Apollo Knox Interview by SLiM PiCKENS

This 18 year old MC and Beat Maker known as Apollo Knox from Salem, MA has made some major noise in a short amount of time. Since spring of 2012 his name has been buzzin among many circles as a result of his talent and drive... and for sounding a lot older than he is. 

Put on the radar by Justice of the Wreck Shop Movement as one of Massachusetts up-n-coming Hip Hop artists, Apollo, only 17 years old at the time has since had the opportunity to be interviewed on radio and perform at various events and cyphers along side legends and seasoned vets which has led to numerous collaborations. Some of those events include The Formula showcase, the Freedom Cypher, the Unity Cypher and Salems annual Bridgin G.A.P.S. concert. 

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With multiple music videos filmed and edited by 16 year old Ankit Bagchi of Delta 9 he's made sure his presence is known on the web and among the Hip Hop community. In this interview you'll find that he sparked enough interest of another talented local artist known as Slim Pickens to want to interview him for the Raw Report. And it goes a little somethin like thiiiiis.....

Slim Pickens: Who are you, where ya from and where are you going?

Apollo Knox: Apollo Knox, Salem, MA. Currently residing in Revere, Ma. Hopefully goin down in history as one of the best.

Slim Pickens: Tell me what inspired your song Never the Less?

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Apollo: Once I heard that beat it just spoke to me. I felt I had a lot to get off my chest just from seeing my generation get fixated on all this music meant to keep them narrow minded. Also wanted to make it crystal clear where I'm representing. Being 17 at the time it was definitely a pivotal point of my career.

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Check out Apollo Knox in "Never The Less" 
filmed & edited by Angkit Bagchi

Slim Pickens: You sound like you're straight out the 90's Golden era MC, and being that your 18, what are u a reincarnate or something? What you know about the Golden Era of Hip Hop? Do you have any influences pre 2000?

Apollo: The majority of my influences are directly rooted from the Golden Era. They range from Boot Camp Clik, Mobb Deep to AZ, It was Written Nas. Trust I've done my homework, older heads I build with are usually surprised when they find out I ain't got any older siblings.

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I got put onto the Wu when I started 7th grade got hooked once I seen the video for "Da Rockwilder" by Meth & Red. Youtube had JUST came out, so I took it to my advantage by just digging through as many related videos as I could find.

Slim Pickens: Aight so I listened to 2 of your tracks Never The Less and Brain Storm, and I can say I wanna hear a lot more from you, kind of feel like when I 1st heard Nas A breath of fresh air!!! 

Talk to me about Brainstorm, you just have this presence and flow that is pure expression, true Hip Hop essence. Whats your inspiration behind this track?

Apollo: Actually after listening to emcees like Nas run through entire beats, delivering 3 verses without a single flaw. I felt as though I had something to prove, happened to hear that Lord Finesse beat and it was the perfect canvas.

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Check out Apollo Knox in "Brainstorm"
Filmed & edited by Angkit Bagchi

Slim Pickens: So with these joints under your belt, I know you got MuthaFunkers knockin down your door. Tell me about your relationship with Jus/Wreckshop movement.

Apollo: Justice is one of many older heads I've been blessed to have around me coming up in the local scene. Wreck Shop has opened countless doors of opportunity for me, nothin short of a strong movement.

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Slim Pickens: Have you attended the Freedom Cipher? How many ciphers have u blessed?

Apollo: I've only been in one. We had Ripshop, Paranom, Haze, A.Period, and Oblivious in there.. Man, it was colossal.

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Check out Apollo goin in at the Freedom Cypher 
over one of A.Periods beats!

Slim Pickens: I hear your working on an EP with Paranom & Evill Dewer, is this true? Tell me a little about the project. 

Apollo: Really looking forward to everyone's reaction once it's finished, there's no doubt that it is a sound that MA has never heard before.

Slim Pickens: Also a project with Mass Appeal? How did that come about and when will it release?

Apollo: Kicked a verse over one of his beats for a raw footage video for Wreck Shop, then met the homie at an open mic I rocked in Beverly. Due to technical difficulties with the couple beats I had brought wit me, he grabbed his gear so I ran through about 7-9 of his beats in a row. We currently have an Ep's worth of material recorded, I ain't in a rush so it'll be released when I feel as though my fans are ready and know what they should expect.

Slim Pickens: Where do you see yourself this time next year? 3-5 years?

Apollo: I'm an emcee who is consistently reinventing my style, I've also moved each year of my high school career. Since my life usually involves constant change, I can't quite say. But hopefully touring and working with legends.

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Slim Pickens: So you are in High School. In what ways do you bring the culture to your school?
Have you performed at your school, basket ball games, football games, talent shows? Do you play any sports? Will you perform at you prom or your graduation?

Apollo: A main aim for my music is to bridge a generation gap that has been formed from the media saturating the perception of our culture. I'm here to be the clear contrast among all this fraudulent fake shit. Haven't performed at any the schools I've been to or played sports since I was younger.

Check out Apollo Knox at 17 years old in "Joe Jackson" 
Filmed & edited by Angkit Bagchi

Slim Pickens: How long have you been producing?

Apollo: Started making beats a few years before I picked the pen up, one of my homies' older brother's had FL studio and taught me how to crack it. A year or two later, same dude asked how I was getting my drums to knock how they did. Eventually I progressed into a more modern style of production, much different than the beats I choose to rap over.

Slim Pickens: Name your top 5 beats or songs. What makes these your favorites?

Apollo: Take it in Blood - Nas
A timeless track meant to be listened to 50 times in a row.

Won't Do - J Dilla
Hands down one of my favorite artists, there's just something about his production on this joint in particular that catches my ear in a different way every time I hear it.

How High (Remix) - Method Man & Redman

Hip Hop's version of a "perfect" in Mortal Kombat.

Rigamortis - Kendrick Lamar
Sounds like he had an aqua lung when he was in the booth, flawless delivery throughout the whole record.

Emeralds - Roc Marciano
One of the most listened to artists for me at the moment. (And New York State of Mind 2....)

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Check out Apollo Knox in "Own Your Mind | Mind Your Own"

Filmed & edited by Angkit Bagchi

Slim Pickens: Are there any artists famous or not that you would like to work with? For what reason?

Apollo: Action Bronson, Raekwon, Sean Price, Ab Soul, Buckshot, Mos Def, Roc Marciano, Kendrick Lamar, the list goes on... I feel as though we all on the same page and would have some serious chemistry. As far as producers go... Alchemist, Just Blaze, Pete Rock, Madlib, Premier, RZA, Black Milk, 9th Wonder, and some of TDE's in house producers would be really dope to get in the lab with.

Slim Pickens: How do you feel about music awards? Would you like to win or be nominated for a music award?

Apollo: As much as I'd love to recieve one, ain't really a main objective of mine.

Check out Apollo Knox in "Live My Life"
Filmed & edited by Angkit Bagchi

Slim Pickens: What do you do besides music, hobby, work?

Apollo: The fraction of my life that isn't fixated on music; consists of a lot of good weed, freestyling, school, girls and partying. My weekly routine doesn't stray too far from the average teenager but lately I've been trying to step my reading game up. I've also picked up chess as well.

Slim Pickens: The music is impressive and I know a lot of people are gonna be blown away and so excited to embrace what you are bringin to the culture.  Let the people know where they can link up with you and check out your music and upcoming shows.

Apollo: If its a first listen, I'd recommend looking me up on youtube. Got a ton of visuals. Also you can find me at....

facebook.com/apolloknox
soundcloud.com/apolloknox
twitter: @apollo_knox
instagram: @apolloknox