I have sort of a love-hate relationship with rap and hip-hop. I cannot stand over-produced mainstream hip-hop. It’s arrogant, juvenile, and musically bland to me. On the other hand, skilled lyricists, DJs, and producers have a special place in my heart. Jurassic 5, RJD2, Cut Chemist, Eminem, and even Twista are occupants of said place. Now they are going to have to make room for Connecticut’s Brash. Brash, aka Chris Rapple, is an unassuming yet extremely talented lyricist and producer. He has an intense yet accessible lyrical style; the beats are interesting and full of hooks without being overbearing.

Read our interview with Brash and feel free to download the two songs below.  Be on the lookout for his first album, Mind Flex, next year.

Artist/Band Name: Brash (Chris Rapple)

Year Formed: Professionally began in 2005
Brash by TwoGroove

1. Past: What is your musical background? What has led you to this point?

I had been in a bunch of different bands my whole life playing various instruments, but mainly I played the drums. No projects ever worked out. There’d always be someone in whatever band I was in who had a problem, and it would unravel. Around ’03, I was living in a house in Mystic Connecticut, and I just kind of started falling into hip-hop. I had always listened to rap music, but when I first met this group of kids, I realized that maybe I could rap myself. I was terrible, but I just stuck with it. I really thought that I was actually going to be a DJ when I first started in rap music. I had gotten a set of decks from a friend, and spent like, 7 million hours trying to figure out how to scratch. I can kind of pull it off, but I’m not DJ Syruz or Revelation. So, the late night battles and freestyles, and the turntables, and the coming-into-my-own, was through those years. My friend Travis named me Brash in 05, and even went as far as to put my name like that on a flyer. It stuck. The same year I was signed to an independent that had no idea what they were doing. Once this became apparent, I left. Looking back on that label situation, I was signed too early. I felt pushed into things that I didn’t want to do, and it left me, overall, with a bad taste in my mouth for all labels.

2. Present: Where are you at now in your career? What are you currently working on?

I’m finally starting to sound the way I want. I’ve made impressions on a few people in the underground, but I haven’t really tried to get signed, or do anything outside of just make art. I don’t really trust too many people and I’m trying to keep to myself until my album is done. I’m working the whole schematics of it myself business wise, and relying on the very talented ears of Colombeyond to get things the way they need to be. The dude is phenomenal and I’m glad I got to work with him earlier in his career. I’ve got a free mixtape by the name of Mind Warp that will be available for free download on Jan 12th, 2010, and an album called Mind Flex the following summer. I don’t specifically know when my album is going to be released at this time.

3. Future: What’s coming up for you? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I’m going to be a full-time artist and do the independent record thing. I’d like to help some other rappers get their careers off the ground, but mostly I need to get mine running first. I’m not far off, the music is where it needs to be.

4. Where can people find more of your music?

www.myspace.com/brashhiphop

Yeah, I know, the myspace needs an overhaul.
Music will be released on iTunes and all that too, this summer. Mixtape will be for free.

5. Anything you’d like to plug?

My buddy Blak Philly is bananas. We have such great chemistry on mics together, I really want to put out a record with him. He’s my brother right? NO DOUBT! Yea, that’s my ace. Shout outs to everyone helping me put this out… I’m really feeling the Problemaddicts right now. Those are hard working dudes who need their shine, and they’re dope! I’m actually going to be booking them for a show to help me celebrate this mixtape release. Shout outs to Young Cee, one of the dopest up-and-coming producers in the game! I’m also gonna have a party soon… not exactly sure when at this time, but it’s gonna be a little after the mixtape is up for free download. That’s the promotional apparatus…yea. Thanks for the interview!