Andy Mineo
The BoomBox: How does it feel to finally have the EP out?
Andy Mineo: It feels great man. A lot of hard work went into it. It’s really dope to see it come out and hit No. 1 on iTunes without any radio play, radio push. Without any big budget, for it to be what it’s doing right now on the charts is a testament to how dope my fans are and how much they support the music and the movement.
We spent about 10 days on it — five days in New York City, five days in Atlanta. We documented the whole thing at andymineo.com, so you can watch all the episodes of us working in the studio to make this album. It took about 10 days to make the music, then after that I spent a few days working on rhymes, getting the features in and work on stuff. It was done within a month’s time.
You said in a recent interview that a lot of Christian rap has been corny.
What is it about your music that doesn’t fit under that label?
I don’t really speak for anybody else’s music and I don’t think I should, but I think the reason why people enjoy my music is because there’s a level of honesty and transparency that people can connect and relate to. And there’s also a sense of hope that people find in my music that people gravitate toward. In addition to it, I think there’s a lot of effort and energy put into the details to make sure every project is excellent from top to bottom. The album artwork also caught my eye. What influenced the artwork?
How do you feel you differ musically in comparison to other upcoming New York artists like Bodega Bamz and Chinx Drugz?
I don’t know. I couldn’t really speak to those guys’ music. All I know is what I think separates my music from everything that’s out right now is the hope that’s found in it.
I think a lot of people are making music that shares their life experiences, and that’s what I choose to do too, but in my life experience I also choose to try to find the hope in the music, and I think a lot of it has to do with my Christian faith. It’s where I ultimately find solace and hope.Do you feel like the Christian rap label alienates some fans?
Well, I think labels are something that people use to help simplify artists. I don’t know. I think the label can be limiting, because it inhibits some people from giving it a fair chance to listen. But at the end of the day, I’m not going to label myself. If people want to label me something, that’s their choice, their opinion. But I just say, whatever you call the music, just be honest about it. If it’s hot, it’s hot.
Is there one song from the EP that you feel will really resonate with listeners over the others? I think songs like ‘All We Got,’ where I get personal about relationships and about where I’m at with my life.
I think when I show my vulnerability, people relate with that because they know deep down inside that they have vulnerable moments and they can really connect and identify with me on those things.
andy mineo is working hard
12 TAKE OVER / MAY 2014