Grooveeffect Interviews U-N-I

Hip-hop duo U-N-I (pronounced 'you and I') are rising stars in the LA underground, opening up for the likes of Redman and Lupe Fiasco, and featured in the URB Next 1000 (vote here). Their first album "Fried Chicken and Watermelon" just recently dropped, and it mixes classic hip hop elements with a modern day twist; denouncing violence while at the same time addressing many issues young adults face today. U-N-I, short for "U-N-I to the verse," is determined to unite people wherever they perform.

Big thanks to Lizza who contributed this interview!

Lizza- I notice that you guys have elements of music by artists such as Common and Lupe Fiasco to name a few…yet you still manage to have a completely unique sound…Who are some of your guy’s inspirations, as far as musical artists go?

Thurzday- The Roots, Tribe, De La Soul, Pharcide, Ice Cube, basically, anyone who puts out quality music, doesn’t conform, and makes it appealing.

Y-O- KRS One, Mos Def, J-Dilla, Fugees, Redman, Biggie, Pac

Lizza- How do you guys feel about the term “backpack rapper” do you feel that you fit into that category?

Thurzday- We came from it, but, we are definitely more than that. Our name, U-N-I stands for Universal, so we don’t like to stay boxed in to one category.

Y-O- And we’re too fly!

Lizza-Is it hard to promote an album nowadays without the “street cred” that was necessary in previous generations of hip hop?

Y-O- Street cred in some ways can make it a little easier for you. For example, having a following in the streets that is constantly saying your name to folks looks better than you always telling someone about yourself, however, street cred isn’t necessary because there are a lot of common individuals out there that are interested in everyday problems, who just want honest music representing them.

Thurzday- And the traditional ways of pushing music are almost obsolete, for us, online presence is most important. Our entire buzz started online, so we use different ways of promoting.

Lizza- You are probably best known for your song K.R.E.A.M. (kicks rule everything around me), who came up with the idea for that song? What made you come up with that?

Thurzday- We just thought it would be cool to integrate a classic hip hop song with our lifestyle. It was like, that summer, everyone became a sneaker head.

Lizza- Ok, so, your video, for beautiful day is featured in the MySpace music videos, how did you come up with the concept for that video?

Thurzday: We shot it in Englewood on Crenshaw & 80th, we wanted to take it back to where we got started back in 1999.

Y-O We got inspired by an Exhibit video and a Pharcide video, and Eazee, the director, shot it in slow motion. The video concept is basically the same as the song concept.

Lizza- The Launch, my absolute favorite track on the album… where did you get your inspiration for that track, and could you tell us what it’s about?

Y-O- When I wrote my verse, I just closed my eyes and pictured myself going to another world in a spaceship, and wrote what I saw, while looking out the window. I wanted to take our fan base to a whole new level not tied up with gangsta rap.

Thurzday- The references were about what’s current in music. We got a line, mix it up cook it up, let it flow, yes we be cookin’ it, no it’s not blow, and that line is about how our music is different than the drug related music popular within the industry.

Lizza- Ok, so I’m going to switch it up a little, I know there are a lot of ladies out there that are going want to know, do you guys have any special ladies in your life?

Thurzday- I have a girl.

Y-O- That special girl is out there, I just haven’t found her yet, but I love all the ladies, I’m a lady lover.

Lizza- Ok, now real quick, I have a few more questions to answer right off the top of the head…If you had to sit down and have a meal with anybody on the planet who would that be?

Y-O- Russell Simmons

Thurzday- J-Dilla

Lizza- Favorite brand of kicks?

Thurzday- Jordan’s, Nike SB’s

Y-O- I slept with my new pair of retro Air Jordan forces.

Lizza- Zodiac Signs?

Y-O- Scorpio

Thurzday- Leo

Lizza- Currently reading what?

Y-O- Russell Simmons, "Do You"

Thurzday- MySpace bulletins are the only thing I read!

........

Be sure to check out U-N-I on MySpace