| ADAM TENSTA |
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| Wednesday, 24 June 2009 00:00 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 BadNews: How did you get into hip hop Adam Tensta: I started writing lyrics in my late teens. Me and my childhood peoples started recording tracks, just having fun with it. I remember recording my first vocals over the DJ Premiere instrumental for Common's 6th Sense. I guess it all went downhill from there. Recording tracks, putting together mixtapes, standing on the street corner playing our shit on a boom box just trying to get heard. My big brother was the one who actually introduced me to hiphop. I didn't really have an option but to listen to what he was playing in the stereo. Acts like Wu-Tang, B.I.G. and Nas was spinning on repeat. I couldn't help but to get infatuated. BadNews: You had it pretty rough growing up, other than music, what did you do to try and escape things? Adam Tensta: Sometimes it's a blessing being a kid, not thinking about the bad shit that goes on around you and the seriousness of things, especially when your peers are going through the same thing as you. This was the case when I was growing up. My situation wasn't unique in any way, so I mostly thought of it as plain regular, even though things got pretty extreme at times. I guess I was one of the fortunate ones, who actually could disconnect. I kept myself occupied, playing soccer or nintendo (NES, SNES, N64), either that or I kept my head in the books, making shore I learned something in school. BadNews: How is hip hop perceived overseas now in 2009? Adam Tensta: I guess that Hip Hop has had its ups and downs, just like it has in the U.S. It's endured shots from critics and debates about it being a negative youth culture. But just like the Punk genre did, hiphop grew to become an art form with deep roots in the youth, attitude, opinion and stories from their everyday life. In Sweden the urban music genre is far from accepted by the industry, at least not in the same way as Pop or Rock music is. Still urban music is the most popular genre among people under 20. BadNews: You opened for acts like Jay-Z and Rhianna, how in the world did that come about? Adam Tensta: Well, I was the biggest urban act in Sweden during 2008. I have a tendency to get the crowds going, and I guess that word had spread. BadNews: Your first US gig was with rapper Yung Berg and Rick Ross. What did you feel performing in the us was there a lot of pressure? Adam Tensta: For me pressure is a good thing, I always seem to come out of it, right side up. As noted in the previous question, I had already opened up for two of the biggest artist in the world, and a number of other ones, a couple months earlier. So, I was more concerned with putting on a damn good show than the fact that I was opening up for Ross and Berg. The challenge was to connect with people, since I know that my music would be viewed as somewhat unconventional considering that space and lineup, and not really bridgin the “gap” between my sound Young Berg's, for example. We ended up having a blast. I'm definitely looking forward to do the DUB Carshow tour if I get a spot again. BadNews: What are you working on now? Adam Tensta: Right now I'm getting back to the whole vibe of being in the studio again, after a long tour it takes some getting used to. I got a bunch of new tracks and I keep knocking them out. Until we get a window to release them, that's what I’m gonna keep at. BadNews: Whats more influential American hip hop or euro rap? Adam Tensta: I don't really know what you consider euro rap, so I couldn't possibly say, but as far as American hiphop goes, it's been a major part of my influence spectrum. As has genres like Reggae, Pop and House. I really can't say what has the bigger slice, but they all influenced me in some way. BadNews: What other ventures do you have going on or want to have going on? Adam Tensta: I'm looking to connect with talented and driven people. Not just musically, but also artistically, graphic artists, video editors, clothing designers. Anybody, who can contribute with artistry and creativity in any way. Other than that I spend alot of time working on social issues with a handful of organisations. The day before we left for the U.S., we kicked off an anti-racism campaign with Alla Olika Alla Lika, an organization working with xenophobia and related issues. The video for the title track Area Turns Red 09 can be viewed at www.areaturnsred.se. BadNews: Where can we learn more from you? Adam Tensta: First of all I need to connect you with the leading Scandinavian blog for urban music on www.mybestfriendismygrind.com You can Twitter, Myspace or Facebook me @ following: myspace.com/adamtensta facebook.com/adamtensta
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