|
November 2008 Profile:
|
|
By Juandingo
"I'm the North Star outlaw... fled to the Lone Star..." - MC Astro,
from "Stressin' Me"
Since landing in Dallas from his home state of Minnesota, Denzil
Chamblis, aka MC Astro has been tearing up mics and rocking stages.
Currently promoting his full length debut album on Poor Vida, MC Astro
is making noise like never before, though he has been a key player in
the Texas underground hip hop and electronic scene for over a decade.
Astro had a humble start, freestyling on the mic alongside Dallas
veteran DJ Phooka at the legendary Battletech drum and bass weekly.
Since then, he has graced the stage with just about every major drum
and bass artist he has crossed paths with, in cities like Dallas,
Austin, Miami, and San Francisco. MC Astro's first major project was
with the Dallas based production and promotion company D.A.P. – the
Dirty Alien Project, where he learned the basics of studio and stage
performances. Though his musical roots are drum and bass, MC Astro is
no stranger to crossing boundaries and genres. He has appeared on
several releases in the House world, including a feature on Fat Boy
Slim's world renowned Southern Fried Records, alongside fellow Texans
Granite & Phunk.
MC Astro signed with Poor Vida late in 2007, and has spent much of the
last year working on his debut release (though there was a slight
detour for the WMC). Labor Day weekend brought the long anticipated
album to the public eye, as well as a packed house for the album
release party. Opening eyes and ears to the hip step style of music
and life, MC Astro shares his experiences & views in his aptly-titled
debut album, "I'm Not You".
The album showcases artists & producers from his home town of Dallas
and features collaboration with the Ingenious Music NYC family. MC
Astro satisfies a wide spectrum of musical tastes including,
intelligent hip hop, dirty south, and east to west coast styles - all
tied together with grooving drum & bass rhythms.
MC Astro's own informal biography in his own words:
I started MC'ing to drum and bass in late 99 early 2000. I first
grabbed the mic at a party that was thrown at Carl's Corner. The DJ's
that were playing were Phooka, BK, Mike and Ike (Ike is also know as
DJ I-Cue). The first party that I was ever officially booked for was a
party in 2000 called Candy and I did a breaks set with the Carbon
Community (D Michaels and Cody - Mac 9). That same night I also rocked
with DJ Squirt for the first time alongside the PI DOUBLE B.
1. Can you briefly describe your style of hip hop and what listeners
can expect from your album?
My style of hip hop is a hip hop / electronic fusion - more hip hop
then electronic… I couldn't forget where I came from though (the
Dallas dance scene). Hip step is a term that could be applied to what
I do. You can find some jungle beats, dnb fusion and a lil' break beat
madness - I guess you can call it DANDO music. Most of the album
production was done by Poor Vida artist DJ Trek – though I-Cue from
NYC and Edgar Blue from Texarkana both stepped up to the plate and
contributed. Also featured on the album are my long time buddies and
fellow MC's Leo J and Leo Cooper. Anchorman from Wichita Falls and the
T.R.A.C. from NYC also hopped on a verse.
2. Do you incorporate a lot of electronic elements in the album as
opposed to traditional hip hop breaks and samples?
Yeah, we use a lot of different sounds in the production – at least
different from what you would hear on the radio. We had to have the
electronic vibe in most of our songs. We are putting out a hip hop
album, but I didn't to just want to forget about what gave me my
chance to be heard ..EDM. So this album is a thank you to all the
people who support the Texas scene, and all the DJ's and promoters who
let me grab the mic.
3. What are your goals for the album and next steps?
My goals for the album are to get Dallas noticed on a broader scale
for something a little different - not just this trendy rap you here
on the radio, and to show the world that you don't have to fit into a
box to make good music. I think I have something more to offer then
just being a robot doing what the other robots are doing.This album is
also the beginning of a movement of serious musicians stepping their
game up. I'm here to show other artists that you can and should do
what ''you'' want when it comes to making your music, lyrics, beats
etc... The next steps involve taking this movement to a worldwide
audience.
