Some may not be familiar with the name but the sound and face ring a bell, that's because you changed your stage name a few years back from “Uniq” to “Cydney Poitier.” Welcome, and care to speak on why?
Thanks, I was at a point in my rap career I felt it was time to reinvent myself. So during two years of lock down, with covid, I came back as Cydney Poitier
Prior to the name change you were already creating a buzz on the east coast and down south with releases like “The Definition” (2008 as Uniq), showcasing your ability to create a club friendly party track or get lyrical and deliver introspective bars. How has your sound changed since then and grown?
My sound is more soulful, the subject matter is current and the frequency is at a higher level.
Describe your sound to the readers and potential new listeners. What should they expect when listening to your music?
My sound is classic. To describe it is a mixture of all the elements, very musical, sample based, classic, for the true older hip hop fans.
You seemed to have leaned more towards the lyrical approach and delivery as of late. This is shown on your project “Uptown Saturday Night” where you come in stating your not with the “microwave shit”. Was this approach on purpose and do you prefer this style over making the club / radio music?
I'm definitely all about the bars. I'm from a cloth that demands it.The approach was absolutely on purpose. We knew this particular project was special and we knew it would get us noticed. So given the features on “Uptown Saturday Night” the motion picture soundtrack, produced by Soul Lxrd, it had to be about bars. So the answer is yes, it's totally on purpose.
As stated earlier you are not new to the game and have been putting in work for a while, which includes putting in work with Dead Prez, K Solo, ODB, Shyhem and more, plus getting signed to “PMD” in 2004. How did that opportunity come about and what is your current label situation?
In 2004 I signed with “Boondocks Records,” PMD of the legendary hip hop group EPMD. Marcy Turner over at Universal Records brokered the deal with a long time friend Craig Collins, who at the time was in Orland working with alot of celebrities that really wanted me to get the deal. PMD was so excited to have me, I signed my contract, PMD picked me up from the airport in New York, gave me an envelope full of money and the next day I was dropping sixteens with Sam Sneed in the booth, the rest is history. I almost forgot my current label situation, I'm independent.
Word is that you're prepping for another release this summer, “A Raisin In The Sun.” Let's start with the title, I'm assuming it was influenced by the film but what does it mean to you and to title your project after it.
Yes, the title of the EP is “A Raisin In The Sun.” It's a Sydney Poitier novel but it is also a poem. It's based in the 1950, about people of color settling in communities, trying to adjust to their new surroundings. That is my story. When we arrived in Florida from Detroit, there weren't alot of black kids in my school, hardly no black people in my community. My friends were white and I had to adjust to my surroundings but still stay myself as a black person. I can totally relate and that's why it's the title of my EP.
Who are some of the people who are featured on “A Raisin In The Sun,” both artist and production wise?
Some of the features on “A Raisin In The Sun” are Dano7s, Str8Paper The Vibe Captain, Iceburg Snub, DJ Exes and all production by Soul Lxrd.
What one track are you most excited for your fans to hear from “A Raisin In The Sun” and why?
The track I'm most excited for my fans to hear is the self titled track “A Raisin In The Sun.”
Cydney, we look forward to your upcoming release and catching up with you in the near future, before we go any shoutouts or comments you'd like to make, the floor is yours.
I just wanna shout out everyone who has been rocking with me from day one, you know who you are. I wanna send a special shout out to my LoLife Orlando and Miami family, Ls in the sky.
What is your definition of “Overtime Hustlin”?
My definition of overtime hustlin is putting in the work and staying consistent, on and off the court, that's the Lo way. Peace
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