Mindzai Studios, Atlanta, GA
Thursday, March 26, 2009
5: 28pm
Adrian (A): What’s your name and where are you from?
Mums FP (MFP): My name is Mums FP. A lot of people call me Mums. Originally from Boston, MA….Live in Pittsburgh, PA for a while….but I call Atlanta home, really cuz, not only have I been here for a minute, but the city has really embraced me, taken me in as one of their own, and I love it here. That really has been one of the main reasons that my career has taken off, cuz Atlanta is so poppin’ right now.
A: How long have you been rapping, period, and also in the ATL indie scene?
MFP: Overall, it’s probably going on about, 8 years now, 7, 8 years. So, yeah, I have been doing it since about 9th grade, 9th grade in high school. Been on the scene here, not long, man, a year, a year and some change maybe, but I’m getting it in, trying to at least.
A: Has the scene changed since you have been a part of it, has it evolved at all?
MFP: Yeah, it’s definitely gotten some more shine, cuz Atlanta is already known for, you know what I’m saying, the mainstream, Soulja Boy’s, the Outkasts, the Ludacris’, the T.I.’s, all them…so Atlanta has already got the spotlight on them, so it was just a matter of time before the, eccentric, or the hipster, whatever kind of crowd you want to call it was brought to the forefront, so…It’s definitely made some strides in the past year, year and a half.
A: In your opinion, who are the hottest artists in the Atlanta Underground scene?
MFP: Besides myself? (Laughs) Hollyweerd, definitely, one of the big names that come to mind, a dude named Yelawolf, is pretty dope, a chick named Janelle Monae, not really underground, she is pretty well known, but, she got her start here in Atlanta, underground. A dude named Scar, is pretty dope. I’m trying to think…who else gets it in. I’m probably forgetting mad people…don’t show this to anybody (Laughs)
A: (laughs) Nobody is Rhode Island is going to know who you are talking about.
MFP: (Laughs) Ah. Supreeme, that’s another big group, down here. Yeah that’ll probably be it, as far as Atlanta underground.
A: Personally, would you rather stay underground or are you striving to get signed by a major label?
MFP: Yeah, I definitely want to get a major backing. Whether that’s just through distribution, or, being signed on as a full-on artist. That definitely is a goal of mine, but, I’m trying to do as musch as possible while I’m here. I feel like if I can get a big enough following here in Atlanta, you know what I’m saying, just constantly pack out shows…just have my name amongst the people of Atlanta to mess with, I feel like that would definitely happen here.
A: What kind of other things do you do? Do you go to school? Do you have a job?
MFP: I’m not currently enrolled this semester, I will be if things don’t happen the way I think they are this summer, then I may re-enroll in school next semester………..
Nice work Adrian! You seemed to do a good job of making your interviewee feel comfortable with you. The most striking part of this excerpt is that Mums FP is no longer enrolled in college. It really brings into focus the fact that great sacrifices have to be made to make it to the top for many of these independent acts (regardless of genre). I'm sure it would be hard for Mums FP to explode in popularity and get major backing with rapping as just a hobby. It seems it has to be a profession before you can hit the mainstream.
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
Adrian, it was definitely exciting to read your interview and see what Mums FP had to say about underground in Atlanta. That's awesome he's trying to make a name for himself, he seems really professional and into what he's doing. You seemed to gather some important information regarding what the scene is like there now and how it has evolved and also what underground artists are the most popular. Good luck with the rest of your research, hopefully I can hear some of Mums FP's music on your blog at some point :)
ReplyDeleteAdrian, that's a real cool interview, especially the fact that it was with Mums. The most interesting thing I found was the part about signing with a major record label. It seems like artists are sometimes more well respected when they are underground rather when they are with a big record company, yet if asked an artists is always looking to sign with a record company. Good luck with the rest of your project.
ReplyDelete