INTERVIEW WITH GEE WUNDER
Time for the introduction, for those that don't know, Who is Gee Wunder?
Gee Wunder is an artist that represents the betterment and advancement of struggling peoples worldwide. An artist that represents Live Motivators.
People who aren't lazy but go-getters, people that don't wait for things to be given to them, or planted on their laps, but people who set goals
and achieve. An artist who has his first official release "Street Knowledge (The Street Album)" coming out online March 4, 2008 via MotiveMusic/URBNET
Digital that you need to cop off the net or at Play De Record or Rockwell's Clothing in Toronto.
How did you get started doing what you do?
Hip Hop music and culture inspired me to get started. Artists like RUN DMC and LL Cool J were the ones that inspired me to get started. Growing up
on Jane St. in Toronto got me started as well, because hip hop life as a struggle was definitely a way of life there. Add the fact that there were
mad breakdancing crews in my area and we were pretty much submersed in the culture.
Who or what are the biggest influences on you? What inspires you to do what you do?
My main influences in music are artists like Wu-Tang Clan, Boogie Down Productions, Lord Finesse, Nas, The Lox, Big Daddy Kane, mainly East Coast
artists from back in the day. A time when each artist was unique. The first songs that really inspired me to start rapping were songs like "Top
Billin" - Audio Two, "The Bridge" - MC Shan & Marley Marl, "10% Diss" - MC Lyte, songs like that. After hearing the beats ALONE on those songs I
knew the music would be a life long passion of mine. After hearing the words on top the beats, it was a wrap.
What's your take on the new (digital) vs. old (CD) debate?
Well I think we're at the point of no return now regardless. From an artist point of view it is kind of discouraging because sales are so low, so
it seems like a big part of the return for sharing your art and life is gone. And its even more difficult for Canadian rap artists who are still
stereoptyped and suffer from silent forms of systemic racism, struggling to get shows and outlets for his/her music. But on the other side of the
coin the distance between artist and fan is now shortened dramatically. So once we harness the revenue potential behind that we should be straight.
 Give us your opinion on the state of hip hop right now. In Canada and in general.
Hip hop in Canada has never been at a better quality level than now in 2008, as far as sound and professionalism. The business behind the artists
needs to be better though. Once the non-existent infrastructure catches up to the current quality of the music, the artists should be good. I mean
we all know that a large percentage of young people love hip hop music and culture. But Canadian radio does not even remotely reflect the demand for
the music and touring companies do not support Canadian hip hop artists for whatever odd reasons. I believe there is a large amount of racism and
"not wanting to lose our spots/jobs in the industry" attitudes going on, or maybe even some unwarranted fear of the music...LOL. Canada is known as
a rock music country, radio reflects this, we have only ONE truly urban station in the country FLOW 93.5. That is not enough for our artists to
become known or recognized on the major level that we need.
Oh yeah, and people in T.O. stop shittin' on Flow you fools. DO YOU KNOW HOW LONG WE HAD TO FIGHT FOR URBAN RADIO IN TORONTO? If not, go home, do your
homework and stop hatin'. I'm not saying the station is perfect but be thankful you have something on the dial to listen to other than rock or country.
That "I don't listen to Flow" talk is wack and it's dead.
What will it take for Canadian hip hop to take that next step forward?
It will take everyone stepping up their game, myself included. On a business and professional level. We need forward thinking executives to support
and nurture the music and artist, and we need fearless entrepreneurs who are ready to make some big money to take some chances on the music. We need
booking agents, professional managers, song pluggers (for radio and TV), street teams, website designers, publicists, promotions companies etc. etc.
 What's next for Gee Wunder?
Next up for me is my "Street Knowledge (The Street Album)" coming out March 4, 2008 on MotiveMusic/URBNET Digital. My current video is out right now
called "Gather Round." You can youtube it or hopefully you'll catch it on MuchMusic or MuchVibe. After that I will be releasing my official full-length
album. No said date as of yet, but it is tentatively titled "For My People." Also look out for my artist Chris S, his album "Black & White" which I
produced all the tracks for is now out in its first run.
Thanks for sitting down to answer these questions. Anything else you'd like to add?
First and foremost I want to thank Matt at MegaCityHipHop.com for his unwavering support over the past years. He is definitely the man and has held
me down on the net.
On another note, to the writers/reviewers of my art it's all cool to have your opinions (which are like asshole), but at least quote my lyrics right.
And just to clarify, the theme behind "Street Knowledge" is to know what you're doing when you're out here on these streets doing whatever it is you
do to get by and also to give people who aren't out there in these T.O. hoods an idea of what's goin on. Just a warning to everyone to know their
hustle and keep it tight. Also want to let artists know they can get at me for beats, hit me up at myspace.com/geewunder.
Big ups to the Live Motivators Quiet Storm, Reno and Chris S.
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