SVM: Who were your musical influences growing up?
Hasan Salaam: I listen to all types of music. My family plays it all - soul, jazz, Motown, Bach, Vivaldi, all of that. So my ear and taste is diverse. My biggest influence is John Coltrane. I got the notes of "A Love Supreme" tatted on my forearm. My sound and soul is Curtis Mayfield. Hiphop-wise Redman, Snoop, Wu-Tang, Rakim, Jay, Nas.
SVM: What was the inspiration for “#OGJM”?
Hasan Salaam: So many people are quick to point a finger at someone else not knowing their path or story. They want to judge but not be judged, I'm like fuck that. Hate me or love me, only God judge me. Be yourself unapologetically. I've been involved in adult entertainment since I was legally able to do so. I've gotten all these crazy emails from people who don't know what I do or my reasons and ultimately my reasons are not for them. The fact is, no human being is perfect. We all have out faults, we also will disagree on many things. If what another person is doing isn't your bag that's cool. Move on. If it's not hurting you it's all G. Live and let live. Don't attack another out of lack of understanding. Work to build. We do work that empowers people. I'm about freedom, justice and equality in all things.
SVM: How did you come up with the concept for the video?
Hasan Salaam: A lot of my videos are heavy on concepts and story lines. I wanted to strip it all down to the word and the performance. The backdrop is Hudson County, New Jersey - my home. The classic '68 apple-red Caddy is my dude Chris's. He's been working on it for years and we had said to one another that it would be dope in a video. The song is a statement and that car makes a statement in itself as well.
SVM: What separates you from the average emcee?
Hasan Salaam: I'm honest. My music is all me. I'm not out here to make some superhero image. I'm here to be me. I have many different zones I operate in which are as unique as my sounds. Every bar, every breath means something. There's intent, conviction and purpose.
SVM: If you had the power to change one political issue in Washington. What would it be?
Hasan Salaam: I would actually put the power in the people’s hands. This is a representative democracy - it's not a true democracy. This country is run by banks and corporations, not the people. That will change. You can tell those who hoard the power are afraid of the people. Everyday more and more people are getting fed up with this hypocrisy and are ready to do what it takes to change it. Can't have a revolution without evolution. It's happening.
Follow Hasan Salaam on Twitter @hasansalaam
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hasansalaammusic
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