The line between Hip-Hop and R&B has never been more blurred than in 2018. Some of the biggest young artists in the game are as well known for harmonizing as they are for dropping bars (Yung Thug, Juice WRLD, Lil Uzi Vert), rappers formerly known for lyrics have had huge commercial hits singing (Lil’ Wayne, Logic, Kanye West) and arguably the biggest artist of the decade has as many hits crooning as he does actually rapping (Drake).
Drew the Recluse has been experimenting with his own blend of genres at the Jersey Shore for the last several years and has steadily built a devoted following of fans from diverse backgrounds and musical tastes. In addition to his solo work, Drew is a member of the Black Suburbia Collective that does regular shows throughout New Jersey.
NJ: Next’s Angelo Gingerelli got to talk to Drew about music, live shows, influences and being a part of the thriving Jersey Shore Hip-Hop scene…
When does Hip-Hop enter your life? When do you make the transition from fan to artist?
I’ve been making music since I came out the womb. I was doing jazz and blues in the past and then made the transition to R&B. Hip-Hop is so infused with every genre these days. When I would work on albums, I would want features but with so many artists “rapping” out here, I didn’t want to be disappointed by a verse I would get.
So I started doing my own rap features. Rapping and using hip-hop ended up being a tonal thing depending on the project. If I felt like I needed to be political or aggressive, I would rap and use it to tonally get the point across.
What is Black Suburbia?
Black Suburbia was originally a duo made up of two people, a producer by the name of Jon Soul and myself. After performing at two pay-to-play showcases by DJ Tarzan and the early days of Concert Cave, we decided to use my jazz and blues connections from my earlier years to burrow our way into the New Jersey music scene by name dropping people I had worked with in the past like Matt Wade, Outside the Box, and Mark Masefield (Remember Jones).
Who are your biggest influences both as a singer and a rapper?
The biggest influence is myself. I get many comparisons to people but I remain true to myself. I feel like as a young artist it is easy to soak up other’s artistry like a sponge. You can sometimes get caught in a crossroads between what sells and what is organically personal and unique.
You do a lot of shows. What is the scene for live Hip-Hop like at the Jersey Shore?
Black Suburbia is divided up between what we do for the Hip-Hop community and art in general. When it comes to events, we run three series. These events are ticket sale based and we do not charge artists to perform.
The first is the original “Black Suburbia Music Show” at The Saint (Asbury Park). We host this show seasonally, with the exception of two shows in the beginning and end of the summer. These shows are 18+ and have alcohol. We have been running these shows for three years.
The second is “Suburbia Friday Nights” live at the Asbury Park Music Foundation. These are our “All Ages” shows that also feature teenagers from the Boys & Girls Club Hip-Hop Institute. These shows are really for the children of the community who cannot attend our shows at The Saint. We are still in the stages of perfecting these shows but we have three seasons locked down. These shows take places on the first Friday of every month from September to March, with a summer hiatus so that we can discover and lock down new artists on to each show.
Third and final, is “Summers in Suburbia,” which takes place the first Thursday of every month year-round at Little Buddy Hideaway (Asbury Park). On these shows, we have our in house DJ, DJ K-Stray as well as DJs in the Asbury and New Jersey Community play a mix of local hip-hop and R&B with the commercial music well known by all. On these shows you can expect to hear artists like Miles Nxbxdy, Joe College, Bulletproof Belv, Mike Hardy, Nate Taylor, OFFTOP, Most Dope, or myself spun beside artists like Brock Hampton, Cardi B, Beyonce, Lil Wayne, Drake, Migos, Rich The Kid, and Lil Baby.
As for me individually as an artist. I do about 10 to 15 shows a year. Performing everywhere I can unless I am working on a project.
What’s next for Drew The Recluse and Black Suburbia?
I can’t say that…like any good film, if a sequel is in the works, we want to surprise our audience.
Rapid Fire Questions:
Top 5 musicians (rappers, bands, producers, etc.) of all time:
Prince
M83
The Weeknd
Kanye West<
Susanna Sundfør
Top 4 places to perform in New Jersey:
The Saint
Asbury Park Music Foundation
House of Independents
Asbury Lanes
Top 3 producers you’d like to work with if money was no object:
Mike Dean
Gesaffelstein
Ty Dolla Sign
Top 2 live shows of your career
The very first Black Suburbia Music Show in 2015
Pianos in NYC, Sept 8th, 2018 during New York Fashion Week
Top 1 Reason EVERYBODY should checkout Drew the Recluse
If you are looking for balance. I strive to always have mass appeal but at the same time something that is personal. That’s important to me.
Check out Drew the Recluse as a part of Black Suburbia Collective at The 2nd Annual Makin Waves Hunger Benefit for Food for Thought at The Asbury Park Yacht Club along with Evangelia, and Cook Thugless on Friday November 16.
Also Worth Checking Out…
Solo for Dolo & Grungy Boguez – The Fifth EP
NJ: Next Alum and Asbury Hip-Hop Fest Founder Solo for Dolo links up with Grungy Boguez for an EP that will satisfy fans of both the MC and the Producer.
Gnarly Nonsense – Solo Singles
OFFTOP’s Gnarly Nonsense has released three solo cuts that prove he can stand apart from his crew and still shine. “Krule,” “People” and “Smoke” are available now.
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