Interview: Random – Teacher, Rapper, Nerd, Hero
I got lucky enough to bag Phoenix’s own Random for an electronic sit down to discuss, well, whatever I wanted. Now, it’s been a while since my last interview, and when he challenged me a bit to toss some heavier-than-average questions out I bit at the chance. Firm in his beliefs, articulate and well grounded, the RAHM Nation emcee was a fantastic interview. Now let’s hope our readers hold their ADD in check for long enough to make it to the last question.
– What do you bring to hip-hop’s table? – be it musically, personally, whatever.
Random – I try to bring honesty and purity…I guess those are kinda cliché at this point but I feel like those are my strong points. There’s no character or marketing image I have to uphold; I’m just me. I rap as the guy most rappers are deep down inside but are too insecure to let out.
– Who are your influences?
Random – More than ever these days, it’s not who influences me, but what. I’m inspired by what I see everyday on the news and firsthand. Things are rough out there and even rougher for kids. Musically, I’d say Marvin Gaye, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Journey, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, KRS-ONE, Rakim, Nas, 2Pac, LL Cool J…pretty much anyone who refuses to conform to what the “norm” is. Other non-musical influences include Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Spiderman.
– What are you trying to accomplish as a rap artist?
Random – I just wanna tell my story man. If I set a goal for myself and accomplish that goal I would probably quit or get lazy after that. I have small goals that I pick up along the way; they’re like ‘Achievements’ on Xbox games…they’ve ranged from recording at a major studio (unlocked), putting music in stores (unlocked), being able to fund my music career WITH my music career (unlocked), to getting my music into a video game (unlocked – peep www.casterthegame.com). I just want to be able to speak to people and allow them to relate to where I come from and where I am. I think what I say can help someone, somewhere and I want people to be able to say, “I feel him.” And make a little money on the side, haha. Read more…
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