“Never Let Art Die”

By ANTHONY MCLAUDE

Beaumont-based Hip Hop/Rap artist Exposure has been busy putting in work in the studio as he debuts his newly released EP, “Never Let Art Die.” I had the opportunity to speak with Exposure about how the EP came together, what art means to him, social media, perfect love, his record label Above the Clouds, and which time period he would have wanted to be a part of musically.

Congratulations on the debut of your newly released EP, “Never Let Art Die!” What inspired the title of the record?

EXPOSURE: Thank you so much! I appreciate you taking time out to talk with me. The art form of Hip Hop has been lost for so long, and not only that, the people with talent have been silent for way too long. Never let art die is about letting your voice be heard in music, and it’s about good quality music with substance. We must remember where we came from. A lot of today’s music has broken away from the pure art form. My mission with never let art die is to keep it alive.

Describe art to me.

EXPOSURE: Art is creativity poured out through an artist’s soul and emotions. It’s sort of like your way of how you see the world. Each person has a presentation. For example, if you cook a particular dish a certain way and present it on an elegant dish; that was your way of presenting. There is no wrong way to create or present your art. As long it is pure. Art is purity, creativity and imagination.

Let’s backtrack. How did the name Exposure come about?

EXPOSURE: Exposure actually derives from my last name which is “Expose.” My friend whom I’ve known since middle school “Damien Briggs” and I both agreed that Exposure is a fitting name for me as an artist. What’s funny is before Exposure, I called myself “Lil Alex” (Laughs). My grandmother calls me Alex, that’s why.

How old are you?

EXPOSURE: Just turned 28 on September 13.

I assume that when it comes to being on social media, you’re a bit on the extrasolar side, yes (laughs)?

EXPOSURE: If I could have someone handle my social media sites, I would really love it (laughs). I grew up in an era where we weren’t concerned about social media. It was more so a person’s physical presence which spoke volumes. I can admit (laughs) my social media presence needs some touching up.

Speaking of extrasolar, you have a record label called “Above the Clouds,” which you’re the founder and sole proprietor. How would you describe “Above the Clouds,” and what is the ultimate goal for the label?

EXPOSURE: I will start by saying the quote I developed for Above the Clouds, “There is no limit to an open sky.”  I disagree with everyone who says the skies the limit. No, that’s not true at all. Have you considered all of the vast galaxies? I want to reach the highest level possible before I die. The Clouds is many things. First and foremost, it gives honor to God. Even though our music is secular, we refrain from using such explicit words in our music. “Above the Clouds” is many things besides a label. I would love to go further in details, but that will all come in due time.

What made you want to be a rapper?

EXPOSURE: It first started with poetry at the age of 9. I’m really going to have fun answering this question and here’s why (laughs). Ok, so aside from poetry, when I was in the 5th grade we would always have to write short stories about a certain topic the teacher gave us. We did this every morning for the entire school year. I would always volunteer to read my short story and the entire classroom including the teacher, would be amazed. Her words were, “Gavin writes the most interesting stories.” The next year, I was inspired by many Hip Hop artists to start writing my own verses. Later on, those verses would turn into full songs. It was an expansion of poetry, to short stories, and now music.

I’ve listened to “Never Let Art Die,” And it gives off the vibe of an early ‘2000s Jam with a little mixture of B.O.B. What inspired the sound on this record, and where does the creative process of your lyrics come from?

EXPOSURE: B.O.B?? That’s interesting. A few people have told me that and I still just can’t see it (laughs). I must say the early 2000s was definitely a great era in hip hop. What inspired this EP was a number of things. So let’s talk the first track N.L.A.D (Never Let Art Die). I wanted to be as smooth and lyrical as possible. N.L.A.D is the introduction of not only the EP, but also of myself from an original standpoint. I had to come out the gate letting everyone know what I was about and what I stood for. Every track of “Never Let Art Die” is a reflection of my experiences and all that I am looking to achieve. I worked closely on production with Nick Stein whom is based in Atlanta Georgia. Nick and I just have this little vibe to where we get in the studio it just works. I would tell him what I’m trying to portray or convey in each song, and he was talented enough to compose instrumentation based off of that alone. I also had a hand in picking out certain sounds which I felt complimented each track.

Who were some of your influences growing up?

EXPOSURE: Will Smith. I have to give him credit first. People laugh at me when I say that, but the guy is amazing. Not a lot of rappers can make good clean music. Plus, he’s a phenomenal actor. I am pursuing acting as well. Next, I have to give credit to LL Cool J, Jay Z, Biggie Smalls, and Aaliyah. I was heavily influenced by R&B, so I can’t forget that. From Barry White, to Sade, Brandy, Monica, so yeah! A lot of influences!

On terms of collaborations, who would you want to work with in the music industry?

EXPOSURE: Definitely everyone I previously mentioned (laughs). I would really like to do a collaboration album with a female R&B singer as well. Who that could be, I’m not sure. Maybe Chante Moore or Melanie Fiona! I’ve had that idea for quite some time now. Oh, Toni Braxton too. I can’t forget her.

On “Perfect Love,” you stated, and correct me if I’m wrong on the lyrics.

   “Sow the place in your heart from within my ribs. Romanceful, not alone our bodies gonna last. It’s Van Gogh, art when the colors contrast. The way you love me is perfect. She makes sure I’m straight; I keep an eye all on the surface. Together bearing fruit, you’re the apple of my eye. Our cup runneth over, fresh grapes from the vine.” – Exposure

Explain to all the single ladies out there reading this, what perfect love means to you?

EXPOSURE: You were close on the lyrics and I applaud you for that. I appreciate you for listening too. These are the lyrics,

“I wanna be inside you before the night ends/hold a place in ya heart from within my ribs/romance for, however long our bodies gone last/its Van Gogh, art when our colors contrast.” 

What perfect love means to me is UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. Being able to love someone through thick and thin! Accepting them and their flaws! Even though the world around you may be falling apart, the love you share with your significant other is perfect. It means enduring. It means both man and woman giving all they have to give of themselves to one another. Love growing for each other on a consistent bases. A lot of people don’t know what they have until it’s gone. Perfect love is being able to see the person God has blessed you with and cherish them every day. Not a lot of people can manage this. They allow life, temptation and other things to interrupt the possibility of perfect love. Perfect love understands someone on a level so deeply that your souls become intertwined. I could go on and on because I certainly have a lot to say on perfect love. But in order for me to do that, you would have to schedule me for another interview (laughs).

If you could wife any illustrious female figure, who would it be, and why?

EXPOSURE: I can’t really answer that because the older I get, the more I submit to Gods will and what he has for me. But I will say this much. The woman I marry has to first honor God with everything, be affectionate consistently (not just referring to sex), supportive, understanding, enduring, willing, loving, and willing to stay with me until death do us apart. I expect nothing short of that. With the divorce rate being so high, it truly saddens me. Marriage is and will be a 1 time thing for me. I need a woman who understands that and wants the exact same thing.

On record, I was told that you were out doing business in Canada? Is there anything good running through the 6?

EXPOSURE:  Oh yes. It’s a lot of opportunity in the 6. I was able to network with a huge market of people in the entertainment industry on an international level.

Are you originally from Beaumont Texas?

EXPOSURE: Yes, I am originally from Beaumont Texas and I will never forget where I came from. 409 till the death of me.

Is there an Expose World Tour in the works?

EXPOSURE: Whenever God allows it to happen, most certainly. I will perform in any country.

Do you have any ambitions outside of music? If so, what are they?

EXPOSURE: Certainly. I’m really passionate about acting. That’s the next milestone I’m pursuing aside from music. I also want to own a dessert gallery dabbles into network marketing.

If you could live in any time period for the music scene, what time period would you want to live in, and why?

EXPOSURE: Well, I was a kid in the 90s. But I think if I could have been an adult in the 90s that would have been much better. I have an old soul for a young man. People were just more personable back then. Technology has caused people to be so distracted and away from face to face conversation. Yes, it is a helpful tool, but I wish I could have been an adult in the era where people had more face to face meetings. It’s hard to get to truly know someone if you’re doing it through the internet.

What can we expect from your next project?

EXPOSURE: Excitement and more entertaining instrumentation on the next project. I don’t say that to discredit Never Let Art Die at all because it is a classic. But the next project you’ll notice me getting into a more entertaining rhythm.

Lastly; to sum up! Who is Exposure, and what does he want to be remembered for?

EXPOSURE: I am God’s son first. Remember me as that. Also, remember me as the creative mind who challenged you to pursue your dreams. Remember me as an inspiration and motivation. As a person who persevered through and started his own company! Remember me as a compassionate artist who relates to any and everybody no matter what background or ethnicity you come from. I truly believe I am the people’s champion. It’s so much deeper than music. I pray my talents help win souls for the kingdom of heaven and that even after I am gone, my legacy will remain in a positive way until the end of time.

Listen to Exposure - Never Let Art Die

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