I first came across P.R.E.A.C.H. on Tech N9ne's Gates Mix Plate album. He was on the song Far Out that also featured Strange Music artist Stevie Stone and the newest member JL of B. Hood. I really enjoyed the flow of everyone on the track and set out to find more about P.R.E.A.C.H.
I reached out to the man from Romania and was rewarded with a very detailed response.
This was conducted 11/2015
DPG = ME
PR = P.R.E.A.C.H.
Enjoy!
DP: Where exactly are you from?
PR: I hail from Oradea, Romania
DP: When did you come over to American?
PR: I immigrated over in September of 1991. I was six years old.
DP: It must have been a very big decision for your family to make to migrate to the U.S. What do you think was the main driving force behind the move?
PR: The main driving force was opportunity, a chance at a better life, and my father's dream came true after 14 years his visa was approved!
DP: Where exactly did you guys first end up upon arriving in the U.S?
PR: We first ended up arriving in New York, JFK airport.
DP: Did you speak any English at all?
PR: I did not speak English at all upon arrival.
DP: Did you find it difficult to make friends because of the language barrier?
PR: The language barrier was definitely tough, but as a child you tend to pick up on the language a lot faster. My neighborhood friends used to throw rocks at my window as a way for them to say..."Hey come out and play with us" LOL. It was their way of communicating at first. Playing hide and go seek and running around outside is how my English started to develop. I credit my childhood interaction with other kids as my stepping stone to the English language.
DP: How did you first come in contact with hip-hop/rap music?
PR: I first cam in contact with Hip Hop/Rap by a music channel called "The Box" channel 58 lol It was a great outlet for all artist and every genre of music. Heck, even the Bloods and the Crips had music videos on the box lol.
DP: What was the first rap song you ever heard? Did you understand what you were listening to?
PR: The first rap song that i heard was by Kid Frost "La Raza." I couldn't make out or interpret the meaning but i definitely nodded my head to that rhythm of the bass line. LOL!
DP: Who were some of your favorite artists growing up?
PR: Some of my favorite artists growing up were : Bone Thugs N Harmony, 2 Pac, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Nas, Tech N9ne, 3-6 Mafia and pretty much everyone else whom I looked up to. I remember artists such as the Dove Shack, Tha Dogg Pound, Wu Tang, South Central Cartel etc.
DP: Do you remember the first cassette or cd that you ever purchased?
PR: The first cassette tape that I ever purchased was by Bone thugs N Harmony "Creepin On Ah Come Up."
DP: Do you remember the first song you ever recorded?
PR: The first song that I ever recorded was an attic recording. LOL. I met my friend Codak for the first time and we laid songs on cassette tapes upstairs at his mom's house. He has been incarcerated for over 10 years now and will be coming home at the end of this year. He was played an instrumental part in helping me find my artistic side.
DP: How did you come up with the name P.R.E.A.C.H?
PR: I came up with the name P.R.E.A.C.H. conversing with my peers. They would always tell me that I had an ora of an "old soul" a "wise man." They told me that when I talk I'm very adamant and almost sound like I'm preaching. So from that point on, I ran with P.R.E.A.C.H. I asked myself deep down, "Who is P.R.E.A.C.H., and what does P.R.E.A.C.H. stand for as a man overall?" That's how I cam up with an acronym that best defines me (Peacefully, Respect, Everyone, Amongst, Continuous, Hate).
DP: How would you describe your style of music?
PR: My style of music is a blend. A mesh from all sides of the map in one ball. Midwest Chopper and lyricist.
DP: Are you able to record a verse in a single take or do you strive to make them perfect no matter how many it takes?
PR: I always strive to make my verses turn out as crispy as ever. Like they say, do it right all the way and no half ass. I like to usually run through the verse from front to back, but depending on the structure of my verse, I may punch in here and there so the clarity is there and my delivery is on point!
DP: Have you ever recorded a verse or song and then just trashed it because it wasn't up to par with your standards?
PR: If I felt a song was not up to par, I would definitely put it to the side and continue working on another. If I felt it had a lot of potential, then I would figure out how to re-approach it.
DP: Your album Expect the UnXpected came out in 2008/09. How did you come up with that title?
PR: I cam up with the title Expect The UnXpected,because I wanted to give my listeners just that, a riddle box of music. I wanted every song to be different, thus showing them that there are many sides and styles to the artist known as P.R.E.A.C.H. I wanted to present my fans with diversity more than anything on that project.
DP: Do you have a favorite track on the album?
PR: I love all the tracks on ETU, but if I had to choose an overall song it would be "Raise Up." It's one of those records that you as an artist just know is a timeless song.
DP: I know Venno Gunna produced some music on there. How did you first link up with him?
PR: I first linked up with Veeno Gunna trough a mutual friend named Link Johnson. He was part of a music camp named Big Thowed Music. Veeno Gunna was in a group called the Thowed Bawiz and he would come around. His style and delivery was in many ways like mine. We were influenced heavily by many of the same artists. From then it was a rap, LOL.
DP: How did you promote this album? Are you happy with how it turned out?
PR: We promoted ETU via flyers, demos, guerrilla street tactics such as posters, and back then MySpace. We also went through cd baby and got 1000 copies pressed up. My friend and I took out a loan for 5000 dollars that believe it or not we are still paying off. LOL. I was not happy with the outcome, and yes I did feel like the album should have captivated more listeners. Still till this day, I feel it never received the recognition it deserved.
DP: It wasn't too long after this album that you made a guest appearance on Tech N9ne's Gates Mix Plate album? Can you tell me how you met Tech?
PR: I met Tech N9ne at a local concert venue in my city. Before his show kicked off, I saw him talking to Travis O'Guin and I respectfully approached him and Tech and asked their permission to spit a 16 bar verse for Tech. I told him that I looked up to him and I would be grateful for the opportunity. Needless to say, I had Tech smiling from ear to ear. From then on I would continue to pow wow with him before his shows and whenever the Strange family rolled into town. He would always remember me.
DP: How did he approach you to appear on the album?
PR: Tech was touring up in Canada in 2010 and I received a phone call from him summoning me and asking me to be on his album The Gates Mix Plate. I felt so humbled and grateful to be a part of that project. Still till this day, it's my most cherished accolade. LOL.
DP: Did that guest feature open up more doors for you in the music industry?
PR: I believe doing the feature with Tech definitely helped me solidify my name a bit more and I gained more notoriety from it.
DP: Your next album Dark Religion (Chronicles of the Nokturnal) came out in 2010/11. What was the meaning behind that album title?
PR: The meaning behind Dark Religion was more or less me believing that we as a people are living in trivial times. Many of the concepts that I touched on, are based on actual events and people's everyday lives. I believe music in itself is religion, or is similar to religion. People praise music. People all around the world no matter what faith, are compelled and governed by music. It's also a balance in many people's lives. The feel of the album was intended to be a bit grittier, and a tad bit conscientious. The nocturnal part is referencing me as being a "creature of the night." LOL
DP: How well did that album do for you?
PR: Locally, the album did well in my opinion. As far as nationwide and internet sales, it's still very slept on!
DP: When putting an album like that together, do you put thought into the order of the tracks?
PR: Yes, I definitely put thought into the track listing and songs. I always want my projects to vibe correctly. Trying not to put the same texture/feel of songs next to one another.
DP: Were you able to get any of your songs played on local radio stations in St. Louis?
PR: I was able to get Raise Up played on our local hip hop radio stations.
DP: The next album you put out was back in 2013 along with Veeno Gunna as the Rhyme Royals?
PR: That is correct. The next project I followed up with was the Rhyme Royals project.
DP: There were a lot of good songs on there. My favorite is would be Without You. The song is inspired by the Thomas Anders track Why Do You Cry. How did you first come across
this track by Thomas?
PR: Veeno being Veeno, was You Tubing and he happen to come across the original somehow some way. LOL. That's truly all I know. LOL.
DP: Are you happy with how this track turned out?
PR: Absolutely happy with the way it turned out! It's really personal to Veeno and myself. It's real awe inspiring and a beautiful composition!
DP: You film quite a bit of videos for your music. Do you come up with the ideas for them or do you let someone else give you their vision based on the track?
PR: I usually come up with a majority of the ideas, but unfortunately due to finances, I cannot always have the stage props, or filming locations that I truly envision. However, I take nothing away from the visuals.
DP: You were featured on Ruka Puff's track titled Strange along with Stevie Stone. How did that collaboration come about?
PR: Ruka/Zeus and I have know each other for over 10 years. We have played many venues together. He reached out to me because he knew that I would fit the concept. He has always believed in me as a person and as an artist.
DP: You made a video for the song where you flow over Twista's Kill Us All. I really like the idea you came up with. What made you record that track?
PR: I was always a fan of Twista, and I just really wanted to showcase my style over an energetic and vigorous instrumental such as his.
DP: Last year you put out your most recent solo album Saint In Exile (S.I.X.). How has that album done for you so far?
PR: S.I.X. in my opinion is some of my best work. To be honest, I feel like it really has the potential to touch people's hearts and minds. Creating the right team to help me push it on my campaign is the goal still till this day.
DP: What would you say if your favorite song(s) on that album?
PR: I love all the songs on S.I.X. in their own special way. If I had to be picky, Ahhh....LOL..Let's say Hold Yo Breath ft. T-Rock, Welcome, Do the Damn Thang, and E.A.T.I.N.
DP: Did you reach out for any collabos on this album that didn't make the cut?
PR: All the people I reached out to on this particular project came through for me.
DP: Most recently, you put out a verse to Tech's Speedom song. What was the inspiration for this track?
PR: The inspiration for this track honestly, I get down in my dumps, and all these ideas start running through my mind, like I don't want my fans to forget about me. So every now and then, I feel like turning the chainsaw on and letting it rip. Really, I like to challenge myself and continue to give my fans as much material as I possibly can.
DP: When someone asks for a verse for you, what's the criteria for you to agree to record? Is it strictly a business thing or do you like to check out their music first?
PR: When people ask me to record, or to lay a verse, I definitely like to listen to their sound and feel it out. I also would like that artist to push the song thoroughly and not just to their circle of friends.
DP: Have you ever turned down someone because their music was wack or any other reason?
PR: I can honestly say that I did turn down a few, but in the most polite way that I could. I'm not out to offend anyone, because I realize that we all start somewhere ya know. I definitely encourage the artist to keep pushing and we will connect when the time is right.
DP: What's your opinion of the music out these days?
PR: My opinion of this contemporary state of music right now is not the greatest. Some of it is definitely dope and trendy, catchy and I get it, times have changed. However, I am from an era where an MC had to prove themselves and uphold not only their skill and art, but also the integrity of Rap/Hip Hop, in other words to respect the lineage!
DP: I rarely listen to hip-hop/rap music on the radio these days. Do you even listen to the radio?
PR: Unfortunately, that's all that I can listen to right now in my car because I've have a cd stuck in my tape deck for over a month and a half now. LOL.
DP: Who are you favorite artists out right now?
PR: Some of my favorite artists out right now are Big Krit, Drake is still consistent, I like the ASAP MoB for their nutty sound, J. Cole, G Easy is cool too, I dig his shit. Just to name a few that popped into my head at the moment. Oh yeah, Lil Dickey LMFAO. Dude is a genius!
DP: What kind of music would we find in your Ipod or car right now?
PR: Right now I'm bumping anything from Worldwide Foklore/gypsy music, Lana Del Rey, Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse, and staying up on the locals in my city.
DP: In this current era, do you believe that an artist can make it by just sellings cds or digital downloads?
PR: I still believe that an artist can make it selling music, and/or digital downloads, but most of all it's about timing. It also helps to know someone who knows someone.
DP: Do you ever go out on tour? Do you feel that is the best way for an artist to make money these days?
PR: I used to play a few out of town gigs from Indiana to Tennessee and Detroit. I really would love to go out on a tour. I believe whole heartily that I would really gain a greater following that way. Unfortunately, I am currently binded by a normal 9 to 5 Mon-Fri. I would love to hit the road knowing that my monthly bills are caught up. I would be up in a minute! Touring is key, live shows, and people interaction! I definitely believe touring is one of the best ways for an artist to pave the way.
DP: Are you happy with your music career so far?
PR: I feel blessed, and I truly love what I do. Let's say that I never make a dime off of this music thing. I will forever create music until I am unable to. I do see myself a lot further then the current state that I'm in, and at times I tend to be hard on myself because it feels like time is against me, as if I'm running out of time. Lately, I've been reminding myself to never let this stressful business side of music interfere with me simply having fun and enjoying myself.
DP: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
PR: In the next 5 years, I see myself creating the greatest music and touring the world being cheered on by my then wife and kid/kids.
DP: Are there any artists past/present that you'd like to work with?
PR: Absolutely! I would definitely like to work with Bone Thugs & Harmony, Lana Del Rey, Nas, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. LOL.
DP: Are there any producers past/present that you'd like to work with?
PR: I would love to work with Dr. Dre, Timbaland, and DJ Uneek. Those three come to mind first.
DP: Is there anything else that you'd like to say or promote?
PR: I would like to conclude by saying "Long Live The Music" All414All!
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dpgmarine
