Q:  J. what made you fall in love with hip hop, who are your influences and why? You have to love it to do what you do so well.
A:  I just fell in love with the raw sound of the music.  It was new, I was young, and I was feeling it.  During the late 80s and thru the 90s is when I really began listening to hip hop music but its more than just music.  A lot of people don’t realize that hip hop is a culture and a way of life.  My favorite group would have to be Outkast just because of the versatility and the soul that was in their music.  I also listened to a lot of Jay-Z, Nas, Busta Rhymes, UGK, Hot Boyz, Master P/ No Limit, Wu-Tang, Tupac, Dr. Dre, Snoop, LL, Eminem, Redman, and Biggie.  My favorite artists out now are Lupe Fiasco, T.I., Weezy, Webbie, Drake, and Trey Songz to name a few.  I also listen to different genres of music which shows up in my songs.  I love R&B and would have to say that Musiq Soulchild is my favorite artist right now.  He's like the Stevie Wonder of our time.  I also like Raheem Devaughn and Dwele.   

Q:  I was riding down Peachers Mill Rd, pulled next to a yellow work truck with 2 white boys in it , look like they had a hard day. They were listening to hip hop big time loud and just chillin. How do you feel and why do you think hip hop crossed over so well. That other culture’s that can listen to anything also include hip hop in their iPods’, and are jamming hard to the sound?
Do you think this was a good thing?  This was in Hip-Hop’s destiny!
A:  I definitely think it’s a good thing.  Just the fact that the music originally made for us by us is reaching other races and people is big.  It’s a whole generation of kids whose parents grew up not liking black people who love hip hop music and relate to it.   I don’t think that everything is positive from it with some of the images that are portrayed because it can send the wrong message if that is the only image and there is not enough variation in the portrayal of our culture and community.

Q:  What is the state of Hip Hop right now, what do you think it will be like a year from now.
A:  I think hip hop is getting back to what it started as:  self-expression and lyricism.  Hip hop music has gotten really one sided lately in my opinion and in the opinion of a lot of my peers.  There is only one aspect being shown right now.  Turn on the TV or radio and all you see or hear is songs about money, hoes, and clothes.  Don’t get me wrong, it's cool and all, but that can’t be the only thing we are projecting outward.  I’m not knocking anyone’s hustle but as artists people need to take more responsibility into the message they are sending out.  I see it getting better though.  Especially with me in the game ;-) but a year from now hip hop will evolve to something new like it always does.
 
Q:  Give me your opinion on auto tune?  Does it hurt or help the creativity of hip-hop?
A:  personally, I am not a fan of auto tune.  I didn't really like it when Teddy was using it with Blackstreet  I don't just hate on the new artists on the block.  I feel that now, though, a lot of artists are just using it to use it and not being creative at all with the usage.  I can’t stand the "singers" that are using it and can't sing live.  I also feel like it is putting a choke hold on the game right now because it's like you gotta have auto tune to get any airplay so artists are feeling pressured to use it and sacrifice the individuality of their music.
 
Q:  Tell me about the Clarksville Hip Hop Scene. Are you doing anything in Nashville?
A:  the Clarksville Hip- Hop scene is still very underground despite being pretty big.  Artists like I.R., Phantom, and Lady R have been around for a while and are pretty well known around the city.  As far as having the support of the community, I feel that it is almost nonexistent.  There are no hip hop venues, or Open- Mic nights.  There aren’t but a couple clubs that play hip hop music and they aren’t open daily.  I would like to shout out to The Coup though because they worked with me to put on hip hop shows starting in 2008 at a mainly Rock Venue and they are still doing hip hop shows even now.  I’m getting things set up to do more shows regionally to get more exposure.  Most recently I performed at The Rutledge on 4th Ave south in Nashville.
 
Q:  Who is the hottest local artist besides you of course? lol.
A:  Ha Ha.  I would have to say them dudes over at Lane Boy because they are out there making big moves and that’s a good look for the city as a whole.  The way I feel, if someone can put the City of Clarksville’s’ the scene on the map, then we all win.  I like YNGM and the Str8 Gutta Clicc too. They are holding it down strong.
 
Q:  Do you feel the Clarksville artist is supported locally?
A:  I don’t feel like its much support locally for hip hop artists.  I mean I get love for my music, but it’s the whole thing about people that know you, feel they don't need to buy your c. d.  I feel where they are coming from so I switched up my marketing and now give out my mixtapes for free or for donations.  The way I see it is that I’ll go ahead and take a loss on the recording costs for now in order to gain a following because I feel that strongly about my product.
 
Q:  What’s going on with the future of Mase?
A:  Staying focused.  I’m working on a new mixtape series, www.dotJdotmason, which will be available on my MySpace page thru datpiff.  Vol. 1 came out in May 2010 and other volumes are following.  Other than that, working, staying in the studio, and on the stage.
 
Q:  How does your girl feel about or influence what you rap about?
A:  Honestly, she feels like I’m wasting my time, but she supports me.  I definitely feel where she's coming from because I know the odds in this industry, but I also know what I got and with the right moves.......sky's the limit.
 
Q:  Do you think the Clarksville riverfront will have music booming from it again after the River flood?
A:  I hope so. They plan on building the marina, I’m hoping that they will be more open to hip hop artists performing at events they have.

Q:  How is Mase sound different, or what makes this music yours?
Tell me about The Mase Signature.
A:  My signature is just that laid-back smooth flow.  If you know me then when you hear I my music you'll be like "yeah that’s mason!" I just put myself into the music so that's why it's uniquely mine.
 
Q:  I know you have over 300 Songs Cataloged. Will we hear some of these in future underground releases and mix tapes.
A:  Yeah!  I’ve been stockpiling my arsenal so that when the time is right, BOOM!!!  All I can say I hope they're ready!

Q:  Do you attend any of the music conferences for artist?
Which ones? How did you network, and was it worth the time and effort?
A:  With my work schedule I can't really attend too many, but the ones I have attended were definitely worth the time I spent. I got a lot of useful information, feedback, and/or contacts. These are great events for networking. I attend a lot of the events organized by International Underground Marketing here in Nashville, Tn. Capo is really helpful and hands on in many ways.

Q:  Tell us some of the things you have done as a Un/Signed artist to move toward being signed?
A:  whether it was helping me set up and learn how to use twitter, or getting me some internet radio interviews and airplay, my career has benefited greatly from the guidance and contacts that the Mistress of Hip Hop and Un/Signed Artist Mix has provided.  I will be touring with the Black College Tour this fall and some other great things have happened thanks to the Mistress.
 www.myspace.com/jdotmason

 

Volumes 1 & 2 of my mixtape series, wwwdotJdotmason, available on my myspace page www.myspace.com/jdotmason thru www.datpiff.com.  

www.facebook.com/seymourhagans

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