Tye Banks – Scream Cackalack

New video from Tye Banks, one of my favorite tracks of his too!

The TYE BANKS Interview

If you’re a reader of the blog, you should know Tye Banks by now.  He has a “Five For Friday” feature here, and the Monster Blog review of his album here if you need a refresher. Now here comes Part 3, the interview! Check out below as Tye discusses NC hip hop, sports, and where he’s taking his career.  Don’t forget to check out his uber-dopely-put-together site at http://www.tyebanks.com.

First things first, what’s your favorite part about North Carolina?

Tye Banks:  I love the fact that it’s still untapped. Sense there’s no set music scene you can pretty much do whatever you want.

What does it mean to you to be an artist from North Carolina in today’s hip hop world?

Tye Banks: It means if you’re serious about your career then you are one of the few. It also means you have to seek out and work with like-minded people. There are a lot of wannabe hustlers so you have to watch out for them because they come in various forms – DJs, Producers, party promoters, and artists.  But most importantly, it means you have to be willing to recognize your people (Carolina fans) and embrace them for who they are. North Carolina is in the South and when you try to take the South out of North Carolina, you’re taking yourself away from the people.

Who are your main influences, both in music as a whole, and in NC hip hop?

Tye Banks: My main influences were Go-Go bands, like Chuck Brown, Trouble Funk, Rare Essences, and EU, whose music came down from DC. I wanted to be like the MCs that were rocking with the bands. Those MCs could do it all – sing, rap, play instruments, and rock the crowd – so I wanted to be like the Go Go Bands.  But when I heard Run DMC, EPMD, Whodini, Ghetto Boys, NWA, Fresh Prince…I knew I was going to be rapping.  As far as NC hip hop I’m influenced by a lot of them. I’m a fan of NC hip hop and I love what’s coming out of Fayettenam (Fayetteville, NC) area right now. I like them because they represent the Cack’, they don’t front like they’re from somewhere else. But I listen to a lot of rappers from Carolina like Petey Pablo, Twip, Link, and Al Chancy just to name a few. And the reason why I like those dudes is because they handle their business while pushing forward with this Carolina movement.

Can you elaborate on your “Lost Boyz meets Mayberry” analogy?

Tye Banks: Well it’s an attention grabber for one LOL but I’ve been told by people that I sound like a southern Mr. Cheeks.  The Lost Boyz music is party oriented and energetic, and I think my music has that same feel just my approach is a little different.  And when Barney Fife (from The Andy Griffith Show) wanted to party, he always came to Raleigh. So I’m the rapper who’s going to rock you when you come to Raleigh!  Ha Ha Ha

What’s your favorite local venue to rock a show at? Why?

Tye Banks: I like the Pour House in downtown Raleigh and the Marvell Event Center in Durham. In fact I have show coming up with Crackle Capone Nov 18th at the Marvell Event Center but that date might change, so make sure you check back with me at my site http://www.TyeBanks.com.  But I like the Pour House because of how it’s arranged. The stage is in the ideal spot and there is plenty of room for people to dance, drink, and network.  The Marvell Event Center has a closer feel. The crowd is right in your face so you get that packed club feel.   But don’t get it twisted – I love to perform anywhere I can. There’s nothing like getting on stage and connecting with people. I got to get more shows – I’m addicted to that feeling!

What made you decide to write “Streets Love Nobody”?

Tye Banks: I’m tired of seeing young men go to prison! There’s no future in going to prison. It doesn’t make you a man, it just makes you an ex-con. I’m tired of people acting like it’s some type of rite of passage to go to prison and then get out and have to struggle more. I figure you tell the younger homies the truth and if they decide to seek a career in crime that’s on them.   Now as far as the song goes, I was talking to three people I know. On the first verse I was talking to this little dude who I was a mentor at the time who didn’t like school. The second verse I was talking to my little cousin who was caught up in some gang stuff. And the third verse I was talking to my older cousin who had just gotten out of prison.  I was just coming from the heart because I don’t want to see any of them doing bad. So I meant ever word in that song.

What song on “Living A Dream” are you most proud of?

Tye Banks: “Sceam Cackalack”. That’s for my Carolina people, North and South!

What song on “Living A Dream” gets the best response from fans?

Tye Banks: You know it just depends on the person. I notice the street dudes are feeling “Scream Cackalack”,  people with kids and older people seem to really like “I’m Still Cool” and “Good Time”, the younger crowd (13 and under) like “Gimme A Break”, and even others still are feeling “Running the Show”. But we pushed “I’m Still Cool” first because it was the lead song for the indie film “Nerds of Steele’’. It was more a business decision to push that song first. I wrote that song with Hylandah based on a character in the movie and a couple of my experiences.  “I’m Still Cool” got a huge positive response across the board. The video has been featured on several video shows and networks, and in department stores, restaurants, hotels, gyms, and it earned us a semi-finalist spot in the 2008 International Songwriting Competition.  Even Pandora had it featured on their site, so I’d have to say “I’m Still Cool” at the moment.

What do you hope to accomplish personally through your music?

Tye Banks: I want people to feel like I did as a kid – and still do – which was connected to the music. I loved it and felt as if the artists were speaking directly to me. I really want to have that type of connection with people.

I love the “regular guy” attitude and feel of your music. Even people who aren’t fans of hip hop can enjoy it. How do you go about making something so universal? Was that the original goal?

Tye Banks: Well I was just trying to represent the Carolinas and make sense at the same time. I don’t care about being the best rapper or trying to impress other rappers because that’ll never happen; no matter how good you are or say you are to another rapper you’ll just be “alright” at best. So why waste my time?  I’d rather focus on making music for everyday folks so I write a lot of my songs off my feelings at the time and I think the universal appeal is due to the honesty of the music. I’m not scared to make a hype song, a love ballad, a battle rhyme and then a comedy song.  It’s all a part of who I am and I think most people can relate to and appreciate the honesty of it if even if they aren’t hip hop fans.

Are you a sports guy? Break us off with some ACC football and basketball predictions for the upcoming seasons.

Tye Banks: Come on man, I’m from the Triangle you know I’m into sports! ha ha! I don’t really have any solid predictions though. It’s hard to predict in a great conference like the ACC, it’s so balanced now. But in the case of basketball, I think somebody different is going to win it this year. I think Carolina will be up there against them, but I think it will be surprise this year. It’ll probably be a team that’s just OK but play good together like Miami, or maybe even NC STATE ha ha.  For football, it’s probably going to go to one of those Florida teams. Florida State is looking good but Miami just proved they are worthy of a ranking. You just never know with the ACC.  But don’t be fooled now – we also have the CIAA in this area too. Since I graduated from Shaw you know I had to through that in there LOL.

If you walked into a room and saw Soulja Boy standing by himself, what would you say to him?

Tye Banks: Well I would walk up to him introduce myself, shake his hand and say “Man, congratulations. Much success to you.  You got any tips for me?” Ha ha.  Pretty much the same approach I would have to any rapper who’s doing what they want to do with their career.  Things aren’t as easy as they seem, if you understand the business side then you have to respect that.  Soulja Boy fans just don’t like his music they actually love it.  So the question would be how did you get them to love you?

What can we expect from Tye Banks in the future?

Tye Banks: More movies, commercials and definitely more music and music videos. We’re already planning the video for the next single from Living A Dream.  I’m also a professional actor, been going at it for about 4 years now. I’m in a commercial (NC Lottery and IBM) that is airing right now and just shot another commercial this weekend in Cary.  I’m also playing a hit man named Troy in the independent movie “Fish Hook” shooting in Greenville.

The Mixtape Monster Reviews – Tye Banks – Living A Dream

A couple of weeks ago, in Five For Friday, we hipped you to a Raleigh cat named Tye Banks and some of his songs and videos. The single “I’m Still Cool” is off of his second album entitled “Living A Dream.” The Monster loves that jam, so I was happy to be able to review the entire CD! Tye describes his sound as “Lost Boyz meets Mayberry” which I not only love, but find hilarious. Us NC cats know about Mayberry, and who doesn’t like the Lost Boyz? Plus, with other influences like A Tribe Called Quest, it’s clear that Tye is a North Carolina hip hop head trying to make honest music. That’s admirable and something to appreciate in today’s industry.

Without any further adieu, let’s get into this…

Scream Cackalack

“Living A Dream” starts off with a bang. I love the hook on this. “No matter where I’m At, I Make ‘em scream Cackalack”. Tye’s style is more rapid fire than on the other tracks I’ve heard of his but he’s able to swerve through the beat while keeping that southern drawl. This really is the perfect opener.

Good Time

This is another track that I had heard before hand, as it is available on his RN page. He describes it as a “party jam” for young and old, but I think it has more of a low-key cookout feel. I can picture this bumping in my man Butta’s backyard down on E. Martin St in the R while we grill up some burgers. “A party ain’t a party if the music ain’t on” <— don’t get much realer than that.

Stop Hiding

Two words: HEAVY ROTATION. This track comes hard. It reminds me of some of that old school Atlanta rap mixed with a new school R&B feel. This is also one of my favorite tracks, and that is because it’s easy to relate too. Any male out there has experienced the situations described in the song of trying to get a girl to see that you could be perfect together if she’d just come out of her shell a bit. The tracks features Sikora and can be downloaded if you join Tye’s mailing list on RN, or if you sign up for his site at http://www.tyebanks.com.

I’m Still Cool

Another one of those jams we previewed for y’all previously. Certainly the right choice for a single. Brushin’ off the haters with this one and it has the best message of all : DO YOU and BE YOURSELF. Too much is made in hip hop about what you have or where you go, and this song embodies the antithesis of this. Tye basically lets you know that he’s going to be him and deal with it. Talk if you want, but that ain’t going to change him. That’s the Monster’s motto for 2009 too, haha.

Live Your Dreams

Notice a theme here? Music for the people! This one here has a great old-school feel to it, and it has such a smooooth beat. In all honesty though, I didn’t like this track as much as some of the others. I felt the verses could have been a little stronger based on other tracks, but you still can’t deny the honesty of the flow.

Running the Show

Here’s the hop!! “You can’t see me cuz/street buzz…” From jump Tye starts ripping this one. There’s illy wordplay in this track too. And I love stuff like “Don’t care what rappers say / they don’t buy CDs anyway”. This is a bonafide head-nodder right here.

Move Ya Body

This track lies somewhere between getting your drink from the bartender, and actually getting your grind on on the dance floor. I wouldn’t say it’s a full fledge dance track, but more of a “two-steppin with your brew joint.” I wanted the hook to be more enthusiastic and I think I would have been more eager to get out of my seat. However, one of the best lines on this album is in this song: “I’m from Raleigh, where Barney Fife used to come to party”. REAL TALK! haha.

Cash Money

This song was apparently originally done for a soundtrack. I can totally see that because I feel like it doesn’t go with the feel of the rest of the album. After being so true and appealing to the “average man,” a track like this seems slightly out of place. That’s not to say it isn’t hot though. Tye’s flow is strong on it, and carried the song more than the beat or message in my humble opinion.

Streets Love Nobody

Tye’s description of this song is spot on. I don’t know if I can do better: “A song reaching out to young adults, making them aware of their actions and the importance of accepting responsibility.” The best part about this song though is that it gets its message across in a way that isn’t corny. Tye really explains things like leaving the street life to get an education as a no-brainer and the rational thing to do. Hella props on this one. This one could have been in the background of an episode of “The Wire.”

Gimme A Break

I love the beat on this song! It’s a slow, loopy, almost kid-like Carnival feel. One of my favorite tracks hands down. “I got problems on my mind, I work all the time, but still I ain’t got no money….GIMME A BREAK!” Another jam that anybody can relate too, and while he’s complaining about problems in life, the lightweight feel of the track really makes it enjoyable.

Watch A Rapper (Progress)

The Spanish guitar in the backbeat of this track really holds it together. The story of a rapper growing and mastering his style. Another underlying message of being true, dedication to a craft, and focus.

Dying Breed

The battle rap track on the album. Lyrically slicing and dicing in this one. I only wish it wasn’t the clean version. Tye’s cadence not to be fuxxxed with on this one.

Overall, “Living A Dream” shows that Tye is doing exactly that. I thought the album was great, and that’s no joke. Tye doesn’t make good hip hop music, the dude makes good music in general. I love the “average man” feel of his tracks and the way he portrays valuable messages to the audience without over-doing it or sounding corny. There were certain parts of the album (like “Cash Money” and “Dying Breed”) where I thought he got away from that style a little bit and it hurt the flow of the album slightly. Tracks like “I’m Still Cool,” “Stop Hiding,” and “Gimme A Break” showcased this style to perfection, however and really set the overall tone and message.

THE MONSTER’S RATING: 7.5/10 . This is an independent album that you are going to want to get your hands on. I wouldn’t neccesarily recommend it if you are expecting something super lyrical, or super beat-infused, but I would recommend it if you are looking for great MUSIC to just ride out too. Got a cookout in the backyard? BANG, bump this. Got a 45 minute drive coming up? BANG, knock this.

Register for Tye’s website here and get access to cool content, free downloads, etc. You can also purchase this album there for only $5.99, so go scoop it up!!

Five For Friday – Tye Banks

This “Five For Friday” edition, we are going to break y’all off with some jams and videos by a cat you need to learn bout. The big homey Tye Banks, Raleigh resident and NC representer.  I actually found Tye on RN when I was browsin for new local shit that even The Monster wasn’t up on (shocking, I know). Came across his joint “I’m Still Cool” and immediately it hit heavy rotation.

Tye’s gonna keep us posted on his upcoming releases and what not, so be on the look for news soon! But for now, peep 2 hot videos (including the dope one for the aforementioned “I’m Still Cool”) and 3 hot jams for today’s Five For Friday.

I’m Still Cool Video

Good Time (Live) <—- sick quality live video! dope track!

Click here to play 3 Tye Bank’s Jams Including: Good Time, 2 The Streets, Wassup Pimpin

Peep Tye on RN here, sign up for his mailing list and get an exclusive download

Follow Tye on Twitter here