1. For starts what made you use your real name instead of an alias?
I’ve been called so many different names in my life I don’t know where I’d start. My parents call me Ads. Friends have called me FortyMan, Kahlua Adam, Slim, Adahm Hussein. I don’t even remember half of them but each name has a story. For those who don’t know me, well, the name’s Adam Meyer.
2. For those that don’t know where do you rep?
Preston, Washington. It’s east of Seattle in the outskirts of Issaquah. It’s cool living in the valley. We’ve got the city to the west and the Cascades to the east. It’s a beautiful area and I’m blessed to call it my home.
3. What made you get into Hip hop, and what age did you start rapping seriously?
It took a while for me to get into Hip Hop. I was raised on The Beatles, Cat Stevens and classic rock. Right after Pimp C died I found myself listening to a UGK album and instantly vibed with it. It was the first time I really enjoyed the Hip Hop sound, and my ear expanded from there. Writing has always been a hobby of mine. Why not put it to bass? RIP Pimp.
4. Your song “Roaches” had this hypnotic trancy type of feel to it. When you crafted it were your intentions to make a weed anthem?
Yes and no. While it has it’s weed references, I feel that the song is a comparison of human life to roach life; the way we crawl thru the town, the way uniformed men try to exterminate us, the way we’re left hunting for crumbs that the gluttonous deem unimportant.. It’s more than a weed anthem. It’s a lifestyle anthem. Surreality was felt throughout the whole creating process of this song.
5. After listening to you we can tell that substance is a main factor in what you do. With that said how do you feel about the current state of Hip Hop?
I like where Hip Hop is at right now. While I’m not a huge fan of trap, Hip Hop has come a long way in recent years. If you know what sound you like and you know where to look, Hip Hop is at it’s best. I really like what Boosie has done since his release, Tha Jacka is still putting out great music, Freddie Gibbs is climbing the ladder.. In the last year Bun B and Z-Ro dropped amazing albums and the Latino-Texas rap scene is flourishing. My guy Raz Simone and his homie Sam Lachow are bringing life to the Seattle scene. Porch rapper Dondada is getting it, and WuTang is still relevant.. If you know where to look Hip Hop isn’t dead. And there’s always old school to listen to if you aren’t convinced.
6. You produce your tracks as well right? If so, which are weapons of choice when making a beat?
Ya, all of my songs so far are self produced. I don’t know really. Once I find the sounds I like and the melody I’m after the beat tends to build itself. I’ve used Abelton since I got some advice on producing, but my first beats were made with sheet music. The sound of live instruments is always desirable, so performing alongside an orchestra is a dream of mine. As for now, I’m 19. Production will improve as knowledge expands.
7. We’ve seen you making noise on some of the Digital Dynasty mixtapes as of late. What else is in the works? Any shows, mixtapes, albums, etc?
There’s no official plan for a mixtape or album at this point in time. I’ve got a good number of songs that are in the works, whether I just need to lay the vocals down or build the beat. I’m going to be performing at a showcase in January alongside some people I’ve met recently that are serious about music, so I’m looking forward to that. Other than that I’m just living life and making music when I get around to it. I’m sure you can catch me on future Digital Dynasty tapes though.
8. One of the joints we really dug from you was “Come Home”. It had a pretty important message to it. What inspired that record?
Some emotional bullshit with an ex-girl (laughs). That song was designed to remind myself to live my life without relying on money or women. Sometimes what makes us happy is artificial if that makes sense. Shoutout to my guy Tom for his vocals on the chorus.
9. Out of all the songs you ever did, which were your favorites and why?
I think my favorite song is my first, called “We On”. It’s got beauty between the lines like a cutter ha. “Hole in My Brain” is cool, it’s about the way drugs permanently effect the brain. “Pay Dues” is up there, and “No Tabasco” is a definite favorite (RIP Kevin Velasco).
https://m.soundcloud.com/adammeyer80/we-on-1
https://m.soundcloud.com/adammeyer80/no-tobasco-1