What’s the science behind your name? Or Is there any?
Originally I was called Quiet Storm but because of trademark issues I had to make it Storm the unpredictable. Quiet Storm was a name meaning 2 sides of 1 person so Storm the unpredictable means preatty much the same thing. Basically that you never really know what to expect or what I’m bringing to you.
What do you think of Mainstream Hip Hop?
I think mainstream hip hop has its place. Some of it I like, some of it
I don’t. I more so feel that a balance needs to be maintained in order
for hip hop to continue to flourish.
How was your upbringing?
My upbringing was good. We were not rich but at the same time we were not poor. We had our struggles just like everyone else. People tend to think that because you lived in the suburbs everything is wonderful all the time. Oxon Hill had it’s up’s and downs to. Even in 2 parent homes things can be tough at times but you deal with things and continue on. Oxon Hill is right next to Southeast DC which has a bad rep so believe me I’ve seen and experienced it all. I just don’t really choose to talk about it because there are so many other things to speak on.
What inspired you to become a hip hop artist?
Hands down my cousin Andre from Queens. He’s the one who introduced me to hip hop when he would come down during the summers and make pause tapes in my parents basements. I grew up on hip hop and go go music. During my early years with hip hop, I did everything. It was not until later on that I really concentrated on MCing more. Then Kane came out and I was really like I want to do this so I entered talent shows and things like that. Eventually I decided to take it full stride and put stuff out myself.
What other hip hop groups do you listen to?
I listen to so many others it’s hard to say but I listen to Unspoken Heard, Jay-Z, Dre, Slum Village, Bahamadia, Opus Akoben, The Supafriendz (VA), Priest da nomad, Royce the 5’9, Cross Movement, and many others. I try to keep up with everyone by using the internet because there is so much music out there. I listen to a lot of DC groups too but I probably listen to older material the most. Music from the late 80’s to the mid nineties.
How would you describe your music?
Feel good music that’s a bit party oriented but gives people something to
think about with a spiritual base. I speak on a variety of things, many of which people have not heard yet but I never try to do it in a depressing way. I want people to feel better after listening to one of my songs instead of reminding them how bad the world can be.
How would you describe yourself?
Very laid back. There is not much that can cause me to get upset. Even
if I do get upset it does not last long at all. I try to look at the
positive sides of all situations. I’m also very patient. I think that’s
why I never really had any problems with anyone.
What are your future musical plans?
Continue to build up Ty-She Entertainment and work towards releasing and album. In the mean time I’ll still be releasing maxi-singles and getting
on projects by other artists. I also plan on doing a single with my crew
Plexus which consists of Priest da nomad, Kokayi, and Sub-Z. I hope to do another video as well because doing the video for Stop Lyin’ was one of the biggest thrills I’ve had so far.
Out of the songs you’ve created, what is your personal favorite, and why?
Probably Darker The Berry. It’s just such a personal song to me because it’s something I’ve had in me for a long time but never expressed. Stop Lyin’ would be up there as well as a song called Vigilant Thoughts which is an unreleased song about my cousins rape.
Where can fans listen to some of your music?
They can go to https://stormtheunpredictable.iuma.com or
https://www.mulletrecords.com . They can also check out
https://www.steadydiggin.com to see the video for Stop Lyin f/ Priest da
nomad.
Have you ever rocked events, if so, what was your favorite event you rocked?
I would have to say my favorite event was opening up for Slick Rick at
the University Of Albany last year. It was an honor just to be in the
same building with the man, let alone the same stage.
Have you ever found Jesus?
Yes, when I was around 8 and I’ve been relying on him and his guidance
ever since. Not that I’ve been perfect, just striving to be.
How long have you been rhyming? How do you see hip hop, and you? Do you see Hip Hop as a religion, art, culture, a career, job, or just a hobby?
I’ve been rhyming since 85/86 (mostly freestyling) but seiously writing
since about 88. To me hip hop is a culture that is as much a part of me
as anything else. It’s so much a part of me that I don’t think I could
stop if I wanted to. I totally understand what KRS means when he says I am hip hop because that’s the way I feel.
Do you have any hip hop quotables that you live by? Any song lyrics ever touched you?
The only quotable I live by is do unto thers as you would have them do unto you. AThat gets me in trouble sometimes because people take my kindness for a weakness. As far as songs that have touched me lyrically people would be surprised but I would say Nas “The World Is Yours”, Jay-Z “Dead Presidents”, Main Source “Looking At The Front Door”, Opus Akoben “Forgive Me”, Priest da nomad “Realism”, Common “I Used To Love H.E.R.”, Tupac “When My Homies Call”, and B.I.G. “Everyday Struggle (original version)”.. There are others but those are the ones that immediately come to mind.
“Stop Lyin” is definitely a hot track, what was your inspiration
behind creating this track? From your eye’s, what’s this track about?
First of all thank you. I wanted to do a song about people lying all the time but I did not want to do it in a preachy type of way. I decided to make myself the one who’s lyin just to add a twist to it and make it fun by getting more outrageous with the lies as the song went on. I asked my man Priest if he wanted to do a verse and he was with it so things took form. The tracks about 2 people who try to out do each other in the lying department on the surface, but if you really think about it we all know someone who just lies for the sake of lying. This song is just a fun way of showing how stupid that really is.
Tell us about your upcoming album. Featured Tracks? Guests? Release?
Well, i’ve just started formulating everything so there really is not a lot to tell yet. We do plan on releasing it sometime next year, probably summer/fall. There will be single releases before then however. Guests will definitely by Kokayi and Sub-Z of Opus Akoben as well as Priest da nomad. Those are my Plexus crew members and there will be production by Kokayi, DJ Symphoni, and DJ D’Salaam also. That’s not to rule out any other guests artists or producers but this is whose definite.
Out of the artists you’ve worked with on tracks, or rocked shows
with, who did you most enjoy working with?
I would have to say my crew Plexus. There is just a chemistry there that is rare. When we are on stage together we have so much fun that it makes everyone have fun. Even when things are serious.
As a independent artist, how do you find the music industry? What
resources online have lend their support to you, and your most recent album release?
I find the industry very challenging. If you don’t have a base it’s very easy to lose your head. It’s shady at every level, even independent. Being independent for so long it would be hard for me to have someone come in now and try to dictate to me what I should do with my music. I’m always open to suggestions, but my music is my heart so unless you are my heart you’ll never be able to tell me what I have to do. In regards to online resources, hiphopinfinity.com was a tremendous help. Of course hiphopspot.com was as well as ughh.com . The internet was and is so vital to me because that’s how I made all my contacts with colleges, college radio stations, over seas radio stations and promoters, everything. All you have to do is do a search and then put some time in and over time the info you receive is massive. YOU/I just have to do the follow up work.
Do you have any shot outs you would like make?
As far as shout outs I would have to say God, Hiphopspot.com, Sheila, Ty-Riek, Dedrick, Regina, Joel Sherman, Lastreet Promotions (https://www.lastreet.com), Charod, Kelly Connelly, Mario, Priest da nomad, Kokayi, Sub-Z, D’Salaam, Symphoni, Supafriends, Evil Dee, JJ and Douja Raze, Team Demolition, Defined Print, Unspoken Heard, Infinite Loop, Time Machine and all the hip hop crews through out Maryland/DC/Virginia as well as world wide. Also everyone who has supported me past, present, and future. Anyone I missed I’ll get you on the album. God bless.
Interview by DaHipHopPlace.Com
