We caught up with the brilliant and insightful MCE Obafemi & Ced Adamz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

MCE, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Has your work ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized?

The climate of mainstream hip hop is overly saturated with a very limited range of subject matter, many in which can be considered degrading to women, filled with violence, drug use and conspicuous consumerism. So with my music, I would say that we are balancing the scales. It’s very heavy on what could be considered negativity. I remember being introduced for a show and the host called out and said “yeah they some positive rappers” and it made me think about what that label really means. It also made me think that if what we do is considered positive, then is rap or hip hop today set on the default of being “negative”? And if so why is that the norm now? So I don’t apologize for being consciously aware of what I choose to put to rhyme and the potential impact it can have on the listeners.

MCE, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve been a fan of hip hop since the 1980s! I started rhyming in 1997, and been recording since 2001. I’ve also been a music producer for 15 years. This has been a journey, from wanting to play the drums as a child, to beatboxing in the 1980s, to learning how to use computer programs in early 2000s. I jumped on Fruity Loops 3 and started learning bro make beats. I started rhyming in basic training in the US Army. When I returned from military duty in 1999-2000, the music on the radio sounded so much different, after not hearing any radio for almost 3 years. It inspired me to pick up my pen and pad to write something better than what I was hearing. My music has always been infused with social commentary from the streets to the greater community, especially issues pertaining to the Black experience. The blues is a major influence in my music, especially being from the Arkansas Delta region.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Consistency has been very beneficial for me. I have connected with so many people from all around the world, something that a most likely would not have had the chance to without social media. I’ve very active in my community from being an educator, to running a small urban farm, to activist and leadership in my community, it adds to my authenticity as an artist. In a world of AI stimulation, there is still an appreciation for organic, grassroots hip hop. My advice would be to be yourself, and to keep learning as much as you can about yourself, your craft and the business of music, especially marketing and promotions.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal is create timeless, meaningful music that will be classified with some of the greats of the Black musical experience. A great poet and author, the late Amiri Baraka said, “The artist’s role is to raise the consciousness of the people. To make them understand life, the world and themselves more completely.” I want to leave a legacy of excellence in the hip hop world , and that carries a major responsibility to respond to the social-political climate of the times, especially as it relates to Black people.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: 9Obafemi
• Facebook: 9Obafemi
• Twitter: 9Obafemi
• Youtube: 9Obafemi
• Other: MCESolMuzik on FB, IG, & YouTube.

Image Credits
Ced Adamz for Adamz Media Eshmelek Malakyah for Sun of the Right Hand Productions