HHP Exclusive Interview: Buff1

I had a chance to get up with Buff1 (Of The Athletic Mic League) for an online interview. Hit the jump to check it out…

T Dub: What do you think about the current state of mainstream hip hop? In your eyes, is hip hop dead?

Buff: Hip Hop is not dead. We just have to put in a little more effort to find whats good and to get good product out to the people. The good stuff isn’t bein forced down our throat like some other stuff, but its out there, just gotta find it. And thats not to say that all mainstream stuff is wack. There’s just as much wack non-mainstream stuff as there is wack mainstream.

T Dub: So now you have worked both solo and in a group. Which do you prefer?

Buff: I prefer them both, haha! Group because you can chill sometimes and work still gets done, solo because its all on you whether its wack or not. I like that pressure too.

T Dub: It’s election year!! Who are you supporting and why?

Buff: Barack Obama because he was not involved in the Keating 5 savings and loan scandal (unlike John McCain) in the late 80s and early 90s which helped lead to this financial crisis that we’re in right now. Amongst other things…

T Dub: As a kid growing up, who were some of your biggest influences?

Buff: Michael Jackson, NWA, Outkast, Nas, Common, Biggie, Heiro, The Roots, Geto Boys, MC Breed, just to name a few.

T Dub: While recording There’s Only One, did you ever think about the possibility of it not being as well received as your debut, Pure?

Buff: Yeah, I thought about how people would receive it because people can be closed minded when it comes to hip hop and “sophomore” albums. But at no point did I actually think it wouldn’t be as good or better.

T Dub: Do you pride yourself in being a “vet on the mic”, or is it a title you wish you could shake?

Buff: I take pride in it. If you’re a vet that means you’ve been making good music for a long time.

T Dub: What tracks/artists are you listening to currently?

Buff: Hmmm, Danny Brown, Santogold, Now On, T.I., Kenna, Giovanca, Hanne Hukkleberg, Raphael Saadiq, just to name a few.

Thanks Buff1

Check out Buff1’s 2008 release There’s Only One

Buff1’s MySpace 

Recommended Album: Buff1 – There’s Only One

Theres Only One by Buff1 (Of The Athletic Mic League) is the rappers sophomore solo album and with this I would say he is an exception of the countless examples of hip hop artists with great debut albums and mediocre second productions.

This time around Buff1 has help from the producer Black Milk who I think is one of the best producers in underground rap right now. This album is an almost perfect cross between the lyrical content and awareness that usually stays within the realm of underground hip hop; And the quick and entertaining beats provide an element that you mostly see in mainstream rap because of the difference in producers.

Buff1 is an excellent emcee. He showcases witty and intelligent lyrics on most every track. This album is one of my top 5 overall productions of 2008. No download link for this one… Go Buy It!