The Blast Blog: The Blast Spotlight: Abiss

The Giant Blast: Why do you call yourself Abiss?

Abiss: I was going through different names like "Amazon MC" and other names. My peeps start calling me "Abiss" when they really start hearing me spit. A lot of people were saying that I was "flowing too deep in- depth for a lot of heads."

The Giant Blast: How would you describe yourself as an artist?

Abiss: "Like no other artist." I don't reach for gimmicks. I let the beat take me where I need to be. I think that's where true music gets created. When I perform I don't have a thousand cats on stage with me. An educated MC here to enlightened all.

The Giant Blast: How long have you been doing this?

Abiss: Over 10 years independently.

The Giant Blast: What inspired you to want to pursue a career in the music industry?

Abiss: This is something that I always wanted to do. It's not about watching the Grammys and dreaming. It's about knowing you have talent, something to say and respect for good music to carry on the tradition of MC's, male and female who produced good music for the people.

The Giant Blast: What projects are you working on right now?

Abiss: I am working on The Lift: Estrogen Theory which is my third album. My first 2 albums Apologies Not Accepted and Grip On Reality folks can get on iTunes.com, Cdbaby.com, Napster.com, Rhapsody.com and eMusic.com and many more.

The Giant Blast: Who are you working with?

Abiss: The Sultan of WMS Productions, Beanz of Beanz Beats, Soul Theory Productions. Some of these producers have worked with: Joe Budden, Akrobatik, Lady Luck, Money Ave artist like Murda Mook and more.

The Giant Blast: Who would you like to work with in the future?

Abiss: Anyone that's thinking on my level preservation of Hip-hop through the culture. Being a Queen of the Universal Zulu Nation has instill great pride and ethics of being a Magnificent MC. Shouts to Bambaataa and the Ahki's and Queens in the Nation. Wanna work with Kanye West, 9th Wonder, Pete Rock, Q-tip, DJ Premiere and so many to mention. Artist: J. Electronica, anyone from Wu-Tang, Busta Rhymes, and too many to mention. I think that these are the people I can to continue to bring heat rocks with.

The Giant Blast: One of your stand out tracks is "The Lift", could you explain to the listeners the concept and the message behind the song?

Abiss: My message was to the ladies to embrace who you are as a women because it's getting ugly. Sisters is out here destroying there bodies, just to look good for a video. Butt shots and etc. The creator made me 5 foot 4 and Petite. I am sticking with it. I have no motive to make the Entity upset. Love who you are. You don't need any one else to verify whether you are a queen. That right was given to you when you was born. Shape and mold yourself to have determination and meet your goals. Be mindful that their are people that are more than happy to put obstacles in your way. Young ladies keep your legs closed. Don't open your present for a man that don't deserve it.

The Giant Blast: What are some of your favorite or strongest tracks you feel that you've recorded so far?

Abiss: "How Many", "Dedicated", "Nastalgia", and collab called "Hoodshine" with my dudes Pop-Lodi and Kane, but I think that all of my tracks strikes a different chord.

The Giant Blast: You also run Blazed Up Records correct, what artists do you have on the label?

Abiss: Pop-Lodi, Double Negative, KP The Specialist, The C.O.F.F.Y.N, Tyrell Roberts, Banga Bandanaz, A.Q.G, C.O.S and many other artists. Some I work with closely. Some I help promote by getting them shows, and others by representing them in the Music Publishing world. Soul Accession Ent. is the Publishing Company.

The Giant Blast: What can we expect from Blazed Up Records in the future?

Abiss: We are working on videos, and mixtapes. DJ X-Faxtor, DJ Far, DJ Ames, DJ Green Lantern and many more, and a few Major/ not so major collaborations.

The Giant Blast: What's the future looking like for Abiss?

Abiss: Shows in Miami, Wisconsin and Atlanta. I am getting it in where ever I can outside of Hartford, CT. You can't do too many shows in your home state, then people start not wanting to support if they always see you in CT. So, I have been traveling, seeing the world and doing great performances. I try my best to get and give 100% because that's they only way to be.

The Giant Blast: Where do you see hip hop in 5 years?

Abiss: Continuing to evolve. Hopefully my nephews will be spitting taking after auntie, but also, a non-bullsh*t policy. Its' a lot of people getting fed up. Some of the true prominent MC's won't let this craziness happen again. I know it was time for something new but, everybody got dreads and don't know why, every bodies MC is Bi-sexual and not scared to air it out, every bodies got a new dance, got exotic chicks with fake everything, every bodies an alien, also a lot of rappers going to jail.. So, hip-hop will create more monsters. I would like to see those record label budgets go to those that is serious about their craft.

The Giant Blast: What has been the highlight of your music career so far?

Abiss: Opened up for KRS-one, Nas, Capone & Nore. Met David Bowie, Cuban Linx (he's a real dude, I love that dude.) and a lot of hip hop legends like Grand Wizzard Theodore, Grandmaster Caz, Crazy legs from Rock Steady Crew, Frosty Freeze (R.I.P) and Bambaataa. My biggest 3 highlights was when I was called on stage to spit by Pharcyde and Black Thought from the Roots gave me props and respect. Also, I auditioned for Biv 10 Records in Mike Bivins hotel room in New York City while 702 was filming videos for the label.

The Giant Blast: What's the worst experience you've had in the music industry so far and how did you learn from it?

Abiss: I hired 2 managers. They were a team. 1 manager was always trying to cut the manager out of deals and percentages. They also burned bridges with studios to get me recorded, taking people's money and then people came to ask me about it. Trying to get me to ghost right for wack cat's. Killing relationships. Just bad business. I started to feel like they wasn't working on my behalf. I went to school got my associates degree in Business Management. Started Blazed-Up Records and Soul Accession Ent.

The Giant Blast: Is there anything else you would like to plug or do you have any shout outs?

Abiss: Check out: www.myspace.com/blazeduprec

www.cdbaby.com/abiss2

www.twitter.com/abiss

DJ XFactor Mixatpes are on www.samhoody.com

DJ Far on Datpiff.com