Recording Your First Album- An Honest Conversation With Artist ‘Prototype’
He doesn’t like to be labelled a ‘Hip Hop’ artist because of its preconceived notions. So instead, we talk about ‘feel’: The juxtaposition of heavy lyrical content with lighter, almost happy musical accompaniment. The melding of genres and the art of creating a complex musical character that cannot be put into a box. Prototype’s music feels authentic, vulnerable and almost uncomfortably honest- like an unedited diary entry. It evokes a ‘me too’ response, and I find myself in the lines while involuntarily head bopping along to its catchy rhythms.
‘Everyone Can Sing’ is extremely proud of Prototype’s work and leans in a little closer to learn about the making of his first album ‘Colored Truth’.
What does it feel like to put out an album to the world?
I tend to be quiet an introverted person in every day life, so for me music is where I find my voice. Putting out and album feels like getting stuff off of my chest. It’s a type of therapy for me. So I feel a sense of relief.
If you are talking to aspiring album makers, where do they start? What are the practical steps you take?
Start with what you have in your hands. People underestimate what they can do with what they’ve got. We live in a day and age where systems’, institutions’ and people’s thinking haven’t caught up with the pace of change and progress… You can make a Grammy award winning album with a laptop an internet connection, YouTube tutorials and a microphone set up worth a few hundred dollars. That’s not an exaggeration. People have done it and are still doing it.
So it doesn’t have to be expensive?
Not if you get resourceful. I think your best bet at making it is having a DIY approach to what you do. Leverage your resources and make due with what you have. As you build momentum all the right connections will happen at the right time. In the past I think I overvalued the expense in terms of money and undervalued social capital. Relationships and inspired creatives working alongside you are your biggest resource ahead of money.
What are the hurdles you had to overcome? Did it take long? Did you ever feel like giving up? Why and how did you overcome it? What made you keep on going?
So many hurdles. Everyday life. Depression. Death of a loved one. Keeping my room tidy and organized. Finding time to work and play. Things everyone has to deal with.big and small. But that’s where the inspiration comes from. For me good art is a reflection of life.
It only takes long if you view your music as having a destination instead of being about the journey… To me the journey is more interesting. Our destination is all the same. We all die. So why rush the process. Live a good life. There’s beauty in process and patience is a virtue that is paramount .
I think finding a purpose bigger than just music is what keeps me going… A vision that’s bigger than me. To me it has to be about more than just music. I don’t want to be a great artist but be a sh**y person in real life. I think the greatest artists are the ones who understand this. I want to inspire in every aspect of life. Create moments of magic for people. And that can be through a good conversation, a smile, or a song.
How do you handle the vulnerability of putting yourself ‘out there?’
Hahaha not very well… I think I try to overcompensate with ego but deep down I’m highly sensitive. I am still struggling to find my balance.
What are you most proud of?
Seeing the growth of my teammates. Honestly, I get blown away by how much people -like my partner in crime Lazarus- have grown in such a short amount of time. He has a crazy growth mindset that inspires me to be better everyday. I think we spur each other on.
What are you hoping to accomplish?
I want to inspire people. I want to leave a legacy. But mostly I want to be fulfilled and content with the life that I get to live. I aim at minimising regret on a daily basis and keep in mind that if I was to die today what would be important for me. For me that’s family and creativity.
What’s your next step?
My next step is my previous step. I’ve had to wrestle with this idea of having one moment where all of a sudden your life changes in an instant… I’ve had to stop Looking for a lucky break and instead embracing the beauty of the mundane and the journey. I’ve got friends and family that love me. What else do I need. Fame is an illusion I’m learning to stop chasing My next step is to write another song. And then another. And another. To meet new people. To grow. To inspire and be inspired.
What’s are the challenges and the rewards of collaborating with others? Is it hard inviting someone into the creative process with you when you feel quite attached to what you have already made?
Definitely challenging, but part of the beauty is realising you only have part of the picture and everybody has something they can add to the canvas. Whether they know it or not. I think it’s about letting ego die and letting it be about creating the best piece of art . To me the greatest art should remind us of good virtues we as a society seek to embody. Strength determination, beauty, kindness, gentleness, compassion, hope and love.
What does this album mean to you on a personal level?
For me it was about trying to capture a moment in time… Something I could look back on in the decades to come. A journal entry of where I was at this stage in my life… A think the album is a synthesis of tensions. Tensions between the illusion of fame and the reality of life. Tension between who I am as a person and who I want to be. Tension between pursuing a love relationship or staying single. Tension between getting a boring 9 to 5 or pursuing music full time. Tension between the religious and the secular. All big life decisions that they don’t train you for when you grow up. The teach you calculus but don’t teach you how to pick the right partner you might spend the next 50 years of your life. Your just supposed to intuitively know. How crazy. Also the tension of life and death.. the loss of my father and wanting to give up on life at times. But finding a reason to live… This album was part of me finding that strength and sharing it with the world so that hopefully somebody going through the same thing can relate and find the strength to keep going. I dedicate the album to Him.
Rest in Peace Dad.
Contact Prototype on prototypemusic96@gmail.com or follow him on Instagram or twitter: @Prototype_M
Interview by Deb Pluym