S1 first collaborated on the song “Blessed Man” from Braille’s last solo record. During 2008 they stayed in touch and slowly started kicking around ideas of doing a full record together. Once both of their schedules cleared up they started creating new tracks. The chemistry was immediate and “CloudNineteen” was pushed to the forefront. After 5 months of creating material from long distance (S1 in Texas and Braille in Oregon) they finally met up in person to do the final sequencing. Rather then sitting on the record, they decided to bring it straight to the public as soon as possible. An eclectic list of guest artists including Shawn Lee (Ubiquity Records), Tony Cook (drummer from the JBs – James Brown band), Rob Swift, Vursatyl (of the Lifesavas), Lightheaded, Ragen Fykes, Strange Fruit Project, DJ Idull and Theory Hazit. Braille and S1 will be touring together in 2009 – which is an indication of how excited they are about this album.

We kick it with S1, producer extraordinaire…

Anonymous :: Sup fam… thanks for the opportunity. I loved your production on “Blessed Man” from Braille’s last album the “IV.” For cats that just recently heard about your music, would you give them a glimpse of who S1 is? Tell us about your life as an artist and about your personal life (married, kids, etc.)?

S1 :: Well my name is S1, I’m a producer and emcee (in Strange Fruit Project) from Texas. I been producing for a bout 13 years now (3 years fulltime as career). I have a beautiful wife and two boys who keep me motivated and on my toes everyday.

Anonymous :: How did you and Braille hook up?

S1 :: We actually met a few years ago at a show that we (Strange Fruit Project) had. He introduced himself and we had small talk. A few years later he hit me up for a joint (Blessed Man) on his solo album and the feeling and response was so good that it evolved into us working on this Cloud Nineteen Project.

Anonymous :: What was the motivation behind collaborating on this project?

S1 :: The motivation behind this project was just life in general. All the good and bad things we go through in life is the fire behind this project. We wanted to let people know that we’re all going through trials and tribulation but we can get through it all with God in our corner. In addition, our goal was to be able to plant some great seeds in the youth. That’s the main reason for us giving this album away for free at all our concerts and events.

Anonymous :: Cloud Nineteen Project is a dope album. Braille is a beast on the mic and you are just as beastly on the production side. I think the tag-team compliments well. Tell me about the experience of making this album?

S1 :: The experience of making this album was magnificent. We completed about 60 percent of the album just sending files back and forth to each other. Then Braille came down to Texas for about 3 days and we completed the other 40 percent and put all the finishing touches on it together. It was Crazy!

Anonymous :: Looking back at that experience, what is the one thing in the process that stands out as something that impacted you as an artist/person.

S1 :: Just the overall feeling of knowing that the end result of this project is going to be BIG (because of the purpose behind it) but not knowing exactly how or what God’s plan was for it. We just knew through it all, we were doing the right thing in putting this album together.
Anonymous :: “Broken Heart” is a crazy track. Tell me about the concept. Did you come up with the features?

S1 :: That was a track that I had laying in the vault that I knew I would use for some project, I just didnt know which one. So when Braille and I started working together, I was like, “Okay I think this would fit well on the album.” So I sent it to Braille and he loved and laced it. Then I hit up the fellas (Myth and Myone) and they were down to jump on it. Originally Choklate was supposed to be on the hook, but that didn’t work out so we got Ragen and my homegirl Thesis on it and it came out lovely. Big ups to Choklate, Ragen, and Thesis.

Anonymous :: “That’s My Word” featuring Theory Hazit is another dope song. Braille’s second verse is bananas ;). He talks about being transparent, mentions that he raps to keep the streets calm, and that good music is from the heart hence why he is keeping it true. For the most part, you just don’t hear this type of message in rap music. What do you think is the state of Hip-Hop today? And where do you think we need to be? How do we get there?

S1 :: I think we just need more balance in Hip Hop. This generation of artists are more into following trends as opposed to setting them. So what we have is carbon copies of alot of the same music. We need more risk takers on the artistic/creative side as well as the corporate side with these labels and radio programmers.

Anonymous :: Here is yet another track I dig “From the Pulpit.” After hearing this joint I couldn’t help but wonder if Christian rap has a place in Hip-Hop. What do you think? What do you dig and hate of this subgenre?

S1 :: Me personally I think Christian rap definitely has a place in Hip Hop. If the music, message and feeling is there then its undeniable. I think the misconception with a lot of the Christian type rap stuff is that most of it sounds real corny in how its presented to the masses. Presentation is key.

Anonymous :: In a couple sentences tell us about this album?

S1 :: Great Music, Great Lyrics, Great Message, and Great Purpose!

Anonymous :: What is next for S1? Will we see another collab project with Braille in the future?

S1 :: I just stay working in the studio all day and every day. Aside for the Braille project, I just finished a project with an emcee from Texas named Kness. I’m working on the new Strange Fruit Project album and producing joints for about 20+ other artists on major and independent levels. ‘09 has already been a blessing for me, Praise God!

Anonymous :: Thanks for kicking with ILLSPOT, one!!

Article written by the guys over at ILLSPOT. Check out the actual article here.