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May 2009, interview conducted by chulukinat

If you're getting tired of the same old predictable hiphop beats over and over again, we've found an artist for you which you'll probably appreciate very much. Thanks to the rawness, unpredictable progressions and all the SP goodness his music will uplift the minds of listeners who are ready for refreshment, but still feel nostalgic about music. SP-forums wanted to grab this opportunity and introduce you all to a very promising SP user by the name of Fluent.

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SP FORUMS Exclusive

First off please give a little introduction on who you are and where people might know you from.

One half of uncut raw and city slick, produced first toke and antique black, and other side stuff along the way.

What was the first time you came in contact with music and how did this evolve to the stage you're at now?

I always listened to hip hop. Eventually I started listening to the samples they were using, from there I wanted to make my own beats using those same techniques.

You're a member of the "Green Llama Movement". Can you tell us more about that?

Ill don and I are the original 2 members, and it's made up of producers and emcees from all over. Ill don, me, selfish, decay, vincent price, tone liv, butta verses, mr. dibiase are all llamas. Don started it by sending me some radio mp3s of the green llama radio show , from way back. It just grew from there.

One of the first things I heard of you was the "Uncut Raw" project. How did this come to realisation?

I was working with decay on antique black, and he let selfish hear some of my beats. self liked them and recorded rough cuts of 'green' and 'the block'. I heard those an went crazy, he had a real raw style. We got in contact and knew we had to do the album.

I've heard it's sold out. So it must have been a great success?

In terms of getting the name out it's been a success. Monetarily, it hasn't been a success. But I have long term goals. The fact that I like the album and other people do too, that makes it a success.

What about the "City Slick" project?

Antique black hasn't gotten as much light as it should. My mixes on that one hurt the final album I think. I used it as a learning experience. It's still a dope album though.

What do you consider your biggest musical accomplishment so far?

Releasing 2 albums, that's been the biggest. Still a long way to go though.

What else inspires you to do music?

I don't listen to a lot of modern music, most of what I listen to is my own stuff. I always want new shit to listen to, so I make it.

How much of your time do you spend on music?

All day. If I'm not making beats I'm flipping records, or listening, or digging, doing something musical.

Tell us something about your connection with the Roland SP series.

I started out on the sp505. It was an ill machine, I made first toke on it, and some of city slick. After that I was always using some kind of Roland piece.

What's the thing that makes it your weapon of choice?

It's easy to use, and you use it like a live instrument. I don't like getting all technical with beats, I just bang some stuff out live, and do it quick. The 606 is perfect for that. All the SP series is.

How did you experience stepping from the SP-303 to the SP-606? Are there noticable differences in workflow and sound-quality?

The only difference is missing the loop point button. Other than that my workflow is the same. I get a little more involved with the 606 though.

What's your take on digital vs analog?

I like analog, just for the feel of it. It's more hands on to me. But the computer has it's upsides too. So it's whatever you want to use. I use both at times, but it's mostly analog.

Where do you get your samples from and what do you look for?

From wherever, records, tv, vhs. it doesn't matter. Mostly records though. I don't look for anything specific, it's just the first thing that catches my ear, i sample it.

Do you got a tip or trick you wanna share with our SP users on the website?

Loop it.

What other pieces of equipment do you like to use alongside the SP?

I got a keyboard, and a tascam 4 track. that's about it. I don't mess with midi or anything, just keep it in one machine.

Can you tell us a little about your workflow?

I spend about 15 minutes on a beat. I do it real quick to capture the idea, and then record it and move on.

Does the computer ever come into play while you're making music?

It's good for storage, I digitize all beats into mp3, and reuse the old cassettes.

Do you notice a difference in your popularity between the US and overseas?

Overseas seem to be more excited about what we're doing. Most of the mail I get is from overseas. They really love that raw shit over there.

You recently did a new instrumental album named " All Natural - Music De Llame Vol. 1". How did this come to realization?

I just wanted to put more music out there. I make a lot of music, but people don't know that yet. So I just put it together. It's only a couple days worth of beats.

Did you use any specific devices for this album?

sp606, tascam 4 track, records.

The tracks all have names of plants with special powers. How does this connect to your music?

Those are all natural herbs, and they all put you in a different mindstate. Each of those beats describes the effects of the plants and can put you in a similar mindstate. I think of my music in terms of nature too. I don't think of computers and technology, when I make a beat it's like grinding up kava roots into powder, haha. It's like an alchemical process. I can see why the alchemist chose that name.

The album is available for free download with the option to donate. Why did you choose to do it this way?

It was an experiment. The main reason it was free was to just get more music out there. Let everyone download it and tell their people about it. The donation thing, it's like saying - try this album, if you don't like it, don't pay, but if you like it, send me a few dollars.

Do you think the world is ready to donate for music?

I dunno. for me, let's take records for example. A person I buy records from sometimes sends me the whole album in mp3. Keep in the mind the album costs $100. If i like it, i buy it. If it's not my style I keep the music but I don't buy it. Similar concept. Instead of receiving a hard copy, you already got the artwork to print out right there. In the future I think the releases will be more traditional, but you never know. I'm always thinking of new ideas and new things to try.

You sent us a remix of one of the tracks on First Toke to put with the interview. Can we expect more remixes coming our way?

Yea, the first toke remixes are coming this year. Thats called the relapse. More candy is done which is the sequel to ear candy, that's coming. Stay tuned for all those music de llama albums, they're crazy!

Do you have any goals you're focussing on for the future?

This year I have lots of stuff lined up. The new uncut raw, a new city slick, volumes in the music de llama series, and just making new shit constantly. My goal for this year is to get more music out there. I sit on a ton of material

What kind of people do you think will like your music?

People who like those raw beats.

What kind of people will never understand your music?

People who go by the book, and don't think outside the box.

Do you have a message for the SP-Forums community?

Keep rockin the SPs.

Do you have a message for the rest of the world?

Llama!!

Thanks Fluent!

If you feel like doing some more research on this cat you could check out his myspace or if you want to learn more about the Green Llama Movement make sure to check out their myspace.