Peace MAV, it's always an honor when we get to interview and chop it up. This is actually your third cover (the most by anyone in OTH Magazine history). For someone who doesn't really do interviews, why have you always blessed OTH with your time?
The pleasure is all mine! OTH is extended family and if you don’t make time for family, which is the absolute most important thing to me, you're putting your time in the wrong places.
You yourself have always been a “you'll get what i give” type of artist, meaning you don't put too much out social media wise but have started to do so more as of late, with studio sessions and studio chat vlogs. Care to speak on why so?
Well I was used to keeping things tight knit. Family, personals, even my studio sessions and the dynamic of things have changed which allows for me to see things in a different light. With that being said, once I started coming out of a huge funk, one of the things I did was share a little more of myself with my audience. In doing so they get to see it’s more to me than just gritty raps and tough talk… I have a lot to offer
In these clips you're interacting with fellow members of Da Cloth, dropping gems and of course recording and previewing new music, all of which is being done while having a great time it seems. What's a studio session like with MAV?
A studio session with me can be pretty boring to be honest. Water, no drugs and in most cases certain conversation isn’t to be entertained while I’m creating as well. You get the intimate stuff when the right people are in the studio together. The conversations take on deeper meaning and it’s more of a fellowship than anything.
Any crazy studio stories you can share with the readers?
Unfortunately there isn’t, I mean everything isn’t to be shared. Let’s just say some good times and some bad times if that helps.
Doing full projects with a single producer has been done before and is trending currently. Something I credit to yourself making popular over the past few years. Since the last time we spoke you released two new projects, “Long Story Short” with Pete Twist in late 2023 and the most recent in May of 24 with Damien entitled “Mirror Talks.” What are you looking for when selecting producers and how do you come across producers you want to work with?
What I look for in a producer is a particular sound. I don’t want them to sound the same as others I’ve worked with, plus there has to be a connection between me and the producer. Unless it’s a commissioned project where I’m paid to do the work. That means the producer's skill set should I decide to take them up on the offer, may be better or worse than some of the producers I’ve previously worked with. There may not be a great connection because we’re both looking for something different. They’re looking to put out a project to make some money off my name and I’m looking to be paid handsomely upfront for the opportunity.
When doing full projects with a single producer do you already have a project concept in mind and the producer caters to your idea, is it a group effort or just a drop and record type situation.
When doing a project with one producer in most cases we figure out the sound first and then they’ll start sending or producing beats in that particular realm. When it comes to what I write they don’t really get a say, I spill a lot of my life into these songs and they weren’t there so after a few songs are done, I establish a theme to adhere to while recording. A particular place to bring to life lyrically.
“Long Story Short,” 11 tracks, 28 minutes with features by Eddie Kane, ETO, Jay Royale, DJ TMB, Ambassador Rick and Estee Nack. Tell us about the project and what you were going for that time around and how the approach changed for “Mirror Talks.”
“Long Story Short” (LSS) was important for several reasons. First off I wanted to record a project that was with someone from the same soil as myself. Meaning someone who had the same struggles and seen shit from a similar lense. Someone who understood the soundscape was more of a feeling than a sound. Pete Twist was all of those things. Me and Pete cooked differently than anyone else, I’d send Pete songs that were finished and say “can you produce around these vocals“ and Pete would do just that. The Estee feature was done in 2017 / 2018, and the Eto and Jay Royale songs got facelifts as well. Possibly a year or two old at the time of release with new production tailored to the sound. “Mirror talks” was a commissioned project so it wasn’t done under the same blueprint as “LSS”. Damien sent beats and the ones I liked I created to and even amended in the studio to fit what I was trying to do musically. It was still important to give the project that feel but the process wasn’t as intimate.
Its funny you say that because “Mirror Talks” only has one feature and that is Chung on “Flowers for the Dying,” which goes with the more intimate personal feeling this project gives off. Is that the direction you were going with this project?
“Mirror Talks,” was actually supposed to have two features. Chung and MBK who is also a female artist. I thought that would be a dope touch but unfortunately MBK wasn’t able to meet the production deadline. The project was done in a month so I don’t truly know if I was going for intimate on this one. I was getting ready to hang my hat up and Damien wanted to work before I closed the doors. I wasn’t in the best state of mind when I did “Mirror Talks.”
You're always innovative with your marketing and packaging process for your releases, even for someone who isn't a fan of the music style the product imagery will peak their interest. Is that something you pay close attention to or just something that happens. How intricate are you with the marketing and imagery?
For me that’s one of the best parts. I feel like the work starts once the recording is done and I prefer to be hands on with the process from beginning to end. Just wait until you see what I have in store for some future releases coming from AllthingzMAV as opposed to other labels.
They are probably sold out already but any special editions, limited prints, numbered vinyls, this time around?
That’s a must, I feel with every release. It’s just a little extra added measure for the consumers. They all want it but some of them want it in a different capacity.
Where can the readers stream the new and old music and also get their physical cds, cassettes and vinyls of “Mirror Talks” and “Long Story Short”?
I’m not the biggest fan of streams but they can stream all of my music new and old via all major streaming outlets. Apple Music, Tidal, etc. For the latest release AllThingzMAV.com for cassettes and CDs of “LSS” as well as some previously released music. Copenhagen Crates for a few leftover “LSS” vinyls and “Mirror Talks,” will be available via IHAAR ‘s ( I had a accident records ) bandcamp page …
We got two projects in 2022 and 2023. Is it safe to say we can expect another project late summer early fall maybe? What should we be looking out for from yourself?
Oh yeah! We're gonna be a little more visible musically this year. We have a few projects we’re keeping at home “ One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest “ and “G.O.D. '' as well as Mooch and myself have a project possibly landing. Me and Finn have “Chopsticks for Noodles” ready to go at any time and more so keep your eyes peeled and ears to the streets.
Not to skip over it, you've also been doing some more community outreach lately too, speaking with schools and kids. Talk about that, why you feel it is important and the message you are trying to push to the kids.
It’s important for the children to dream and see examples of themselves come full circle right in front of them. I lived and went to school in the environments they’re from in most cases. So for them to look at me as a sign of hope is important to me. I’m connected to them in more ways than one. I look the part, talk the talk, walk the walk and I find it on the same sidewalks they will do it on. I’ll be returning to the schools before summer hits as well as taking the time to visit the summer programs. I respect them wholeheartedly and want nothing more than to be a beacon of light to them if I’m allowed to do so. The message is simple, be intentional in your movements and make every shot count. If you miss, shoot it again, there’s no shame in trying and not succeeding. Just as long as you got time to tweak the game plan.
MAV, we look forward to more with you in the near future, it's always an honor and a pleasure. Please leave us with your social media and contact information
Simple one, Love yall! Connect with me on Instagram @dabusinessend_mav, my website AllThingzMAV.com, Youtube @DaClothEnt and for booking and shows daytymejux@yahoo.com
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