CHICAGO’S GROWING ICON PRECISE TALKS HIP HOP, YOUTH, MILLION MAN MARCH, & MORE (@PRECISE_CHI)

MJ: MJ here with She Bloggin. I’m excited for tonight’s interview as it’s always a pleasure to chop it up with Chicago’s own Hip Hop Artist, Actor, Motivational Speaker, and Writer Eddy Lamarre, known worldwide as Precise. Here we are 4 years later and I want to first and foremost thank you for taking time from your industry moves for another interview! Let me also say that 4 years later I still listen to “Ladies Love Mixtapes” on a regular basis!

Precise: Hey MJ, thank you so much for that. I really appreciate you and the fact that you still listen to LLM, means so much.

MJ: For those who are not familiar you grew up in a Haitian household where music was as natural as eating! Your father was in a band and played instruments. What was it like for you to watch your father in his element? Was that the initial spark that ignited your passion and love for music?

Precise: What I remember mostly was being surrounded by music all the time. The camaraderie and creativity always intrigued me. I knew it was something I always wanted to do. Hip-Hop provided the vehicle for me to follow this dream.

MJ: You mention how you always dreamed about becoming a rapper. But your first taste of Hip Hop and the culture was deejaying. How did that evolve? From there you went on to join a Hip Hop group. Did you feel that something was missing? Did you feel the need to experience and emerge into more within the culture? Is that when you decided to begin a solo career?

Precise: As a Chicagoan from the south side of the city House Music was always prevalent. I was always impressed by the blends and one of my friends John Evans who is a master at blending showed me the ropes. As I was learning how to deejay rap was evolving. I could always write and decided to write some rhymes the first verse I wrote was to Aaron Halls “Don’t be afraid”. It was mad wack but it got me started. I did a few talent shows sharpened my skills then met two of my closest friends Vic “Creole the Individual” Moore and Christopher “Ideal” Rice, may he rest in peace. We formed Nub Earth and gained some notoriety in the city. Soon after life happened, we split and I decided not to put my pen on the shelf. I linked with Tye Hill and DJ Thunder of the Produktionix and we did my song “It’s On Me” and I was able to get back to what I love.

MJ: You credit KRS-One, Slick Rick, Mos Def, Rakim, among other Hip Hop pioneers and legends for your style of lyricism. You credit them as your canvas to paint beautiful images through lyrics. I have followed you since our first interview about 4 years ago. There are many attributes that classify you as unique and genuine. The one attribute that stands out the most for me is your dedication to the culture of Hip Hop and not conforming to what media portrays as Hip Hop. Hip Hop is not a genre of Music; it is a lifestyle. Conforming to the latest trends that involve zero talent is a lane you refuse to follow. Talk a little bit about that.

Precise: At some point in the evolution of Hip-Hop so many people would use rap and Hip-Hop interchangeably. I always want to make it clear that Hip-Hop is the culture and rap is one of the ways I express the culture. This culture has spread all over the world and it’s important not to lose sight of how it started and why its origins are important.

MJ: 22 years ago you had a life altering experience that continues to impact your life. Share your Million Man March enlightenment. What kind of influence did that historical event have on you as a man and as artist?

Precise: The Million March changed me in so many ways. The main way was it made me realize that I had to grow up and be a better man and a better father. Black men have a tough struggle around the world. To see one million black men gather for change was a transformation and always serves as a reference point in my development. I became more spiritual and self-aware. I continue to grow every day.

MJ: I want to thank you! Thank you for creating music not for the now, not for popular hits, but for the longevity! “That Ol’ Boom Bap” is a perfect example of that music. It is and will remain a timeless classic regardless of release date! Share with us the story behind that track and how important that track is to you and to your fans, and to the culture of Hip Hop.

Precise: My manager Redell Drakeford linked me with an amazing DJ by the name of Dj Tekwun from New York. He was working on a release and I was fortunate enough to make the cut. “That Ol’ Boom Bap” is an ode to the culture and a nod to what is new. We can’t have one without the other.

https://soundcloud.com/precise/that-ol-boom-bap-clean-feat-precise

MJ: I want to also take this time to salute you! Not only are you a phenomenal lyricist, but you are also an Actor, Writer, and Motivational Speaker. How did those roles come about in your career?

Precise: All of us have a plethora of gifts. These are things that I was inspired to do. In this day and age there really is no excuse not to pursue your dreams. Nothing can stop you. I’ve done some sketch comedy, I write for the national publication Rollingout.com and I use my words to effect change. I speak truth to power. I speak life to the world.

MJ: Talk about the youth! Tell us the first three words that come to mind when you think of our youth. Why has educating our youth become such a mission for you?

Precise: The first three words are love, future, and blessing. Educating the youth properly is important to not only their future but to ours because they are the leaders of tomorrow. We need to feed them properly and share positive vibes that lend to growth and a better world.

MJ: For all your fans, supporters, and followers take a minute to share about current and upcoming projects.

Precise: I’m currently working on a project called “Man of the Ages”. I have a song called “Speak Life” on all the streaming services that’s been picking up some steam. Right now I’m focused on getting better in all aspects of my life.

MJ: Give us some fun facts! Why Precise as your artist name? What 3 artists are in your personal play list? Where are your favorite places to tour?

Precise: I got my name from a Gangstarr song called “Precisely The Right Rhymes”… Right now the three artists I have in my playlist are Rapsody, Tyler the Creator, and G Herbo… I like New York, New Orleans, and Miami as places to tour.

MJ: When we come back to the table in another 4 years what will we be catching up on?

Precise: 4 years from now when we catch up I hope to have grown as an artist and as someone who can influence others. My project would have broken some records and I’ll be moving on into the next phase of my career doing speaking tours.

MJ: Is there anything else you would like the world to know about Precise?

Precise: I would like the world to know that I am doing this for a purpose. The reason I speak into a mic is for the uplifting of my people and the culture. I would also like people to know that I am grateful and appreciative to the creator for all the blessings that have been bestowed upon me. Also, stay focused, positive, and productive.

MJ: I want to thank you again for taking the time out for MJ. I want to thank you for being true to the culture and for creating that feel good music, that undeniable bona fide Hip Hop!