S4H Interview with Frank Ramz

We kick off our interview series with up and coming indie artist Frank Ramz, from the Bronx, NY. Ramz has recently picked up buzz with his latest project titled “Make The Road By Walking” which has helped nominated him for an Urban Buzz Factar award for “Artist to Watch”.

DP: We’ve got some time today with Frank ramz so lets kick this off.   Introduce yourself to the people and explain a bit about yourself.

Frank Ramz: The names Frank Ramz. I’m a hip hop artist out the Bronx, but I’m bringing a totally different style than the type you would expect from your typical Bx, NY artist.

DP: How did you first get into rapping and what inspired you to start? Do you remember the first song that inspired you to begin your career?

FR: Mase! My friend/partner in crime G.P. and I used to take a Mase verse and make it into our own. Changing around a few words here & there, and ppl were digging it. That’s really what started me. The first song of his that inspired was of course his “Feel So Good” single. Back then I was in love with the shiny suit/pretty boy thing he had going on. Plus his lyrics and flow were on point!!!

DP: Ha nice, how do you feel about Mase and his mini comeback he looks to be mounting right now?

FR: I can’t call it as of yet. his “Best I Ever Had” remix was disappointing in my opinion. The joint he did over Trey’s song is good. And I actually like the new song that him and Cam’Ron have out now. But I need to hear him solo, something completely original.

DP: I’ll second that man. On the subject of other artists, if you had to name 3 artists that influence your style the most, who would it be?

FR: I would have to say Lupe for his intelligence. His refusal of ever dumbing down his lyrics. 2pac for his strong messages. He was so sincere and genuine and you could always hear the emotion and soul in his music. I’d honestly have to give the 3rf slot to the R&B genre . I know that’s not an artist, but the r&b genre has heavy influence on alot of my flows, melodies and beat selections

DP: We see you’ve been a busy guy, how many projects have you worked in the last year?

FR: In the last year I’ve put out 5 complete projects. All with mainly original production, concepts and choruses

DP: Damn, your workin hard. If you were faced with this situation what would you do: You’ve run into an artist you admire and you can only pass them one of your projects, which is it?

FR: Definitely I would be giving them my 4th project, *Falling Up*. That to me is the perfect project if you want to introduce someone to Frank Ramz. I showcase my lyrical abilities, touch upon various topics and you get to know me better. After listening, you’ll feel as if you REALLY know me! [Download - Falling Up]

DP: Your last and 5th project is called “Make the Road by Walking”, tell me more about it and what it means and how it all came about?

FR: I was actually watching a video clip of Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush’s photo shoot. In the background they were playing the original “Roc Boyz” sample which is “MTRBW”. I jumped up and looked into my *American Gangster* booklet to find out who originally produced it and it was the Menahan Street Band. I listened to each track off of their album on YouTube and I loved them all. Went to Virgin, purchased the LP, and began writing to each track as soon as I reached home.

Basically, we are all trying to make the road by walking. Along this road we will encounter setbacks and obstacles, but at the end of the day we have to keep pushing foward. On this project I talk about some of the personal obstacles that I have encountered myself, and I also talk about things that I’ve seen other ppl go thru. [Download - Make the Road By Walking]

DP: I’ve noticed the Medusa symbol (Wiki) makes it’s appereance in various places of your work like your blog and your mixtapes, what’s that represent for you?

FR: It started because I wanted my music to allow ppl to see life thru my eyes and my glasses are Versaci The Versaci logo is Medusa. So ppl who listen to my music are entering into Medusaville. When I’m making my music or in deep thought, I’m in Medusaville, and it’s only me and Medusa there. She became like a friend and guardian to me and whenever I get mad, her wrath comes out thru me

DP: Thats dope man, very interesting to see how you incorporated that into your work. Of the artists and producers you’ve worked with so far, who do you think has helped you most in terms of developing and creating your sound and style? or have you done it alone?

FR: Yes I’ve basically done it on my own. But Charlie Hilton’s production definitely helped to bring a different side out of me. To me, his production is epic, powerful, theatrical. I can listen to his beats and almost hear words on them.

DP: I think thats a powerful part of production, so its good to see you too have worked together.  Are there any artists  or producers you would like to work with in the future?

FR: I say this all the time, I want to work with Laueyn Hill. Also I want to work with Marina & the Diamonds. Production wise, I want to work with The Kickdrums, Ryan Leslie, Doctor Rosen Rosen & Timbaland.

DP: Hopefully you get the opportunity  to work with them. I see you’ve been nominated for an Urban Buzz Factor award for “Artist to Watch”, what does that mean to you to see that people are paying attention to your music?

FR: That was like the greatest day of this year for me man! I couldn’t believe it at first. Like, someone has been watching me and paying attention to the work that I’ve put in this past year. And I know how much effort, blood, sweat and tears that I put into this, so it was almost overwhelming! It makes me want to go harder and keep giving ppl good music. Something they can take, disect and appreciate. [Vote for Frank Ramz here]

DP: It’s always nice to be recognized for what you do, especially when it’s unexpected. Here’s some time for some selfless self promotion, go for it. Where can we keep up with you at? Twitter? Myspace etc?

FR: I’m damn near always on twitter at twitter.com/frankramz. You can stream a few of my tracks at myspace.com/mrfrankramz. And also you can download each of my projects at welcometomedusaville.blogspot.com

DP: Who’s not on twitter these days tho? ha. Alright man, appreciate the time. Keep working hard an we’ll check back with you in the future.

FR: Definitely man it was pleasure chopping it up with you. Anytime!

BONUS: Here’s a few select track to listen to before you download his last two projects ‘Falling Up‘ and ‘Make the Road By Walking‘.

The Winners of Losers (Falling Up)

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Traitor (Make the Road By Walking)

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Superhuman (Falling Up)

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One Response to “S4H Interview with Frank Ramz”

1. Welcome to Harmony | Sixty 4 Harmony says:

   July 18, 2009 at 11:48 pm

   [...] so that you may see what S4H will function like day to day. We’re kicking things off with a great interview with Frank Ramz and plan to bring you more interviews from your favorite artists in the coming [...]