My City: Ackurate Pushes Hip-Hop’s Borders (Exclusive Interview) Posted by Nathan S. on 01/16/12 | Filed under Features, My City, Ackurate

From Topeka, Kansas (Mike Schpitz) to Vancouver Canada (Jeff Spec) and everywhere in between, I started the "My City" interview series to showcase just how much dope hip-hop is coming out of places far from the LA/NYC/ATL/CHI epicenters of mainstream rap. In that spirit there may be no better example of a place, or places, affecting an artist than Ackurate. Born in San Diego, raised in Tijuana Mexico and constantly traveling between the two, Ackurate sits down to talk about his influences, why San Diego rap has never blown nationally and life on hip-hop's borders.

RefinedHype: Born in San Diego and raised in Tijuana you must have been exposed to a wide range of music. What is it about hip-hop that you connected to so strongly?

Ackurate: Hip hop more then anything allowed me to tell my story/experience from my own perspective. I mean I grew up in the late 80's to early 90's so I was exposed to so much good music. Back when MTV played good shit constantly: LL, Biz Markie, Ice T, Ghetto Boys, NWA, D.o.c, Nas, Biggie, 2pac, etc.

Hip hop spoke on everything, struggle, pain, passion, hate, lust, sin, greed its endless and that's the beauty of it. If its gangster music and that's all you know and grew up with that's what it will be, that's your life in the lines.

I remember starving myself to use my lunch money to buy cd's in school and I got a lot, I was hooked. So many influences in hip hop really I would put Game to shame. Haha. But overall the lyrics, rhythm, and
style that is/was hip hop attached to me and never let go.

RefinedHype: San Diego's never had a rapper or group truly make it onto the national scene. Why do you think that is?

Ackurate: Most rappers from down here more than anything have had regional success. But with that success they limited themselves to other markets nationally. Why mess up a good thing by trying to appease others if the risk is alienating or letting down your fan base? That's like saying an east coast artist doing south records for added exposure, not everyone is going to feel it and more then often hometown heads
will be like..wtf is this? There are exceptions Fab, Jay-z, and Jadakiss for example that can do this and still keep that NY authenticity.

Then there's the whole internet presence now a days that's a gift and a curse. These local artists only chance to get known outside of there region back then was radio or television that's it. No hit record? You're fucked. And a few did their thing, Jayo Felony, Mitchy Slick, and Lil Rob to name a few, but so much great music was coming out at the time.

But with the internet now its even easier to get a following nationally, even globally if the talent and movement is there people will follow. With that though comes everyone and their grandma trying to rap and make it big getting in the way of the truly gifted artists.

RefinedHype: Your music is often highly narrative. Whose story/stories are you telling?

Ackurate: More than anything hip hop to me is a story telling art form that doesn't always have to be experienced or truth. There's always room to embellish or add more to entertain the listener. For the most part my music to this point is based on actual experiences, thoughts or feelings I've had on a variety of subjects.

I try to tell more about myself in the music rather then just tell my whole story on paper, so if you pay attention you'll get to know me better. Its in the 1st person usually for a reason but there's always room to tell a story, even if its fiction.

And there's so many stories to be told down here, so I don't think I'll run out of material anytime soon. From either gang violence, the war on drugs, immigration, abortion, practically anything I don't have to be confined to where I'm at. That's the beauty in hip hop with talent and imagination you can bring any story to life.

RefinedHype: If I'm rolling through your city where can I find you?

Ackurate: That would most likely be cities plural since I'm either down in Tijuana or across in San Diego. I go back and forth still to this day, wherever my life takes me. I could be on the corner chillin' in Tj
drinking and what not, in a strip club getting wasted, or up in Dago hanging out with friends and family to clubbing downtown getting shot down by eye candy. (sometimes haha).

Life is short so I chill when ever I can or funds permit, but more than anything I'd rather be in a sound proof room writing with no distractions.

RefinedHype: Last words? Shout outs? Confessions?

Ackurate: Last words.. If you bothered to click on this link and are wondering who is this dude what is his motivation? I'm just a bilingual Mexican emcee that is doing what he loves. Making music, Hip Hop, whatever you want to call it.

I do it for myself in a way that it helps me vent or just voice my thoughts to the world. I have many voices, perspectives and styles to use to express myself. Hip hop, street, hardcore, underground etc. any sub genre you can imagine.

And in the long run if it benefits me financially even better, I have my family and loved ones who deserve a lot with all they had to put up from me. Its not needed but it would help to be blunt but till that day all my shit is
free. So if you like what you're reading/hearing check me out, spread the name Ackurate, Like,tweet, follow, text, post, add me as a friend on myspace.. whatever and I will truly be grateful.

I do this for the art and if you can see that through my music then I already succeeded. I have many projects in mind but I approach them to whatever has me
inspired at the moment so stay tuned.

My EP and music are available for free download and listen at the link below, as are some sites to link up, like and follow. Thanks to Nathan/Refined Hype writers and the community for giving me a chance. God bless.

BandCamp
SoundCloud
Twitter
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