Strange Fruit Project :: Suckarepellent

Strange Fruit Project

Created on June 29, 2006, and it was categorized as Interviews.
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The Summer Texas heat is unforgiving. In this heat, my morning 15 mile one way commute into Houstons Innerloop becomes taxing on both the body and the mind. Its only like 90 degrees at 8:30, coming home is the real test. The heat blisters my already brown skin, the slow of traffic tests my patience.

The only thing that keeps me going in that 30, sometimes 45 minute drive is track number 2 from the Healing.. Something about it is intoxicating and helpful. Itâ€™s the hand on my sweaty back, pushing me further up the hill. Its what keeps my mind off being so damn hot. It pumps me up, and truly uplifts me. I turn the volume up really loud and zone out to the new sound that keeps my mind off that heat …

Where are you from?
We are from Waco, a small city in Texas, although Myone and S1 have relocated and been in the Dallas area for a little while now. I still reside in Waco at the moment, so we’re about an hour and half apart. (myth)

How long has the group been together?

The Group has been together as Strange Fruit Proj. for about 4 years but we’ve been doin this prior to SFP for another 5-6 years. (S1)

A lot of people, including myself, may have misconceptions about the city of Waco, so what is Waco all about?

It’s about real people. Waco is just like any other city with a healthy lack of opportunity. Where I’m from there are a lot of problems that come with being from lower income areas, but at the same time, it’s an environment that should stimulate you if you have a “fighters” mentality. It’s a make or brake type city, and I’m happy that it made us. (Myone)

Where you inspired at all by the Billie Holiday song ‘Strange Fruit’ when naming the group? If so,
what was it.

Well we had a few names to choose from and unanimously decided on ‘Strange Fruit Project’, being the best fit. Being a big jazz fan, the song was definitely powerful, meaningful and created a movement amongst many, along with us being from the South and how we use our music to inspire and uplift our community and all people in general, it just came to be. (myth)

So you recently were signed to the label Spilt Milk, what are the major differences putting out an
album now, as opposed to when you were independent?

Well the main thing now is that we have more financial push behind the project and secondly we have more marketing avenues and industry contacts. (S1)

What’s your new album the ‘Healing’ all about?

In a word…balance. We feel like there is a lack of variety and substance in commercial music today, and it’s not just in the Hip-Hop genre. All we attempted to do was give people another solid option. There’s so much negativity in the world, we felt that people need something to lift them up, and so hopefully people will get that feeling when they hear it.
(Myone)

In this project and in your last you speak a bit about wanting to change the Industry. What’s really good, and what’s really bad about the Industry right now?

Honestly, my main pet peeve about the Industry, happens to be the lack of balance within the outlets
of music (urban music in particular). I think regionalism is changing the landscape of the scene also and makes things a little more complicated! But as far as balance, there seems to be a lack of variety
in what is being played on radio and video. Back in the day, I remember hearing music from all coasts on the radio and watching videos with a variety of artists. In actuality, it helped me appreciate all types of Hip Hop in seeing and hearing the many different styles, subject matter and production. I don’t hear or see that at all today. We need to take control of this music and cut the politics to a
minimum.

The good thing about theindustry, is that it hasallowed many artists to capitalize on their effortswhether going into the business side of things, establish companies and job opportunities, and just
keeping many from venturing off into negative
situations. (myth)

How would you describe your sound?
I like to describe our sound as Hip
Hop/Soul/Progressive. (S1)

Are people at all surprised when you say your from
Texas, and don’t have the current typical “Texas
sound”?

Most definitely. People don’t expect us to be from
Texas, first of all, but especially Waco. It’s cool
though because, after they meet us they learn that you
really can’t confine sound to regions, and good music
can come from anywhere. (Myone)

Who are yall listening to right now?
Right now we are jamming to some Gnarls Barkley,
Pharrell, Exile feat. Blu, Omar, Talib Kweli, Lupe
Fiasco, PPT, Verbal Seed and alot of old school
joints! (myth)

In one of your earlier projects, there was a line
that said “Uncle Sam wants me to come and join his
army cause some Afghan refugees are exercising their
own beliefs”…
How would you react to a mandatory draft, and any
feelings about the current wars taking place in the
Middle East?

I would be devastatedâ€¦lol All we really can do about
the war is Pray. The world needs much prayer right
about now. (S1)

On the Healing I noticed that God and spirituality
are mentioned, and seem to have an underlying
foundation, what part does God and spirituality play
in your lives and music?

We all believe that no matter what you want to call
him, there is a higher power at work at all times. We
recognize him in our everyday lives, and God or “The
Creator” is a big part of our success in our daily
lives, so it’s only natural that we pay our respects
through one of the many gifts he’s given us…music.
Foolish men believe they are made great by their own
hands, wise men know that they are not. (Myone)

What inspires you as artists?
Everything in life! The struggle, the beauty of life,
and just anything that comes with living. Sometimes we
get inspired from taking trips to other cities or just
listening to other artists’ music, energized by what
someone created musically! (myth)

Is this your first tour, and how long is it?

Yes it is, and it’s still getting longer. We’ve been
in the process of booking shows since prior to “The
Healing” dropping, and it looks like we might not be
done for a while. Fortunately so far we’ve only been
out on the road a couple of weeks at a time, but we’ve
yet to see how long we’ll be on the road. (Myone)

Is Texas part of the tour?
No Texas dates as of nowâ€¦ but stay tunedâ€¦ (S1)

What will you be eating while living on the tour
bus?
Lots of fast food (boooooo!) lolâ€¦

Favorite food spots in Waco?
Leeâ€™s Drive In (link basket)

Who’s behind the production on the Healing, and
what guests artists are featured?

The album is executive produced by S1 (who oversaw the
album) and along with his production, we have tracks
from 9th Wonder, Jake One, Vitamin D., The Foundation,
Illmind, M-Phazes and Nicolay. Guest artists on the
album include Little Brother, Erykah Badu, Darien
Brockington, Yazarah, Thesis, Toby and our entire crew
(Bavu Blakes, K-Otix, Verbal Seed, Mony Mone, Skotch,
Tahiti, Deloach). (myth)

Who do you want to work with in the future?

Outkast, Nottz, Saadiq, any of the Soulqarians (The
Roots, Kweli, Common, etc.), anyone who is doing
“good” music, and is willing to work. (Myone)

What do you think about MySpace, and how has this
fascinating website helped you?

Myspace has been soooo crazy latelyâ€¦ It has allowed
so many people across the Country to be turned on to
our materialâ€¦ and the networking aspect of it has been
amazing also.
(S1)

What’s next for Strange Fruit Project?

Mainly just pushing this project, stayin on the road
touring, and in the studio/lab when weâ€™re not on the
roadâ€¦..
and whatever comes to us comesâ€¦.. J (S1)

www.strangefruitproject.com
myspace.com/strangefruitproject

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