The Block McCloud talks to Beat-Town

Image source: Topex

The original English Version follows right after the Greek Translation.

Having a noticeable rise in the last 3 years in the underground hip hop, the Ismael "Block Mccloud" Diaz was able to interest many. The feats of many recognizable album from the underground scene and their presence in the Army of the Pharaohs, but the incessant preoccupation with the world of hip hop (and beyond) was the key to its success. So, with this interview personally knew almost Block, as these words went through his heart and we were revealed aspects of his world for us in Greece, little was known.

Greek Translation

. Kenny

Beat - Town: Before we begin, talk to us about yourself. In recent years, thy name is heard more often in hip hop circles.

BMc: My name is Block McCloud, founder of «Brooklyn ACADEMY», «Suicide Squad» and member of the Army of The Pharaohs. I am many years in space, but recently decided to leave the background and become a solo artist.

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BT: On what you working these days?

BMc: Is much of it seems to me. I finish my next full length LP called «Four Walls» which consists entirely of productions DJ Waxwork, former member of the Snowgoons. It is my best work so far, honestly. Entries include: ILL Bill, Vinnie Paz, Reef The Lost Cauze, King Magnetic, Celph Titled, RA The Rugged Man, Demunz the Dark Apostle and others. Also along with my buddy Genetics and Phil Hamonic do an album with our productions bringing together all of the emerging underground MC's from around the world. With this album I want to thank them for all the support you showed me, so I record this album to their advertising with the help of our beats, say as a Lyricist Lounge 2012, called «DNA (Drugs and Alcohol Vol.1 ). " Also I do engineering for Method Man, Ghostface and Raekwon, manage the studio and the Ghost in my Staten Island.En meanwhile recording three albums for the fantastically SonGod (son of Ghostface Killah), the SICMIN (consisting of DR . AMA., Blakstarr, Hellfire and Night Time) named «Dark Black Hell Night" and finally to a new group called «MAD HOUSE» from Staten Island. Finally I work with my wife Fresh Jones and my son Lego The Future, album that will undermine the success of Drake and Beyonce (laughs). Oh well, I can not forget that the new label I switch called Disturbia Music Group (see: www.disturbiamusicgroup.com )

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BT: Is there a rapper or hip-hop image that you admire?

BMc: Apparently the Wu-Tang is on top and AOTP («Army of the Pharaohs") is closer to what I want to express with my music. Finally I admire Eminem and Big Punisher because of their authenticity and strong lyrics.

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BT: Do you remember your first contact with hip hop music?

BMc: I am close to reveal my age here (laughs) but yeah I remember watching the news on TV for the new "phenomenon" called hip-hop was a reference to a song called «The Message» by Grand Master Flash, and were viewing the video and was critical of how true were the lyrics. Later, I heard «Sugarhill Gang» and «White Lines» and stuck!

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BT: Did you have difficult moments during your career?

BMc: I have been homeless 2 times in my life the last time is 4 years ago and then was the time me and Fresh (pp. Wife) decided to change the situation and be together. But beyond what difficulties and mishaps in my life hip-hop has always been good with me and helped me to overcome everything. Now I have a full-service studio, label, and a whole lot of contacts who do not know what to do. Not to mention 4 beautiful children, a beautiful woman and a huge apartment in Staten Island. This number of 4 was very symbolic in my life so far.

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BT: Being an underground rapper, ever felt that your business is not getting the attention they deserved?

BMc: I felt that way until recently, is incredible and gives me inspiration on how much love and support I get from mc's like RA (pp. RA The Rugged Man), the Celph Titled, Vinnie and the Bill (pp. Vinnie Paz and Ill Bill respectively.) and their mutual support shown to take part in these projects. I think so far I did not know what effect I had in place (the hip-hop) and I am pleased that I managed to reach my goal, which was to change the game to have an effect on it and be remembered for the music I did. I have not finished yet ... but why continue to listen

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BT: Do you see changes in the field of hip hop in the last 3 years?

BMc: Dude yeah, I see changes ... The biggest change is that now is not selling any albums other than the known Young Money, Roc, and R & B. Digital sales will continue to prosper. I think people will continue to find anything illegal, with rips and bootlegs thanks to Bush, Obama and others motherfucker ... Yes, things are bad, but I can not complain because I did and I became best while all others are in constant decline.

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BT: What in your opinion the best bar you've written?

BMc: I can tell my friend ... They are all my babies and so. But the upcoming '4 Walls', I did a song called «Last Will» with my wife where I wrote:

«I write like I may not have the chance to write again,

I live like I may not find romance or find a friend,

Cause like my niggah War said any day your life can end

So I struggle to make peace with myself what I strive to mend

Is me, that's where my focus is at cause I notice that

Sometimes the ties that bind can also hold us back ...

So I sever the ties and cut the strings that connect us

And look to the heavenly skies for wings to protect us ...

And until God collect us, I do what I must ... I move but don't rush, i speak truth but I don't trust!

And I take everything that I hear with a grain a salt,

And if I'm not involved then you cant be too quick to place blame and fault ... »

This type of lyrics represent the sentiment of the upcoming album and how I feel in general at this time ...

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Download freely through the company's Disturbia Music Group for the Prelude drive Block Mcloud here

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BT: Do you feel proud to be part of the Army of the Pharaohs, a group in which members are the most popular underground rappers in the U.S.;

BMc: Yes, certainly I feel proud to be member of this "entity". I worked with Vinnie (pp. Vinnie Paz) for years and so I felt adikoumoun but certainly a very nice day when officially announced to the world. I admire the whole movement, how they move as one, and I am happy to contribute in all their successes .... And how they contributed to my own ... I feel honored ...

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BT: Are there any rappers or producers who want to work together in future?

BMc: Looking ahead to the future I would like to say ... go back to work with Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, Rakim ... I want to work more on the Marco Polo and ILL Mind. People that will work in the coming months is B real, Tech Nine, Immortal Technique, M1, Inspectah Deck, Gizer, I intend to stay busy as you see (laughs).

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BT: Who is your favorite 'mainstream »rapper;

BMc: You may lose some fans but now I love the whole Young Money movement. The Drake is awesome with rapping and singing, and although the market has begun to Corrèze his work, the approach is different from what "we fed" the last 5 years and this is refreshing. The industry (music) has to make this thing more often, or change it directly, I got tired of the "indifferent» rap. We need substance in our lives and this is what me and my people bring ...

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BT: your opinion on the "invasion" of autotune and electrohop in hip hop culture?

BMc: The love you, I see no reason why "underground» kids stick to this hater hype, connect one effect with the "mainstream" and suddenly it is wrong to use it or sell out means. If you look back in time Funk, George CLinton, Bootsy Collins, then later with the Black Street and even the Prince, they used it long before T-Pain. The T-Pain xanakane the really popular and henchman for that ... I do like an effects like reverb or as a delay and it succeeded to me if I knew how to do it before, I would have done more ... Basically if it sounds bad if you hate, but you can not tell me that I heard the chorus sucks, and people are stupid, not even used in the End Of The Days »with Vinnie, but people thought that I did criticized in the meantime they loved Burn You Alive »AOTP on the job and has autotune throughout the course! It is matter of taste and art are made ​​is to leave room for interpretation, like eating, painting, etc. You can not always please everyone, I must satisfy myself.

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BT: Top 5 artists Dead Or Alive?

BMc: Pun (pp. Big Punisher), Eminem, Biggie, Tupac, Wu-Tang Clan

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BT: What are your plans for the future?

BMc: I will do another solo album after the «4 Walls» and then I'm only strictly executive, singer and songwriter. Currently working on a singing voice with the hope to sign an agreement to publish writing pieces for the world. My son Lego is my main issue now, he and Fresh Jones. To these I will be focused from now on, I saw the world, enough money and I work with my idols at the moment, so I can not complain, I got most of my goals, so I will give me the reigns in 2012.

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BT: And one last question ... Do you plan to come live here in Greece?

BMc: Yes, I anticipate another Euro Tour in 2011, Hip-Hop Kemp is in August, but surely, I could not go to Greece and Italy this year, but definitely plan to go next year! There is no one out there crazy party-island beyond the coast of Greece, there I go with family, my wife and I will settle there and chase away all your women (laughs). Also conveyed my thanks to your readers who have supported me and wanted to do this interview. If I had you, I would not have anything, I would definitely still homeless, so thank you, only love I have for you all ... One.

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For contacts and information around the Block:

Website - www.blockmccloud.com

MySpace - www.myspace.com / blockmccloud

Facebook - www.facebook.com / BlockMcCloud

Twitter - www.twitter.com / blockmccloud

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End of Days - Vinnie Paz (feat. Block McCloud)

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(Original) English Version

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Beat-Town: First of all, please introduce us yourself. Over the last years we have been hearing your name even more often.

VMc: My name is Block Mccloud, founder of Brooklyn ACACDEMY And Suicide Squad, and Member of AOTP. I been in the game forever it seems but it wasnt until recently that i decided to step out of the background and become a solo artist.

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BT: What are you currently working on?

VMc: Wow, lol, too much it seems, im currently finishing my next Full length LP, Four Walls, produced entirely by DJ Waxwork, formerly of Snowgoons .. Honestly my best work to date, features include, ILL BIll, Vinnie Paz, Reef The lost Cauze, King Mag, Celph Titled, RA the Rugged Man, Demunz the Dark Apostle and many more, also doing a production compilation, produced by me, my dude Genetics and Phil Hamonic, featuring all the up and coming MC's in the underground from all over the world, i wanted to give back to the underground for supporting me so im recording this album to promote them over our beats, like a Lyricist Lounge 2012, its called DNA (Drugs and Alcohol Vol.1)., I am now engineering for Method Man, Ghostface and Raekwon, i manage Ghosts and my studio in Staten Island, also recording three incredible albums for SonGod (ghostface son), SICMIN - Dark Black Hell Night (DR.AMA, Blakstarr, Hellfire, and Night Time), and a new group called MAD HOUSE all out of Staten Island. Lastly, working on my wife Fresh Jones and My son Lego The Futures albums which are definately going Platinum and knocking Beyonce and Drake out the box ... oh and cant forget the label im launching Disturbia Music Group, check www.disturbiamusicgroup.com ...

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BT: Any rapper or hip hop culture figure you admire?

VMc: Obviously Wutang is right at the top and Army of the Pharaohs, i think they are cloest to what i try to embody in my music, Pun and Eminem, basically anything where Lyrics are the dominant factor, and originality ..

.

BT: Do you remember your first interraction with hip hop music?.

VMc: Im about to show my age here lol, but yes, i remember whatching a news report on tv about this new phenominon called hip hop and they were referring to a song called "The Message" by Grand Master Flash, they showed the video and were critiqueing the realness of the lyrics .. then i heard Sugarhill Gang and White lines and it was a rap, i was hooked!

..
BT: Did you have any hard times during your carreer?

VMc: I was homeless twice in my life, as recently as four years ago when me and Fresh decided to say FTW and got together, but despite my real life trials and tribulations, hip hop has always been good to me and helped me get through them .. now i have a full fledged studio, label, career, and more contacts than i know what to do with, not to mention four beautiful kids, a beautiful wife and a huge loft in Staten island .. that number FOUR is very symbolic in my life right now ..

.
BT: Being an underground rapper did you ever feel that your works did not get much attention as they deserved?

VMc: I did feel that way until recently, its pretty amazing and inspiring the amount of love and support that i got from MC's like RA and Celph Titled, Vinnie and Bill, and the mutual respect they had for me going into these projects. I guess i really didnt know the impact i had on the game until now, so in a lot of ways i feel satisfied that i accomplished my goal which was to change the game, affect it in some way, and be remembered for the music ive done. Im not done yet though .. so keep listening!

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BT: Do you see any changes in the hip hop "game" over the last 3 years?

VMc: Man do i, the biggest change is no one is selling records, outside of the usual suspects Young Money and The ROC, and R & B, aint no one eating right, digital downloads will continue to grow i suspect, people are bootlegging and ripping everything because they are too broke to pay thanx to Bush, Obama, and the rest of them Skull n Bones motherfuckers ... so yeah, things are bad, although i cant complain, ive managed to excel while others are on a steady decline ..

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BT: What's in your opinion, the greatest lines you ever wrote?

VMc: I cant call it man, they are all like my babies n shit, but on the upcoming Four Walls, i did a song called "Last Will" With my wife that i enjoy, where i wrote:
"I write like i may not have the chance to write again,

i live like i may not find romance or find a friend,
cus like my niggah War said any day your life can end
so i struggle to make peace with myself what i strive to mend
is me, thats where my focus is at cus i notice that
sometimes the ties that bind can also hold us back ..
so i sever the ties and cut the strings that connect us
and look to the heavenly skies for wings to protect us ..
and until God collect us, i do what i must .. i move but dont rush, i speak truth but i dont trust!
and i take everything that i hear with a grain a salt,
and if im not involved then you cant be too quick to place blame and fault .. "

That kind of reps the emotion of the new album and how i feel in general these days ..

.

.

..

BT: Do you feel proud to be a member of AOTP, a group that features the most popular underground rappers in the US?

VMc: I definately am proud to be a part of that collective. ive been working with Vinnie for many years so i always felt like i was down, but it was certainly a great day when he made ​​it official and announced it to the world .. I admire that whole movement, how they move as one, and im happy to be contributing to all there successes ... and having them contribute to mine .. im honored.

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BT: Any rappers or producers that you are willing to work or collaborate with in the future?

VMc: I look forward to moving backward .. working with Kool G rap, Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, i want to do more stuff with Marco Polo and Ill Mind .. people i anticipate working with in the next few months are B real, Tech Nine, Immortal Technique, M1, Inspectah Deck, Gizer, i plan on staying busy lol ..

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BT: What's your favorite "mainstream" rapper?

VMc: I may lose a few fans but right now im liking that whole Young Money Movement .. Drake is killing it with the singing and rapping and although he might be getting over saturated in the market, his approach is different than what weve been getting fed for the last 5 years and thats refreshing, the industry needs to do that more, switch it up already, im tired of "ignorant rap", we need substance in our lives, and thats what me and my people are bringing.

.

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BT: Your opinion about autotune and electrohop invasion in hip hop culture?

VMc: I love it, i dont see why underground kids get caaught up in the "hater" hype, they attach an effect to "mainstream" and all of a sudden its wrong to use it or your selling out, if we look back at the Funk era. Geroge CLinton, Bootsy Collins, then later with Black Street, and Prince even, they used that effect long before T-pain and people loved it, T Pain made ​​it popular again and Kudos to him for that ... i do it as an effect just like a reverb or delay and its worked for me, if id known how to do it in the past i would have done it more .. basically if it sounds wack hate it, but you cant tell me my hooks sound bad, and people are dumb, i didnt even use it on "End of Days" with Vinnie and people think i did and critisize, meanwhile they love "Burn You ALive "on the AOTP joint and that has AutoTune all over it!! Its a matter of preference and art is meant to be left open to interpretation, like food, paintings etc .. you cant please everyone all the time, i aim to please me.

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BT: Top 5 Dead or Alive?

VMc: Pun, Eminem, Biggie, Tupac, Wutang Clan

..
BT: What are your plans for the future?

VMc: Im doing one more solo after Four Walls, then im strictly Executive, SInger Songwriter. Im currently working on a singing album in the hopes of landing a publishing deal to write songs for people. My Son Lego is my main concern now, him and Fresh Jones .. they will be my main focus from now on, ive seen the world, made ​​decent money, and im working with my idols right now, so i cant complain, ive acheived most of my goals, im passing the baton in 2012.

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BT: And one last thing, are you thinking of coming live here in Greece?

VMc: Yes, i anticipate another Euro Tour in 2011, hip hop kemp this August, but Definately, i didnt get to go to Greece or Italy this year, so i will be aiming to get out there next year for sure!!! Isnt there some crazy party island off the coast of greece, thats where i want to be fam, wifey and i will turn all your woman out lol!! also give my thanx to all of your readers who have supported me and asked for this interview to happen, if not for you, i would have nothing, id still be homeless for real, so thank you, nothing but love for all of you. . One.

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If you want to keep in touch:

Website - www.blockmccloud.com

MySpace - www.myspace.com / blockmccloudFacebook - www.facebook.com / BlockMcCloud

Twitter - www.twitter.com / blockmccloud

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Independence Day - Stoupe (feat. Block McCloud)

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