Brooklyn/Queens representative Spit Gemz is Hip-Hop in its purest, most uncut form. A genuine raw talent, he is a loyal believer in the credo "lyrics are everything". A self proclaimed opposer of anything "watered down or sugar coated", he prides himself on his intricate wordplay/flow and the relevant substance of his music.
He currently resides in his birthplace, East New York, Brooklyn and is a multi talented writer, director, audio engineer, film and video editor, photographer, and most importantly a true mcee. With two projects, "Fvck The Radio" and "End The TV", and another on the way collabing with producer Stu Bangas, Spit proves he is an artist on the rise.
OK-Tho:
Where did you come up with Spit Gemz?
Spit Gemz:
I was arrested for a slashing in 2009. While i was on Rikers Island i got into a situation where i had to beat somebody up, unfortunately, and i was placed in the bing (solitary). It gave me plenty time to think about everything that was happening to me. Spit Gemz was born out of the need to turn a negative into a positive.
OK-Tho:
Growing up in NY you and other aspiring upcoming rappers had the greats like KRS, Rakim and Nas to get influenced from, do you feel nowadays NY is lacking on emcee's who rep hip hop correctly and teach the youth about the culture?
Spit Gemz:
Not at all. I'm here.
OK-Tho:
I know you're really big on the craft and lyricism, do you feel todays rappers have more of a standard style of vocabulary and that hip hop isn't as lyrical as it was?
Spit Gemz:
I do. I've always had an affinity for words and expressing myself through writing, even way before i was writing rhymes. A lot of rappers are just lazy and are afraid to challenge themselves. They're just trying to fit in. I'm trying to break out.
OK-Tho:
Name a few albums that really got you into the career of becoming an emcee?
Spit Gemz:
BDP - CRIMINAL MINDED is certainly a highly influential one. THE RZA - BOBBY DIGITAL is another. But the truth is, the inspiration to MC really came from a plethora of scattered verses and bars, styles you know. For example, there are verses from MC's who i'm sure you've never heard of, that have influenced me greatly. MC's that never put an album out even, but they were incredible to me. I'm influenced by talent, doesn't have to even be visible to anyone else.
OK-Tho:
Word. So what's your take on the genre of "underground hip hop"? Back in the day you could separate the rappers who were commercial and who were underground. Is it still an actual realm nowadays in music like it was back in the late 90's early 2000's or is it no more?
Spit Gemz:
People get this fvcked up all the time, saying retarded shit like, "my style is underground yo, that REAL shit"....Shut the fvck up idiot....Underground just means that your music hasn't reached a certain amount of outlets and ears, it's not a "style" of music or spitting, because the second that the major radio stations start spinning your record in rotation, now what? Is your music all of a sudden commercial? It's completely ridiculous.
OK-Tho:
Well explained. Now your project "Fvck The Radio" was dope hands down. I couldn't tell you the last time I listened to an FM station, obviously the radio now is just bullshit and garbage music. Is there any college radio or internet stations that you can cosign?
Spit Gemz:
Way too many to name off the top, big shout out to WNYU though for holding down the city and WUSB out on Long Island. People confuse the "FVCK THE RADIO" thing too, the radio is a magnificent and incredible invention. I mean it's not the radio itself, it's the program directors and the agendas that they are handed from the corporations. When i came up with the title "FVCK THE RADIO", it was meant as a reaction to people telling me "you gotta make something for the radio", not as an assault on the essence of radio itself. I write my life and my innermost feelings down, those evolve into songs and that's what you get. Too many people are just trying to create what they think the radio might play, and that shit is fake as shit and also corny as hell.
OK-Tho:
So you direct your own videos as well. Was that something you were always interested in doing or something you picked up along the way of your hip hop career?
Spit Gemz:
It's something i picked up with the very first digital camera i owned, in 2007. Once i started there was no looking back.
OK-Tho:
Have you ever thought about directing a movie?
Spit Gemz:
No doubt. I actually wrote a novel and 2 screenplays before i ever put a mixtape out so film was always a part of the plan for me. Soon come. BROKEN HOME FILMS.
OK-Tho:
What is the status of your project with Stu Bangas?
Spit Gemz:
Right now i'd say it's at about 75%. I really wanted to take my time with this one for a number of reasons. Between Broken Home projects and "END THE TV" i had my plate full also, so now that much of that has cleared up I've been able to completely focus on the Stu project. I'm not the type of guy to just throw together and put out disposable music just to have something out like a lot of these attention whore femcees if you will. I put a lot into my writing, i mean a lot. And i'm EXTREMELY selective when it comes to choosing beats. I like my music full of substance, sometimes that can take much longer than expected, but it's certainly worth it for me in the end.
OK:
Your from Brooklyn, are you one of the fans who jumped ship from the Knicks to the Nets just cuz BK got a basketball team and is partly owned by Jay-Z?
Spit:
Nah, i'm not a Knicks or Nets fan, never was either. I have love for the sport, when i was a kid i actually use to say that i was going to play for the Bulls when i got older. Hoop dreams you know? But i'm happy for those who were employed due to the new stadium downtown. That's definitely a good thing. Gotta admit that it would be nice to see the bum ass Knicks bring a chip back to the city at least once in my lifetime.
OK:
Haha. What albums are you bumping?
Spit:
The last album i listened to in it's entirety was "Carry on Tradition" from Vinnie Paz. Before that i believe it was "Bully Shyt" from Tek Bully. I have a bunch of albums i need to catch up on as soon as i have the chance, i've just been entrenched in my own writings so much that i havn't really had the time. "Lovers Rock" from Sade is an album i listen to religiously though. Soothes the beast, indeed.
OK:
Action or Horror?
Spit:
Neither one really, because they tend to both have fvcking horribly cheesy concepts these days. I'm a science fiction guy at heart, i need a movie to capture my attention from the beginning to the end. It has to be innovative and pushing some sort of boundaries. Boundaries of the mind and thought are good ones to push. J.J. Abrams is phenomenal.
OK:
What's your favorite spot to eat in the city?
Spit:
Lisas Pizza by South street seaport has impeccable Penne and Vodka sauce. It's a jewel man, very small and very "in the cut" but it's just incredible. I've never had pizza from there so i can't vouch for that but i'll tell you what, here's another jewel for you - Rose & Joes Bakery on Ditmars in Astoria, Queens - that's where you wanna get the pizza from. Go all the way to the back, they'll take care of you with a delectable Sicilian pie. Pasta from the pizza place, pizza from the bakery, welcome to NYC. Enjoy.
OK:
What's your take on the new school of NY hip hop artists like Pro Era and Flatbush Zombies?
Spit:
Flatbush Zombies brings an incredible energy to the stage, really good on that aspect and Joey and them are spitters man, they get busy. Salute and nothing but support.
OK:
Your latest album "End The TV" was packed with big name features and producers. What was it like to make that project? Was the process to get all those features and tracks together very difficult?
Spit:
Honestly no, not at all really and i hope to not sound too cocky with this but, i've never had an issue with features because i only work with those who have my respect and whom respect me and my craft. Every feature i've ever had on any of my songs has come about organically and i'm proud of this. I've never payed for a feature in my life, not that there is anything wrong with that, i just pride myself on being able to work with those who i grew up listening to solely based on my talents and the respect i've commanded through hard work and dedication. Feels good. Not to say that if i had a budget, i wouldn't spread that out amongst the MCs who i feel deserve it, because i certainly would.
OK:
Are there any up coming artists that you are feeling nowadays?
Spit:
There are one or two out there but i really think it's too soon for me to tell just yet, aside from my own Broken Home camp. There is a young kid named Ant Man from Queens that my homey Kane put me on to, but like i said, it's still too early to really tell. My ears and eyes are peeled though, indeed.
OK:
What was the best movie of 2013 in your opinion?
Spit:
Believe it or not, i thought Pacific Rim was incredible, even though the acting was pure shit aside from Idris Elba. Guillermo del Torro is a brilliant mind all around though man. Another one that stood out was Elysium. Real dope concept and script. And Gravity, definitely. I was highly engaged while watching this movie, felt like i was there going through it. That actually may have been the best one for me this year.
OK:
Word. Pans Labyrinth would be my favorite of his.So it seems that you are about teaching vocabulary and lyricism to the youth, kinda like a modern day KRS. Have you ever him? If so what was that experience like?
Word. Pans Labyrinth would be my favorite of his.So it seems that you are about teaching vocabulary and lyricism to the youth, kinda like a modern day KRS. Have you ever him? If so what was that experience like?
Spit:
I've not been blessed with the opportunity to meet the Teacher yet. I'm looking forward to the event though, indeed.
OK:
Whats one of your favorite books to read?
Spit:
"As A Man Thinketh" by James Allen, hands down. I recommend this book to any and everyone who can find the time to read it. Truly impactful on my life from the second i started reading it.
OK:
What producers would you like to get the chance to work with?
Spit:
I would love to work with The RZA, without a doubt. Certainly Primo, as a rite of passage almost and i'm not exactly sure what Dame Grease is doing these days but i always thought he was hauntingly dope. ALC of course, as well. Harry Fraud is a complete monster with it too. Word.
OK:
Whats the future looking like for you, what can fans expect?
Spit:
The future is looking bright, indeed. I want my fans to expect what they know me for, that authentic and intricate lyricism, but also, expect the unexpected, because it's coming.
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