Stic.Man of dead prez

Stic.man is one half of the hip hop duo dead prez, known worldwide for their powerful premiere album, 'Let's Get Free' (Loud Records, 2000). Perhaps best known for their powerful anthem, HIP HOP (featured as the background intro music on the popular Chapelle Show...video below), dead prez are artists on a mission to produce powerful, educational, empowering, and thoughtful music for the streets. Stic.man is an entrepreneur, father, emcee, author, producer, and much more...

1. Tell us about AMMO magazine. What's the purpose behind that?

dead prez’s all new .AMMO MAGAZINE is available exclusively at WWW. BOSSUPBU. COM. It’s a monthly review of progressive books, practical info. and helpful multimedia products from my personal collection. .Ammo magazine was created to “arm” subscribers by recommending direct sources of info that have and continue to inspire dead prez’s music, message and RBG way of life.

Topics of recommended materials range from revolutionary politics, health, self-defense, martial arts, edutainment, spirituality, parenting, money, relationships, survival, business and much more!

Other regular feature departments of .Ammo include sneak peaks of new dead prez and RBG music, exclusive freestyles and a full color collector’s “cover” each month.

And of course there are all sorts of little extras and surprises for subscribers! An annual subscription is only $1 a month.

2. Your last album, 'MANHOOD' (BossUp, 2007), had a LIVE feel to it as opposed to being beat-oriented. What was your inspiration musically on this album?

To express another side of myself. I am a soul music lover, and i love drums. I just wanted to express a mature vibe that incorporated a lot of my different musical tastes to show versatility. I was able to work with soul grooves, south afrikan folk, jazz piano and south and west coast hardcore hip hop vibes..which are my roots musically. I even made a joint inspired by my love for Sade called "whatever daddy wants"...

The new video/single for "My SWAG is UP"( available only only on the itunes-deluxe version) will be out in feb...

3. It has been 9 years since your classic Let's Get Free dropped. How have you grown as an artist since then?

More experience has brought a greater appreciation for the craft of music...I've been tapping into my creative sources and accepting the challenge of staying inspired, relevant and creative. I've been able to write a small manual based on my songwriting style called 'The Art of Emcee-ing.' This has helped me tremendously key into my strengths..so I'm just constantly self-critiquing and striving to get that right combination of concept, lyrical execution, musicality and marketability that makes an impact!

4. What is the concept behind your upcoming dead prez album, 'Information Age?'

The new album is a brand new sound for dead prez: an upbeat, experimental ride dealing with human consciousness...from political consciousness to spiritual consciousness to collective consciousnes, health consciousness..all forms..we have fun but we get into a WHOLE LOT OF INFORMATIVE TOPICS AND ISSUES...

Its very straightforward lyrically, yet the music, I think, is really different and creative..We have songs like "Take me to the future", "End of the World", "Fast Food", "Dirty White Girl", and "What if the Lights Go Out"....we still working as we speak..but we dropping a Dj green Lantern produced /Dead prez album first in April called "Pulse of the People"..that will be our third installment of the Turn off The Radio Mixtape series of albums.

5. Are you releasing it independently?

We are releasing it through dead prez inc, with a major distribution partner.

6. We know that you've studied martial arts for quite some time. What style do you practice, and how does that practice inform what you do as an artist?

Ultimately, I study the art and science of resolving conflict with wisdom.
My formal studies have been Wu Shu Kwan Kung Fu, Ile Ijala, Chi Kung, Egbe Ogun and Jeet Kune Do...I do apply my martial philosophy to all aspects of my life, including my music works.

Practice, setting goals, staying humble, learning new skills and forms of expression ..all of this I learn from martial arts...but they apply to my life holistically.

7. What other projects are you working on?

A rites of passage book and program for Young Afrikan Boys
A new solo album.
Staying centered and balanced with my health, family and work.

8. ITZAGOODLOOK. COM intends to 'promote self-empowerment, and critical thinking, while promoting sustainability and self-reliance as a cultural/community imperative.' What is a 'good look' for people of color in 2009?

I would say join or form an organization that will build black-brown empowerment. Don't have to be the only thing you believe in, but join or build something 'cause the power is in the people working together...choose whatever you feel is most needed..Also, i urge folk to check out the philosophy/works of Omali Yeshitela and the Uhuru movement.

Their political line is one of the strongest, clearest analyses of the current situation of our people available. Not the only one, but a damn good one with a track record of sincerity and service to our community's revolutionary aspirations.

10. Is there a quote or saying that you live by? If so, what is it?

So many...
The RBG (Red Black and Green) CODE I LIVE BY IS:

1. No snitching
2. Protect Self, Fam and community
3. Each one teach one
4. Be organized
5. Be productive

I acknowledge the nguzo saba.

I AFFIRM THE TRUTH OF THE jeet kune do.

I respect the codes of honor in the streets and hoods I be in.

Malcolm X said Fatherhood means responsibility and i take that very seriously striving to raise my son as a well rounded loving warrior.

11. Thoughts on Obama?
I'm observing and soaking up this moment in history to see what becomes of it.

12. Anything else you would like to share wit folks?
Respect and love..thank u guys for the opportunity to build..check out the new "my swag is up" video at WWW. BOSSUPBU. COM coming soon...

(It's bigger than) HIP HOP!

STIC.MAN interview