The good people over at Ecko Unlimited did an interview with me as part of their Ecko Watches #KeepItIndie project. They asked a lot of great questions, and it was fun to do. I talked about the meaning of “indie”, the meaning behind the name “RubyHornet”, teaching at Columbia, and Chicago artists on the rise. They just posted the interview, which you can read here, and I also have a little preview below for you to read below. I also have some Ecko Watches to give away. More on that contest very soon.
What does indie mean to you?
Indie is a frame of mind, a vibe, an aesthetic. It means authentic, it means DIY, and it means staying true to yourself. When people ask me ‘what kind of music does Rubyhornet feature?’ or ‘what kind of music do you spin?’ I always answer Indie Hip Hop. It doesn’t have anything to do with the record labels tied to the music, but the feeling of the music itself, and the artists creating the music.
Who’s on your radar as the next breakout artist from Chicago?
I’m able to see and work with a lot of artists before they really breakout. I’ve done mixtapes and songs with both Rockie Fresh and YP, two of our artists with a good chance to really break. Also, Vic Mensa and Kids These Days are super talented and gaining great experience traveling the country. They also recorded their new album at the Wilco loft. Million $ Mano and the TreatedCrew have a new project that is going to turn a lot of heads. Also, King Louie came seemingly out of nowhere and is making a lot of noise. I also know of a few young collectives like 2008ighties and Save Money, crews made up of kids just out of high school that do take advantage of all the new technology and the internet and do EVERYTHING. It’s a great time in Chicago’s music scene. Also, remember the name Thelonious Martin. He’s 19 year old producer. Super talented.
Read the full interview and learn about the beginning of Closed Sessions, RubyHornet, and more. Thanks to the people at Ecko! Look for your chance to win your own Ecko Time Piece