Klap ON!!!

Love: SoulKlap


SoulKlap is a Cleveland MC whose making timeless music. For that reason I really wanted to have a Q&A with him.

It’s safe to say that I’m an instant fan of his work. His song iOweYou was featured on Talib Kweli’s Year of the Blacksmith Community Mixtape.
Not to mention that his video game theme mixtape “Give Up The Sticks” with local Hip Hop Duo Divine Minds will be one of my 2011 highlights. He promises that what he has to offer us isn’t anything fabricated.

Check out my interview with him plus a sample of his music under the jump!


Twitter | Facebook | SoulKlap.com | Bandcamp | Myspace

SoulKlap – iOweYou

Download: Year of the Blacksmith Community Mixtape || Give Up The Sticks
# LM:How long have you been an MC? What inspired you to get started?

SoulKlap:I’ve been an MC for about 13 years now. I started when I was 13. At the time I was really inspired by artists like Jay-Z, Nas, DMX, Notorious B.I.G. and Eminem. Even before doing music, I always wanted to be an entertainer. I also used to perform for my family on certain occasions. Although it started as a hobby, it developed into a passion, and now it’s my dream to become a successful artist in the music industry.
# LM: Now Explain the “Give Up The Sticks!” mixtape. Its different but the theme of it is so cool and unique. The production is great and lyrically you do your thing on it. What was the creative process between yourself and Divine Minds for this project?

SoulKlap: Thank you for the compliment, and great question. “Give Up The Sticks!” is a mixtape that I did with local hip-hop duo, Divine Minds, which is totally video game themed. All the songs have video game themes and the beats themselves are sampled from video games as well. I, along with Mike A of Divine Minds, shouldered the bulk of the production. Me and James John of Divine Minds shouldered the bulk of vocals. As far as the creative process, it was so fun doing this mixtape. We literally played video games and recorded all day everyday during the production of this project. And I’m talkin bout N64, Sega Genesis and Nintendo straight old school! But basically I did a gang of beats for the project and Mike A did a gang of beats as well. We’d send them to JJ to write to, and depending on what track it was I put a verse or two on the songs as well. We got sponsored by our good friends at TheHigherPlane as well as hosted by our other good friends Mick Boogie and Terry Urban.
# LM: How did you come to be featured on Talib’s Year of the Black Smith Community tape?

SoulKlap: It’s a funny story. Throughout the year, different hip-hop artists, companies and labels do these competitions and contests for aspiring artists to submit their work to potentially be heard and or featured by industry professionals. However, those really aren’t my forte. I just never would’ve expected to be selected in one of those things.


My good friend and fellow Ohio MC, KeilyN told me about the contest. I was reluctant at first because like I said before I don’t do shit like that, but he pushed me to submit for it, so I did. I submitted in April, and we were supposed to find out if we made it by June. I never got an email so I figured I ain’t make it. Then almost two months later, the last week of July, I got an email from Blacksmith telling me Talib had personally listened to and selected my song “iOweYou” to be featured on the Community Mixtape! It was really surreal. I got the chance to fly up to NYC, to go to a party that Talib and Blacksmith threw in honor of the contest winners and Mick Boogie (who mixed the Community Mixtape) was there as well. He played my record in the club! It was crazy. I got to meet Kweli, and thank him for the great opportunity as well. It was truly a blessing. Now I just need to capitalize on it.
# LM:When should we expect to see anything from Klapisms Vol. 1: A Parallax? What should we expect to hear?

SoulKlap: Well actually, I’ve got a few singles out now. The 1st single was “iOweYou,” but I also have put out “Pipe Dreams,” and “D.O.P.E.” as well. I’m planning on releasing the album either late this month or early February. When you listen to Klapisms you basically should expect authenticity. I try my best to be authentic and real through my music. I got a song about working in corporate America, because I’ve experienced that. I gotta song about being in a long distance relationship (still in one), I’ve also got a song honoring MLK and Barack Obama. I think it’s dope material. But none of it is fabricated, all of it is SoulKlap.