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MyspaceFEATURE: OUTASIGHT
May 21st, 2008 | Written by: Mariama "Ms.M" Primus Published in Featured, Interviews, Music | 1 Comment
TOO BIG TO BE BOXED IN…
Yonkers (NY) artist Outasight, speaks on new project Radio New York.
If you must label it anything, label it “Dope!” Like most music enthusiasts, Yonkers born Richard Andrew, eclectically known as Outasight, was exposed to music and the art of creating music, from a young age. With an artsy mom and guitar-playing dad, a young Outasight was introduced to classic rock, and soul sounds of the 60’s & 70’s. As he got older he fell in love with the world of hip-hop, adding that to his long list of musical tastes. Crediting Mos Def as the artist that inspired him to write and pursue music, Outasight recalls, “ ‘Umi Says’ changed my life. I was like 16 and it smacked me in the face.”
His music is a direct reflection of his life experiences. Outasight invokes a unique blend of creative energy, soulful vocals, meaningful lyrics and classic MC’ing; based around the essence of Hip-Hop and touching everything from soul, to alternative to jazz, as he creates a harmonious whirlwind that defies most single-genre limitations.
“A lot of times people want to put you in a box,” states a reflective Outasight. “When you’re pitching yourself to people, you have to automatically compare yourself.”
Mockingly he says “Well I’m like a mixture of Kanye and Stevie wonder in a back alley where Common is shooting craps…”
He continues laughingly, “It’s crazy! I’m like, ‘I’m me!’ Don’t worry about all that other stuff…”
He’s planted his melodious seeds all over New York, blessing the stages of Nuyorican Poetry Café, CBGB’s, the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival and The Kniting Factory to name a few. He’s also opened for talents such as Me’Shell Ndegeocello and Dead Prez at New York’s SOB’s.
In late 2007, Outasight dropped his first EP, entitled Employee of the Year which received well over 12,000+ downloads and gained him critical attention in various media outlets. Now, approximately 6 months later, he is ready to release his second project Radio New York this June 2008.
Employee Of The Year:
What inspired Employee of the Year?
I was locked in this serious daily grind of just working and recording. Tryna be that employee of the year. Leading this double life, working a day job and being a rock star at night [laughs].
What are some of your favorites?
“Fight,” because I love cursing. “Muthafucka” is my favorite curse. But nah, it has a lot of energy to it, a lot of swag. The hook was a direct response to all the drama going on around me at the time. So it was like “ Are you gonna stand up and fight muthafucka?” sort of challenging myself.
Radio New York:
Why Radio New York?
Radio New York, is basically a response to one of the world largest publishing companies, who told me “My music is great, but not quite radio-ready. It’s a little too left field for radio.” So I was like “Aight muthafucka - watch, I’m gonna be on the radio.”
So what’s different about this project?
It’s a whole slew of new material and some of my “Monday morning drops” (myspace exclusive tracks on Monday mornings). Your gonna hear my growth as an artist. I’m more refined. When I dropped Employee of the Year, I was like this is pretty good. But I feel like this [Radio New York] is gonna be pretty incredible.
There’s a lot of energy on the album and its really eclectic but its still all together under one tree. It’s really different… however you wanna take it. It’s just some shit you’re not gonna hear anywhere else.
Influences:
What’s the coolest thing about what you do?
I love rockin’ live… It’s a huge part of what I do. What’s really been a cool thing for me is that people all have their respective favorite songs. . They come up to me and say “oh I really love “Good Evening”, or “Fall is for Lovers”, or “Take It”. I’m so glad I’m able to reach people like that. At first I was like “oh I don’t know if people will like “Take It” because it was so personal to me. I actually wrote that to make myself feel better as a source of empowerment. Now, I’m hearing that a bunch and I’m like wow… Ok this is real.
What’s the best moment in music?
For me personally, the greatest moment is when you’re on stage and when you feel the crowd’s energy vibe with you and then you just tear it down. It’s just a certain energy that can shape my performance, when you got the whole crowd locked in… That’s the best shit out. That’s what we call high on life really. I can’t even explain it.
What/who are some of your biggest musical influences?
Stevie Wonder , Mos Def, D’angelo’s Voodoo and Late 90’s Ruckus.
How do you feel about the current state of music?
I feel really good about music right now… I feel like creativity is creeping back in. There’s dope music out there getting a chance. I think I am going to help to keep running that movement. People are already doing it but I really feel like I’m going to help usher in a wave of new creative talent.
Who are you listening to now?
There’s a couple of dope artist I’m really diggin’… this dude called Jamie Lidell on warped records. He’s a blue-eyed soul singer; he just dropped a new album called Jim. It’s pretty dope, I don’t even know dude but I’m given him the plug!
Always got love for The Roots, copped the new album, it’s dope. Someone just put me onto this singer named Jose James. A group I just started getting into is Pacific Division from the west coast; they gotta a lot of hot records. And I’m always listening to classics and beats…
What’s next for Outasight?
New CD dropping this summer [Radio New York], doing some shows and festivals… Real album coming in 09 and mega-stardom that will launch me into the stratosphere! [laughing]
Last words?
Shout out to Drebond, Dante Lewis and all my daily grind people!
//www.myspace.com/iamoutasight
HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS
July 19th, 2008at 3:24 pm(#)
Radio New York has to be one of fav albums of 08… its really good. i was actually surprised.