Our very own Versatai who has been making a name on the underground circuit is close to completing his first solo album, The Evolution of Communication. The release date is scheduled for August 1st, but may change due to feature artists needing to finish their part. I have asked for an interview and he agreed to give me one. Here's how it went:
Rara Avis: So who all is going to be featured on this album?
Versatai: The Saurus, Phathom, Marvwon, Sick for Brains, XI of the North Starz, Atlaz, Venom, EyeDrop, JLR, A.D.D., Quality, yourself (Rara Avis), Nero, LoLo, and The Cleanest.
Rara Avis: How long have you been working on the album?
Versatai: Honestly, about two or three months. Not that long at all.
Rara Avis: So how did you manage to start working on this album that soon and still get all those names? Some of them are pretty big on the underground circuit.
Versatai:I've always believed in promotion, and working as hard as possible to create a quality product. I've had ideas for my own solo album for quite awhile, so once I decided to actually sit down to do it, I knew getting some more recognizable names on the album would be a plus. So I contacted a few artists with whom I felt would contribute a great sound to my album. Some of them required money to put a verse down with me, so I put together some cash and made sure to get the artists I desired.
Rara Avis: But The Saurus did a verse for free right?
Versatai:He ended up charging me just because I took too long to get everything around to get to him. I wasnt sure what song I wanted him on, and was waiting for JLR to get his studio together...you know, that sorta thing.
Rara Avis: Either way, it's still a plus getting him on the track right?
Versatai: Yeah. He's one of my idols. It's weird that his internet fame has gotten him to the point he is, and that he's never put out a real album, but I just love the way he flows, his wordplays, etc. So it's a huge plus to have a beast like that on the album.
Rara Avis: So how long have you been rapping?
Versatai: In a musical sense, since I was 18, but I've been writing poetry since I was 10. I wrote verses in hip hop form starting at 16, but I never put them to beats til I hit 18 or so.
Rara Avis:And how old are you now?
Versatai: I will be 24 in August
Rara Avis: So, in such a short time, you've managed to elevate yourself to a status that makes well known rap battles want to be on a track with you. How did you do it?
Versatai: Hard work and perseverance. I have really evolved my rhymes over the years, and now feel confident about the fact that I can hang with a good number of very talented artists. I've practically immersed myself in music the last 2 years, trying to learn different styles, wordplays, and flow schemes of many of the highest talented artists. I just strive to be half the rapper they are, or even to be on their level one day, and there's no way to even think about getting there without extreme dedication.
Rara Avis: Is there anything else you would like to say before we end this interview?
Versatai: The Evolution of Communication is just that; an evolution of my hip hop communication skills, among other things. We as a culture have taken communicating as second nature, and reduced it to a strictly technological level. This album is my way of trying to shock society, or my listeners, into realizing the error of our ways, and to try to think outside the box more often. It's tentatively set to release August 1st, although that is subject to change. I am just one man, but if I can invoke change in just one other human being, well then I've evolved someone's thought process, and that's half the battle.
Rara Avis: Well, I'm sure it'll be a great album once it's finished from what I've heard. But I think this will end our interview.
Versatai: Thank you very much, and I look forward to an album review in the future.
Well There you have it, an interview and details on the album with Tha Mercurial One himself. Sure to be a great album from a very talented artist. More details later.
Rara Avis: So who all is going to be featured on this album?
Versatai: The Saurus, Phathom, Marvwon, Sick for Brains, XI of the North Starz, Atlaz, Venom, EyeDrop, JLR, A.D.D., Quality, yourself (Rara Avis), Nero, LoLo, and The Cleanest.
Rara Avis: How long have you been working on the album?
Versatai: Honestly, about two or three months. Not that long at all.
Rara Avis: So how did you manage to start working on this album that soon and still get all those names? Some of them are pretty big on the underground circuit.
Versatai:I've always believed in promotion, and working as hard as possible to create a quality product. I've had ideas for my own solo album for quite awhile, so once I decided to actually sit down to do it, I knew getting some more recognizable names on the album would be a plus. So I contacted a few artists with whom I felt would contribute a great sound to my album. Some of them required money to put a verse down with me, so I put together some cash and made sure to get the artists I desired.
Rara Avis: But The Saurus did a verse for free right?
Versatai:He ended up charging me just because I took too long to get everything around to get to him. I wasnt sure what song I wanted him on, and was waiting for JLR to get his studio together...you know, that sorta thing.
Rara Avis: Either way, it's still a plus getting him on the track right?
Versatai: Yeah. He's one of my idols. It's weird that his internet fame has gotten him to the point he is, and that he's never put out a real album, but I just love the way he flows, his wordplays, etc. So it's a huge plus to have a beast like that on the album.
Rara Avis: So how long have you been rapping?
Versatai: In a musical sense, since I was 18, but I've been writing poetry since I was 10. I wrote verses in hip hop form starting at 16, but I never put them to beats til I hit 18 or so.
Rara Avis:And how old are you now?
Versatai: I will be 24 in August
Rara Avis: So, in such a short time, you've managed to elevate yourself to a status that makes well known rap battles want to be on a track with you. How did you do it?
Versatai: Hard work and perseverance. I have really evolved my rhymes over the years, and now feel confident about the fact that I can hang with a good number of very talented artists. I've practically immersed myself in music the last 2 years, trying to learn different styles, wordplays, and flow schemes of many of the highest talented artists. I just strive to be half the rapper they are, or even to be on their level one day, and there's no way to even think about getting there without extreme dedication.
Rara Avis: Is there anything else you would like to say before we end this interview?
Versatai: The Evolution of Communication is just that; an evolution of my hip hop communication skills, among other things. We as a culture have taken communicating as second nature, and reduced it to a strictly technological level. This album is my way of trying to shock society, or my listeners, into realizing the error of our ways, and to try to think outside the box more often. It's tentatively set to release August 1st, although that is subject to change. I am just one man, but if I can invoke change in just one other human being, well then I've evolved someone's thought process, and that's half the battle.
Rara Avis: Well, I'm sure it'll be a great album once it's finished from what I've heard. But I think this will end our interview.
Versatai: Thank you very much, and I look forward to an album review in the future.
Well There you have it, an interview and details on the album with Tha Mercurial One himself. Sure to be a great album from a very talented artist. More details later.