1. How did you get your artist/group name?
I had been swapping names over the years and just prior to me using my current moniker, I was just using the good ol’ government name. “sean IS…” is a representation of “Sean Israel”, which came into existence after I joined Calvary Revival Church in Norfolk, Virginia. We had a confirmation service where all of the new members were relayed a message from God through a visiting Bishop. What I received stated that God understood that I had been wrestling with life and that He would change my destiny and name, similar to the biblical story of Jacob wrestling with an angel and become “Israel”. I ran with that concept given the personal relevance and significance.
2. How long have you been in the music game?
I didn’t really get into the business side of things until around 2007, however I had been writing since about 1996 when I was in high school. From that point it was a journey of consistent writing, participating in freestyle cyphas, recording at home and in college dorm rooms, and distributing free mixtapes until I got to where I am now.
3. Who are your major influences in your music?
A lot of cats have played into my maturation as an artist. I am an avid fan of Jay-Z, The Roots, Royce the 5’9, Little Brother, Joe Budden, and many others.
4. Where are you from?
I am from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. I was born in Norfolk and resided there, in Suffolk, and in Chesapeake. I currently live in Woodbridge, Virginia.
5. How did you get into music?
I’ve always had a knack for creative writing and being such a rabid follower of Hip-Hop music it only seemed natural. I just kept writing over the years and began capturing rough recordings in college. Right after I graduated, I started recording at professional studios, releasing projects, and performing live.
6. What is your next upcoming project/performance and when?
Right now, I am working on a concept entitled “QUOTES & INVOICES” which is a series of verses that are birthed from songs that inspire me. They are spontaneous, quickly written, and made available for viewing via my website, Facebook, and Twitter. I am considering releasing a mixtape with the same title sometime in 2011. I have been on a self-imposed performance hiatus since June of this year and have turned down shows during that time. I should be back on stages soon.
7. Who do you have featured on your album/mixtape?
My latest EP entitled “Block Music 2”, which was released on September 28, 2010, features other independent artists including Charlotte, North Carolina jazz vocalist Nicci Canada, who contributed to “Joy”. Emcee Mr. Flave and singer Jazmyn Steel appear on “Higher”. Emcees Tonny Bennz and Muziq Head provided vocals for the chorus of “Ether”.
8. Who would you like to work with that you haven't already?
On the artist side, I would definitely like to work with Braille, an emcee from Portland who is signed with independent imprint Humble Beast Records. Production wise, I would like to see what I would create with Norfolk’s own Nottz. I am pretty much open to working with other creative individuals who are interested.
9. What is your favorite song on your album/mixtape?
My personal favorite on “Block Music 2” is “Ether”. That’s the opening song and I just felt comfortable letting loose on the production.
10. Who is your favorite artist/group?
My favorite solo artist is Jay-Z and group is The Roots.
11. What are some of the things that motivate you?
Failure and hope keep me driven. I have made a lot of mistakes in my personal life and being able to express them creatively serves as a way for me to constructively address them. The fact that I know things in all areas of my life will continue to get better gives me something to shoot for. Being that I am also a life-long visual artist, seeing well put together designs inspires meto create. Good music also motivates me on a daily basis.
12. What sets you apart from other artists/groups in your genre?
I have always been a visual artist first, so I feel that is reflected in my music. Even from a writing standpoint, I look at how the lyrics appear in conjunction with one another. I want my listeners to see something vivid when they press play. I don’t think I have a lot of flare and “swag”, but I have an authenticity and heart for lyricism.
13. What would you like to see from the music industry in the next three years?
The industry is the industry so I expect it to remain the same. It’s about capital and labels will continue to view artists as assets or liabilities. Now, I do like when established artists make well executed, ambitious creative turns that defy commercially accepted norms. An example of that is seen with Kanye West’s latest project. However, for the most part, my sights are on the independent levels of music, where artists can just do them without a puppeteer directing their steps.
14. In three words; describe your personality?
Creative. Moody. Ambitious.
15. In three words; describe your music?
Lyrical. Uncompromised. Uplifting.
16. How does your family & friends feel about your music and your choice of career?
My family and friends mostly understand my passion for music. It’s not my career but it’s far from a hobby and I believe they are as supportive as they can be.
17. Do you have any affiliations (label/team) or shout outs you'd like to give?
The first emcee collaborative I was a part of was Frontline with J-Legacy and Meta4, later leading to the creation of Frontline Movement Records, LLC. Those are two of the most skilled lyricists I know who also understand me as a person and artist.
18. What does music mean to you?
Music is simply art to me, a means of expression that can come across in a variety of forms. It can be a therapeutic thing for the creator and the listener. In the confines of Hip-Hop, I consider it urban poetry.
19. What advice would you give another artist/group?
I think that every artist should be able to look themselves in the mirror and be proud of what they make. Don’t lose who you are in the pursuit of supposed success. Value your art in spite of what others are doing.
20. What can we expect from you in the future?
As I mentioned before, I have been on a performance break so when the time is right people will once again see me live with new songs. Concept tracks and writings will continue to be distributed online, giving listeners insight on what I am working on. Ultimately, expect to see me combining recording and visual arts in a way that may have never been done before. The foundation is being laid now.
21. Where can you fans reach you at?
I can be found online in a number of places but the starting points are www.seanisrael.com and www.seanlmiller.com. You can also catch me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/seanlmiller.
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