LM=Lisa Murray
LM: What Is Your Dream?
Thaahum (tha-hoom)
Thaahum: Well first off I am an independent hip-hop artist, with an indie label, Keneteph Entertainment. My dream has changed over the years. All in all, like other dreamers, I want to be able to earn a living off my talents. My passion is writing! I love to write songs, poems, and am even a freelance journalist for film writer/director
Kevin Smith's site, QuickStopEntertainment.com
When it comes to my music I enjoy putting out songs that inspire people of all ages, while still entertaining them, and making songs with other artists who inspire me. I put my very being into my music, and aspire to have it enjoyed all over the world.
I also have dreams of getting my songs licensed for film, TV, and video games, and acting in films, as well as doing voiceovers.
Of course the big goal is being a better provider to my daughters Nekaybaw Marie, and Tephareth Lenora, and utilizing my creative gifts is one of the ways I want to do that.
LM: How Long Have You Had This Dream?
Thaahum: I started rhyming in 1999, but my dreams started revolving around my kids when my oldest daughter, Nekaybaw Marie, was born in 2000.
LM: Where Do You Think Your Dream Came From?
Thaahum: My dream came from my natural love for Hip-Hop. I used to rhyme in freestyle circles at different clubs and realized I had a distinct style that stood out from others. Then I observed that many rappers/emcees who rhymed about social issues weren't grabbing the masses because their beats did not have club or radio appeal. So I was inspired to create a style that put lyrical substance in Hip-Hop songs, while rhyming over up-tempo, radio-friendly beats to grasp more people.
LM: Where Do You Think All Dreams Come From?
Thaahum: I think all dreams are manifested through the Universe for all to grow. Our own connection to Source inspires us to follow that dream. A need is seen in society, and an awakened soul works to fulfill that need through their dreams, goals, and desires. Once we have a dream or goal that takes our breath away, I think it is our personal responsibility to do what we can to see it to fruition. Every little step counts!
LM: When Will You Know You've “Made It?”
Thaahum: To know I've inspired my daughters through my own work is a good starting point. I say starting point because I feel like our main dream at the moment is almost connected to a “dream Matrix” or web where in the midst of our dream, or at the appearance of accomplishing our goals, something else comes about to propel us to larger heights and more dreams!
I will feel a great sense of accomplishment once my album is done, and once I've heard my songs in video games, TV, and major motion pictures. The later of which is already happening because I was given the opportunity to write songs for film writer/director Adam Rifkin's upcoming film National Lampoon's Homo Erectus , which I am very grateful for.
LM: Will You Ever Give Up On This Dream? If so, what would cause you to give up?
Thaahum: No I am going to see it to its fruition. There is no room for me to give up on it, because I see it as a personal obligation I have to fulfill. It's like it would be a sin to give up on it since it utilizes my God given talents. In my journey I've heard so many opinions that were adverse to me achieving my goal. People that liked underground Hip-Hop thought my lyrics were nice, but my beats were too commercial. Some people who are fans of mainstream hip-hop told me they liked the beats I rhymed off of, but my lyrics were too complex. I've been told I need to change my name and image in order to fit in. I have to admit, some of this did discourage me, but all in all I stood my ground and stuck to my true self in my songs.
LM: How Has the Pursuit of Your Dream Changed You? For the Worse? For the Better?
Thaahum: For the better all the way! It has taught me to live by my own standards, and no one else's. It's expanded my horizons and given me a certain resilience that I didn't have before. I'm very passionate about my music and know lyrically I have something to offer many people want, and because of that knowing, I am stronger. My dream has also made me more aware business wise, and made me realize what many artists really think about their fans. One time I had met the underground emcee Chino XL, and asked I if we could do a track together. He said yes, named his fee, and when I paid him, he never came through on the verse, and ignored my calls. But I just took it as a loss, and kept it moving onto my goal. See we must never see stumbling blocks like these as failures, but rather things that happen, that expand our awareness, and make us stronger in bringing our dream to reality.
LM: What Discourages You?
Thaahum: Non-believers/dream-stealers. Sometimes I get very ecstatic about my goals and want to share them with everyone. But I realized that the people who have given up on their dreams, or are negative, are so quick to reflect that back on others. If someone like that hears about my dreams they want so say “be realistic,” or something like that. What they don't realize is that the reality of today was build on someone's dream of yesterday. I also have to learn to not get in my own way, meaning, letting the process unfold naturally. I'm learning to be more patient and open as far as how my dreams manifest. Sometimes I'll feel discouraged if I don't see results right away. The benefit of being a songwriter is that we can take a seemingly discouraging situation, write a song about it, and use that as a way to heal. I remember working on a song called “Rejection” and asking so many people if they would do the song with me. I wrote it after someone who claimed to work with Scott Storch seriously negatively criticized my music. I don't know if he really worked with the producer or not, but I really took it to heart. I wanted to get a singer on the hook, and found it hard to find someone at first. Some flat out said no, others I felt at the time I couldn't afford to pay to get on the song. Right when I gave up on the song I met a singer named Morgan Teressa, and she agreed to do the track. Patience definitely overcomes discouragement.
LM: Who Are Your Idols and/or Sources of Inspiration?
Thaahum: My daughters Nekaybaw Marie, and Tephareth Lenora. Every time I get up, make a move, or business decision, I have them in mind, visualizing my ultimate goal; being the best father I can be by providing my daughters a life of happiness and no limitations. Musically I get inspired by artists who are innovators in their own right, no matter what the genre. Stevie Wonder, Dave Mathews Band, and Nas to name a few. I've been blessed and grateful to be able to work with a few of my inspirations for my upcoming album, The Other Side of Nothing . I have a couple of songs with Imani Coppola who I was inspired by her originality and musical talent. I love the fact that her lyrics show a certain “in-tuness” to humanity only shown by musical greats. I also have a song with a lyrical legend out of Chicago named Juice. He inspired me not only because he beat Eminem in the Scribble Jam rap battle in '97, and that his freestyles are flawless, but because of his own perseverance in the game. Artists who overcome despite going against odds truly inspire me. Mariah Carey inspired me how she had bounced back from negative times, and also the rapper Amil. The fact that she has this equipoise about her despite negative rumors about her, and being betrayed by people she trusted, is amazing.
Other people like Boondocks creator Aaron McGrudder, David Atchison, creator of the Occult Crimes Taskforce comic book, and Kevin Smith, are sources of inspiration to me because of their “outside of the box” approach they take in their respective crafts.
LM: Does Your Family Support Your Dream? How Do You Feel About Their Support or Lack of Support?
Thaahum: No and Yes. One thing I do wish I had more of was support from my family. None of the older members of my family really had anything positive to say about my music. The only one who told me to keep pursuing my dream was my Uncle Ronnie who passed away this past July. His support made all the positive difference in the world because he saw something in me others didn't. At the same time I have compassion because I know I am breaking a genetic pattern. Just yesterday I was having a conversation with one of my cousins who was telling me to ignore my dream and just do what is conventional. It took every bit of my strength to not hang up on her! But that's where compassion comes in. People are going to be weary because it is new to them. I do get support from the younger members in my family like my brothers, and my cousin Daniel who does promotions in NY.
But see, family is not limited to those who are just related to us by blood. I think as soon as we realize our dream the universe will bring people in your life (if they are not there already), which will support, and help propel you forward. I can attest that that happened for me. I got friends who acted as my extended family and told me I could make it through the fulfillment of my dreams-those people kept me believing in myself when I was receiving a lack of support from my blood family.
LM: Why Do You Think Some People Don't Follow their Dreams?
Thaahum: Conditioning. Most people are taught not to follow their dreams because the ones who raised them did not do that. That's where my fear came from in the beginning. I wanted to please my father and go to college so I wouldn't disappoint him. But going through school, I wasn't happy. I was conflicted because the pull of my music was stronger than what I was told was the “right thing” to do. Some people would stop pursuing their dream there. But by continuing to follow my dream and see myself at the “finish line” per se, I attracted people in my life who believed in my abilities. Meeting those people helped me continue to believe in myself. People who don't nurture the part of themselves that want to fulfill their deepest needs will find it hard to follow their dreams. I had to grow to love myself enough to be the me I wanted to be. I'm a great writer, emcee, and entertainer and am proud of it!
LM: What Are Your Beliefs About Being Challenged? A Part of Life? An Opportunity to Grow? A Sign to Turn Around and Go Another Way?
Thaahum: Being challenged is an opportunity to grow. That's why big dreams are so important. I went to a seminar this past weekend given by Bob Proctor and one of the things he said was something along the lines like the dreams worth having are the ones that truly take your breath away. That stuck with me and let me know I am on the right track. It is challenging reaching my dreams, but the things I have learned on my journey are absolutely worth it! I think the only way we can expand our natural abilities is by being challenged. We should embrace our challenges and pay attention to the strength of character we get out of surpassing them.
LM: If You Could Have One Person, alive or Dead, Help You with Your Dream Right Now, Who Would It Be and Why?
Thaahum: That's tough because the answer to this is two-fold. In one regard, I can't pinpoint one person. Really, I would love the opportunity to have ANY music supervisor give my music a listen and place any of my songs in the TV shows they do music supervision on. I'd like to get a song on an NBC show, so to have the opportunity of someone like Alicen Catron hearing my music would be a dream come true! In another sense, I've seen better results with my goals by just seeing the end result and not thinking about who specifically could help me get there. That way I stay open to the limitless possibilities of manifesting success for myself, and Keneteph Entertainment.
LM: When was the First Time You Publicly Declared Your Dream to Others?
Thaahum: In 2000 is when I started recording songs and publicly telling people about my dream. Some where enthused right with me, and would even record songs with me. However many of those people stopped coming around when they didn't see quick money from doing music. It was more of an interest for them, and not a passion, as how I looked at it. So me and my vision of bringing unique flavor to the Hip-Hop world kept moving. My website (Keneteph.com) launched in 2002, and that's when others saw how serious I was. It was at that point independent music magazines would review my songs, and parts of the world where getting to know who “Thaahum” was.
LM: Did that Change Your Feelings About Your Dream?
Thaahum: It was like a two edged sword. The articles and reviews kept me inspired and motivated, but I was still struggling to live by my own standards. My family was still not supportive of my goal, and I couldn't understand how the rest of the world was liking my music, but my own family wanted me to abandon my goal altogether. That's when I realized that I had to stand alone was far as my family was concerned. All I could see (and still do) was me making my record label one of the most top notch labels there are.
LM: Did Others Treat You Differently Once They Knew About Your Dream? If so, How?
Thaahum: Some people saw me as one who always had his head in the clouds, and who needed to come “back to reality.” I couldn't even mention my music around them without having a guilty feeling. Can you imagine feeling guilty about your own dream!? On the flipside, others were actually seeing ME as a source of inspiration because I was going after my goals, and they could actually see my success because of my own determination. In tough times others reminded me of my own greatness, and the great things I am accomplishing my fulfilling my dream. Now whomever, I talk to, I tell them about my dream and what it is I do. I figure no matter what the other person's reaction may be we are each going to learn something about ourselves.
LM: Is There Anything You Are Afraid Of That Will Happen When You Achieve Your Dream? If So, What?
Thaahum: At first I was afraid I would “lose myself” and feel disassociated with the world around me. What changed my attitude was realizing that manifesting my dream isn't just a fulfillment of my life, but also a way to fulfill others lives as well. I now see I actually help others through manifesting my dreams. I am here to be a real life example on what it takes to add more life to ones existence-all dreamers are. I know I will be rich of my dream, but I know that true richness is in sharing our talents with others. I plan on continuing to inspire others by bringing a sound to Hip Hop that isn't done by many, and by staying true to my dream, which is a part of me, I will stay connected to the rest of humanity.
LM: If You Knew You Couldn't Fail, if You Knew that no Matter what, You Will achieve Your Dream, What Would You Do Differently, Right Now?
Thaahum: Well I already feel like I can't fail, because it's like I have no choice but to make Keneteph Entertainment successful. So with every action I take, I expect success. This album is going to be considered a hip hop classic, because of the vision I am holding for it to be. If I let fear get in the way, I wouldn't have missed opportunities that came my way, or would have had the courage to approach the artist I'm working with on this album.
LM: Do You Believe it's Important to Maintain a Balance In Your Life While Pursuing Your Dream, or Do You Believe It Should Be An “All-Out-Effort?
Thaahum: I think one should constantly focus on the end result/finish line of their dream. However the balance would be letting go and trusting the Universe will make a way for their dreams to come true. That's what the saying “letting go and. Letting God' means. If one needs a 9 to 5 to help fund their project, so be it. They should do the best job they can, knowing it is helping induce their higher goal. I currently have a 9 to 5 to help fund my music, but know with the effort I'm putting in, the music will soon fund itself.
LM: What Advice Would You Give Someone Considering Following their Dream?
Thaahum: I'd tell them have patience, and continually see themselves, as already have accomplished their goals. Seeing yourself at the “finish line” per se, helps bring situations in place that will actually manifest your dreams.
Thankfulness and gratitude is very important as well. Constantly having a thankful attitude for all your good, and for the good your are bringing about because of our dream, helps our spirit up at all times.
Before I go, I have to say I am very thankful for the opportunities that have come my way, because of the constant holding of my vision. I am thankful and grateful for the people who are in my life who help me keep my thoughts on my vision and believing in myself. I also want to give a big thank you to “Mattt Potter ” and “ Adam Rifkin, ” for believing in my art enough to put my music in their projects. A big thank you to all who have helped propel Keneteph Entertainment forward, and who helped me with my upcoming CD The Other Side of Nothing.
Thaahum's websites:
www.Keneteph.com
www.myspace.com/Keneteph
My ”Keneteph's Korner” column on Quick Stop Entertainment
