Track 11. Arcieri Keness!!!!

Tell everyone your name and what city your repping?

[Clears throat and adjust suit tie] Hello, ladies and gents, I'm Arcieri Keness at 6'2, weighing in at 190LBS hailing all the way from Baltimore Maryland.


Where/ how did you get that name? Is there a story behind it?

There is no story, I'm just Arcieri Keness... HELLO.


What inspired you to begin rapping?

What? No, it's more like who in my case. I was inspired by The Fresh Prince and Methodman... strange combo, eh? Heh. I saw how The Fresh Prince painted pictures with words, and he made the whole story totally make sense, that was awesome to me growing up. Plus, I didn't really have a male figure to look up to growing up (victim of a single mom and dead beat dad). To me the art of it seemed to challenge my somewhat complex young mind. Methodman showed me you could play with words to the ulimate degree which made rapping that much more interesting.


What rappers do you get inspiration from?

Jay-z has been a huge inspiration... much love to everyone in BROOKLYN!!! I also love the people that are hungry as if they hadn't eaten in decades... such as Jean Grae, Royce da 5'9 and Common.


Would you call yourself a conscious rapper?

I honestly wouldn't label myself, because you limit yourself once you stick a label on what you are. If you mean am I aware of my content, indeed... as anyone is with anything they say. Your words and what you display to the public eye define you to the one's on the outside looking in.


What has been your latest project thus far?

Pardon, but would you happen to be interrogating me? Haha. jk. Nah, but it's TOP SECRET SPY STUFF, if I tell you... I'd have to... you know. Ha!!


When can we expect an album?

I'm actually done with my mixtape, I just have to redo the intro. So, I'd say it should be dessert after your Thanksgiving dinner.


The AIR Interlude is so dope. Who is the female that your speaking to on that track?

See, you wanna know the method to the madness. You can't go to the circus asking how the fire breathers really eat the fire. Nor can you ask the clowns how they squeeze into that tiny little car... the mystery makes it that much enjoyable and fascinating. Seriously though its Janet Jackson [Laughs].


What would be your dream artist/producer collaboration?

I'd love to do an album with DJ Premier, Danger Mouse (my favorite dj/producer) and the RZA. When I say an album, I'd honestly do and entire album per producer, seriously.


How do you think you will contribute to Hip Hop?

Mainly the topics I touch on, I think I do it in such a fun way without it being commercial. I'm from the era where what you had to say mattered as well as your delivery. This new era is like a poorly sewn together fitted. Palabra!!


Has Hip Hop lost its way?

HIPHOP is the culture, and the people mold HIPHOP. So I'd say the people have lost their way if anything. I'm touching on the artist as well as some of the listeners. Truthfully, the listeners allow such horrible quality of music to continue, they control what comes out and what doesn't... whether they know it or not.


So is their a Mrs. Keness?

Yes. [Impish grin] She's beautiful. She reminds me that no matter how hard you fall, you can always pick yourself up and go on stronger.

Word Association

I'll tell you a word, and you tell me what comes to mind.

Religion- GOD

Honesty- Keness

Music- LOVE

Family- Foundation

Bullshit- 95 % of new artist

Obstacles- Goal


Shoutouts: GOD, my mom Gabrielle, Ashley B, d33ZILLA, the makers of Mike Tyson's Punch Out for NES, Stefan and Stephanie, Miss S. Lambo, Iman Stevenson and Tyler, Sais, Lexx Bubble, Lena Lee, Jay & Edith, Marbolous, Oscar, Malte, my big sister Tracy Springs, Brittany Boone, Brit Parker, Brittany Street, Gia, Eddie, Eric McFatty, The After Clap, the creator of the Cinnamon Cruch Begal at Panera BREAD and the Hazelnut cream cheese, Mario and Luigi, Link and Zelda, Will Smith, Mason Bovie, Soo Kyung, Ms. Lo, Imani Waddy, Heather, Jannah Tate, Cynthia, Viz One, Drew, Wade, Jason S, Sickness and a whole lot of other people I left out.

http://www.myspace.com/keness
Thanks, Stay Up, & Good Luck