16 Bars: Highlighting E’ville’s Hip-Hop Scene

It’s 16 bars ya’ll, and it’s time to talk to an up and comer that’s on the move… On his skateboard…

Originally from Detroit, and now calling Evansville home, Inspector Clusoe combines lyrical hip hop with street mentality, merging styles to bring the world together… On his porch.

______________________________________________________________________

Tip of the Month (from Inspector Clusoe): Do music everyday. Writing, rapping, playing, whatever… Practice… Everyday… And treat everybody like they’re your biggest fan, because the fans are what make this thing we call music happen...

______________________________________________________________________

C4: You’re originally from Detroit, but now you call Evansville home – what is it about E’ville that helps you find musical center?

IC: All the creative people I’ve met here… I’ve been here for five years and soaking up all the different styles here helps complete the circle of music I started in Detroit…

Some people may know you as DJ Scheistboogie from your time at WUEV’s "Party Lights,"but you have a few other alter egos; what are they and what do each of them mean?

As an MC I go by Inspector Clusoe… I got the name because I was a bright, but clumsy kid, always asking questions and always fumbling around. My uncle and his friends gave me the name…. When I’m producing I go by the name Bobby Niggerish, and I chose that name because I’ve been associated w/ every positive and negative stereotype of the young black male, true or not. So, looking at stereotypes, I wanted a name that would encompass them all and give me the freedom to rise above those stereotypes… Bobby comes from the fact that I really get into Bobby Digital.

The new album is called Live from the Porch. Talk about the title a little bit.

When I was younger in Detroit, I spent a lot of my days on my porch, with a boom box and a bowl of cereal, and I’d sit there observing and taking notes on what I saw. In a way, I’m welcoming people to my porch with the album. I’m welcoming them to my way of thinking.

What’s the style of the album, if you had to choose one.

You mean like crunk or something like that?

If you like…

It’s a little more relaxed then all of that. I say in the case of radio rap, it’s not hip hop, but more arrogant jazz. [laughs] But no, if you had to call it something, it would be lyrical hip hop with that street flavor, ya know. I’m trying to bridge the gap between the two because I have friends who will only listen to Lupe Fiasco and Common, and I have friends who listen to Lil’ Wayne and Young Jeezy. If I can bridge that gap, then they can listen to it all like me…

On the album, you have a hilarious song called “Hit Rap Song,” where you teach the listener how to write a hit rap song. What was the motivation there?

Well, I have always noticed patterns and cycles in stuff around me, and it was just a day listening to the radio and all the songs had the same premise, middle and end. As a DJ, I noticed you could run all the songs together and the tempo wouldn’t change. I just wanted to write a funny song that pointed that out. I want to hear it on the radio, but that’s not up to me.

When do you expect the album to drop?

May 6; cop it @ Joe’s Records.

Besides the new album, you are appearing in a new movie about urban music in the area talk about that a little.

Yeah it’s called People Music.  People Music is basically about regular people making music for regular people. Everybody in the project are people who love making music. It’s not about the platinum seller who sits in his mansion. It’s about the person who works all day, and rushes home to finish their new song. It’s about people who still care about music, the people who love music, and I’ve had a great time doing it. The whole process has been awesome.

You’re also participating in the "Rumble in the Jungle.” What does something like that mean for the rap scene in Evansville?

It’s a BIG thing… For one there aren’t too many places for MC’s to perform in the city. But this tournament has showcased MC’s from all over the tri-state, and we’ve been able to network together, and get to know each other and communicate together. It will definitely help the area thrive and be big for everyone involved. It means that we can have the opportunity in the community like in other cities.

______________________________________________________________________

It’s Inspector Clusoe y’all…

10 things you didn’t know about Clusoe

- Graduated from UE in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications.

- Was forced to start rapping by older cousins

- Asks his father’s permission to release any song… If he doesn’t want it out, Clusoe won’t release it…

- Is a member of the Detroit hip hop crew The Swisher Gang.

- Was director of his high school’s choir.

- Always performs in Chuck Taylors.

- Watches Pulp Fiction before every big performance.

- Signed with gator9 Music in 2007.

- Used to be a janitor at Disney world.

- Was a mentor and tutor at the CK Newsome center.

______________________________________________________________________