Better than those who live in war zones.

How did this you start this album?  what is your normal process for making an album?  was this any different?

I start fresh and try to do my compositions justice.

Now, you play a lot of instruments. Do you carry an elitist complex because of it or do you respect the samplers and choppers all the same?

Sampling is beyond music theory and that’s why I don’t play traditional instruments as much anymore.

What do you think about mainstream hip hop?

I think anything main stream is pop music. Pop music is okay with me.

Do you think hip hop is dying?

The pioneers of this culture could have done a better job defining what Hip Hop was to the masses as opposed to mainly those already in the know.

What is your relationship with Van Hunt and how did a known R&B singer/songwriter get on your album?

I’ve known him for about five years and we have mutual musical respect for each other. Beyond that, he offered.  That’s the code of musicians and he follows it to the letter.

Whats the last thing you want to come out of your music when it reaches a listeners ears?

Negativity is the last thing I want to come out of my music when it reaches a listeners ears.

Your sound on the CD sounds like a glorified basement recording.  Is there a particular reason why you went for that?

I don’t go for anything, I just work with the budget I’m given. Thank GOD Matt Mahaffey could make a master out of what I work with.

Do sales matter to you?

Yes sales matter to me, mainly because I have a family to raise. Although I don’t trust music industry officials to accurately account sales, “That’s the time, I feel like (sales don’t matter) to (me).” – Eugene McDaniels

Whats your next move?

I’ll find out soon I’m sure.

Any closing remarks?

Thank you for the interview. Congrats on staying around so long! Viva Las Vegas!

Just coming from a photo shoot, for the cover of his soon to be released debut album “Autografh”, we caught up with Grafh to talk about life, music, and his goals for the two.  While speaking to him I slowly realized that there is a thin line, if any, between his role as an artist or as a man in society.  “Autografh” is set to be a not just an ordinary debut album, but a very introspective piece.  From top to bottom it will mark the official introduction of Grafh into the game, his John Hancock if you will.

“I take you through a journey through my whole life as a youth growing up to being a grown ass man now”

This won’t be an album with a target demografhic (pun intended) as he puts it…

“I make music for every one”

The rap Michael Jackson… Big shoes to fill but if anyone had the feet to do it, it could be him.

When asked about the album’s production, second to his lyrics, this is probably where he takes most of his pride in.  He wasn’t going after all big name producers or all the hot ones.  He went after people he believed in as people and as producers.  Above all of their abilities he labels the producers as musicians, which is pretty rare in hip-hop.  To often do you find a “producer” who doesn’t take the time out to appreciate music for what it is.  The album’s soundscape is forged by Developed, Yogi, Kool & Dre, and Ronin.

“If you appreciate good music you’ll appreciate this”

The album wasn’t created to go with any set formula.  Grafh makes it a point not to deal with the ideas of formulas.  Pointing out the mix tape game he explains to me that that formula has been used and abused.  “Mix tapes nowadays are trash”.  We all come to terms with that same notion when we buy some of these mix tapes.  They lack originality, direction, and emotion.  Grafh’s reasoning for doing his mix tapes?

“To keep my buzz, I make like a song a day with no place to put it but the streets”

The reason he did this album?  He did it for the fans of his music.  This ties into his most memorable moment in making this album.  At a show he leaked the song “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” on stage to give the crowd new material.  After the show people came to him and thanked him for that song.

“Getting a reaction from the people is satisfying, when they feel what I felt when I wrote the song…”

What about the notion that there are no fans in the world anymore, referring to the song on the emcee’s (Jin) latest release?

“There are fans, but is sucks if you’re not a leader.  If you can’t influence the minds of those that follow you its hard.  Be a trendsetter and people will follow what you do.  I’m a fan.  I like music in my c.d. player right now you can find bands like audio slave, and U2, if I’m feeling Jazzy I’ll throw is some Miles Davis.  I hardly listen to rap because everyone coming out is garbage.”

Grafh had 100% control over this album which is an added testament to his versatility as an artist, musician, and business man.  Manned with his own photographers, van’s rappers, singers, engineers, and producer’s everything on this album is self contained and deeply rooted in the blackhand family.

The future for this artist/business man seems far from being a “one hitta quitta”.  With a clothing line and modeling company in the works its going to be a nice year for Grafh as he positions himself to get his own seat in the billionaire boys club.  He is also in the works to develop and release artists such as Shalone, Orbit, Prinz, and Don Palmer.

Grafh thanks all his fans and supporters that have been there since day one and all who have signed onto him recently.  Dedicating his music partly to them, because they recognize the pain and struggle which is a universal language.  To learn more and hear more from Grafh you can visit his myspce.com page ( www.myspace.com/grafhblackhand)  or his website ( www.grafh.com).  Autografh is slated to his stores in the spring or 2006.

      You know as a friend of mine says about her native Detroit… “There isn’t much to do in the ‘BORING ASS’ ‘D’”.    Then when you match that statement up against to the long list of albums that Slum Village has blessed us with, you cannot help but try to figure out what the hell is they drankin’ over there in the ‘D’? That place is live with that kinda talent!   Yes, Ladies and gentlemen Slum Village did it again.  I am enjoying this album.  Why???   Simply because it’s the Village folk how they were supposed to be, without the chaps, sleeveless flannel shirts, and without a white dude thinking they an Indian. (Editor’s note: “huh?”)

     The album seems very personal and has a faint feeling of trying to quiet a few people.   If you ever seen interviews with athletes at their lockers trying to answer 400 questions and all of them are questions from 10 weeks ago that they dodged for a while, this is how their mind state is.   About their changes of the group, the rumors of their label situation, and their relationships with ‘former’ group members.  They explain themselves as to cut the question asking and start on another journey in music with a clean slate.

     Yes, as with everything, this little fireball of an album had flaws… I didn’t like the song placement.   I would rather them answer all questions in the beginning and then start their new slate after all of that.  Sonically it makes for a good story (metaphorically).   Would have liked to see them reach out to maybe 1 or 2 other producers… not to contradict my earlier statements and my kool-aid pouring… I’m just a fan of soundscapes the difference meshing with the similar.   Don’t get it??  Try putting a Dr. Dre Beat and a Neptunes beat side by side. I enjoyed all songs, but the beginnig of the album started to slow for me. The album really didn’t catch me till about track 4….. then I appreciated the first 3 more.

    What do you want me to say??  I liked the damn album.  Go cop it…. Support it….   These people have mouth(s) to feed ….  Would you like to be responsible for there child not eating?? Big up to T-3 and Elzhi.   No matter the test Slum Village still keeps on moving and making hot music.  Thank you for doing it!