| Unsigned Hype Def Sound! |
 Emmanuel "Def Sound" Ricketts is a human. In fact he descends from a long line of humans. he saw his first blink summer of 1984 in Los Angeles since then he has taken his first steps, and even speaks occasionally. He has traveled nationally as a poet as 1/5 of the 2007 L.A. Slam Team. He is Head of his own upstart label without a label labeled as Tomorrow's Music Group. he is a member of the genre breaking duo "The They " (consisting of himself Novena of BabyStone). He is the other half of Ashley Franklin (which includes Def and another artist by the name of Lite). Def Is working on dropping no better yet unwrapping his first full length present "Something" coming May 20th of 2008. Influenced by just about every genre of music except the ones that suck. He is motivated by the doubts of the close minded, and inspired by the beauty in the ignorance of life, and is fueled by cosmic irony of "it" all. He thinks outside of cubicle's or any other shapes for that matter. Naturally gifted with wordplay that plays on playgrounds. He has made his life into an art form and shares that via everything; from music to fashion to poetry he knows his every pet project needs grooming and aside from those he spends most of his time being himself, thats all he aspires to be .. Def SoundLocation: (Planet Earth) Los Angeles, Ca Contact: Email-
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or myspace.com/Defsound84
Urbansteez.com Interview With Def Sound
Def Sound: Yo what up world I'm Emmanuel "Def Sound" Ricketts of Planet Earth brought to you by Los Angeles. Urbansteez.com: How long have you been pursuing a career in the music industry? Def Sound: Well honestly I have only seriously been trying to make a career out of sharing my thoughts through my music for a year maybe. But I have been writing songs since I was 17 I'm 23 now. Urbansteez.com: What were you into before music? Def Sound: Before music there was NOTHING! Nah I think before music there was poetry. Poetry was my getaway from music. Because I have always been a writer heavy into content I literally sat down one day and thought about where do people go to ACTUALLY hear what you have to say? I Googled Poetry Lounges in Los Angeles and BAM! The first thing to come up was Da Poetry Lounge. My first night there it changed my life. People came 2 LISTEN! That place was and is my medium for the past 2 years to just express myself. Urbansteez.com: As an artist how would you describe your style and why? Def Sound: "I feel my style is "is" just a state of being that is comfortable in itself. Its like freedom of speech I want to be freedom of fresh if fresh was freedom and its so free you make up words like "extravadope" (Aja), "sinserious" you make one up." Urbansteez.com: If you had your pick which label to be signed to, which label would it be and why? Def Sound: Labels? Thats such an ugly word! Ha, I think the best major entity equipt with the tools to bring me to masses if I had 2 decide would be "G.O.O.D. Music" or Allido Records because both are led by Grammy award winning and forward thinking producers. Producers are the key to your success in this business. I mean look at any new artist who comes out he has to develop a sound (From The Game to Eminem to Amy Winehouse to The Clipse) and who better to do that with than Kanye West and or Mark Ronson ?? Urbansteez.com: Thats wassup! Who in your future would you want to collaborate with and why? Def Sound: How much time you got? Man I have soooooooo many collabs currently in the works I cant even speak on them yet. Los Angeles is a hot bed for some of the world's most gifted and we're not waiting our turn we and making it happen now! Alot of people confuse working with as just getting beats from someone via email or whatever when I say work with I mean work WITH as far as a real life exchanging of ideas. But as far as people I would love to work with Sa-Ra, Ceelo, ?uestluv, Pharrell & Chad (alot of people been doing the ONLY Pharrell collab, I'm not feeling that.), Beck, Kanye, The Gorillaz, Andre 3000, RJD2, K-Os, Mulatto, PJ Morten Band, Mike Shinoda of Linkin Park, Stevie Wonder, Arcade Fire, Just Blaze, Dj Quik, Madlib, Jon Brion, Jay Electronica, Terrace Martin, Mos Def, Lupe, Fiona Apple, Q-Tip, Snoop Dogg, Ghostface Killah, dead prez, Jack White (of the White Stripes), Rick Rubin, Amy Whinehouse, Bilal, I would have wanted to work with Dilla (R.I.P), and God we need to work together ALOT more....I feel each of those collaborations would come out with something totally different fresh and new. Isnt that the most important thing with a collaboration , isn't it something you couldn't do all by yourself? Urbansteez.com: What are you working on now, and when can we expect to hear more of you? Def Sound: Personally right this second I am working on catching up on some last letters of the alphabet. Music wise aside from my groups (Ashley Franklin & They They) I will be releasing my first solo full length album titled "Something" the first in a series of unconventional concept albums May 20th, 2008. Its my favorite thing I have ever done. I have invested my being into everything from the way the album was recorded to the font on the cd to how it will be distributed I plan on breaking new ground in the way independent music is viewed. I have also been documenting "it" all for my documentary (titled The DEFcumentary, working along side Sterling Milan) to put out by the end of the year. I then plan on releasing a book of my poetry writings "Music 2 You're Eyes:Words.Paper.Poems." Another venture I am into is collabing with designers for my collaboration only line "That Line" which has done work with eyewear company "Crap Eyewear" check em out at crapeyewear.com! And you can hear more of me @ my shows or my myspace page (myspace.com/DefSound84). Urbansteez.com: Who are your influences? Def Sound: You could say anyone of those people I would love to collaborate with. But my most important and influential influences aren't famous people. They are more like situations and events. The things I hear everyday or the things I don't hear or see but wish I could. So I try and create those things. Urbansteez.com: What do you think of the hip hop / music world right now? Def Sound: I think Hip Hop is right where its supposed to be. I mean if it isn't what are we gonna do about it? Its ready for change, we are being encouraged to be imitations of things that are already fake and call that real, ha! But without that we wouldn't value the Common's, The Blu's, The N*E*R*D's, The Outkast's,The Roots' and the Tribe Called's. It gives us options and contrast. I think Hip Hop is going through what every genre has gone through its being accepted more than ever, its becoming pop. Pop in my mind doesn't mean bad it just means its popular. But with technology being EVERYWHERE the problem is we aren't sure whats TRULY good and whats just being pushed on us. Its a used car sale mens game right now. I'm more into craigslist right now..... Urbansteez.com: Lol I like how you put that "more into Craigslist right now!" What will you do with your first royalty check? Def Sound: Invest in myself. Whats a better investment? Invest in my every venture I have my hands in. If I am the future why not invest in me? Urbansteez.com: Thats wassup,When you make it big, what car will you first purchase? Def Sound: I think I will buy another Toyota Prius Hybrid. Its the best car out there hands down or up! I saw gas down the street for 3.78. Thats paying to be robbed. I mean you see all these car companies following suit making at least one hybrid. Why? Because its the only car that makes sense and its comfortable with a sweet touch screen and I mean I would soup mine up like Campbell's of course. "Let that man get past, he don't even stop 2 get gas!" -Kanye
Def Sound: Alot of Local Acts from Vann Clayton to L'Eau Life make their way into my stereo, but right now I am playing that New Erykah by Erykah Badu. Its the most necessary album of this year. For the simple fact its true to herself and creative in a time when people are told that that cant sell and no one wants to hear that well #2 On The Bilboards begs 2 differ. Like Lite said the other day I have never played a wack song in my car. You cant put your ears in the trust of some of these dudes man. Urbansteez.com: which female in the game would you pursue first and why? Def Sound: Well first I would pursue you're girlfriend as soon as this interview is over. Ha, but really I have to say Zoe Kravitz (Yea Hope I said it!). She is vibrant, and experiences just waiting to happen I'm gonna write a song about it or the idea of it. I couldn't answer this question without saying Erykah she is definitely on my "list" aside for her being beautiful I think she would help me tap into things I didn't know I could be as an artist (i.e. Common and Andre 3000). Urbansteez.com: Lol you woundnt have wanted my girl anyway(LOL).....Zoe maybe a sure thing! How can fans contact you in the future (myspace, email, PO box, etc.)?? Def Sound: Anyone can keep up with me via email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or myspace.com/Defsound84 or phone (123) 555-5555. Urbansteez.com: ANY SHOT OUTS??? Def Sound: Shouts to You, you, you AND You!
Def Sound Performing LiveCHECK OUT DEF SOUND'S HOT TRACK "JUNKIE" its a CLASSIC at myspace.com/Defsound84Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites          
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Comments (7)...
deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeef , good shit man! the new westcoast movement wouldnt be the same with out u boy no homo lol
get at me B!
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March 16, 2008
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