A MINUTE WITH MISTER

DETROIT RAPPER AND VISUAL ARTIST MISTER IS RIDING THE WAVE OF HIS NEWEST ALBUM ON COLD RHYMES RECORDS, "APPROACHING LAND", A COLLABORATION WITH UK PRODUCER CURT CATARACT. MISTER TOOK A MINUTE TO CHOP IT UP ABOUT RAP, TOUR, WRESTLING AND OF COURSE SNACKS.

Smore Jesus: Congrats on the new record, how does it feel?

Mister: It feels really good. Curt and I have been simmering a large stew, and now I just want to make sure everyone eats.

SJ: I am a big fan of the nautical theme throughout the record. Can you talk about the meaning of the title “Approaching Land”?

M: Every producer that I work with evokes something different -- with Curt, it ultimately resulted in some very honest songs. When my depression gets bad, it feels like I'm trying to sprint underwater. I'm more effective on land.

SJ: For a number of years you were best known as a member of the rap duo Passalacqua, with fellow Detroit rapper Blaksmith, did you feel any pressure returning to being a solo artist?

M: Not pressure, no. But in Detroit, to get anyone to care about your music is a big feat. Things lined up in a way where Passalacqua became much bigger than either of us expected, and people today still point at me and go, "...Passalacqua?"

I did solo stuff before Passalacqua, but there were seldom Mister sets for about 6 years, so to essentially start over with the solo stuff, if anything, is a bit daunting.

Fuck it, y'do what y'gotta do.

SJ: On an average day greater or less than five cups of coffee?

M: Less. Two-to-three cups usually? Normal-sized cups. I think large coffees are unnecessary.

SJ: You have toured quite extensively in your career. Do you prefer being on the road or do you enjoy the home life?

M: Oh I like both. I think touring is essential, and I think you learn a lot about yourself and others when you're zig-zagging the country in a van (or a rental SUV) packed to the gills. Home is nice because I don't have to ask anyone what the WiFi is, there's clean towels in the bathroom, and I know where to find cheap breakfast burritos.

SJ: Do you have any favorite spots you like to go back to when you hit the road?

M: A glaring regret from the last tour was not ordering this terrible burger from Wimpy's Diner. I can't wait to go back to Canada so I can order one.

SJ: You have a diverse taste in music, ranging from Frank Zappa to Psychopathic Records, is there a particular artist or genre that had the most influence on your artistry?

M: It's an amalgamation of everything. Musicians, comedians, painters, authors, animators, editors ... they've all taught me something about what it is we're all doing.

SJ: Hogan vs Iron Sheik in 2019, who is your money on?

M: Sheik all day. Hogan can eat farts.

SJ: You and Height Keech have built a strong bond over the years, you guys even have a successful weekly podcast together, called “This Cold Rhymes Podcast”, how did you begin working with Height and how has working with Cold Rhymes Records influenced your work?

M: I've been a fan of Height's for years, and Passalacqua did a show with him in 2012, which led to a nationwide tour in 2015, and we kept working ever since. Dan is D.I.Y. to the bone, all the while maintaining a zen-like composure which is something I strive toward. Also, going back to the touring, I feel like I might not enjoy it if it weren't for Height steering the ship. If there was a maniac behind the wheel of that van I might consider playing The Old Miami until I'm dead.

SJ: As well as a rapper you are also a visual artist, are there any visual projects you have been working on we can look forward to?

M: I shot a video for L.A.Z. (Clear Soul Forces), a song he did with his mom. Mom's got bars! That should be out soon. And probably a lot more dumb videos on my facebook.

SJ: You’re on tour, you stop in a gas station In a random city, what snack moves are you making?

M: If I'm going in there with money to blow, I'd say beef jerky.

I always consider that the holy grail of gas station snacks, because I always want it, and then I see it's $9 a bag. For me, frugality is the name of the game.

I check out the bev selection -- if there's a regional pop, I'm going for it. Same goes for regional/weird chips (I think I draw the regional line at boiled peanuts). I tend to be more on the savory side, but if I saw they had Haribo sour streamers, I'd buy a few bags.

I will loop in and out of every aisle at least 3 times before I make my final decision.

SJ: I realize your album just came out, but is it too soon to ask if there is more new music coming?

M: Working on a couple things now... there should be at least one more release before year's end.

SJ: Sheetz, WaWa or Cookout?

M: Now, I was only introduced to Cookout this past June, but I can totally see it taking the #1 spot in the future. I want to try that watermelon milkshake. Until then, Sheetz is #1 -- familiarity, consistency, great snack/bev selection, all of it. I had a good WaWa experience the past few times I went, but no two ways about it, I'm a Sheetz man.

SJ: Is it true you created the rap sub-genre "aging man"?

M: It's very possible, though the idea isn't new. I think I only describe it as "Aging Man" because I am just that -- I look forward to hearing more Aging Person music in 2019 and beyond.

SJ: Where can people go to keep up with your work?

M: heyitsmister.com has links to all of my music/videos/shows/social media pages.

SJ: Any parting words?

M: No.

THANK YOU MISTER IT WAS A PLEASURE.

FOR MORE INFO ON MISTER GO TO HEYITSMISTER.COM, AND BE SURE TO CHECK OUT HIS NEW ALBUM "APPROACHING LAND" AVAILABLE NOW ON COLD RHYMES RECORDS