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I recently sat down with Cubbiebear. A very talented artist hailing from Baltimore, Maryland. He isn’t afraid of side stepping from what is normal in hip-hop and adding his own flavor to create some of the dopest and most realistic music I’ve heard in a very long time. He’s been praised by Sage Francis and is definately making a name for himself in the underground rap scene.

TK: You have a song titled Contra. Does this have anything to do with the game Contra?

CB: I did love that game when i was younger but no. Contra was just the perfect title, it’s a rap song against rap songs, title just fit perfect. It’s also a strong word, maybe even stronger because i used to like that game when i was younger who knows, Subliminal as well maybe.

TK: You have a few songs really going in at the industry most notably “Contra” and “The Hulk”. Whats the main reason behind wiritng tracks like this?

Mocking, Exploiting, Defense of my definition vs there’s? You can only mock something in the face of people who really care for so long before someone or something breaks, I guess i broke. I understand all music has it’s place and i don’t completely bash it all. Like Lil Jon has his place, he makes his music to party and dance to, it may not be my thing but i understand it belongs here. There are few people who actually create instead of duplicate whether you like their music or not, from dance music to thug rap. But when idiotic and/or foul music is made and placed in your “category” continuously exploiting it, it can take its toll.

TK: Me and You are very similar with our distaste for the industry and what it does to musicians. With that said would you ever sign to a major label?

CB: It really depends, I wouldn’t be a thoughtful guy if i just said “No” because it’s a major. I’d have to hear them out, but for the most part it doesn’t look good, Epitaph has seemed like a good look, Sage, Atmosphere, and Solilaquist of Sound were/are on it. I’ve heard good things about them and I’m lucky enough to have artist like them out there paving the way and helping other artist out. We should support artist who get out there as long as they continue make a difference. People write off artist for being on MTV, why? Did Atmosphere start rapping about about shaking your butt? Or Aesop Rock, he certainly didn’t dumb down for it. So be proud and happy, finally all the hard work they did got them somewhere and maybe they can wake up the norm of people accepting the same old same.

TK: Artists have been known to get good exposure from featuring their tracks in video games. would you ever do a track for a game?

CB: That would depend to but sure. I wouldn’t see any bad in that plus I’d love to think someone can pop in Skate 2 and tear up the city to Contra.

TK: What would a Cubbiebear game be like? Who would be the enemy?

CB: Haha, I really would never want a game about me. I think it’s cheesy and usually a scheme of another route to drain your fans. I love games but I’m a rapper, I don’t do anything worth manipulating on screen. Unless people really want to win a game of being awkward and learning how to talk to people in a way that will stop them from telling Teddy they think “i don’t like them” and If they win they can come show me how in real life haha….. but im a nice guy i swear.

TK: You have a group called “The Rape”? How did all of your come together? Were you friends before hand?

Yea we were all good friends, we met through music but we became really good friends before we started The Rape. It all came together from the need of freedom and to be ourselves in this mess of music. I wanted to take my chance at really making the music i wanted to hear instead of what others were used to or told me that I should make. Teddy did as well. Teddy Faley was with Brakefast Records when we first met and I was with my old Dj(Dj J.Easy). Dj Addikt was with a group called Knomatic. Haylee Shifflett was a friend of mine and Mike Grace was an old old friend. We were just a crew and really loved each others company. We all wanted something fresh and new, and had things we could help each other with. Teddy is a Producer/Emcee, Addikt’s Producer/D.J., Haylee’s a photographer, and Mike is a well known BMXer in Baltimore and the greatest guy, he helped promote a lot and hype most events.
I love those guys.

TK: Do you own any of the current generation systems (ie Xbox 360,PS3,Wii) or are you more of an old school guy? And What are some of your favorite games?

CB: Yup I got Xbox 360, I only really play Gears of War 2. I play a few others but that’s my game. I just wish they didn’t crap it up. The first Gears was a million times better. The had an almost perfect game, and instead of just fixing the very few imperfections, they either tried to hard or they all went to take a poop together and a janitor shipped it out before it was ready. I still play it cause I love Gears but then end up pissed and just turning it off from frustration wishing it was like the first. I only like playing it online and the game play got muddy compared to the first, the first one was more fun and quicker, i want the old shotgun back. I only play horde for the most part now because of it.

TK: For the fans who are just discovering you, how would you describe your musical style?

CB: Depends on what they’re used to, If you like rock music, The Mars Volta, Deftones, things like that & rap, you might like my stuff. I might be a little out of my mind but it’s better then in a box. I use a lot of layers, and distortion and I say a lot of things people are afraid to say I think. I like to be able to get lost in my music, I want to step into it when i listen and have it surround me, but not everyone knows how to hear me. It’s to much for the average strictly Hip Hop listener sometimes who don’t understand a language of anything that’s not a simple boom bap. I was like that when i first heard Sole or El-p, I thought they we crazy and had no clue what they were doing, until i learned the language, soon as i could really hear them i was blown away.
When people listen to your music. Whats the message you’re trying to convey to them? What feelings / thoughts do you want people to come away with after listening to your music?

CB: As far as feelings, a high, a “about time someone said that” or get pissed whether at me or with me.

As for the personal ones I don’t care I make those for me and they give me chills. I hope they could connect or appreciate how i word things in my life but it’s for me.

TK: On your myspace there’s quote from Sage Francis saying “This guy came out of nowhere and has made a serious name for himself in underground circles. Not only is he a producer but he is a formidable emcee as well”. Has Sage been an influence on your career at all? Who else has been?

CB: Yea def, Sage has been a great inspiration, and just recently I found out a great guy too, at least over the internet. I entered a remix contest for his label and won. Got to talk to him a little over email from it and he’s a cool guy, he offered help when needed and some guidance. Show’s a lot that dude takes the time for that and still supports others so much. He deserves all the credit he gets and more, same goes for Slug and many other emcees.

All together i was influenced by probably the norm of people in my generation, Sage, Slug, Sole, El-p, etc. But believe it or not Cee-Lo Green got me to start rapping , back in his Goodie Mobb days when i was into different kind of rap he was the first I heard who dared to be a little real or weird about things. He was my gateway drug, he made me ease more comfortably into “experimental” rap at the time for me. With out Cee Lo there would have been no Sage, Slug, El in my life.

TK: What do you use to inspire you to write?

CB: I just kind of write. I really don’t know, I know it’s 99.99% things that piss me off or i don’t agree with. But I dont really know. I just express myself really.

TK: Any last words for readers/listeners?

CB: Yea , as corny and cliche as it sounds from over use. Thanks for supporting me. Thanks to the people who continually come to my shows, thanks to my crew “The Rape” and everyone who showed there friends my music or posted it anywhere, and for the interview man. I appreciate it.

Be sure to check Cubbiebear out on his Myspace

Written By Donnie B

What Up! I am Donnie B. I'm a hardcore gamer from the not so beautiful state of Florida. South Florida to be exact. I love playing any games. While I might sound biased towards the 360. I'm not, I love all my systems. My gamertag is Shaolin Gods. My PSN is ExileTheGod and my Wii friend code is 16 random digits I don't care about. Hit me up if you feel like a beat down. https://twitter.com/ExTheGod