Hey Braille how you doing these days? 

I've been doing great. I've been married for two years now, my group Lightheaded is constantly touring and I just dropped a new album.

You are releasing your album "Shades Of Grey". What is the definition of a title like that? 

I believe strongly in absolutes. The "Shades of Grey" are the areas of confusion that often block us from having any definite direction in life. It's really a musical journey of self discovery and making it through/remaining on track regardless of circumstances.

Where did your name come from? Was it because people were "feeling your sh*t".? 

"Braille" by definition is "text for the blind". I take this as the text I write, being used to help people understand the things they can't see. To communicate emotions, perspectives and so forth using musical language.

Your name has pretty much been out there for a long time. I heard you on the Lojique, Lightheaded Pros, Night Owls, Redcloud, Locke etc. Now Syntax is one of those labels that continue to release albums and good ones too, so they must be very successful in sustaining their business, is this why you choose to roll with them? The reliability and stability factor? 

I really build most all of my business relationships, based on friendships. The guys at Syntax are good friends of mine. Unfortunately, we have decided to part ways...but we are still in full support of each other. It's not a bitter situation, we are just in the process of building new foundations for both of our futures. We decided it would be best if we did our own building, and then see if things line up later on. Either way, we'll always be involved in each others projects.

Your offer in terms of first doing the 1000 copies via yourself then after that via Syntax, is that Syntax testing the viability? 

Actually, that was just me being anxious and wanting to reward fans. At this point, I am going to continue releasing the record on my own. The first 1,000 are all sold and now the album is being officially released under my own label.

For somebody who has never heard your music how would you convince them to check it out? 

I always give my best effort. I'm constantly working to improve my abilities. The music is intense, honest, emotional, hard hitting and well written. It's always worth checking something out at least once. Audio snippets are up at www.braillehiphop.com

Now I understand that you've been touring (still are) with Lightheaded Pros. What's that been like so far? Is there a misconception about touring in your opinion? Is it all fun or are there times when it can become unbearable? 

I've been on the road for 2 and a half months strait. I guess everyone has their own experience. I love being on the road, but I'm not living like a super star by any stretch of the imagination. My wife tours with me, we have an air mattress that we sleep on...and we eat whatever is offered to us (or taco bell/ subway). Sometimes it gets really hard... my jaw starts hurting and my body gets very physically tired. I'll probably always love touring though...and I'm sure my conditions will get better as time goes on. I'm still in the process of building my career.

Do you ever get bored with performing the same songs over and over again in a touring situation? Have you ever performed with a headache? 

Touring with Lightheaded, we've done the same set 100's of times. I think the crowd is what makes it fun. If the crowd is really responsive, we feed off of them. If the crowd isn't responding, then we feed off trying to win them over. Either way, for me...performing is about the people more so then myself. I just want to give the crowd the best show possible...no matter how big or small. I usually don't have a headache, but sometimes my jaw or teeth hurt. 

In your situation are there groupies? 

I think it's easy to attract groupies as an artist. We often have girls approach us, but honestly...how we carry ourselves let's them know that we appreciate them, but also that we aren't interested in making any advances. Bar shows usually have at least one girl who tries to hit on one of us. I think we handle it well, and we always watch each others backs to make sure that we don't get involved with anyone while traveling.

Back to the album, what's the general direction that you were trying to take? 

I wanted to make an album that I would feel confident in pushing for years to come. Something that represented my best possible effort for the time period it was made in. I was looking for beats that hit hard and had good emotional tones to them. I think the album is a complete package, meant to be heard from start to finish. I feel it's my best work to date. I spent a lot of time on the lyrics....making constant revisions.

What are the things you write about? 

I write about life, experiences, stories, passions, lessons, observations, disappointments, victories, aspirations, dreams, concerns..... all the different things an average person feels. I just write what I feel in my heart, and what I feel fits the beat I'm rhyming to the best. Sometimes I write to encourage people, or to get people hype, or to share a piece of me that I feel is valuable. A lot of my direction in music is inspired by the workings of Christ in my life.

What is your personal favourite song that you've written? What do you always look forward to performing live? 

I have a lot of songs that I like a lot. "That's How It Is" from the Lightheaded (Pure Thoughts) album. "Shades of Grey", "Keep On", "Goliath" and "Nobody" from Shades of Grey are some of my current favorites. In live performances I love doing the song "It Won't last" from the solo... I love "That's How It Is" and "Never Square" from Lightheaded.

Are there any other songs out there that stand out for you by other hip hop artists? 

I'm really into the solo workings of my group members Othello and Ohmega Watts. I also dig The Procussions, Mars Ill, Sharlok Poems, Sev Statik, Lifesavas, Soul Position, Pigeon John and many others. 

So what got you into this music industry? Was it accidental or intentional? 

It's just been a constant progression of enjoying the craft more and wanting to expand my involvement. As you get deeper into making music...it's essential that you learn about the industry, so that you can further your career.

I notice you got a lot of guest appearances on here, whether it be Celph Titled or Rob Swift, how do you know these people, are they personal friends or is it strictly business? 

Most everyone featured on "Shades of Grey" between producers, djs and mcs...they are all personal friends. I've known most of them for many years. There are a few artists involved who I haven't had the chance to get to know on a very personal level, but I wouldn't say anyone was "strictly business". 

What is a typical day like for you? 

Wake up, shower, eat, drive, have a meeting, perform, sell merchandise, eat, break down equipment, drive, settle in, sleep..... then repeat

Do you have any nasty habits? 

Biting my fingernails is probably a bad habit. I also have a sweet tooth....I need to watch myself. I'm not sure if there is anything "nasty". I am a bit "scattered" in my organizational methods. hehe. I leave stuff laying all over.

How was it like for you growing up? 

I grew up in Portland, OR. My parents were separated. I wasn't raised in church or anything, but by age 14 I choose to become a believer/follower of Jesus Christ. I also spent time living in New Jersey and California. From age 13 or 14 I've spent most of my time either listening to, writing, or performing hiphop music. When I'm not doing that, I'm writing out plans to further my hiphop efforts. When I'm just relaxing, I do so with my wife and my family. My whole family has always been supportive in my dreams. Before hiphop, I was really into sports. Once I got to high school though I realized that I wasn't willing to work hard enough to take it very far. 

If you were in the same situation as Tom Hanks in Castaway and could only take 5 albums with you which ones would it be? 

I'd bring cds filled with beats....spend time writing the best rhymes I could, and hope someone finds me so that I can record the new material. I'd also probably bring some worship music because that would help me stay focused and sane.

Being in this music business what has been the one thing that continues to shock you? 

Nothing is to surprising anymore. All types of random people end up making it big. Some of them are good, some aren't. It seems like music has no boundaries..... not in content, sound, moral, or direction. For the most part, I understand why things work the way they do. I guess the thing that shocks me the most is seeing how influential music is on peoples lives. That really trips me out. Seeing how closely a persons life can resemble the music that they listen to.

Do you ever think about coming to Africa to experience life here? 

Right now one of my goals is to visit Japan. If I had to opportunity to visit Africa I would not hesitate at all. I would love it. I'm constantly traveling through the united states, but it my hope to one day travel all over the world.

Are you living comfortably as an artist or is it a constant struggle? 

I think I'm right in the middle of both sides. I'm not financially well off really...but I'm not completely poor either. I have just enough to get by, but at the same time... I don't have insurance and other things like that. There are always ups and downs.

What's the most important thing to you? 

Living within God's will for my life. Pleasing him with how I live my life.

What part of your new album are you really excited about? 

Making it available for listeners. I put a lot of effort into the album, and I'm just excited to see what people think about it. I love getting feedback and hearing direct from people who check it out. 

I'd like to thank you for taking the time to talk to us, do you have anything you'd like to add about the ablum or last words? 

The album is available at www.braillehiphop.com as well as most popular on-line sites that sell hiphop music. I'd love to get distribution to Africa as well if there are any websites or record stores that would be interested in carrying the album. Anyone can feel free to hit me up at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

coming soon... I'll be releasing Othello and the Hipnotiks (live jazz hiphop group) on my label. Their EP is called "Classic". I'm also working on a new EP called "Box of Rhymes" that will release on Domination Records in January of next year. Lightheaded is also working on a new EP called "Wrong Way". Aside from that, look out for a project called "heavy rotation" coming later this year as well. It has a collection of songs from many of my favorite artists. Thanks for the support and thanks to anyone who took time to read this. Peace and GOD bless.

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