My City: M-Dot Puts Boston on the Map

Despite being a major urban area with a thriving hip-hop scene, Boston hasn't had an artist in the last decade make it into the national spotlight. Mass. based emcee M-Dot is determined to change all that, while always remaining true to his roots. In this edition of our My City series, M-Dot explains Boston's "crabs in a barrel" mentality and reveals that anyone looking for him won't have to search any further than the studio.

RefinedHype: Despite an extensive hip-hop scene, Boston artists very rarely make it to national prominence. Why do you think that this?

M-Dot: I just think that more artists should come together. A lot of emcee's feel a tension of competition locally and it really shouldn't be that way. If more rappers and producers work in unison over here, I know it would make us stronger as a whole.

RefinedHype: How has working in Boston, as opposed to bigger cities like New York or L.A., affected your music and career?

M-Dot: Being that it is a little bit of a smaller market than NY or LA (while still thriving), it just makes me work harder, plain and simple. I wanna do twice as much and work twice as hard as everyone else. There's really not any labels (majors, and not many smaller labels either) in Mass. And there's definitely a crabs in the barrel feel, since we don't have any platinum artists in the spotlight. I have toured California and done upstate New York as well (Buffalo), I really enjoyed performing in those spots, but really always love coming home to Mass. This is where I'm from and that is not gonna change, I will always represent my city. When I've toured Europe or toured the midwest in the past, wherever I'm at, I rock all the Boston hats and hoodies, and always let people know about the Bean.

RefinedHype: Where do you go to get inspired?

M-Dot: There's no specific place I go. I always like being on my own though. I don't need anybody around. I even record by myself. I don't want any "yes sayers" near me. I challenge myself, and constantly redo takes, I always wanna have my best material out (basically wanting to have every song be better than the last). As far as what inspires me...... My mother. LIFE! My family. My son. Music. Older music. Soul music. Funk music, Al green, Frank Sinatra, Sam Cooke, Tupac, Redman. People who listen to my music, and have had my music affect them into change.

RefinedHype: If I'm rolling through Mass., where can I find you?

M-Dot: I know its cliche, but I'm a studio rat. If I'm home from tour (since I make sure to do 70-90 shows a year on the road) I literally will try to knock out features for people's projects (that they have been waiting on), as well as complete my album. So you can either find me in the studio, or spending time with my family. I know its not the obvious "strip club" or "on the block" answers. Haha. I just don't need to put on a facade, I truly enjoy my family and recording. Lynn, Mass!

RefinedHype: Last words?

M-Dot: Thank you so much for interviewing me. Real talk. Big shout outs to RefinedHype.com!!! Also, big shout outs to my actual blood brother Rev! EMS and my team! Please remember that "M.usically D.riven O.ver T.ime" (solo album debut) featuring Masta Ace, Big Shug, Akrobatik, Edo G, Krumb Snatcha, 7L, Snowgoons, Sha Stimuli, Freestyle (of the Arsonists) & more, will be ready for release mid to late 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It will be well worth the wait, you have my word. In the meantime be on the lookout for a new mixtape from myself & Krumb Snatcha hosted by Tony Touch!!!!! Coming soon. And a solo mixtape from me, M.aking D.oubters O.ver T.hink also. God Bless

For more from M-Dot, be sure to check out his "Backstabbers" video and his last mixtape "M.oney D.oesn't O.wn T.hought".