Artist: Illmaculate
Interviewer: Shamako Noble

Scribble Jam has long been heralded as the nation’s top battle competition. Since Scribble Jam’s inception, emcees have competed from all over the country in grueling round after grueling round of intense battle. And the battles seem to intensify with each passing year. This year’s prize for the event is $10,000, which is going to bring out the heaviest of hitters with the hungriest of attitudes. Naturally, everyone will be gunning for last year’s winner, Illmaculate.

He’s 19 years old, from Portland Oregon. Right now he’s getting better, perhaps better than you. I’ve had the good fortune to meet and interview the homie. Illmaculate has a practically impeccable record, and although he has yet to release his upcoming album ‘Heart,’ he’s well positioned to make a major impact in the independent community. He is also contributing to a legacy that is being forged by artists like Lifesavahs, Old Dominion and a few others. We talked to him about Scribble Jam last year and this year, what it takes to be a good battler, politics and other ish. Check it out.

SoundSlam: So, Illmaculate, tell us a little bit about your experience in Scribble Jam. What did the whole winning battle feel like, and who were your most challenging opponents?

Illmaculate: The whole experience was pretty surreal, honestly. I almost decided not to go in the first place, but my boy React talked me into it. Then I got fired from my job for going, but it was obviously worth it. Scribble itself was unreal. When I made it out of the semi-finals in the prelims and secured my spot into the final 32, I was unbelievably amped. My 2nd round I battled Swann, a very controversial battle. I suppose it could have gone either way, but I got to move on and at that point I knew something big was going to happen. But I never expected to win it all. All my opponents were challenging. Franco had beat me in the semi-finals of the prelims earlier that day. So facing him again in the semi-finals of the final 32 had me a bit shook, but I pulled it out. White Mic is very dope and dropped very good shit against me. Of course, Mac Lethal, the former champion, was a beast. I don’t really remember much from that night. I was sort of out of it. I couldn’t believe I won.

SoundSlam: You were recently a semi-finalist at Mindgames. Tell us a little bit about that and what the high points and low points of that battle were.

Illmaculate: Mind Games had a LOT of Talent in it. Franco, TheSaurus, FLO, Presense, DLor and a lot of the westcoast’s finest. So the 32-man battle was pretty bananas. Only thing is, there was a lot of talent but s somewhat lackadaisical crowd put a bit of a damper on things. Also by the time the 32-man battle was ending and the 2 on 2 was starting, the crowd had diminished to next to nothing. But it was definitely fun. I was so burned out from the 32-man I’m sure I will look like a fool during the 2 on 2. Props to Franco for taking me out in the semi-finals of the 32-man and taking the whole thing. Good shit. Glad I didn’t have to battle Thesaurus.

SoundSlam: You’re currently working on your album. Does it have a name and when can people expect it. Also, what are you trying to accomplish with this album? Illmaculate: I am working on my album entitled “The Heart”, which will be available for purchase early-mid August. I will definitely have them ready by Scribble. With this album I’m just letting people know the whole battle rapper stigma doesn’t apply to me. Battling is secondary. Something I do on the side, and use as a pedestal to get my name out. Music has always been my priority and what I’m best at. Hopefully this album will be felt. It’s been a long time coming.

SoundSlam: You’re from Portland. That’s not a scene that a lot of people know about. What’s cracking on that scene right at this moment? Who are the popular artists and what kind of shows are coming through there?

Illmaculate: Portland is an interesting scene. Not too many heads are coming up out of Portland, I think mainly for the fact that people don’t take us seriously. But LifeSavers are definitely doing their thing and representing. Boom Bap Project straight out the North West recently signed to Rhymesayers and are definitely doing their thing. Old Dominnion’s been around forever epresenting. So I have to do the same you know. As far as my contributions, I don’t know if it’s pure coincidence, but the Scribble tour now is stopping in Portland following me winning it all. That’s what we need...more events coming through. It feels good that I am a part of Portland’s growth as a whole. I know a lot of extremely talented cats, emcees that would blow your mind... Nyndiem, Nisan, my boy Genocide, StaleMate, Sound Godz. There’s a lot of talent here, it’s only going to take one of us to get on, and it’s all over. Don’t sleep on us.

SoundSlam: How do you feel about Hip Hop as a whole right now? What about battling? What do you think of the battle scene as a whole?

Illmaculate: Hip Hop as a whole is constantly changing, you know. Now is no different. I think the scene is as fresh as it’s ever been. A lot of different styles and innovative shit is going on everywhere, from Portland to NY, to Madagascar even. There’s people as hungry as you and I everywhere….As far as battling, the scene is really getting a lot of attention right now. Battling’s becoming the next big thing. I remember back in 2001 when I won my first battle, battles were a lot less known of by the general public and they were relatively hard to find. Now they are popping up everywhere daily. I think it’s real dope. The Portland battle scene diminished for a while, but it’s on the comeback now with the contribution from this fresh new hip hop joint called the Wax. I just won the $300 “King of Portland” battle the other night…just had to throw that in there.

SoundSlam: A lot of people complain about misogyny and homophobia in battling. What are your thoughts on that and what, if anything, could be done about it?

Illmaculate: Well, in all honesty, yes I can understand why people would complain about that. But negativity is the basis of a battle. If you want to enjoy an evening of positive lyrics in a homophobic/misogynistic free environment, a battle should be the last place you’d want to go. You know, that’s like going to a boxing match and asking the boxers not to draw blood, or hit softer. That’s just the nature of the beast and is to be expected at a battle. If that type of atmosphere makes you uncomfortable don’t put yourself in that situation.

SoundSlam: What do you think of major TV battles like 106 and park and the MTV battle? How would you rate them against contests like Scribble Jam and Brainstorm.

Illmaculate: Well, the second installment of the MTV battles, surprisingly enough, housed a bit of talent. Such as Swann and Wrekonize, two emcees at the top of their game most definitely. These two made the battle worth watching. I haven’t seen a 106 and park battle worth watching since the 7 weeks Jin was on and the 3 that Frankie Riptide was on, before being blatantly jerked against some shmoe while B2K was judging. Yes... B2K, Judging a FREESTYLE BATTLE, horrible ain’t it? Scribble Jam, Brainstorm, Superbowl, Midwest battle for supremacy and battles like these are what the other clones are hoping to achieve. Any one of these battles at any given time houses the cream of the crop as far as the battle scene goes. That is the difference.

SoundSlam: What battlers right now are piquing your interest? Who are the artists right now that you are vibing with?

Illmaculate: As far as battlers I’d have to say, Iron Solomon, PassWurdz, Franco, TheSaurus, Swann, White Mic, FLO, Wrekonize, this cat Parable I’ve heard is a threat to win any battle he’s in. Along with, Presense, Nyndiem, DLor, Joint Custody, BoRat, Dese, Diabolic and of course Mac Lethal. I’m sure there’s others I’m forgetting. But there’s just too many dope battlers to name right now. As far as artists, CopyWrite gets a lot of rotation along with Brother Ali, Tech N9ne, Jus Allah, Cormega, Sage Francis, Eyedea, Big Pun’s “Capitol Punishment” of course, Nas, Jay Z, Game, Pac & Common.

SoundSlam: Do you plan on attending this year’s Scribble Jam, and if so, what do you think will be the outcome.

Illmaculate: I’m sort of forced to attend this year due to the ten thousand dollar prize. It’s pretty much a must. As far as the outcome, I have absolutely no idea what it will be. There will be way too much talent this year to make predictions. My guess is someone very dope will win.

SoundSlam: What makes a good battler, and what do you suggest to anyone trying to improve their skills.

Illmaculate: Battling is just like any sport or hobby. In order to stand out you must put in a lot of hours of work practicing. That’s the biggest thing, that and actually entering as many battles as possible. There is no substitute for experience.

SoundSlam: Last year was a big year for Hip Hop on the political front. How did the Hip Hop and politics movement affect you, and what are your thoughts on how it can be more effective in the future?

Illmaculate: I’m not really into all that hippie stuff.

SoundSlam: Any last thoughts or shout-outs?

Illmaculate: Make sure you check out the album “The Heart”, or I’ll kill you.

Shamako Noble is a Co-Founder of Hip Hop Congress and a Co-Founder of the Academy of Hip Hop at the Riekes Center for Human Enhancement in Menlo Park, Ca (www.riekes.org). He is also an emcee who enjoys battle rapping, making songs and quilting. He can be reached at shamako@riekes.org.