Interview & Photography by Meghan Killimade
June 22, 2010
Over the last few weeks our scene has been buzzing like mad about
Urban P. The video for his single "Champion" was nominated for a Whalie Award, and his performance at the actual Whalie Awards ceremony in May was nothing short of stellar. That's all I've heard people talking about... for weeks! Now he's got another new video out for his latest single "Sittin' On Top Of The Clouds", which just debuted at his Oasis show on June 12. The one thing I've learned about Urban P in the last few weeks is that this guy digs deep to bring the best to his audience - he likes to do it up right, and he likes to do things large. He's obviously got New London's attention! Everyone wants to know... who is Urban P? Where did this guy come from? Today, we've got answers.
WailingCity.com recently asked Urban P some questions about his new album
Welcome to The 860, how get got started, who he's collaborating with and what he's got planned for the future.
WC: How did you get started in music?
Urban P: For me music kinda just happened. I didn’t grow up in a musical family –
as a matter of fact I’m the only musician that I know of in my family. The
first rhyme that I recall ever writing was in my junior year of high school. I
linked up with
Jon Concept probably about a year after that. We went to middle
school together and we started skateboarding at the same time and just started
making music. We linked up with a kid James Clark from Portland, OR. Who at the
time was like our mentor. He was so
ahead of his time and he definitely molded us. We went by the name Stealth Mob.
We watched tons of kung-fu flicks, worshipped Wu-Tang and just made music every
minute of the day. At that time my craft was very raw and over the years I’ve
matured… my music has too and it’s grown from a very gritty hip hop vibe to a
very diverse artist depicting murals on a very broad canvas.
WC: What was your main drive/influence for your latest record "Welcome
To The 860"?
Urban P: The major influence behind
Welcome To The 860 was that I
basically had a lot of shit on my chest and inside my heart that I had to
release. Music is very therapeutic and
Welcome To The 860 was 25 years in
the making. I aired out a lot of personal issues on the record. Just to let
everyone know… I was scared to death to release this record because it’s so
personal and it’s 100% me. I just wanted people to take a real good glance at
the place I’m from, because CT is so overshadowed by NYC and surrounding areas.
I wanted people to be like ‘You know what? CT got talent!’ I want the people from here to represent
their shit. I put CT on my hand because I truly love it, and no matter what
people say I will always stand behind my people.
WC: How do you feel about the current status of the New London music scene, and how did you become a part of it?
Urban P: At this moment NLC music scene is really buzzing and I’m happy
to be a part of it. In the past few weeks I’ve met so many people that are in
the music scene and are making great music. It’s overwhelming when you sit back
and look at all the talent. I go to everyone’s shows – I was just at the Paul
Brockett show and they killed it. You know we’ve got a great core of DJ’s who
all spin great tunes. The bands are killing it every time – from The
Hempsteadys, to Above/Below. NME is killing it, The Fears have an amazing sound. A lot of people don’t know this but Urban P didn’t just come out
of the blue like it seems. I came back from Portland, OR with the mindset to
get back with Jon Concept and pick up where we left off. At the time I came in
he was spinning every week in New London at The Oasis hip hop night with
Frank Lo. I carried
their crates and helped set up their gigs. I was on Jon Concept’s album
Dear
Hip Hop which had a great buzz in the summer of 2007. We had everyone
screaming ‘you ain’t hood enough’ which was a skit featuring Frank Lo. I can’t
remember the exact date but my first time ever performing happened to be at The
Oasis. I was probably 20 years old and when I went up to perform I was so
nervous. I sat on a barstool and spit my raps. It was so horrible that I wanted
to quit but I didn’t and I refocused… took my time perfecting, and 5 years
later – here I am, Urban P!
WC: What would you like to see change or what would you like to contribute to the New London music scene?
Urban P: Unity… definitely more unity amongst the artists… you know, especially
in the hip hop part. Everyone has an ego and they think they’re the best, but I
don’t see it like that. I want to make good music and if you want to be a part
of it, I’m all for it. I want to see the whole 860 really get behind us, (the
artists), and support us. Go out to the shows, pay the 5 dollar cover, and purchase
the CD’s. It’s time for NLC to come together and that’s something I plan to
help achieve, but I can’t do it alone. If we all move as one we’re unstoppable,
but when the ego’s come out and the pride starts flowing, this scene will fade
out.
WC: If you could join forces with one New London artist/band/DJ for a day, who would it be? Or are you currently collaborating with someone now?
Urban P: I can’t pick
just one and that’s a good thing. Jon Concept and I have a new mixtape we’re
dropping July 17
th called
The Paper Plane Project. We’re
currently shopping around for beats for the record. So far we got
Smoke The World
to produce a beat for us,
Chumzilla and G Wiz producing stuff as well. I just
got a CD with 10 beats from Octavia. We’re probably going to use a bit of his.
That’s just production. As far as emcees, we’ll see what happens with that… a lot
of politics. I’m anticipating a studio session with
John Fries – he’s down to
lay some guitar down for us. I want to work with
The Fears – they’ve got a
chill vibe…I really want to do a
record with them soon.
NME and I are going
to do a song. I reached out to Gramz to do a mixtape. My arms are open if you
want to work… let’s work!
WC: What is in the future for Urban P?
Urban P: The future for Urban P is a lot of work. The mixtape is
on the way in July called
The Paper Plane Project… with Jon Concept’s
new album
Illusions soon after that. Be sure to check Jon Concept out on
the new DJ Kayslay mixtape hosted by Ty FyFe. I’ve got shows lined up for July
opening for Ninja Sonic - doing a show at The American Legion in NL on July 17
and then we’re heading on tour July 6
th through 9
th.
Coming back in town for the Sailfest show. I’m grinding out trying to open up
new markets. I’m headed to Denver on August 6
th to attend culinary
school. I’ll be working with some people out there doing shows. Gaining more
exposure is what the main goal is besides putting out good music. Other than
that
Welcome
To The 860 is out… get a copy… it’s an amazing record. Urban P is out
here. I’m a laid back dude – all about working hard and taking this to the next
level.
Thanks to Urban P for taking the time do do this interview with us!
For more info on Urban P:
