Kurt Sunn returns with “Aquemini” delivering his lyrical prowess over a spacey emotional beat produced by Big Jerm.
File next to: Kendrick Lamar
- Please introduce yourself
How’s it going guys, this is Kurt Sunn!
- What is your creative process? How many beats do you listen to before you end up using one?
My creative process as far as writing goes is all over the place. I write the majority of my lyrics standing at work and on my lunch breaks. I commute about an hour to work so I often work out lyrics while I drive as well. Honestly finding the right beat can take forever. I can spend weeks and weeks searching for something I connect with but when I do connect the lyrics typically follow rather smoothly.
- What is the main topic of your lyrics?
I typically gravitate to my life and my experiences as well as the experiences of those close to me.
- Why sexism, and even outright misogyny, is so pervasive in Hip Hop culture?
This is a loaded question. I think the bulk of the issue is that the music industry promotes it and because it gets promoted often times artists fall into the niche of using those types of messages to uphold an identity they believe will sell. Maybe it’s an attempt to be “a rapper” and fulfill the stereotypical image that’s carried around with it. As an American society there have been improvements toward equality but we still have a long way to go.
- Who is your favourite beat maker and which rapper’s flow do you enjoy the most?
I listen to a ton of producers on SoundCloud. My favorites have to be The Alchemist, Knowmadic, Allem Iversom, Dryhope, Aesop Rock, Portishead, Yonderling, and AK 420 to name a few. As far as rappers I’ve always been amazed by Kendrick Lamar and Jay Electronica but Im into some guys from the Midwest like Saba and Smino.
- Do you think there is a true underground hip hop sound today?
I believe underground will always exist and with that being said yes there is an underground sound but it’s something that’s constantly evolving and changing. In the current state of the Internet age and the pure over saturation of music I feel there is a perpetuated notion that speeds up how long styles remain in the general eye and even the underground eye before someone else breaches the surface and changes the direction.
- If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
The streaming platform. Honestly I love the connectedness and the utility the internet offers but I think listeners are spoiled because of streaming. Listeners want the record with a click and because they are given such open access I feel like the life of an album is cut to a week. When I was a kid and I bought an album I had that one album to listen to over and over. Sometimes music needs time and I just feel like people are willing to spend less time and move onto the next thing.
- What would be your dream performance venue?
Haven’t ever considered this haha. Honestly anyplace where I am offered a chance to connect with the people in front of me is all I’m after.
- Do you have an artist that you would describe as a hidden gem that we should know about?
Hands down my favorite artist who unfortunately isn’t active anymore was called The Illz. You can find some of his music on YouTube but the majority of it is no longer on the internet.
- One last thing we should know about you?
I have an album titled Otherside ready to drop 5/15. Right now you can hear a single off the record titled Aquemini (Prod. Big Jerm).
- Thanks Kurt Sunn!
Follow Kurt Sunn: https://www.facebook.com/Kurt-Sunn-399803363897709/ https://soundcloud.com/kurt_sunn
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