Conscious Query: In the box with HD.

I'm up as usual working on the site, editing the myspace while simultaneously keeping an ear open to dialouge from a black & white flim that Ted Turner hasn't managed to wrap his colorizing mitts around, when I get an IM from a kat that I for some reason thought to be an artist manager, come to find out he's actually an artist himself. He shoots me a link to an article on Vibe.com about the recent NBA draft with a mention of a song he's written called, "The Draft". It's a song about woman using references to the sport of basketball and it's annual draft. I proceeded to check out H.D.'s myspace and listen to a couple of songs, hearing that he actually had something decent to say I figured why not get a short interview in during the wee hours. The following is a transcribed version of our AIM convo.

Conscious: First. Tell our readers who you are and why they should continue to read this interview.

HD: My name is H.D. I stay in Jamaica, Queens. Repping for the borough as well as Haiti. That’s where my fam is from. Repping for Mount Real. That’s where some of my fam is at. Well, it would be too easy for me to say that I’m different, even though I feel that way. There are a thousand mixtape rappers with the same flow that think, they’re different, so for me to say it, that would be cliché. What I’m inviting your readers to do is peep what I have to say on various topics and then sample my music. Once they do, I’m confident they’ll take something positive from it. Hip-hop ain’t dead. It’s just making itself scarce. I always hear heads complain, ‘nobody ain’t saying nothing, nobody ain’t got no lyrics, everybody sucks’. Well, listen here and I think you’ll find otherwise.

Conscious: Good enough. Well I guess my next question would have to be what sets you apart from the monotonous rappers we're bombarded with in these days of assembly line music. Also what are you doing to be heard seeing as in the difficulty to cut through the abundance of artists out currently, that vie for the public’s attention?

HD: Nobody is a regular guy anymore. I mean, you have the Commons’ and Kanyes’ that are considered poster boys for the common man, but look at them. These two are night and day. That’s what I am, a regular dude. And though facets of my personality may be similar to others, ain’t nobody like me. I did the song “Writer’s Block,” where the whole I’m talking about how I can’t write. I’m getting ready to drop “The Draft,” a song where I’m talking about girls using basketball references. I got a song called “Last Straw,” which just revisits all the times I had to keep cool and avoid beating somebody’s ass. So, there you have a blend of conceptual songs and other tracks that deal with everyday life, but it’s from my perspective. And trust me, it’s worth checking out. And as far as getting my music out there, wow! Politics are a bitch. I’m cool with several mixtape DJs, so they show me love. Other than that, I use the internet heavy. I go on forums and I’m on Myspace coming in contact with new heads everyday, so my music is being exposed to new ears constantly. I’m in the process of trying to get some more shows because taking it to the stage is also a great way to expose your music. I also get a lot of love because of word of mouth. Something as simple as my friend selling my tape to one of his co-workers goes a longer way than you’d think.

Conscious: Are you originally from Haiti? Does your island heritage have any influence on your approach? Do you incorporate any of it into the production of your music?

HD: Nah. I’m not originally from Haiti. I’m of Haitian descent to be technical. Both of my parents are Haitian. I can’t say it doesn’t influence me, because I’ll use little references here and there. And though I’m Americanized, my parents did raise me with Haitian values. I have a song called “Home Sick”, it talks about the clash between Haitian parents or any immigrant parents and their North American kids. Because while you’re being raised with Haitian values, so you’re thinking one way, but you’re hanging out with American kids who think totally different. That can be quite challenging. I got that song stashed for the right project. So I would have to say that Haiti influenced me to an extent. As far as the sound, not really but I do have this idea for a kompa, zouk-influenced song. I just have to get with the right musicians to put it together.

Conscious: HD you've already proved yourself to be different by your previous response. So, how long have you been recording, and what has support been like within your own family. Artist seem to either totally have the support of family or not have it at all?

HD: Dude. Funny you asked. My pops may have been the highest salesman of my last mixtape. [Laughs] He was taxing everybody and they momma for my last one, telling me I should charge them more. My pops, my boy Edcredible, my partner Mayhem and I all sold just about the same amount of CDs. My mom thinks I’m wasting my time, but she doesn’t discourage it. I guess she won’t see it till I buy her something big. My brother Gary is my biggest fan and supporter. My cuz Andy is one of my biggest supporters. I definitely have a lot of support within the fam. As far as recording, I’ve been recording for six years. I was plotting to record for so long, years before that, but just kept pushing it back. I kept flip flopping with ideas.

Conscious: Have you ever performed with a live band if so, what's the experience like in comparison to having a DJ cutting records behind you or even just plain ol having a cd with your set running?

HD: I’ve never performed with a live band. That’s definitely something I’d like to experience. I usually have my soundman oversee the CD. The cutting and scratching is soon to come hopefully.

Conscious: You should do a contest for a DJ like Jean Grae recently did. I guess it's all about networking and building with the right kat. Having a band can be a headache, but, putting together a successful one can be a beautiful thing. So, any plans for a video anytime soon?

HD: Actually we shot a video for “Writer’s Block” a while back, a low budget type joint. We’ll probably post it on the net and try to spread it this summer. But as far as new videos, I don’t have any plans. Right now, my sources will go into pressing my new single, “Steroids” and the mixtape it’s featured on, “Showtime.” I’m also hoping to press vinyl for “The Draft” later this summer.

Conscious: What's your take on battling? There's a lot of DVD's and live events that feature this element of emceeing but it surely isn't the same as it was in the early days of the culture.

HD: I’m glad you asked me that. There are definitely different schools of battling. You got the Supernaturals, the Juices, the Craig G’s. You got someone like Jin and then you got the Smack DVD dudes. I would love to see Supernat go against Jin. They have different styles. I think the battle would be closer than people think. I’ve heard the Smack dudes come with some good stuff here and there. I like when the MC is clever in battle and quick on his feet. The newer battle cats seem to get a bit too personal. Why not keep it straight skills? The more personal stuff seems to be a good way to get a crowd reaction. They get cheap points that way. Me, I’m no battle MC. I can write a straight spitting verse, a verse in battle form. But I’m not a battle MC.

Conscious: At the end of the day, why do you do this? Why spend the time and effort putting your energy into writing and recording when you could be doing something else?

HD: Great question. I ask myself the same question. I tell myself, “You have college degree. You don’t have to deal with this BS.” I got close to hanging it up plenty of times because it didn’t make sense. Like you said, why spend all this time and energy doing this when I could be doing something else? But every time I’m ready to quit, somebody emails me saying how amazing or inspiring my music is. So it tells me I’m not doing this for nothing. Also, it would be pretty easy for me to quit and say, “Oh, I could have blown up if kept at it.” But if I stop, I’ll never know. I think people are content with saying people think they the man on their block. Not me. I wanna see how far this can go. I don’t want any regrets. I don’t wanna look back ten years from now and tell myself I should have stuck with it.

Conscious: By the way, what is 'kompa, zouk'?

HD: Kompa and zouk are two music genres from Haiti. It would be pretty hard for me to describe them. Let's just say they have that island feel. A lot of sunny guitars and that pure bass, drums to get that danceable feel.

Conscious: Cool. Aight man I'mah let you go and get some rest. Anything you'd like to mention for we part ways?

HD: Yes, Yes. Remember the name. H.D. the crew is Funky Minds. Definitely check me on www.myspace.com/hdottt or www.funkyminds-music.com. Shouts to my Putitout team, Edcredible and Variable. I got a mixtape coming out this summer entitled ‘Showtime’. The beats on it are incredible, so I have to big up the producers, my partner Mayhem and my man Danny Swain, who hit me with two bangers in the 9th inning. The Graduate, DJ Manifest, 1man and DJ Mozaic. I'm in talks with a few people about various situations, but I'm not sure they want me to blow up their spots. So shouts to them. Shouts to my man who helped me come up with "The Draft." He knows who he is. And to all heads out there, take time to listen. You’ll never know what you missed out on. One!

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