ABSYTE is "LIFE"

1. Explain how the moniker "Absolute Nsyte" was developed. [The name was developed a while back after seeing a poster for absolute vodka - at the time a lot of ppl who saw me perform were always impressed with my stage presence and marveled on how it seemed like I did everything from so sort of mastery or insight - on this one particular night after performing I saw this ridiculous bill board talking about how amazing it was to be a Absolute vodka drinker and how only the smart drinker would choose the very best.  I thought it was so insane that we celebrate things like alcohol instead of other things and that’s primarily what my music was about the absurdities of life and the perils of following wack trends.  At that moment I realized that was it “Absolute Nsyte” that would be my stage name. ]

2. What are the key influences from your life in Chicago? [Chicago is a heavy music town having one of the premier yet secret recording avenues in America back in the 1960’s and 70’s.  Many artists would secretly come into the city not only to perform but believe it or not actually record.  Chicago has some of the top record companies and music studios on the magnificent mile in downtown Chicago.  Many influences come right from downtown Chicago like Sarah Vaughn, Herbie Hancock and Buddy Guy.  From a Hip-Hop perspective we were always quick to pay homage to those doing their thing such as Twister, Lupe Fiasco, Crucial Conflict, Kanye and Common of course.  Yet musically there was more of an underground pulse going through the city that bore a great deal of admiration from local hero’s such as Prime Meridan, The Molemen & greats like Ang 13.  These local success stories inspired many of us to believe that we could do it too.  There was always a heavy Jazz and rhythm + blues mix in the city it was hard to not be influenced by the scenes they created.  Overall there were many of influences both in and out of the city that inspired many of us to do our thing.]

3. What are the key influences from your life in New York? {Of course with New York being the birthplace of hip hop, the musical influences from this region are countless.  From the classic queens bridge battles to the unforgettable emcees like KRS1, Lauren Hill to ATCQ - New York birthed the style of what it meant to be quintessential hip hop.  Growing up I listened to a lot of Slick Rick, Queen Latifah, Eric B & Rakim to later vibing to Brand Nubians, Black Moon, The Roots (Philly not really NY but still that same east coast vibe).  New York emcees even the underground ones like Joel Ortiz and Maino showed emcees how to flex abs represent on the mic.  It wasn’t just about bravado, you had to have bars for days and New York never forgot about that, never. ]

4. Why should a listener choose your music to add to their playlists? [There is a movement right now to diversify rap.  The mumble rapper will always have his or her place however ppl are now asking, demanding substance- ppl are finally asking  “where the bars at?” - My music has that in spades ♠️ I have a versatile style that appeals to both men and women so none of that I won’t listen to a female emcee bullsh*** - my music is real and speaks on real life subjects such as black on black crime and domestic violence.  My intent is not to preach to ppl we have enough ppl doing that.  I paint canvasses that ppl can audibly see, imagery that takes them to a moment, a scene or a place.  Something that feels visceral, real and unrelenting so that the listener can truly walk the footsteps of the story that being told. From a battle rap perspective I’m always trying to push the envelope yet keep that classic hip hop cypher vibe which really embodies the style of hip hop I grew up with. ]

5. If your music could impact one social issue today, what would that be?
[I would really want to make a difference in the minds of our people to believe more than what the system has programmed them to believe they can achieve.  Some of our kids grow up in places where jail or death are rewards for them to cherish.  We sometimes believe ppl when they tell us we ain’t nothing and we’ll never amount to anything so we risk our lives and futures to support our families not realizing the peril that waits for us.  We believe that the only love we can receive is love from the streets only to look up one day to realize that was never love to begin with.  It is my hope that my music can inspire our ppl to believe more than what we have been told and strive for more than what has been allotted to us.  While we have been disenfranchised, abused, misled, miseducated and misinformed there is a way out.  There is a way to rise above these limiting beliefs and manifest the future we want and deserve.  Hopefully when ppl see my story, hear what I’ve been through to get where I am today they can know and believe that this success is possible for them as well, they just have to believe that they can achieve as well.]