CARRY THE CULTURE: TAMAL
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT | TAMAL
INTERVIEW INNOCENT?
VALIDATED: What’s your earliest memory of hip hop culture?
TAMAL: I say my hip hop birth year is 1982 because that was when "Planet Rock" dropped. It started off with that "Paaaarty Peeeople" and I lost it. I saw the video with all of the b-boys and it was a wrap. I started b-boying right after. I was 6 years old.
VALIDATED: What does hip hop mean to you and what do you feel your responsibility to the culture is?
TAMAL: Hip Hop to me is a global culture that arose from the disenfranchised people of the South Bronx. It has its own set of values, ideals and ideologies. And it should always be remembered that Hip Hop is the 4 elements culminating in knowledge. Our purpose is to continue to preserve and share hip hop culture and its history while simultaneously mentoring and promoting new and younger participants so that our culture can thrive in the future.
VALIDATED: What moved you to create your platform “Carry The Culture”?
TAMAL: In 2016, I was fucking around on IG sharing music and opinions and my page blew up to 10k followers almost overnight. In spite of my resistance I couldn't deny that some shit was bubbling so I just smoked an l, came up with the name and ran with it. Sometimes things are presented right in front of us and we can't ignore them. I didn't plan on doing all of this the past 5 years, but I would have been a complete idiot not to dive in and see where it goes. And I've gotten some wonderful opportunities from it.
VALIDATED: What can you tell us about “CTC”?
TAMAL: At first it was just the IG page but we have also done about 80 interviews with both legends and up and comers, started the YouTube channel, and developed a line of merch. Our page has regular features like Element of the Week - highlighting a particular element, OG Salute - giving appreciation to legends and vets, and CTC Spotlight - showcasing new music. Honestly the page is FULL of stuff, too much to list. I've never said this before but we think it's one of the best on IG! We do a lot of collabs on different projects as well... Just peep our links!
VALIDATED: Who are some of the people you’ve interviewed on your platform?
TAMAL: Fredro, Chino XL, King T, A-Plus, Phesto, Tajai, Casual, Special Ed, Billly Danz... to name a few of the "heavy hitters"... and TONS of up and coming talent, and slept on vets! We have tried to shed light on those that have put in the work but haven't received a ton of recognition.
VALIDATED: Who’s your most memorable interview and why?
TAMAL: So hard to say! El-One of Zulu Union was very candid about the Zulu Nation stuff, Kwame told stories for 3 hours, Bernadette Price KEPT IT 10000! The best ones are when people are comfortable enough to share whatever. I've gotten some really exclusive stories. So check that YouTube! HA!
VALIDATED: With your straight forward no holds bar approach, do you worry about backlash whether physically or socially?
TAMAL: Absolutely. I have gotten death threats at different times over different things, people have talked shit about my family, texted me, made memes about me, slandered me online, made pages in my name, so yeah. But FUCK EM! They can eat a dick! My head stays on a swivel though. ANYONE that has worked with me on any level knows that I may be straightforward and direct but I move with INTEGRITY. Nobody can ever say I fucked them over. They just don't like my opinion. Oh fucking well.
VALIDATED: What does your hip hop survival kit consist of?
TAMAL: All 4 elements, good people, and some good trees!
VALIDATED: What’s your thoughts on the current state of hip hop culture?
TAMAL: It's commercially SHIT BURGERS but the underground is still alive in all the elements. The key is to be profitable without selling out.
VALIDATED: How important to the culture are independent non-corporate media platforms like CTC?
TAMAL: I think we're critical because platforms like us say "No you're not going to shove this bullshit down our throats. We're going to do this shit OUR WAY, the way WE know how." And so people who want to be in that lane will appreciate that.
VALIDATED: Where do you think hip hop will be in 10 years?
TAMAL: Coin flip! Everyone keeps talking about a renaissance but it depends on what you're lookin at. Commercial shit will continue to stay in the gutter and the underground will always keep it real.
VALIDATED: With all that’s going on in hip hop why are the old school mc’s so quiet?
TAMAL: They are not quiet! We just don't know what they're doing. Even with my ear to all of this, I missed out on a dope Dres album and Grand Daddy I.U. joint. Hell, people thought Camp Lo retired. The game is different now. EVERYONE RAPS so it's harder to catch everything. It's just not like it was. Of course, some cats are chillin, but most are still working!
VALIDATED: What can we as hip hop contributors do to make the game better?
TAMAL: Just keep pushing the real shit but we also have to be HONEST! Back in the day, we could say something was wack if it was. But now, cats are so sensitive! Just stay 100 to the values that got us there! if the fame comes great! Just keep it a buck with the culture!
VALIDATED: What’s your social media contacts and website?
TAMAL: lnk.bio/carryingtheculture HAS EVERYTHING! But here's the IG just in case @carryingtheculture.