Tela Q & A Session

Tela is a one of my favorite rappers to come out of the South. He was on the Suave House label, which was one of the more popular labels back in the 90s. The label was also home to 8ball & MJG, Mr. Mike and Thorough BKA South Circle, and Crime Boss.

The first time I heard Tela was on the song All in My Mind from 8ball & MJG's album On Top of the World. Soon after, he would release his debut album on the label titled Piece of Mind. That album was a great debut which contained the hit song Sho Nuff featuring 8ball & MJG.

Tela would not release another album on the label, but he did turn up on another powerhouse label from the South. In 1998, he would release his debut album for the Rap-A-Lot label. This was another great album that had hits such as B.I.G.P.I.M.P.S.I.S.I. with Too Short, Why U, Still a Man, and Table Dance. One of my favorite skits of all time is Red Neck Pimp which can be found on this album. 

He would go on to put out two more great albums on Rap-A-Lot: The World Aint Enuff in 2000 and Double Dose in 2002.

With the help of Tasha Roberts @TRobertsRedOak I was able to get in touch with Tela. Below is a short Q & A with Tela. This was conducted 11/2013.

DPG = ME

TJ = Tela James

Enjoy!

DPG: Some of my favorite songs that you've recorded are Strange, Sho Nuff, Table Dance, The World Ain’t Enough, and Incredible. You’re also on one of the best tracks that I can remember. That track would be F**k Faces with Scarface, Devin, and Too Short.

TJ: Thanks man, appreciate  the luv.  One of my favorite Classics as well.  Great love and respect for Scarface.  He made Houston.  

DPG: As a fan, I've always wanted to find out if you ever put out an album titled Made in the USA? Did this project get scrapped or was it never even a reality?

TJ: This project did exist, but was never finished.  It never went to retail.

DPG: You did put out a digital album called Gator & Suits in 2010. Did you have any promotion for the album? I only found out about it last year. 

TJ: Yes it was digital only, and is available on iTunes.

DPG: Which song do you consider to be your favorite? How about a favorite collaboration?

TJ: Right now, “Been Ballin” of course, since it’s my newest release. And because it’s a glimpse of the evolutionary and revolutionary TELA.  I’m New School and Old School. I won’t and can’t be boxed in.  I can write or rap to any music.  Music is my life. I live and breathe it, it never stops for me. I need it like air.  After "Been Ballin" I’d say I've got some new drops that I want to get fan reaction to, but of course I’d have to say “Sho Nuff."

DPG: Who are some artists that you'd like to collaborate with as you move forward with your new music?

TJ: I live music, I'd collaborate with 8ball & MJG again of course, Bun B, Scarface, New Bloods, LL Cool J, T.I., Lil' Wayne, Usher, and Pharrell.  The talent pool is unlimited and when you really do this, you do this. 

DPG: In my opinion, your albums got better with each release. Do you feel that you grew as an artist with each album that you put out?

TJ: As an artist, I try to get better. You know, it's difficult keeping the balance pleasing the fans and growing and evolving as an artist.

DPG: You were able to get UGK on the Sho Nuff remix. Why did you choose them?

TJ: I made my first rap money in Houston so it had a special place as my second home.  I met Pimp C at one of Floyd’s Mayweather’s after-parties in Vegas at the Luxor.  We were cool instantly.   I wanted to do a project with him but we didn't get to it before he passed. When he got locked up we still stayed in touch. Even with what he was going through, he helped me through some times with some personal things through conversations that were needed as friend. He understood and gave words of wisdom. He spoke to me from a real place. The best times when we were just kicking it, I miss him.

TJ: I’ve had the good fortune to work with some major talents.  Cats who've made it in the game and sustained longevity.  Some here, some gone, just lucky we all had the chance to get together and make good music.  Music the fans wanted to hear and see performed, there’s nothing like it.

DPG: I think you’re a really talented artist and I always hoped that you’d put out some more music. You’ve recently been promoting yourself more on social media. Are you looking to make an impact back in the music industry?

TJ: Yes, it's not a comeback because I never stopped making music, it's a return to the game.  I took a break to handle family, life, and study the industry more in depth.  Learned a lot.  I mean everybody knows the game has evolved tremendously.  It’s instantaneous, you know. It’s really different than when I started, with the internet and all, but I know I have to keep up.  It’s also a different format, but I appreciate and embrace change.

TJ: So, I Tweet every now and then.  I’m on Twitter & Instagram the most, and YouTube.  My team makes sure we stay current on all of the social media channels.  Shout out to Red Oak Entertainment and TeamTELA.  My Managers Courtney Scott and Trent Merideth, My Marketing, PR, and Cyber Diva Tasha Roberts.

TJ: You still need a combination of both to keep your fans.  I can send my music out all over the internet, via email, etc. but seeing me perform it live, feeling where I’m coming from, my message, and my flow can’t compare.  Buy it (the music), love it, come see me take you there with me.  The story, the journey, the delivery is what makes it memorable for us both.

DPG: Do you have anything you’d like to promote or say?

TJ: Support our new single, "Been Ballin'" it's the new and evolutionary TELA, and cop Graceland when it drops. S/O to my team @RedOakEnt for making sure we give our Fans the new and old versions of what they've asked for.  We listen, and still #Salute and give the Classics, but I also know how to stay relevant and fresh.  Independents, never give up or let anybody destroy your dreams.

Follow Tela on Twitter @TelaOfficial 

Check out his website telajames for updates.

He can also be found on Facebook @TelaJames5

Look for Tela on Instagram, YouTube, Reverbnation, Soundcloud, and Google+

Please leave comments on my blog or on Twitter @dpgmarine
Check out my other blog posts and subscribe if you'd like.

More Q & A sessions to come!
Thanks for reading!

dpgmarine

Locksmith Q & A Session

This is the first in what I hope to to be many Q & A sessions with artists that I listen to.

I have to start off by giving a big shot out to Locksmith for being the first to speak with me. Not only was he humble enough to respond, he actually sent it back to me the same day. How cool was that?

Locksmith is someone that I first heard on some mixtape songs. I believe one was titled Love Me by Bay Area rapper Balance & Locksmith & Left BKA Frontline.

Since then, I have searched out his music and have been nothing short of impressed every time he puts something out.

Below is my Q & A session with Locksmith. This was conducted 11/2013.

DPG = Me
LS = Locksmith

Enjoy!

DPG: Who were you some your favorite rappers growing up?

LS: I always loved hiphop. I was into early stuff like KRS-1, NWA and Tupac. 

DPG: I believe the first time I heard you, was on the song Your Gonna Love Me with Left and Balance. Already back then I could tell that you were a talented artist.

DPG: When did you first discover that you had the ability to make music?

LS: It wasn't until I heard Nas' Illmatic that I actually wanted to rap. Not rap professionally, but I wanted to know how to write like he did. I was amazed by his skill. I started  trying to mimic his verses and style and eventually started finding my own voice. 

DPG: I’d like to ask you some questions about how you create your music.

DPG: How do you come up with a title for a song?

LS: Titles usually comes later in the writing process. Often after the first verse or sometimes after the song is finished. Although I have started with the title before. I'm not locked into one particular way.

DPG: Next, how do you decide on the length of a song? This is always interesting to me because sometimes I really enjoy a song, but I feel that it’s too short.

LS: Song length just depends on if I feel that I've said all I need to say about that particular subject. I only have one verse for a subject then the song may just be one verse. If need three verse to convey my message than I use three. Just depends on the song and subject. For example on this new album more songs have three verses because I feel like the subject matter is so dense it requires more details to complete the story. But I try not to be so long winded. 

DPG: Recently, you’ve had Fallon, Allen Ritter, and Jarell Perry sing on your songs.

DPG: How do you decide who sings on a hook on a given song?

LS: If I use someone to sing a chorus on a song it's usually because I can hear their voice on the track. And I feel like they will take the songs to a level I may not be able to. 

DPG: The next thing is album length. Usually, a cd can hold up to 80 minutes of music.

DPG: Does that factor into any of your processing in terms of song length or the amount of music you put out? Or do you just stop when you think it’s ready whether it has 8 songs or 18 songs?

LS: I never worry about time or length of an album. I just focus on completing a thought or theme I have chosen for that project.

DPG: I’m going to tell you that one of the big reasons that I enjoy your music is because you share a lot about your personal life. This allows me as a fan to really connect with you and it almost feels like I know you personally. Also, you can really hear the passion in your delivery whenever you grab the mic. You’re not just going through the motions.

DPG: Is that something you try to accomplish with your music? Do you try to put yourself out there so your fans can really get to know you?

LS: Once I started making solo music or full songs by myself, I just realized that speaking from the heart was the only way I could truly make music that represented me. It's the only way I can make music now. I have to speak from my own life or the perspective of those close to me. It makes the creative process more fluent and easier on me. 

DPG: I had the opportunity to see your show in LA this past week and let me tell you that it was a great experience to meet you in person.  When we spoke, you told me something that really blew my mind.

DPG: Correct me if I’m wrong, but you said that you don’t write down your rhymes. I believe you said that you haven’t done such since around 2000. If your music was below average I wouldn't have a hard time believing it. However, your musical content and delivery is upper echelon in my opinion.

DPG: Is that true?

LS: Yes it is true. It's not something that I set out to do. I started writing rhymes on paper. But I hated my handwriting and I felt embarrassed when other people saw my rhyme book. One day I forgot my notepad and I just remembered my verse. I loved how liberating it felt to record with out reading it from something. So i just didn't bring it and eventually stopped writing them down altogether. Over time I just developed a method where I could write full songs in my head and record them on the spot. 

DPG: Once you’ve selected a beat, what do you think the average length of time is for you to craft a song and be ready to record?

LS: Creating songs vary. Sometimes I write and record them on the spot. Sometimes it takes weeks. There's no set time frame. Sometimes I have verses in my head for days, weeks, months even years. I just keep them Locked away. I kinda store thoughts and emotions and sooner or later they come out as songs.

DPG: I’m a huge fan of Tech N9ne and have been since I first heard him back in 1997. He’s come such a long way and has built a tremendous roster over there on Strange Music. I’d really like to see you connect with any of those guys over there.

DPG: Are you open to collaborating with Strange at some point?

LS: I love Tech and their whole camp. It would be an honor to work with them. Absolutely.

DPG: On that subject, is there an artist or producer out there that you’re hoping to work with in the future?

LS: I'd love to work with Pharrell, Timberland, DJ Premier and Dr Dre.

DPG: You told me that you’ve almost completed another album that you’ve been working on. Do you have a title and release data in mind?

LS: I do have a title but I can't give the name out just yet. No release date but it should be very soon. 

Update: Locksmith has since revealed that the title of his next album is A Thousand Cuts!

DPG: Locksmith, I just want to say thank you for your time and for being a real humble person. I hope you have continued success in the music industry. 

LS: The pleasure is mine. Great meeting you bro. Thank u so much for all the luv fam. Peace!

Follow Locksmith on Twitter @locksmith
Check out his webpage IAMLOCK for updates/merchandise.
Check out his dope Team Backpack cypher. Voted best verse of 2013!
Check out some of his more recent music which includes, but it not limited to:
The Green Box & Labyrinth!
Be on the lookout for his new album titled A Thousand Cuts!

Please leave comments on my blog or on Twitter @dpgmarine
Check out my other blog posts and subscribe if you'd like.

More Q & A sessions to come!
Thanks for reading!

dpgmarine