Graham:
What is the significance of the name Blaque Keyz? Have you ever give by anything else
Blaque Keyz:
“The name Blaque Keyz has a very special meaning to me. It represents my growth as a person and definitely as an artist. I started out as a producer and I liked the name because when I was learning piano, the black keys on the piano just seemed to sound more interesting due to their minor tone. But as time went on, and I started rapping, I realized that I have to be the door for inspiration to flow through me, and be that motivator for people who may not have anyone to tell them that they can unlock an unlimited amount of potential within themselves.”
“The name Blaque Keyz has a very special meaning to me. It represents my growth as a person and definitely as an artist. I started out as a producer and I liked the name because when I was learning piano, the black keys on the piano just seemed to sound more interesting due to their minor tone. But as time went on, and I started rapping, I realized that I have to be the door for inspiration to flow through me, and be that motivator for people who may not have anyone to tell them that they can unlock an unlimited amount of potential within themselves.”
Graham:
Have you always wanted to be a rapper?
Have you always wanted to be a rapper?
Blaque Keyz:
“NO. When I came to college in 2008, I wanted to be a producer. It wasn’t until 2009 when I started taking rap seriously.”
“NO. When I came to college in 2008, I wanted to be a producer. It wasn’t until 2009 when I started taking rap seriously.”
Graham:
Being from New Jersey what was the rap scene like going up?
Being from New Jersey what was the rap scene like going up?
Blaque Keyz:
“Being that NJ is so close to NY, there was definitely a lot of crossover from the New York Sound. Mind you, our only urban radio stations were stationed in New York City. So I grew up listening to a lot of Jay, Nas, X, Biggie and so on.
“Being that NJ is so close to NY, there was definitely a lot of crossover from the New York Sound. Mind you, our only urban radio stations were stationed in New York City. So I grew up listening to a lot of Jay, Nas, X, Biggie and so on.
Graham:
Have you been shown much love from big rappers?
Have you been shown much love from big rappers?
Blaque Keyz:
“There have been rappers that have acknowledged my skill like Joe Budden and the whole Slaughterhouse, which happens to be one of my favorite rap groups of all time, so that was really humbling to get support from them.”
“There have been rappers that have acknowledged my skill like Joe Budden and the whole Slaughterhouse, which happens to be one of my favorite rap groups of all time, so that was really humbling to get support from them.”
Graham:
Describe you relationship with Jon Bellion and the rest of the team.
Describe you relationship with Jon Bellion and the rest of the team.
Blaque Keyz:
“Man, Jon is my brother along with the rest of the guys. A lot of people may think that we all came together recently because we’re just now doing shows and touring and such, but we’ve been riding along side each other for YEARS. Back when myself and Jon were in college, we would do shows with and even compete against the instrumentalists, which were known by the name of Beyond This Point. That band was headed by Travis. But we thought they were super dope and they thought the same of us, so after we all left school, it only made sense for us to come together and try to do it as one large unit.”
“Man, Jon is my brother along with the rest of the guys. A lot of people may think that we all came together recently because we’re just now doing shows and touring and such, but we’ve been riding along side each other for YEARS. Back when myself and Jon were in college, we would do shows with and even compete against the instrumentalists, which were known by the name of Beyond This Point. That band was headed by Travis. But we thought they were super dope and they thought the same of us, so after we all left school, it only made sense for us to come together and try to do it as one large unit.”
Graham:
If you saw yourself five years ago. Would you think that you would be here today ?
If you saw yourself five years ago. Would you think that you would be here today ?
Blaque Keyz:
“Hmmm….5 years ago, I was a Junior in college. I may have had hopes of being in this position, but I don’t think I would ever be in a place where I would have already been over seas and performed in 3 countries within the span of one year, and toured the country with my best friends.”
“Hmmm….5 years ago, I was a Junior in college. I may have had hopes of being in this position, but I don’t think I would ever be in a place where I would have already been over seas and performed in 3 countries within the span of one year, and toured the country with my best friends.”
Graham:
What was the first album you ever bought? And what artists have inspired you the most?
What was the first album you ever bought? And what artists have inspired you the most?
Blaque Keyz:
“The very first albums I ever bought were Memphis Bleek’s Coming of Age, and Ja Rules “Venni Vetti Vicci” for my 9th birthday. I think one of my earliest artistic inspirations was definitely Busta Rhymes. His “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See” was the first rap song that I absolutely fell in love with and memorized the lyrics to. I still go back and listen to some of his older stuff for inspiration with flow, delivery, and just being yourself on a record.”
“The very first albums I ever bought were Memphis Bleek’s Coming of Age, and Ja Rules “Venni Vetti Vicci” for my 9th birthday. I think one of my earliest artistic inspirations was definitely Busta Rhymes. His “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See” was the first rap song that I absolutely fell in love with and memorized the lyrics to. I still go back and listen to some of his older stuff for inspiration with flow, delivery, and just being yourself on a record.”
Graham:
How has your style evolved since you started rapping?
How has your style evolved since you started rapping?
Blaque Keyz:
Since Ive started rapping, my style has revolutionized. I started out as a punchline rapper, as many people do. I actually was trying to bite Lloyd Banks’ style because at the time he was the best punch line rapper in the game alongside Fabolous. But now I am in a place where I think I have created my own type of style with witty lyricism, unorthodox rhyme patterns and cool metaphors mixed in.”
Since Ive started rapping, my style has revolutionized. I started out as a punchline rapper, as many people do. I actually was trying to bite Lloyd Banks’ style because at the time he was the best punch line rapper in the game alongside Fabolous. But now I am in a place where I think I have created my own type of style with witty lyricism, unorthodox rhyme patterns and cool metaphors mixed in.”
Graham:
I know that you are big into freestyling. When you start writing a verse does it begin as a freestyle or do you write them very slowly line by line?
I know that you are big into freestyling. When you start writing a verse does it begin as a freestyle or do you write them very slowly line by line?
Blaque Keyz:
“I actually just got more into freestyling recently. I used to never freestyle because I was scared I would mess up or say something that didn’t make sense. I also didn’t think that I could think on the spot like that, ESPECIALLY in front of other people. Beautiful Mind has helped me with that and now all we do is freestyle when we hear an instrumental. We can go for hours. But when I am writing, the first few bars definitely come off the top of my head as a weird mumble of sorts. And after I nail that first line or two, I just try to ride off of the momentum of that and take it to a different place.”
“I actually just got more into freestyling recently. I used to never freestyle because I was scared I would mess up or say something that didn’t make sense. I also didn’t think that I could think on the spot like that, ESPECIALLY in front of other people. Beautiful Mind has helped me with that and now all we do is freestyle when we hear an instrumental. We can go for hours. But when I am writing, the first few bars definitely come off the top of my head as a weird mumble of sorts. And after I nail that first line or two, I just try to ride off of the momentum of that and take it to a different place.”
Graham:
What are you most proud of so far in your rap career?
What are you most proud of so far in your rap career?
Blaque Keyz:
“So far I think I am most proud of the progress I have made a lyricist in such a short amount of time. It seems to be a surprising thing when I tell people I started rapping in 2009. I am also extremely proud of the fact that I can actually perform and not be thing scared, sweaty palmed, dry mouthed punk, that I was when I first started performing in front of people.”
“So far I think I am most proud of the progress I have made a lyricist in such a short amount of time. It seems to be a surprising thing when I tell people I started rapping in 2009. I am also extremely proud of the fact that I can actually perform and not be thing scared, sweaty palmed, dry mouthed punk, that I was when I first started performing in front of people.”
Graham:
You have done amazing work in the rap genre as well as accompanying artists in songs with a pop feel. With the growing popularity of genre crossover artists what does this mean for the future of hip hop?
You have done amazing work in the rap genre as well as accompanying artists in songs with a pop feel. With the growing popularity of genre crossover artists what does this mean for the future of hip hop?
Blaque Keyz:
“I feel like hip hop has always been a medium that is really successful at crossing over. I love being able to do pop records, because it challenges me to a point that I have to stretch myself, and make my metaphors stick immediately to a group of listeners who may not be into hardcore lyricism so much. I hope that more rappers would take on the challenge of doing pop records. It definitely is a lot harder than it seems.”
“I feel like hip hop has always been a medium that is really successful at crossing over. I love being able to do pop records, because it challenges me to a point that I have to stretch myself, and make my metaphors stick immediately to a group of listeners who may not be into hardcore lyricism so much. I hope that more rappers would take on the challenge of doing pop records. It definitely is a lot harder than it seems.”
Graham:
What other artists would be a dream come true to work with?
What other artists would be a dream come true to work with?
Blaque Keyz:
“My dream artists to work with would probably be Lupe Fiasco, Royce Da 5’9, Em, Nas, and Stevie Wonder”
Graham:
What two other artists would you love to see do a collaboration?
What two other artists would you love to see do a collaboration?
Blaque Keyz:
“I would love to see Eminem and Lupe do a Lox-style back and forth bar-trading track. I think it would be one for the ages. Those two minds on the same song is every lyricists dream.”
“I would love to see Eminem and Lupe do a Lox-style back and forth bar-trading track. I think it would be one for the ages. Those two minds on the same song is every lyricists dream.”
Graham:
What are some of your guilty pleasure songs?
What are some of your guilty pleasure songs?
Blaque Keyz:
“Oh boy, I have a ton of guilty pleasure songs. Firstly, I love anything that Sara Barielles does. I love her songwriting style and her voice. But you definitely wouldn’t catch me bumpin that in the hood anywhere. Headphones ONLY. Another one of my guilty pleasures is probably anything that Corinne Bailey Rae releases. As a rapper, Im not allowed to like soft shit like that, but I love it.”
“Oh boy, I have a ton of guilty pleasure songs. Firstly, I love anything that Sara Barielles does. I love her songwriting style and her voice. But you definitely wouldn’t catch me bumpin that in the hood anywhere. Headphones ONLY. Another one of my guilty pleasures is probably anything that Corinne Bailey Rae releases. As a rapper, Im not allowed to like soft shit like that, but I love it.”
Graham:
What is the most important thing you have learned from being on tour?
What is the most important thing you have learned from being on tour?
Blaque Keyz:
“The most important thing I learned about tour is that you have to appreciate these fans. Some of these fans drove hundreds of miles to see you on stage, so you better give them every single dollars worth. I also learned that you have to remain level headed and humble. You cant like the attention go to your head because when you are not on that stage, no one knows who you are in everyday life.”
“The most important thing I learned about tour is that you have to appreciate these fans. Some of these fans drove hundreds of miles to see you on stage, so you better give them every single dollars worth. I also learned that you have to remain level headed and humble. You cant like the attention go to your head because when you are not on that stage, no one knows who you are in everyday life.”
Graham:
After such an incredible tour with Jon Bellion would you ever consider doing a tour on your own?
After such an incredible tour with Jon Bellion would you ever consider doing a tour on your own?
Blaque Keyz:
“I would most definitely love to do a tour of my own. And the funny thing about it is, when I do do a tour, all the same people will be on it. Beautiful Mind is a collective and we all will be supporting each other on future road trips.”
“I would most definitely love to do a tour of my own. And the funny thing about it is, when I do do a tour, all the same people will be on it. Beautiful Mind is a collective and we all will be supporting each other on future road trips.”
Graham:
What are your interests outside of music?”
What are your interests outside of music?”
Blaque Keyz:
“Outside of music I am interested in a very eclectic variety of things. From anime, to cutting hair, to comics, to watching mechanical robot fights, I dabble in a little bit of everything.”
“Outside of music I am interested in a very eclectic variety of things. From anime, to cutting hair, to comics, to watching mechanical robot fights, I dabble in a little bit of everything.”
Graham:
Who is the most underrated rapper on the music industry?
Who is the most underrated rapper on the music industry?
Blaque Keyz:
“The most underrated rapper in the music industry? That’s hard, I once would have said Kendrick Lamar but he’s definitely rose to the fame and recognition he deserves. Nowadays, I would have to say Big KRIT is pretty underrated.”
“The most underrated rapper in the music industry? That’s hard, I once would have said Kendrick Lamar but he’s definitely rose to the fame and recognition he deserves. Nowadays, I would have to say Big KRIT is pretty underrated.”
Graham:
Mylon has produced some incredible tracks. Can we expect much more work with Mylon?
Mylon has produced some incredible tracks. Can we expect much more work with Mylon?
Blaque Keyz:
“Most definitely. He was the driving force behind The Master Key Principles and as long as were in this faction together, we will continue to make music together.”
“Most definitely. He was the driving force behind The Master Key Principles and as long as were in this faction together, we will continue to make music together.”
Graham:
What is the most played song on your computer?
What is the most played song on your computer?
Blaque Keyz:
“The Most Played Song on my computer is Super Rich Kids by Frank Ocean. I have no idea why, although that is a pretty dope song.”
“The Most Played Song on my computer is Super Rich Kids by Frank Ocean. I have no idea why, although that is a pretty dope song.”
Graham:
What is your favorite meal?
What is your favorite meal?
Blaque Keyz:
“My favorite meal is my Nanas Lasagna,with a dish of Peach Cobbler as dessert.”
“My favorite meal is my Nanas Lasagna,with a dish of Peach Cobbler as dessert.”
Graham:
Your track 2015 and beyond is a personal favorite of mine. What can we expect from Blaque Keyz in 2015?
Your track 2015 and beyond is a personal favorite of mine. What can we expect from Blaque Keyz in 2015?
Blaque Keyz:
“MORE MUSIC and world domination by the hands of Beautiful Mind!”
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