How did the name of the group come about? When did it form?
steve0bvious: I was on break at work back in mid 2010 and was listening to a Talib Kweli song called “Prime Example”. I was just vibing and it all clicked with me. Cause that’s exactly what I envisioned us to be, a “prime example” of hip hop. It came to be shortly before the name was thought of, but then we officially became the 4 man powerhouse when we made the addition of Iron Mic to the group in April of 2011.
Where are you from originally?
steve0bvious: Born and raised on the West side of buffalo before eventually moving to north Buffalo.
MarcMostro: Buffalo, NY
Is your family musical?
steve0bvious: My father is my biggest influence of music, having had me surrounded by it since a young age. He sang all throughout the 60’s-80’s and was inducted to the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. A lot of other uncles and cousins of mine have also made prominent ventures in the music industry. We’re definitely a musically driven family to say the least.
JoeLocus: What family isn’t!? No seriously, we all hold music very close to our hearts. On the other hand, besides myself only my brother could be considered an actual musician.
Iron Mic: Me personally? Nah, just a lot of music lovers and fans.
When and why did you start playing?
steve0bvious: My father had a drum set in the basement and I sat on them and fell in love when I was 7. Learned by ear and taught myself until around high school. Not too long after, I picked up the bass and guitar; I wanted to be able to play the whole rhythm section. That was always my goal. I’d been free styling and rhyming since I was 13 but I didn’t start getting serious with it until about 17. That’s when the hip hop really took over for me.
MarcMostro: Early 2011
JoeLocus: I was 12 when I got my hands on my first Digital Audio Workstation – Fruity Loops. I was always a fan of that “Boom Bap” sound and I stuck with it ever since hoping to make it into something more. I started writing even earlier, having my older brother to look up to at the time (Shout out to Thrice Third!) It just came naturally.
What was the first tune that you remember “really” playing well, when you knew that you would be a musician?
steve0bvious: I remember being able to play this song “Some Kind of Wonderful” on the drums when I was 9 years old to a ‘T’. I used to just practice that song over and over, I don’t know what it was. But that’s where it all started.
Describe your first instrument.
steve0bvious: Drums. They’re percussive. Make noises and what not. Bing bang boom bap.
MarcMostro: I taught myself guitar when I was 13 and played ritually for years until I started doing hip hop.
JoeLocus: A computer. I know right? Kids these days.
Are you schooled in music? From where?
MarcMostro: I took vocal lessons in 2nd grade and played guitar since 7th grade. I played bass and alto sax in high school band.
steve0bvious: I learned to read music and developed knowledge of music theory in high school being apart of the hutch tech jazz band. I’m able to sight read sheet music and compose.
JoeLocus: Home schooled. Taught myself everything I know.
Which famous musicians do you admire?
steve0bvious: I have a lot of respect for cats like Blu, Kev Brown, Jurassic 5, Oddisee. I mean the list goes on and on, there’s too many to name. Even a lot of local Buffalo artists have my respect and admiration like Thrice Third, Ajent-O, Pseudo Intellectuals.
MarcMostro: Common, Nas, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Slash, Biggie.
JoeLocus: Pete Rock, 9th Wonder, Elzhi, Lupe Fiasco, Nas, Common, and Black Thought and The Roots Crew just to name a few.
Iron Mic: Pete Rock, Dilla, Kev Brown, Big Pun… pretty much anyone who has helped shape hip hop music.
Where is your favorite place to play/sing in Buffalo?
steve0bvious: I really enjoyed playing at the Vault on Main St. And, as of late the Hertel Lounge has been proving to be a tight new venue to rock at.
MarcMostro: The Vault on Main St.
Iron Mic: I’d say DBGBs on Allen St.
JoeLocus: A tie between The Vault and DBGB’s.
Where would you most like to play/sing in Buffalo?
Iron Mic: The goal is to sell out the Ralph or First Niagara Center.
JoeLocus: Town Ballroom
steve0bvious: I would love to play a gig/open up for an act at the Harbor or at the Ballroom. Playing at the Tralf downtown would be pretty dope, too.
MarcMostro: Yeah, Town Ballroom
How would you describe your music style? Influences?
steve0bvious: I was heavily influenced by funk and soul music – a lot of Motown. I’m definitely more of an old soul. Hip hop wise, groups like Jurassic 5 and Blackstar and cats like J Live.
MarcMostro: Old school 90s hip hop. Common, Nas, Biggie, Method Man, Eminem, the Roots.
Iron Mic: There isn’t one word to describe the styles, only because there’s four of us and we each bring a certain element or flavor to the table, but if I had to, I’d say we’re all about trying to keep the art form in tact, modern day values and topics with a 90’s golden age approach.
JoeLocus: Joe Locus sounds like Joe Locus. I am influenced by everything and everyone, and try to let my style be free.
How often and for how long do you practice?
steve0bvious: I rhyme and write on the daily. I pick up my bass and sit on the drums daily as well. As a group we get together anywhere from 3-5 times a week and work the creative process together. A practice can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an all nighter, it varies.
JoeLocus: I practice every day habitually. Whether it’s the first thing in the morning or the last thing before bed, you’ll find me in the zone for at least an hour.
Iron Mic: We’re always practicing, whether it’s writing new l
yrics, making new beats, or just chillin’ listenin’ to music, it all gets incorporated. Durations last anywhere from an hour to entire days at a time.
Where do you practice?
MarcMostro: We practice mainly in JoeLocus’ basement or steve0bvious’ basement studio.
steve0bvious: We have a few spots we get down at. From my basement studio at home, to JoeLocus’ basement, to the studio at the label’s headquarters.
Do you play/sing covers?
steve0bvious: We used to dabble with covers back a while ago, but with all of us being able producers, we stick to the original material. Occasionally, we’ll do something with an older track such as the homage we did with “12 sil”.
Iron Mic: Nah, no covers. But, we have definitely interpolated older works into our own, like “12 ‘Til”, which is the Billy Cobham sample “Heather” used by Souls of Mischief for “93 ‘Til Infinity”. Maybe in the future covers will be brought into live sets.
Do you play/sing original music? If so, who writes the music and the lyrics?
steve0bvious: All of our music that’s released is original. We all write our own verses and hooks, it’s obviously a group process as far as creating the track but we all individually mold it together.
If you could play/sing for one famous person, who would that be?
steve0bvious: I’ve always thought it would be dope to rock for, or perform along side Jurassic 5. They’re the reason I always wanted to end up in a group as opposed to a solo endeavor. The energy and chemistry would just be awesome on stage.
MarcMostro: Common
Iron Mic: Pete Rock
JoeLocus: As it is right now? I would have to choose Common.
What are your strengths?
steve0bvious: I’d like to say I’m versatile. I can take on a lot of roles musically. I pride myself on having a good ear. I also believe professionalism is important as an artist and it’s something I’ll always take seriously.
MarcMostro: Lyrical rhymes, punch lines and metaphors are my specialty.
Iron Mic: The fact that we all bring a different element to the forefront, and the fact that we don’t necessarily need all 4 of us to function. If one person can’t make it for a show, the group can still rock the crowd with 3 people or even 2. We are all very schooled on the history of hip hop and we know how to keep it funky and authentic. That’s something that sets us apart from anyone else our age. Also, the number of things we can do, we all rhyme and produce music, but as noted before Steve’s skill on the bass and drums really elevate what we’re capable of.
What are your weaknesses?
steve0bvious: I’d say the only thing holding me back right now is not being 21. Luckily that’s only another 5 months from now.
Iron Mic: Colliding work schedules.
MarcMostro: I’d say touching on the mainstream aspect.
Do you have a label? A recording studio? Have you recorded a CD?
MarcMostro: Nickel City Records in downtown Buffalo. Our debut project is Modern Marvels that was released December 1st of 2012.
Iron Mic: Nickel City Records is the label. We have a studio of our own, we have recorded at NCR, we’ve recorded at Type Relevant’s, at Cove’s, so pretty much wherever, the CD is Modern Marvels – you can download it for free: primeexamplemusic.bandcamp.com
Where and when is your next gig?
MarcMostro: May 18th at the Vault for the Spotlight Series with Koolie High, Mic Excel, and Dr. Ooo.
Anything else?
You can also catch us May 30th at DBGB’s on Allen St. for the #RapperProblems tour featuring Dao Jones, AirlineJay, A.M.J., Austin & Nick Lyon presented by ActLive!
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I moved to Buffalo to attend Canisius College in 2007 and began writing for Buffalo Rising as a journalism intern in 2010. Working with Newell and meeting numerous entrepreneurs, activists and everyday folks who were working to make their city better made a huge impact on my decision to stay here. After witnessing all the positive development and grassroots initiatives happening in neighborhoods throughout the city, I was inspired to pursue a term of service in AmeriCorps and a career in Buffalo's non-profit sector. I currently work in the housing department at the Lt. Col. Matt Urban Human Services Center of WNY and am excited to be a part of their ongoing efforts to revitalize the Broadway Fillmore neighborhood. I also volunteer as the project coordinator for Artfarms Buffalo. I continue to write for Buffalo Rising because I love having the opportunity to stay connected to those working toward positive changes for the Queen City.