Author: Jake Paine
Published: December 31, 1969
Tool: [ email ]
Supreem Da Regulata
It’s quite refreshing to speak with an artist with an a-typical mindframe. Supreem isn’t your "Pick of the litter" emcee. He’s an established figure, and a Hip Hop role model. He’s paid his dues, and now he hopes to further has role as an artist, personality, and foremost, as a man. Speaking with Supreem, I see what I’d like myself to one day become. Perhaps you can relate. Nevertheless, I urge you to read what the man has to say, and take some notes while you’re at it.
1) OK, so you've worked and performed with some of the finest. How do you feel you compare...where do you fit in?
I feel I fit right in because I have one of the hypest shows around now. I compare my set with a Busta show or a DMX show cause I give off a lot of energy and the more I get back, the more I give. I leave a stage wet with sweat and I don't care if I'm first, last,opening for a major act, or headlining a local show, me and DJ, Xzotic D. give 110%. We get a lot of love and we give a lot of love. It's needed because there isn't a lot of hot performers out today with all these one hit wonders that think they got it like that or that they are God's gift to the business.
2) As a Hip Hop organizer, and city leader...what's a day in the life for you?
I got to handle my business. I get up make a bunch of calls to see what's poppin' and to see where I can fit in at. I speak to my manager, Danielle DeShields, at least once a day to touch base. Then I get with Docta Shock cause we always got some kind of meeting or event to attend. But lately, I've been writing to hot tracks and preparing myself for the industry because I feel we're about to blow and I want to be ready. I go over my show routine because we have been performing a lot lately and I want to stay sharp. Soon, the city high school tour will be most of my day. It starts in Febuary and we will be hitting a school or two a day, rippin' em up.
3) How do you feel Philly is being represented right now? How could it be better?
We represented lovely with talent but the business here sucks. We got the skills and nobody to get us to that next level. We either get lucky, when somebody comes through and scoops us up or we work hard as hell, harder than the average, and make it to the top on our own. Either way, it doesn't happen too often. To better our situation, we got to stop these wannabe managers, promoters, and labels from raping and fustrating our efforts and learn the business. We as artists have got to learn to depend on ourselves and not some savior. We got to support the few stars that we do have and help the up and comming cats get further. We as a city tend to hate on one another for the wrong reasons. I can't hate Beanie or Eve because they made it, I can only hope and pray they get further so more of us get noticed.
4) Growing up, who was your biggest inspiration (musically). Why, how?
I would have to say Will Smith or the Fresh Prince as he was known then, because that dude had so much personality. He was destined to be a star. When I was coming up, he was always on the radio. He had his own style, he performed with the best dj (Jazzy Jeff), he was never scared to be himself and he had the best funny story raps in the game at the time. When I would go to New York for the summer growing up, he was one of the only rappers from Philly that they knew and respected. I had no idea that he would be big as he is today but I'm not surprised. He just reminds me of myself but I'm just a little rawer than he was. His show was hot and Jeff was hot. He just a funny dude, I got a lot of love and respect for his accomplishments.
5) After the EP is dropped...how will your life/career change?
The demand will be greater on my life and my career should grow. Ever since I did this for a living, I have'nt gone backwards. So, I'm looking foward to the next level of this rap thing. My team works hard and we deserve to reap all the benifits that the business has to offer.
6) Working with the youth..what advice/criticism can you offer young Hip Hoppers on a national/universal level?
If this is what you wanna do, stay real with yourself and be competitive in the game. It may be harder to get on being an individual who's original, but when you do, you last a lot longer than the copy cats. Look at Outkast as an example, they are different, but fresh at the same time. They are contenders in today's market, being themselves. It don't matter if people laugh at them.... they still respect them. Be patient, be persistent and believe in God because all things come in time, hold on and don't quit. And the main thing is be good, if not the best.
7) On a more business note, where can heads get the EP?
Soon, it'll be available everywhere but for now, it'll be at all F.I.R.M. locations. The F.I.R.M. stands for the Family of Independent Record Merchants. You can get it by calling Darkworld Entertainment at 215-476-8726. This EP will really be used as a fancy demo to impress the big dawgs in the business until my full length is ready for the world. Look out for the first single and video "Do dat shyt" featuring a hot female mc named Des.
8) Where do you see yourself in ten years?
I got a baby coming soon, so I plan to be the best father in the world and hopefully a husband to my current girlfriend. I plan to be a real family man. I still want to be in the business, owning my own record company or having my own radio show. I want to be like a Leon Phelps or Howard Stern with a real ill, sexy talk radio show. A thorough old head having fun.
9) I understand you and Docta Shock are very close. Is that difficult in an age where artists and groups cannot seem to maintain partnerships?
Docta Shock is probably the only cat I truly trust in this business today. I've been under his wing for years and he's like a big brother as well as my producer and partner. We can kick it about anything life, music, business, anything cuz. He seen me grow up in this business. He's seen me come from a foul mouthed rowdy forty ounce guzzler to a true total artist in the game. When we do good on stage or in the studio, he's like a proud father looking at his son grow. And we respect one another a lot and we think a like...We both want make it by doing the right thing, the right way.
10) Anything to add? Anything to plug?
I want to plug the greatest company in the nation Darkworld Entertainment, my producer Docta Shock, my manager Danielle DeShields, my assistant and promo man Mark, my dj Xzotic D. All the cast and staff from my t.v. show, Urban X-Pressions. I love my city and my city loves me, Philly. All the artists putting it down in the city, established as well as up and coming. I want to thank God, my family, my girl and my baby that's coming. All the cats that help me do my thing (too many to name). And get ready for me world, you will get rocked!!! Thanks to my new homie Jake Paine and Heather Lawrence from joe538.com, good questions for a great interview.
Well, there you have it. Knowledge in it’s most natural state. Supreem, we at Manhunt wish you all that you hope for, Thank you.
