In the last few years, music fans have watched as some of the biggest unsigned acts emerged out of New Jersey! The hot new wave of rappers, singers and producers all call the Garden State home and Samad Savage is one of these emcees. Named one of the most promising independent rappers under 25, Savage is surely becoming a household name. He’s been a featured performer at All In One Entertainment’s Faces In the Crowd Showcase at Sounds of Brazil in New York City, torn down the stage at Lincoln Park’s world famous Lincoln Park Music Festival and even got the stamp of approval from a little store called Urban Outfitters! I had the opportunity to talk with Montclair native about his new EP Some Odd World (which is a clever play on his name), the ongoing debate of old school rap versus new wave rap and much more check out the full interview below.
In your interview Speak Your Mind radio you mentioned that although you are a fan of “old school” hip-hop but you’d prefer to leave it in the past. On the album you have plays on different sort of old school vibes by sampling “Feeling It” by Jay Z, “Stronger” by Kanye West and “Many Men” by 50 Cent. In a sense you can refurbish the old and make it new. What’s your creative process when making music?
I love to give people what South Park calls “(Re)Member Berries”. The concept is to feed people very quotable or just momentous moments in life. I just do it through music by using older rhythms to keep people interested and comfortable while being innovative in my own way. I usually have a song idea before I even touch or create a beat.
Your breakout single “The Clair” which appears on the album talks about the since of community in throughout the township of Montclair in spite of the clear financial divide. Can you talk more about the dynamic of the city?
Montclair is very geographically divided when it comes to race and class. Even elementary to middle school is divided. I just realized this year that my elementary school only had one POC in the staff. Yet, my classmates were always racially diverse. I also feel that Montclair’s school system is set up to keep POC in remedial classes. Even I, as smart as I seem, was almost stuck in those classes because they convince parents that you just aren’t good enough. Thank god I believed in myself. Anyhow, before I get more off track. The youth of all races still stick together no matter how unequal the treatment is. We are the new generation that will shun all racism.
On “Black Female Role Model” you spoke about the ideal Black woman and the type of person Black woman should aspire to be. Some may take this song as a double standard because the focus is solely on women. First, what lead you to write the song and do you hold Black men to the same standards?
I knew the song would spark up some controversy because my depiction of a black female role model is pretty specific. I just need everyone to understand that it’s what I personally prefer my future daughter to end up like or look up to. As far as a black male role model. J-Cole did that song. Black men usually don’t have role models other than us artists. I’m the Black male role model. No need to write a song because I live it and literally live to inspire.
Since the beginning of your career you’ve been quite successful without the co-sign of any major artist. It was a huge surprise to me when I seen that there were features on the album. What made you want to bring others into such an intimate project?
A lot of the artists on the project I personally know and are from New Jersey. The other producers that I worked with on this album are not even from America though. I enjoy reaching out to around the world to get new sounds.
The DIY culture has in a way helped push the industry but now we are seeing the negative impact of the diy culture. Internet rappers-in-training are stealing beats and slapping vocal on it and calling themselves rappers. As an artist that does create beats, produce and perform how do you raise above that stigma of becoming considered an Internet rapper?
I don’t even look at that as a negative term. It’s like when someone calls an underground rapper pop and they get offended. I just don’t get it. You should want to be on whatever is popping at the time. No I’m not in this for the fame, but if being an Internet rapper means that I’m on the Internet and people are talking about me, then I don’t care about how negative the name could be.
You’ve gained the attention of a lot of people on the Internet mainly through your YouTube videos. Why continue on the independent route when I’m sure labels are probably knocking at your door?
Labels are going to have to offer a pretty penny to keep me locked in. Unless it’s like a short-term deal or a distribution deal. I have no issues with labels though. All that I ask is that you let the artist that are assigned to your labels make the music that they want to make so the fans will never have to worry about their styles being what it down.
What’s next for Samad Savage?
Most people don’t know this because it’s not in the title, but this album was only an EP. I’ll be working on an album now and you can bet that this one will rock the world in a different way. In the meantime keep on listening to Some Odd World.
Keep up with Samad Savage on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! Some Odd World is available for purchase on all major e-music stores including iTunes. As a special treat for Envert Entertainment readers, we have your opportunity to stream the full EP here!
What's Your Reaction?
Awesome! As a Montclair parent who was very active in the schools, I am glad that the youth are holding this town to its moniker: The most diverse city in the world. Thank you Samad for getting it, and pushing past it.
It is truly refreshing to see!