Distrakt solidfied his place in hip-hop last year with his critically acclaimed album “Distraktions,” which was voted among the top ten underground hip-hop albums of 2006. Shortly after the album’s release, Distrakt made an appearance at the annual Scribble Jam festival, which allowed him to greatly increase the size of his “Distraktoid Army.”

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