Mode Nine Q&A - Shifting Paradigms

In anticipation of Mode Nine's new album, I felt a Q&A would be proper. So, I decided to holler at him and ask him a few questions that needed to be answered and he was kind enough to provide the answers.

The album Paradigm Shift will hit every street in Nigeria on the 22nd of November...

What were you doing prior to rap and how did you get to the point of "O I want to be a rapper"? Did you grow up and school in Nigeria?
I never thought I was gonna be an emcee, shit just kept on unfolding. I grew up in London


The first time I heard a track from you was November of '07 and it was with you and Terry the rapman on Spazmodicl "Ay yo terry you got the mic ready.... ".
When did you start rappin and what influenced or led you to go the hard core route without any sort of dilution in your style considering that you grew up in Nigeria?
Spazmodic ..with terry is one our later tracks. We've been doing shit way b4 that!!! I don't consider myself a hardcore rapper...I'm just a lyricist!!! If you listen to my songs a lot of 'em have bits and pieces of local lingo..some of 'em have hooks in Nigerian languages ..people just hate cause they can't juggle words the way I do!!! Simple ...So forget that mother tongue issue!!! it's wack!!!!
I was born in London, and your up bringing plays a very important role in what you'll eventually turn out to be in life.. You feel me?


When other Africans think of a hot Emcee in Africa, Mode Nine is the either the 1st or the top 3 on their list. (I know this because when ever I look on the African hip hop blogs or forums your name is usually one of the top Nigerian names I see there)? Why do you think that is? Wettin u give this people chop?
My name keeps on popping up 'cause I put in work and I'm nice with lyrics. There are a a lot of tite rappers out there but a lot of em are lazy! I'm online promoting myself, traveling places promoting my shit ..like rite now it's 3am Naija time .. I've just recorded a joint and I've sent it all over the world...relentless!!! that's the word!!!


On your recent song, "No be Small thing" you rapped "Sometimes I de look hiphop like say na curse, na free show we do from Lagos to Jos..." the question I have for you is how has the rap/hiphop fan base grown/evolved since you started up until this point? Are people more receptive to hiphop acts now?

People are more receptive now!! They know that modenine don't play!!! hiphop is my life!!!!

Your song, 'Cry' ft Nnena won a channel O award. How has that changed your career as a rapper?
People just started paying more attention to me after those awards ..but I've been putting in work long b4 then!! Right now, I play a lot of big shows here and I thank God for that..I kinda consider myself lucky

The new video 'Hip Hop' reminds me of the early '90s when hip hop was in its prime in the states. Can we expect the same or similar content on your new alum. When is it droppin and what is it called?
Hiphop, 1st single of The Paradigm shit due out sat 22nd of Nov 08.. it is what it is ..shifting the paradigm , people think I'm crazy for shooting that video ..but i know what I'm doing!! The rest of the joints are just tracks you'll expect from Mode Nine.. On a couple of tracks i flipped some ragga though.

I have to ask you this question; the line "dis baba dat baba /you not a father you got intellect myopia / so when i dis a baba it's not Ethiopia" on your new song, 'Talkin to you' featuring Banky W has created a rumor that indicates that it was a shot at Rugged Man aka Ruggedy Baba. Is there any truth to that rumor?
There are so many Babas... So it wasn't a Rugged man diss when I recorded it...but as the chorus implies ..if the cap fits wear it...he recorded a reply for a joint that wasn't even 4 him!!! ..Anyhow since he did it..that means right now all the other Babas are free to go!! Those lines are now his.. lol! .. He needs to be taught a lesson , and I've got some shit 4 him. Just cop the album; he came into the game dissing people who couldn't swing back, now hes fucking with an Octypus!!! It's on baby!! I'ma go back to the old Mode Nine and straight blaze him till he leaves the game!!!


Is there anything else you want to say to the people?
Yeah ..I wanna say, thank u to all my peopples on Facebook and Myspace!!! Fuck it all over the world!!! Sorry 4 keeping yall waiting!!! I'ts here now!!!! 22 tracks!!!

Comments

[Egbe]

Egbe!!! Finially it officially on... I hope 9 doesnt come out with predictable sh*t.

[Ovie]

Dont get it twisted. Nine knew wut he was doing when he made that Talkin to you song. Hes tryin 2 tow d line of innocence; like he aint d one courting beef. No! mum, he started it!!! Negro please! They both have their strengths and weaknesses.

I still respect Ruggedy Baba 4 his shot at Kenny and D1 many years back. Just when Naija music was being monopolised by those guys, with AIT and RayPower carrying mostly artists signed by Kennis Music, he stepped up with U no fit stop my flow... I am Ruggedman, I no fear u! and that shook Lagos big time. PLUS, the 9ice we all love 2day got his 1st break on a Ruggedman song.
That said, Mode9 is definitely a better lyricist. His old song Elbow Room or sumthin like that was madd good. Lets see wut hes cooked up on dis ish. Ill be sampling it as soon as it drops.

[wienna]

Whats with the swearing?

[kriticque]

mode nine's another crazy lyricist... that line "dis baba dat baba... you not a father, you got intellect myopia... so when i diss a baba (addis ababa)it's not Ethiopia..." is pure genius! i rank 2nd him after M.I (i wld have ranked him first, but he's too hardcore rap for me abeg... lol)

[Oluseyi]

I think Mode Nine is corny, personally.

Yeah, he's a lyricist, but his delivery has no impact, and sometimes he's struggling to find the balance between his natural voice and accent and the Americanized lilt that's associated with English hip-hop. I heard a tape he sent to D1 of Dead Prez with his flow in place and then comments on how many bars he'd left for Prez, complete with sucking up at the beginning. Dude's a crumbsnatcher.