Through our travels we have met many interesting and gifted individuals. We have gone near and far slowly building a network that would eventually reach across the US. One group that stood out to us was a crew called the JUSTUS LEAGUE. Comprised of a heavy hitting roster that includes MC’s: Phonte (Little Brother), Rapper Pooh (Little Brother), Sean Boog (Away Team), L.E.G.A.C.Y., Chaundon, Joe Scudda, Median, producers: 9th wonder & Khrysis (Away Team) and DJ’s: Flash (Little Brother) & Paradime (Away Team). *I am pretty sure I have left a lot of the affiliates/members off but you get the idea. What attracted us to them was their distinct individuality. Each artist brings something different to the table but when combined create a perfect harmony of beats and rhymes. One particular duo that really caught our attention was the Away Team. We had a wonderful opportunity to catch up with Sean Boog as he gave us insight of his humble beginnings to his current standing in the music industry. Enjoy…
INTERVIEW: SEAN BOOGIE x BTMxSHLF
BS: Let us know a little bit about Sean Boog for those who don't know you.
Sean: Sean Boog is the mc half of a group called the away team. me and the producer half Khrysis (on the boards with the heat) lol... We've released 2 albums. In 2005 we released National Anthem and in 07 we dropped Training Day. I’ve also put out a mixtape in 06...(which I call a mixtape but is more like an album with a dj mixing it) called The Great Adventures of Sean Wayne. Im in a crew called the Justus League and on a label called Hall of Justus. We are out of Raleigh Durham North Carolina.
BS: So lets start from the beginning...when we first crossed paths you went by a different mc name...how come you changed it and what is the significance of your name.
Sean: My original name I gave myself was DefCon. Funny shit is I hate that name nowadays lol...anyway DefCon or Definite Concentration, like I said was just a name I gave myself. The name Sean Boog was given to me by 9th wonder. One day he was like you can call yourself DefCon if you want but I’m going to call you Sean Boogie and it just stuck so I ran with it.
BS: Speaking of 9th Wonder how did you connect with the big man himself?
Sean: Basically I met Cesar Comanche in early 01 through my DJ (Dj Paradime). Comanche introduced me to 9th Wonder and we just started recording. A little fun fact nobody knows is that 9th Wonder and me were the first ones to record in the infamous Missie Ann Studio. League fans will know what I’m talking about! But yeah we just linked through Comanche and started working. Back then it was all fun. Making music and doing local shows.
BS: So from doing local shows to touring around the globe...what lifestyle do you like better? At home making music or on the road with groupies haha..
Sean: On the road with the groupies alllllllldaaaaayyyy! Nah I mean the road is the best part of this music in my opinion. Performing, traveling meeting people and fans. Thats the life to me but making the music is a blast too. Creating and having fun with it is all good! real shit!
BS: So I know you have a new project you are working on but lets start with your first album. I know you were featured on many songs before you dropped your first album such as "the answer" on Foreign Exchange's Connected but how did it feel to finally work on your very own masterpiece (National Anthem).
Sean: Man it was a great feeling! It was fun. National Anthem was actually a couple years in the making. We started recording that album in 03 but it didn’t come out until may of 05. We had the opportunity to work with Smif n Wessun on that album ...which to me at the time was incredible! That’s when I knew shit was real like "damn I have a song with Smif n Wessun...thats crazy" Just an overall good experience, I learned a lot about making music when we did national anthem.
BS: What are some of the things you learned from making national anthem and how did you apply it in the lab making Training Day?
Sean: Just learned better ways to write songs and learned how to write better hooks. The first time I ever actually really recorded original material was in 01 so I had to learn how to create actual songs. I had been rapping for a long time but not in studios. As far as applying it to Training Day It came more natural. We actually recorded that album in like 3 weeks. Khrysis would make the beat on the spot I would start writing and we did the song. That’s also what I learned to do very well during national anthem...writing on the spot! To me that’s a must!
BS: So two albums deep and x amount of mixtapes killed. What do you have in store for your fans in the future?
Sean: I’m working on a solo record now before we get back into the next Away Team album. My album is tentatively called Happy Days. A lot of the production is done by my homeboy from Raleigh named Marshall Law...he’s a beast. Other than that I have production from Khrysis of course and my homie Dj Babu from Dilated Peoples. We were actually talking about doing an EP together in the future. I have my dude median from the league on the album, Cappadonna is on the album as well. It not finished yet but the album is fire. Other then that shows music and life man. Just grinding tired of working my 8 to 6 ...straight up!
BS: Wow there's a lot of heavy hitters on that. It sounds like its going to be a classic album. Speaking of classic albums, growing up, who were your biggest influences as an artist?
Sean: my biggest influences...man everybody. I loved the roots, outkast, nwa, ice cube, dj quik, spice 1, gangstarr, wu tang, boot camp and the list goes on for days. I say late 80s early to mid 90s hiphop in general . I lived that shit for real!
BS: That’s dope man...well I think we accomplished our mission. If they didn’t know who you were before this interview they definitely have a good understanding on who Sean Boog is. Do you have any last words or shout outs you would like to say to your fans.
Sean: Just stay tuned! The Away Team, The Justus League, Hall Of Justus we are just beginning. Be on the lookout! Hit me up on Twitter Twitter.com/seanboog. For sean booking hit me at sboogaway@gmail.com. Thanks for the love and support!
BS: Thanks for letting us pick your brain a little. It's an honor.
Sean: No doubt man I appreciate the opportunity
BS: Well from the staff here at BTMxSHLF we would like to wish you best of luck in the future and we look forward to hearing from you very soon. From our coast to your coast stay SHININ! (pun intended)
BTMxSHLF x SEANBOOG
For more information about Sean Boog check out their website at www.hallofjustus.com
-CMBDCTN
No comments:
Post a Comment