Return of the Real: Can Jeff Spec Kick It? (Exclusive Interview)

I don’t sing. I don’t rhyme. I can’t produce tracks. I’m often the only non-rapper in a room. But I’ve always had an ear for good music and because of that, folks have respected my honest opinion. I don’t hold back. I’m also a fan of music. I actually remember when that meant something. RefinedHype has given me the opportunity to showcase a dope artist weekly, someone who is on the rise that has caught my ear and that you should definitely check out. This is "Return of The Real". Chea!

Jeff Spec is a sneaker-head, who did it for the kicks. Or did he do it for the music? Maybe he did it for both.

I was first introduced to Jeff Spec’s music last May. He had just released "Sneakerboxxx (I Did it For Kicks)". But like I once wrote about the project, don’t let the name mislead you. Sure, while there are a fair number of references to kicks in his rhymes, Jeff Spec delivers more than that.

When I first heard Jeff Spec rhyme, it was his aggressive flow on “Microphone Bully” with Shane Eli. It caught my attention. And it was one hell of an introduction. Jeff Spec, originally from Vancouver now living in Toronto, comes out of that Canadian Hip-Hop scene that boast some of my favorite emcees like Shad and Eternia, for example. For Jeff Spec, his music is about being a bit conscious Hip-Hop, a bit party and all heartfelt.

With a few videos and projects in the works, Jeff Spec is constantly working. He continues to create the music he hopes people will identify with. Recently, I reached out to him for an interview. We talked Canadian Hip-Hop, Sneakerboxxx and more. Jeff Spec is dope, and you should pay attention to his music.



ThroatChopU: There's a lot of talent that's coming out of Canada. On an underground level there is someone like Eternia. And then in terms of mainstream, of course there's Drake. How do you think folks outside of Canada view Canadian Hip-Hop?

Jeff Spec: That's always a tough one to answer, because knowing how somebody else sees you is a bit of an enigma. In my opinion, Canadian Hip-Hop artists have always had this thing where we/they emulate what we hear coming from the US, because you all obviously set the pace from day one. I'd say that just now, we're carving out a bit of an identity, which really just starts with every individual being an individual. Somebody like Eternia's been around forever but I've noticed she's getting more recognition on an international level just now; which makes me say people are ready for some more Canada.

TCU: e.d.g.e. is another dope emcee from the Canadian Hip-Hop scene. You were featured on his The 29th Year project. Rumor has it that you guys might be working on a project. Is there any truth to that?

JS: Absolutely. e.d.g.e. is like a brother to me, and we've done a lot of work together in the past. We already put out a free internet-only EP a few years back called Ghetto Laundry, which was basically just a collection of songs that we wanted people to check out. The new one should be ready within the first quarter of 2011. We work fast but being on opposite sides of the country right now has slowed us down a little!

TCU: Anything else in the works in terms of new projects?



JS: I have a couple more projects on the go right now too. The first is a solo record with all of the production done by Moka Only, my big bro and mentor. The record is called Outside Things, and we've been working on the details of the release as it's being recorded. I'd say to expect that one for mid-year. The next is an album called Specnology, which will feature myself and others on the production, and it's just taking shape right now. As far as guest appearances, I'd definitely say expect to hear the fam on there, like e.d.g.e., Moka, etc. and I always like to work with a good variety of vocalists too.

TCU: You recently moved out to Toronto. What was that move all about?

JS: Toronto is the hub of everything in Canada, there's always something happening out here, and the networking is just so much more accessible. Vancouver is always where my heart is at, but out here you have access to so many more markets that it just seemed like a good idea to be here for a while. But I'm still telling my Vancouver people not to think they've totally gotten rid of me yet. I love home too much.

TCU: It's been about seven months since you released Sneakerboxxx. It seems like it's still getting a decent amount of press and you just recently released a video for Stop. How do you think the project has been received?

JS: I felt great about the reviews and feedback I received from that album. Even after releasing some newer material (like the singles "Clyde Stubblefield" and "Fly BS", which is from the upcoming Moka-produced project), it didn't seem like it was time to stop pushing Sneakerboxxx. That album was a labor of love, and I felt like the group of musicians that I was able to pull together really gave me some great work that I can keep standing behind for years to come. We still have one more video coming too. But either way, I try to take all of the feedback with a grain of salt. People can give you the positive and the constructive critiques, and the best thing to do is just take it all in stride, because it can change at any second.

TCU: Was this above or below your expectations?

JS: Honestly, I try to avoid expectations. When you're dealing with so many individuals with so many different viewpoints, it's next to impossible to imagine what's gonna happen in their heads and hearts when they hear something new. If I can say this though, I feel like the positive reviews were deserved. I did everything I could to approach the record in a way where everyone could relate to something, and some people could relate to everything. One thing I'd hope for is that Sneakerboxxx finds a larger audience sometime soon, because I think there are some jams on there that could take it all the way.



TCU: What track on Sneakerboxxx speaks to who you are as an emcee?

JS: I'd have to say these days that "Stop" really sums up my attitude towards making music. From the skills to the positive subject matter, to the personal content, that's what I look for in an emcee, and that's what I hope to put out there too.

TCU: What about the track on Sneakerboxxx that speaks to who you are as a person?

JS: I hope that all of them do. One thing that plagues a lot of rappers these days is that they want to be seen so much in one way. Like "so-and-so is a straight gangster" or "this guy is mega conscious" or whatever is cool to that person. I understand that from a label perspective, because it's branding. If you want to sell a product, you have to define it, and tell people what it's gonna do for them. But at the end of the day, we've all gone through such a range of experience and emotion, and that's where I try to go with it. My songs all express things that I understand and relate to, and come from a place of honesty, as much as I can force myself to be completely transparent. It's always a challenge, just like anything worthwhile.

TCU: As an artist, what impact do you want to have on the people who listen to your music?

JS: I think we all hope for something positive to happen when people check us out... at least those of us who can really call ourselves artists. I put my real personality into my music, and as an individual, I hope to always leave a good legacy after everything I do; I would apply all of that to my art as well. If you can say that you honestly felt what I was talking about, and that I did something new, in terms of not being a knock-off of the next great rapper, then I feel pretty good about what I've done.

TCU: We've spoken a lot about your music. Who inspires you? What are you listening to on your iPod/MP3 player?

JS: Recently I went on a huge Jose Feliciano binge. He's not a super obscure artist, but for those who don't know him, he's a visually impaired guitarist who came up in the 70s and still performs today. I heard his cover of Stevie Wonder's "Golden Lady" and went nuts. The new Ghostface record was great too, I love the fact that he gives less of a fuck every time you hear him. On any given day, I might listen to J Cole, The Black Keys, Little Dragon, or really any classic Hip-Hop, soul, rock, etc.

TCU: So, what's next for you?

JS: Just keeping my nose to the grindstone (LAUGHS). Keeping these videos and albums coming!

For more from Jeff Spec, connect with him via Twitter and check out more music via his BandCamp.

For more from ThroatChopU, follow him on Twitter and check out TheMadBloggers.com.