Another dope animated video by Distrakt. Not sure what this song is from, possibly Distrakt’s upcoming album – which is supposed to be dropping sometime soon. Adjust features Count Bass D. If you like this, check out Distrakt’s videos for Factorized MC’s and Sup.

This is a brand new video from one of my favorite underground emcees Distrakt. Based in Denver, Distrakt consistently puts out dope tracks, and has recently complemented them with these nice animated videos. If you like this, check out his videos for Sup and Fire Escape.

Distrakt, one of my favorite underground emcees, is back with this new video. Track features Sadat X on the chorus.

Distrakt is one of my favorite underground emcees. Recently, he’s been doing a lot of work with Sedgwick and Cedar. This video walks you through his newest creation, a FREE downloadable interactive study of the history of hip-hop. Dope and educational.

Directed and animated by Distrakt.

This is a creative new video from my favorite Colorado-based emcee, Distrakt. Fire Escape is a track off Distrakt’s spectacular 2006 album “Distraktions,” which I still bump pretty regularly to this day. Hopefully, he’ll bless us with something new soon!

As a spokesman for Sedgwick & Cedar Clothing and devoted student of old-school hip-hop, Distrakt has raised many eyebrows in recently by creating and giving away free copies of “Hip-Hop Origins,” a CD containing classic hip-hop hits from old school masters such as Melle Mel, GrandMaster Caz, Busy Bee, Jazzy Jay and Afrika Bambaataa, among others. The CD challenges hip-hop lovers to “Study Your Lessons” and gives praise to the masters who created this culture.  

While preparing for his second consecutive appearance at Scribble Jam, we had a chance to ask Distrakt a couple questions, and here’s what he had to say:

What is your personal definition of hip-hop?

The MC is the master of ceremonies and the voice of hip hop. The DJ is the beatmaker and soundtrack provider of hip hop. The B-Boy is the breaker rockin’ steady, the street dancer of hip hop. The Graffiti artist put colorful art on the wall like hieroglyphics expressing the good and the bad in the community, the expressionists of hip hop. Those are my definitions of hip hop. Hip hop is not one dimensional . it’s a culture.

How do you respond to people who think hip-hop is all negative?

The people that do the knowledge on the foundation of hip hop will see that the bases came from a positive and educated stance. The people that think it’s all negative are those that lacks education.

Tell us about the “Hip-Hop Origins” CD. How do you get it in the hands of people, and why is it important to do so?

You can get the Hip – Hop Origins lessons.pdf booklet from http://www.distrakt.com/lessons.zip and to get the Enhanced CD mixtape with the magnificent DJ BMO and the Hip Hop Origins booklet included email aswemove@gmail.com for more info.

“Hip-Hop Origins” takes the listener on a nostalgic ride through the history of hip-hop. Who are your favorite old-school artists? How did they influence your music and your love for hip-hop?

There are a lot of them but Melle Mel, GrandMaster Caz, Busy Bee, Jazzy Jay and Afrika Bambaataa influences are strong. Their style was ahead of there times.

If you had to pick one of those artists to work with, who would it be?

GrandMaster Caz

You are now sponsored by Sedgwick & Cedar Vintage Clothing. What is Sedgwick & Cedar, and why partner with them?

Sedgwick & Cedar is the clothing line for true hip hop heads. It has history behind it. Historical foundation is its bases. Sedgwick is the housing complex that DJ Kool Herc rocked and pioneered the hip hop party and Cedar park is one of the pivotal places as well that he touched. Dj Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, GrandWizzard Theodore and Grandmaster Flash are the fathers of hip hop the DJ’s yawl. S&C gives back and shows respect to the true and living authentic. Please go visit S&C http://www.sc73.com

You rap, make beats, shoot videos and “distraktumentaries,” publish your own magazine and even have your own action figure. Why is it important to do so many different things and market yourself in so many different ways? What plans do you have to expand this into the future? And when will the Distrakt action figure be available with the kung-fu grip?

When the game is boring it’s good to make it interesting. Future plans is you wait and see, because when it comes it will Distrakt you from whatever is the norm. The action figure was a limited edition. The heads that owns one has a rare collectors item. You might find one on ebay.

You are a very animated performer, utilizing audience participation, storytelling, lighting effects and even smoking microphones on stage. Tell us about the techniques you use to entertain and keep the attention of your audience. Why is it important for opening acts to do these things?

The techniques are really just having fun and entertaining the crowd. Giving them something to go home with. As far as opening acts go, it doesn’t matter when you play as long as your set is razor sharp, because people can listen to your music on your MySpace page. You have to show and prove why your CD is hot. People pay good money for a great CD and they also pay good money for a great performance. Like MF Doom, Kool Keith, George Clinton and Funkadelic, I also strive to give a great show.

Aside from being a rapper, what are your interests? Do you have a family? Hobbies? Other job or hustle?

Interested in paranormal activities and making inventions is an enjoyed hobby of mine. Have a big family called the Distraktiods they’re all over the globe.

If hip-hop was a person, and you could ask him or her one question, what would it be?

I am hip hop. I do the knowledge and find the answers. Go visit the Distrakt website at:
http://www.distrakt.com
http://www.myspace.com/distrakt

Distrakt “Distraktions” Album Review 
I gotta be honest with you, man … I’m starting to get tired of some of these hip-hop kids. Those cats that make me go somewhere and take the time to download their albums; then demand status updates; then email me daily; often pressuring me to review their albums. Like I ain’t got a job or something.  

And then they get all sensitive and pushy when I don’t write a review or don’t rate their albums high enough … never taking the time to say thanks for taking the time. Like they don’t realize that this is all volunteer shit. It’s just “Me, me, me” from these muthafuckas, and I been getting tired of it lately.

Me, Me, Me
I guess the current state of technology and the hip-hop industry are making it harder for artists coming up. Anybody can make an album in their home recording studio these days, and distribute it digitally over the Internet for little investment. The market is overpopulated and often faceless. With this increased competition, hip-hop artists seem to be getting more business-oriented and less personal; more about “me” and less about “us.” Sometimes, I even feel like the underground is becoming a bunch of pushy salespeople trying desperately to get their music heard. And along with being demeaning, that shit is annoying for real.

Instead, I think artists would do better to establish real relationships with their fans. Last week, I received a package from an underground artist called Distrakt from Colorado Springs, which is just an hour and a half or so from where I live in Denver. It contained an entire press kit, a couple stickers, and a nice t-shirt to go along with the behind-the-scenes documentary video intended to give “rare glimpses into the world of Distrakt.” It was a bunch of cool and useful stuff yo, especially the documentary, because it made the act of reviewing the album fun by helping give the artist a real identity that I could relate to. And at the same time, the package helped me out a little …

Personalizing Hip-Hop
I own like thirty t-shirts. But I only like three or four of them, and I mainly sport the same shit weekly. So a nice new t-shirt is like the greatest thing you could give me. I rocked Distrakt’s tee a couple times in NYC, and this weekend when I got back.

Also, my car is one ugly ass grandma-looking ride . I got it from my grandparents and, ironically, I still haven’t been able to completely remove the nursing home parking sticker in the right rear inner windshield. So well-designed stickers are always a great way for me to accessorize.

And while we’re being real here, I ain’t got no social life, dogg . shit, why you think I sit here writing reviews all the time? I’ll take a documentary about a local hip-hop artist any day to help fill the void. Distrakt made my week yo, and showed me that not all hip-hop artists are turning into these “me, me, me” cats.

Mainstream hip-hop seems to revolve around these impersonal, image-based rap stars. But I think the underground, and hence the future of hip-hop, more revolves around locality, community, and a sense of connection, relation or identity between the artists and their fans. Distrakt has this approach, and did a great job gaining the attention of the HHL crew with simple extras that made a big difference.

But even better, the album, entitled “Distraktions,” turned out to be one of the hotter and most comprehensive underground releases of the year. The production is refreshingly original and energetic, and seems to mirror the mood of each song to fit the lyrics perfectly. The subject matter is broad and relative, and displays interesting range of vocabulary and structure. And I just like the way Distrakt flows, mixing Mos Def-ish baritone staccato vocals with creatively aggressive flow and pace. I’m now a member of large local following of Distrakt, which flows throughout many cities in the state of Colorado.

So check out Distrakt from the Springs and his exceptional self-produced release “Distraktions.”

I’m Broke, Beyotch!
And start sending me shit muthafuckas! Me, me, me. If you want your album reviewed, I need clothes, stickers and shit to watch on TV. I’M BROKE, BEYOTCH! Peace.