FOKIS (June 2008) | Interview By:
Javon Adams
Dubcnn recently sat down with
Manhattan lyricist Fokis to
get the low-down on this up and coming talent. With the success of his Joell
Ortiz track "Pandemonium", Fokis recently got down with Dr. Dre
protégé, Aftermath producer Focus to work with him on a new track called
"Can't You See". We caught up with Fokis to get the details on that as well as
getting background on the man behind the music. Fokis talks openly about his
career so far and much more in this exclusive interview.
As ever, you can read this exclusive interview below and we urge you to leave
feedback on our forums or email them to
Javon Adams.
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Interview was done in June 2008
Questions Asked
By:
Javon Adams
Fokis Interview Audio:
Listen Here
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Related Media
Fokis -
Can't You See (Prod. by Focus)
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Dubcnn: Alright, so we are here with Fokis. F-O-K-I-S. What’s going on man?
Chillin’ man. So, wait, so we recordin’ right? We recordin’?
Dubcnn: Yes sir, yes sir
Alright, I hate Dubcnn. It’s the worst site
*Laughs*
Nah, everything is wonderful man. Shoot, I’m actually drained today. I’ve been
working so hard today. It’s like ridiculous and I’m trying to take a quick
little break then get back to work man. But how are you doin’? Everything
straight?
Dubcnn: Yeah, I can’t complain. I’m over here in Phoenix. Man, it’s hot as
hell. It was 109 degrees today man.
Damn! *laughs*
Dubcnn: So, yeah it’s a little hot. But tell me, where are you from and how
is life treating you?
Life is beautiful, thank the Lord. I’m from the Lower East Side of New York
city. You know, wonderful place very diverse. Like I said, everything is good.
It’s just grind time and I’m enjoying everything, the whole ride.
Dubcnn: Ok. Now you described yourself as ‘a dreamer, a visionary and a
grinder.’ Do you think being a visionary and a dreamer are related?
Most definitely because if you have a dream you have to envision it and see
it. Then you start tackling it and making it happen. So, hell yeah they are
together. They’re joined at the hip.
Dubcnn: Tell me what led to your deal with sandboxtv.com
What led to the deal with sandboxtv was a friend of mine approached me. He was
like, “Yo, one of the owners over there saw the show and they really want to
get on board.” They wanted to air the show and we sat down and bada bing bada
boom.
Dubcnn: From reading your bio and looking at what you have on myspace you
seem to really embrace technology. Now, is that born out of being a visionary
or is it a way to cut through the clutter in the competitive music industry?
I think it was something that had to happen. I like to say it was
something that happened by default. First of all the outlet is available so I
think it is important to take full advantage of them. To take advantage of all
the media outlets we have here.
I will say this one thing, I was just telling a friend of mine that I would
say for the past three months that now I really understand the internet.
Because before I had a myspace and had the emails and all that and the forums.
But I didn’t get it. I mean I got it but I wasn’t really utilizing it in it’s
best form. Now I have some books and I read up on marketing and various
different things. And now I really understand it so I almost feel like I have
a new energy. Now I got it like, ‘This is the best way to maximize internet’
and how to do things. The internet is so important it’s not even funny.
Dubcnn: I agree with you there. Speaking of the internet and all the things
that led to sandboxtv.com deal, tell me about Road To Riches the reality show.
What is that all about?
Road To The Riches reality show is about an artist that gives himself roughly
one year to get a record deal. It’s documenting the struggle. Documenting
everything. So, the first episode gives everybody a view as to what I have
accomplished, who I am and a brief rundown. Because I’ve been doing music for
quite some time. You know, I like to say that I’ve been going super hard since
like ’98-’99. That’s when I first pressed the vinyl. I’ve always pretty much
had the independent mentality. You know, the do it yourself thing. Just
unfortunately it was always something. A partner that wasn’t all the way with
me or group members, you know.
I would say from ’98 I’ve been going hard and after a while you get frustrated
sayin’, “I know I got the talent and I know I could make it!” But I have three
kids as well and I can’t be aspiring forever, you know? There has to be some
cut off. So I said, you know what I’m going to give it everything that I have.
I’m going to leave the job and going to push and try to make everything work.
And I gave birth to the reality show and it’s been good. It’s good for anyone,
whether you’re in music or you’re not. It’s not even just about music. I think
its more about someone who’s just following his dream. Somebody who believes
in what he’s doing and is not afraid to fail. If that’s the outcome then,
‘whatever’. Just go all out, ya know? I think it’s good for a lot of people to
see it. A lot of educational jewels are in there and its dope. Plus it’s a lot
of fun.
Dubcnn: So from the time that you envisioned doing the reality show how
long did it take to get the ball rolling?
It took some time, ya know? I pitched it to a few people and they said, “Yeah,
we’re interested.” But from the time of really interested to really launching
it took forever. It definitely took some time. Even within the show itself
I’ve met so many roadblocks and obstacles and that’s life for you, know what I
mean? You plan things out to the T sometimes but the obstacles will come.
That’s a fact. The monkey wrenches will be there but it’s about how you handle
those monkey wrenches. So that’s what I learned. I learned so much by doing
this show because I know who I am as an artist now.
I don’t really want to give too much away because the show will be wrapping up
pretty soon and I’m going to be making the announcement. But I learned so much
man. I found out who I am as an artist. I am so comfortable with who I am, I
feel good and it’s a beautiful thing.
Dubcnn: Without giving away the ending so to speak, I saw episode 1 where
you recapped saying, “Yeah, it’s been kinda cool. I’ve gotten some emails from
people saying ‘keep it up.’” Really just giving you support. So has that been
the case pretty much throughout as people learn about what you’re doing?
That’s been the case. You know, looking back now if I could do one thing over
I guess I wish I could have done the show, completed it and put it out. But it
would take away some of the steam because it’s reality at its finest. I’m on
episode 13 now and the outcome is semi, already done but a lot of things could
still change. You know, most TV shows that we see are already done, edited and
finished and the outcome is complete. Then they air but this is still in
progress, know what I mean? Like I said, it’s the most enjoyable thing I’ve
done. It’s been educational and that’s pretty much where we’re at.
Dubcnn: So, you have an album of the same name that serves as kind of a
soundtrack right?
Yes sir. The album is called Road to the Riches, Vol. 1 and it’s based,
exactly what you just said. It’s the soundtrack to the reality show because
this whole time while I’ve been going through this I’ve been recording music.
I’ve been travelling, been linking with various artists from other states and
regions and it’s been cool.
So, the album is completed and it’s fire. I got Joe Budden on there. I got
Joell Ortiz and Atlantic recording artist Deemi. DJ Absolut and that’s finito,
ready to go now its just what I call “Operation Get The Buzz Up”. I have a
couple of other projects dropping in between there as well. The project coming
up is one with Punch from EMC.
Dubcnn: Ok, yeah.
He and I have an EP dropping mid-June and it’s gonna be free download and it’s
hot man! I love it. Hip hop at it’s finest.
Dubcnn: Nice, nice. So, from looking at your bio and from talking to you,
you seem pretty self sufficient. It seems like the ultimatum you put on
yourself has kind of helped to push you to really find out what you’re capable
of.
Yes sir, yes sir. A lot of these things, for example I became an engineer by
default. I became a producer by default. All out of necessity. And a friend of
mine said to me today, I can’t remember the whole quote but he said, “When
people do things out of necessity that shows you the real character of a man.”
You know, when you have to make it happen. And I feel that I always respond
best when my back is against the wall because I have no choice. I gotta make
it happen!
Dubcnn: Right.
So, a lot of that stuff came out of necessity. I got to the point where I
dropped a record some time ago called, “I Got You” produced by Charlemagne
that did pretty good overseas. Then I dropped another record called, “No
Chaser” featuring Killah Priest and that one did great. So whatever little
change I made, at that time vinyl was still very relevant, and instead of
spending my money on nonsense I invested bought my studio. I bought some
equipment and cut the cost cuz that’s the whole concept of business if I’m not
mistaken, isn’t it?
Dubcnn: Exactly
Keep them costs low!
Dubcnn: So, along the same lines, with all the different hats that you wear
which one presents the greatest challenge? What’s that been like? You said you
stopped working and you’re doing this full time, so tell me about the
challenges. In terms of producing, engineering, mixing, rapping letting it go
and stepping out on faith.
You wanna know what’s the biggest challenge? Out of all the hats?
Dubcnn: Yes sir
Video editing! That’s the biggest challenge. I grow to hate it but again I had
to do that out of necessity. I started out with someone that was helping us or
helping me, whatever, for the first two episodes. Then he wasn’t available
anymore and my brother helped me for, like an episode then he wasn’t
available. Basically from episode four on it’s been me editing it. And it’s
just like, “Ahh!”
That’s work! Editing, you have to tell a whole story and it’s a lot of work. I
really don’t enjoy doing that but if I don’t do it then who will? So, gotta
get it done
Dubcnn: I guess it allows you to become more versatile or talented so you
could take that skill somewhere else if you had to.
Yeah. I mean, editing is cool but it’s just so time consuming. I guess I’ve
been like on a tear musically and just writing. And any free time I have I
just want to do that. I wanna write new songs but I gotta remain consistent
man. Consistency is very important.
Dubcnn: Now, it’s Loyalty Records right?
Yesiree Bob. Loyalty Records
Dubcnn: How has it been stepping away from the job and doing this full
time? Was it really hard to make that decision?
No, and I’ll tell you why. I hated my job! Although the people were great
there when I was there my mind wasn’t there at all. And it had to happen
because I was on the verge of crashing. My last job was at an advertising
agency. Great people. But I had my studio that I was running. I had the
recording and I had just started the show and it was just too much. I was
getting like three hours of sleep a day. I had to take my kids to school in
the morning, do this and that and I just couldn’t anymore.
So I sat down and spoke to my wife and said, ‘Look, we gonna map this out.
This is what we gonna do.’ Saved enough money or whatever and I told her,
‘Listen, let me just go all out and if it doesn’t happen I’ll go back to
work.’ But I don’t want to not do it and regret it later. So I was like, I’m
still young and if I have to go clean toilets then it’s just something that I
have to deal with. Money is money at the end of the day.
I just knew that once people could see my story they’d see this guy works
hard. I knew they would feel me or at least hear me out. And that’s all I
need. Just hear me out and the music will get ya. And that’s pretty much it.
Dubcnn: Having a significant other that supports you can make the biggest
difference in the world.
Yes sir. That’s a battle in itself right there. But definitely she’s been by
my side. We’re High School sweethearts man. And definitely she holds me down.
Dubcnn: Looking at the “Who’s Who” of people that you’ve worked with in
production, engineering and mixing I see that the producer of your current
single, “Can’t You See” which is Focus of Aftermath Entertainment is also one
of your clients. How did that track come about?
See, this is the beauty of being a rapper, being an artist and also being the
engineer. Being the engineer I get to claim credit for mixing even though it’s
a two track. I know he has an engineer that mixes the rough two track mixes
but once they give me the two track mix I have to mix and EQ that and make it
sound better then when I got it. Or at least a little clearer or whatever it
may be. But the beauty is I get to claim the mixing for something that Focus
produced.
He’s an awesome dude and I just called him two days ago and thanked him again.
I told him I really appreciate the love because he damn sure didn’t have to do
that. He’s a cool dude and one of the most genuine people you will ever meet.
Dubcnn: In all honesty, the track is hot. I love the rhythm and I like how
you approached it.
Thank you man. I appreciate it. My man said you can’t ever lose with real
talk. *laughs*
Dubcnn: On your bio you describe yourself as having a ‘charismatic stage
presence’. How important is it for an emcee to have a dope live set?
Very important! Let me tell you something, this is the entertainment business.
When people come to see you perform they want to see a show. My thing is like,
I ain’t afraid. I want to make sure that the crowd is into it. I’m not afraid
to just be myself and have fun onstage and display character. That’s my job as
an artist. I have to make sure I’m entertaining the people cuz if not then
they’ll be board and they won’t want to see me again.
Because I had this one incident, I was performing one day and forgot my lines
and messed up in front of a packed house. I was unprepared but I learned a
great valuable lesson. This is show business. People are going to ridicule
everything you do and that’s part of it, I accept it. I enjoy it and I
actually have something coming up called, “The Fokis Bloopers”. It’s a
compilation of all my different outtakes.
One time I was at a radio show and fumbled some words. You know, we’re human
and I like to have fun with it because people need to see that too. That’s
funny.
Dubcnn: I want to play a little word association to let people get an idea
of who Fokis is. So tell me how these words apply to Fokis. Desire.
That applies to Fokis very much so
Dubcnn: Diverse
Diverse. I am very versatile. Growing up in the Lower East Side there is
nothing but different people so that is a part of my life, definitely.
Dubcnn: Being an emcee
Being an emcee means the ability to capture an audience. Whether it’s
performing live or a song that you are listening to, being able to make a
connection to your audience that’s what an emcee is.
Dubcnn: Loyalty
Loyalty is everything. Without that it’s going to be hard to succeed.
Dubcnn: Gotcha. Now, any last words for Dubcnn? You gotta let people know,
give ‘em the website to check you out and when the decision is going to be
announced.
Well I definitely want to thank Dubcnn for giving me the opportunity to be on
the site because you already know this site is big time. So I feel like a star
now. I definitely want to thank Dubcnn for that.
I also want to shout Focus and all of his artists cuz he definitely looked
out. And shout out to D.C. Make sure people check the
MySpace Page and feel free to
hit me on the email and stay
tuned for the announcement because it’s going to be in late July. So it’s
coming up.
Dubcnn: Alright man thanks for your time.
Thank you brotha, I appreciate it.
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Fokis Interview Audio:
Listen Here
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