Skyzoo feat. Carlitta Durand - Easy to Fly
Restless Films presents a music video by Court Dunn. Skyzoo as Darius Lovehall. Ashlee Ray as Nina Mosley. Skyzoo feat. Carlitta Durand - "Easy to Fly".
Record produced by 9th Wonder off Skyzoo's "The Salvation" IN STORES NOW!
SXSW / Best of All Worlds Showcase
SXSW 2010: Mayer Hawthorne
A white boy who can rap? There's nothing new there. But a white boy who can sing and compose vintage Detroit soul and R&B as if it came fresh from '62? There is nothing so soothing and soulful as a dose of Mayer Hawthorne's 'Strange Arrangement,' released this year. So dim the lights, curl up with your lover and get some groove on Spinner's talks with the Motown man of the hour in advance of his SXSW appearance.
Can you describe your sound in your own words?
Fun. That's the magic word. My music is like Peewee's Playhouse. But seriously, I'm from Detroit so there's a lot of Motown. There's also a lot of Chicago, Memphis and Philly, but fun is the main ingredient.
How did you start performing as an artist?
This particular project began when I recorded a couple of demos for fun as an experiment in my bedroom. I was mainly focused on hip-hop as a DJ and producer for over 10 years. I recorded a few soul demos and moved out to Los Angeles to really pursue rap music. While I was there, I ran into Peanut Butter Wolf, the president of Stones Throw Records. He was not that interested in my hip-hop, but he was looking to branch out and was really intrigued by my soul demos. He then asked if I was interested in recording a whole album based on that for his label. I had never imagined doing something like that, but I couldn't say no, so here I am.
What are your musical influences?
Anything creative. My album is called 'A Strange Arrangement' -- I like music that is catchy and strange. I listen to a lot of music across the board. You could find me listening to a whole wide range of things from Frank Sinatra, Steel Pulse, Smashing Pumpkins, Gary Numan, I love Steely Dan. There is so much great music out there.
What would you say is your biggest vice?
I spend the majority of my life thinking about food and records.
Do you have any favourite remixes off your album?
Any of the Astronote remixes are really good; he's a beast. I just got a reggae mix recently of 'Your Green Eyed Love' that I hope to release.
What's your musical guilty pleasures?
I feel like I've lost track thinking about what I should feel guilty about. I love Janet Jackson's 'Rhythm Nation;' it's just fantastic.
Who was your first celebrity crush?
I loved the princess from 'The Never Ending Story' as a kid. I've always loved Christy Turlington. I still think she's the perfect beauty.
What's the craziest thing you've seen or experienced on tour?
I saw a lot of crazy stuff on tour with James Pants and his band; they're wild. I've seen his bass player puke on stage in the m... Read More
Outasight Interview: SXSW 2010
Pictured on the cover of HEED Magazine.
Hip-hop vocalist Outasight is often referred to as "fresh," "new" or "unique" by those who review his work, but for the Yonkers-born MC who grew up listening to his mom's records and his dad's guitar, a groove-driven take on hip-hop is simply a product of varied musical interests. With a new contract and an album in the works, 2010 is shaping up to be a big year for the self-described "musical chameleon." The artist formerly known as Richard Andrew made a name for himself with a homemade video for 'Good Evening (Dream Big),' which gained rotation after winning an MTVU contest last year. That helped Outasight earn a spot in shows with rap luminaries Ghostface Killah and Dead Prez, and a major label contract with Warner Bros. Records/Asylum Recordings, and now, as he prepares for the release of his CD, 'From Here to Eternity,' this summer and a second-consecutive trip to SXSW, the rapper and singer talked to Spinner.
How did you come up with the name Outasight?
Originally, my rap name was 'Outsight,' which was like "insightful, but outside the box." [Laughs] I was trying to be clever. Then I left New York for awhile to go back to college. When I came back to Manhattan, I hadn't seen anyone in awhile, and my friend was like "Yo, you ain't Outsight, you Outasight." I liked it. I like the soulful '70s connotation that comes with it.
Were you always into hip hop growing up?
I saw the Tribe Called Quest 'Scenario' video when I was like eight. It was so awesome, and I was sold from the get. My mom got me some records -- the Tribe album -- and I was gone. But I listen to punk rock too, so I'm kind of a musical chameleon.
How'd you get started performing?
Years ago, I probably started doing shows, and rapping as Outasight about five years ago. I had been singing and doing other stuff before. We used to do shows at a spot called Sputnik. That's where I started to hone my craft. I came up with a lot of the New York artists, and I just started pounding the pavement.
Is it tough to build a following?
When we're doing these shows, if you just get one or two people listening, that keeps you going. It's just been slowly building.
Tell me about the 'Good Evening' video.
In 2008, I put out a mixtape; I had this song called 'Good Evening.' Me and my friend (Andre Hibbert) made a video for it that was totally low budget: black and white and the whole nine. We got the video into a contest on MTVU called 'The Freshmen' and won that week, so the video started to get some play.
And now you're with Warner Bros.?
Yeah. I'm definitely excited a... Read More
OUTASIGHT SXSW Schedule
