close your eyes and really immerse yourself into the trippy production and heartfelt lyrics from our hero. “Amy & Anita” further fleshes out this pain “Love is f*cking blind/I’m blasting Amy in my house, while sipping wine/Frankly going crazy over one who isn’t mine but I gave her all my time” opens the track. If that doesn’t hit you right in the chest I don’t know what will.

“Trash” is a compilation album done right, every track on this resonates with me. Burgess rips beats, gives us a piece of his life and remains consistent throughout. The one aspect of the album I didn’t mention, this is more or less a coming out party for Cincinnati and Ohio emcees. The album is chock full of guest appearances that add different angles to what Burgess is spitting while he remains the star. There a plenty of killer verses to get attached to and jump into the rabbit hole that is Ohio hip-hop. If these tracks are “Trash” who knows what Devin Burgess has in his back pocket…

PREMIERE: Na$im Williams – Occult Powers (Vic Spencer x Sulaiman x Musa Reems)

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Chicago and Treated Crew producer/DJ Na$im Williams has had a hell of a 2018.

From the start of the year, Williams has executive produced five EP’s this year for his fellow artists SiSi Dior, Luck, and Henny B but today, Nasim connects with three rappers for his sixth project of the year titled “Occult Powers”.

“Windy City emcees Vic Spencer, Musa Reems, and Sulaiman laid down bars over his production for this new EP. In the past year, Vic Spencer has released various projects that were critically acclaimed (“Spencer For Higher”, “A Smile Killed Demons”, and “Duffle of Gems”) and he is featured on the upcoming Ghostface Killah album. Sulaiman has also dropped two soulful projects within the last year (“The World According To Sulaiman” and “Intention & Obstacle”) which has had a tremendous impact. Lastly, Musa Reems released his most lyrical and in-depth EP to date, “Lately I’ve Been Sol Searching 2”. It only felt right to bring everyone together on a collaborative effort.”

Occult Powers is four tracks in total, with two of the tracks having Vic, Sulaiman, and Musa spit verses over Na$im’s production and the last two tracks showcasing the instrumentals without their vocals.

You can listen to the project on Audiomack!

You can follow Nasim, Musa, Vic, and Sulaiman on their respective Twitter Profiles!