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Multi-instrumentalist, producer, record company executive and bonafide music head, The Arcitype does it all. Currently based in Boston by way of New-York his production credits include joints for Kool G Rap, Edo G, Big Noyd and Killa Sha to mention a few. He is also the in-house producer for AR Classic Records, a label he owns and runs in addition to overseeing day-to-day operations of the labels recording facility. The AR Classic roster includes Dominik Omega, Fran P, Vice Versah and Waters. Together they are the super group The High Life. Between hectic recording schedules, overseeing day-to-day operations, Arc found time to sit with Crucial Village to talk music, art and life. |
Crucial Village
What are your biggest influences, not just musical, what are the things that inspire you to
make the music?
The Arcitype
Almost anything. Good energy surrounding a situation, keeps things exciting. The things I
saw during a one-week vacation in Puerto Rico for example. Birds chirping outside my window
inspired a beat I made. The energy in NYC is so inspiring, being aware of your surroundings
and soaking it all in. I take all that energy and sounds around them and pour them into a
beat.
Crucial Village
How did you get started in Music?
The Arcitype
Music was there early in life. I enrolled in music school at an early age. Being around
other young kids playing instruments was key. I started with Piano then moved onto the
Clarinet. At this point I started listening to swing, the Benny Goodman era of swing to be
exact. I got into the guitar and fell in love with 70′s rock. I got so inspired listening
to my Uncle who gave my first guitar, a custom fender sharp. I ended up playing that
guitar for close to 6-7 hours a day.
Around this time I got heavy into Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, a lot of visceral roots
music which had me going back to the learn more about the source of rock and blues. P-Funk
also got heavy rotation, Going from Funk into Hip-Hop was a natural progression;
Contemporary rock and pop came into the mix to round things off.
My parents were extremely supportive of my decision to make music, even though they knew
nothing about Hip-Hop they stood by me. My father ran a music school in Western
Massachusetts, which helped. When I was in a band called Tip-Top Deluxe, my parents would
drive the band to twenty-one and above clubs to play. That’s is the kind of support I got
from them.
I really got into hip-hop and started laying down tracks by myself cause I didn’t have a
band. Playing all the instruments by myself, incorporating Dre instrumentals and free
styling with friends. When I got tired of using the same Dre instrumentals I started using
Reason to make beats. I found the sounds on Reason so inspiring; I was moved to serious
beat making.
Crucial Village
With all these influences why Hip-Hop?
The Arcitype
Hip-Hop is the one place where all my influences could come together. I found Hip-Hop
liberating, because I could put in a Chopin or Bob Marley sample and make the music. In my
opinion Hip-Hop in its truest and greatest form is like the blues of Robert Johnson, music
that tells a story and captures the essence of the human experience.
The Arcitype – Man Behind the Music
Crucial Village
How did the AR Classic roster come together?
The Arcitype
Carolina Black heard some of the beats I was making and insisted on spitting over them. I
met Dominik Omega in the third grade and started working with him after college. Vice
Versah I met through mutual friends at a college party. I was introduced to Fran-P who
started out originally as client I did some production for. While working with him, I
picked up on his drive and hustle. One night, we decided to have him jump on The High Life
track “Welcome to the Highlife”. His contribution was worthy of having him join the family.
Crucial Village
Describe the High Life sound
The Arcitype
Simply put, we make fun music. Hip-Hop has lost it’s fun. With the High Life, we are trying
bring back the party back with that fun, good time music we got with Tribe and De La.
Crucial Village
Any upcoming releases we can check out
The Arcitype
There’s an all-star compilation, AR Classic Records Present: The B-Sides Vol1,
similar to Nas’s Lost Tapes coming soon. Dominik Omega’s solo album is dropping
this summer, while we are looking to release the High Life EP soon after. Fran P’s debut AR
Classic EP is also slated for release shortly. In all about five to six releases between
now and Christmas, along with a few other non-AR related projects produced by the Arcitype.
Crucial Village
Where do you see yourself in the next ten years?
The Arcitype
Most ideal sense – AR taken has off in a way that allows me to mostly work on music. Make
money so I can continue to make music. We all need money to live; I love music and would
like to make money so I truly stay making music I’m passionate about. I would also like to
see AR reach a higher level with global exposure.
Crucial Village
Wish list of MCs you would like to work with
The Arcitype
In not particular order De La Soul (good honest music), Nas, Jay-Z, Black Thought, Phonte,
Jay Electronica, Jay Cole, BlackStar, Blu and Sean Price.
Crucial Village
Name a few producers you really admire
The Arcitype
Mphases, Ill Mind, Mark Ronson, Rick Ruben, Primo, Dilla, 14kt, Black Milk, Jack White,
Questlove (brought Al Green back to the world).
Crucial Village
Describe the first time you got blown away by something you produced. Feeling pride and
some awe in knowing that you created something solid and meaningful. What joint did this
for you?
The Arcitype
That happens from time to time for everyone I think. I can’t remember the first time it
happened to me, but it is something that continues to happen when you push relentlessly to
grow and develop your sound in new directions. You will have breakthrough moments that mean
a lot and make you feel like you’re walking on air. We have some songs coming out very soon
with beats that made me feel that way, so definitely keep a look out for all our new
material!
Crucial Village
In the same vein, describe what you felt when you first saw a song you produced move a
crowd.
The Arcitype
That was an incredible feeling, and that never ends. Every time I see my music move an
audience I get the same sense of excitement, pride and gratitude as the first time it
happened. It’s incredibly reaffirming to see the music you pour your heart into making and
feel so strongly about it being received positively. It’s really a feeling unlike anything
else.
Needs to grow, develop, change and move. I can’t think of it in that hypothetical
situation.
Crucial Village
In one sentence tell the world why they need to check for AR Classic records. Let the world
know why this crew is so dope.
The Arcitype
Check out AR Classic Records because we are determined to make Hip Hop fun again by making
music that has ACTUAL talent, love and effort put into it.
Crucial Village
Advice for young up and comers
The Arcitype
Work your ass off, learn everything you can about what it is you want to do, and strive to
make music that really moves you. If you don’t want to do that, don’t do it at all. Please.
Making music isn’t necessarily for everyone, leave it to the people that want it that badly
and get involved in other ways (managing, promoting, run a label, etc.). For the music
makers, bust your ass and know that nothing comes easy. You must build up your reputation
step by step and BUILD WITH PEOPLE. Relationships are the most important part of this
business. Who you are as a person will either help or hurt who you are as a producer and
someone that people make music with.
Crucial Village
What would you do, to change the business side of the music industry? How would you make it
so real, uncompromising talent get to eat as well?
The Arcitype
I simply ask that people really think about how they approach music. We work incredibly
hard to make music that has integrity behind it and doesn’t simply compromise itself to fit
whatever current trend is popular. We’re aiming to fill a gap that so many people
desperately want/need in music. The only way to continue to do that is to be able to
support us in it.
By Enyi Emesih