​Live footage of SNOW putting together the outline of his piece at Garden Sk8 for MTV2's SuckerFree Countdown, that aired back in September 2011.

​10 minutes displaying masterful executioin by the legendary artist Snow

​Songs performed by: Mr Cain

There aren’t many rappers that can also wear the title of EmCee & even fewer who I can personally say (short of being wealthy -monetarily) collectively have been through damn near every facet of the music business that it has to offer & now I have the distinct pleasure of interviewing them in regards to their work. 
What was the catalyst for you in the beginning? (Meaning was it a dare, talent show etc. or did u pick it up on ur own?
Tique: At the age of roughly 10-11yrs old, I lied & said “I can rap” to DJ; & they actually gave me the microphone. Outside in the park, w/everyone watching, I spit a freestyle & they loved it -true story.

CF: It started w/my cousins at around 9-10 yrs old, when my grandmother would go visit my great-grandmother; they’d take me to the projects w/them & would have me rap right there. 

What inspires u to continue after doing it for such a significant amount of time?

Tique: “I love this shit, it is what it is; I love this shit.” Thinking up new shit & coming up with new ideas, like the same way I am with my painting or the same way I love making beats; it’s just like, oh I can make some new shit -That’s what’s up.” The creative part is what gets me hype.
CF: “I’m w/Tique on that” I mean initially, this was like a coping mechanism. Growing up In my house my grandfather was an alcoholic, so I’d go upstairs & read this encyclopedia that my mother bought me; & eventually needed an outlet in which to corral all these words I just learned -then channeling it into my rhymes. So yeah it was an escape/coping mechanism, but it also allowed me look to look into myself; in turn birthing a creative product.


When was the moment u felt accomplished?
(meaning that 1st time u knew in ur heart u’d b doing it forever)
Tique: The same DJ I lied to & told him I knew how to rap (which is my dude Randy who ended up becoming my DJ). I’d go w/him helping him carry crates/equipment to all the parties that he threw, & rapped at all those parties -even at school I rapped; & anyone who didn’t fuck with me before then definitely fucked me after they heard me rhyme . 
CF: The first song, I did a freestyle that I recorded using the Dwyck beat; & I had to do it on tape cassette. Rewind repeat & kept playing the same instrumental using an amateur mic, & when I bought it to school my friends were like that shit is Dope; & I was like Yo you know what -I can do this shit.


Was there ever a low point, when u considered putting the proverbial mic down; to do something else? 
(Be it another art form, or jus go in on a career of sorts; putting all ur energy into something else)
Tique: “Yeah!” (collective laughter) I toyed w/the shit back in or about 1998- ‘99 & was no longer signed to Sony, surrounded by musicians that didn’t know how to make the music I wanted to make -was a bit frustrating to say the least. Those thoughts never lasted more than a day or two though, I’d go paint or something then I’d get mentally back on track & when I started chillin w/Lord Jamar all those negative thoughts fell by the wayside.
CF: “Every day I feel like quitting this shit” (laughing). I joke but do feel like that sometimes Tique can tell you yet something always compels me to keep creating, because that’s what an artist does -regardless of any trials or tribulations that they might be going through; a true artist will take all that negativity & doubt then turn it into something magnificently beautiful.

Now, The name of ur group is eclectic to say the least, Why BMR? What is it about that phrase in particular that u guys felt encompasses what you’re bringing to hiphop?
Tique: It has history, it was honestly supposed to be an album. We were in Amsterdam spit-ballin’ song/album ideas, and when we worked together I had came up with this font in a book & wrote billion man rebellion; then it was stuck in my head. Fast forward to now & we’re working together knocking out all these songs, we got to the point when we were like “what name we gonna use”; that phrase popped back up & we ran with it.
CF: Billion man Rebellion was our take on it takes a nation of millions to hold us back. I feel like in a global population, in order for you to make an impact; you gotta have 1 billion motherfuckers on your back. To me the thought is, imagine if we spark an idea that affects 1 billion people; that’s enough to make a global impact -even if we just affect the one mind that ends up being the catalyst to 1 billion people revolutionizing. 


Why now after so long going at it alone, did u feel it was the right time to join forces; putting forth this movement as the platform in which 2 speak from?
Tique: Honestly I would say we’ve always done music together, but we’ve always had solo albums; even while we were working on this album we were working on our solo albums. At the same time though, this shit right here bro, don’t sound like none of the other stuff that we are working on; it’s riding on a wave totally of its own creation & is most definitely something that the people need to hear. 
CF: To me it’s all natural progression. Initially i’ve never been outside of a crew, when I 1st started it was w/Juan (“SIRE” The Silencer -R.I.P.), whose passing got me closer to creating music w/Dontique. Eventually we were going into different directions which made it interesting when we would get up together, because we were coming from two different perspectives; converging & creating the product we currently have. The best of all worlds -The Billion Man Rebellion.


*knowing y’all as long as I have, i already kno the answer 2 these questions; but it’s important that the readers know from ur own mouths & in ur own words...


What’s more important?
<>- setting trends or clout chasing? & Why?
Tique: i’m from Brooklyn where cat’s will clown you for trying to dress like the next nigga.
CF: i’ve always been abstract, different by nature; Setting trends is just the way I’m built.


<>Leaving a lasting mark or hypebeasing? Why?
Tique: we weren’t born up on microwave cooking, my parents cooked so the food stuck to your belly when you ate it. Meaning I’m all about leaving a lasting mark. It’s never just about “the now”, in music & in life my words encompass the past present and future; so it sticks to your mind when you hear it.
CF: Leaving a lasting mark on earth is my mission statement. My tombstone is my music,  & my music is my legacy; which is why I feel the deepest song on the album is “Reasons” (listen 2 the lyrics -You’ll get understand).


& for any youngsters who might be perusing H3Soul.com today 
<>Falling in Line or Rebellion? Why
Tique: i’ve been rebellious all my life, back in Brooklyn I’d be the kid on the block reading Behold The Pale Horse
CF: I’ve never been the one to fall in line & always been a part of rebellion. I’m pragmatic & a harsh realist, never subscribing to sensationalism. There’s truth on both sides, but I’m all about The Essentials 
*Rebellion is Essential*


While we have the Youngin’s out there paying attention.. What advice would you give an inspiring artist, who hopes to break ground & find a foothold in this (many times) vicious sport; which you’ve maneuvered nicely 4 so long? 
CF & Tique: BE YOURSELF
Don’t jack trends, create your own


Last Words or messages...
We just want to thank the whole team over at hip-hop has soul, for not only being extremely supportive of our movement; but for taking the time to speak to us in this forum -giving us an opportunity to speak to the people one on one.


Well as you can clearly see these 2 emcees have given more than just blood, sweat, & tears. They’ve literally given themselves as a whole, their souls to this craft which we all have an affinity for; & in case it’s unclear that’s the essence of Hip-Hop baby.

I would like to thank Dontique & Constant Flow for taking the time to kick it w/us here at 
Hip Hop Has Soul. The Static Files album by: BMR {Billion Man Rebellion} is available now on all streaming platforms.

​Instagram @BillionManRebellion

Stream on Spotify

Presenting the 1st installment of the CITB series with Avirey Cain aka Mr. Cain

The birth of graffiti is kind of hard to pin down. Believe it or not, such a simple question as; where did Graffiti start -as we know it- isn’t such a straight forward answer. Sure in the late 60’s North American cities like Philadelphia & New York City had their local bombers, the proverbial taggers of their time. Philly had Cornbread getting fame & in NYC TAKI 183 was clearly making a name for himself. 
       
      

 Though one could argue “Kilroy was here” an American symbol that became popular during World War II was getting hella fame in the 1940’s, the phrase & accompanying doodle  (the top of a guys head peeking over a wall w/an elongated nose) was associated with GIs; & “Kilroy” was the american version of Australia’s “Foo was here” that originated in World War One. ​