Greedmont Park

Cracked Out Faces and Popped Glocks [Uffie Interview].

Wednesday, July 28, 2010 by Team Greedmont | 7 Comments; | Category: Entertainment

Before Nicki Minaj, there was Lil’ Kim. Before Lady Gaga, there was Madonna. Before Lindsay Lohan was taunting the justice system with ‘Fuck You’ nails and Ke$ha was shocking our ears with morning after stories of bottles of jack, and feeling like P.Diddy; there was Uffie. Not giving a fuck, desensitized,and partying until the sun comes up, let’s face it, Uffie is the mascot of our generation. With the recent turn of events concerning Lohan, the hipster and party scene has been in a sort of stand still. What better time to have a chat with the girl who started it all?  From Pharrell, to baby Henrietta, to her latest album “Sex, Dreams and Denim Jeans”, this past week Uffie and I had a chance to reminisce about the recent turn of events that have occurred and are occurring in her life.

Uffie’s debut album: Sex, Dreams and Denim Jeans, has been highly anticipated and for well reason. Although the Hong-Kong raised and Paris based rapper for the most part stuck to her hip hop roots, other genres such as pop, electro and house are meshed through out the album. While “Pop the Glock” is a laid back, let’s get blown type single, “MC’s Can Kiss” is a finger snapping tune, with catchy cocky lyrics such as “Yeah I got something MCs can kiss/ It’s a nice bum cheek and it goes like this”. When asked about the audience that she wanted the album to attract Uffie stated, “ The album crosses a lot of genres, so I think there’s a bit of something for everyone on there”. Still not satisfied, we probed deeper. If Sex, Dream and Denim Jeans was being played at a club, what type of crowd would it attract? To which she replied, “Many, many different people.”

Being an artist, there has to be something that differentiates you from the rest. For Uffie that has been her attitude and especially her mouth. When all the world around her is labeling her as vulgar, we felt the need to get the stars perspective on the term. “I am vulgar for some people, for others I am just another typical youth. I am from a part of a generation that is incredibly desensitized, so to us it may not be vulgar”. Spoken sincerely, but the fact that the rebellious, misfit icon has just had a baby raises some questions. Is she going to soften her image? Are her lyrics going to be toned down for fear that when baby  Henrietta grows up she’ll hear them? When asked if having a child has influenced her music or has caused her to feel the need to soften her image, she quickly corrected me, “No, it has caused me to grow up in many ways very quickly and brought a much needed balance to my life.”

2007, 2008, and finally 2010, the release date of Uffie’s Sex, Dreams and Denim Jeans, had been jumped around quite a bit. Some songs were recorded before her brief hiatus, and others at the albums completion. “Pop the Glock” was all about the nightlife, while “First Love” probed into deeper and more concrete elements such as love, and relationships. “‘Pop the Glock’ was the first song I ever wrote so, on ‘First Love’ I definitely had more experience to say things how I wanted. Also, I write about what I am feeling in the moment. If your feeling love or sensitive, then that’s what you write about.”

One of the many reasons of Uffie’s breakthrough as an artist is the fact that she often collaborates with many astounding artist in the genres that her music meshes. When asked what genre of music she most identifies with, she was on the fence,” I’m a punk at heart, with a passion for hip-hop, and I’m surrounded by electro. So, that’s sort of how it comes out. I am definitely in constant evolution. I think the great thing about being an artist is getting to express what your feeling in a moment, so its always changing.”  We began to talk about her recent collaboration with Pharrell for her “ADD SUV” song and video and their artistic relationship. “Having Pharrell in the video was really an honor. He’s an artist that I have incredible respect for, so I was really happy and excited to have him on the track and do the video together.” Ed Banger label mates Mr.Flash and former lover Feadz was mentioned, “I think living the life we do really cuts you off in a way from social interaction. You’re constantly gone and everything is about music, so you tend to become closer to people who share and understand this. My label mates Feadz and Sebastian are great friends.” The conversation drifted off to Steve Aoki and some his more recent projects which prompted Uffie’s acclamation, “Steve Aoki isn’t part of Ed Banger, he is Dim Mak. However he is one of my best friends and I love his spirit. When [as artists] you share so much, it brings you closer.” Boy is she in good company! She is surrounded by some of the most partied to DJs, producers and artist. The fact that she is so into the hipster scene affects what she writes about, “I write about my life experience and surrounding. You really just absorb what you’re around.”

Although it’s only July, fashion week is approaching. Many don’t know this, but Uffie  studied fashion, but turned away from it when she and DJ Feadz began making music.  Now that her album is out and she has had time to soak all the success in and reminisce, I couldn’t help but muse: Let’s say she had never met DJ Feadz, would she have been preparing for fashion week instead of being a part of the electro pop revolution? “Who knows! If you asked me where I would be in five years a few years ago, I wouldn’t say here.” I began throwing in numbers and mentioned the fact that it took a while for her debut album to come out. Sex, Dreams, and Denim Jeans has been highly acclaimed and her fans want more. Are there deals in the works for a sophomore album? “I am writing at the moment and I plan on getting into the studio ASAP. Never again will I be asked what took so long.” Greedmont fans in the UK have long been graced with her presence, but our readers in the states wanted to know if we would get out night with the star soon. Concerning the United States and tour dates and shows, she affirmed, “Yes, [I will have shows in the states], the tour schedule is endless.”

Being the fiery spirit that I am, I took the chance to ask Uffie what she had to say to those who have harshly reviewed her music. However, the spunky hipster, is a bit hesitant. “Nothing, everyone is entitled to an opinion. It would be boring not to stir things up enough that everyone loved you, wouldn’t it. Where’s the challenge in that.”

It’s all in good fun. There’s never a dull moment with Uffie.  Music critics have dubbed her, “Rebelliousness tinged with honesty”, “catchy fresh-sounding and brilliantly self referential” and even the art biters over  Rolling Stone have fallen in love and stated  concerning the MC: “Did Ke$ha bite her steez? Who cares? There’s always room for another party girl.” Whatever the case, Uffie is back. Is it safe to say that you’re back to take your throne as the electro pop queen and globe trotting party starter? I asked, half-jokingly. “My bags are packed, but I guess the crowd will have to answer that for you,” she responded all smiles.

[Words by Rose M. Bellefleur]