Trio Better Taste Bureau, comprised of rappers Hurris and Gig with producer Mason Brewer, is a Salt Lake City based rap group established in the summer of 2013. In their short existence, they’ve won City Weekly’s Rap Group of the Year and U92’s Homegrown Hip Hop Championship propelled by their energetic and high powered performances. Their debut album will be released in May 2014 and will be performing at the Twilight Concert Series this summer.
OK-Tho:
What got you guys into Hip Hop?
Better Taste Bureau:
The lyricism of Lupe Fiasco, Q-Tip, and the production of Timbaland. The feeling of listening to hip-hop is one that can't be duplicated.
OK-Tho:
Your from Salt Lake City Utah, which isn't really known for its Hip Hop artists. The only other Utah rapper I can think is Concise Kilgore. What was your local Hip Hop scene like? Were there a lot of artists trying to make it?
Better Taste Bureau:
First off, that's impressive and very cool you know of Concise. We definitely have a lot of "local" rappers like other scenes. It's a decently sized scene, but it's spread out as far as talent level. There are plenty trying to make it, but none who make good money or anything like that.
OK-Tho:
Dope, and thanks for the compliment. How did you all link up together?
Better Taste Bureau:
We actually all went to junior high and high school together. Hurris and Mason started making music in high school. Gig joined when we graduated high school. We all just wanted to make music and we made it happen.
OK-Tho:
At what point did ya'll decide to take it serious and really try to make a career out of your music?
Better Taste Bureau:
We really started going harder at it since around the time we graduated high school. We all knew our style of music was something we could do and that people were responding to it. Since our album release the success has been consistent in our scene.
OK-Tho:
Was it hard to make a name for yourselves both from your home state and from fans of the world being a group from Utah?
Better Taste Bureau:
Yes, it still is. It's a fight for legitimacy because we're not from a classic hip-hop city. We're not even a classic hip-hop story and style, so people have never been exposed to it before.
OK-Tho:
Mason, are Hurris and Gig the only artists that you have produced for or have you worked with others?
Mason:
I work with a lot of singer-songwriters locally as well. I like working with female vocalists and there's a lot of talent around SLC. It gives me a chance to explore other production styles which keeps me fresh.
OK-Tho:
What would you guys say were the most significant pieces of works of your music that really got you the best notoriety?
Better Taste Bureau:
"Out West", "Outliers", and "Rise" have had the best response from the new album. Our notoriety has really come from our energetic live show and fans.
OK:
Give me 5 of your top favorite albums of all time?
BTB:
Hurris - Graduation (Kanye West), The Cool (Lupe Fiasco), Finding Forever (Common), Man on the Moon (Kid Cudi), Future Sex/Love Sounds (Justin Timberlake)
Gig - Mississippi the Album (David Banner), GKMC (Kendrick Lamar), The Louis Vuitton Collection (King Los), A Rush of Blood to the Head (Coldplay), Hard to Kill (Gucci Mane)
Mason - Absolution (Muse), OK Computer (Radiohead), The Cool (Lupe Fiasco), Eyelid Movies (Phantogram), GKMC (Kendrick Lamar).
OK:
You dropped your third project "OUTLIERS" a couple months ago. What was the process like making that album?
BTB:
The artistic process was very collaborative and honest. Mason would make a beat, Hurris and Gig would take a direction with the song emotionally. We would critique and then critique some more. Mason would then customize the beat to the vocals to compliment the flows.
The day to day of making the album consisted of Hurris and Gig working full time jobs then heading to Mason's after to work on music. We would work until late at night, go to bed, and do it all over again. We spent everyday making sure the album was the best we could make it.
OK:
Do you find making new music easier working together as opposed to individually?
BTB:
They both have their place in the creative process. The writing process and beat making is done individually (for the most part) and then we come together to finish the track.
OK:
Is there ever clashing of heads when in the studio and trying to create new music?
BTB:
We don't clash heads necessarily, but we definitely disagree on lyrics and production sometimes. It's a natural occurrence when there are three different opinions. We all respect and trust each others opinions so we compromise pretty well.
OK:
So you guys toured and shared the stage with artists such as A$AP Rocky, Schoolboy Q and Ab-Soul. What was that experience like?
BTB:
It was dope to share the stage at each of those shows. It was really helpful for our own show to see their live energy, what worked on stage, and more importantly what didn't. It was also really important to see how they interact with their fans in real life.
OK:
If Utah wasn't your hometown, what state would be the best fit for yourselves and music?
BTB:
That's a hard question. Our sound would be best for either Southern California or Atlanta.
OK:
I've noticed you haven't worked with a lot of bigger name acts. Are you looking to get features from heavy hitters in the future or do you prefer being low key with that?
BTB:
We're always open to opportunities but we would be selective for sure. They would have to fit with our sound.
OK:
What would y'all say is the best outlet to creating a name for yourself between videos, touring, blogs etc?
BTB:
All of the above of course, but videos and touring draw and maintain the biggest crowds.
OK:
Do you think that in the future you will branch off for a few to do some solo work?
BTB:
That's definitely a possibility. Individually we have different vibes so it wouldn't be an issue if we did. We have a group sound when we all come together which stays pretty consistent so doing things individually is actually helpful to get some other ideas out we might not use for BTB projects.
OK:
What up and coming artists do you guys like and favor?
BTB:
It depends on what your definition of up and coming is, but we like Chance the Rapper, Isaiah Rashad, Vic Mensa, Lil Durk, and Sol to name a few.
OK:
What are your intentions career wise, are you looking to get signed to a label?
BTB:
To be able to support ourselves by making music so we can continue to make good music that we love. We wouldn't rule it out, but we're not actively looking for that.
OK:
Nas or Jay-Z?
BTB:
Jay-Z
OK:
Tell us what we can expect from y'all in the future, whats next for you?
BTB:
More touring to promote our album "Outliers" and some more music videos this year. We're always making new music as well!
Better Taste Bureau Links:
Comments
Post a Comment