The Break
Tino Baby and 5’6” are So Under Rated
By SUGA DA BRAINIAC BABE
The Break/www.ClevelandHipHop.net
Did you know that Hip Hop could be fun? It seems that with the negative annotations of many of the mainstream artists these days, most up and coming artists focus on imitating the luxurious cars, guns, and, gold and platinum lifestyles that most of the mainstream artists portray but can’t actually afford. What happened to being true to self? Why can’t women dance anymore without being called every name but what our parent’s gave us? These two young artists bring the essence of true hip hop back to the forefront without sounding out dated.
Suga Da Brainiac Babe: Your Name, Tino Baby, is more than a rap name; can you describe the meaning of this acronym?
| Tino Baby: Trust In No One But Always Be You is the extended version of my stage name and it really means no matter what, go with what YOU believe in. No matter what you do in life, as a person (slight laugh) and in a way any and everybody can be Tino Baby! |
Suga Da Brainiac Babe: That’s what’s up! So what inspired you to get involved in Hip Hop? Who are your influences?
Tino Baby : I actually had a LOT of different things that inspired me to get in the game. I first tapped into my talents at about age 11-12 while singing along to the radio, making parodies of songs like “Ms. Jackson” By OutKast. (I can’t remember what I did to it but it was good enough to keep me interested.) And my influences are like every “mainstream” artist that was between 1990 and 2004… Ludacris, Eminem, 50 Cent, OutKast, DMX… Hell even R&B artists affect my HIP-HOP approach.
(5’6” Joins the Discussion)
Suga Da Brainiac Babe: Ok guys, I have fallen in love with your hit single, The Break Up Song, can you tell me the inspiration behind that creative piece?
Tino: Hmm… Inspiration… WELL I’ve had plenty instances where I would want to “court” a pretty lady, and she would bring up her boyfriend… And to myself I’d say, it would all be better for us BOTH if she just left him for me!
Suga Da Brainiac Babe: How did the collaboration between Tino Baby and 5’6 come about?
Tino: I was in a group called CTF back in 2005, and 5’6″ was in session with us (back in the day when he was going by 5’5″ due to his height, if you weren’t aware) and after our session was over he had some ideas and we just ran from there to get to where we are now.
5’6: We’ve been friends for almost 10 years and we’ve been doing music together for about 5 of those years. It was just kinda natural.
Suga Da Brainiac Babe: Well let me say that you guys have a great chemistry and are two of the hardest working, talented young artists I have heard in quite a while. So 5’6 if that is your real height, (Laughing) what made you decide to use your height as part of your stage name?
5’6: (Laughing) Its actually not, I’ve grown since then, but I decided on 5’6″ when I was in high school. I used to wear Dickies and Timbs all the time and one of my friends had called me 5’5″ thug, so I grew another inch (at that time) and just went with it. I was 5’6″ thug. Eventually I dropped the thug and picked up “is it really” after hearing somebody say it in a song.
Suga Da Brainiac Babe: Going back to the influences you mentioned earlier Tino, I depicted a slight comparison between you guys’ single The Break-Up Song and that of the talents of Andre 3000, E-Stilez has eluded to this as well during a chat we had. What do you guys think of this?
Tino: To The Andre 3000 comparisons, I’d agree totally, but we didn’t notice it until after the song was done! Call it a coincidence, ya know?
5’6”: Honestly, when we found the beat we weren’t even thinking like that. It was more of an “It would be hilarious if we did this song on this” kind of thing.
Suga Da Brainiac Babe: That’s amazing, and I cracked up when I first heard this song. I was very impressed by the creativity and forwardness of the lyrics. So 5’6, who are some of your influences in the industry and how have they impacted your approach to the rap game?
5’6: T.I. because of his hustle, Chamillionaire and Ludacris because of their wordplay, and 50 because of his attitude.
Suga Da Brainiac Babe: I see that you two have a few of the same influences, very intelligent selections.
Where do you see your movement going in the next year or two?
Tino: Forward. I’m not sure how far but I have no setbacks in my agenda and I got plans in place in case a setback presents itself to us.
5’6: Well….we’re at the bottom right now in my opinion. So there’s only one way it can go…TO THE TOP!!! But honestly, I see our names becoming a brand in household, whether it’s just in the local scene or it gets really big and goes worldwide.
Suga Da Brainiac Babe: Solid answers. You guys definitely have my support. I’m aware that Tino does solo projects as well, I enjoyed the work you did on the No Holds Barred Mix-tape. 5’6, do you have any solo projects and tell me where your music can be located.
Tino: Thank you!
Suga Da Brainiac Babe: You’re welcome
5’6”: I do, but not really enough to put out a CD. I’d rather work with my people so that we all get on. But you can find us on twitter (twitter.com/sooounderated), facebook (facebook.com/tinobaby56), and reverbnation (reverbnation.com/tinobaby56), and oh yeah, be on the lookout for the group that Tino and I are also in…Band Camp(facebook.com/campbandz), reverbnation.com/campbandz, and twitter.com/campbandz.
Suga Da Brainiac Babe: This has been an enjoyable interview, any advice for the many crybabies that say Cleveland is full of haters and that’s why they’re not being heard?
Tino: In my opinion, Cleveland isn’t full of haters, just a bunch of cliquey people who won’t associate themselves with you if you’re not from an area that they want to recognize… And on another note, maybe you’re not being heard because you’re not networking with the right channels… I mean
5’6”: I have some advice, stop crying and do you. Somebody is gonna like you and listen to you. I mean hey…can’t impress everybody.
Suga Da Brainiac Babe: Solid!!! I couldn’t have said it better myself. You hear that people, get your mind right and your game face on. Check out Tino Baby & 5’6”s single “The Break Up Song” on Rebel Army Radio at http://www.rar.t83.net Cleveland’s number one station for local Hip Hop.
Thank you innovative young men for the interview, I’ll be in touch. By the way, do you guys have any shows coming up?
5’6”: Actually, yes. We’re performing at this year’s rebel army radio awards!!! And it’s been a pleasure.
Suga Da Brainiac Babe: Excellent, I’ll see you guys there. Congratulations on your accomplishments and keep doing you, you’re quite an example for Cleveland Artists.
These two artists are influenced by the artists of the 90’s, the artists that influenced me when I was around their age. Can Hip Hop return to its original essence? No, it’s supposed to grow, but applying the same enthusiasm, originality, and creativity as our predecessors used can move this culture into an era reminiscent to Hip Hop’s explosive beginning. Tino Baby and 5’6” are off to a great start and with skills like theirs, they won’t be so under rated for long.
(This interview is the official property of Unbreakable Records and www.ClevelandHipHop.net)
