By: Todd Davis
As co-founder, as well as one-third, of the South Jamaica, Queens, New York hardcore rap trio Onyx, founded by the late great Jam Master Jay, Tyrone "Sonny Seeza"Taylor may be the least visible of his more well-known fellow group-mates; Fredro Starr and Sticky Fingaz, but that by no means takes away from the fact that Sonsee's as equally skilled as his musical brethren when it comes down to rockin' the microphone. The HYPE recently sat down with the 41 year old emcee to discuss his past, present and, still promising, future in Hip-Hop...
First things first, it's been well over three years since the release of your first and only solo collection, Tytanium, so where have you been and what exactly have you been up to, both personally and professionally, during this lengthy musical hiatus?
I was, at that time, not doing much music at all, really, and just wanted a little leave from the music scene. And, focus more on life, not just music. It wasn't until I met my woman and manager, that I really found the inspiration to record again.
Although a solid set, Tytanium, basically flew under rap's radar, at least commercially, where many people, myself included till semi-recently, were even unaware of its very existence, why do you feel that was the case?
Big distribution, small promotion, I would say. Not good.
Which brings us to now...You've presently aligned yourself with the Switzerland based Empire Music company -- Tell me how this connection even came to fruition?
Bridges album came about, after I was flown to Switzerland by Soni Keomanyvong of Loyal Unity Booking and Management, to do several live show performances around Switzerland. She booked and also managed me.
She then introduced me to Mattieu Siegenthaler, who was interested in doing an album project with me through his startup label Imprint, Empire Music. We talked it over, and after some weeks we made it official, and started recording.
The first project that you're actually involved with is this upcoming Billboard Blackmarket Mixtape, a collaborative effort with HipHop.org, which you're also hosting -- What all can you reveal and/or divulge about this forthcoming compilation CD?
I was approached about the mix-tape to host it, we thought which was a good time and opportunity to start buzzing in the public's ears again, so I came on and we got to work.
The track-listing for it unveils a who's who of Hip-Hop heavyweights; i.e., The Game, Daz Dillinger, Killah Priest, Trina, Styles P, Jadakiss, Joe Budden, Project Pat and, of course, yourself, to name some -- So, what all did it actually entail in regards to getting all of these well-known emcees involved?
I've known Killah Priest since childhood, and met I Jada, and Styles years back. I didn't do a lot of the legwork to get the artists honestly…But, I guess live people like to rock on the same train. And, they got slots. It was a good line-up of artists.
In a sense, the mix-tape also seems to be a precursor of sorts to your next solo album, Bridges Volume 1 -- What prompted your decision to title the record this?
The album title concept was due to to the fact I'm from Brooklyn, N.Y., and recorded in Basel City, Switzerland. Brooklyn and Basel both have prominent Bridges. Bridges link us, so we can connect with our art nationwide and worldwide. So, it was (a) fitting metaphor.
How does Bridges Volume 1 either differ and/or compare to your first LP, Tytanium?
The Bridges... album differs firstly because I was in another country recording. And, there was a great sense of musical freedom for me to do the records I wanted to do, all fresh from scratch in a new environment, with all new tracks and producers. Tytanium, was more a double mix-tape with old and new songs. It wasn't what It set out to be. Due to company discrepancies and them dropping the ball, I pulled out.
Are there any specific highlights; lead single(s), producer(s), cameo(s), fave track(s), etc., that you can point out at this particular moment?
There's a song titled "Fight" on the album that comes to mind. In light of the social and economic pitfalls due to the climates and conditions of what we face daily, it's close to heart for me.
From a lyrical perspective, when you sit down to pen your rhymes where do you draw your inspiration(s) from?
Any and everywhere...Classic songs, reading, conversations I had, people I know, places I've been and the want to fill a void in the musical landscapes.
Longevity, what do you attribute yours to?
I attribute my longevity to God, family, loyal fans and the practice of not being seen too much. Find your times and pick your spots is my theory.
Do you have any other future aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?
Maybe something more community based, like non-profit organizations, community youth events, fundraisers and things of that nature, though we would gladly accept celebrity donations for rebuilding.
On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip-Hop? And, even more specifically, East Coast rap, or the lack thereof?
Happy? No! There's an abundance of smoke and mirrors now and not much creativity and concepts in music today. Companies finance and promote clones getting overexposed and the market is over-saturated. The true essence of the culture is over-shadowed.
As for the immediate, what's next for, the artist formerly known as, Suave'?
What's next is to promote the new album stateside and abroad, and complete two screenplays I started on a while back. And, try to continue to enjoy life and love with family and friends.
And, finally, is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?
I think we're good.
Oh, and one last thing, what's up with ONYX? Do you pretty much stay in frequent contact with both Fredro and Sticky? And, while your out doing your solo "thing" with Empire Music, do you know what the guys' plans are?
No, not much. When needed or necessary business come up.
Any "message" for our readers?
I hope yall enjoy the new album and purchase it -- Keep Hip-Hop Alive!
SONNY SEEZA TYTANIUM!!
TWITTER:
@MrSonnySeeza
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BONUS*
Sonny Seeza of ONYX - Doc Help (Official Video)
Released December 6 2012 by Empire Music
Available on iTunes and Amazon or directly on shop.empiremusic.ch.
www.empiremusic.ch
www.sonnyseeza.com
Written and performed by Tyrone Taylor | Production by Sandro Purple Green | Recorded at PW Studios Basel | Mixed by Jakebeatz | Mastered by Jay Franco, Sterling Sound | Executive Producer: Matthieu "MDB" Siegenthaler
Credits: "Waiting on the Border Line" by Barclay James Harvest (Holroyd/EMI Music Publishing)
From Sonny's forthcoming album BRIDGES, VOLUME 1
Sea Legs is honored to announce the signing of Los Angeles based Dad Punchers. Dad Punchers is the newest project from Elliot Babin, drummer of Touche Amore and DNF. Since 2009, he has found himself on a demanding eight months out of the year tour schedule. In the brief interludes back home in L.A., Babin started writing and recording his own songs. The result is Dad Punchers, a nostalgic, sometimes searing dissection of Babin's life and the people he has met in his time abroad. The 11 tracks on this "bummer punk" debut LP touch on gender roles, codependency, romantic comedy films, consumerism, body image, dwelling on the past, and living while always moving.
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