Sam R.U.B.I.K. - Interview

Click READ MORE to check out my interview with Sam R.U.B.I.K.

First off thanks for the interview

And secondly, Thank you.

You relocated from Texas to New York City. As a hip hop artist what it is like to be in New York City which has such a big history for hip hop?

It's really humbling actually. Coming from a place where the hip-hop culture is so different, really brings things full circle for me. Living in the city is a crazy experience too because some of the first hip hop artists I really got in to when I was younger were from New York, so I get a deeper understanding of the music being in the same environment. The rich history here really sets high standard for me to meet when I go into the studio.

Your new mixtape is called Life Without Commercials. Can you tell me a little about the recording process of the mixtape and what people can expect from the mixtape?

The recording process for this mixtape had to be one of the most intense experiences of my life. I spent countless hours in the studio over a really short period of time. Not to mention I was preparing to move out here. So, I would work all day and hit the studio every night, til about 4 or 5 AM on an early night. So in turn in the mixtape has a lot of emotion and frustrations of mine because I was constantly pushing myself. The content of the tape also has a lot of everyday experiences and real life problems that I was struggling with right before I moved.

You are part of the young crowd of MC’s that are coming up. What do you think sets this generation of rappers apart from rappers of the late 1990’s or early 2000’s?

What I've noticed about a lot of new artists is that the music is not in a single category. One hip-hop artist is not just a rapper; he (assuming the artist is a he) sings, he produces, he plays instruments, he does pop, he does rap, and really displays a thorough understanding for other music. Things like that have always been happening, but as hip-hop expands, it also provides a market for artists of wider genres.

I hear you have opened for Wale and that J. Cole and Bun B are also supporters of your music. What is it like opening and getting noticed from Bun B and other up and comers and what kind of things have you learned about the music business from watching artists like those?

Wow I wasn't aware about J. Cole or Bun supporting me, but if it's true, I appreciate that. I really respect those two as artists. Opening for Wale was great. Getting to feel the energy a crowd brings for a major artist was amazing and something I won't soon forget.

What are some of your biggest influences and why? And who are some of your favorite new artists?

My biggest influence has to be everyday life, things that I go through as my story unfolds, then crossing other peoples paths and their stories really inspires my creative process. Music wise I really enjoy music of all types, I love listening to new sounds without regard to who it is or what type of music it is. La Roux is pretty dope, so is Theophilus London, Lykke Li, Dom Kennedy and Pac Div.

To anyone who hasn’t heard of you or checked out your music what sets you apart from other rappers?

I'd like to think that I bring a very organic feel, environment, personality on every song, regardless of what new sound I may be experimenting with, or what old sound I may be attempting to re-invent. Listeners can decipher who may be doing the opposite.

I guess that about wraps it up. Thanks again for answering the questions! Do you have any closing comments you’d like to make?

No problem, anytime my dude. For anybody who hasn't heard my music, y'all can find it on samrubik.com and Life Without Without Commercials will be out next month, satifaction garaunteed.