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PRINSTON 'BEDROOM DREAMS' By Smalz
 Growing up, did you always aspire to be the successful artist and producer you are now? When did you commit yourself to music as a career? Firstly thank you for having me on your site and no, no way man. I was too shy to do any sort of oral or entertainment for that matter. I’ve always been in love with music though especially soul music from old timers like the Manhattans, O’Jays, Spinners and Luther, those kind of guys so I never imagined myself to be anywhere close to doing what I’m doing now. I started rapping with some friends of mine back in 1998 and we use to actually record on tape from deck to deck and just plug those cheap karaoke mic’s into the hi-fi with a mase beat playing on one deck lol. We went by Juvenile 031 then to cut a long story short I went on my own in 2006 and dropped an EP which I sold in the streets an to friends at work and just after that I went abroad. Since there are so many great Rappers, what determines who gets to the top? There’s different meanings of what “top” is. For others it could be how many awards and units sold that makes them feel they are at the top but for me it’s the mere fact of being blessed in my own way and doing what I’m so passionate about at my own pace. Yeah so I guess even at the top there are levels but what I believe that can put you on top of your own individual game is constantly working and pushing even when you don’t see results, just keep at it because when it all comes together it’s a beautiful thing and also your reason for doing this music determines how far you will get. A lot of rappers are in it for the wrong reasons. What artists inspired you too become involved with Rap music? What is your ultimate goal at the end of your career? Notorious BIG. That’s when I started doing my rap thing even though I never aspired to be a rap artist because I was always more a soulful kind of guy. But, when it came to writing raps I just had that backbone for it.The story telling and painting that picture came natural for me. We all wanted to be cool back then with the tracksuits, the caps, shiny baseball jackets and the jewellery and hitting the night clubs so that’s how I got involved with rap music. We started playing a lot in clubs around Durban like the old Zoom, The Gal, Another level, Harlequins and many charity fairs. It was crazy then. I met with a guy named Pedro Carlo round about 2002 and he got us into many shows like Spashy fen and Ja rule back in the days. I don’t really see the end of my career as yet because I still feel like a new artist and even when I do new projects I’ll still make it feel like its my first, so my goal overall is to put out music that makes you feel really good when you hear it and to just enjoy what I do and make as much money as I can while I can.  Do you feel like you have truly "made it," or do you still have a long ways to go? How will you know? Aah man, if only you knew. For me this is just the beginning of my career. People tell me that I’ve made it but I know that I haven’t. I just want to keep working to get bigger and better things since the sky is not the limit. I’ll know that I’ve made it when I can buy a car cash for my o’lady. What are some of your most memorable experiences where you believe you made an impression in the rap culture and its elements, or how you touched people’s lives? I don’t think that I have made an impression in the rap culture but as far as touching peoples lives, my music definitely has. The rap culture is not what it used to be so most times I feel like just being in my own lane and doing my own thing. In what way do you think the rap culture should be imparted or passed down to the next generation? Things have changed so drastically now. The internet has taken over completely so as far as the next generation is concerned I cannot say what direction hip hop will take. It’s evolving and changing though which is good and bad at the same time. The culture is growing so fast, more artists are getting exposed (including the wackness) which I think is great so In years to come it could be a catch 22 where its harder or easier for the next generation because already now all my work is done on my laptop from studio work to emails, graphics etc. Now everybody raps, everybody makes beats and everybody throws parties the list is endless so think 20 years from now. It could end up looking like a circus. As a Producer and Rapper, where do you think your depth lies? That’s really a good question. I didn’t choose to be a producer. I did it because I couldn’t afford studio time for the kind of project or beats I wanted so to be honest I’m not sure myself where my depth lies but what I can tell you is that I give them both more than 110%. Either way you will still get to hear the real me, if it’s not the production then it’s the lyrics and if not that then you’ll definitely like the hook. I’m very fussy about my work and I keep going back and forth on it (which is sometimes a bad thing, I know). It also became difficult for me then to explain to a producer how I wanted my beats to sound and also with my graphics that why I decided to do my own graphics as well. Tell us about your hit single “Closer”, why you decided to shoot the video in Florida (USA)? Well I already was there hustling at the time so I thought why not while I have the cash to do it and I also felt that not many South African artists shoot videos abroad. The vibe there felt perfect for the song and to have the video for Closer done there was a big deal for me since I’m independent. And jus to be in the clear, I didn’t shoot my video with trust fund money lol, that’s long hours of work right there. How has the response been so far in South Africa and Internationally? The response has been great man, especially down here at home…If you not in the states man your stuff is not going to pop. You need to be there doing the exact same thing we doing here in South Africa to make it there plus we talking different budgets. While I was in Florida though people really liked my single “Closer” and that’s how come I ended up doing shows there. My sound and style was different to the normal southern music that was being played there especially in Ft Myers. I’m planning on doing a southern tour in the US early next year, hopefully all our plans come together but for now I want to kill them with the sexy singles down here in South Africa. Your album ‘Bedroom Dreams’ you produced 90% of it, did you have a theme that you followed or wanted to capture a certain sound? Definitely, yes. This is more of an inspiration or motivational type album for myself and other upcoming artists out there. Hence the title “Bedroom Dreams”. When you look at the front cover, you can see that I’m chilling in my room, on my bed, and when you listen to my intro I talk about my album being made in my bedroom and how I’m going to make it. Basically what I’m trying to say is that you don’t always need expensive studios and equipment to make your dream come true. All you need is that vision or that dream and to believe in it never mind nobody else does, as long as you do, then it will come true, that’s what Bedroom Dreams is all about. What does ‘Bedroom Dreams’ possess in substance or sound, which will have listeners thinking about it months (or even years) from now? Longevity. I feel that my work is timeless. I say this because I have a single on the album that I wrote in 2001 and it’s still going blow peoples minds away now. For example my Closer single was recorded in 2007 and it still hasn’t reached its fullest impact. People will still be playing this song next year and I can guarantee that. What takes first priority for you, performing your music or producing it? Aye I have to say both…..music is a serious thing for me so I don’t cut corners anywhere.  Tell us a bit about Florida, how did the trip come about? Where did you perform there? I basically one day just quit my job and wanted to do music full time so I decided to go learn more about the culture there, network and come home with a better understanding of how to do things. Florida is really hot. You basically live in shorts and slops there and the AC is a must lol. It’s beautiful man especially Miami which is so much like Durban. I performed in clubs downtown Ft Myers. I did a performance for a reality show called Jackon Street in Club Level. A person who has never listened to your music, how would you describe it to them? It’s a smooth blend of Hip Hop mixed with R&B vocals. What has been the weirdest thing that has happened to you while performing? When I was still coming up back in the days my friends and I gate crashed a performance at a charity fair on Parlock grounds. It was buzzing at the fair and we were so amped to perform we always carried our backtracks with us. Anyway the “uncle” said it was cool if we went on stage. He hooked us up, there we are doing our thing all of a sudden the cops came rushing with their dogs and bounced us off the stage lol. But we did justice though, the people went mad for us. What special projects are you doing today you would like the world to know about? Right now we planning a National Tour and I’m also promoting my second single “Bad Boy”. People can check my facebook page ( Prinston Pdh ) for updates and details about the tour. I’ll be hitting schools, clubs and radio so look out for me because I’m coming tour your city. Facebook: Facebook.com/prinston Myspace: www.myspace.com/prinston Web: www.prinston.co.za Twitter: therealprinston  Views: 1456 views
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