Aesop Rock

Aesop Rock is a unique figure in the hip-hop world, and I don’t use that word lightly. From his abstract lyrics to his nasally and scratchy voice, combined with his quirky production, it’s safe to say there really isn’t a comparable individual. His latest effort will throw fans off even more; a 45-minute workout album entitled Nike Original Run made possible by mega-corporations Nike and Apple. Yeah. Never thought I’d hear those names together either, but I can’t knock it. And hey, it actually got me to go for a run just to see what was really up, come to find out Aseop himself hasn’t tested his own product. Regardless, the iTunes-only release is an enjoyable listen and the conversation that follows was equally that; easy, natural and kinda funny now that I think about it. Be sure to check Nike Original Run and keep an ear out for Ase Rock’s fifth solo album None Shall Pass dropping later this summer, yaheard



I want to talk about the Nike Original Run album you just did. It’s a different look than what you normally do.

Yeah that was a side project that I got offered from them. They hit me up and said they were gonna do one a month this year with different artists. LCD Soundsystem did one, and Crystal Method, but they wanted to get a hip-hop one. They explained what it was and it was completely different than anything I’ve ever tried to do. I thought it was interesting so I was like, yeah, I’ll give it shot, because I’m all about going for a weird opportunity if it comes my way.



What was the hardest part for you?

Probably the deadline [laughs]. They gave me like 40 days to do the entire thing. Aside from that I use a lot of samples, and they didn’t want it to be sample heavy. I play keys too, and been playing bass for years so I approached it trying to write all the riffs and getting some live instruments more than anything. Also, just keeping 45 minutes not boring, and trying to maintain a tempo without letting it get boring. Realizing that I had to serve a function beyond just putting out music, like this was supposed to be good for an athlete to train to. It was kinda like solving a puzzle.



I don’t know you personally or anything, but judging from your music you don’t strike me as a health nut. Is it at all ironic for you to be doing a workout tape?

[Laughs] Yeah, I guess so. I don’t run very often. I grew up skateboarding and that’s about as far as I go athletically. My wife runs several miles a day, so she was my lab rat for the whole thing. I would give her five to 10 minutes of music and have her tell me if it worked or not. Some other people I know would test it out too, what things I needed to change and all that.





Where does this album stand alongside your other albums?

I don’t know. I wouldn’t say it’s my first instrumental album either because it’s not what I would do if I made an instrumental album. It’s just this odd side project. Sometimes I’ll get asked to do stuff, like I got asked to do stuff for this short film, its like these side things keep you going. When you’re doing indie music and you get to do anything you want all the time, it’s like sticking your foot in the corporate world for a second and then pulling it out is interesting to me. I’ve been doing all this music from a bedroom in my house and it’s just funny to do these side projects and have people appreciate it on this weird level, like Apple and Nike, it’s kinda funny. Also, when they stepped to me, my other record which I had been working on for like a year and a half was due like two weeks later so it was the worst timing possible. I thought if I didn’t do this I would regret it ‘cause it’s a cool opportunity.



What’s up with the new album, I haven’t heard anything about it?

It’s called None Shall Pass, it should be out this year, probably late summer or early fall. It’s got like seven Blockhead beats, I did four, El-P did one, Rob Sonic has one, Wiz did all the cuts. I got Cage, Breezly Brewin and El-P on there. It’s a lot of story songs this time, I veered away from all the shit talking and tried to make it real visual. Most of the stories relate to a setting or place opposed to talking at somebody. I don’t know, I like it. It’s definitely some of the best stuff I’ve done. Granted it’s my newest stuff so I’m gonna say that regardless but it’s real cohesive.



New York has always been a big part of your music, has moving to San Francisco changed anything?

I mean it’s pretty ingrained in me. I’ve lived all over New York, and I just moved to San Francisco a year go. It’s not like I moved and my whole sound changed to this Cali thing or whatever, but it’s interesting to go back and see New York from an outside perception. I didn’t know anyone but my girl when I moved to San Francisco, but I made a couple friends, set up my studio and started working. It’s real secluded, and I don’t mind that at all. The album is still very New York because that is where I learned to do my music, but if any aspect of moving affected the music it was just being real secluded and being away from anyone I really know.



So the question is, do you ride the Yellow Bus?



I don’t know if I can officially since I’m not a born and raised Bay Area cat, but it’s so weird turning on the radio..they don’t play any of it out in New York. It’s like, who is Keak Da Sneak? But I like it. It’s sick ‘cause these dudes got weird rhyme styles, like they’re not afraid of being all bugged out. A lot of New York mainstream is the same shit over and over, but these other cats are dope, Turf Talk, Keak, all that.    

Bookmark:

Comments down for maintenance.