An interview with Theo: From The Birth to Infinity and beyond

10/01/08 - Theo was born to make music that has longer staying power than the Milky Way. The 23-year-old Providence native and recent URI graduate has been on the rise since he first took the stage as DJ S-Class, the well-known disc jockey that many in the Ocean State still call the "Hot Hand"- and rightfully so. In his present form, though he still focuses on his turntables and even his vocal range (no joke, right?), the self-proclaimed "musician" has pushed his easy flow and insightful lyricism to the forefront, gaining respect from artists like Lupe Fiasco and praise from Web sites galore.

Theo took the time to sit down with me and let us in on his thoughts and insights as he continues to place himself in a position to get his Buzz Lightyear on. Stand back, Theo's getting ready to take off.

Jeremy Kollie: Before we get into it, I have to extend a major congratulation to you for receiving your diploma from URI this past spring. That must be a major accomplishment for you.

Theo: Thank you man, that's greatly appreciated ... It was a process, but it was quite enjoyable.

JK: I'm sure it was. You never released any material when you were actively attending school. Was that a conscious decision on your part to not expose yourself as an artist until your graduation date drew nearer?

T: Well, while attending URI, I mainly played my role as the DJ. The majority of the large-scale events, I had either had a hand in or I took part in DJ-ing them. But, as far as emerging as a musician, I held off until winter of 2007 before I really set things off. Less work load ... and it just felt right to me to release my own music then. Timing is everything to me.

JK: Most definitely. Do you think that holding back from putting yourself out there contributed to more of a growth in yourself as a person and a musician and allowed for more of a growth to take place?

T: Yes. I'm a firm believer in timing- things happen for a reason and in a certain season. I'm not going to be all intricate but we know that its supposed to snow during winter not summer, so I apply those thoughts to my life and its journey: establishing myself as a DJ [Theo began DJ-ing at age 14 and started performing in clubs by age 18], then transforming into the musician that you see now. I produce as well, but it's all time; I don't want to be walking around sounding like I'm a walking-talking musical machine. Well I am, but you get what I'm saying. (Laughs)

JK: Of course. What do you say to people who want to pursue a career in music and opt for the Kanye West route, instead of following your model?

T: To each his or her own. College isn't for everyone and I can't force that view on anyone. I hope that you can make the decision of taking the education route because it taught me a lot, but to each his own.

JK: True indeed. Do you feel that because you are a college graduate, you have more security in your future as you embark on your musical career or is it still a dice roll?

T: Personally, for me, yes ... and not necessarily because of just the degree. I am confident in my future, I am sure of my success, but being in college has taught me much more than just academics. I did some "growing up" during my college years. My senior year of high school, I didn't really take school that seriously; I never understood the impact that it made. I ended up not getting into URI and I went to CCRI for one year. The advisers there told me I'd have to stay there for two years, then transfer, but I made it out in exactly one year. I really learned the value, drive and passion while transitioning to URI. So, it's much more than just a diploma because there are some people that graduated years before me and aren't happy and I'm not ending up like them.

JK: You have to appreciate the confidence. You released your first mixtape, 85 'Til Infinity, last winter. How do you think you've progressed from that album to your newest release, The Birth?

T: Whew. Well 85 Till Infinity was a small introduction for everyone on a small scale, just who I am, etc. Even when I had the release party for the first CD, a lot of people thought I was actually DJ-ing a party [laughs], but with The Birth, yikes, it's been major progress ... less than a year, now that I think about it.

Within the time of releasing the new project and promoting the old one, I really grabbed a lot of eyes and ears with my music. My CD was sponsored by The Roots' "OkayPlayer" Web site which meant a lot to me. When I leaked the snippet of "Sweetest Language," it asked for the full version. From there, it was a go. I even got some words out of Lupe Fiasco on that song (laughs).

So, most definitely, I've progressed lyrically, mentally and so forth. I look at The Birth already nit-picky, looking for things to change and restructure. That shows progress. I want to think differently than what I thought last month, last week, yesterday and so forth.

JK: That must've been huge for you, getting recognition from the likes of The Roots and Lupe Fiasco.

T: At the moment I was gassed, most definitely. It's a great feeling, but then I'm over it because there's much more to obtain, right?

JK: What is the significance of The Birth and why did you choose that as the name for your mixtape?

T: The Birth is basically my foundation, everything that cultivates from here on points back to where this was 'born' from. Hence, The Birth. The Birth is an emergence, a new level or stage, per say. Graduating college is an example of a change in position or growth; every stage we go through is an emergence to a new stage, if that makes sense.

JK: I get you. Now, people may not know or not remember, but in addition to being a rapper, you are a DJ and a singer. Do you plan to continue with either and, if so, in what fashion?