Interviewed by: Jenny Francois
Photo: Jenny Francois
Date Published: 03.23.05

Brooklyn’s Spec Boogie is a master storyteller. His 12″ release of Grow 12″ is a magnificent piece of work and his strongest effort. Though youthful in years, Spec weaves storytelling together and is never preachy. With the collaboration of Bennie Guinness as producer and Spec’s illuminating rhymes, the future seems boundless.

Spec Boogie is presently working on his next release, Introspective slated for a spring release. Spec answers 10 questions about his current projects, Loosie Records and the future.

Aeki Tuesday: When did you start with Hip Hop?

Spec Boogie: I’ve been involved in hip hop as long as I can remember. I grew up in Bed Stuy Brooklyn and my cousin who was a DJ lived in the apt above my family. I wrote my first rhyme for him when I was like 8 or 9 but I didn’t take it too serious I was more into dancing, like scoob & scrap lova.

Aeki Tuesday: Do you have a sort of writing style or production style?

I’m a storyteller for the most part, that’s what I like to write. Otherwise I don’t write much. When it comes to the raggadocio types of songs like hip hop needs us, I write on the spot right before I lay the verse.

Aeki Tuesday: Your producer is Bennie Guinness, tell me how this came about?

I met Guin back in 99 or 2000 at the Wetlands (r.i.p.) during black lily. Jaguar had let me rhyme a little during her set and afterwards Guin introduced himself and we had a little convo about hip hop and shit like that. I was politely trying to exit the convo so I could go drink & talk to girls n’ shit when Guin busts out with a freestyle. I just walked away from him while he was rhyming, which was rude but I was re introduced to him a few weeks after that by a mutual friend and we’ve been working together since.

Aeki Tuesday: How did you get involved with Staple Design (www.stapledesign.com)?

A friend of mines played a bunch of my stuff for them and the contacted me with the idea of putting grow out as a single.

Aeki Tuesday: Tell me about the collaboration with Che Grand on Hip Hop Needs Us.

Che came through the studio to build with me but I couldn’t make it because I got caught up at work. When I met up with Guin the next day, Che had already picked out the beat and laced his verse so I wrote the hook and my verse and put it down.

Aeki Tuesday: What do you listen to in your off time?

Mostly old soul shit. Curtis Mayfield, Isaac Hayes, Bill Withers, Stevie, and the cat’s I grew up with.

Aeki Tuesday: You currently have a mix tape out. Are there plans for a Full Length?

Yeah, the full length is called Introspective that’s being wrapped up right now for a spring release but we’re putting out another mixtape prior to that called Brass Knuckle Rap Hustle, hopefully that’ll be out by the time this interview goes out.

Aeki Tuesday: I really like the single ‘Grow,’ what was your inspiration for that song?

Thank you. Grow is inspired by my family. I wrote that when I moved back to Bk from Philly and everything was just different. I went on my old block and most dudes were locked up, dead, had kids, were doing the same things they were doing when I left or In the military, trying to get off the block, so Grow is just a reaction to it & my thoughts on it both positive & negative.

Aeki Tuesday: Do you have any upcoming shows?

Nope. I’ll let you know when I do though.

Aeki Tuesday: Are there any upcoming plans with Loosie Records? Are you the main artists on the label?

The artists on Loosie are Bennie Guinness, Elucid, Von Pea and myself. I’m first out with Introspective, then Elucid in the summer & Von in the fall/winter.

Site: www.loosie.com/music