In my time of DJing I’ve been introduced to many different musicians and artists. One of my biggest interests was a group that goes by The Insects. Together they form something incredibly unique and separately they are equally unique, as each has established a well reputation among the Hip Hop community. The Insects which includes Brad B (emcee), Foundation (dj/producer), & Dumperfoo (artist) are among three of the most talented people I have been fortunate to meet. The Insects explain their essence and background to their productivity and love for what in conclusion combines them, which is MUSIC.
Brad B, the emcee and voice of the group captures your attention with his vocal literature. His voice has a low, clear but yet blunt strength. His stage presence is mature and lyrically he is able to help you forget about anything, make you take a deep listen and then slowly lift you away.
Q: Are there any specific artists that you would like to work with? Brad: I would really love to work with the Sugar Thieves. I think they’re the best band in town.
Q: What is the inspiration behind your lyrics? Brad: I get inspiration from people watching. I’m inspired by all aspects of life. I get inspiration from animals, plants, kids, soul music, food, family, love, confrontation…. everything. Just thinking about shit. I think though, in my opinion, my best stuff comes from when I’m real down, out, and drunk.
Q: How old were you when you wrote your first rhyme and how did you feel about it? Brad: When I was in 8th grade I started writing in this journal. I think that was the origin of what I have become as a poet and a man. I probably thought my first rhyme was dope at the time, but it wasn’t. I’m happy to be where I’m at now, and I’m glad I got into writing when I was young and stupid.
Q: What kind of message through your lyrics do you want to give your listeners/fans? Brad:I want them to feel the pulse of the city and think about shit when they listen and see this messed up world from a different perspective.
Q: What do you enjoy the most when performing live? Brad: My favorite thing about performing live is the release and the look on people faces when I know they feel it.
Foundation, a well-established dj/producer and the soul of the group with his beats imaginably creates a performance in your thoughts while you listen. His beats are described as hard hitting with a lot of heavy head bobbing. Foundation’s music is an introduction to different instruments and incredible vibes.
Q: With Djing and Producing, which one takes most of your time and is your biggest passion? Foundation: Up until 2 years ago I spent the majority of my time producing. But for the last couple years it seems like forever that I have been on the road. I have played over 250 shows since January 2010 so I guess it is safe to say that djing had dominated my life as of late. My passion as far back as I can remember has been playing and creating music and to me they’re pretty much on the same level of joy but there is nothing like showing a grip of strangers your art and watching them get wide open. I’m addicted to it and it’ll do till the day I die.
Q: What influence do you have to create your music? Foundation: When I sit down to make a beat I am trying to murder every producer that has inspired me in my life.
Q: What music did you listen to growing up? Foundation: What didn’t I listen too?! You name a genre and I probably had a faze where I banged it hard. In the 80’s it was Run DMC, N.W.A., and The Beastie Boys and at the same time I was way into Prince, The Police, Bobby Brown and of course M.J. In the 90’s I was into Metallica, The Almond Bros., Rush and a lot of Manchester stuff like The Stone Roses, Ride and The Happy Mondays at the same time I was bumping Hiro, Snoop Dogg, anything out of Project Blowed and anything that Dj Premiere was involved in. My love for all types of music is part of what drew me to creating hip hop.
Q: As a producer, how do you feel when you’ve completed a project? Foundation: I feel a split second of satisfaction because I know that when the album is done the work is just beginning. To push an album to it’s full potential is one of the most difficult things I’ve ever tried to do in my life and in 20 years of making music I’m sure I have never accomplished this.
Q: How have you progressed since you first started? Foundation: Sonically I’m light years away from where I started if you listen to “Face the Music” (Drunken Immortals 1st album) and then pop in “Gone part 1” it’s pretty evident that as the years have gone by I’ve exponentially and my taste has changed drastically. I always tried to make conscious effort to change with the times at the same time to not loose my identity. Either that or be ahead of the curve so that when the record is finally finished it is not out dated before it is released. Quite difficult to do these days because information travels so fast that it seems like there is a new hot genre of music every couple months.
Dumperfoo, an outstanding accomplished painter and the vision of the group abducts your attention with his canvas skills. His art is illustrated perfectly through public performances and his color selection is captivating and brilliant. Dumperfoo’s imagination keeps you interested while he paints his brainwork.
Q: How many paintings do you currently have? Dumperfoo: The only work I currently have available was from The Next Movement Gallery show, which was a collab with The Roots crew photographer Sol Exposure, who’s photos of The Roots (spanning back to ’08) were enlarged and printed on canvas and I painted directly on them. Also I have a few paintings hanging in various places around AZ, otherwise, thankfully I’m sold out at the time.
Q: How does hip-hop influence you to paint? Dumperfoo: Being a hip-hop promoter and previously a b-boy in my younger day’s music has always been an influence, a job, and an escape for me. When I’m on stage I just feel the music and shut everything off and let my hands do the talking on the canvas.
Q: How old were you when you first noticed the talent you have? Dumperfoo: Kindergarten, my family is artistic. Especially my parents, most the influence was taken from their work. In Kindergarten, I won my first art contest in school so I guess it was just in me….
Q: How would you describe your style? Dumperfoo: Graffiti influenced, lowbrow, pop art at times… I paint real quick though, usually I complete a painting in 20 minutes to one hour so you see the piece unfold in an Insects set. I start when they start and complete it when they complete the set!
Q: We know your paintings are quite famous, is there anyone that you felt proud to paint for? Dumperfoo: I’ve done a lot of amazing things (thankfully), traveled many places doing my thing and met lots of great people along the way. But I think painting at Snoop Dogg’s house on a show called Man Caves and Snoop Dogg Fatherhood (Season 2) had to be one of the illest things I’ve done.
