By Konviction,
the Music Editor with The Oracle Magazine and artist with Triumfant Muzik,
konviction@triumfantmuzik.com
www.triuimfantmuzik.com www.google.com/profiles/triumfantmuzik1
HIP HOP IS DEAD! That was a very controversial line a few years ago, and some people think its still true today. If hip hop really is dead it's probably because its heart isn’t where it should be. The heart is the DJ. Study your history and you will learn, rappers didn’t invent hip hop, The DJ did. Meet a man who's on a mission to remind you of that fact with every move he makes. He's the "Six million dollar" man, DJ Seeeeeeeeeean Blu! Ladies and gentleman, please hold your applause til the end lol.
Konviction: For the record, share with the people of God who you are, what you do, and what your callings are in the Kingdom. Feel free to elaborate on how long you've been involved in the various roles and ministries that you are connected to.
Sean Blu: First, I am a Man of God, a Husband-Married 15 years as of May 4th, 2011, a Father of two daughters- 11 and 8 years old, a Former Youth Pastor for 11 years, a Sound Engineer in my local church for 21 years, and I have been DJing for over 22 years.
Konviction: Who do you consider your core audience to be for the mix tapes that you do, and why? Please explain to our readers, why it is important from a biblical standpoint that your art have a spirit of excellence?
Sean Blu: My core audience is outside the four walls of the church…My presentation is more of an Evangelistic approach...I get or catch the fish-I don’t clean them! Why? That’s where my heart is. When I got SAVED, Holy Hip Hop, Christian Rap, Gospel Rap, whatever you want to call it, was close to a non existence. There were a few artists out there that were up to par but for the most part a lot of it was “CORNY”…”WHACK”. Before I got SAVED I was doing and pursuing a music career. But after getting SAVED I had to change who I was doing it for. But the level of excellence/ presentation didn’t change. Just the message! The level of excellence should always be present...GOD is an excellent GOD. A portion of Isaiah 1:17 says “Learn to Do Well”...Man it’s about going hard for GOD…Folk outside the Kingdom of GOD do whatever they want to do to do what they do…Like ya boy Charlie Sheen! If Charlie Sheen used the energy that he has to do what he does-sex, drugs, alcohol, rock and roll, use the best liquor, weed, clothes, etc, for the Kingdom of GOD, he would be a monster!...Folk in the Kingdom got to have that same drive for GOD.
Konviction: In your opinion, how do Christian artists compare to their secular counterparts from a business and professional standpoint? From the perspective of the deejay, what areas, if any, should Christian emcees and artists look to improve in?
Sean Blu: I can’t say everybody! (But) I will say secular artists are not always doing it better! I see a lot of the difference in their “Drive and Hunger”. One executes a lot more quickly with their business than the other. Secular artists are all about getting it! “Let’s get that Bread-Let’s make it happen, this is what I need to do get it Popping”, they talk the business and they go ahead and handle it. Christian artists a lot of times get caught up in doctrine, what I agree with, and don’t agree with, a lot of procrastination-“Imma, looking at, getting ready to, fitna, a lot of ‘Jaw Popping’ but not producing nothing, always crying broke or want something for nothing”. Improve first by counting up the cost, do your research before you start calling folk and trying to sell them a dream that is not organized yet.
Konviction: Please elaborate on the role of the deejay, and how and why it has changed over the years? How has this affected urban Christian music? Do you feel it is still important to incorporate the fundamental aspects of being a deejay into your ministry?
Sean Blu: The DJ is the gatekeeper, tastemaker. The DJ “Breaks” the records; feeds the people the music that he/she gives his or her stamp of approval to. It’s changed because of technology of course, but it’s an art that everyone now thinks they can do. Playing records and mp3’s is not rocket science. The point is that there’s a difference between doing it and doing it well. DJing is like running: most people can run to catch a bus or jog on a track, but only a tiny few can be Olympic champions. Knowing music, finding music, understanding music, having an insane love of music period, whether it’s Hip Hop, Country, Rock, etc. Learning people, their feelings, what makes them smile, dance, laugh. A DJ knows which records to make people lose themselves. Today’s DJ has become a groupie! Not realizing the DJ is the only figure with any power in the music industry that doesn’t have to become a slave to record labels-the DJ is greatest freelance music maker period. A permanent revolutionary. Has the DJs role affected Urban Christian music? It has but it’s not getting the RESPECT it deserves because a lot of DJ’s don’t have the full understanding of the important thing that a DJ has to incorporate doing ministry as a DJ...INFLEUNCE! You have the people’s attention whether at a party, spinning on a mix tape, on the radio, they are listening to you. You have a platform for the people to listen. You can make people throw their hands in the air and wave them like they just don’t care; you make people scream and jump. You can use that (influence) to praise and worship GOD.
Konviction: What is your favorite scripture, and how does it provide you motivation to continue the fight of faith on a daily basis?
Sean Blu: Luke 1:37 “For Nothing is Impossible with God...” There is nothing God can’t do as long as I walk upright before him; trust him through any trial or situation! If you chew on that, Man, it ain’t nothing God can’t do…God can do the impossible.
Konviction: Please share with us your perspective on unity in Christian rap? What can be done to foster greater harmony on all levels?
Sean Blu: It’s unity in cliques...from the DJ’s to the Artist. It’s pretty bad! “I can’t work with you because of...doctrine, you associate with this person or that person or I don’t like how you said this or that on your record”. Petty stuff, instead of looking to unite for the ultimate Goal: Jesus. And the level of arrogance…Wow! Dudes can have a 100 downloads, have a little buzz in the game and their humility level is like their doo-doo don’t stank! Everybody got a little island where “I am holier than thou”…to fix it? Reverse it! Man, you got DJ’s that will literally only play their favorite artists and the clique they roll with on their radio shows, mix tapes or whatever! Artists who would only work with artists who think like them. I understand you can’t work with everybody or anybody but you got dudes that won’t even try to get to know you or reach out. I can call out a lot of names out but I will chill.
Konviction: Not to put you on da spot FAM, but who are your top five.
Sean Blu: How bout 10? Not necessarily in this order, Rob Hodge, Japhia Life, Sean Slaughter, Dre Marshall, Cash Hollistah, Mouthpi3ce, Mahognay Jones, Claude Deuce, T Haddy, Pro.
Konviction: Give a combination of artist and producers you would like to hear collabo for a hott joint?
Sean Blu: No names in particular but I would say, if you hungry and love God and you got that stuff...let’s get it!
Konviction: From the perspective of sound quality, what can artists and engineers do to create a more holistic and clean project? (U listen to alot of muzik fam)
Sean Blu: Man, a lot my stuff is grimy and dirty! I’ve cats that have engineered my stuff and that “Feel” was taken out of it! I mean technically they were right on most cases but it didn’t have or it lost “Feel”. It’s something like when you buy a hotdog off the streets in New York vs. getting it at the food court at the mall. You feel me? The criticism I get is the quality of some of my tapes, and that’s very important! But it was something about a Clue Tape, Kid Capri, whoo Kid, Ron G, Tony Touch, man you name it, mix tape you got off the street. The quality on them tapes wasn’t there a lot of times but it had that “Feel”. It sounds crazy from a dude who went to school for recording engineering and Yes, I graduated but dudes know what I’m talking about. Lol! When you have a mix tape that sounds too polished it doesn’t have that “Feel”. I know its 2011 but it’s that “Feel” baby! Lol!
Konviction: Share with us in detail about your upcoming schedule, events, mix tapes, etc. Also tell us how we can reach you, via email, web, social media, etc...As well as anything else you wish to say. Feel free to speak!
Sean Blu:I just completed a project I did for DaSouth.com “Under the Radar Vol. 1” a compilation I hosted for them. I got a mix tape that dropped March 18th “Champion Music” with Big Ran. I have a joint I’m doing for The Oracle Magazine called "Call of Duty: Black OPS". I got a couple events I’m spinning during Dove week in Atlanta, Ga: “The Show” April 19th sponsored by PS21media Group and Hype Radio Fest April 18th. I can be reached at Facebook.com/seanblu-streethymns recordings, twitter.com/djseanblu, streethymnsmixtapes@gmail.com, 206-222-0350. And if all else fails, Google me!!! Thanks for all the love and support!!!
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