Interview: Rey Resurreccion0
Posted by - In Interview, Link Love, Music
Representing San Jose, California, is rapper and producer Rey Resurreccion. I first heard of him when I came across the remix Nima Fadavi did of “Spaceships” back in July 2010. In combination with Nima’s beat, Rey‘s lyrics and laid back approach pulled me in and pushed me to do a Google search for more of his music. That then lead me to songs from his independent 2009 release, “Limitless“. After that, I was a fan.
Just this November, Rey Resurreccion dropped his “Sleeping Giants” album with Clout Magazine, and made it available for a free download in December. Something for the people. If you haven’t grabbed that yet, you should. It’s a really dope album all the way through. He brought in a lot of heads holding it down in San Jose / the Bay Area in terms of guest spots, production, and cuts. Names like E.Sik, Oneself DaVinci, Paulie Rhyme, Matty Slims, Solis Cin, DJ Cutso & DJ Squareweezy (of The Bangerz), Nima Fadavi, Chexmex, Barry Bones, and more.
With two albums under his name, a mixtape for Cukui, doing prouction for other musicians… Rey is well on his way to help San Jose get more recognition. Enough talking, let’s get into the FIRST interview of 2011…
Tiffology: Alright, Rey. Everyone likes to know people’s influences. Musically, who were you listening to growing up?
Rey Resurreccion: At home I heard a lot of The Platters, Frank Sinatra, Sade, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, Hawaiian music, and Tagalog music.
Tiffology: When you’re not making music, what do you like to do? Also, do you teach kids?
Rey Resurreccion: Chill with friends and family. For the past 7 or 8 years, I have been teaching chess to elementary school kids all over the city.
Tiffology: What was it that made you gravitate towards making music? And when was it?
Rey Resurreccion: It was fun, it felt good and I fell in love with it. As the years went on, it became more serious and my passion grew stronger. But it all revolves around that good hip hop feeling..
Tiffology: Do you remember the first song you wrote?
Rey Resurreccion: No. I’m sure one of the homies from high school has a copy somewhere though.
Tiffology: RANDOM: I notice you’re always reading and drinking coffee. Currently, what book? And how do you like your coffee?
Rey Resurreccion: I’m reading a book called Music and Your Brain. Its about frequencies and how your brain reacts to them. Coffee.. either a red eye or a triple white mocha.
Tiffology: Which came first for you, the beats or the rhymes?
Rey Resurreccion: The rhymes. The beats came to support the rhymes..
Tiffology: What equipment and programs are you working with?
Rey Resurreccion: MPC, Fantom, Karma, live instruments, a few synth racks and Pro Tools.
Tiffology: What’s your creative process like? Or, what do you have to do to get into “the zone” of making music?
Rey Resurreccion: It’s always different, I usually try to go off the vibe and not force it too much.
Tiffology: Let’s talk a little bit about your latest album, “Sleeping Giants”. You dropped it with Clout Magazine in November, and gave it away with any purchase from their store. How has the reception been for that so far?
Rey Resurreccion: I put out “Sleeping Giants” with the good folks at Clout Magazine. It’s a free album, something we decided to give something to the people to enjoy. The response has been incredible, nothing but positive.
Tiffology: Are you ever going to get it pressed into CDs? Haha, I’m trying to get one, so I gotta ask.
Rey Resurreccion: We talked about doing a short exclusive run… I’ll definitely let you know.
Tiffology: RANDOM: Who are you listening to these days?
Rey Resurreccion: A little bit of everything. There is so much good music coming out, it’s hard to keep track.
Tiffology: In “The Hometown”, you mention that the rest of the Bay Area looks at San Jose like it’s another planet. That San Jose is sleeping, or lazy? Why’s that? How’s the hip hop scene there?
Rey Resurreccion: San Jose is at the bottom of the bay and is constantly over shadowed by our big brother’s Oakland and San Francisco. Because of the influences from the different cities and the growth of technology here, we have a very unique place. It is highly populated, large and somewhat suburban like in many areas.
The hip hop scene in San Jose is alive, very alive. There is so much talent here and plenty of people who are passionate, hard working and proud. The real challenge I see is us taking the right steps to get our music heard and recognized outside of out area.
Tiffology: What do you want listeners to take from “Sleeping Giants”?
Rey Resurreccion: I just want them to enjoy and appreciate it for what it is.
Tiffology: In 2009, you independently dropped a project called “Limitless”. How would you compare that with “Sleeping Giants”, if at all?
Rey Resurreccion: I learned a lot from putting together and dropping “Limitless”. It’s all in the same path and direction. “Sleeping Giants” is more sample heavy and not as musical as “Limitless”.
Tiffology: I know Nima Fadavi and ChexMex are from the Bay Area. Is everyone featured on the album from San Jose/the Bay too?
Rey Resurreccion: I think so, except for Vic Freeze, he’s from Cleveland.
Tiffology: RANDOM: Tattoos… do you have any that are close to your heart, that mean a lot to you?
Rey Resurreccion: All of them. My arms are sleeved with Polynesian/Filipino tribal. It’s very close to my roots and the patterns represent my life, family, my talents and blessing from the most high. I also have lotus flowers on my chest and my mom’s name on my knuckles.
Tiffology: When you were writing and recording songs for the album, did you know exactly who you wanted on your album, both on production and vocals?
Rey Resurreccion: Not exactly. I just spent 2-3 months building as much quality material as I could. After that I picked whatever fit best.
Tiffology: The album is just over 30 minutes in length. Any particular reason why it’s so short?
Rey Resurreccion: Because it’s free.. haha.. can’t give away too much. I wanted it to be straight to the point, cut off the excess fat.
Tiffology: Do you have a favorite song off of “Sleeping Giants”?
Rey Resurreccion: It always changes. “Every Moment” means a lot to me.. I wrote that verse in 2006.
Tiffology: You toured the Northwest after the Cukui mixtape “Old Rust New Bang“. Do you plan on touring for the “Sleeping Giants” album?
Rey Resurreccion: I would love to hit the road again, I’ve been itching to. I’m working on getting things together for something soon.
Tiffology: You’re not signed with any label. Is that something you want or do you want to pave your own path?
Rey Resurreccion: Being signed to a label isn’t the same as it was in the late 90′s/early 00′s when I started. Today you can be independent and still reach the whole world. If I found a place where I was able to have full creative control, I might be down. But as of now, nothing has come up.
Tiffology: RANDOM: What’s some of the best advice you were ever given?
Rey Resurreccion: Do you!
Tiffology: Now that it’s 2011, how was your 2010? Do you think you accomplished a lot?
Rey Resurreccion: 2010 was a crazy year. Good and bad on many levels. I’m glad it’s over and looking forward to what this year has to offer. 2010 was definitely a year of hard work and struggle. We can only move up from here.
Tiffology: We’re coming to the end soon, haha. Any upcoming plans, projects, or shows that you’d like to talk about?
Rey Resurreccion: I’m working on a lot of stuff. Doing another collab with Cukui Clothing, building with The Bangerz (Fingerbangerz), and working on an album with Nima Fadavi.
Tiffology: Shoutouts or last words?
Rey Resurreccion: Plagueround & Crayonbeats. San Jose, California!
Top 5 places to eat in San Jose – Siam Square, Noodle Bar, Cassablancas, Hukilau, and Yuki Sushi!
Top 5 movies – Goodfellas, Bronxtale, North Shore, Persuit of Happiness, Ong Bak
Favorite place to hangout… Where the fly ladies and homies be..
Favorite non-hip hop album – any Sade or Portishead album
I can… cook some good Chicken Adobo
I won’t… Eat beef or pork
If I could (fly), I would (never land)
My biggest fear in life is… being afraid
** Photos by Phil Emerson. Incredible work!
And that’s a wrap! A big thanks goes to Rey for letting CB interview him. Keep your eyes on this fella, if you’re not already doing so. And if you’re in the SJ area… February 25th at Voodoo Lounge, Rey Resurreccion (along with Sub Ren, Dem One, and The Bangerz) opening up for Black Milk. Check the flyer below for more information. On to a few videos…
