When most of America thinks of California their minds turn to either sandy beaches, Beverly Hills mansions of South L.A. ghettos. But the Golden State is much, much more than those simplistic extremes, and there might not be an artist out there who embodies California's diversity and creativity like
Cobe Obeah. In the latest edition of our
My City series Cobe talks about how Cali has shaped the sound of his music, says west coast hip-hop is being conspired against, and delves into his political and social motivations.
RefinedHype: You've lived all over California, from L.A. to Carson and everywhere in between. How have those travels influenced your music?
Cobe Obeah: I was born in Inglewood, California and started my life living in Los Angeles right next to a widely recognized neighborhood called the “J’s” or the “Jungles“. I lived in Orange County for a large part of my life, stayed in Carson, went to school in San Francisco, and now I live in Gardena, which is next to Compton and Carson. When I was about seven or eight I moved to Orange County. While living in Orange County my family and I were back and forth from the O.C. to LA all the time, to the point where I was able to observe and comprehend the difference between the two worlds. I learn about middle class suburban culture and the mentality of the people who reside there, in addition to learning about my people (Blacks), who predominantly live in the so called “urban ghettos” of LA, with the exception of Chicanos.
My experience gave me a better understanding of America’s design or structure in terms of class, race, and culture. My experience showed me Black Life in America and White Life in America. We have very different lifestyles, if you are talking about middle class vs. lower middle class or poorer blacks. When you’re a kid you don’t know how to make sense of it, but In high school I discovered this came from the history of Blacks and Whites in this country. This shaped my mentality and personality. Everything in your conscience should parallel the music you create if you’re a true artist, and my past definitely plays a role in the style of music I create. From my topics of relationships, political, death, personal struggles, or institutional racism, all comes from my personal experience as a Black man experiencing Suburbia and the so called “ghettos“.
RefinedHype: There's been a lot of talk lately about a "new" West Coast. Where do you think of the state of west coast hip-hop currently?
Cobe Obeah: I hear that phrase the “new west coast” a lot and its annoyingly oxymoronic. It has always bugged me, because, there has always been a strong presence of talented artists out here not only in L.A, but the Bay Area as well. I feel as if the industry is sleeping on dozens of artists in the West to the degree where I conclude that the industry conspires against many artists in LA. Meaning if you sound like, Pharell, Kanye, Talib, Lauryn Hill, Nas, Jay-Z, TCQ, etc; they ignore your music. As if they strive to not expose that sound from the West. I feel they don’t want an alternative sound from the west to reach mainstream success. They rather have the next best dance move, or bubble gum techno sound, or hardcore “gangsta” rap. Don’t get me wrong I am not condemning any of that, especially gangsta rap because that’s what influenced me and introduce the world to the West Coast’s sound. However, when that’s the only sound being promoted as West Coast music, then it becomes very unrealistic and one dimensional. We have many sounds out here in the west and the world needs to hear it. We have our Snoop Doggs, but we also have our Wyclef Jeans. We have our “Will I Am’s”, but we also have our Andre 3000‘s. We have our “New Boyz”, but we also have our Wu-Tangs. You see where I am getting at? I believe the West is the most misunderstood, extremely talented, and innovative coasts in America in terms of hip hop. In the underground we are doing just fine in distributing and exposing all dimensions of the West and the industry can continue to blackball the west if they choose, however real recognizes real and the internet allows for such recognition.
RefinedHype: What inspires you about your hometown (or home state)?
Cobe Obeah: Well as far as L.A., the strong history of LA. Being that here is the birth place of the Bloods and the Crips, home of the L.A.Riots, Watts Riots, Hollywood, and arguably some of the most beautiful women and weather on the planet, it inspires me. If you talk about the Bay Area, your talking about the home of the Black Panthers which was started in Oakland, California. You’re talking San Francisco home of the gays, activists, and so called “progressives” who oppose anything even if you told them the sky is blue. All this inspires me to be more observant and a better listener. It causes me to not only get educated, but become an educator. If I would have to choose a city in America to retire I would probably say L.A., but that ain’t happening because I’m going to retire in AFRICA.
RefinedHype: If I'm rolling through your hometown where can I find you?
Cobe Obeah: Find me at my house watching T.V.(laughs) No I’m playing. You can find me either at the studio, Leimert Park breaking bread with the elders, or driving around looking for some trouble to get into. Honestly, you cant find me anywhere because I don’t make myself accessible unless you schedule to link up with me. I move around the city way too much for anyone to find me.
RefinedHype: Last words? Shout outs? Confessions?
Cobe Obeah: Confessions? Hell Naw!. But Go and Download my mixtape, “
Song of the Starz”. I released it in the end of June and I feel it has been slept on. I’m releasing an E.P. in the winter or beginning of next year, which includes four tracks from my previous mixtape. I have some huge work planned for the future and I think 2011 will be a year to remember. Thank you Nathan for this interview brotha.
