"Don’t give up on anything. If you're going to do something, go all the way. Mess up, learn, come back, and kick ass. No one is weak; they’re just clouded by doubt. This album (Scream Like You Mean It) was made to be a soundtrack to fighters and lovers of all types." - Aerias
Aerias is an emcee on the rise out of Chicago, IL. His current single "Bootleg Broads" was featured on the site not too long ago. Readers that are interested can listen to the track and peep the review here. He recently took the time to chop it up with The Examiner about everything from what he feels makes for a quality freestyle to his current album and promo tour. Continue reading below to get the scoop.
The Examiner: What is the story behind your stage moniker?
Aerias: It’s a play off my last name. I was coming up with a logo and then my hand cramped so the E looked like a 3 when I looked at it. The E is really supposed to be a three but that would just throw everyone off, lol.
TE: How did growing up in Chicago impact your career?
AE: Man, it made me the emcee I am today. It’s the city of hustlers. It’s a lobster bucket but I love it. The home of some of the best music ever made: Blues, House, etc. Not to mention it’s the home of some of Hip Hop's greats. How could you NOT be inspired??
TE: When did you first know that you wanted to become an emcee?
AE: When I realized the power of words and my love for music could live as one. Those two together are the greatest force out there next to love.
TE: I read something about battles in your bio. Describe your most memorable battle to date. For example: who was it against, where was it, who won, how did you feel, etc.
AE:Oh man, I have so many (haha). One that comes to mind is when I battled an entire crew and beat them all. Their name was Diatribe and I went through all their emcees in one night (haha). It was like four guys, not to mention the other competitors. The crowd was hype and I was in the zone. I felt hot the entire time but it was like a knowledgeable nervousness and it brought out the battle in me. That’s why I respect battling. It brings out the warrior in you.
TE: Your bio states that you do “freestyles that are actually freestyles.” What in your opinion makes a quality freestyle?
AE: Something on the spot, something passionate about what you're feeling and what you see AT THE MOMENT. It’s about the right now, the crowd, the lights, the sound, the sweat down your back, all that. You can tell what a freestyle is by how the emcee looks and acts when they spit it. Passion and spontaneity equals quality.
TE: Describe one of your best live shows. For example: the location, what the audience was like, why it is one of your bests, etc.
AE:Best show to date was at Northern Illinois Unversity. The crowd never heard of me but they were so live and loved the music. They were so into it. I told them to scream, they screamed. I told them to get out of their seats; they got out of their seats. The crowd can make a performer go even wilder when they react.
TE: What role does playing instruments have in your career as an emcee?
AE: It sets me apart and makes me more musical. It adds another weapon to my arsenal. There’s a lot of rapper and emcees. If I come out and not only spit better but play an instrument while doing it...now you're remembering me and now producers have another card to play with when I record.
TE: Name three benefits of being a non-mainstream rapper as opposed to being a mainstream one.
AE:You have: more say in your decision, more things are done on your time, and you can interact with fans more often.
TE: Chicago is home to some pretty major names in Hip-Hop like: Kanye West, Common, Twista, etc. How do you ensure that your music measures up to the standards set by those that have come before you?
AE: It doesn’t to me just yet. My music is good. But I haven’t achieved that level yet. Once I’m heard more I won’t be able to be denied. I need the PR and the exposure but the talent is there.
TE: What is the most significant difference between your first album Running Blindfolded and your second album Scream Like You Mean It?
AE: My goodness, EVERYTHING. Running Blindfolded was my ode to not really knowing what I was doing. I didn’t master my studio voice yet, had never been in a studio, and didn’t know what to record or how to convey the meaning and passion thru machines. On Scream Like You Mean It, I definitely did a quantum leap towards knowing my voice and getting a point across.
TE: What was the inspiration behind your track “Bootleg Broads?”
AE: Some of the women at the club I see. I mean, some people come across as cool but then act all stank. They act sweet but are really b----s or say one thing but do another. I mean, come on, be yourself. I'm calling out the hypocrites and so called "ladies" that make the REAL good women look even better.
TE: The promo tour for your album will consist of what?
AE: Lots of Chicago shows and some out of state shows. It’s going to be tied in with a lot of media like: videos, commercials, etc. I want to do as much as I can so I can get signed. If you have any tips, pass them my way.
TE: When fans look up Aerias in the Hip-Hop history books, what will it read?
AE: The guy that gave us hope by giving us ourselves in him.
Now that readers have a better feel for who Aerias is, they should check out his website. Some very cool imagery and content on there.
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