Here in Part 1 of THIS INTERVIEW with poet Masaki Takahashi, he talks to us about his love of hip-hop music, joining All Of The Above CREATIVE and the idea of bringing a poetry slam to “Downtown Traffic Jam!” in Lansing, MI.
THIS: Masaki, you were recently announced as a new member of AOTA CREATIVE! How did you come to join the organization?
Masaki Takahashi: I have known Ozay for a while. I have known Sareem Poems, James Gardin, Jahshua Smith and a whole lot of people from AOTA for a while and our beliefs of building community align. Ozay and I went to get lunch just to hang out and bond. I think we are both trying to build bigger and saw this a good opportunity for both of us.
THIS: We agree it’s a good opportunity. So, tell us, how are you hoping to contribute to AOTA?
Masaki Takahashi: I am dope. AOTA is dope and we are going to do dope things.
THIS: That’s a very “Kanye West” answer! The dope will do as they do! Okay, tell us about a time you saw hip-hop impact the life of someone you care about.
Masaki Takahashi: I grew up a hip-hop head. I used to write raps all the time and kick freestyles all the time in the [school] hallway. My best friends were B-boys and it just helped us bond because we were the outsiders. We went to a school with primarily White upper-middle-class children and we were minorities who didn’t have it like that. Hip-hop gave us confidence and stuff to do. Dancing and rapping are free.
THIS: Of all of hip-hop’s elements, which one speaks to you most?
Masaki Takahashi: I love rap! Notorious BIG’s ‘Life After Death’ album was the album that really made me love it like no other. By the time I was done with Disc 1 I knew I loved hip-hop. I got ‘Life After Death’ around 2001, then Jin soon came out killing everyone on 106 & Park. That really got me into writing and rapping.
THIS: Were you at the Rakim concert at The Loft on Valentine’s Day to witness that instant-classic AOTA Crew performance?
Masaki Takahashi: That crew cut was bananas! That camaraderie was authentic and the love for each other was real. It really made me more comfortable in saying yes to being part of AOTA when I have been a lone wolf for so long.
THIS: Ozay Moore recently teamed up with The Corzo Effect for a “Downtown Traffic Jam!” performance. You’re an entertainer; given the opportunity what kind of set would you put on at the “Jam”?
Masaki Takahashi: Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make it to Ozay’s performance. I heard it was dope but I guess I don’t expect anything less. I would love to have more slams. The slam culture is really missing in the Lansing area. That would be my “Jam”. |THIS
[Written by Mr. Joe Walker | Follow THIS on Twitter @THISENT1]
