Eternia - The E-Peat
Angelica LeMinh goes into the locker room with one of the only 3-
time Shotgun Reviews’ champion interviewees, Eternia (Miz Green Eyes), who still holds one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios to date. Following the NBA’s groundbreaking lead, The Lyrical Lounge has annointed a Canadian MVP.
ALM: So, you’re DJing with Prince Paul and shit. What’s your libation of choice on and off the decks?
MIZ E: Aww man, everyone who knows me knows it’s Bacardi Gold rum and coke, though recently I been switching to Grey Goose. Not because I like Grey Goose more, because I don’t, but Jean Grae once told me personally that “dark liquor is a no no”. I agree, but then again, maybe all liquor is a no no.
ALM: I love that you haven’t forgotten your home (sweet Screwface) on your whole Underground From Canada journey. Did it take moving away to really feel it?
MIZ E: Yes. Anybody that claims that Canada doesn’t have an identity, that “Canadians” cannot be typified, is dead wrong. Or they just haven’t moved away. We most definitely have our own identity and it is uniquely ours. I miss Canada, especially Toronto, too much to fully express on any track.
ALM: You sound a little less angry on this one, more like you’re coming into your own?
MIZ E: I’ve been experimenting a lil’ more with taking myself less seriously and doing funny stuff (like “Throw Some D’s”). I think my first album was very serious, and I didn’t do it intentionally, but that’s just who I am. It was a hard listen, unless you like serious stuff. “The Setup” is more lighthearted. Slightly. Ha.”
ALM: Can we talk about the “final 15?” Are you feeling the pressure image-wise?
MIZ E: It’s the “final 10″ now! (smile) I’ve always had a healthy self-image. Unfortunately, certain sizes don’t translate well on film. I’ve been happier slimming down a bit. The U.S. definitely made me focus more on “image”, since people care more about that here than actual talent, as evidenced by the amount of garbage acts/non-singers that are in the spotlight here.
ALM: The shoutouts on the set-up (I don’t dare call it a mixtape) show that you’re hella-connected, what’s your bizness secret as an artist?
MIZ E: I mean, living in NYC will do it. Living in NYC and being a somewhat attractive chick at hip hop events (laughs). I hate to say it, but I’m sure those shoutouts have very little with the fact that I rap, although I wish I could say differently. I’m just telling it like it is. I’m not gonna pretend, like 90% of people in this business do. That is really what it is. That is what the “industry” has come down to.
ALM: Rap at me about a day job and citizenship papers, let your fellow Canadians how to work their way south.
MIZ E: If you’re an artist, look into the American Federation of Musicians (www.afm.org), it’s like a union for musicians. Once you become a card-carrying member of AFM (I’m in the Toronto Musician’s Chapter), you can apply for a P-2. Ps are a type of work permit that allow artists to perform in the U.S. You just line up shows, get contracts from promoters, submit it all to AFM with a few other details and call it a day. AFM is wonderful.
ALM: The “leave a message” motif reminds me of that Jade album (”we’ll get back to you, to you, to youuuuuuuu“) from back in the day. Reflections on the early ’90s and how the mainstream used to be shows like The Fresh Prince (look at the episodes now, they were actually quite political) and Arrested Development (the band, not the show). Nowadays, it’s “reality” shows and fake rapper face-offs, why do you think that shift happened?
MIZ E: I don’t know. I wish it didn’t shift though. I wish I could provide a better answer, but I’m lost on that one, just like you. I’m not the only person that feels that I woulda done really well…ten years ago. Fat beats, Rawkus, conscious hip hop/lyrical days (sigh). Anyways….I did own that Jade record though. ’90s R&B (Xscape, Aaliyah, Mary, Jodeci, Silk, Shai, H-town, etc.) makes me very, very happy.
ALM: Hip hop “beef” is not even secretly about record sales anymore, are you in favour of going vegetarian?
MIZ E: The industry as we know it is dying. Who knows what will emerge from the ashes? I do not believe in the industry. I have no faith in the biz. And unfortunately, music making has taken a backseat to the biz. Ringtone deals are more prevalent than album deals. What does that tell you?
ALM: You’re based in NYC, and like Nas, you write…I’ve never asked you about “hip hop is dead” so I’m asking you now…
MIZ E: The whole concept of hip hop being dead is retarded. As I wrote in the liner nots of my first album, hip hop is a culture and cultures don’t die, they evolve.
ALM: BK hip hop festival vs. Rock the Bells?
MIZ E: I didn’t go to either (ducks). But I would pick Live at the BBQ anyday. WoooHooo. P.S. I’m a fan of anything that’s free.
ALM: Your thoughts on the green eyed monsters, money and jealousy.
MIZ E: My thoughts on money are: “I sure would like to have some”. I ain’t been to the dentist in 10 years because of no money. That’s no joke, but don’t get it twisted though, my teeth still nice, I just wanna get ‘em cleaned, shieeet (flashes pearly whites). Wanting money is not selling out. Wanting money is called “growing up”. Doing things against your being for money is selling out. Common doing a GAP commercial is not selling out. Come on, let’s be honest, he raps like that and looks like that on a regular basis. That was him “keepin’ it real” for him. Common doing a commercial for the NRA would be selling out (chuckles). People just don’t get it. Jealousy? I don’t know much about that. I think it’s a trait that shows weakness, but I’m envious sometimes. In a happy way, like “Awww, you guys are such a cute, happy couple. I wish I knew what that was like.” But to combine the two, I’ve never been envious of people with money. Ever. I think their problems are greater than my own.
ALM: Do you want to have babies?
MIZ E: No. And I recently had my palms read. There are no babies in my future. I could be a spokesperson for advocating birth control. One of my biggest pet peeves is women who don’t want or can’t have kids at a certain point in their lives, and don’t do shit about it (ie. birth control). There are too many options these days. Not having money isn’t even an excuse anymore, they’ll GIVE you birth control for free, even in the U.S. There’s non-hormonal birth control, like the IUD for ladies who have complications with hormonal drugs. No Excuses. Get with the program. Sheesh.
ALM: Part of independance is growing to learn how to lean on others. What are your demons and what is your support network?
MIZ E: I have too many demons to list. I’m sure that by listening to my music, most people can fill in the blanks. It’s all there, open book style. My support network at this point is my family. My grandparents, my parents, my sisters and brothers, my uncles and aunts (especially my aunts). I also pride myself on having incredible female friends. They are few and far between, but some of the best women on the planet are in my circle. They make me strive to be a better me. They inspire me. They put me in check. I love them.
ALM: What do you really think of Nelly Furtado? If Timbaland called you tomorrow, would you do it?
MIZ E: Yes. In a heartbeat. Any artist would be absurd not to. He’s one of the best. The only issue I have with Timbaland beats is that they sometimes have “rails” (thanks Ant, for that one). Rails, like it’s hard to go creatively outside of the rails, you have to stick within a certain flow or style. I think Ms Jade’s album reflected that. I think she was capable of a lot more, but Timbaland’s beats limited her. Regardless, I would still do it. Eff all that other shit.
ALM: Since your spot’s been blown about your government name (that’s right, I listened to that bad boy) give me two new truths and a new lie.
MIZ E: Ken Starr is funny. Ok, here goes: I don’t date rappers (no mo’). I don’t date men (no mo’). I don’t date. period. (no mo’). HAHAHAHAHAHA. Have fun with that.
Werd. It doesn’t sound to me like anyone here is “pussy-footing in this man game called rap”. That’s pretty straight talk, no chasers or Beyonce hooks necessarily (though they totally work on the joint!) It sounds like our favorite mademoiselle is feeling a bit disenchanted with the game, but she’s still going hard like Iverson on hurt ankles, struggling beauty-fully like Kweli. If it really doesn’t work out in the Apple, she can always meet this interview queen back in her hometown eighteen months from December to cheer on the Raptors.
