For those of you who caught my post about the Peaceland Event, I’m sure you remember me speaking on Bop Alloy, the dope duo who’s sound puts a jazzy feel to hip-hop. Well I’m honored, and pleased to be able to bring this interview to you all. Bop Alloy!!!
Interview with Bop Alloy:
LS: How did Bop Alloy come together?
Substantial : We linked up through Myspace back in 2007.
LS: I am very notorious for asking this question, Bop Alloy has such a fresh, “Jazzmatic,” Sound. What, or Who Inspires It? (Shout out to Steph The Sapphic Songstress, laying down those mean vocals!)
Marcus D: Speaking on the production half, a lot of jazz pianists like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Chick Corea, and a few others definitely helped shape my sound as a whole, but the largest influence for this project I’d have to say would be Nujabes. I was a big fan of Substantial’s “To This Union…” and I wanted to preserve and update that sound with this project, because as a fan, I knew what other fans wanted to hear from him.
LS: I’ve been a long time fan of your work Substantial, since I first heard you on Nujabes Modal Soul Album, but Marcus, it wasn’t till late last year that I first heard of you, thus becoming a new fan. How long have you been crafting those smooth beats? Tell us a little about yourself?
Marcus D: About six years now. I started listening to hip-hop late ’99, but became passionate about it when I heard Sub and Nujabes around 2003. A few years later I started making my own tracks, and naturally they had a big impact on my sound.
LS: I think many are often unaware of the dope artists that come from Maryland. Substantial you rep MD hard on your album, at your shows, etc. – How long have you been doing your thing?
Substantial: My debut single, “Lyrical Terrorists” w/ L-Universe and produced by Nujabes, was released in 2000. I haven’t taken anytime off since then.
LS: Remembering Nujabes (Jun Seba, R.I.P.), back in February, Substantial you hosted the Peaceland Event, a wonderful tribute show, to Nujabes. It was truly an amazing vibe at that show, what was it like for Bop Alloy to rock that show, what was your fondest memory?
Substantial: My fondest memory of the show was seeing so many fans travel from all around North America to celebrate Jun’s musical legacy. It was an amazing feeling because these fans rarely, if ever, have a place to go to hear these songs played, see these artists perform, or be surrounded by so many others who share their love for his music and our sound.
MD – Performing the acoustic version of Still Think Different and seeing the crowd’s response was moving to say the least. I also had the honor of spinning an hour-long set of strictly Nujabes tracks…something I wish I could do more often.
LS: From what I hear, the Peaceland Event has been recognized as an official tribute show. Will we send more events in the future?
Substantial: We received permission from Hyde Out Productions to have the show, making it an official Nujabes Tribute Event. We are in talks right about the possibility of doing it again next year. But it’s not official yet.
LS: One of my favorite tracks on the Bop Alloy is “Still Think Different,” and speaks volumes on the industry trends, etc. For those that do not understand the movement of Bop Alloy, the message laid within those tracks. What would you say in this interview to encourage people to “Think Differently?”
Substantial: I just encourage people to find their own truth and to never be afraid to be yourself. I knew at a very young age that I was unlike most people from my neighborhood. I didn’t judge, or ridicule them; I simply found my own lane. It came at a price.
LS: Marcus, Shoshin is an incredible album, with special features from Substantial, Shing02, and Justis. Could you talk a little bit about the album? What made this album truly special?
Marcus D: Thank you, Shoshin was sort of an impromptu project that I put together in about three months, start to finish. Since it’s entirely instrumental, aside from the artists mentioned above, I was able to work at my own pace and portray it the way I wanted to. The most memorable part about working on the album was building with Shing02 and watching him write and record “Parallel Universe”.
LS: Substantial, I always felt a huge gratitude towards Hydeout Productions, and QN5 for helping to get your music out, and supporting you the way they do. How did you come into connection with these labels?
Substantial: I linked with Nujabes/Hydeout Productions through my friend Sphere of Influence who use to work at Nujabes’ store Guinness Records in Tokyo. And I linked with QN5 Music after Pack introduced me to Tonedeff. I signed with Hydeout in 1999 and I later signed with QN5 in 2007.
LS: Can we look forward to new release from Bop Alloy, or any solo releases this year?
Marcus D: I’m trying for a mid-summer to early fall release for my 2nd full-length project, Melancholy Hopeful.
Substantial: My 3rd solo album will be dropping this year and we’re releasing a Bop Alloy remix project this summer.
LS: Speaking of releases, and such – Are there any upcoming shows, or events that fans should know about?
Substantial: We’re planning a tour for late summer. Hopefully we will have the details ironed out very soon.
LS. I am really thankful to both of you for taking the time to kick it with Plug, and myself on this interview. Is there anything you would like fans to know?
Substantial: We’re thankful for the continued support. Stay tuned, because we have a lot of surprises lined up this year.
LS: Check out Bop Alloy @ http://bopalloy.bandcamp.com/
Music Available on iTunes, and Amazon!