Author Topic: amir (dj quiks protege) interview (Read 123 times)

STILLDRE IS THE GODFATHER · « **on:** February 25, 2003, 02:45:08 PM »

Born into diversity: Persian and German; AMIR is not your average MC. Unlike most of his peers who eventually get big name guest appearances after several albums, Amir had an all-star demo which included the likes of DJ Quik, Erick Sermon, and Butch Cassidy. His debut album, Images of My Mind, due for release this year, was produced by DJ Quik on Bungalo Records. On it, this soulful rapper delivers powerful mixed messages of his own anger, pain, struggle and realities. Chronicmagazine.com recently caught up with DJ Quik’s newest protégé to find out just who this new jack is. Check out Part I of our interview.

Chronicmagazine.com: “When did you first realize that you wanted to get into the hip-hop scene?”

Amir: “About three years ago I decided I was going to try to pursue that.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “Was there something in particular that made you really want to get serious about it?”

Amir: “Actually, I paid a friend of mine a couple of thousand dollars to teach me for two months how to use studio equipment and then I ended up buying my own. It was like when you buy a video game for the first time and you just sit with it for a while. You get [addicted] to it. I got pulled into it and it became a love for me. Everyday when I would wake up, I would just go [to my equipment] and try to make a beat. Once I started making a beat, I would try to write a song to the beat. My initial [idea] was to go to producing. Then, I ended up getting on a mic one day with a friend who was actually rapping and he told me I should rap.”

Chronicmagazine.com: Who are some of the people that you listened to growing up?”

Amir: “I listened to Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep. The Tupac and Biggie beef dragged me into hip-hop. Dre, Quik, NWA. I was always trying to listen to what people were saying and figure out what was behind what they were saying. Everyone can hear what they’re saying, but what’s the meaning behind it. That was always something that I looked for. That’s why right now, you can’t listen to my songs once and get it all. You’ll keep learning more and more as you listen to it.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “Was your family supportive of this idea?”

Amir: “My father supported me from the jump and he helped me buy my studio equipment. He never discouraged me. When he saw that I was serious, he really started paying attention to it.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “How would you describe your sound?”

Amir: “I would say it’s different. I’m bringing a new style to the game…Most people are using the style that the industry is making them come with.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “So you aren’t following the trends of hip-hop?”

Amir: “Yeah. People aren’t telling me what to write, what style I have to come with, what pitch of voice I need to have.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “Do you think that is what will separate you from everyone else that’s in the game now?”

Amir: “Yeah, I think so because I’m actually touching people that listen to my [music]. People say that I’m speaking for them, especially a lot of Middle-Easterners.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “Was it hard for you to get started in the rap game?”

Amir: “I went and knocked on Mack 10’s door when I had a song that was 80% less of the quality that I [create] now. I knew for some reason that I had it even if I didn’t have back then. It wasn’t really hard for me to get into the game, but it did take a lot of dedication. When Quik walked into the studio and listened to my music. It was like the light turned on. Something told me inside to make sure that I watched him and see what he was doing. Even though there are a lot of people in the industry that I could have [took] my CD to, I didn’t take it to [anyone] even when I had Erick Sermon, Butch Cassidy and DJ Quik on it. I just went straight and got a deal.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “How did you get all those people on your album?”

Amir: “Just by networking and showing them that I could do it. I went into the studio with Erick Sermon and he tried to pawn me off with some tracks that he was selling to all these new booty dudes. The songs were really just played. You couldn’t even tell that he made the songs. He basically put me on the spot and said, ‘What do you got? You want this song. This song’s for Scarface. He already asked for it.’ He put me on the spot and I had to come with it right then and there to make him realize that I could do it. After I [rhymed for] him, he said ‘Alright. I’m going to give you this track and I’m going to get down on it with you.’ So, that was a dream come true there.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “How did you even meet him?”

Amir: “Actually, a guy that’s been in the game for a while, Paul Stewart, made the introduction. He was trying to manage me at the time, but it didn’t work out. He managed Coolio when “Gangsta Paradise” was blowing up. He also signed Montell Jordan.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “How did you get your deal?”

Amir: “I just went straight to my attorney and signed the deal. They were excited and ready for me to come. I knew Quik was there. Something just told me to call him up and do it.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “How did you meet Quik?”

Amir: “He just walked into my studio when I was recording one of my songs.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “So you had everything lined up for you.”

Amir: “Yeah. I had the major hitters on my album already.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “Does that make you feel a lot of pressure now that you’re about to drop?”

Amir: “…I’m not really worried. I’ve been in competition my whole life. I’m ready for it. I won’t let myself fail now that I’ve been given this big shot that I have.”

Chronicmagazine.com: “What’s keeping you focused and on track?”

Amir: “Just being in the studio with DJ Quik and having to show him every piece of music that I have. That’s making me step up to the plate. I know I have to have a hit with everything that I show him or otherwise I have no business showing him. I don’t let anything else going on in my life detour me either. A lot of major things I have going on in my life I have put aside for a couple of years now. I’ve just been focused on music. I think if I look to the right at any time, I’m going to loose it.”