Introducing… Epiphany

Arkansas emcee, Epiphany, recently released part one of his 4 part Respect series, hosted by DJBooth.net. Just as the name of the series claims, Epiphany deserves every ounce of it. We had the opportunity to catch up with Piph and see what this emcee is all about. Hit the jump to get to know Epiphany…

Where you reppin:

I’m from Pine Bluff, Arkansas but have been in Little Rock for a second or three now.

Introduce yourself:

Epiphany/Piph/Big Piph/Hollywood Cole… an emcee who is a student of the game trynna maintain my IRaps4Real mantra.

Where did the name Epiphany come from?

The fact that I was gonna rap hit me as an epiphany. I was on a different path and then I realized that this was who I am and what I would further become. Also, just taking the Piph simplified definition of epiphany: “a sudden, divine revelation”, and that’s how I hope my music hits folks on whatever level. Just make you realize something about yourself and situation through this simple dude’s music. I’m just a vessel blessed with a mission really. Helps that I can rap too.

Main musical inspirations:

Things that sound good. I know it sounds broad and generic and that’s good. I still roll heavily w/ hip-hop, gospel, soul, and whatever, but nowadays I just like whatever makes me feel something. Not even what makes me feel a certain way, but just feel something. Since so much music seems “dialed in” nowadays that’s harder than it sounds.

When did you fall in love with hip hop?

I was at school and a cat was bumping 8Ball & MJG’s “Lay It Down” hella loud. When I first heard it, I just stopped in my tracks and absorbed what I felt was the best fusion b/t beats and rhymes at the time. After that I was sold. Hip-hop began meaning something. I found and began consuming as much as I could and since I was somewhat late in the game, besides seeking out Suave House I went and peeped everything that came before them as well. Although I had respect for it before, it seemed like it was all played on new ears.

Current projects we should be looking out for:

Definitely this RESPECT series I’ve got poppin off co-signed by DJBooth.net. It’s a 4 part mini-mixtape series based on items that should be respected. The first part of the series already dropped and is available to listen or download HERE. Part 2 will be coming for people’s throats in early January.

Previous work that we should know about:

Ehhh…I’ll roll with Theme Muzik (Conduit compilation album) and Low Tide (my mix-tape). Some folks would probably name some of my music before those works, but I’ll stick with those as I was extra comfortable in my “voice” by then.

As for before that, ya’ll will have to wait until I blow up and then die so then folks will put my extra old verses on some new tracks and act like that’s hot. I actually briefly described this on a track on RESPECT pt1 entitled “Quite Like I Can”.

If you had to pick one song that defines your career to date, what song would that be?

I don’t think is this response answers your question exactly, but Common had this song called “Between Me, You, & Liberation”. It’s about 3 stories of 3 important people in his life that had “issues” that led to them being “free”. I choose it b/c for me it speaks to what really matters and part of that is finding your peace and adding to others understanding of it. We tend to make things complex that don’t have to be. Even my short journey in rap this far has reinforced that. Glitz, glamour, womens, whatever is kosher, but it’s the REAL lives that are involved that matter.

Funny, I’m probably gonna throw off 1st time listeners of my music now when they expect to hear some “incense on wax” and then they hear that bass knock. But roll w/ your boy for a bit, it’ll all make sense.

Why should the readers and fans give you a shot and listen to your music from here on out?

This is the part where I’m sposed to give you an extra dope answer, but I really don’t have much for you other than I’m actually going for it. I’m fa real trynna to achieve making not just good music, but good projects. I want to entertain while still injecting me into each and every bar. I’m trynna acheive the experience. Everybody won’t vibe w/ it and truth be told, they shouldn’t. That’s what diversity is for, but please believe you must respect it.

What’s next for you?

We’re gonna finish up this RESPECT series and then follow up with the album soon after that. Ride out some more shows in mostly the southern region and add some strategic cats to the team (such as a manager) to help get me where I need to go in the short/long term. And that’s positioning for prosperous and influential opportunities.

If you could only take one record on a deserted island with you, what album would that be?

One album, huh? I think I’d roll w/ Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Not that it’s hands down my favorite album, but it goes through a large range of true emotions and ideas w/ both dope rhymes and cold vocals. Plus if the island’s gonna be deserted, I’d rather look at her in the liner notes than all these rap niggas albums I have.

Any shout outs or last words?

Man, my Conduit and IAmTheLife fam. Other than that, them folks over at We All Scheme and everybody that gave your folks a chance. You can peep the moves at www.facebook.com/bigpiph, www.myspace.com/bigpiph, and @epiphanyiatl. Don’t worry, website coming to soon to consolidate all that junk for you.