SXSW 2010: Murs

MURS is a Los Angeles-based rapper who not only writes, produces and mixes, but also has a side punk rock band called the Invincible(s), an electronic record, a comic book soundtrack, a weekly podcast, and is the only rapper with his own music festival. His next project, entitled ‘ForNever,’ will be released on March 30, 2010. MURS took time out of his busy schedule to speak to Spinner just as he embarks on a 40-city tour with a stop at SXSW 2010.

How did you come up with your name?

I tend to forget, but I am sure it had something to do with the letters that I could write the best in graphite, because I fancy myself as a “tagger,” or dare I use the term “artist,” so I combined them to form some type of word and this is the word that stuck. The acronym doesn’t really have a real meaning, but I’ve made up things over the years.

How did you get into music?

I’ve always allowed music to be in my life, but I think when I heard LL Cool J‘s Jack the Ripper, I just knew that this is what I had to do. I don’t think it was a conscious decision, but it was just what I was meant to do, what I have to do. I have been doing this for many moons! I recorded my first song eighteen years ago. I worked with various groups in underground music, but my first solo work was in 2003.

Describe your sound in your own words.

Someone told me that my sound is like Country music for black people, because it’s very real everyday stuff. Recently, I was also told that I was the Yoda of all black people. I don’t know.

What are your musical influences?

Elton John, Ice Cube, E40 that’s a big spectrum of everybody in between. People making great music, which is what I think SXSW is more about. The energy, seeing new artists that you’ve heard about that influence me, and have inspired me to be more creative. I just love music. The Beatles, Bob Marley of course. I’m an addict for music.

What’s your musical guilty pleasure?

I love Insane Clown Posse and Kid Rock, but I just don’t feel guilty about it.

Beatles or Stones?

That is not even a question! I’m going to say something really offensive and really outlandish right now. The Beatles are the perfect merging of black and white music. They were influenced directly by a lot of black blues singers and they created their own version. The Rolling Stones were influenced by the Beatles, Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens. They are not so bluesy, so it’s not as perfect. Nowhere near as perfect as the Beatles were at combining the two cultures that were dominating Western music. They took the two sounds they loved from black America and made it their own unique sound. They started doing covers but as they grew, it became this beautiful thing. But the Rolling Stones are awesome; they are awesome live and they still kick ass!

If you could tour with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?

At the risk of sounding typical it would have to be a tour with Bob Marley, Tupac and Jimi Hendrix; like a rap, reggae and rock tour. Oh, and D’Angelo because he is the greatest live performer on the planet Earth.

What are some songs that are most played on you iPod?

Right now I’m working on some projects, so I have all the beats or mixes that I have to listen to. Outside of that, it would have to be Vampire Weekend and Passion Pit. I don’t remember listening to anything else these days.

What was the last physical CD you bought?

That happens all the time for me. The last one I bought was Corinne Bailey Rae a couple of weeks ago, on my wedding day. I think I’m the only person that goes to Best Buy to buy CDs on their wedding day.

Who was your first celeb crush?

Scarlett, from G.I. Joe. Or, Lady Jaye from G.I. Joe. One of those two!

Anything else you’d like to say to Spinner.com’s readers.

The energy at SXSW is so amazing; it’s off the charts. I will be playing two shows, which are going to be insane! Hope to see you there and check me out on MursWorld.com!