After the Smoke: Get’em High

As the founding members of After the Smoke, 20 year-old CEO/Producer Anthony Cameron (Speek) and 20 year-old artist Robert Laing (Whuzi) out of Tallahassee, Florida strive on elevating the perception of hip-hop and taking it to new heights. I had the pleasure of speaking with the two members of this group that represent everything that hip-hop is lacking.

Scheme: Who/What inspired the name After the Smoke?

WHUZI: Well it was kind of my idea, when I was working on the graphic designs for the album, we came up with the name the Militia. It had like an army theme, at the time we were just trying to figure out exactly who we were and what we wanted to do. So when I developed the album cover we had like gas masks and soldiers and I called it After the Smoke the album cover. Then after looking around at the time, we realized the whole militia/army theme was everywhere. Then it just caught on, and we were like yeah “After the Smoke,” that’s it.

Scheme: So what exactly does After the Smoke, mean?

SPEEK: Well it depends, I mean it’s really about interpretation, to the weed head it may mean after I lit the blunt up, you know after the smoke. Whereas, as to the political dude it may mean after the war, you know militant ready for combat.

“When we started out, like Whuzi said earlier, we were just trying to find our identity, at the time we were trying to please other people. Now we are just trying to be artist. As far as current trend, I mean, the game is just one-sided right now, not much balance.”

Scheme: Reading through your press material, I see that certain members aren’t with you today. Can somebody enlighten me on how the current group got together?

SPEEK: Basically it started with me and Joey Plus, we used to live in Naples. Joey and Whuzi were cool, and we all just clicked. When we were at Florida State going to school we put up flyers all around campus when we were trying to form this group, however, nobody was responding. Ironically, Carmen was the only one to respond, and she was like this was exactly what she was looking for. Whuzi met Essay Real on some online shit and they were just started to vibe during like cipher session we were having.

Scheme: Speaking of Carmen, I must be honest, after watching Making the Band, a few years ago, I thought the concept of female singer and rap group was just a bad idea, but your group has definitely crushed this perception. What do you think Carmen brings to the table?

SPEEK: Carmen brings soul to the table. I mean she is really about expressing herself, its just really a blessing to have her.

Scheme: You mention on your myspace page,
www.myspace.com/afterthesmoke, that you will never blend into the “current trend,” what exactly is that?

SPEEK: We are just going to be ourselves 100%. When we started out, like Whuzi said earlier, we were just trying to find our identity, at the time we were trying to please other people. Now we are just trying to be artist. As far as current trend, I mean, the game is just one-sided right now, not much balance.

Scheme: So, what are your thoughts on the state of hip hop right now?

WHUZI: Whenever you go to a conference with an A&R, they’re all looking for the same thing, simple this, simple that. People are really underestimating the listener, as if the music has to be dumbed down. The customer/listener wants an artist to put time into your music. People definitely want to go to the club and dance to that club banger, however, when the leave are in their car reflecting, they want something to think about too.

Scheme: I really respect how you encourage your listener to try and define your music, because I couldn’t. The best way I can describe your sound is just soulful. Are there any artists out there that currently inspire you?

SPEEK: Well for me as a producer, I’m like really into all different types of artist from Radiohead, Earth, Wind, & Fire, to Outkast. Like what we want to do is take our listeners on a hip hop journey through funk, soul to rock & roll.

WHUZI: Exactly, like we like all different types of artist like Ceelo and Outkast , or like that cat Jamiroquai, Stevie Wonder, I mean the list goes on, just any artist who isn’t afraid to go that extra length.

Scheme: Speaking of artistry, it seems that your group is very confident in itself and strays away from commercialism, would you ever consider doing a collaboration with a big time artist like a Nas or a Jay-Z?

SPEEK: Of course. (laughs) I mean we definitely wouldn’t rule out either one of them dudes. Basically we just want to make music that will last. Our ultimate goal is to make classics, any artist who has the same objective is definitely welcomed.

Scheme: In an earlier press release, there was mention of some of the groups hardships from financial problems, the deaths of close friends, and other personal issues, do you think this has brought you closer?

SPEEK: Of course, the problems we have faced have definitely made us more of a family unit. Like I look at these people like they’re my brothers and sister, whereas other groups treat each other like business partners.

Scheme: Besides the music, you mention how important it is to know the business side of the industry, why is that?

WHUZI: Just knowing your audience, I mean you have to take all necessary methods to get it to the people, from knowing how to present yourself to just overall image. Like, you really have to even get deeper into marketing, just focusing on reaching the listener.

Scheme: I just have to ask this question, where did the title “Rap Music Sucks?” come from?

SPEEK: (laughs) Aww man, that actually came from somebody’s bumper sticker, probably some old redneck’s, it just simply said Rap Music Sucks and I think that’s the problem, like people are so quick to label hip-hop music. You look at an artist like Mos Def, he is completely different from DMX. People usually judge music before they listen to it, so that’s why we put the question mark there. It’s like, rap music sucks? You know, you be the judge.

Scheme: With all of your independent success from promoting in the streets to selling online, what do you think it will take to get After the Smoke to the next level?

SPEEK: I mean we will continue to do the independent thing. Our dream is to become independent label with major influence. Look at Rocafella, they came into the game independent and became one of the biggest names in hip-hop. Everybody has a target audience.

WHUZI: We just have to stay grinding, bouncing around all over the place. Just continue to fine tune and focus on the business aspect of the music. You know, continue to use the internet which has definitely has been advantageous and just thinking like businessmen and hustling.

Independently, After the Smoke has sold over 3,000 units of their albums in the past year. Since joining MYSPACE in the fall of 2005, ATS has managed to build their fan base to over 25,000 fans by promoting at their shows.