Stic.man Interview
In his own words Khnum Ibomu, aka Stic.man, is one half of Dead Prez, the author of The Art of Emcee-ing, President of Boss Up Inc, a father, husband, student of martial arts, revolutionary spirit and a G. Stic.Man’s perspective is still genuine and that is what separates him from most other emcees in the game today. We had a chance to catch up with him for a brief Q & A.
Tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up and what are you presently involved in?
I grew up in Shadeville, Fl. and I am currently involved in running Boss Up Inc. New Dead Prez music projects, Can’t Sell Dope Forever, album with the Outlawz and Dead Prez, my solo record and much, much more.
Why do you feel that it is very important to get involved politically?
Politics affects the quality of our lives everyday, it’s a question of power.
Aside from music, what else inspires you?
The challenges that are the result of pursuing and perfecting my goals.
How would you describe the Stic.Man’s sound to those unfamiliar with your music?
My sound is soulful raw and experimental. It’s emotional. I tend to do music that makes you think within yourself or inspires your rebel energy; easy to understand lyrics with different flows that are genuine. I’m an emcee/songwriter and my sound is a combination of soul, g-funk, boom bap, rock, roots and anything else I feel like at the time.
Do you have an earliest musical memory? A first time you heard something and realized, “That’s music, that’s what sound can do.”
Hearing and singing along to Stevie Wonder’s Sir Duke on my way to the dentist when I was about 8 or 9 years old. “…music is a world within itself…”
You know the lyrics!
What is the story behind being dropped by Columbia, while you have a hot record out featuring Jay-Z?
We weren’t on the label when we did the Jay-Z collabo. We sold the Jay-Z joint to them for 50k extra, collected 450k to sign back to Columbia and we got dropped a few months later. Free of the record contract with no strings attached! It felt excellent! We were super pimpin! 
Last year you released a book titled The Art of Emcee-ing, why do you feel that there is a need for such a manual?
To share 20 years of insight on the art of emceeing with those looking to make their mark in the game. To lay it down from an emcee to emcees; there are no books out breaking down the “how-to” aspects of emcee-ing. Other books talk about rap history and record sales and who’s who, but not the art and the techniques. So I wanted to document my perspective and share that with those that have that interest. We break down everything from how to defeat writer’s block to herbal voice care to writing the lyrics, learning new styles to flow, studio recording and live performance tips and setting up your own music publishing company, even without a record deal. The book also comes with 10 free beats on CD for emcees and poets and what have you to use for their mixtapes and demos and live shows absolutely free!
What should we expect on The Art of Emceeing DVD?
We are gonna take you on a high quality ride through the complete making of a song. Kinda like “making of the band” but no “tap dancin’ for the man”. We’ll feature celebrity emcee interviews, one on one, discovery channel level insight and video journalism. It will be raw but suitable for all ages. Expect humor and surprises. Expect useful information. People will see a song go from scratch, to being recorded, rehearsed and even published. They will also get a copy of the finished song with the DVD, Dead Prez exclusive footage and many bonuses, it is very informative and thorough. Based off my book, The Art of Emcee-ing but as they say a picture is worth a thousand words!
Out of all the tracks you’ve released, can you pinpoint one or two as particular favorites?
O.G. Original Gangsta and Window to My Soul.
Do you like to listen to your own music?
No, not once it’s released.
Do you believe that you get pigeonholed being a conscious emcee?
I rebel against that “stigma” so much I think folks who dig our shit know we just want to be known as ourselves. There is nothing wrong with being “conscious” I just don’t want to be prejudged by “random” perceptions of what conscious is, ya dig?
Is there anyone you consider a musical peer, not necessarily in terms of sound, but overall aesthetic?
Erykah Badu, The Outlawz.
Do you think that music as a whole is suffering due to the follow the leader type of style?
No. Music doesn’t suffer, people do. I think the music is suffering as a whole cause the people in control of it don’t give a fuck about the people or the music.
How does an artist keep from watering down his style and find a co-existence between independent & commercial fan base?
Stay true to your core principles and step up your quality. Speak universally.
What projects should we be looking out for in 2007 from STIC.MAN?
The art of emcee-ing book, CD, and DVD, bossupbu.com street team in your hood surprise, surprise, surprise!!
Any last words, shout outs or plugs?
JOIN THE STREET TEAM AT BOSSUPBU.COM AND THANK YOU
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