Rick, introduce yourself to the people and explain how you got your name.

Hi all, my name is Rick Whispers I am a rapper from Albany N.Y. I'm part of a crew called Pitch Control Music, and I've got a new album dropping on August First called Awed by the Backdrop. the way I got my name is, A good friend of mine was listening to one of my demo cassettes when I was younger and we had been discussing the movie A Bronx tale. He came up with Rick Whispers after the character from that movie Jimmy Whispers but decided to add Rick instead.

You're a rarity, there are kids who listen to both hardcore and hip hop but few actually listen to hardcore and then go and put out some hip hop albums. The only other I can think of is Stress from the Subhoodz and Krush Unit Records. How'd you get into hardcore and than hip hop?

I grew up in a bad neighborhood, mostly hanging out with older kids. The older kids were all mostly angry with life, outcasts of society sort of individuals so the music at the time that they could most relate to was hardcore. This music held the intensity of the anger we were all feeling at this time and also offered a brotherhood of sorts for us at shows. A hardcore show was the one place you could go after a full week of working your 9-9 job and be surrounded by people of like minds who shared similar views. The message in the music was one we could relate to directly.

Which is a harder skill to obtain as an emcee, freestyling off the dome piece or writing a cohesive song?

Well they are both very difficult in their own right and I am still growing with both aspects of rapping. Freestyling is my favorite part of rapping, you can tell a story right off of the top of your head or make light of something in front of you or in your immediate surroundings and pull it into your verse, to me the energy of a freestyle is rarely matched by a cohesive song unless the personal is an exceptional song writer. Writing a cohesive song is a structured piece of art, a way to get across something to the listener with set limits on how many words, syllabols within the words and so on will be used as ingredients for this recipe. I find that few people are truly gifted as emcees in both areas and those that are, should be highly respected.

Who are some of the underground artists that have caught your attention hip hop and hardcore wise?

Mars ill, Recon, Astronautalis, On broken wings, Life Long.

Favorite graffiti artist? Espo, definitely. Ever since I was younger his murals caught my eye.

What makes Awed By The Backdrop different or better than "House of Hearts"?

House of Hearts I believe was written at a very dark point in my life so it follows that sort of path. Awed by the Backdrop is the sunlight after the storm so to speak, it is more fun and upbeat than a lot of other songs I've created in the past. I also took a lot more time crafting Awed by the Backdrop, as well as making sure that the mixes and sounds were absolutely right where I wanted them. Although House of Hearts still contains some of my favorite writing on it.

Explain what Pitch Control Music is about? Is it a label or just a group of collective minds?

Pitch Control Music is a crew of like minded individuals down for spreading the virus of conscious, innovative, energetic hip hop that once existed prevalently back into the plain view of the listener.

Who are some of your favorite artists that you have performed with?

I would have to say that performing with member of Wu tang, and Mr. Lif, were fun experiences. Wu tang for obvious reasons and Lif because hes just a down to earth person, real humble.

What inspires you to not only make your music but to get up each and everyday?

Life inspires me every day. You never know what to expect and the fact that your decisions and hard work can change whatever is going on in your life from a day to day basis, that is my inspiration. I have something unique to say to people and that is represented in my the content of my songs.

Whose your favorite producer in hip hop today?

That would have to be shadow. The way he blends things together is genius, this guy should be a billionaire off of his music.

All time, what are your top five hardcore records?

Sick of it all- Built to last
Madball- Set it off
Indecision-Unorthodox
Sheer Terror-Bulldog Edition
Agnostic front - ANY
Where do you plan to take your career as an emcee?

I would like to travel the world presenting what I do to strange faces on every continent. And to keep growing and getting nicer with rap through each experience I encounter daily. Once you stop growing you've reached a leveling off portion which I'm not comfortable with ever being part of.

What does 2006-2007 have in store for Rick Whispers?

I will be pushing Awed by the Backdrop heavily, lots of spot dates in other cities. I will also be laying groundwork for some upcoming projects that I will keep everybody posted on at www.myspace.com/houseofhearts or www.rickwhispers.com.

If you have anything else you want to throw in here, feel free to go off.

I would like to ask yall to check out my crew at www.myspace.com/pitchcontrolmusic as well as some of the individuals who appear on my new record such as ; Mac Lethal, Shyste, L.I.F.E. Long, Dezmatic, Awar and keep your eyes open for any live performances in your area. Awed by the Backdrop will be available for preorder at my website in the store section beginning July First and will be shipped to arrive on the street date which is August First. The first 100 preorders of my new record will also recieve a completely free, limited edition EP titled While You Slept which features nine previously unreleased songs and is the perfect partner to disc for Awed by the Backdrop. This EP was written along with similar ideas and feeling as Awed and is in my feeling a solid record by itself. Thanks for your time.
peace,
R.W.