Local Flava: Big Scythe

Dubbed "Rhode Island's Best Kept Secret", Big Scythe aims to bring his style of liveliness into hip hop. With the stage agility of Heavy D, the spitting power of Big Punisher, the versatilty of TI, the heart of KRS-One, and the producing capabilities of DJ Premier, Big Scythe plans to inspire the nation. Otherwise known as Jerediah Gonzalez, Big Scythe feeds off the energy of the crowd and gives one of the most energetic performances people have ever seen. 

1.  You have an interesting name, where did it come from?

2.  What inspires your music?

All kinds of things: my surroundings, political and enviromental issues, my own dealings.  I never speak on anything that I have never done, seen, or that has never ran through my mind.

I also get influenced by other music, no matter the genre. My Ipod and laptop are filled with music of many time periods and genres...from Beethoven to Jackie Wilson, The Bee Gees to James Brown, Riders Against the Storm (look 4 em) to Biggie,  Common to Nas,  Krs One to Big Pun ...the list goes forever. I love music that has a pulse and a spirit that fills me with something to feel.

3.  Why should someone come out and see you perform?

I bring a live, energetic, explosive presence on stage. I try to engulf the audience so that they can feel like they are a part of the show. I try to give as much positive energy, even when spittin something serious or comical...so that the people who came to the show walk out with the feeling of "DAMN THAT WAS A F*&%#ING GOOD SHOW!" I want people to listen to what I gotta say and make them come out with an opinion that maybe they never thought of before.

4.  Beyond music, what other things do you do with your time?

Spend time with my family (my queen and her two beautiful kids). I work a full time job. Also, I'm on a quest to learn real truths of political, social, economical, environmental, cultural and religious history. As part of this quest, I am trying to control my mind through knowledge and meditation to unlock my full potential as a human being...we're more powerful than we're told.  Another part is learning ways to take care of myself and my family through alternative and more sustainable means.

5.  What is your ultimate goal as an artist?

To use my music to open minds, including my own, while obtaining the means to provide my family with the things I mentioned before. To collaborate with artists that influence me. Without a doubt, I want to travel the world to see other cultures and how they live...and also try to catch some that haven't been tainted by outside influence yet.

6.  What's the best thing about being a performance artist right now?

The love I get after I rip the mic from fans and other local artists. Rocking small venues is more intimate...after I rock, I get to chill in the audience and watch someone else do what I do...It's all reciprical.

7.  How does your Puerto Rican heritage influence your style and/or musical content?

I don't know that much Spanish, but I try to incorporate Spanglish, or what I like to call 'bilinguish' into some of my rhymes and beats. Also, I like to bring the liveliness of the Carribean to my music and the stage. My next project will have more latin-influenced lyrics and songs. But as before mentioned, I'm learning more about my history. There's a lot more to the  "Puerto Rican" heritage than Salsa, rice, beans and platanos.

8.  In your eyes, what is a 'good look' for those that you're trying to reach with your music?

We have to see beyond seeing and believe beyond believing. There's more to life then what the TV says, or what is directly in front of you. Be open to knowledge and question what doesn't feel right intuitively.  "The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge."
- Stephen Hawking

myspace.com/bigscythe