This week's Student Artists are Uchenna Anyikam and Jared Pollard. They are both founders of Bone Hard Records. Last summer, Anyikam began the record label in his hometown Houston, TX and brought it to Tufts this year. "I decided to put all my resources together to make a record label," he said. Anyikam raps and helps to produce the tracks and the beats for the CDs.
While Anyikam, or A.N.Y. (his rapper name), does the rapping, Jared, or J-red (his rapper/producer name), does the behind-the-scenes work. Jared is the business man -- the "brains behind the operation" -- who does more of the advertising, recruitment and sales work. Jared summed it up by saying, "A.N.Y. has the talent [and], I have the connects."
Bone Hard Records has already released an album called The BoneYard Mix Tape Vol. I: We in Da Doe. A.N.Y. has a solo album that will be released sometime this year and they are working on more mix-tapes as we speak.
Daily: What got you interested in producing rap albums?
J-red: Well, I've always been a fan of the game and I have a lot of connections in the industry... but not too much talent on the mic. I spit some rhymes here and there, but my skill is behind the scenes.
A.N.Y.: He holds it down though.
Daily: When did you start rapping and what got you started?
A.N.Y.: I started in like 8th grade, but I didn't get serious until like 10th grade and didn't get good until like the 11th/12th grade. I got started because of my love for music and computers. As funny as that sounds, if I wasn't a computer nerd then I probably wouldn't be doing this.
Daily: You mix beats on your computer?
A.N.Y.: Yeah, for the CDs we make. I found out how to make music and put it on CDs and make them sound good with computer quality. So, I figured, if I can, I might as well do it.
Daily: When you were choosing a name for your record label, did "Skin Soft" ever come to mind?
A.N.Y.: Wow, that was pretty bad.
Daily: Thanks.
A.N.Y.: A lot of people think that it has sexual connotations...
Daily: Does it?
A.N.Y.: Not really?
J-red: I had nothing to do with the name, for the record
A.N.Y.: It's more of an attitude that goes along with and matches the record [label].
Daily: How often do you release CDs and where do you record them?
J-red: We record in 103 Carpenter House in our temporary studio. Me and my brother are currently working on opening a studio in NY, so Bone Hard will hopefully do some projects out there soon. We release mix tapes every few months.
Daily: How often do you release solo CDs?
J-red: No solos have been released yet. A.N.Y. will put the first one out by this summer. Also, we got a calendar coming out. You know, for the ladies. That will come out in late April. We need some time in the gym first
Daily: What are some of the things you rap about?
A.N.Y.: Well, I rap about obstacles that I've seen coming to Tufts, trying to get an education and the things and questions in life I need answered.
J-red: I rap about my life, obstacles I've overcome and crazy stuff that comes out my head and that rhymes. Eh, that's why I remain behind the scenes mostly.
A.N.Y.: I also got a couple of little underground works I've done about the social life here at Tufts
Daily: What's that about?
A.N.Y.: Spitting game to the lovely females...and getting rejected.
Daily: Do you think you'll ever do a Carmichael or Dewick rap tribute?
A.N.Y.: Ha, why not?
Daily: Do you see a future for yourself in the music industry?
A.N.Y.: I'd like to take this as far as it can go, but first and foremost, I'm an engineer.
>J-red: I can see myself doing productions and maybe some A&R (artist and repertoire) for a big label.
Want to know more about Bone Hard? Check out their website: www.bonehard.vze.com.
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