He’s the type of guy you feel like you’ve known forever upon meeting him. He’s the type who is outwardly hilarious and inwardly thoughtful. He’s focused. He’s passionate. He’s excellent at what he does. He’s S.L.O.T.-A.

Some people make music for the money, some do it for the girls, and others do it for the love. After the untimely passing of his father, S.L.O.T.-A honed in on his passion for music as an outlet for his pain. With roots in house and drum & bass production, it was SLOT’s brother Smurf who introduced him to hip hop culture in his hometown of Ypsilanti, Michigan.

FMCS: Hey S.L.O.T-A how’s things?

S.L.O.T-A: Man! Things are smooth! Just trying to prepare for what’s to come, and conditioning myself to this music industry.

FMCS: Tell us a little bit about your background, your manifesto, and how you got to where you are today?

S.L.O.T-A: To be thoroughly honest with you… My pops passing, and dealing with that really inspired me to get into production. I had become introverted and really didn’t know how to deal with people, so that was really my way of connecting with other people.

So around the time of high school I had come across fruity loops, and I made wack ass beats for a while. I originally started making drum and bass music, which was horrid since I was using the original presets.

Then I started sampling and working with plug-ins. From that my base started to grow as well as my knowledge of music. My brother started to really get on me about making hip hop beats and what not. Eventually I listened to him, and after some trial and error, I got really good at it. I shot off to college, got around some good friends (Vanysh, Bullet, Doe Boy, Kardell, Punk Rock, and J-Dot) and started to develop the ear as a producer and engineer… Fast- forward. A couple years after that, I was writing hooks for a couple emcee I was working with. After that, I learned how to write verses and full songs. From their, I started recording myself; developing myself as an artist.

My business partners and close friends Add 2 and Bullet really taught me how to mature the sound and how to get the most out of punch-lines. From there on I came out with project called “The Ugly Phase E.P.” based on my life story and learning how to write songs. After that, we are where we are now, “The Ugly Phase Vol. 2.” Outside of that now I’m just blessed.

FMCS: Tell us about your name S.L.O.T- A what does that mean? And why did you decide on that?

S.L.O.T-A: Well S.L.O.T.-A. is an acronym meaning: Second Letter Of The Alphabet. Which is the the letter, B. My government name is Barron Bollar, a lot of my friends call me B or I use to introduce myself as B. After I started letting people know the new name; it stuck in people’s minds, so I started to brand it!

FMCS: How do you write lyrics, what is your creative thought process? Is it a state of mind or from inspired moments, life situations?

S.L.O.T-A: I think of patterns, breathing, and space. All of the above are tools I use for intriguing people to listen to what I am saying. I learned being homeless/nomadic, that everything from a smile to toe nail clipping is a tool. It’s all in how you use it to manipulate the situation that makes it what it is.

There are a lot of people out there that are great emcee’s and/or beat-makers who don’t know how to use the tools that they possess to make a good record. I’ve tried to find a median between to bring the music to people in a way that is pleasing and aesthetically sound.

So in a sense it’s more of a learned science that I’ve acquired through trial and error. Other times I’ll get a feeling and I’ll start free-styling and record it. Listen to the difference between “Captain Crunch” & “Infamous;” I free-styled “Infamous” and wrote “Captain Crunch.”

FMCS: What/who inspires you?

S.L.O.T-A: The feeling of the beats I make inspire me to write what I write, or hearing a new technique or patch really intrigues me as far as production.

But as of late, I’ve just been inspired to be better than some of my favourite emcees and producers (emcees: Elzhi, Eminem, 50 Cent, Papoose & Nas; Producers: Battle Cat, Dilla, Dr. Dre & Just Blaze).

FMCS: Was it a difficult decision to step out of Columbia College to pursue your music career. And how did family and friends react?

S.L.O.T-A: I’ve been under constant scrutiny for that decision, even to this day. But at the end of the day, these people don’t make decisions for me. I may consult them on a decision or dilemma that I’m facing, but I am adult. I’m not saying it was the smartest decision I’ve made but it is my decision not the least.

So I’m living with it, and I’m doing what I want to do and what I have to do survive. Also big shout out to Columbia’s Graduating Class of 07’.

FMCS: We love tunes like ‘Captain Crunch and ‘Go Ladies.’ These have also been widely appreciated by many. Did you ever imagine they would be so successful? And how has the success affected you?

S.L.O.T-A: I didn’t see the love coming as strong as it did. But it has come, and it has really made me humble. It really makes me want to work harder to make sure I can make that happen repeatedly for myself, and for others rappers/singers that I work with.

I have people walking down the street listening to it and recognizing me. That’s love man, and I generated it through music. That’s beautiful.

FMCS: Tell us what can we expect from S.L.O.T-A on your new projects?

S.L.O.T-A: What you can expect from me is just bring that feel good vibe to music. At this point… I see myself as public property. As an entertainer that’s what I’ve set my self up for.

The thing about being the artist/entertainer is that no matter how much the public denies it. They love the pain and suffering that an artist goes through. So I offer myself, my experiences, the views of myself and those around me to the people. In return, the honesty shines through and the integrity is there. Can’t Beat That!

FMCS: What is your opinion on European hip hop culture? For example Hip Hop from the UK, France etc… Where is its place and does it get much airplay in your region?

S.L.O.T-A: I think European Producers are dope. Like real shit… I don’t remember names. But Gerald Walker was just putting me up on cats who he had heard and liked. And really it sprung up a lot of good, strong feelings. The art out there is free, not so castrated as it is in America. It feels like everyone in America has 4 highways and everybody wants to take the same one, at the same time, going to the same place, while there is construction and a 40 car pile up. It’s insane!

But I haven’t heard much of the artist out there song wise and I plan to change that. I’ve seen some of the battles on MTV2 with UK emcees, and heard some of the artist like artist who have gone pop over here, but I’ve yet to hear it on a constant basis.

FMCS: Do you think there are still some good people in the music industry especially in hip hop culture moving the art of production and lyricism forward, adapting its nature and innovating?

S.L.O.T-A: I haven’t seen much. There are a few people who are doing it, but its sort of cliché to say their name. You know? As far as America is concerned, Hip Hop is the New Disco. You can quote me on that. But cats like Add-2, Finale, Lupe, Papoose, etc… are cats who I look up to as far as lyrics are concerned.

But Production, cats aren’t too innovative any more, except maybe Timbaland giving hip hop more of a worldly sound. Also, I like Nicolay and Hi-Tek a lot.

FMCS: Whats next for S.L.O.T-A?

S.L.O.T-A: Remix projects, series of me as the sole producer and another emcee project is coming soon, The Transition LP Coming Soon and really separating myself from the rapper/producer on the corner to “transitioning” into the person that rapper/producer truly wants to be, and a lot of soul searching!

FMCS: Thanks for the short chat man! Keep on bringing out the quality! Any shout outs?

S.L.O.T-A: Listen to the song from The Ugly Phase E.P. Volume 2, as well as “download.com/theletterb”. Shout out to my mother, my brother, my niece & nephews and the rest of my family. God, Bullet, Add-2, Buff-1, 14kt, P.L., Young Lex, my people at R.M.G., Vanysh, J – Dot, Mechail White, Big Rob, Cir-Cut, J-Noize, J-Nan, Chris Capalano, Benny Blanc, Fokus, Adam, Rasheed, King David, Golaith, D.J. Mos Def, Precise Minds, F.O.S., Punk Rock, E-Class, Joey, D.P. Da Phranchise, Drunken Monkeee, Dj King Midas, Elliot B. (the coolest white dude from Nebraska I know. lol), my dudes at Flyy City, Gerald Walker, Gif, The Beautiful Ladies at Intermix on Delaware & Rush, Puffer Reds, My people at the adidas store, Jennifer Hatter, Katie Momo, Lisa, Kenlo Key, Kosine, Finale, Becca Munoz, Becca The Promo Mami, Stretch 1, D.j. Pogo, D.j. Avori Minor, Chekk Famous, my older brothers in Chicago who really took me in and mentored me Black & L, To City Ypsilanti & Ann Arbor, MI That Raised Me & To all my fans and supporters thank you and I am blessed that you’ve come into my life. Thank You.

HUGE SHOUT OUT TO FMCS for this opportunity. It’s greatly appreciated and won’t go on forgotten. Thanks

MORE INFO ON THE ARTIST

Some smooth, smart… Seriously scientific shards of slick sonic soulful sound! So Supreme - S.L.O.T-A - FeedMecoolShit.com

HOT TRacks Man…Ahhh SHiit some Crazzay as hooks..and flow not like the industrys..Keep The classics..Coming peace MAN -CONTENUNCE

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