termanology
interview by farhaad

I did an interview with Termanology recently. I managed to fuck myself, and get the last possible slot on press day. So I'm sure he was tired of my bullshit by the first question. I was real excited to do this cause I'm a big fan of this cat... even though I've only listened to like 4 of his songs. It was my first interview since that wonderful piece I did with J-Zone back in April. I shoulda asked him which craigslist photoshop ad he answered for that album cover. And I should have told him that My shoe game > His shoe game. Anyway, enjoy... Try to, I mean... ahaha. Boy, I fucked this one up.

Farhaad: Man this shit is crazy. Two years ago when I was in college I did a mock marketing campaign for the Hood Politics series and shit. Now I'm interviewing you. Wild!

Termanology: Ah man, that's crazy thanks for the love homie.

(After that awkward ass intro, we got started. What a tool I am.)

Termanology: Who's this?

Farhaad: This is Farhaad from Godsgirls.com

Termanology: Ah, what's crackin' homie? How you doing?

Farhaad: I'm doing real well man, how about yourself?

Termanology: I'm hangin'..

(Three second pause.. I'm thinking "Oh shit, he's bored already." I think he was just high though.)

Farhaad: First off, I just wanna apologize. I'm at my mom's house cause she's got the long distance and shit. So don't pay attention if you hear a woman yelling in Spanish. I'm just a broke college student, you know?

Termanology: (Laughs) Yeah, man. It's all good. (Laughs)

Farhaad: So your debut album Politics As Usual comes out September 30th, on Nature Sounds. I haven't heard it yet, but after reading the credits, it looks like it's gonna be a classic. Let me know, yo. What's with the album?

Termanology: Yeah, you know. The album drops September 30th, it's called Politics As Usual. The reason why I named it that is because I had a mixtape series before that called Hood Politics. I did like 5 of them with twenty tracks each, and those were like my pre-album before the real thing. This album is the big bang, son. It's what I've been working on for a while, so I'm pretty happy with how it sounds. I think it's gonna be crazy, and I think it's what hip-hop needs right now.

Farhaad: That's word. So, uh, you've had the DJ Premier co-sign for a few years now, but what was it like working with people like Easy Mo Bee, The Alchemist, Pete Rock, Large Professor etc.? Were you ever at all intimidated when you were working with them cats?

Termanology: Not really, man. I always thought that I would sound good on that kind of production. So I'm glad that I could hook-up with all those producers. It was like a dream to be able to make it happen. It was most definitely an honor.

Farhaad: You pretty much worked with damn near everyone worth a damn on your debut. Is there anyone you want to work with that you weren't able to work with on the album?

Termanology: (Laughs) Yeah, for sure! There's a million people, man. I'm just a big fan of hop-hop, and I can go on all day listing names, but I'm gonna be here all day if I do that. I'm only on my first album, yo!

(I would've liked to hear him say Nas, or Kweli or at least anyone, but again, he was probably high.)

Farhaad: Right, right. You gotta pace yourself. You can't burn out like (insert rapper here.)

Termanology: (Laughs)

Farhaad: Anyway, you've been making a buzz. You're on the scene, people know Term and this and that..what can you tell me about these hip-hop groupies? Did Superhead get at you yet?

Termanology: (Laughs) Hah, nahhhh. I get my share of love around the way, know what I'm sayin'? They've seen the video on TV or whatever, and a couple of hoes tried to throw the snatch at the kid but I keep it real cultured. I stay close to home, and I try to keep out of trouble, you feel me?

Farhaad: Not me, I slap dick to hoes worldwide.

(He didn't think that was funny, or he didn't hear me. Again, probably high.)

Farhaad: Alright, enough with the hoes. What do you think, if anything, is missing from the current hip-hop scene?

Termanology: Uh, lyrics, originality. But the problem is that everyone wants to be on the radio, and everyone that gets on the radio always sound alike. That's why I chose my first single to be "How We Rock," (featuring Bun B.) cause I knew nothing on the radio would sound like it. So if they don't want to play it, that's fine with me cause I did what I wanted to do.

Farhaad: Oh, I heard that track. That shit is bangin' for reallllll. You and Bun sound real nice over Premier's beats, man.

Termanology: Ah, thanks homie.

Farhaad: So, I know you gotta tour for the album. What do you have planned?

Termanology: Oh, for sure man! I'll be going on a couple of tours. I don't know what, when, or where, but I'm gonna try to hit up like all 50 states, know what I mean?

Farhaad: That's dope. Hopefully you hit L.A. I missed the show last time you were here.

Termanolgy: Ah yeah, I had a good time when I was out there. I chilled with Dilated for like three days, I kicked it with them. I went to Revolution's crib, kicked it with him. He gave me some dope beats... we got drunk, did a show and killed that shit. I had a good time out there man.

Farhaad: That's good to hear. You know, I actually have missed you twice now. I was in Toronto during the NXNE festival, and I couldn't make the show. That was some bullshit too, cause the place I was staying at was on the same street that the venue was at!!

Termanology: Yeah, I had a great time out there. That was really, really dope. People were really excited to see Cormega and Sheek and all that. I got a whole bunch of new fans, so it was real cool.

Farhaad: Word man. So, I'm gonna go ahead and let you do your thing. I know how you rap cats are busy as hell, I mean, look at Diddy's ass. He has a TV show where he fires everyone.. So you know, I just wanna say thanks for taking the time out and doing this interview man.

Termanology: (Laughs) Yeah, no problem homie. Good lookin'. Politics As Usual available everywhere September 30th, go out and cop it!

 :: www.myspace.com/therealtermanology ::