Reminiscin' - Interviews

Their jams were endless and their lyrics consistent, The Pharcyde brought a new definition to Hip Hop. Slamming the likes of, 'Ya Mama', 'Passin' Me By' and 'Runnin' into the Hip Hop arena, The Pharcyde are undoubtedly the Kings of rap.

Hailing their accomplishments to a worldwide fan base, The Pharcyde have belted out lyrics for an endless array of artists. With a hectic schedule in place, Brown gives Reminiscin' a sneaky insight on their forthcoming album and why music is not just a job.

What other projects do you have lined up besides Pharcyde's forthcoming album?
Brown: Basically, I am working on Imani's new solo project right now. We have other projects but we are just balancing it out right now.

How will your new album Eclectic Compassion define The Pharcyde as a band?
Brown: I just think it is one of those things we all like our different types of music. When we go on tours sometimes it becomes an opening up of something new, music that you usually wouldn't listen to. When you do end up listening to it, you think, "Hey it's not that bad." I don't listen to the radio as much but I just wanted to bring something. It may not be that kinda radio playable stuff, but I had a passion at birth.

Are there any surprisingly or uncommon Pharcyde traits that you have in store for your fans on the new album?
Brown: The concept is the hardest part and then the music kinda follows. Along with the concept it just took a while for me to figure out the whole concept. The music part it's coming, I couldn't really say where it's gonna go because I don't want to kinda put that limitation. I mean you have got to follow the usual deadlines but on the creative stream I just want to go in there with no limits- it may turn out to be something it may not.

What kind of fan mail do you receive?
Brown: None really (laughs) because we don't really have a fan mail thing set up. We have got the usual MySpace set up for fans to say "Whassup". I guess cybermail is the new fan mail everybody gets catered for. I mean, if we do a show or something or walking somewhere somebody comes up to us and says, "Hey, Whassup!" I think that is more personal than me reading the mail and not seeing the person.

What do you have to ensure is on your tour bus before you set out on the road?
Brown: I have to have something that I can make some kind of music with.

Who can't you wait to see when you get back off the road?
Brown: I have two daughters so seeing them makes you realize how long you have been away. Basically, family in general, my mum, my girl and my whole neighbourhood.

In your opinion, if there is one track that put Pharcyde on the map - what track would it be and why?
Brown: I would have to say Soulflower it was just a hell of an intro for us. Passin Me By and Runnin set us in a major market. Basically, I think those songs set the taste. We were the artist, then after that people began to know our names. I would have to say Soulflower.

As a producer what is important to highlight in an artist/or band?
Brown: I mean everyone has their different ways of doing it. I can't say what's to highlight or what makes things work but I think timing is important. Timing is the most important thing out of everything. For instance on Passin Me By I had done my vocals a long time ago and we were in the studio doing all the vocals again but it didn't fit. The way I did it was different from the way I was doing it while in the studio, so we ended up using the part I did on the tape. I think timing is an arbitrary type of thing. The atmosphere in the studio has to be the most highlighted thing too-what kind of atmosphere you are having with the producer.

What is the concept behind Chapter 1 Entertainment?
Brown: Actually, there wasn't even a concept behind it. Basically, it was built out of necessity.

What type of artist would you sign to your label?
Brown: Somebody that believes in something that I believe in. Most likely it would be somebody based in Hip Hop because I'm Hip Hop but not necessarily just Hip Hop. It could be any type of artist but somebody who has beliefs that I could believe in. Someone who I would go that extra mile for 'cos they are worth going that extra mile for, or they already gone that extra mile and all I have to do is help them.

What artists/bands would you sign to Chapter 1 Entertainment?
Brown: Not because of the reason I don't like anything out there but at this point it's just a lot to get us back on balance. By trying to bring another artist into the mix that would be totally unfair because I wouldn't be able to strictly keep my eye out for them. I mean when you have something new coming out, it's like a baby you have got to see to it. You have got to have a babysitter and have all the supplies ready, so to be honest I really don't have that for another artist at this time.

What is the best aspect of being your own boss?
Brown: You kinda get your creative thoughts by it not being a job it's just something you love to do. In some crazy way it's like my job but I love to do it, so it is kinda contradicting itself in some sort of way but that's the battle. I've gotta go through it and I think a lot of people go through that battle. It is what it is (laughs) and I deal with it.

What has been the most adventurous video you have had to shoot?
Brown: It would definitely have to be Dirty Harry. I mean flying to Africa that was an experience in itself. It was filmed in a place that you really wouldn't go too much, you wouldn't be telling your friends let's go there next week (laughs). It was everything behind it, you know, I was doing something for the Gorillaz but I was going to be on a desert, so that was really cool.

How does your music video reflect your own individual personas?
Brown: I think part of it is having your relationship with whoever you are working with. I think we pretty much have a cool relationship with the Director it wasn't like let's get this shoot over with. It's never that type of situation. I mean pretty much everybody we do videos with, we talk to them and then all of sudden they have an idea - it naturally works like that. It just having that relationship with that somebody who believes in you then basically they know how to bring it out. They realise that this is the part they know about us and what to bring out on us.

If you had to pitch a perfect video concept, what would it be and why?
Brown: Wow, I don't know. I would probably have to work with Spielberg or something (laughs). It would have to be Star Wars or something really imaginable. I wouldn't say the video in particular but R Kelly the drama sequence concept that was cool where you are waiting to see what happens next in the next video. I thought that was a kinda cool concept. There is so many different ways to go. I think Jamiroquai has incredible videos, all the time he would come up with something. People really pay attention to the colours that they use. Missy Elliott is also someone who will always come up with way out concepts. I mean these days it is imperative to have something. I mean the band OK Go their concept on the treadmills they really put a lot of thought into it. Once a video comes out like that it's a landmark. There was no animation; there was nothing pretty crazy, it was just a video that you can do if you have the time to learn to do it. I just think for a new group to be coming out now it is hard to do something that hasn't been done.

Do you follow any sports? If so what and who do you support?
Brown: A little but not so much. I think (American) Football is great but when I watch it I watch it. When I watch football I get into it but I don't have to watch it, it's not like damn I have got to see this game. When I watch it I like it.

Describe your typical weekend when not working or on the road?
Brown: My typical weekend is cleaning the house. I mean that is my only chance to clean. It gives me ideas as I am cleaning it. There's nothing like sitting in a clean house, it un-clutters your thoughts. You just put on some music and you just start cleaning.

Do you have a favourite pastime?
Brown: I like driving. I like racing on the streets (laughs). It's not like a race, race - it's a race when you see someone yanking you and they are revving up their engine and it's like ok, it's on - let's go. I don't really have any particular hobbies.

Complete the following sentence:
Success is …
Brown: Being free with yourself.