Dr. Ew released his first album, The Check-Up. Produced for Sound Pitch Entertainment by musician and producer Jason โFaceโ Guajardo. Check out the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
DR. EW: I was born and half raised in northeast Baltimore, shout out to Troy and the whole mob. Moved to PA and met some other hip-hop heads, one of them could produce so we started making music in his attic.ย
2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
DR. EW: Training? Nah, just figured I got some shit to say, too. Plus, there wasnโt anything else going for us.ย
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name โDR. EW?
DR. EW: Mainly the early 90s hip-hop. More specifically Wu-Tang, ATCQ, and the late great Bigs (Notorious, L, Pun). I like the story tellers too, like Nas and Ghost. Canโt forget my cousin Face had a 50 pound binder of every album. He put me on to the more underground artists.
4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
DR. EW: Key elements would be conviction, attitude, and substance. Thereโs no bullshit in my music, but there is bars to dissect and situations to relate with. I would describe my sound as raw realness.
5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as HIPHOP?
DR. EW: Being original is easy, sounding original is different. Iโve learn in order to maintain my own lane of creativity, I have to say different things and sound my own way. Iโll come up with intricate wordplay a lot wonโt catch, or let out the sicker part of my essence. Iโm sure some of my fav artists leak into my style, but I make a point of doing my own thing. If hip hop imitated, it would not have become what it is.
6. Whatโs your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles โ and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?
DR. EW: I believe an artist can speak on whatever they feel. That being said, I donโt like where we are poltically, so I donโt promote that level of seperation. I think any other vehicles mentioned can be thought provoking and amazing. I wouldnโt say I try to affront any of them with intent, but itโs natural in music.ย
7. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?
DR. EW:ย Iโd like to think my music always drives a message. At the same time, weโve seen what people and media do with lyrics, and Iโm not the one to change that. Iโm guilty of it myself, Iโve taken songs and made it about my life or changed some lysics in my head. If it helps relate, they should do it.
8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
DR. EW: I like to stick to subjects, so the idea is usually a large picture that I want to capture and summarize. As far as the thought before beat, thatโs a chicken or the egg thing. Iโll usually work on a few songs at a time, letting my mood decide which to focus on. Collaborations come heavy from my family in Delaware, shout out to Sound Pitch Entertainment.
9. What has been the most difficult thing youโve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
DR. EW: Around when Face first started really pushing me to release music, my best friend Matt died. He was my biggest fan and critic, so Iโve lost an instrumental piece of myself and my musical personality shifted. Other than that, juggling responsibilities is always hard for an artist unless they have financial backing.
10. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
DR. EW: Easily, releasing an official album to call mine has been the biggest musical milestone.
11. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
DR. EW: Man, if I gave a hater that kind of time or energy, Iโd be cheating myself. Besides, I donโt expect to like or appreciate my art, itโs all good.ย
12. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
DR. EW: Other than at a party, Iโve only performed once. The feeling was unreal. Itโs hard to say itโs better than vibing with other artists in the studio bouncing ideas, Let me do a couple more shows and Iโll get back to you.
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