KingsOfKings
🌫️ 𝖇𝖊𝖑𝖔𝖜 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖍𝖊𝖆𝖛𝖊𝖓𝖘 🌫️
Eternia is a hip-hop artist I stumbled upon pretty late, gotta admit, but I don’t give a fukk because I’m so glad I did. Eternia is a rapper, from Ottawa, Canada, and a dope emcee. Straight up. I reviewed her albumAt Last, and was able to land an interview! I got to throw some questions at the lovely emcee Eternia, and here are her responses.
1).Very big fan. You happen to be the first emcee that I have interviewed. So don’t fukk it up ;-). Your last album release, “At Last”, was back in 2010. What has Eternia been up to for the last 4- 5 years?
First emcee ever? That’s an honor, thanks!
(side note: Although the interview I did with Lyric Jones was published first, Eternia had the pleasure of being the first emcee I got to send questions to. Back to the interview!)
Man, how do I summarize the past five years? Touring and promoting At Last heavy up until 2012 I wanna say. Then I had some major life changes that brought me first to Philly, then back to Toronto (i was living in Queens NY when AT LAST dropped). I hosted a season of a new youth & faith -centered TV show called “Love is Moving” which aired on multiple stations across Canada and the United States, then I was honored to guest host “Context with Lorna Dueck” a few times last year. Perhaps most important of all: I’ve been pursuing another passion God has planted in my heart, and that is working with the elderly. It has been very rewarding, character building, tough and humbling work. I still record and gig now and then.
2). Everyone wants to start with the origin story. Do you remember the day you first fell in love with hip-hop? What was that day like? And what was the song that did it for you, and why?
I wish I could tell you there was a specific date, like the Brown Sugar movie, but nah… there wasn’t one defining moment. Hip Hop was something I heard since I was very young in the late 80s from my brother, who was a couple years older than me and buying LL Cool J, Run DMC, Public enemy , 2 Live Crew & NWA tapes. We also listened to Canadian legends like Maestro Fresh Wes and Dream Warriors and Kish. I remember listening to these tapes at our pops’ crib and hiding them from our mom. I remember making home music videos to “Roxanne !Roxanne! I wanna be your man…”. I remember lying to my mom to go to a Salt n Pepa concert. But I don’t remember the first day or first song. By the time I was 10 on the playground my classmates knew me as the girl who loved hip hop and rapped. It was kinda rare in the circles I rolled in in Ottawa, Ontario Canada at the time. Lol. So I’m sure I stood out.
3). When you decided to make it happen for yourself, what was your hustle? What was the daily routine of Eternia, trying to get promotion and attention in the beginning? I’m sure a manager came aboard, but how did you find that right individual to represent you?
That’s a lot of questions to unpack. Hehe.
Well… like anything it was time, dedication, practice, passion. I lived and breathed it (emceeing ). I rolled w rap crews in the 90s that ‘discovered’ me and invited me to be a part of what they were doing, in Ottawa, Toronto, and later Demigodz in CT. I learned a lot about recording, writing, showmanship, self promotion from the ppl I rolled with. They weren’t just my ppls: I moved out of my mom’s house when I was 15 and the various crews I wrote, recorded and performed with became my surrogate family. By the time I was 20 with my first manager I had already performed in many cities and recorded on many projects. It was just time for someone to “rein it in” and focus me a bit. That’s when we started being strategic, we worked as partners, applying for grants for album recordings, touring, promotion, music videos, international showcases. I had a music video on medium rotation across Canada (“Sorrow Song”) before I ever had an album out. Fan mail coming in, all that. It was weird. Things kinda happened for me in reverse. I moved around a bit: Sydney, Australia, then later NJ than Queens NY, and travelled a lot and no matter where I went I was an emcee first. I didn’t try to do too much or wear too many hats. I was focused on one thing and one thing only: my writing, my music and getting it out there to the world through releases and performances. I’ve had 3-4 managers throughout the course of my career. I think managers find you, or you attract each other. I believe in things happening organically. I don’t believe in pulling teeth or convincing people of anything. I wanna be around people who CHOOSE to be there for all the right reasons.
Looking back, I think I was able to set goals and accomplish them because i had tunnel vision. I’m really only good at doing one thing at a time. Sincerely.
4). In what ways has music surprised you since you first got into hip-hop, to your current position in rap music?
That’s a good question, I don’t know if I’ve ever contemplated that before. I don’t even know if I know what my current position in rap music is?! Lol.
Music to me is a language and a tool. So it doesn’t surprise me when it comes in all different forms, and when it morphs and changes, since it is as varied as those who choose to utilize the language and the tool. So music rarely surprises me in that way, other than always being surprising and that’s to be expected! *smile
I think the music INDUSTRY, which to me is very different from music itself, is ugly and insidious. I think it is very difficult to be a person of dignity & character with ethical principles and values and remain unscathed or unchanged by the industry. Possible, perhaps…but difficult. Of course that’s just my humble opinion based on observation and experience.
5). What is Eternia currently listening to? Whether it be rap, R&B or anything else, what current artists and albums stay in constant rotation for you today?
I loved Kendricks’ “good kid, m.A.A.D City”. I know that’s dated now but I am not listening to a lot of hip hop these days to be honest. I have a hard time finding material that is inspiring for me to listen to in Hip Hop. I think words really matter. I dig Hawk House. I know I’d dig a lot of stuff… I know strong Hip Hop is out there and exists. I guess to be really real – I’ve taken a break from new Hip Hop releases. It is too attached to other things for me to just relax my mind and enjoy it. I’m often overthinking what I’m hearing, because I was inside it for so long. I think I need a hiatus.
I love Cinematic Orchestra, Delilah, Emile Sande, old Phil Collins, Simon & Garfunkel, Carole King, Donny Hathaway, Bobby McFerrin, Mumford & Sons, Nina Simone, Concha Buika, Robert Glasper. Been listening to a lot of throwback 90s stuff I came up on: dancehall, new jack swing, golden era hip hop. I’ve been listening to some gospel music. I’ve been listening to a lot of mixes. My man mixes music live at home, all different genres and decades and themes, and records them. I like to think he records them just for me. *smile. They are amazing. That’s what i’ve been listening to.
6). What is the hip-hop scene like in Canada? Or is that a bit of a silly question to ask, because it’s basically the same as it is in the states? I would imagine because of certain cultural differences, perhaps that atmosphere, and how it’s viewed, is a bit different than the one we have here. Are there any differences?
Not a silly question at all, there’s always differences. I honestly feel like I’m out the loop with what the hip hop scene is like currently in Canada. I lived in NYC for almost a decade, and when I came home 2 years ago I kinda had one foot out of the game. Like anything, as a scene grows (and Toronto’s hip hop scene has been growing for quite some time) it becomes more of a capitalistic venture. To me this often negatively impacts creativity. It’s no coincidence people often make the most mind-blowing material in a bubble or in semi-seclusion, away from the ‘influences’ of the biz. I’d say that Toronto is ‘influenced’ now, and therefore a little less free in its expression. But there are still amazing artists doing amazing things. too many to list. Recently my girl Phoenix Pagliacci (Look her up!) put me on to this girl Tasha the Amazon. You know… she has her own sound. It’s not what I’m used to listening to, but I like hearing a person do them. And she’s producing her own stuff. I respect that.
7). There has recently been a lot of discussion over the idea of what privilege and white appropriation in America, specifically with hip-hop – although, other tragic events may have stemmed from that. Certain white hiphop artists have been called out for their alleged “appropriation” of black culture. If you care to answer, which you don’t have to, what are your thoughts on hip-hop and how it is viewed by white audiences, and do you feel as though there is any validity to these “white privilege- white appropriation” claims?
I think the concern is valid.
I believe Hip Hop as a language and tool of creative expression is universal, regardless of race, color, religion, creed. I’ve experienced this touring all around the world. It is a tie that binds. It is a unifying force that cannot be denied if you’ve witnessed it. Ask anyone who has.
However…
there are people that take that tool and use it with ill intent or selfish intent, or pretend they speak the language when really someone else is feeding them the words and they are merely parrots. I think it’s not just an issue of black or white (although in the United States I can understand why the buck stops there) but also an issue of sincerity, authenticity, talent, respect and genuineness. I don’t really believe in ownership of a language remaining in the hands of one group – languages spread, that’s what they do. But I do believe you can either be fluent in a language, or mimic those who speak it in a way that can be .. offensive.
Where you the draw the line depends on you. I can tell you that watching certain people rap makes me feel uncomfortable. I usually can sense inauthenticity a mile away.
Maybe some people have thought that about me? *shrugs. That’s where their line is drawn. And if that’s the case, I can respect that too. I just hope that if they drew that line it was based on more than just my skin color, but also on my music, my content, my talent, my words, my heart. I would hope we are all not making judgments based merely on skin color, but if any discerning judgment is made, it is on the content of someone’s character.
8). Moving on to something a bit more light, outside of music, what else in pop culture is holding your attention?
1).Very big fan. You happen to be the first emcee that I have interviewed. So don’t fukk it up ;-). Your last album release, “At Last”, was back in 2010. What has Eternia been up to for the last 4- 5 years?
First emcee ever? That’s an honor, thanks!
(side note: Although the interview I did with Lyric Jones was published first, Eternia had the pleasure of being the first emcee I got to send questions to. Back to the interview!)
Man, how do I summarize the past five years? Touring and promoting At Last heavy up until 2012 I wanna say. Then I had some major life changes that brought me first to Philly, then back to Toronto (i was living in Queens NY when AT LAST dropped). I hosted a season of a new youth & faith -centered TV show called “Love is Moving” which aired on multiple stations across Canada and the United States, then I was honored to guest host “Context with Lorna Dueck” a few times last year. Perhaps most important of all: I’ve been pursuing another passion God has planted in my heart, and that is working with the elderly. It has been very rewarding, character building, tough and humbling work. I still record and gig now and then.
2). Everyone wants to start with the origin story. Do you remember the day you first fell in love with hip-hop? What was that day like? And what was the song that did it for you, and why?
I wish I could tell you there was a specific date, like the Brown Sugar movie, but nah… there wasn’t one defining moment. Hip Hop was something I heard since I was very young in the late 80s from my brother, who was a couple years older than me and buying LL Cool J, Run DMC, Public enemy , 2 Live Crew & NWA tapes. We also listened to Canadian legends like Maestro Fresh Wes and Dream Warriors and Kish. I remember listening to these tapes at our pops’ crib and hiding them from our mom. I remember making home music videos to “Roxanne !Roxanne! I wanna be your man…”. I remember lying to my mom to go to a Salt n Pepa concert. But I don’t remember the first day or first song. By the time I was 10 on the playground my classmates knew me as the girl who loved hip hop and rapped. It was kinda rare in the circles I rolled in in Ottawa, Ontario Canada at the time. Lol. So I’m sure I stood out.
3). When you decided to make it happen for yourself, what was your hustle? What was the daily routine of Eternia, trying to get promotion and attention in the beginning? I’m sure a manager came aboard, but how did you find that right individual to represent you?
That’s a lot of questions to unpack. Hehe.
Well… like anything it was time, dedication, practice, passion. I lived and breathed it (emceeing ). I rolled w rap crews in the 90s that ‘discovered’ me and invited me to be a part of what they were doing, in Ottawa, Toronto, and later Demigodz in CT. I learned a lot about recording, writing, showmanship, self promotion from the ppl I rolled with. They weren’t just my ppls: I moved out of my mom’s house when I was 15 and the various crews I wrote, recorded and performed with became my surrogate family. By the time I was 20 with my first manager I had already performed in many cities and recorded on many projects. It was just time for someone to “rein it in” and focus me a bit. That’s when we started being strategic, we worked as partners, applying for grants for album recordings, touring, promotion, music videos, international showcases. I had a music video on medium rotation across Canada (“Sorrow Song”) before I ever had an album out. Fan mail coming in, all that. It was weird. Things kinda happened for me in reverse. I moved around a bit: Sydney, Australia, then later NJ than Queens NY, and travelled a lot and no matter where I went I was an emcee first. I didn’t try to do too much or wear too many hats. I was focused on one thing and one thing only: my writing, my music and getting it out there to the world through releases and performances. I’ve had 3-4 managers throughout the course of my career. I think managers find you, or you attract each other. I believe in things happening organically. I don’t believe in pulling teeth or convincing people of anything. I wanna be around people who CHOOSE to be there for all the right reasons.
Looking back, I think I was able to set goals and accomplish them because i had tunnel vision. I’m really only good at doing one thing at a time. Sincerely.
4). In what ways has music surprised you since you first got into hip-hop, to your current position in rap music?
That’s a good question, I don’t know if I’ve ever contemplated that before. I don’t even know if I know what my current position in rap music is?! Lol.
Music to me is a language and a tool. So it doesn’t surprise me when it comes in all different forms, and when it morphs and changes, since it is as varied as those who choose to utilize the language and the tool. So music rarely surprises me in that way, other than always being surprising and that’s to be expected! *smile
I think the music INDUSTRY, which to me is very different from music itself, is ugly and insidious. I think it is very difficult to be a person of dignity & character with ethical principles and values and remain unscathed or unchanged by the industry. Possible, perhaps…but difficult. Of course that’s just my humble opinion based on observation and experience.
5). What is Eternia currently listening to? Whether it be rap, R&B or anything else, what current artists and albums stay in constant rotation for you today?
I loved Kendricks’ “good kid, m.A.A.D City”. I know that’s dated now but I am not listening to a lot of hip hop these days to be honest. I have a hard time finding material that is inspiring for me to listen to in Hip Hop. I think words really matter. I dig Hawk House. I know I’d dig a lot of stuff… I know strong Hip Hop is out there and exists. I guess to be really real – I’ve taken a break from new Hip Hop releases. It is too attached to other things for me to just relax my mind and enjoy it. I’m often overthinking what I’m hearing, because I was inside it for so long. I think I need a hiatus.
I love Cinematic Orchestra, Delilah, Emile Sande, old Phil Collins, Simon & Garfunkel, Carole King, Donny Hathaway, Bobby McFerrin, Mumford & Sons, Nina Simone, Concha Buika, Robert Glasper. Been listening to a lot of throwback 90s stuff I came up on: dancehall, new jack swing, golden era hip hop. I’ve been listening to some gospel music. I’ve been listening to a lot of mixes. My man mixes music live at home, all different genres and decades and themes, and records them. I like to think he records them just for me. *smile. They are amazing. That’s what i’ve been listening to.
6). What is the hip-hop scene like in Canada? Or is that a bit of a silly question to ask, because it’s basically the same as it is in the states? I would imagine because of certain cultural differences, perhaps that atmosphere, and how it’s viewed, is a bit different than the one we have here. Are there any differences?
Not a silly question at all, there’s always differences. I honestly feel like I’m out the loop with what the hip hop scene is like currently in Canada. I lived in NYC for almost a decade, and when I came home 2 years ago I kinda had one foot out of the game. Like anything, as a scene grows (and Toronto’s hip hop scene has been growing for quite some time) it becomes more of a capitalistic venture. To me this often negatively impacts creativity. It’s no coincidence people often make the most mind-blowing material in a bubble or in semi-seclusion, away from the ‘influences’ of the biz. I’d say that Toronto is ‘influenced’ now, and therefore a little less free in its expression. But there are still amazing artists doing amazing things. too many to list. Recently my girl Phoenix Pagliacci (Look her up!) put me on to this girl Tasha the Amazon. You know… she has her own sound. It’s not what I’m used to listening to, but I like hearing a person do them. And she’s producing her own stuff. I respect that.
7). There has recently been a lot of discussion over the idea of what privilege and white appropriation in America, specifically with hip-hop – although, other tragic events may have stemmed from that. Certain white hiphop artists have been called out for their alleged “appropriation” of black culture. If you care to answer, which you don’t have to, what are your thoughts on hip-hop and how it is viewed by white audiences, and do you feel as though there is any validity to these “white privilege- white appropriation” claims?
I think the concern is valid.
I believe Hip Hop as a language and tool of creative expression is universal, regardless of race, color, religion, creed. I’ve experienced this touring all around the world. It is a tie that binds. It is a unifying force that cannot be denied if you’ve witnessed it. Ask anyone who has.
However…
there are people that take that tool and use it with ill intent or selfish intent, or pretend they speak the language when really someone else is feeding them the words and they are merely parrots. I think it’s not just an issue of black or white (although in the United States I can understand why the buck stops there) but also an issue of sincerity, authenticity, talent, respect and genuineness. I don’t really believe in ownership of a language remaining in the hands of one group – languages spread, that’s what they do. But I do believe you can either be fluent in a language, or mimic those who speak it in a way that can be .. offensive.
Where you the draw the line depends on you. I can tell you that watching certain people rap makes me feel uncomfortable. I usually can sense inauthenticity a mile away.
Maybe some people have thought that about me? *shrugs. That’s where their line is drawn. And if that’s the case, I can respect that too. I just hope that if they drew that line it was based on more than just my skin color, but also on my music, my content, my talent, my words, my heart. I would hope we are all not making judgments based merely on skin color, but if any discerning judgment is made, it is on the content of someone’s character.
8). Moving on to something a bit more light, outside of music, what else in pop culture is holding your attention?
