Okay, so the Christmas season is upon us and what better way to get you in the shopping mood than to name drop an album from a friend of ours that’s available now! It’s the return of D.C.’s own Steph Castro, with his second offering Private Affairs.
In our patented, Drive-By format, Steez got another chance to sit down with the young emcee and discuss his new project, future plans, and brewing emcee rivalries that all come with blowing up in your independent scene.
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The crowd was real dope had a lot of familiar faces turn up. They helped get me going and the new faces left the show with me becoming their [new favorite artist]. I made a big impact.
2. Sorry I missed it, I planned to go and everything, even RSVP’d. How was the turnout, I heard it was great.
Yea man the show was reminiscent of MTV’s unplugged they streamed it live on ustream and the performance video that SpoiledBROKE did has got a lot of looks and love.
3. You’re almost a veteran to this now, do you feel you’ve developed a following?
With this being my second project the reception and buzz I got from the release date and the last few weeks showed me I have a strong following that keeps growing.
4. We last talked when you released “The Art of Cloud Hopping,” how was it received and what’re your plans with “Private Affairs?”
The Art of Cloud Hopping was my debut, like my first impression, so I really didn’t have too many expectations for it. I just wanted to put out something dope, which I did and from those [listeners] who got it, they love it. I hear its a classic. Private Affairs is the one I want people to hear and be like, “he got it.” I expect big things from this project.
5. What was the concept behind this album? Is there any specific idea you wanted to tackle with the project or is it an extension of “Cloud Hopping?”
Private Affairs was this vision I had like a short film. It was like a Bonnie and Clyde feeling: fast living, fast women and fast money. I tried to show the life had a good balance and every song played along with the theme perfectly. It exceeded my expectations i wasnt too happy with The Art Of Cloud Hopping. I felt something was missing. With Private Affairs, I feel it’s pure and a masterpiece.
6. There seems to be a collective developing among Md., emcees (Redline, Marcushizzle, ect.), do you find the support helpful?
Oh yea man, I love my crew and everyone around here loves us too. From Redlinerese to Ike and Ill Stafa like these are my favorite artists in the [DMV] area and the best hands down. So the fact that we all happen to fuck with each other and are in this together is a beautiful thing; trouble for the rest of them fools though.
7. With support there comes friction, are there any haters comin’ out the woodwork?
I wouldnt know, I’m sure there are some somewhere but I dont focus on nobody but my team. When you’re surrounded by so much love you dont care if one person or a group of people dont like it or you. I know I will have haters – that comes with the territory when you’re great. Besides I stamp, I’m the best artist in the DMV. So I know some people feel differently and they can holla at me. I dont do the beef, but the spirit of competition is fun for me. So I’m waiting to get tested because they will regret it. I’m not to be taken lightly.
