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Beans (Anti-Pop Consortium)
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Hip-Hop/ Exprmntl/ Anti-pop
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November 2009
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n/a
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myspace.com/antipopny...
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http://facebook.com/pages/Antipop-Consortium/32155769861
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Thomas Quinlan
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Meeting at a poetry slam night, Beans, High Priest, M. Sayyid and Earl Blaize started working together, releasing singles and mixtapes on Anti-Pop Records. They finally formed as Anti-Pop Consortium in 1997, with the mission statement to create forward-thinking hip hop. As a group, the quartet released 4 albums, an EP and a whole bunch of singles before breaking up in 2002 over creative differences, although Beans will willingly claims credit for that. What followed was five years of solo releases and various collaborative projects, with Beans and High Priest producing the most output solo. High Priest also joined M. Sayyid for a collaboration as Airborn Audio. There was much rejoicing when they reformed in 2007 and began work on a new APC album, Fluorescent Black, which was released this year on Big Dada. They've also worked with Dan the Automator's 75 Ark, Spectre's Wordsound, and U.K. labels Sound-Ink, Warp and Ninja Tune, some of the best, most forward-thinking labels in the underground. As one of the most exciting, creative forces in hip hop, hopefully this reconvening of the collective continues...
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URBNET: How did the four of you get together? What was it that made you realize you should form a group?
BEANS:We all met at an event called Rap Meets Poetry that was held at a place called The Time Cafe in the early 90s. We performed individually, but Earl and Priest were working together and met in high school and I met Sayyid through a mutual friend. We didn't form a group until after the release of the first Mind Control/Disorientation single on Anti-Pop Records and a series of mixtapes called The Consortium in volumes 1-3. The first time that we were known as a group wasn't until after a remix we did for Attica Blues called “3ree”.
How important was bucking the system to the group in the early days?
It was more of a statement of definition of the music that we were making as well as to the music that we weren't hearing at the time of our conception. We defined what it was that we were doing instead of anyone classifying our sound. What we still continue to do is make music in the tradition of hip hop as we once knew it through our own interpretation.
At what point did APC go from being anti-pop to being about making music for the future?
As I said earlier, it was a defining moment and stance for the music. We always tried to make hip hop that was forward thinking from the jump.
With three people who rap/produce and one additional producer/engineer, how does a typical APC album come to be?
Any one of us can come to the table with a beat and then if we all like it, we decide to use it. Whomever rhymes first is the first on the track and then EB mixes and adds his two cents in when it's done.
Why a Japanese-only release for Shopping Carts Crashing?
Why not a Japanese-only album?
Are there any other APC albums or 12-inches that have only been released overseas?
I could be wrong, but not to my knowledge.
The last APC album before the break-up was a collaboration with Matthew Shipp. How did that come about?
He asked us [to be] part of the Blue Series that they do on that label, Thristy Ear. Honestly, that first album happened at a bad time for the band as we were going our separate ways, but we're currently working on another album with Matthew Shipp at the moment that is going to be called Knives from Heaven.
Speaking of separate ways, why did APC decide to call it quits?
They hated me and now they don't. [laughs, a lot].
Did everyone assume the break-up was final? Was there ever any thought there would be a reunion?
Not at the time.
Is APC back for good?
Yes.
During APC's “hiatus,” were there any solo songs from the other members that surprised or shocked you, or maybe songs you wish you had thought of?
I liked their material outside of APC and we still stayed in touch and was [sic] aware of what the others [were] doing.
Was there any competition, friendly or otherwise?
No, not from me there wasn't.
While most emcees are content to get on stage and just rap, APC bring out the equipment and create beats on stage, too. Why go through the bother?
Because our live show is better than most emcee's.
How much of your on-stage beat-making is rehearsed? How much is off-the-top jam session?
It's a combination of both that keeps it interesting.
What equipment do you use on stage?
I play a mini Korg synthesizer.
What's next for everyone?
As I said, Priest and I are doing another record with Matthew Shipp and I have a next solo record coming called End It All. A new Airborn Audio album is in the works. Earl has a mixtape out with another Mr. Live that he works with and another side project we have called Animal Cruel-T.
Anything else you'd like to add?
I've said my piece.
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