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Buff1 on where he fits in Michigan Hip Hop

HipHopGame caught up with Buff1 and got to know about him, Pure, the Athletic Mic League and his place in Michigan Hip Hop.

Where do you see yourself fitting into the Michigan hip-hop scene?

The fact that we’re from Ann Arbor and not Detroit kind of sets us apart initially. Usually when people think of Michigan hip-hop, they think of Detroit. That’s where some of the dopest musicians in the world come from, but we’re not from there. We’re from Ann Arbor and that’s what we have to represent. I know far too many people not from Detroit that try to claim Detroit. I’m proud of my city and I think people outside of Ann Arbor see that and respect that

It took us awhile at first to really get noticed on the scene, because we were from Ann Arbor and cats from the D had the stamp on the Michigan hip-hop scene. As far as talent-wise, it was all theirs. Once they saw what we’re doing, they respected it and it’s been love ever since. We just try to stay true to what we are and as long as we stay true to ourselves, we’re going to get respect out here because we’re not trying to portray something that we’re not.

2007 06 28

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Athletic Mic League’s Buff1 on Okayplayer

Buff1 has been getting strong reviews for his album Pure across the board. It doesn’t hurt that it wasn’t made for BET and that it features some of the world’s favorite emcees in Guilty Simpson and One Be Lo.

Okayplayer has also taken notice.

As much as I appreciate his mature positivity and responsible perspective, the highlight of the album for me is the Waajeed-produced “SUPREME” featuring my favorite femcee of-the-moment Invincible and the most ubiquitous denizen of Detroit out right now Guilty Simpson talking tough over a vicious break and an ill interpolation of the Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams” synth riff.

Go to Okayplayer’s Blogarhythms for July 27 to read more.

2007 06 27

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Buff1 opens up on politics and hip hop

Buff1 was interviewed by Platform8470 (Belgium) with a lot of great questions leading to a lot of great insights.

Buff1 on politics:

Also in ‘House Of Horrors’ you claim that it has been worse also before the Bush (JR) administration… but could you give some examples of presidents that really fucked up as much as Bush?

I’m not sure anyone has screwed up as much as him but it’s not like things just got bad when he became president. Especially for minorities and the impoverished. We all know the crack epidemic came when Reagan was in office. Black people and people in the inner-city in general are still dealing with the effects of crack.

So when you’re voting, you don’t vote for Republicans nor for Democrats?

I vote Democrat. I just had to drive a point home that Democrats aren’t the savior. We have to take responsibilities in our own hands in rejuvnating and rebuilding our communities.

The murder rate in Detroit is the second highest in the country after New Orleans…what are some of the main reasons for that and how can violence be abandoned in Detroit and do you believe tracks like ‘House Of Horrors’ can make an actual difference?

I don’t know the main reasons for that, probably too many guns, period. I hope ‘House of Horrors’ can help. I want Black people to hear that song and realize that Bush is not in the hood shooting people in the head over a girl or a traffic accident. That’s us doing that to us. That’s why I say ‘We jumped off the pedestal and hung ourselves with the devil’s rope’.

Buff1 on OneBeLo and the Subterraneous Crew.

Talking bout fam you also have tight bonds with Subterraneous Records, how come?

Because they weren’t too cool to show love. We’re been supporting each other since about 1998. Lo (of Binary Star) wanted us to be a part of the Sub crew actually. Along with Nick Speed (G-Unit producer), Elzhi and everyone in the crew. That didn’t end up happening but we’ve stayed down ever since.

Read the entire interview here.