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interview Strap (February 2010) | Interview By: Jonathan Hay

   Strap, whose name is an acromyn for “strength through rhythm and poetry”, is an artist with more than just your average story of struggle and hardship. Growing up with Tourette Syndrom – a disability which causes body tics and, in some cases, a person to shout obscene words at inappropriate times – Strap was forced to accept his differences early on.

With his new mixtape entitled “ROA (Rebirth of Auto-Tune)” mixtape, Strap is opposing Jay-Z’s call for the death of auto-tune, as he explains “[Jay-Z] might be Hova, but he’s definitely not the Jehovah -- and no offense, but I do think he suffers from a real God complex.”

In this Dubcnn exclusive interview, we sit down to talk with this inspiring talent from the Bronx, who discusses music, as well as Jay-Z’s God complex and why he’s not everything he claims to be, ‘Jersey Shore’s’ overuse of the word “Guido” and exposes Megan Fox’s recent admission that she too suffers with Tourettes Syndrome.

As ever, be sure to leave your feedback in our forums or email them to haywire@dubcnn.com.

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Interview was done in February 2010

Questions Asked By: Jonathan Hay
 
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Dubcnn Exclusive – Strap
By: Jonathan Hay
www.myspace.com/jonathanhay
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Dubcnn: Introduce us to your song “ROA (Rebirth of Auto-Tune)” and the meaning behind it?

Well, actually, “ROA” is a whole mixtape. It’s geared toward using auto-tune in a way to where people will actually be okay with listening to it instead of being annoyed and complaining about artists needing to “get back to rap” because “they T-Paining too much,” as quoted from Jay –Z. “ROA” is not a bunch of singing or rapping, it’s both. I have R&B tracks on it for the ladies as well as tracks for the fellas; it’s a well put together mixtape and, if giving a shot, it can potentially be one of the best to be released this year -- and memorable.    


Dubcnn: Do you think it’s too soon after Jay-Z’s release of “DOA (Death of Auto-Tune)” to release something like the “ROA (Rebirth of Auto-Tune)”? 

Nah. I actually think its perfect timing. It’s the top of the year, I’m a fresh new face, I’m the first to do something of this type and I don’t think anyone else would even attempt something of this caliber, especially being a newcomer for fear of destroying their career before it starts. I mean, let’s be real, this is Jay-Z we talking about. I’m somewhat of a risk-taker, but at the end of the day, no one man is going to stop me from doing what my mind is set to do.  


Dubcnn: In a recent interview, you were quoted as saying “[Jay-Z] might be Hova, but he’s definitely not the Jehovah -- and no offense, but I do think he suffers from a real God complex.” Can you elaborate on why you believe that? 

Yeah, I personally think he does [have a God complex], but on another note, it’s the people who put the battery in him. I don’t know the man but he just doesn’t seem like the humble type, he just seems like this egotistical dude that’s in the rap game like he’s the king. I feel he put his work in and earned his spot and its only because of loyal fans, so for that, you should remain humble because potraying the role of a god is not a good look. This is just from the outside looking in. From interviews I’ve seen from Beanie, Jazo and a bunch of others, people all pretty much say the same things about Jay -- can they all be wrong? Are all them just making the stuff up about Jay-Z? Again, the people put him on this pedestal so it’s never going to change. But I said to myself “I’m gonna put out my music and incorporate the auto-tune in it because everyone doesn’t hate it and I know how to use it, so I did me. It’s not like Jay will even care, he’s too far in his life to take the time out to listen to it.  


Dubcnn: Do you take offense to Jay-Z’s claiming that he’s Almighty?

Nope, that’s a joke to me. God is Almighty, Jay is just a man, nothing more. And someone nobody should fear. The real Almighty God no one has to fear, period! Next [laughs].


Dubcnn: What do you think about all these Jay-Z and illuminati conspiracies?  

I think its bogus, but some people will believe anything. I think he is doing this to get exactly what he is getting right now – attention. This is good marketing. My opinion, you shouldn't play games like that though. Jay-Z and alot of other artists are part of Oprah’s New Age religious movement. They don't believe that Jesus is responsible for any of their success. That to me is worse than being a devil worshiper.  


Dubcnn: How do you think Jay-Z’s fans and supporters will respond to your Jay-Z comments?  

I mean, they probably going to say ‘fuck Strap, he’s wack, who is he to go at Jay’ or [talk about] how Jay can end my career, you know, things of that nature. But it won’t bother me, I won’t let that break me because there will be a lot of people who feel where I’m coming from and, realistically, everyone is not a Jay-Z fan. A lot of Jay-Z fans are like robots he programs with his words, so whatever he says the fans go with. This is an example of why he feels he’s the Almighty. But I can’t blame them, they only doing what they are programmed to do. [Laughs]


Dubcnn: Recently Jay-Z has come under harsh criticism for what people claim to be some anti-Jesus lyrics in his hit song “Empire State of Mind”; what are your feelings on that?

Like I said before, I think it’s all a marketing scheme for him and he knew that a man of his accomplishments saying something like that would bring a lot of talking and internet gossip -- and hey, it’s working. Can’t knock his hustle, but again, I don’t feel you should play around with things like that. There are people who really took offense to that and I don’t think he cares because, in the end, Jay still going to have millions of fans so why would he care bout the few who turn on him for what he said in “Empire State of Mind”?


Dubcnn: Have you personally found Jesus? Where do you stand with your faith?  

Yes, I have. My aunt actually got me into church. I cant lie, I haven’t been there in a minute but I do talk to the Lord every now and then. It’s because of Him I’m able to go on and overcome the obstructions in my life. Everyone should give thanks to Him. Although there are a lot of different religions I feel there’s only one Almighty, but everyone calls Him something different – me, myself, I’m Christian.


Dubcnn: At what point do you think the use of Auto-Tune becomes “too much” in a song? Furthermore, is there an artist you think has overdone it in that area?  

I would say its too much when you using it on a song constantly and you not singing. For example, auto-tune is a pitch correcting plugin for singing, Lil Wayne uses it when he’s rapping with no singing involved, just making it pointless to use. Not to take anything from Wayne because he is talented, but I think it should be used for singing, period. To me, that’s just using it where it’s not needed which makes it more annoying to people, thus they get sick of it and become burned out.  


Dubcnn: Strap, tell us how you found and continue to find ‘strength through rhythm and poetry’.

Just waking up in the morning and growing up with my disability made me want to push for better because people always put limitations on those with disabilities; they brand you with the “can’t” title, and I wasn’t okay with that. I found a love for music and knew one day I wanted to reach the people with my words. It was a lot of discouragement growing up but as time went on I found people who actually cared and stuck by me as I pursued my career and never once told me that I couldn’t do it, and I’m thankful I had them -- and still have them -- around. My strength through rhythm and poetry is this: the rhythm is the beat that talks to me, the poetry is the words that I lay over the beat. The idea of me making music and having people love what I produce gives me the strength to keep going. The fans make it all worth it.  


Dubcnn: Something interesting about you, admirable even, is that you have Tourette's Syndrome. We applaud your strength in coming forward with such transparency. How has suffering with this disorder strengthened and defined your character, both as a person and as an artist?

Well, I saw it like this: people were going to find out anyway because the media is always in your business and they will twist a lot things up and have the people potray me a certain way, so I’d rather be the one to come forward with it and let it be known from the jump that, hey, this is how I am and the public will either embrace me or they won’t. Growing up with this has made me stronger as an artist and person because it was the hardest obstacle in my life and I knew if I could conquer my Tourettes that I could do anything.

My biggest problem was accepting and admitting to myself that this is how I would be for the rest of my life. Sure I would cry. It often made me weak and feel like I didn’t want to live, but I believe God helped me get through it. Now, the man before you today is fearless. I’ve accepted who I am; my friends, family and women have accepted me and I’m not ashamed anymore. What once made me weak is my strength now; I turned my disability into my ability, and as a artist I have to work double hard because I am different, but when I’m done I know the amount of effort and time that was put into the music was so it would come out great, and it’s a good feeling. 


Dubcnn: If there was one thing you’d like for people to understand about Tourette’s, what would it be? 

That is not easy to deal with and you shouldn’t past judgement on anyone with it. We are human beings too, I’m speaking personally for everyone with it, no one’s perfect, we all are born different and if you see someone with it don’t stare at him or her like they are some sideshow freak, it’s not cool. Just be opened minded about it, and if you really want to know about it, Google it.


Dubcnn: If you could say something to those people in the past who made fun of you and tormented you growing up about your disorder, now having a platform to do so, what would you say to them?

Honestly, I wish them all well [laughs]. My success will kill them. When you prevail in life, anyone who has ever made fun of you or doubted that you had any chance of making it will feel it when they see you in the spotlight. So, with that being said, I’d let my fame talk to them.


Dubcnn: What is the most embarrassing or traumatic incident that you’ve experienced because of your disorder?

I’d have to say being in court for a traffic ticket and [I began] cussing really loud; it was like a nightmare. All the attention came to me and the room was quiet, the only person talking was the judge and when I did it everyone looked at me. I wanted to leave so bad but I couldn’t, I had to pay that damn ticket [laughs].  


Dubcnn: Megan Fox is becoming more and more notorious for saying obnoxious things to the media, such as dissing her Transformer’s director, Michael Bay, even comparing him to “Hitler”. But recently she has blamed her transgressions on having Tourette’s Syndrome. Watching her, do you believe that she suffers from it? If not, do you find it offensive that she would use it as an excuse to cover her mistakes?

Well, I hope it’s not an excuse to cover up the things she does. Me really having it, I’d take offense to that. I wouldn’t want to do a Megan Fox diss record [laughs], but I mean, because we don’t see it when she’s acting doesn’t mean it’s not there. When you listen to my music you can’t tell I have it or if I’m performing live, because you can control it to a point, but you really got to put your mind to it. So I wouldn’t pass judgement on her so fast.

I read an interview about it and I think she was trying to cover it up for a while like myself, it’s not easy to just come out and say you have a disability and having Tourettes can really frustrate you. And, yes, all the build-up might have you lashing out at people, so until I know for sure what her condition is, that’s my take on Ms. Fox. 


Dubcnn: Being from the east coast, what do you think of MTV’s new reality show ‘Jersey Shore’? Do you find it offensive in any way?  

I think the show is stupid. MTV needs to stop giving everyone and their momma a damn reality show. Sure, it makes for entertainment, but all entertainment ain’t good entertainment. I watched one episode and that’s when that Snookie chick got punched, which, by the way, no man should do ever, especially on TV.

I don’t find the show offensive, but I do find it ignorant. In every ethnicity you always have those that makes that race look bad; ‘Jersey Shore’ is a bunch of snobby, ignorant and conceited Italians, that’s all I get from that show. Now, I’ve met cool Italians that are laid back guys and girls, so it’s not like I got anything against Italians -- I love the women. [laughs] But as for that bunch, they get the ‘thumbs down’ from me.    


Dubcnn: What do you think about the whole “Guido” and “Guidette” label and way of life? How would they be accepted in your neighborhood? 

In my neighborhood that wouldn’t fly. In parts of Brooklyn where they live that way amongst others like that, yes, but my neighborhood if they were around here with that type of lifestyle, people over here would run them out. It’s corny and wouldn’t be accepted, that’s all I got to say about that.


Dubcnn: As an independent artist, how do you find the music industry? What resources online have lent their support to you and your music? 

I think the game is shady and I think I’m better than quite a few of the dudes that these labels are signing. I’m fighting for my shot, then as soon as I turn around here goes another wack artist or another group that basically made up a dance and then a song to it. These A&Rs ain’t worth the chair they sitting on; they haters and they worthless, if you ask me.

But anyway, I feel the game is jacked up because of all these failures -- everyone and they momma raps no. Cats figure “hey, I got a mic, a computer and a myspace, I’m a rapper.” No! Everyone can rap if they want, but half these dudes can’t make hit records or listenable records. Me, personally, as an indie artist I use Myspace, Twitter and Datpiff to try and get my music heard, but it’s not as easy as people think it is; it’s a lot of time and effort, you got to sacrifice. But hopefully my sacrifices will soon pay off and someone will give me my shot, or I’m gonna take it.


Dubcnn: You state Big Pun as being one of your influences growing up in the Bronx. How has his life and death impacted you? 

Yeah, for one, he’s from the Bronx. It ain’t been but two cats that actually impacted rap from the Bronx, except for Pun and Krs-One. Yeah Fat Joe’s from the Bronx, but truth be told, he was known way before Pun and Pun got way more love than Joe did -- not saying Joe don’t do his thing, but real is real. As far as his death, it’s just like when Big died. [Both were] these were lyrical dudes and they put out hits that still live on till this day. From one artist to another, I respect good music and it’s always felt when the game loses an artist who was actually worth listening to because, Lord knows, ain’t too many dope artist out here.


Dubcnn: What was the first rap song you ever heard? 

LL Cool J, “Mama Said Knock You Out”.


Dubcnn: How did that impact your life? 

Well, that song hit hard at the time, that’s what was hot and his lyrics were raw. L was going in, from there I just opened myself up to rap music and checking out other artist who were doing their thing at the time.


Dubcnn: Being a big KRS-One fan, do you agree with his statement that Def Jam destroyed Hip-Hop? 

I don’t agree with that at all; if hip-hop was destroyed then the artist did it, not Def Jam. That’s my opinion. Yeah, they sign these artist, but only in hopes that the artist will fulfill what is required of he or she because Def Jam has had some accountable players on their team, like Nas, LL Cool J, Luda and others. So, I cant agree with that statement. KRS, I’m still a fan though [laughs].


Dubcnn: Do you have any hip-hop quotables that you live by? Has any specific song ever touch you? 

Yes, Kanye said, “It’s crazy how you can go from being Joe Blow, to everybody on your dick -- no homo.” Yes, it’s a simple line but it’s the realest because you can be standing at the same bus stop you’ve always stood with no one paying you any mind then once you gain fame everyone want to be all over you, and then you look at them like, “I’m the same cat from the bus stop, now you want to acknowledge me?” And that’s what I’m going by till I’m dead and gone because it’s true, and it’s sad that’s how it goes.


Dubcnn: Nipsey Hussle, Glasses Malone, Crooked I and Jay Roc are what many consider to be the elite of the new west coast greats out here on the west coast. What do you personally think of these artists? 

I’ve kept up with Nipsey and Crooked I, them dudes are dope. I never really heard of the other two, pardon me for that, no disrespect to them, but I’ve been working on my own career so I haven’t had time to really check out a lot of new artists. But I definitely know about Nipsey, he’s buzzing, I like his flow and swag on tracks. He reminds me of a modern day Snoop. I know people hate being compared but it’s not always a bad thing. I’d like to work with him in the near future, if possible.


Dubcnn: What other west coast artist do you foresee doing big things in the near future?

Honestly, like I said, I been working on my project so I haven’t kept up with a lot of artists. But I’m looking to see what Nipsey Hussle got in store for the future; I think he can go far if he stays consistant. He’s talented, and since Game I want to see if he’ll potentially do numbers bigger than what Game did when he came out. So that’s who’s on my radar as far as the west coast right now.


Dubcnn: Where do you see yourself in five years? 

Living good at the top of my game, owning my own company, giving real talent a shot at music and just making a lot of good financial investments. I want to be the next mogul people look at and say, “he worked for his and I tip my hat to him through all the struggles he endured. He did it.” And I want it in less than five years.


Dubcnn: How can we hear your music and keep in touch with you? 

Definitely through my myspace which is www.myspace.com/therealstrap, www.twitter.com/strap718, Facebook and definitely go to datpiff.com and type in “Strap”. And definitely download that “ROA” Mixtape, it’s dope and so worth a listen…or two or three [laughs]. I promise, its for the females and the fellas.


Dubcnn: Any final thoughts?

Only that I hope someone wakes up and grabs me up. I have a lot of hits in me to pump out with all the potential one needs. Anyone would be crazy not to sign me if they heard me and know what I can bring to the table but, you know, I’m gonna keep grinding regardless. Download that “ROA” Mixtape at datpiff.com and support my movement. Thank you, Dubcnn, for giving me your time.




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