| Mike Schpitz |
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| Saturday, 05 December 2009 00:00 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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HHB: How did the name Love Jones come about?
Mike Schpitz: To be honest, I don't even remember how it came about. Jones is my last name and Love Jones basically just means having strong attraction for someone but for me it was how I felt about music. It just kind of stuck. I'm going by Mike Schpitz now though. I like it sounds fresher and people don't get it confused with and R and B singer.
HHB: Your from Topeka, Kansas? How is the hip hop scene progressing out there?
Mike Schpitz: Topeka doesn't really have a hip hop scene at all. There are a few people who have done some stuff and who are known around the city but the scene is bigger in Lawrence and Kansas City. It's crazy though because a couple of the dopest emcees I know are from Topeka. Our biggest rappers today are probably a cat named Evil Loc and a crew called DVS Minds. Those cats put out a project that was a Topeka classic. It's still hard for artists of any genre to really find places to perform, record and share their music in Topeka. Hip Hop shows especially are looked at as "dangerous" or rowdy so bars and venues don't really want to have them. Lawrence, Kansas has a lot more stuff though. Even the Lawrence scene has seemed to die down lately though. Kansas City has Tech N9ne who is pretty much the man out in Kansas but there are other cats in KC and Lawrence making some good music.
HHB: A lot of regional artists have some sort of reference to thier city, what they put in a song that the rest of us don't really get. Do you have any Kansas or Topeka references in your music that we wont understand, and if so could you elaborate on it please?
Mike Schpitz: I shout out certain people in Topeka especially in my song Roll Call. I shout out a lot of cats from Topeka. The video for Roll Call is also a tribute to Topeka. There are a lot of different locations that the video showcases that only Topeka people would know about. Top City is also just another name for Topeka. I call Topeka Paradise City sometimes too. I have some street references as well that only people in Topeka would know about.
HHB: Who inspired you the most to get into this line of work?
Mike Schpitz: There really wasn't a particular person that inspired me to start rapping. It just kind of happened. I started writing poetry when I was like 14, rapped a little in high school then started writing songs my sophomore year in college when my brother started making beats. I stay inspired primarily by the people I work with. All the producers, emcees and other people that I get to work with. And really just good music keeps me inspired to keep writing and making music.
HHB: Do you feel that rappers from Kansas have been over looked by major labels, if so why is that?
Mike Schpitz: I don't think a lot of rappers from anywhere get overlooked by major labels. It's hard to get your music into the hands of someone who can really change your life/career especially in places like Kansas. However, artists like Tech N9ne have managed to build an incredible fanbase and sell a lot of records all independently. Especially with the state of record sales and shit now, artists pretty much have to create their own buzz and establish themselves independently before majors labels will take notice. The internet is definitely giving artists from all over an outlet to get their music out to a larger audiences. The more artists from any region that get attention the more doors it will open for everyone else.
HHB: What is one thing about you that we wouldn't know about you even if we knew you personally?
Mike Schpitz: I really like romantic comedies and not just good ones, I like pretty much any of them. Even Love Don't Cost A Thing with Nick Cannon. I also really like all of Destiny's Childs music. I think both of those will make me lose some credibility. Damn.
HHB: Lmao...Who do you listen to?
Mike Schpitz: I primarily listen to hip-hop, reggae, dancehall and R and B/Soul. I'll pretty much listen to any hip hop even though my standards have gotten higher since I started rapping. I love The Roots, Slum Village, Little Brother, The Clipse, Outkast, Damian Marley, D'Angelo, Alicia Keys, Musiq, Barrington Levy, Collie Buddz, Stephen Marley. There are too many to name but really I am willing to listen to a lot. My knowledge of other genres of music is kind of limited but I like Red Hot Chili Peppers a lot.
HHB: What is one thing you can bring to the table that we havent heard or seen before in hip hop?
Mike Schpitz: I'm not sure what other people would say but I always try to keep it fresh as far as rhymes, hooks and beat choice goes. When I write, I try to say things in a way that I haven't heard before. I also try to offer a very personal perspective in some of my music and stuff the average person/listener can relate. My main focus is dope rhymes, dope hooks and dope beats. I also want to bring back albums where one artist and one producer do the whole album. I think albums really miss that cohesiveness nowadays.
HHB: What shows do you have lined up?
Mike Schpitz: I got a few shows in Chicago lined up to end the year as well as a big show in Kansas over the Christmas break where it's like a big ass reunion.
HHB: Where can we learn more about you?
Mike Schpitz: You can check me out on my website, mikeschpitz.com, myspace.com/mikeschpitz or facebook.com/mikeschpitz. I also got some intervews up on FlawlessHustle.com, Wake Your Daughter Up and Laced Out Blog. I think the best place to really learn about me is through the music. Both projects that I have released have some very personal material, so people can get a feel for me through that. You can find me on eharmony, match.com and any other dating site too if people want to know more personal stuff. haha. I also encourage people to holler at me on myspace, facebook, twitter or through my website. I try to respond to everyone.
HHB: What can we expect from your next project, any features lined up?
Mike Schpitz: I got A LOT of new stuff coming out. I will be featured on several mixtapes. I'm also working on two albums, an EP and a mixtape that will hopefully all be out next year. I plan on hitting the ground running in 2010. Expect a lot of music, videos, shows, etc. Look out for more music with my crew, The League of Ordinary Gentlemen too. Those are the emcees that I personally know and have had the opportunity work with who I really respect. They keep me on my shit. Shout out to the whole crew, Adullessence, Dre Day, Tona and Add-2, all the people I work with and the whole Top City.
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