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Interview with Termanology

by size 13 / Published August 15‚ 2006 at 1:34pm

A sit down with one of hip-hop's rising stars.
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Energetic. Hungry. Determined. Representing the 978 District (Massachusetts), Termanology is all of the above. In his early twenties now, he has lived and breathed Hip Hop, developing his skills as an MC for close to eight years. He has already released four mixtapes all in this one year that have left fiends in the streets eager to hear more, the album ‘Out The Gate’, the recent classic DJ Premier produced 12. Term has also appeared on countless other DJ’s mixes from Eclipse to Marley Marl, collaborated on releases and stage next to a range of revered contemporaries which includes Boston great Ed O.G, Terror Squad’s Prospect, beat smith D-Tension, the Ghostface Killah introduced Trife Da God, Royce Da 5’9, Akon, Tego Calderon He has another ‘Hood Politics’ mix in the works and his official debut LP is on the way with contributions from some of the most respected producers in this music. Having already received accolades in renowned columns in ‘The Source’, ‘XXL’ and features in further widely read and acknowledged publications ‘The Fader’, ‘Elemental’ and ‘URB’, there is no doubt Termanology is slowly becoming a household name, whose presence will be visible for years to come.

How is the new album shaping up, for those who have heard your debut street album ‘Out The Gate’, what will be the differences / similarities with this record?

The new record is shaping up crazy. I’m very happy with the new material. It’s similar to the old shit cause it’s still a lot of sample’s and real raw hip-hop shit. But, I have definitely grown as an artist. I’m more able to capture real situations around me and put them on a track. A lot of my older music was fictional, just shit out of my imagination, same old formula though.

One of your favorite producers is Dr. Dre. Have you had the chance to speak with him about beats for the new album?

No I have never met or spoke to Dr. Dre but he is my favorite producer of all time and I probably would give an arm or a leg to work with him. Just cause I know it would be so crazy.

You do or have been involved in almost, if not every aspect of Hip Hop Culture. Which writers, b-boys, mc's and dj's have influenced you?

Well on some graffiti shit I used to like a lot of Seen’s work and my cousin Cane from my old hood Lawrence, Mass. Crazy Legs and The Rock Steady Crew on the B -Boy shit. Mc’s (Rakim, Kool G Rap, Nas, Jay-Z, M.O.P., Big Pun, 2Pac, Big L, etc) and Dj’S - Dj Premier all day!

Going back and forth between MA and NY, which Hip Hop artists have been inspiring your music and your approach to it. How have they inspired you?

I’m mostly inspired by my own music and my elevation with that. But The Lox inspire me a lot cause I watched how they maneuvered thru the game for the last ten years and how they still doing it.

Your latest record is the classic Watch how it go down, produced by the legendary Dj Premier. A great record which, is full of tremendous hunger and honesty. You recently got a Hip Hop quotable in The Source's ‘Unsigned Hype’. Which lyric / verse impresses you the most listening back to the track? Why?

The first verse is my favorite. The Source gave me the ‘unsigned hype’ in October and that was a blessing. The quotable thing is not going down though. Check for me in the Source ‘Fat Tape’ album in stores now.

‘Circle of life’ is an incredible track. It's off your album ‘Out The Gate’. How long did it take you to write this?

It took one whole day. About, 10 hours. I was in Florida on vacation and I was going thru some rough shit with my baby so I let it all out on the paper. It’s a good thing C.O.L is my favorite track I’ve done.

I purchased ‘Out the Gate’ without even listening, on the strength of being blown away by ‘Watch How It Go Down’.

I am very proud of O.T.G. that album is my life story to some degree. That album was actually 2 years old when we put it out. I’m happy it didn’t sound dated to people and they loved it.

How did you first meet DC?

I met DC in 2001 through my boy Nabo Rawk. DC was doing beats for him and then we just linked up and he’s been one of my best friends since then.

It's great on OTG to hear street records next to personal songs with strong vocalists such as Lee Wilson.

I love to add singers, cuts and bridges. Whatever I have to do to make the song sound right. I’m very open to experiment.

Which albums that have influenced you, were you attempting to recapture and pay homage to with this release?

‘The Chronic’ – Dr. Dre, ‘Moment of Truth’ - Gangstarr, ‘The Infamous’ by Mobb Deep, shit like that. Early 90’s shit. Grimy shit.

How did you find the video shoot for ‘Granite State’?

It was a hot street video. Shout out to Granite State and my man Statik Selektah for shooting that video.

One of your latest tracks is the ‘Broken Hearts’ also known as ‘Murder Mass meets Harlem’ off ‘Hood Politics Vol 4’. You've got some real well known mc's on the track. How did it come about?

Yeah I got down with my man Myart on that joint cause he had told me he was doing a song with JR Writer from Dipset and I figured shit I’m trying be on any hot shit with some new generation cats. So I jumped on it and it came out crazy.

You were featured in the ‘Boston Phoenix’ newspaper. How did that come about? Have your family cut out the article and framed it?

I’m in a lot of papers out here. Yes my family always frames them. We got about 25 frames up at the crib.

How did the track ‘Hustle Hard’ featuring Papoose and Trife originate?

That was just some mixtape shit. We all just happened to rap on that beat about the same shit obviously cause of what the hook says ‘hustle hard’ and DJ Deadeye just put it together like that and that shit was everywhere.

You hail from The 978 (MA). You've seen and had to deal with real adversity, struggle, pain. What did you want to say to all the artists who are, claiming they are something they are not and promoting drugs, violence and crime when it's all for show and life goes back to normal for them when they are out of the studio and off record?

Just be real to yourself and then you’ll never have to explain why you’re a bitch ass nigga playing the role. Don’t be afraid to be yourself. Look at Kanye he did it and it worked just fine you can do it too.

What's next for Termanology?

Hood politics 4 is coming soon featuring beats by Dj Premier, MoSS, Statik Selektah, J. Cardim and of course my man DC. Guest appearances by Mobb Deep, AZ, Trife Da God, JR Writer, Big Shug, ST. Da Squad, etc, I‘m also working on my debut solo album with Nottz, DJ Premier, and hopefully Pete Rock. I just spoke to Pete about getting on it and he said he was with it so look out for that.

Any final words / shoutouts

Yeah thanks to all my fans out there. I hope to see ya’ll soon on tour. Go check out my official site. http://www.myspace.com/therealtermanology. Pick up the new ‘XXL’ cause I got the show & prove this month (page 92).

ST. RECORDS WE COMIN’ BABY!

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