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Western Mass Rapper?

 


Unagi,

Interesting name. Thanks for telling me it means, 'Smoked eel" in Japanese. Thanks again for joining me for a couple of fun questions, that your fanbase to get to know you a bit better. 

1 On "Favorite 80s Ladies": Which of those crushes would be most horrified-or flattered-to know they made it into a song three decades later?

Unagi: Oh jeez, I feel like all of those ladies are total heartthrobs. I hope they would all be flattered by it!

2 The AARP Card song was hilarious. What do you use your AARP Card for? Isn't the age of having a AARP Card younger than people believe?

Unagi: I actually just used the card recently to save money on my new phone plan (consumer cellular - another old person brand. LOL!). Yeah mine just randomly showed up in the mail right before I turned 50 (not gonna front though, I do enjoy the magazine). 

3 You of a certain age of wisdom. What's one thing your 25-year old self got completely wrong and right about what 'older life' would feel like?

Unagi: When I was young I thought/hoped I would be retired at 40 - got that one wrong. I thought/hoped I would be living in the country - got that one right.

4 They five elements of hip-hop are important. Which element have you gotten better at with age, and which one have you absolutely gotten worse at (be honest about the break dancing)?

Unagi: Definitely got waaaaay better at rapping than I used to be (not wasting every day helps). Much worse at breakdancing now. I got creaky knees and a torn rotator cuff. 

5 What's a memory from your 20s that's too fun not to rap about-but too wild to tell your mom or kids before they hear the song?

Unagi: Used to do a crazy amount of drugs/drinking when I was younger. Now, I just puff a lil bit. It usually just makes me tired! Kinda talk about that on "Lightweight". Don't think moms has heard that yet, but i just sent her the CD for mothers day. So, we'll see what she thinks.

6 Does Berkshire County have a secret underground spot that would shock people? What's the rap scene like?

Unagi: So, I live in a super small town called Colrain, which is way out there on the edge of Vermont. It's like a population of 1600. No stoplights. Just a apple orchard, rivers, and mad farms. Rap scene is pretty non-existent here. However, there used to be a dope spot in Greenfield (about 10 miles away) called, 'Hawks & Reed'. I seen a gang of legends there - Smif-N-Wessun, Pharcyde, Beatnuts, Souls of Mischief, GZA, etc. It's Crazy! I'm going to see Ghostface Killah up in Keene, NH in a couple of weeks. Then Cypress Hill at a brewery in Deerfield. Hoping to catch Ice Cube at at the 'Big E' in Springfield, this fall. 

7 Will we get a sequel to 'Favorite 80s Ladies' called 'Favorite Early 2000s LinkedIn Connections' or something? And what crushes do you have currently? (If your marred, ask your wife permission to answer.)

Unagi: Was thinking about doing a 90s Ladies Remix. Most modern women are not into. I don't dig all the fake lips, tits, etc. My wife probably cool with it, but off the top of my head, I'm not mad at Keke Palmer, Eva Mendez, Scarlett Johansson and Margot Robbie.

8 What's keeping your attention on the boob tube? Are you still sneak-watching Golden Girls reruns?

Unagi: Yeah! I watch a lot of old stuff on Pluto, Cozy and MeTV. All those weird old show channels definitely will still watch some Golden Girls. My favorites are probably Columbo, Three's Company, Chips and The Love Boat. I hate all the 'Reality TV', which is everything now. Only new stuff I really check for is sports and Wheel of Fortune. 

9 Coffee or Tea? Which one actually wakes up an veteran underground artist?

Unagi: I like both. I quit drinking coffee for about 20 years, but now have it a few days a week (ESP on vacation). Otherwise, it's tea. I'm into Earl Grey, Constant Comment, Oolong, or even just regular Lipton Ice Tea is my Shit in the summertime. I can drink that all day long. 

10 SF Mission burrito vs. Western Mass diner grilled cheese - late-night essential?

Unagi: Man both are amazing, but I really miss the Mission burritos. They definitely don't have that out here. I'm going back to SF for a show in August and can't wait to eat those again.

11 How do you want to be remembered? 

Unagi: I'd like to be remembered as somebody who made dope music and made people smile. 

I got a ton of videos up here you might be into.

Also got a ton of instrumental albums and beat tapes up here.

Unagi, this interview had be enjoyable. I believe the fans know a bit more about the man in the small town that is probably 99.9% of the Hip-Hop. Thanks for loving the culture and keep up the great music. Thank you.

Ceverely Yours,
Marquis Walker

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