MAKIN’ WAVES / THE HANGING GARDENS: SUBSTANCE810
PORT HURON | SUBSTANCE810
INTERVIEW TERRELL “REALIFE” BLACK Photo CHRISTOPHER HOFFMAN
Port Huron, Michigan mc and producer Substance810 has been catching the attention of many lately with his wordplay, story telling ability and crazy work ethic. He’s been working steadily during the quarantine dropping several projects including his most recent EP’s, “Makin’ Waves” (January 2021) and “The Hanging Gardens” (April 2021) fully produced by Hobgoblin. With a growing fan base both nationally and internationally and no signs of slowing down, as the world begins to lower it’s Covid-19 restictions Substance810 looks to tour in the states and overseas. Validated got a chance to catch up with Substance810 to discuss everything from his earliest memory of hip hop culture, the origin of his rap name, the release of his “Makin’ Waves” and “The Hanging Gardens” projects and much more.
“I believe it’s important to preserve the boombap culture and sound of nostalgic hip hop while still adding in modern elements and current and personal topics.” - Substance810
VALIDATED: Being from Port Huron, Michigan, what’s your earliest memory of hip hop culture?
SUBSTANCE810: As a youngin in Port Huron, the big homie Nes (now Ghani Vision) was the first person I seen touring, releasing professional music videos, and pressing up cassette tapes from my city. Followed by groups like The Lyricists and Street Dreamers. These are my first memories of hip hop along with the golden era emcees like Jay Z, Nas, Wu-Tang, Big Pun, Big L, etc. I remember watching all the greats on “Yo MTV Raps” and later “Rap City Tha Basement” with Big Tigger.
VALIDATED: How did you get your start as an artist?
SUBSTANCE810: “Started from the basement, sharpies on a blank disc...” I started out recording, “mixing”, making most the beats in my basement. Working on Fruity Loops and Avid Pro, burning cds out of a 10 disc tower. Me and the group i was in at the time Raw2War would take the cds to school and sell them $5 each. Eventually hitting open mics locally, taking the art more serious, and eventually being signed to a independent label Straight Jacket Records in Detroit (Champtown) around 2003. There is where I got my first real experiences of touring, radio, performing, marketing, etc.
VALIDATED: what's the meaning behind your name substance810?
SUBSTANCE810: The meaning behind my name is a literal one, substance through and through to the core. Music with meaning, not just rhyming words. I try to be brutally honest in my songs. Touching on topics so deep and real they touch the listener in the heart. I want to leave a legacy as a lyricist and a true songwriter. I'm a huge fan of imagery and bringing ideas to life and painting a picture with words.
VALIDATED: You grew up in the 90’s, the golden era of hip hop, when individuality and bars mattered. How much of an influence did that have on you as an artist?
SUBSTANCE810: It still is ingrained in me to this day! It's extremely important for me to always find new things to write about, I want to carve my own lane and sound. I believe it’s important to preserve the boombap culture and sound of nostalgic hip hop while still adding in modern elements and current and personal topics. A lot of people always tell me it’s impressive how my sound is such a perfect mix of “old and new”.
VALIDATED: Which emcees influenced your flow and what if anything did you “borrow” from them?
SUBSTANCE810: I learned what imagery was all about from artists like Nas. Noreaga, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, taught me the importance of beat selection, creating anthems/club and street bangers, and captivating the listener through energy alone. Artists like Jay Z, AZ, Big Pun, Big L taught me how to be prolific, build a legacy, and always keep true lyricism and bars at the forefront.
VALIDATED: In addition to emceeing you also produce, which one did you do first and how did it lead to the other?
SUBSTANCE810: I honestly started both at the same exact time. At first I had a hard time finding the type of beats I wanted to rhyme on. So I always took it as my responsibility to learn beat making. Started on Fruity Loops but jumped on the MPC1000 as soon as it came out. I was never into floppy disks and the 2000. Nowadays I make beats on the MPC Touch.
VALIDATED: You recently dropped your “Makin’ Waves” Ep, what’s been the response to the project?
SUBSTANCE810: The response has been AMAZING. Through this project I have made an entire fan base in Europe, Asia, Africa aware of my music. DJ Premier has spun my single “Fortified”. Parrish Smith of EPMD shared the album on Instagram. Countless spins on radio shows in USA and 42 other countries.
VALIDATED: Which artist and producers did you work with on the project?
SUBSTANCE810: Features include Estee Nack, Ty Farris, Squeegie O, Chuck Chan, Killy Shoot, Lupus Dei, Deuce Hennessy and more. Production by Nicholas Craven, Jquest313, Onaje Jordan, Wavy Da Ghawd, Kado Crates, and myself.
VALIDATED: Which track means the most to you and why?
SUBSTANCE810: “Invisible Lines” speaks about the pain and difficulty trying to see my daughter who lives in Canada consistently during covid. Making this song helped me cope with the stress from the situation and I was better able to navigate through it because of it.
VALIDATED: Your most recent release, “The Hanging Gardens” fully produced by Hobgoblin, how did the collaboration come together?
SUBSTANCE810: Hobgoblin hit me up to drop a verse on the now highly buzzing joint “Warriors 3” from his album “The Awakening”, the joint featured me, Josiah The Gift, and P.U.R.E. Shortly after he asked me to drop another verse on his next producer album yet to be released. At that time we started cultivating “The Hanging Gardens”, this was late 2020 when I received the first beat packs to start crafting on.
VALIDATED: The visuals for the title track “The Hanging Gardens” featuring EtheMadAssassin, what's the vibe and who produced the video?
SUBSTANCE810: My guy Christopher Hoffman aka Clepto shot the video. Me, him, and my tour manager Robert Ellis all traveled down to CA to meet with my guy ETheMadAssassin to shoot it in Malibu along the Pacific Coast Highway and Van Nuys in the Aqueduct area. We had to hop fences to sneak into it. The locations were all discovered and pre-planned by me, as well as the overall treatment. I wanted locations that would provide “The Hanging Gardens” vibe while still mixing in hip hop/street elements to keep that raw energy.
VALIDATED: What other artist features are on the album?
SUBSTANCE810: ETheMadAssassin, Josiah The Gift, P.U.R.E, Jamil Honesty, DJ Grazzhoppa and NuCzn.
VALIDATED: What’s been the response to the album?
SUBSTANCE810: It’s been incredible, it has already hit several AOTY lists and is receiving acclaimed blog reviews and posts all across the world. As well as being spun on various FM and internet radio stations in 43+ countries at this moment.
VALIDATED: I know that this album is a story but what can you tell us about that?
SUBSTANCE810: I really got into the history of “The Hanging Gardens” while looking for the art I wanted SquatDeadFace to paint. I decided early into it I wanted to play in the theme of “growth” in relation to the garden. It is known as one of the ancient wonders of the world. A lot of people search for it till this day, some even question if it ever existed. It was an inspiring and interesting story I felt deserved a proper spotlight. But I had to tie it all together with skits, song names, art and lyric references to keep it interesting. But it truly plays like a story book/movie, top to bottom intentionally. As you listen more and more you will realize just how much everything ties together, I left many hidden gems to be discovered as time goes on.
VALIDATED: What will be the next single released from the album?
SUBSTANCE810: Most likely “From a Seed” followed by “Pillars of Stone”. I have music video plans for both songs, we will be traveling and shooting at locations within Michigan soon! “From a Seed” is actually one of my favorite songs I have ever done.
VALIDATED: Now that states are opening up and reducing their Covid-19 restrictions do you have any plans on promoting and touring?
SUBSTANCE810: Me and my tour manager are currently working with our people in Switzerland and Amsterdam to set up a tour for September this year. Touring overseas is my main focus, but I’m fully open to and will be performing at domestic live shows I am welcomed at.
VALIDATED: What was the hip hop scene like where you grew up?
SUBSTANCE810: Very small as far as hip hop is concerned. And the few hip hop artists that we had not many of them were doing next level things like touring, selling merch, etc. Mostly a lot of local music that was released locally and did not spread much farther than the city. However, we definitely had our share of early trailblazers who took it very serious as I mentioned earlier.
VALIDATED: When it comes to your music, which of your accomplishments are you most proud of?
SUBSTANCE810: I am most proud I am able to press up vinyl, cds, cassettes and sell them on my own website. On my own record label. I take pride in being involved in, and seeing through every part of the process. And it’s beyond rewarding seeing merch sell out so fast and consistently!
VALIDATED: What does hip hop mean to you?
SUBSTANCE810: Hip hop is a way of life. It involves all of the elements beyond music, including graffiti, breakdancing, etc. Hip hop isn’t something you DO, it’s a way of LIFE.
VALIDATED: Pertaining to music, which one piece of advice would you give the younger you?
SUBSTANCE810: Never ever be scared to invest in yourself. Put it all on the line and bet on YOU. You have to be both your biggest supporter and biggest critic. But most important, never take it so serious that you start to lose the fun of creating music.
VALIDATED: What does the remainder of 2021 look like for you?
SUBSTANCE810: I have 5 more albums recorded and will be releasing them gradually through 2021. Prepping for any live show opportunities both in person and virtual. Eager to be able to set up tours outside of the country when time comes.
VALIDATED: What's your social media contacts and website?
SUBSTANCE810: Website is Substance810.com and all social media is also Substance810