TERMANOLOGY (September 2008) | Interview By: Jonathan Hay

With his album Politics As Usual dropping at the end of the month, the fire-spitting lyricist, Termanology, is undoubtedly flourishing with esteem in the realm of Hip-Hop and beyond; moving fluently through the crowd with his raw poetic expression and dropping abrasive bombs ever so swiftly…like bittersweet terms of endearment.

Moreover, when you have Premier production behind your sound, you can bank on a prosperous career -- not only from a monetary perspective, but you’re pretty much secured a stance of credibility and high-respect.

Dubcnn dropped in on Termanology for a couple minutes, as he gave us a brief rundown of his current project and graced us with a few details about his working relationship with DJ Premier…and just in case you’ve been somewhere else lately, this is the language everyone has been speaking -- a Termanology all his own.
Let’s get it!

Shot out to Atlas Jenkins!

Interview was done in September 2008

Questions Asked By: Jonathan Hay

Please feel free to send any feedback regarding the interview to: haywire@dubcnn.com

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                                                       Termanology Interview
                                                          A Dubcnn Exclusive
                                                            By Jonathan Hay
                                                  www.myspace.com/jonathanhay
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Dubcnn: You've had a captivating hip-hop trajectory. When did all this start for you?

I have been in love with hip-hop my whole life, so to be where I am now is just a blessing. The last four years has been the best times of my life.


Dubcnn: DJ Premier has been so instrumental in your career – not only with supplying the dope instrumentals, but overall – giving you that extra push that you needed. What are some of the valuable words of wisdom you've learned from Premier?

Well, on the creative side, the best thing Preeme taught me is that you don't need to layer your verse a whole bunch of times. I used to put three or four layers on my voice every time. I record with a different mind state now.


Dubcnn: In your own words, how would you describe, Politics As Usual in terms of sound?

Well production-wise, it sounds like mid 90’s. The producers I chose produced Illmatic, Reasonable Doubt and Ready To Die.


Dubcnn: What are your own personal expectations for the album?

I just want people to like it.


Dubcnn: I think people will love it! The production team you've assembled is extraordinary…was there a lot of money spent in making of Politics As Usual?

To the average person, yes, very expensive…but to a record label, no.


Dubcnn: What sets Termanology apart from all the other emcees, past and present?

I am the future (laughing)…


Dubcnn: With so many emcees 'dumbing-down', are you worried that the mass appeal won't catch some of your ill lyrical metaphors?

No not worried at all. If you don't get it, then it wasn't made for you.


Dubcnn: In your highly respected opinion, who is the great emcee of all time?

Jay-Z!


Dubcnn: What was it like recording with Bun B?

Making the song [“How We Rock”] was crazy. Premier made the beat in front of me, right on the spot. The video was the fun part though, because I got to kick it with Bun and all the other ill people that came out. (Joell Ortiz, DJ Premier, M.O.P. Cormega, Uncle Murda, Statik Selektah, etc.)


Dubcnn: You've embraced the whole mixtape game hustle…do you feel the mixtape business is too overcrowded nowadays?

Mixtapes are still dope. There is just so many wack ones, it’s hard to find the good ones.


Dubcnn: What would it take for Boston to be that next major movement in hip-hop?

All the dope rappers in Boston [need] to get signed.


Dubcnn: How much did your career actually change after you landed in The Source's "Unsigned Hype" column?

I can’t remember, I smoke too much haze.


Dubcnn: What is your perspective of some of the negative publicity surrounding our hip-hop culture?

Violence existed before rap. F*ck the media.


Dubcnn: If you could change one thing in our hip-hop society, what would it be?

Not sure, that's a tough one. There is a lot of sh*t to fix.

(deep silence)


Dubcnn: What are your personal beliefs on God, religion and just the overall current state of spirituality?

I believe in God, but I'm still searching for some answers…


Dubcnn: Question -- is Barrack Obama the best choice for America right now?

The best choice ever. He is the future. I am going to vote for him and I suggest you do the same.


Dubcnn: In closing, is there anything else we should know about Termanology?

I plan on making over 20 albums so get used to me!!!