Three years ago, M.I.A. described her collaboration with Blaqstarr at his home studio: "It's got a washer-dryer in the back and a sofa bed, that's his whole set-up; that's why he doesn't make it out of Baltimore. You won't get Gwen Stefani down there, but I don't give a shit. You go there, wake him up, call someone to bring some weed. If you're hungry he'll make you a big pot of marshmallow fluff and crackers." Well, Blaqstarr did make the move out of Baltimore, and has been producing his own music through M.I.A.'s N.E.E.T. label. In a quick run of questions, Blaqstarr shared his new mission for music and a passion for building snow forts.
Divine EP is out today, January 25, on Interscope/N.E.E.T. Records.
Ian Doreian for melophobe: We just got done shoveling out from a serious blizzard in Boston. Do you ever miss being in Baltimore for snowy days?
Blaqstarr: Aw yeah. I used to make all kinds of snow angels. Making a fort, a little private area, just sitting out there by myself - it was like an igloo. I was a professional snow builder growing up.
melophobe: How has your move to Los Angeles affected your recording process?
Blaqstarr: Every day there’s just a creative process that happens. Nothing much changed; just have the beach, is all.
melophobe: Has it been good for you to have a separation from recording in your own house?
Blaqstarr: There’s adjustment from not having it all in the same place--recording and sleeping--but at the same time, it’s good. But, actually I’m thinking about bringing it back. I’m just used to jumping out of bed and doing it. Less traffic, no commute.
melophobe: With your move to a major label, has it been good working with Interscope?
Blaqstarr: Yeah, it’s been great.
melophobe: Well, we love the artists on the N.E.E.T. label and wanted to hear if you have any plans to work with Rye Rye?
Blaqstarr: I like to go by the expression "suspense adds power." Like with a horror film, and you’re like “oooohh”--that suspense adds power.
melophobe: Are you excited to get back to touring with new material?
Blaqstarr: Definitely. To perform is to create the music, and to record is to perfect the music. There’s a unity vibe, when the sound hits, and it’s just beautiful when that happens in the club.
melophobe: With your name, do you prefer to go by DJ Blaqstarr or just Blaqstarr now?
Blaqstarr: No, it’s more two separate persons. Blaqstarr's the artist, and there’s the DJ Blaqstarr. It all depends on whether it’s a club track, or what the project is; you need a different mindset when doing your own music or producing.
melophobe: Congratulations on the Divine EP being released next week. How does the title connect with your music?
Blaqstarr: In the music, there’s a divinity in the mission. The mission is a divine mission. We’re living in an imperfect world, and we’re imperfect characters in it. I’m perfect for this mission, because I am perfectly imperfect.
melophobe: That’s humble to say, but where do you see the imperfection in your life?
Blaqstarr: It’s everything…even my hair, I guess.
melophobe: On this idea of a mission, are there any books or mentors you see as guides?
Blaqstarr: There’s Russel Simmons; his book Do You! is real deep. It’s been a good help to me. Guess, also my brother; we’re still very close.
melophobe: Are there any artists that are also working on a mission, calling listeners to a higher self?
Blaqstarr: Right now I’ve been listening to Erykah Badu's Mama's Gun. When I’m driving around, that’s what’s in the car.
melophobe: Will there be a full album that continues the themes of the EP?
Blaqstarr: This is the introduction to the mission, the introduction to the new sound, so there will be more to follow. Some completely new material.
melophobe: At melophobe, which loosely means "the fear of music," we try to calm people’s fear of live shows or new musical experiences. Is there anything that you fear?
Blaqstarr: No, because we need to maintain the light, that positive side that brings enlightenment. We need to believe that all that fear is just part of the imagination; it’s just part of a false place.
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