By Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur
Blitz The Ambassador has traveled many miles to get to this point. The Ghanaian-born, Brooklyn residing Hip-Hop artist is a testament in hope, patience and belief in one’s self. Amazingly, he has been on course for with artists like Fela Kuti, KRS-1 and Big Daddy Kane as his influences with a sound that resembles a hungrier version of The Roots. While he’s new to many, he’s been here steadily refining and redefining his craft. With a six-piece live band called “The Embassy Ensemble”, is busting his way into a new decade on his own terms…onward and upward.
AllHipHop.com: How many years have you been rapping? Many don't realize how long you have endured. We recall you from when you used Press-a-Demo back in the day.
Blitz The Ambassador: Yeah, it feels like forever. I've been though many phases in my career from riding Greyhound buses to going overseas to rock crowds. I believe all that hard work eventually paid off. Most people are probably seeing my video on MTV and asking...where the hell did he come from? Well, it took a real long time to get here and I plan on staying for a while.
AllHipHop.com: How have you evolved as an artist?
Blitz The Ambassador: As an artist, my evolution has been amazing. I mean, my new album is probably the farthest any one has pushed Hip-Hop musically in a while. I worked with a full string orchestra, a Horn ensemble and a mass choir. I think the last time anyone did that was Kanye West on College Dropout. That's how much I have evolved from just rhyming over samples to creating original compositions that will someday be sampled.
AllHipHop.com: The album incorporates a lot of live instrumentation. How does that augment the Blitz experience?
Blitz The Ambassador: I don't think anyone can fully grasp what I am doing musically unless you have seen me and my band live. My mission is to bring back the live show, which has been a missing element in Hip-Hop for a while. I believe the only way to do that is with live instruments and that's why me and my band (The Mighty Embassy Ensemble) are able to rock everywhere, from colleges to festivals to local hood venues. We always make it an experience.
Blitz The Ambassador – “Breath”
AllHipHop.com: What do you hate about Hip-Hop these days?
Blitz The Ambassador: I have only one basic beef with the Hip-Hop today.....To be honest, I don't care about lyrical content and production because all that shit is relative. I just want artist to earn their stripes like they did back in the day, before the co-signer. I feel like most new artist shine off the next mans clout. Its become a who you know hustle instead of what you know.
AllHipHop.com: What do you love about Hip-Hop?
Blitz The Ambassador: Man where do I start?....I love the fact that we are back to survival of the fittest. Its not a secret anymore, the so-called industry is grinding to a halt. Artist control their destiny now. I also love all the different styles and sounds that are growing regionally without mainstream attention. But overall I love the fact that live instruments in Hip-Hop is becoming a standard thing. I think Jay-Z made it cool when he linked with the Roots to do unplugged. Thats a good example for the youth coming up.
AllHipHop.com: You recently opened for Big Daddy Kane in Brooklyn and Nas at Hunter College in New York. How have these and other high-profile show helped?
Blitz The Ambassador: Sharing the stage with legends is always a humbling experience, I mean I had these cats on my wall growing up. I just bumped into Chuck D the other day and he was telling me how much he enjoyed my album and I'm like damn....this this really happening? Yeah I learn a lot from watching these cats do their thing, but more importantly, to be accepted by their audience as the next torchbearer is something special.
AllHipHop.com: Do you think you could rock a Gucci Mane crowd?
Blitz The Ambassador: I'll rock any crowd that has a pulse.....I don't see the difference. From Gucci Mane to Coldplay, we bring that raw authentic energy.
AllHipHop.com: Can you speak on your name?
Blitz The Ambassador: Blitz the Ambassador is a combination of two ideas....first everyone knows a Blitz is a sudden unexpected attack. That's how my style creeps up on you. As an Ambassador, I represent a lot of things. From my people back in Africa to the global world of Hip-Hop. I think it’s about time someone represented Hip-Hop as a world-wide phenom.
AllHipHop.com: Can you talk about being African? How do you or other African view Americans?
Blitz The Ambassador: Being African is the core of my being. Everything from my earliest musical influences, which include Fela Kuti and Hugh Masekela to the food and culture. I believe that all people, especially Black people originate from Africa. I never fell for the divide and conquer strategy. We are all one. Africans, Americans, Caribbeans..One people.
AllHipHop.com: You don't seem to have any co-signs, but can you tell us who you are affiliated with in the game, if anybody?
Blitz The Ambassador: No, I don't believe in co-signs. I represent me and my team, The Embassy MVMT. I am have lose affiliations with a few people, like the Refugee Camp, shouts to Jerry Wonder and Wyclef. I have always admired what they have been able to do coming from Haiti and their story as immigrants inspire me.
AllHipHop.com: The music game is grimy. What's been your worst experience?
Blitz The Ambassador: Well, so far I have been lucky enough to avoid the bullshit so I can't say I have been jerked by the industry. One thing though that happened lately was after building my brand and logo for almost three years, some major label artist (who shall remain nameless) just jacked my boombox head concept for their video. It turned out real lame anyway and everyone knew he bit my concept but that was some grimey s**t.
AllHipHop.com: What has been your finest moment?
Blitz The Ambassador: So far I have to say rocking over 5,000 people at Prospect Park Brooklyn opening for one my idols, Big Daddy Kane. That is a night I am going to remember forever. Brooklyn is my adopted home so it was something special.
AllHipHop.com: Speak on your new album and why it’s worth buying in a recession.
Blitz The Ambassador: Stereotype is worth every dime just for the subject matter. I think there are few albums today that capture the state of society, from economic issues to political issues. This album is definitely a snap-shot of today. As an artist, I consider myself a documentarian and Stereotype is proof.
AllHipHop.com: Any final words?
Find me online, twitter.com/BlitzAmbassador or just google me, you are bound to find something. Also look out for me and the Mighty Embassy Ensemble coming to a city, college, festival, near you. Peace.
