Artist Spotlight: Purpose

Having just released his mixtape, Better Than Your Album, last week with One3 Music and hosted by Statik Selektah, this Massachusetts emcee/producer is coming out swingin. The verdict is in.. and yes his mixtape is better than most albums. But will the man behind the scenes live up to the hype? Hit the jump and decide for yourself. Reppin the Tragic Allies, here’s Purpose…

Where you reppin?

I was born and raised in Lynn Massachusetts, It’s about a 15 minute ride from Boston depending on how fast you drive. It’s known as the “City of Sin” or “Sin City” by most. Many people know about it from watching the news at night or from a poem that was written decades ago, which reads …

Lynn, Lynn, the city of sin
You never come out the way you went in
Ask for water, they give you some gin
the girls say no, but always give in

Introduce yourself:

Most people call me Purp which is short for Purpose. I’m an Emcee/Producer/Engineer for a group called Tragic Allies.

Where did the name Purpose come from?

When i was about 15 or 16 years old me and the other original member of Tragic Allies “Fuge” were trying to come up with names one day. He said something that sounded like Purpose and i said what did you say? He replied “Purpose, that would be a dope name for you”. At first i didn’t like it but, he went on about how being an emcee was my purpose in life and since that day it stuck.

Main musical inspirations:

The early to mid 90′s were most influential on me and i’m sure you can hear that in my music. The feeling i get from listening to hard hitting, dusty, melodic beats had me hooked from day one. Even to this day i find inspiration from albums such as Only Built for Cuban Linx, The Infamous, Heavy Mental etc..They remind me of the days when hip hop was pure and not synthetic sounding. The days when emceeing was about being lyrical and not about having flashy clothes, cars and jewelery. Now of days you can live off of “Cat in the Hat” rhymes, spit over some “Hot Producer’s” club beat and pretend that you actually have real talent. How can anyone be inspired off that?

When did you fall in love with hip hop?

In the late 80′s my older brothers put me on to greats like Rakim and KRS but it wasn’t until i became a teenager and started listening to Mobb Deep, Nas and Wu Tang that i knew i wanted to start rhyming. The 90′s is where it all began for me and it’s where i’ll always find my heaven.

Current projects we should be looking out for:

Well, first off i think people will really enjoy this new “Better Than Your Album” mixtape, it’s not your average mixtape. After this circulates for a lil while, we’re trying to release the Tragic Allies debut group album titled “The Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil” which has been done for a while now. We’re just waiting on the right opportunity to release it, so anyone who wants to help out with that should get at me. Once that is released, be on the look out for my debut solo album which is untitled at this time but it’s about half way finished.

Previous work that we should know about:

We’ve released 3 Tragic Allies mixtapes and 2 Purpose solo mixtapes including the new joint I’m releasing on Friday the 13th. You can check www.tragicallies.com for more info on those projects and some others. As a producer i’ve done stuff for Killah Priest, Bronze Nazareth, Big Shug, Singapore Kane and a couple others which i won’t mention until the projects drop but just know i got some fire shit coming soon.

What’s your equipment setup like?

I started off with the original MPC 2000 back in 1998 which i still use today. However instead of just using that, i combine it with midi keyboards and computer programs. I got no shame using Fruity Loops, despite what some people may think about using computer programs to make beats. The bottom line is that if i can do the same thing but easier and faster and still make it sound the same than why not? Having good studio monitor speaks helps alot as well. When I got Mackies for my lab, they helped make my beats come to life. Sometimes people use shitty speakers to make their beats but when they hear em on good speakers or in a car, they sound horrible. In my opinion, It’s all about Eqing and mixing that makes or breaks beats you’re trying to make, not what you’re using to make them.

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

Survival of the Fittest from Mobb Deep. The ability to survive is something that not everyone has. Most people would have given up by now if they were me, but something inside of me won’t allow me to give up. I’ve been doing this music shit for over a decade now and i’m just finally scratching the surface. I was told by family members that i had no chance of making it and told by critics that my music was not commercial enough to be successful. In spite of all that and other obstacles, i never quit, even though i wanted to several times. Survival is crucial and i refuse to let REAL Hip Hop die off.

If you weren’t doing music, what would your occupation be?

Most likely a regular nine to five something or other because my parents couldn’t afford to send me to college and i have children now so i don’t have the funds or the time to go back to school. Which doesn’t bother me as long as my family is healthy and taken care of. I’m not a materialistic person at all and money isn’t worth more than happiness to me. I’d rather make less money and be happy than work tons of hours and be miserable. Too many people now of days have alot of hate built up inside of them and most of the time it has to do with either not having money or wanting to get money. That’s the root of all evil for you….

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

Consistency! I’m not the type to put a half ass effort into making my music. I don’t make ring tone music or that popular bullshit that the radio forces on people and pollutes the air waves. However, If you want to hear REAL Hip Hop and music that lasts, than stay with me and i got you!

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

I’d have to say the original Only Built For Cuban Linx. That is my favorite album of all time and never gets old to me. In fact, it’s the only cd that never comes out of my 6 disc cd player in my car. I wish the kids of today’s generation could’ve been around during that era to witness its greatness. Sure, they could listen to it now and enjoy it but they would’ve appreciated it more if they were around during the time it was released.

Tell us one thing that very few people may know about you.

I’m a die hard Yankees and Jets fan and being from the Boston area doesn’t help me at all. I’ve been in fights over it and i’m constantly heckled about it when people see me wearing those teams jerseys or hats. Everyone is always asking me how could i represent the enemy and why do i like those teams. Honestly I’m sick of answering those questions. My father was born and raised in New York so while i was growing up, those were the teams we watched. Those were the teams i grew up loving and wanting to play for. Am i supposed to go against the grain and what i was taught, just to make people from this area happy? HELL NO,lol…..

What’s next for you?

I’m going to Disney World!!! Na, let me chill….I’m going to keep doing what i do and that’s making quality Hip Hop music for all of the Hip Hop heads out there who appreciate that REAL shit. We got so much unreleased music that needs to be heard so be on the look out for more Tragic Allies projects soon to come!

Any shout outs or last words?

Yeah def, Big Up to kevinnottingham.com and all of it’s supporters. Shout to my team, Estee Nack and Code Nine, Tragic Allies is forever! Good lookin out to my man M Credible and One3 Music for helping me out with this latest project. My man Singapore Kane who is like a brother to me! Live P and my Culture VI family. Matt Diamond of Diamond Music Group for putting in work with the promo. My man Killah Priest who has looked out for me since day one, you know what time it is G, lets get it in! and last but not least….All the fans out there who support REAL Hip Hop, Good lookin’ out….I love yall….Peace!

Bad Dem Up

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I Gave You Power (Freestyle)

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Murda Paragraphs

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