Flawless Hustle.com Exclusive: The 10 Question(s) Q&A Session Series: Outasight

Interview by Dub MD
www.twitter.com/dubmd84

Back with the second in the 10 question(s) Q&A session series, this time around we got the opportunity to catch up with an up and coming artist by the name of Outasight, an artist that fuses various genres from soul to pop to hip hop and delivers it in his own unique style. In 2008 he released his debut full length project “Radio New York” which was then followed up by his album prequel with Mick Boogie this year, all in preparation for his debut studio album “From Here To Eternity” which hits stores this year. He sits down with us to chop it up about the new album, what’s sets him apart for every other artist out there and his thoughts on the New York music scene.

Dub MD: Outasight, what’s good fam? For those who don’t know, could you just give a short review of what you’ve experienced in your music career up until now?

Outasight: What up, well its been a long, strange trip, but basically I have came up over the past few years making original joints where I sing and rap. My first bit of success was a song placement on MTV, that was a few years back. Then grinded out doing shows all over NYC and utilizing the Internet.

Most recently I’ve been rocking bigger shows and my video got on TV and increased my content on the viral side. Since then I signed a small deal with Select Records, put out a mixtape with Mick Boogie and currently I’m working on my debut album (Laughs) whew!

Dub MD: Coming from Yonkers, how does coming from there shape your attitude to the music/culture? and what do you think of the New York music scene right now?

Outasight: Well, Yonkers is a close ride to NYC, so I grew up with both the suburban and urban point of view. From my early teenage years I was going to all types of shows and parties throughout NYC, whether it was hip hop, rock, or drum and bass. Music has always been the obsession and I always found myself around it and there is no better place to do it then New York.

I think the New York scene right now is really building, its dope to see certain artists grow together and still look out for each other. More than ever I feel a certain sense of community when it comes to shows, releases, and other events, everyone def knows each other and respects each others grind even if its still a competition.

Dub MD: Your currently getting ready to release your new studio album “From Here To Eternity”, can you give us a little background on the album, and when can we expect to hear it?

Outasight: From Here to Eternity will be a little different in terms of sound, its a bigger album sonically. It contains more original production and some grown up writing from myself. Basically its the first chapter to the story of a young man and his endless quest to be timeless, I’ve put a lot of work into it, and people will hear that!

Dub MD: With this new album, what artists and producers are you connecting with this time around? and what’s your label situation like just now?

Outasight: I have a few tricks up my sleeve that I can’t just reveal yet, but 6th Sense and Cook Classics have really been my go to guys in terms of production. They are both next up on the production side and are incredible talents. Label situation wise, right now, well, I’m on Select Records, but I don’t know if I will release my album with them. Leave it at that.

Dub MD: How does “From Here To Eternity” differ from “Radio New York” and “Employee Of The Year“, and how do you think you’ve changed as an artist since you released that EP?

Outasight: Its just a constant growth! To me, the best part of artistry is being able to get influenced by anything and use that to become better. Each project has seen has an increase in maturity and polish and From Here to Eternity is a continuation of such.

Dub MD: Where do you get the inspiration to write the type of material you do? what is the writing process like when it comes to working on your projects?

Outasight: Writing has always naturally to me, so just like writing a story or poem, the first thing I come up with is a topic or plot. Most of my songs are in first person, and the ideas come from personal experience, but i still try an reach the listener by making the lyrics all around relatable. Its also Hip-Hop too though, so sometimes you just gotta let off steam and boast a little. (Laughs)

Dub MD: What do you think is your most defining and unique characteristic that sets you apart from every other artist out there? and how would you describe your style to those who still haven’t heard your music?

Outasight: I think its certainly unique that I can sing well and rap well. Although it is becoming more and more prevalent in the game, which is dope because originality should be promoted. I feel like I do it at a high level and that there is a certain sincerity to what I’m saying. I would describe my style as Energetic but Smooth, Soulful but Raw and Sincere yet still Confident (Laughs), that’s a new one!

Dub MD: You released an album prequel this year with Mick Boogie called “From There To Here” as a free download, which got a lot of support online, how important do you feel the internet is too an upcoming artist nowadays?

Outasight: The Internet is the now the most important aspect to a Hip-Hop artists marketing and branding. All the up coming emcees of today’s game have an heavy Internet presence and its not by coincidence. People are generally tired of the radio and TV’s B.S., and are more tech savvy, therefore creating the viral market.

Plus the fact is, people don’t want to pay for watered down product. Although the Internet is saturated with artists, I still owe much of my success to it, and give “much thanks” to those blogs, sites and fans that have been supporting me!

Dub MD: You’ve shared the bill with a lot of legendary hip hop artists, If I’m coming to an Outasight show. What am i going to experience, that I won’t experience from just listening to your material on CD?

Outasight: Alot of energy! Performance has always been my best attribute. I’ve had a lot of practice throughout the years and to me there is no other feeling like rocking a crowd. Every time I get on stage whether its in front of 20 of 2,000…I GO IN!

Dub MD: What is on tap for Outasight for the rest of 2009 and beyond? do you have anything to say to the fans? anything you wanna get off your chest? any shout outs?

Outasight: 2009 will be the year of the album drop! (Laughs) Seriously though, just getting better at my craft and exposing my music to more people. I’ve been blessed with some great people around me and some loving fans and I thank each and every one! Shouts to Daily Grind, Purfek Storm, Studio 43, Notherground, Cook, TMack, Drew, Print, Hallway and Illroots, 2Dopeboyz, TC, and everyone else who been rocking with the kid, much love!