So here it is, my first 329 blog interview. I decided to do some interviews with those I’ve worked with as I wanted to get their view on design, styles and of course, music as many of my clients are recording artists. First up for the 329 interview is a recording artist I’ve been working with for years, right back to when I first started and what an awesome collaboration it has been …so it was only right I asked him to start off these 329 interviews! I tend to try out new things a lot when working with ESQ. as I know he’s open to new looks and doesn’t like to follow the same ‘ol look everyone else has, like with mixtape covers.
329: Please give the readers of my blog an introduction, who are you and what do you get up to?
ESQ: I’m Esquire Mackentyre aka ESQ. A hip hop artist/connoisseur of all things dope from Cleveland, OH., USA
329: How did you originally get into music? Who and/or what inspired you?
ESQ: I was mostly inspired by my late father who introduced me to it, he was a big Run DMC fan. He bought me a record player and my first collection of vinyl records. I think the first hip hop songs I fell in love with were “Cinderfella” by Dana Dane and “Posse on Broadway” by Sir Mix A Lot
329: When your writing a new track, what tends to inspire you?
ESQ: Almost 9 out of 10 times it’s the production that inspires me, certain beats trigger certain feelings, and from that comes great music.
329: Out of all of the tracks you’ve recorded, which is your favorite and why?
ESQ: I don’t have many favorites anymore because I literally put my all into each song, so every current song I make I’m in love with for the moment.
329: Some people don’t notice or appreciate design, others will decide on a product or service based on the way it looks. What is design to you and how important is it in everyday life?
ESQ: Design is key to promotion. The visual is what lures 99% of your viewers to your music. If you don’t take the time to get your pixels together, why should a fan take time to listen to your product? (which should also match your design in quality)
329: Well said! I think we’re all guilty of judging a book by it’s cover. When you’re planning your next project to release in the near future, how important is the look of it to you?
ESQ: Very important, probably why I’ve been working with Three29Design so long. I never really have to go into detail with what I want. I give a basic idea and allow the artist (in most cases being 329) the freedom to create. I ALWAYS like what I get back.
329: Thank you sir =] Okay, now I want to know what’s your favorite album musically and which is your favorite visually?
ESQ: This one was pretty hard, but what I would have to pick for both is Lupe Fiasco’s “Food & Liquor”, everything was on point sonically and visually.
329: I’ve not personally listened to Food & Liquor all the way through but I agree on the cover art, NoPattern did a great job, one of my favorite designers. Moving on, are you into downloading pretty much everything or do you still like to pick up a CD at your local music store so you can flick through the booklet whilst you listen?
ESQ: I can’t lie, I’ve been sucked into the digital age mostly as well. If you’re an artist or band I really respect and i’m literally losing sleep over the impending release of your album, I will definitely go out to a store and cop it.
329: Some artists have a distinct look that they’re known for, e.g. Fred Durst’s red baseball cap, Amy Lee’s gothic dresses and hair, Slick Rick’s eye patch and gold chains, Eminem’s once bleached blond hair and wife beaters and so on. Would you say you have a distinct look when you’re in recording artist mode?
I certainly do. Last year I picked up a pair of frames that you will most likely see me wearing all the time. Kind of reminiscent of the old Run DMC Cazal style frames, thinking of switching it up for 2012 though.
329: I have to say, I have noticed the appearance of the glasses a lot in your recent shoots! Artists like Kanye West and Lady Gaga are always expanding their musical styles or crossing boundaries. Being versatile and controversial gets your name spread but do you think this is a good thing? Do you or will you make moves like this?
ESQ: Over the years due to the evolution of hip hop I also made some changes and left myself open to more things. I’ve been more open to cross culture (i.e. skate board culture with the creation of my skate line “DopeBoardz”) and fine tuning my ear on new sounds (I recently became a big fan of MGMT and Justice). So I eventually want to incorporate more of these things into my music and image.
329: That should be interesting! You should check out dubstep too, not sure if it’s big in the US yet but you may like it. How big of a role does the internet, primarily social media, play with you and your music when it comes to networking, distributing and promoting?
ESQ: It makes up 95% of the whole package. The other 5% is getting out into the street and letting these people on social networking sites see that you actually exist in real life and not just another face behind a screen name.
329: What do you hope to achieve with your music and who would be your dream collaboration?
ESQ: As most artists do, I look to gain a wide fan base, even if not reaching mainstream play, i’d love to rock shows across the globe and become a household name. As far as a dream collab I love and respect so many artists. As of lately I’ve been listening to a little more Big Boi from Outkast and Tabi Bonney, either one of those guys.
329: How do readers of this interview find you?
ESQ: You can tune in on all things Esquire Mackentyre via www.MeetESQ.com
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