Phillip Morris

How do you think the role of musician / entertainer has changed in our generation? What's the difference between the two these days?

I think that in our generation, to a certain extent, we have to be relatively business savvy and also multitask a lot more. Not that musicians weren’t doing this before…but nowadays I feel like it’s more prominent. Promoters, Managers, Booking Agents, Graphic Designers, Recording Engineers….all that in addition to writing and performing music. You see a lot of artists doing more of this themselves.

As far as the difference between a musician and an entertainer….i think it takes a lot more to be a musician than an entertainer. You can be entertaining and not have a lick of musical talent. Just turn on the radio or MTV, you’ll see plenty of examples. I feel a real musician has the ability to put their heart into a song, and really make you feel/believe it. They give the listener something to think about besides a catchy hook and inspire the artists that listen to make better music. Overall, I would say substance is the main difference.

Do you feel like you're part of a particular musical movement or wave? Was it a conscious decision?

I definitely feel like I’m part of a movement of artists who bring a lot of originality to the table and aren’t afraid of what people think. Artists who aren’t happy with the current state of music, and want to do their part to actively change it. Also change people’s ideas of what good music is while sharing personal and political truths. Whatever that movement is called, I think I’m a part of it. I don’t really think was a conscious decision….as much as it was an evolution. I used to be a lame rapper.

If you could choose your own record label, past, present, or future, what label would it be?

I would’ve liked to have be a part of either Cash Money or No Limit Records when they first started getting big, as I would love to see myself on an overly gaudy album cover with busty women and photoshopped bling.

Rank these 5 things in order from best (1) to worst (5)

Snow cones – the delicious icey treat - Definitely #1, delectable and refreshing. I wish I had one right now.

Moon Boots – the nickelodeon toy product - #2, Two words. Napoleon Dynamite. Anything associated with that movie is downright awesome.

Chutes & Ladders – the board game - #5, I dunno if it’s just because the first time I played this game was as an adult, but this is the most pointless shit ever. Frustrating as hell. I would rather let my child play with an open bottle of Oxycontin.

Ladder 49 – the film starring John Travolta and Joaquin Phoenix - #3, I didn’t think I would like this movie, but it actually turned out to be a relatively enjoyable experience. But not as good as the movie “To Die For” when Joaquin Phoenix hooked up with his teacher. (And that was fashionable years before Dawson’s Creek yo.)

40 year old virgin – not the movie, the real ones - #4 Ouch. This situation could lead to pent up aggression, frustration, excessive masturbation (not necessarily a bad thing), mockery by your peers, and a plethora of other problems. Yet on the flipside, there are advantages to holding out this long. These advantages include clearer field of vision in the decision making process, and lack of herpes. Fortunately for me, I’d rather have cold sores than a bruised ego.

Who would you most like to do a song with?

Saul Williams.

Have you gotten to meet any of your musical heroes through being in the music scene?

I met Sean Paul once at Exedus. Oh wait, he’s not my musical hero. Ummm….i did actually meet Saul Williams, but that was before I got on the scene. Shit. Since I’ve been on the music scene….no.

If you could be a super hero, who would you be?

Gambit from the X-Men. I always thought he was the shiznizzle.

Any great stories of crazy fan mail?

No, but I did manage to have phone sex with my #1 fan. True story.

How has being a musician changed your everyday life? Or has it at all?

I find myself involuntarily rhyming words I see on signs & billboards a lot. I’m usually a lot more tired since I perform quite often. On my days off, when I haven’t performed the night before, I try to wake up early because I feel guilty if I sleep past 11am. People seem to want to talk to me now, and hear what I have to say. That’s odd. I had to change my phone plan to unlimited minutes and text messages.

How can people get your last album? What's the story for the new one?

My last album can be bought on my blog at http://addictionhasitscosts.blogspot.com or on my Myspace page at http://myspace.com/phillipmorris It’s also on iTunes, Napster, and Sony Connect. The new album will be out this winter. You should buy it. Or pirate it if you can’t afford to buy it.

Shout outs, plugs?

My children Malik and Imani, my Mom & Sister, Toni, Awdazcate, MPLS Henrys, Agents of Change, Lower Class Odyssey, Maggie Kubley, Phero, Dubasaurus, Greenthumb, Virga Trollyp, John Strand & Main Street Minority, Tomorrow Music Orchestra, Lilianna Zofia, the entire Q4 crew, all my Chicago people, all my Oneonta, NY people who took part in the Sake Club Walkout of ’08, Ryan Kaye @ Sacred Cow, Kevin Booth, Aaron Russo (R.I.P), all the people who lent their talents to this album and upcoming projects, everyone who has supported my music & shows, and to all the other ones that I missed. Sorry, I had to truncate.