Just Neema....

Neema isn't a newbie by any stretch of the imagination.  Actually, in most regards he's becoming a veteran and a legend in his own right.  He's been covered by Seaspot, has his own following, a presence on Myspace and even Gawker media's Seattlest blog has covered him. 

He's definitely coming up, but in speaking with Neema, you'll find out that there's more than meets the eye.  He blends confidence and braggadocio with a genuine sense of humility that gives one the impression that he's one of the few rappers today that is well-balanced. 

Seattle Slim: So Neema, anybody who knows anything about the hip-hop scene in Seattle has probably seen you on the streets hustling flyers or mix tapes or caught one of your well-reviewed shows.  What drove you to grind so hard?

Neema: (Pause) I don't really even think about it really I just go out there and I just....and I just do it.  Like really, I don't even think about it.

Seattle Slim: Real talk.  You've managed to work with big name artists like Petey Pablo who came out last Spring, so what's it like working with artists from major labels and what do they think of the NW hip-hop scene?  Have they given you any insight? 

Neema:  It depends on the artist.  Some of them do.  Like I would say, I can give you an example.  Like someone like Joe Budden he really pays attention to what goes on out here.  Like if you bring him out for a show, like he really pays attention to what's going on you know.  It just depends on the artist really. 

Seattle Slim: Speaking of major labels, is it true that you were just signed to the legendary Koch records? 

Neema: I got a distribution deal through them.

Seattle Slim: Oh distribution through them?  Okay... 

Neema: I got distribution for my next album through them, and it's coming out, right now we're looking at late April, early May release for the album. 

Seattle Slim: How did it feel to have Koch want to even do the distribution deal with you? 

Neema:  I'm not really even feeling a certain way about it.  I still have to put the record out and at the same time, I still got to market it.  I got to make sure this album does well because nowadays the music industry it's no handouts.  You really have to grind for it, put yourself out there...

Seattle Slim: So the recurring theme is that you're really hungry, is that how you got on their radar?  Did they approach you because of all your efforts, or did you approach them?

Neema: I signed a management deal with this company Twelve management with my guy B. Twelve and he's the one that actually brokered the deal.  I had really just been on the independent hustle up until that point.

Seattle Slim:  2007 was a lackluster year sales wise, with a few exceptions. Why do you think rap isn't selling that well?

Neema: I think it's all of music.  I'm not really worried about the whole industry, I'm worried about what I got going on and how I'm going to approach the game.  My whole thing is you know you got to connect with your audience; you got to connect with the fan base. That's I'm doing with the new album Neema: The Essence. 

Seattle Slim: Is there a part of you that feels pressure to go platinum or go gold? 

Neema: Actually that's a really good question because I'm kind of torn to be honest.  One side of me does want that and that's more because I'm from the town and I've been born and raised in the Northwest my whole life.  Naturally I want to see Seattle succeed.  I just want to do the best I can do.  I want to make the most impact that I can make. That's the biggest thing for me.  I don't really think about it because at the end of the day, I'm still a regional artist.  I'm more concerned with making sure my fan base in Seattle is happy, and making sure the northwest is proud of what I'm doing.  I can control what the people out here think of me, and as long as people are proud of me out here and how I represent the town, then it's all good.

Seattle Slim: Why hasn't the Northwest rap scene gotten the attention that those other regions have gotten?  Why haven't we gotten to that mainstream level yet?

Neema: We are on that level; they're just not giving us our due.  The media tries to downplay Seattle.  At the end of the day, the talent is there.  It's not the talent, cats are just sleeping.  To be honest with you, I don't care if they recognize or not.  I wasn't think about them before, so why should I think about them now.  If you see me do a record with somebody, that's because I admire the artist.  If you see me do a record with Joe Budden or Jagged Edge, it's because I'm a fan of their music you know?  I'm not out to kiss ass to the industry, or play a political game.  I don't care about the next rapper.  Don't get me wrong, if Budden called me tomorrow and was like "Yo, that was a tight song you just did," that would make my day, but at the end of the day I'm not out to please them. 

Seattle Slim: Last question.  It's a bit of trivia.  What's the best rap album of all time?

Neema: Jay-Z "The Blueprint."  Honestly, I bought that CD five times. 

I just want to say Seaspot's been showing me love honestly since the beginning of my career and I really appreciate it a lot.

Hit up Neema at Myspace.com/UnexpectedArrivalMusic or text him at 206-422-7622. 

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