Gingerslim talks to one of the most creative artists in hip-hop and beyond, Quelle Chris.
For those people who may not be familiar with your career to date, can you give us a little breakdown about who you are and what’s brought you to this point?
I started rapping/writing in middle school and producing in high school. Since then I’ve worked alongside many crews, defunct and present in many forms, at varied points. From Soul Tyde (Blackspade, I,Ced , Nato Caliph), Breakfast Club (Wasted Youth, Elzhi, Ta’raach), Bruiser Brigade (Danny Brown, Dopehead), War Media (Pharoahe Monch, Jean Grae), Kilpmode (Suzi Analogue, Mndsgn, Knxwledge, Swarvy), Vibe Music Co (Cavalier, Iman Omari, PUDGE, Fresh Daily, Bae Bro) and almost too many great artists, known and well known, in between and around, for me to possibly name. I liken my music career to the journey of a samurai in a Kurosawa flick, or a driven warrior in a Shaw brothers’ film. Traveling and learning from, working with and aiding others. Forming life long bonds, fighting battles small and large. And hopefully one day becoming a master and giving back to others in the same way many have aided me, up to this point.
How did you first come to work with Mello Music Group?
My album Shotgun and Sleek Rifle caught the attention of Mello. A brother and work partner, Jon Kim, connected the dots and I was looking for the illusion of “security” as a working artist at the time, so it just seemed right. However many years later we’re still fighting the good fight together.
MMG definitely seem to be label dedicated to the artists. What do you think sets them apart from other indy labels?
They have me on their roster. That’s definitely a strong boost in credibility.
Is your creative process fairly linear – you set yourself a goal and work towards it, or is it more spontaneous than that?
Unless I’m being paid for a specific task, or working with someone else towards a specific goal, I usually just let it come as it does. I generally push deadlines to a breaking point and tend to create like it’s a bodily function. Sometimes I gotta let it out, but unless necessary, I try not to force it.
I’ve always rated you as an artist because you genuinely seem to have fun while making your music, which seems to be lacking from a lot of rap. Is that an essential aspect for you? Like if you ever realize you’re not having fun, you’ll know its time to quit?
If I was younger I think my answer would be yes, but I can’t see that happening. It’s simply a part of what I am. And maybe if I felt I genuinely disliked what I was making I would stop, but I don’t see that happening either. What I seek these days is a stress free creative zone, both mentally and physically. As long as the money and home are okay, I will have as much fun with music as I possibly can. Plus I have my hands in so many arts, visual arts in many mediums, producing for myself and others, writing for stage and screen, singing and so on that if I ever need a break from rapping I have many ways to keep that part of myself active. So if you ever don’t hear me rapping, just know I probably have my foot in the game in some form or another.
You also always seem to make the music that you would want to hear. Has that always been your philosophy, or are some projects embarked upon with the intention of focusing on a particular group of people, or gaining a certain audience’s attention?
When I first started it was more about emulating and impressing others, seeking that validation, searching for my own creative voice. But I always loved finding something new and my interests and tastes were all over the place. I was more of a fan then than now. Now I’m more of an artist than a fan. So my artist side feels obligated to continue to provide my fan side and others with those moments of “damn” that made me want to start and continued to push me to dig deeper. Those moments when you hear something new. Good or bad. Those moments when you hear a new voice, delivery, flip, emotion and so on. If anything the group I’m focusing on are people who like variety in their musical diet. My menu changes from season to season, but what I serve is always delicious.
You seem to be sitting on an endless amount of unreleased material; are you one of these artists that always feels like he has to be creating in some way?
I love creating things, but I could go for a vacation or two or three. I dig days when I don’t have to think about anything. Being a professional artist means you are almost always at work.
One of my favourite tracks of yours is SLSBS with Metabeats. How did you guys end up working together?
We did that a while ago. I dare say a year or more before it came out, if I correctly recall recording it in San Francisco. Plus the bounce I used on it. I feel certain deliveries of mine are like time stamps. I don’t remember exactly how it came to be, but definitely dig that song heavy.
You’ve been involved with a few groups, crews and collaborations over the years, but if you could pick your own supergroup who would it be?
I’m looking forward to finishing a new Crown Nation album with Denmark Vessey and my brother Mosel. I’m already in my super group. I’m sure it will have a stunning cast of features though. So it’ll kill two questions with one stone.
Do you think the backlash against the XXL freshmen class and in particular so-called mumble rap has been justified? You strike me as the sort of cat who appreciates anyone trying to make their mark, however they go about doing it.
Yeah. I enjoy a decent amount of the new cats and study their patterns and styles. I love rapping. So as much as I can tend to be “bitter old rapper guy”, I just love the art and evolution of rhyme & rhythm too much. There’s some that don’t deserve the backlash, but then there’s a billion that are just plain terrible or just remake and imitate. Also I really can’t fuck with the whole “I’m not a rapper” thing. It’s just such a cop out. You can be an artist too, but if you’re rapping then just admit you’re a rapper too. If we don’t hold on to our baby, good or bad, we open the door for others to decide the future of Hip-Hop/Rap music for us. So maybe me and “Lil whatever savage god lord” don’t need to make music together, but I think bridges or communication should be left open and not burned, because maybe one day people will forget that hip hop was ours. Like has happened with so many other cultural contributions.
What can we expect from you in 2017?
Collaborations with the usual suspects and a few surprises I’m sure ya’ll will love. That’s my Trump answer: “You’re gonna love it”. More production. I’m also still a part of The Show Show with Jean Grae, which is a monthly live talk show at Union Hall in Brooklyn. I’m looking forward to continuing to help make it bigger and better. I’m also working on a few comic books and a follow up to last year’s digital book Goodnight Courtney. I usually don’t take time to make visual art unless it’s time to make album art or videos, so looking forward to getting back into it along with making music, etc. Maybe I’ll go 40 times platinum and move to an island for the rest of the year. We’ll see.
Any final words or shout outs?
Buy music. Buy hip-hop. Support and share hip-hop with those you love, those who are like minded and even those who don’t understand, or will hate it. BUY MUSIC. Buy mainstream. Definitely buy underground and local. But of course if you honestly can’t buy, then share at every moment you can. It’s the circle of life. The more people support, the more we can get out on the road, make more music, make more physicals etc. Support what you love. Not just from afar, but actively and with pride cause the folks that support the bullshit don’t do it quietly. Why should we?
Being You Is Great, I Wish I Could Be You More Often by Quelle Chris is out now on Mello Music Group. Stream and watch the video for Birthdaze below.
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Gingerslim has been a hip-hop fan since 1994 and has written for various blogs and websites since around 2006. During that time he has contributed to style43, Think Zebra, Headsknow and Front Magazine. His main interests in rap are UK hip hop and the underground movement in America, with a focus on Rhymesayers Entertainment and the once mighty Def Jux label. He lives in Bristol and has a beard. All other details are sketchy at best.
Follow Grown Up Rap on Twitter.