Creed Chameleon
Friday - September 05, 2008
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The 411
This is album No. 2 for Kristofer Rojas aka Creed Chameleon, but only if you’re counting the shrink-wrapped and store-distributed kind.As an underground hip-hop artist, his lyricism goes back way beyond his first shelf release, Love Potion Cyanide.
“With Love, Potion, Cyanide, it was lot more rushed because I did that album in about six months,“says Creed, a Waipahu High graduate. “But with this album, SIQ Of Lazy, it was about a year and a half of work, so it’s a lot more detailed.”
Equally as personal as his first effort, SIQ Of Lazy jumps even further into Creed’s private life with the song, See You Again, which he wrote in memory of his father, who passed away when he was 18. Besides the heartfelt lyrics, the song is Creed’s first breakaway from the straight underground rap sound - incorporating singing and melodies beyond the rhymes with featured guest Lowie.
“I’m going to always do strictly hip-hop music, but I think dipping my hands into different genres is something I’ve always wanted to do,” says Creed. “I do this for personal pleasure.”
Selling albums is always nice, but for Creed and many of his hip-hop acquaintances, it’s about sharing your stories, doing what you love and expanding the minds of those who hear your messages.
Track No. 3, Perry And Price, is a straight-up anthem about all that is wrong with the world and Hawaii. It calls out the government and the blind eye it takes on issues that should be properly addressed, such as homelessness and health care, and pokes at the war.
“I kinda break down certain topics and issues that were always bothering me,“says Creed.“I wanted to add more fire into the arsenal to show and prove that the Hawaii hip-hop scene is alive and well.”
Looking to the future through the eyes of his son, all that is wrong is amplified in the mind of this 28-year-old. The album is a wakeup call to the people who are dragging their feet through life expecting change but not doing anything about it. Creed is no stranger to hard work, and he knows that’s exactly what it takes to make the impossible possible. It’s a message he learned from his dad and will pass on to his son.
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Q’nA
How did you decide whom you wanted to collaborate with on the album?
Well, my first album was pretty much a straight solo album; I only worked with No Can Do. There’s so much Hawaii talent that many people don’t see, so I wanted them to come on my album to kind of show what they can do.I had,like, ideas in my head, and that’s the reason why there’s a lot of collaborations. It wasn’t because I needed a fill-in, I really wanted these guys to be a part of it,because I wish I had that opportunity coming up. So I’m giving it to the people who I feel need and deserve that shine.
Do you have a favorite song on the album?
I like the last song, See You Again. It’s sentimental because I talk about my father.And that one was just a lot more fun, because I actually had someone singing. I’m a very harsh critic as far as R&B music,but I wanted to delve into a different level. I’ve always been considered as the underground hip-hop head. But I wanted to try something that could appeal to someone not heavy into hip-hop, and it was fun. It was heart-felt. I did a lot of editing on that. I actually made a version of that track way back in the day, and I’ve always had a hard time letting it out. I think it was because I wasn’t giving myself time to grieve for my dad. But now I can let it out. This track is one of my favorite songs.
What do you hope people take away when they listen to your album?
My whole point is for people to open their eyes and their mind, and just sink into something that’s different. In this album, it shows that hip-hop is alive and well.
Who do you think represents Hawaii well in the hip-hop realm?
I can honestly say Emeric from Flip the Bird Entertainment, and also the Lightsleepers camp. It’s those guys like Kavet the Catalyst who I look up to. I see them do their work. If I had to single out one, though, it would be Emeric or Tassho Pearce. He’s the only guy I know who has traveled and has been successful with his music, including working with a lot of Mainland artists, and also the fact that he has a successful clothing line. So big ups to him.
What do you do when you’re not working or doing music?
I spend time with my son, Adrian, a lot. He’s 4 now and just a sponge, absorbing everything. I appreciate my son being in my life because it tests my patience. So spending time with my family, working out and training. I’m getting into Muay Thai now, but just for training and staying in shape. I noticed that I was going down an unhealthy path, eating fast food and drinking, so I completely stopped all of that.
What are you goals?
I want to delve into my own business. I have other hobbies that I’m into as well. I love fashion and maybe want to get into clothing.I’m also into tattoos.But I’ve always wanted to have my own personal business and be my own boss.
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