Great Neck, NY emcee AWOL Da Mindwriter and his production cohort JHershey have just released  their new album SEGA-AM2 which is packed full of hard but soulful beats and rhymes that don’t miss. The album is released via the 7EmeraldsMedia Label and follows the joint 2021 EP from AWOL and Hershey.

The duos latest release from the record is NBA Jam which is a host of 90’s nostalgia detailed in rhyme complete with a video (skilfully directed by LAKITU) which embodies the track perfectly and is filmed in grainy VHS resolution style for that proper 90s feel.

AWOL Da Mindwriter and JHershey took the time to answer our 10 Questions as we got an insight into both the rapper and the producer and their music.

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

AWOL Da Mindwriter: Hmmmmm…it all began in the 90’s for me. MTV, BET…even Hot 97 radio…back then was some of the realest hip hop you’ll never hear again in this era. My spark for music came when I was about 7. Remember the tv show “Doug” on Nickelodeon? The way he would have daydreams were almost similar to mine with me rapping, women in bikinis all around me, on a beach, big chain hangin’…’97 Puff Daddy steelo, you know? (Laughs). Slowed down when I got into middle school and wanted to pursue a career in graphics designing for SEGA…yes..I said it!..Then revived itself sometime in between 8th and 9th grade.

JHershey: I started making music because I've always been a huge fan of hip hop culture. I came up in NYC, so I was constantly exposed to the culture from a young age. My parents and older siblings had the Snoop Dogg Doggystyle album, Method man, and DMX albums so I was listening to hardcore hip hop early. Playing video games in the late 90s/early 2000s definitely made me fall deeper into the rabbit hole of underground hip hop and golden era stuff. Once I was teen I started getting into different elements like DJ'ing and B-Boying (breakdancing). Breakin' was something I did for damn near a decade straight. I knew I eventually wanted to recreate my favourite hip hop beats. All I needed was the right equipment.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

ADM: There are many. From ATOMS Fam to A-F-R-O, from El-P to Exquire, Co-Flow, Madlib, UFO Fev, Styles P, Grandmilly, De-La-Soul, Biz Markie, Sean Price, Prodigy, Flying Lotus, The Doppelgangaz, Chuck N’ Lock, Fatboi Sharif, Jamal Gasol, DJ Design, Planet Asia, Ecto-84, Dirty Diggs, DJ Premier, DJ Rhettmatic, DJ Babu, Evidence, The Alchemist, Earl Sweatshirt, Knxwledge, El Da Sensei, Vinnie Paz, Hus Kingpin, Smoovth, to name a few…The list screams down the block, lol.

JH: Earl Sweatshirt, Del tha funky Homosapien, Conway the Machine, Ghostface Killah, De La Soul, Nas, pretty much all my favourite’s. If DOOM was still alive he would probably be number 1.

3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?

ADM: I have a few projects I’m working on, but for starters, there’s going some stuff definitely with JHershey, and this producer of which I know that’s actually premiered on the new LP, DriveMEGA. I would give you more details, but you’ll just have to wait and see, or find the cheat code for that (laughs).

JH: As for Collabs SEGA-AM2 (Part II) with AWOL Da Mindwriter and Me and King EnZee will have another project coming soon.

As for Beat Tapes they're definitely coming. I will throw two names out there. A Genesis Love and Desert Indica. I want to eventually drop an album with other artists but I'm going to hold on to that idea for now.

4. How would you describe your sound?

ADM: Our sound, if I could be descriptive, it’s like to me….theme music, or BGM. The right music you would have in an amazing fight sequence, or even just having a moment of clarity. “If your life was on film” third eye prospective. A scene in a video game perhaps…something I would like to catch in maybe the new sonic films, or even remakes of video games, maybe even anime. One day!!! (Laughs) I can say this, I as a songwriter, put in effort that you can feel. I want you to feel the integrity of what it was like either writing the song, experiencing the moment to why I wrote it, or the process of bringing it to life.

JH: Versatile number 1. Also Nostalgic but not just a regular 90's type sound. My music references different eras such as the blog era, 2000's era, 80's etc. I'm really into sampling soul music and making it sound like psychedelic music and vice versa. Jazz is always gonna be a go as well. Getting more into electronic sounds and synths lately.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

ADM: I could say I’ve had a couple, the moment of and having the pleasure of being a part of Mr. Muthafuckin’ Exquire’s “Y.O.U. Day” events, releasing this project, sneakin’ backstage at one of Peter Rosenburg’s events in 2017…theres several, but I think the most ever, was releasing the SEGA-AM2(Part I-II) and being around the most like minded individuals to ever help me create something that’s made for the culture of the past, present and future. I’m happy knowing I didn’t have to do much but use what I had to get here, my childhood. Thanks Mama Tina and all my beloved.

JH: Honestly, this run I'm currently on with AWOL is definitely up there as that's really bro and we just wanna continue the legacy of unique Long Island Hip Hop.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

ADM: If I could give you the best advice….is to be yourself, and don’t ever let not one person misjudge you for who you are or what you could become.  We all go thru it, but it’s how you take it and do something with it. Just know that everyone is unique, so go about it the way God intended for you to. “Oh yeah”(Tupac voice) stay in your lane, only worry about your car so you don’t crash into others…peace peace.

JH: Don't be afraid to experiment with different sounds. Always be a humble listener.

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

ADM: Hell yeah there are!! My guy Bigg Dogg from the Upper West Side of Manhattan, my gawd Grandeye El, Jamal Gasol, Sly Cooper! My Lost Borough homies OneTakeCarter, Johnny Storm, Khromesouls, Philosoul, ALLCAPSALLAN, producers like TRBLMKR, D3signer_Dreams, Oldboy, DriveMEGA, soo many man….

JH: King EnZee, Adam Max, Drive Mega, Kingdoughmane., Mike Larry Draw.

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

ADM: It bounces. My musical selection varies, but most of the time it’s old stuff or things I’m catching up with if I’m late, I’m so all over the place at times, I really have to play catch-up if the first song didn’t catch my eye or ear in this case, but from Roots reggae, to anything hardcore, whether if it’s Hip-Hop or Punk Rock, or even sometimes old school rock. Griselda has been without a question since early 2016, Ghostface’s “Ironman”, Only Built For Cuban Linx, Blu’s “Good To Be Home”, Tha God Fahim, Retch’s “Polo Sporting Goods”, The Doppelgangaz of course, anything that I’m in the mood for.

JH: MM..FOOD forever. Madvilliany, the Unseen, Some Rap Songs, Stakes is High, JEnZee, Illmatic.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

ADM: Usually if I’m not making music, spending time with family, or playing video games I don’t have time to beat as much or beating video games after being hooked on it. Usually being creative, doing things that I love that keep me at bay. Traveling is key, and shopping, when I can, most of the time lol.

JH: Performing beat sets, Playing video games, I go out from time to time and burn niggas on the dance floor.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

ADM: 3 things I can’t live without….that’s easy…a great engineer who you can sync with, some great weed, and a comfortable environment. If I don’t have those, along with an ice cold can of NOS, something isn’t right. Lmao. Can’t forget at all at least one gaming console…SEGA Saturn does well with Fighters Megamix.

JH: I wouldn't say I need it but if I got a video game console on the side, and some weed that's a good vibe. I usually have my SP404sx with me whenever music is involved.

Words: Gavin Brown