Dial81

In Zeiten, in denen Rapper mit Majordeals über ihre dicke Brieftasche, Mädels (manche nennen sie Bitches) und schnelle Autos zu berichten versuchen, haben es Leute wie Dial81 schwer. Er ist anders. Und genau das scheint wohl auch das Problem darzustellen. Manche bezeichnen den 27jährigen Detroiter als eine Art Freigeist und liegen damit auch gar nicht so falsch, fließen doch die verschiedensten Einflüsse in seine Musik ein und gilt er dazu als sehr experimentierfreudig. Seit einigen Tagen ist Dial81’s neues Album “Boxcar Portal” erhältlich, welches man sich hier ordern kann. Grund genug, mal ein Interview mit ihm zu führen.

How are you doing, Dial81?

Living.

Why this name?

Dial81 is a mixture of meanings for me, but I was born in 1981 and wanted to dial back to the child and as well as choose a name that would act as a catalyst to bridge the range of art and music I am able to channel. I changed my name from F.R.eeze to Dial8l just like just like a spiritual name that is giving to you through growth. I knew I was know no longer that person, but that person was a part of me.

When did you make your first steps in rapmusic and what where your influences back then?

1995ish. My influence at the time was local rappers, because it gave me the realization that I could put out tapes and do shows as well.

I heard about a 4 track demo-tape (DemiGodz – Half God, Half Human) you did with Skrapz and his brother when you were around 15…

I was 15, just learning…

8 Years ago you released your very first solo-album. What are your thoughts about “The Raw Album” today?

I was in high school, learning. It was a great experience working with the ROC and Skrapz. I learned alot just by being around them both.

You made a song entitled “Winter Girls” back in the days. Was that one originally recorded for “The Raw Album”?

No. It was just a bad song to imitate bad music, something I wouldn’t do now, because I don’t need to focus on what I consider bad music vs. what others may consider “good music”.

Level Jumpers was a project you founded together with your longtime homie Skrapz and The R.O.C. – you dropped two LPs. Is it true that a third one is soon to follow?

Skrapz and I have talked about it, but we are on different times. I have yet to hear how ROC is doing, I know he is making drastic changes in his life for the better. But I’m still cool with them.

Are there some artists you would like to work together in the future?

The Interior PRoject with singer and song writer Jamiel Dado, idiAL81 with emcee Intricate Dialect, Beverly Fre$h, another emcee, Detroit artist Randolph, D’allie and more…

What inspires you to lay some shit down?

Something as little as an ant and as big as the cosmos.

Your album “A 4 Track Mind” is something totally different. Please, tell us something about the production where you get the inspiration for an album like that…

It was a two week project that I didn’t plan on releasing. I had a four track, an SP 202, one mic and two turn tables – and wanted to see what I could do with only four tracks. So I punched the beats out live in stereo while rocking tables, then went back and dropped lyrics I had pre-written while hanging out at Skrap’z place. It was the first project that I didn’t care what people thought, because I knew how magical it really was.

Which other equipment you use for making beats?

MPC 1000. So 303. 8 track. Tables. Vinyl.

In Spring 2007 you put out the “Dyslexic At 18″ EP. Why you choose a name like this and what’s the story behind it?

It was in relation to America’s dyslexic language, and how backwards our way of writing and reading feels to me. How god looks like dog, his-story vs history, and so forth.

And what can we expect from your new album “Boxcar Portal”?

A well balanced diet.

A promo clip for the “Dehydration” is already out. As far as I know, a cat named
“EliphonthoRse” produced the video. Can you tell us something about the production and that dude?

I came up with a b-movie script, because we didn’t know how good it would look on screen. ELi Horse is a talented person and killed it. Working on him for a new one with a more mature idea.

You’ re signed to the indie-label “sUPERIORbelly” now. On their MySpace they announce an EP named “The Living Room Sessions” by The INterior PROject will come out soon. How far you are involved in this project?

Production and recording, Jamiel did all the rest. A real detroit talent!

What’ s the deal with the book “His name is Arthur, but the kids call him Art”?

I had found my grandmothers type-writer and couldn’t put it down, and finished that in one sitting during the last election. There was a lot I should have edited but I kept the mistakes and made it real. Looking to do another very soon!

What else can we expect from you in the future?

My plans are to get superior belly off the ground. We are working on books, furniture, fashion, graphic, film, music and performance art and I love it all!