Apathy, a 24-year-old Connecticut based emcee, already enjoys a large underground hip-hop audience and is about to break into mainstream with his recent signing to Atlantic Records. Many consider him the next big thing, including the May issue of URB magazine, which put him on the ‘next: 100’ list. Along with Celph Titled, Louis Logic, Open Mic, Rise and others he is part of The Demigodz crew and has also been featured on many tracks including ‘Playin’ With Fire’ by Styles of Beyond. He recently dropped his double-disc CD "It's the Bootleg, Muthafuckas! Volume 1”, which includes previously recorded tracks now digitally re-mastered and some re-recorded. It’s a great collection for those already existing fans and excellent way for those who haven’t heard of him to catch up.

Nat: This past September you dropped ‘It's the Bootleg, Muthafuckas! Volume 1’ - tell me a lil about that? What can someone who hears your tracks for the first time expect?
Ap: The Bootleg CD would give someone a good look at my evolution. As far as what I first started doing, and the progress I’ve made. It's pretty much all my underground stuff. Everything I’ve really wanted to do.
A big misconception kids have is that I used to rap scientific and complex then stopped, and started rapping about girls and shit. That's incorrect. I have songs like "Live at the Playboy Mansion" and "Hip-Hop Groupies" that I either wrote before my debut with Jedi Mind Tricks or at the same time. I've always kept a balance and did multiple styles. Simple songs about sex and shit or complex metaphysical, battle shit. Just whatever I felt at the time.

Nat: What is going on with your Atlantic records release? When are you planning on releasing it?
Ap: I'm planning on releasing it as soon as possible. It is my first impression to the world, so I really need to make this as perfect as I can. I don't want to rush it at all. The first single/EP was supposed to drop in Jan./Feb., but that's being pushed back. Reason being is: I want more time to work on the album. If we drop the single, it sets everything in motion, which cannot be stopped. So I don't want to feel forced. I want the timing to be on point. I want room to wait for Premier's beats. I want room to tighten up lyrics that I’m not happy with.

Nat: Who are some of the other producers/emcees you are working with on that?
Ap: Well... a majority of the production is coming from an up and coming producer that I met in Providence RI named "8TH". His beats are nothing short of amazing. Myself, Chum the Skrilla Guerilla, Celph Titled, EZ Elpee, DJ Khalil, and hopefully Primo. I recorded to an Alchemist beat, but I don't know if it’s going to make the album yet. Hopefully it will; the shit is crazy.
As far as emcees, I’m trying to stay away from big flashy guest spots. I'm gonna have some Demigodz on there. Definitely Celph, Rise, Esoteric.... I’m also bringin' up this cat who I roll with everyday. His name is Emilio Lopez. He's already on two tracks on my album, and I wouldn't be surprised if he gets on another. This kid is ridiculous. There will be a few more surprises, but too early to say.

Nat: To quote Jay Z “I dumbed down for my audience to double my dollars”. What would you say to your die-hard fans that are hoping that you wont do the same? How do you plan to balance it all out?
Ap: Like I mentioned earlier, about the bootleg CD. I've always had "simple" material. There is nothing wrong with simple songs. It's how well the songs are written. I refuse to not be clever. I need be clever and show off my lyricism. Some flows will be simple, some complicated and crazy. It depends on what the song calls for, and what mood I’m in.

Nat: What is currently going on with The Demigodz? Anything coming out soon?
Ap: Yeah, we're actually planning on dropping a 12" within the next 4-5 months. Hopefully sooner, but honestly I doubt it. It's coming though. Rise is working on his album, and I'm about to send him a beat CD in the mail this week. I produced Wickedest Flow for him, which I consider a classic. He killed it. So I wanna do something dope with him again. I'm definitely gonna give him something crazy. Spin 4th is dropping a single soon. 7L & Esoteric are working on their new album "Bars of Death". Celph and I are working on an Apathy & Celph Titled album right now, that will be released in the UK, but will probably make its way over here. Check www.demigodz.com for any updates.

Nat: Who are some of the artists you would like to work with in the future?
Ap: This is gonna be a weird list, and keep in mind, that this is the future, once I establish myself: Jay-Z, Pharoah Monch, Gang Starr, Ghostface, Slick Rick, Lord Finesse, Little Brother, Jadakiss, Brother Jay (of X-Clan), The White Stripes, Ludacris, Redman, Mary J Blige, Nas - on some Illmatic type shit. I don’t know, alotta different people.

Nat: What advice would you give to emcees trying to break through?
Ap: It's very difficult right now. The whole music industry is over saturated. Being that there is new home recording technology, any two bit asshole from east bumblefuck to Compton can record, press a CD, and sell it on the net. Everyone wants to be the next American Idol, win an MTV rap battle or get signed and blow up. There aren't as many fans as there are "aspiring emcees". It's not like back in the day when you had to travel, record in real studios, press shit up, find distributors. I mean, you hafta do those things to be successful anyway, but there is a lot more water that’s been added to the mix.

Nat: Since P stands for poetry – who is your favorite poet?
Ap: Hmmm, probably William Blake. You can tell David Axelrod was a big Blake fan. Most of Axelrod’s albums and song are based on William Blake poems, like Songs of Innocence, Songs of Experience, The Mental Traveller, Holy Thursday, A Divine Image, The School Boy. All of those are William Blake poems that Axelrod took for names of songs, and probably inspiration. William Blake is real serious.

Nat: You are most famous for your freestyles – what is your favorite or most memorable line that you dropped while freestyling?
Ap: I was in a battle that J-Zone was hosting and there was a girl in the front row with a tight shirt. I said something like "my raps are harder than that girls nipples". It sounds stupid now, but at the time it was funny as hell. Everybody went nuts and was crackin' up. The girl turned sooo red, I thought she was gonna pass out. I've said alotta funny shit. I never really took it too serious.

Nat: What inspires you?
Ap: Different things. If I hear a dope emcee, or a song that could make me wanna do something better or as dope. Certain moods I’m in, or things that happen in my life.

Nat: For our female readers let us know if you are in a relationship? Seeing anyone?
Ap: HA! That’s funny shit. I'm not really in anything right now. There is a girl I really like, but we have conflicting schedules and we're pretty far away from each other. Maybe one day. I'll hafta be "patient" and see. I was in a real long-term relationship a few years back, for 5 years. So I’m just getting used to being single.

Nat: Despite the risk of sounding like match.com what are you looking for in a girl?
Ap: Physical attraction has to be there or else you'll wind up just being my friend. I tend to date girls that look Italian, Spanish or Middle Eastern. I don’t know why. I guess that’s just what I’m attracted to. I need a well-read, intellectual female. A sexual freak and someone who's faithful.

Nat: Not to sound too morbid but if you died tomorrow what would you want carved in your stone?
Ap: Learn from your mistakes, and the mistakes of others. But the mistakes of others first, if possible.

Nat: What is one thing that people don’t realize about you and you wish they would?
Ap: Ummm... I'm not too concerned with what people think about me. I'm not saying that to be a cool guy either. I'm just really at peace with myself. There you go - I'm at peace with myself. Have a ball with that information. I don’t care what people think. I have knowledge of self. I know who I am. I know what my life was like. Other people don't. I'm a positive and negative person. I balance. I contradict myself. I make mistakes, and I’ll do it a million times before I die. Honesty.

Nat: What is blowing up your speakers lately??
Ap: Black Album, still. Every Jay-Z album gets constant rotation. Alotta old shit - Gang Starr Hard to Earn, Jeru Sun Rises In The East. Illmatic is the most important album I own. That is listened to everyday, and if not, every other day. I have never ever gotten sick of that album. That album is perfection to me. X-Clan, White Stripes, Rooney, Monica, Mary J Blige. Every Ghostface album; and for some weird reason, I’m listening to 7L & Esoteric Soul Purpose CD more than ever.

Nat: When can fans expect to see you live – I have heard something about a tour coming up?
Ap: There was supposed to be few tours I was going to go on, but I wanna wait till I’m done with the Atlantic album.

Nat: Thank you for your time. Are there any finals words for our readers?
Ap: My album that’s coming out on Atlantic is going to be called "The Bearer Of Bad News".

For more info on Apathy and The Demigodz please visit http://www.demigodz.com/