You might know him, you might not, but regardless 19ninty7 brings to the table what music needs….originality. Check the interview after the jump!

19ninty7 - Dark Candle Tribute

HW:Let the people on the interwebz know what your name is and what is it you do.
97-I am 19NINTY7, but you can call me NINTY7. I independently write, record & produce my own music. Music is something I really enjoy & take very serious. Indie is the term, for the slow heads I’m going to break it down. What I accomplish is based strictly on how hard I work. In order to succeed I must generate a fanbase or following. In order to create a fanbase I have to get out there, physically by doing tours to rock shows, aesthetically with a myspace music page to reflect the art I create. In essence I attack pop culture in every form possible so that I may increase the opportunities I get to capitalize on & opportunity & hard work is a road for success.

HW: What and who are your major influences
97: First off in life, you must possess the will to learn to be successful. Same goes for an aspiring indie rapper like myself. Learning to write my lyrics as I feel them, produce beats as I want them to sound, record songs that hit home & rock shows that inspire others has been a learning experience. So when I take a brief moment to reflect on it, this pops in my head. Look what I have accomplished in such a short amount of time, imagine where i will be in ten years! That idea alone influences me to work harder than ever. like anyone else I have my roots as well. Wu Tang, Lord Quas, J Dilla & MF DOOM are all influences that keep my inspired.

HW: When did you start rapping? what was your first reaction after making your first track?
97: The basement freestyle sessions Started back in my sophomore year of high school, so 2002. I never wrote anything at the time but I spit freestyles frequently. It was mostly for fun. A crew of local kids & myself would record the sessions on this old boom box, low quality but it got the job done. I remember listening to the tapes we made thinking I just might be the illest rapper ever. Then my head shrank down to size. Those were good times. When I finally took up recording a real project it was the summer of 2004. I remember listening to Unknown Accuracy the first track on what would become The Indefinite Voices demo, & having a sense of accomplishment. I also knew I needed to improve, thus my desire to be the best was born.

HW:how was your first show. what did it feel like performing?
97: My first show wasn’t what I expected. Someone from some label called Delusional Records asked me if I wanted to perform. Without second guessing I agreed. The venue didn’t set the mood neither did I. I was a rookie. I had the passion even some intensity, I just had no idea what it really took to deliver a solid performance. It was a good experience because it hinted at the things I had to do to get better. Hands on experience is always the best that was merely the first step on the road to where I am now. Regardless of how poorly I had performed, I still enjoyed it to the fullest extent.

HW: how do you feel about the state of hip hop? how about locally?
97: I feel like the mainstream is overshadowing alot of good music. The Industry is an Industry indeed, its based on money. The only station on the radio I listen to is 90.3 I don’t watch mtv or bet. I would rather dig through some Thrift Store record crates then keep myself up to date on who the new one hitter quitter is today. That said I do pay close attention the local Providence underground. I feel like the scene has been growing for the last year or so in a very positive manor. There is alot of talent from the vets down to the newbies. I enjoy the local shows and am proud to be involved.

HW: what have you been listening to recently?
97: When at home, the beats I have been making on my Fantom X6 or one of the very many vinyl’s I have like my old time radio record, classic material. However when Driving I have had Deltron 3030
in the deck for some while now. It’s a favorite of mine.

HW: When your not rapping what are you doing?
97: Making beats, Ive been on the keyboard alot lately. I follow sports closely & keep myself up to date I also spend time with family & friends on the regular.

HW: have you toured, how was it?
97: Yes I have. It was an experience. Drive all day to the next city, rock a show & then repeat. Tour where the mic leads is my motto. I enjoy Visiting new cities & meeting artists to network with, its a good feeling when people show up to hear you too. If your taking music serious & your independent you have to tour. Putting music & merch in peoples hands is the best way to grow the name & when you do it across the country or even the world your increasing your chances for success. I will be embarking on a short tour in March infact, so I am excited about that.

HW: best show you have ever been to, best performance you feel you have given.
97: This is tough because there are two shows that stand out in my mind. One is Atmosphere with Brother Ali at the old Lupos & the other is KRS 1 at Lupos @ the strand. I will say the KRS show was the best. Apparently KRS had transportation problems getting to Providence. It was getting late & he was looking like a no show. Suddenly BAM!!! KRS 1 is on stage. Lupos lit with energy & his performance was dope. After he finished on stage he proceeded to desend onto the floor with the crowd. Someone from his crew followed with congo drums or something & KRS ripped freestyles with no microphone. That made the show for me. something I had never seen before. As far as my best personal performance there was this one time in Bloomington Indiana.we had been driving all day & tension between everyone in the car was running high. There were arguments & nearly fisticuffs. We finally got into town & all that jazz & I was just on point when I spit that night. Because I overcame some adversity from earlier that day it still stands out to me.

HW:What projects are you currently working on.
97: I am currently recording an EP. It is called “Tight Wire Roads Over Open Pressure”. Featuring Production from Graymatter, Charles Exsavior, Scalene, Patti B & Argon. Theres no official date but around September expect it to drop. Check it, “its worth the listen & the lesson found” (quiz).

HW: where can people find out more information about you?
97: check me out at www.myspace.com/indefart or just Google 19NINTY7

HW: If you died tomorrow what would you want people to remember you for?
97: Just that I did this out of my love for music. Thats real. I’m not in search of fame or fortune. I simply do what must be done to help my music survive & I love every experience I am blessed with. For those graf writer kids though, particularly the ones who listen to krylon zion, tag my name if I pass.

HW: any closing lines?
97:I would like to thank www.401hiphop.com for making me artist of the month & everyone I work with & am associated with for helping me get here.
Peace & Love
Take care
NINTY7

Accidental Supremacy-