Last Cabal is a hip hop fusion group comprising of musicians from both New Jersey and New York. Their members include vocalist/producer Darryl (NJ) , producer/ saxophonist Mark (NJ), producer Gohda (NJ), guitarist/backing vocals Mike (NY) and bass/ Chika (NJ) : along with producer/vocalist Sabotaj (NJ) producer AR80 (IL) and vocalist December Ross (NJ) the collective creates a sound encompassing hip hop , jazz , funk , rock and electronica music.
1.) What elements and/or characteristics made you say to yourself that you wanted to do music for a living? Who are your influences/heroes/role models?
Darryl: The overall joy of just creating and bringing sounds and emotions to life.
2.) If you could compare yourself to an already established artist, who would that be and why? If you don’t like to compare yourself, then music-wise, what separates you from other musicians?
Darryl: Influences are all over different genres and inspiration as Mike likes to put it as “Yes. Like Kanye making a meal for Tribe Called Quest, using seasoning put out by The Roots.”
3.) Everyone in life goes through adversity of some sort. Is there anything in your life that has any influence on the kind of songs you write? What is the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure on your path to becoming a musician?
Mike: Adversity, as it relates to song craft… When I believe in lyrics, vibes, genre-bending that aren’t convincing enough to my peers/scenes for their support, it makes me more competitive. It makes me want to prove myself via reactions from strangers. It makes me not want to impress non-supporters; simply to get reactions from people who are bored from the unsurprising fodder many people suckle. Unadventurous attitudes may find new sources of inspiration and new ideas: Kuwaiti melodies; Bulgarian folksongs by women; mixing world creations into a salad of R&B, Rap, Metal, Ambient and Pop. Like a sauce of surprise and familiarity on one’s favorite food.
4.) Unfortunately the music industry is full of talented individuals who just don’t get any recognition for their talent and/or work. What do you plan to do to make sure you stand out and get noticed?
Mike: We will get noticed by bringing all our unique and similar tastes together, to bring peeps our way; by not giving up like most do. And mostly, by satisfying listeners. If you can’t do that, changes are needed.
5.) Would you rather be on a major label or would you rather stay independent? Why or why not? In regards to the music industry itself, do you think that the traditional music industry model as we know it is dead?
Mark: I feel like it’s in most artists best interest to have as much creative and artistic control and freedom over their own music. Personally I feel that it’s easier to have that freedom and control by staying as an independent artist for the most part, with the exception of a few select artists who get pushed hard by their label. For everyone else who might have had success back then, the old model isn’t gonna work.
6.) How do you think the internet and social media affected the music industry and how musicians are able to market themselves?
Mark: Technology and social media have given the artist ways to reach different groups of potential fans that they might not have reached before. Also, it’s given the listener an easy way to have an unlimited musical catalog. So a musician can advertise, market and sell their music in a way that there is a potential to reach more of the world than in the past, but since the listener has so many more options than they used to, it may take a little longer to get a good following.
7.) Social media is obviously an extremely important element in today’s world, especially when it comes to business, branding, marketing, etc. With that being said, do you think an artist will be able to survive in today’s music industry if they’re not social media savvy?
Darryl: I feel like not just musicians but a lot of how our art is consumed will reach a shift. Think about it most advertising dollars are being re-allocated to YouTube influencers, streams now count for album sales a lot of everyday life is going to be switched up within the next 10 years maybe the next 10 minutes (joking but serious). To add to what Mark has touched on with labels seeming on the decline social media is a must in the current climate. Maybe North Korea has an EMP that will change that but until then we’re on a crash course with social media being a part of the way of life.
8.) Artists who try to make music for the general public and make more money are usually seen as “sell-outs.” Do you see it that way and if so, what do you plan to do to make sure your music stays true to your brand and make a good living at the same time without having to “sell out”?
Darryl: It does depend what got this person into music to being with. We all as humans want to improve our living situations be it financially or emotionally etc. On one hand some look at some artist out today and question some of their integrity however someone as great as a Young Jeezy who’s well respected in hip hop made it clear what his driving force which is to monetize off of music but also give a voice the disenfranchised. However there are artists like Kenny G when it comes to jazz (who is the highest selling jazz artist) may have the net worth to eclipse such the likes of John Coltrane but like you mentioned one is a “sell out” however the other is a complete God in the sense of the genre. I personally see it as are you sticking to your true intentions. If you make it known or put your self in a position to make money over all like Kenny G or make the best music and push envelopes within genre borders like a Coltrane or do both like a Young Jeezy ; intentions should be made clear from the jump.