Interview with Suspence– Emerging Musician

EM: Who are some of your favourite artists ?

Suspence: (Laughs) how many can I put down ? Top 5 ? Well, first I'm still a huge Michael Jackson fan. He was an incredible artist and entertainer. 2) I'd have to say Jay-Z. Good music and excellent businessman 3) Kanye West: Genius 4) Mos Def – combines the best of the underground with commercial possibilities... his music feels real. 5) Lupe- “Food and Liquor” is still one of my favourite albums of all time... The music just makes you move.

EM: I listened to an advance copy of  “The Rebirth.” Wow... this mixtape sure is different... What would you classify it as... Hip Hop ? Rock ?

Suspence: Well, personally I wouldn't want to define it. I prefer the listener to make up their own minds... I mean music is music.. I'm not a fan of labeling... I'm a South African kid... I've been labeled since birth... you know what I mean ?

EM: I think so... you're referring to the whole Apartheid system right ?

Suspence: Yeah... divide and conquer type stuff. If anything, I'm more about supporting re-definition.

EM: Ok. Tell me about the first track... Change the World... what was your mindset when writing that record?

Suspence: That was an interesting time. I was thinking about the pressures we face in life, and how we constantly strive for something better... you know, we are often willing to sacrifice in the short term, even allow ourselves to get ripped off, to get bigger gains in the future. I was also dealing with some immigration stuff which was really frustrating me... and when you talk to a lot of immigrants... it's often a real struggle dealing with these “invisible” obstacles...

EM: That's deep... what kind of invisible obstacles are you referring to ?

Suspence: Well, often there are things like “working experience in the country that you are applying to”, that are used by employers against you. I mean... if you just got there,  and you're now looking for work to support yourself, how can you have work experience in that country ? It's like putting the cart before the horse... the whole thing's backwards... and that's just the tip of the iceberg...

EM: I see...what do you hope to accomplish with your music ?

Suspence: Well, I have high goals for myself, for my team, and for my projects. I want to affect change... I have this burning desire to make things happen... I can't sit idly by. With my music, I want to reach people... and keep reaching more people... keep a movement growing... It sounds cliché to talk about revolutions etc, but in most of my songs that's what I'm talking about. When I'm dead and gone, I hope that the music is still being played to inspire and motivate further generations.