Matthew: What would be your perfect world?

Eugene IV: A world where artists whose work goes against the mainstream don’t have to struggle for adequate exposure and compensation.

Matthew: What would you change about the world today?

Eugene IV: The politics of the entertainment industry.

Matthew: Why do you think the music industry has stopped signing non-commercial artists?

Eugene IV: Labels are a lot less willing to take “risks”. They basically want to know for sure that an act will be embraced by the masses and they base this on what is already popular. It pretty much becomes a cycle of the same type of acts getting signed.

Matthew: What music did you first start listening to?

Eugene IV: As far as really listening to music, I started with a lot of gospel and hip-hop.

Matthew: Why did you start to MC and what inspired you to rap and sing on your album?

Eugene IV: I started to MC simply because of the influence of the hip-hop culture. It’s just sparked something in my soul. As far as singing…I began singing in the youth choir at church but didn’t really take myself seriously until college (Tennessee State University). I was a member of the universities choir as well as the Showstoppers (show choir). At the same time I was in a hip-hop group called not-r-selz and we began experimenting with different forms of instrumentation. It just felt natural to incorporate singing. It was about the time where a lot of the popular rap acts were getting R&B vocalists to sing the hooks on their songs but I liked the idea/challenge of doing both myself.

Matthew: What genre would you put your music under?

Eugene IV: Actually, if it was up to me, I wouldn’t put it under any genre but…I’ve been telling record stores to file it under either soul or hip-hop.

Matthew: Tell me about your life away from your musical career?

Eugene IV: Away from my musical career, I act and teach. I have been a full-time actor since about ’98. I’ve done tons of regional theatre as well as some commercials, films, and voice-overs. I’ve been substitute teaching (public schools and one private school) for a couple of years.

Matthew: Who do you listen to in your chill out time?

Eugene IV: Everything from hip-hop to gospel to Jazz, a little R&B, and all the good classic soul albums. It depends on my mood.

Matthew: Which modern day soul/hip-hop artists do you listen to?

Eugene IV: Common, Talib Kweli…just to name a few.

Matthew: When you’re in a record store, what appeals to you?

Eugene IV: Usually when I’m in a record store I have an idea of some artists I want to check out. If I just kind of drop in, I might see what’s on the listening station or something like that but I try to have at least a general idea when I go in. If not, I could easily spend all day in a music store.

Matthew: Have you got an IPod?

Eugene IV: No, I don’t own an IPod. I don’t really have plans of getting new anytime soon. I guess I’m a little old school in that I like the idea of CD’s & CD cases. I love reading inserts.

Matthew: What equipment do you use in the studio?

Eugene IV: For “Starving Artist” I did a lot of pre-production on my Roland XP-60 and a tape recorder (pause-mixing vocal arrangements). I know man that is so old school! Not to fear, I’m in the process of getting a few things.

Matthew: Has there been a high and low point in your career, if so what are they?

Eugene IV: Two of the highest points in my artistic career would have to be a staged reading I did with the Negro Ensemble Company (featuring original members that included founder Douglas Turner Ward) and my release party for “Starving Artist”. One of the lowest points was when I returned home for the tour of a hip-hop musical that was cut short for financial reasons. I was in a position where I really needed some money and I refused to get full time job outside of the arts (even though I have a degree in Biology). Some friends of mine had thrown a big going away party for me & everything. Now here it was A few weeks later & I was back home with nothing but the promise from a producer that she would pay me the thousands she owed.

Matthew: Do you plan to come over to the UK?

Eugene IV: Of course I plan on coming over to the UK! I’d come tomorrow if I could!

Matthew: Can you give me any tips on song writing and rap lyrics?

Eugene IV: Don’t allow what’s popular to cause you to censor and alter what God lays in your heart.

Matthew: Who do you respect the most?

Eugene IV: As far as earthly figures, my parents (for their example, tireless support and countless other reasons).

Matthew: Who do you love the most?

Eugene IV: I love God the most. He is the author of everything good in my life.

Matthew: Thanks for the time. Good luck with the music career!

Eugene IV: Thank you.

Matthew Daniel
Just Soul