Meech: Foot on the Gas-Q&A
Meech is a part of a huge new chapter in Boston's rising hip hop scene. The former Elms College (MA) point guard is dribbling his way onto stages all and around the Boston area opening for local legends such as Cousin Stizz and Michael Christmas. Meech is a member of the Brockton rap collective, Van Buren Records, who have grabbed the attention of the whole city in such a short time. Van Buren is the future. Simple as that. I consider myself lucky to have seen them live in concert, at the House of Blues, they absolutely killed their set and I cannot wait to see the boys perform again.
On May 26th, Meech released a four song tape called, I’ll Be Back Soon I Promise. I highly recommend all four songs to be added to your summer playlists.
Johnny Dube: What was your childhood like in Brockton?
Meech: It was amazing and challenging. I played basketball 24/7, bumped music, played video games. Did everything I could to stay out of trouble. There’s a lot of violence that happens around here but it’s a place I call home and love as an adult. Brockton made me the person I am, I'm grateful.
JD: What are some of your favorite spots in the city?
M: I’ve outgrown some spots in Brockton, I really just stick to the food spots we have around here, from a crown fried,Jade Lee’s,, to a Boston Market, Flava Jamaica. I stay inside a lot, I don’t go out unless I'm obligated too. If you catch me in Boston, it’s usually because VB out there and we got some shit to do and then just vibe out afterwards. Get some food and shit, say wassup when y’all see us.
JD: How did your music journey start?
M: Journey started from freestyling during my teens, listening to my bro’s burnt CD’s. Then seeing my boys make music and wanting to make music seriously once I graduated college and ball was out of the picture. It’s been a long unexpected journey man, felt as if I fell upon this on accident. The love for the music has met me halfway, doors have started to open. I’m grateful.
Meech’s cover for his song “Idky”
JD: Who are/were some of your inspirations growing up and how did they spark your musical interests?
M: Kanye was the biggest catalyst, Late Registration did it for me and had me tapped into everything music. The blog era is forever the greatest moment to me in music for me, that J Cole, Wale, Drake, Kendrick, Big Sean, Wiz Khalifa time frame untouchable to me. That time frame was all I needed to be inspired, ‘til this day. VB will for sure be another huge movement in hip hop, our sound is very deceptive. We talk about real life shit and express it in various ways, sounds, it’s beautiful and I really don’t see it being done the way we do it.
JD: You have created some incredible songs, especially recently, what is the song making process like for you? and have you had to go through any major obstacles?
M:Every record always starts to a beat that makes me freestyle instantly, if you can make me freestyle within 10 seconds of hearing the beat then shit is going to be created. The approach varies, I’ve done records off of freestyling a dope ass melody and then refining stuff after I’ve laid the original idea down. I’ve done records off writing them down on pages of a notebook pad to focus more on the lyrics and what I’m saying in every bar. I’ve gotten dope shit both ways, as of the last month though I’ve been using the Notebook pad like crazy. Just have pages of thoughts written out, it’s relieving.
JD: Regarding Van Buren, how does it feel performing and expressing your passion with some of your closest friends?
M: It’s unmatched, to know that I'm doing something with other people who feel the same way I do about my purpose is powerful. Those guys are my brothers. I can’t wait til we can perform again, and bounce energy off one another again. Really grow in that performing aspect, and keep pushing the boundary.
Van Buren Boys, quite possibly the best squad picture of all time
JD: What has been your most memorable performance so far?
M: For sure House of Blues opening for Stizz, shit was an out of body experience because it was just a flow moment amongst 7 people on that stage. We prepared so much for that show, can’t wait to do hundreds of shows like that down the line. Ready to go to war with my guys and keep pushing this vision to new heights.
Van Buren performing at the House of Blues, photo by @elijah_dol on IG
JD: What are you most looking forward to when the world opens up again and do you have any big plans?
M: Man that’s a loaded question, I'm staying inside for the most part. If I'm not with nature or vibing with people in VB, I am inside with it focusing on myself.
I can’t lie though, the 1st thing i’m going to do is hit a rooftop spot.
Eating a dish I’ve never had before, vibing and laughing with my guys.
Outside of that, keep the foot on the gas, get this content out that involves being outside and make history for our city. It’s been an amazing journey, can’t wait for more.
Follow Meech on Instagram here: @meech_bold
Listen to Meech below!
