88 Keys relaxes in his Ralph Lauren wardrobe and hits us up with his answers to our questions in this week’s Hot Seat.
1. Tell us about your craziest touring experience.
88 Keys: Oh that’s easy. The time I was on the Fresh Rhymes & Videotape Tour & I was left behind in my hotel room in D.C. I didn’t miss the designated lobby call but somehow our tour manager, bus driver & fellow acts I was on tour with all got the memo that the departure time was 2 hours earlier than what was initially discussed. So I wake up & the bus is about 35 mins. outside of our next destination. This is only half of the crazy story. The other half goes into how I had to catch a FLIGHT INTO NEW YORK, have an hour+ lay over just to catch a connecting flight to the next city we were hitting up. Come to find out THAT show was canceled due to some alleged criminal act the concert promoter was involved in the night before. *booyah*
2. What type of college class would you’d most want to take and why?
88 Keys: I’d take a class on music theory & notation. Anything involving music since I obviously don’t know s**t about this stuff.
3. What city in America is the most fun to visit and why?
88 Keys: Well for me, outside of New York City (which doesn’t count because I don’t “visit” NY… I live here) I’d have to say Los Angeles because I have a lot of friends out there which always make for some fun times. Plus one of my best friends has a ridiculous house out there which I crash in most of the time. That friend is also the executive producer of my album The Death of Adam so if you’d like to put 2 & 2 together… *hint: Buy my CD.
4. What’s some of the best advice you were ever given?
88 Keys: 1. “Learn that machine!” - Paul (co-owner of The Music Palace Studio as he pointed to the Akai MPC 3000) 2. Don’t accept a “no” from someone who’s not authorized to tell you “no”. 3. Don’t eat yellow snow - Old wives’ tale? Uh… I think NOT.
5. What’s in heavy rotation in your MP3/CD player right now?
88 Keys: Oh this one’s TOO easy: 1. The Morning Benders - Talking Through Tin Cans (& every single EP they’ve put out before then) 2. Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line & 3. Metronomy - Night’s Out
6. The last good book you read or TV show you’re addicted to.
88 Keys: Not certain if I’d say I’m ADDICTED to I Love Money 2 but… It’d be a toss up between that & Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Shout out to Stabler & Benson.
7. What’s the first concert you ever saw - how was it?
88 Keys: My first memory of a concert might be The Roots YEARS ago when they played in Tramps (NYC). It was a dope experience. Each band member did a solo & when ?uestlove did his, he literally drummed around the entire club. That was pretty dope! Other than that, the BEST concert I think I’ve been to would have to be Kanye’s Touch The Sky Tour. Mind blowing! I know you didn’t ask me which was my favorite but I thought I’d just volunteer that information to you. Do with it as you wish. *ha*
8. What are three items you can’t live without on tour?
88 Keys: 1. Ralph Lauren wardrobe (underwear, footwear & socks included. I refuse to be seen otherwise), 2. iPhone/iPod/MacBook Pro (I’ll group all that together & just say my shiny Apple products). 3. Photos of my wife Krista & our two daughters Chloë Yoshe & Luca Delaney.
9. Who are your major musical influences?
88 Keys: Q-Tip, Paul McCartney, the late/great J. Dilla & Pete Rock. Those are the gods to me.
Any random messages or tips you’d like to give to mtvU watchers?
88 Keys: Yeah… “Don’t eat yellow snow!” www.polo67life.com - el fin -
