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FINALE INTERVIEW


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Detroit’s Finale needed to live. Such a fundamental and basic idea often gets overlooked in the fast food mentality of popular culture. You can make music without something to say, but it rarely lasts. The records that stick with us are usually those with a deeper understanding of the complexities of life: every day choices we make, those selfish and selfless acts that comprise our daily existence.

His new album “Odds and Ends” captures those elemental contradictions. Produced entirely by Oddisee, it marks Finale’s return following a half-decade hiatus. In that span, the Detroit stalwart took a break to experience growth in his life. He came to terms with his place in the world, endured regrets, and wrote relatable stories about himself, and those around him.

On paper, this might sound like a sensitive mellow lazy summer record. The exact opposite is true. Odds and Ends hits like a pipe bomb. It’s as hard as the galvanized steel at the Motor City factories that used to employ Finale.

You feel the hunger pangs, the derision for fools, and the looming specter of death. This is hard-nosed, guard-your-grill, chop down the roster Detroit Hip Hop in serrated and raw form. As Finale says himself: forget all that extra shit, just spit.

The album is a record for the family that he gained and the friends, collaborators and leeches that stuck around when he didn’t have anything left to give. It’s for ones lost along the way while he tried to find something more than what he had to begin with. This isn’t the same Finale. Struggle and success seep through every word. It’s music on its own terms. He picked the mic back up and shut the competition down.

What are your earliest memories of music?
Buying a cassette tape of “Jewelz” and playing it so much I had to use a knife to get it out of my tape deck and skipping school to wait on the new Wu Tang Forever double disc Ha!

Who were your musical influences coming up?
OC, UGK, Bootcamp Clik, Dungeon Family, Organized Konfusion, Awesome Dre, Merciless Amir, Big Daddy Kane and the list goes on and on.

How would you describe the Detroit Hip Hop scene when you first started out compared to what it is now?
It’s more raw talent but less drive to be honest. I see a lot more groups actually going the distance which is great and new producers popping up. But when i first started nobody was afraid to step out on faith or show initiative in order to get their OWN fan base built up. Its just a case of going from not taking handouts to people waiting on charity. That’s just my opinion.

What are some of your most memorable moments from back when you were becoming a part of the Detroit Hip Hop scene?
Building with Baatin and meeting Dilla of course. Opening up for One Be Lo back in the day, working with Decompoze in his basement and dropping my first official verse as Finale on Dj Graffiti’s mixtape with the homey Warpath. I’ve met a lot of dope people in general so i never take ANYTHING for granted. The first time me and Invincible were introduced by Buff 1 from the Athletic Mic League is a big one too.

With such a rich history of dope MC’s how did Finale stand out from the rest of the pack?
I just kept going until I was considered a peer. Nobody could stop me from getting to the level I wanted but i knew that no one would invest in me unless i could show them I was willing to invest in myself. It was a long journey with a bunch of couches, basement studio’s, bullshit jobs and loyal friends who looked out for me. I don’t know how I stand out but I know that nothing matters but the music and creating it. I just want to keep growing as an artist, finding that pocket in the beat no one else can but still keeping true to the artform.

Your debut album “A Pipedream & A Promise” featured a who’s who of producers including Flying Lotus, J Dilla, Black Milk, Oddisee, Apollo Brown, Nottz, M-Phazes, Oddisee, Kev Brown, Khrysis, Waajeed and more. How did you manage to get such a list together to contribute to your project?
I just asked!! LOL nah for real every producer on that project was a natural organic process built through existing and mutual friendship. Everybody wanted that album to see the light of day because there was a mutual respect with every producer on the project. I just wanted to make something hopefully people could remember for a while.

After the release you went on a 5 year hiatus what made you make that decision and what brought you back to making music?
That decision to back off for a minute was solely based around my family. My wife told me she was pregnant right after I signed on with Mello Music for the Oddisee project and I knew then I had to devote time and energy into raising my son and being there with my wife. They deserved my time more than tour money or record deals. I didn’t have a father growing up at all so was my decision selfish? Hell yeah! LOL but i was hoping everyone would kinda sorta understand. Some did some didn’t but I have no regrets whatsoever because my family is the shit! LOL

Did you find it hard to get back in the writing zone?
YES especially after working a 10-12 hour day, raising a toddler and being married but when I sat down for a second I was able to use that stress as motivation. Once i figured that out, the words just started spilling out.

What made you choose to just work with Oddisee for the new album “Odds & Ends”?
I’m a big fan of Oddisee, his sound was changing at the time I was talking to Mello about the possibility of an album. I wanted to do something different and “musical” meaning more instrumental less BIGGER sounding beats which I’ve done before. I still want to do those types of albums but I’m in a somewhat experimental phase right now when it comes to music. I wanted to do a project where the producer could do his job and I could do mine. I think the project is an honest album about real life situations a lot of people can hopefully relate to.

What do you want listeners to take away from the album?
I want the listeners and supporters to be able to use this album at certain points as a mirror when you put it up against their own lifestyles. This album is an explanation from me to you about why i took the time my family needed. I think its a good album to come off a lengthy hiatus with and I’m amazed at the response and supporth thus far.

What are the main differences you have noticed in the music industry between the release of your debut and new album?
Not much has changed in the industry sound wise. I mean there’s a “yin” and “yang” , “good” and “evil” side to everything but i think both sides need each other and there’s a time and a place for every sound. When Pipedream and a Promise dropped DETROIT was waving the flag high and proud but now the shine is kind of diminished i guess. The talent pool is still deep as ever but the unity took a hit over the years and again that’s just my perspective. But Detroit is FINALLY getting some of its “Just Due” lol with all of the local rappers signed to majors and indie groups making noise out here.

How would you describe the Finale sound?
It’s comfortable, confident, compact, attentive and humble at the same time. I still have a lot to learn musically but I’m always trying to find my own way and sound. I guess my sound is risky but i want to be heard across the board not just in a specific box or section of hiphop.

For those not in the know what 5 tracks do you feel best represent Detroit Hip Hop?
Too many joints to name so we’ll just go with whatever pops in my head LOL

Slum Village “Fall In Love”
Phat Kat – “Don’t Nobody Care About Us”
Proof – “Broken”
Awesome Dre – “You Can’t Hold Me Back”
Elzhi “Boomerang Slang”

Who else do you want to work with musically and why?
Saukrates
J Rawls
Mick Jenkins

That’s just for right now the list changes daily but those names ring loud right now.

What advice would you give to aspiring MC’s?
PAY ATTENTION , stay humble and learn the basics before calling your shit a classic let me be the judge

What does the future hold for Finale?
good music, new sounds and more honesty and of course more music

What’s your definition of Grindin’?
Grindin’ is everything brotha. It’s a way of life you gotta crawl in the trenches before you can get your stripes. It takes real struggle for one to fully appreciate every blessing that comes your way.

Interview by Duggs