Behind The Beats: Muneshine

Embedded track was originally presented by Bloggerhouse. The track is called Two Way Street and it features Muneshine and Oddisee.

First and foremost, who is Muneshine?

Hello! Well, Muneshine is a producer/MC/audio engineer based in Toronto, Canada. 1/2 of The Birthday Boys with D-Sisive, 1/2 of Twin Peaks with Ghettosocks, 1/2 of The Residents with Saint and co-founder of Wax Reform.

I have noticed that you have an uncanny ability to present music with universal appeal. You are a dual threat, meaning that you are an excellent beat maker and an awesome emcee. What prevents you from rhyming solely on your beats?

Thank you! Universal appeal isn't an easy accomplishment, so I'm happy to hear that.

There are two reasons why I don't rhyme solely on my own beats.

When I make a beat I give it a lot of attention. By the time it's ready to go out it's either going to someone who's hit me up for production or the inspiration to write just isn't there.

That leads to the second reason. I know way too many dope producers! I get more inspired to write when I hear a beat fresh and finished for the first time. When I make the beat I've already spent time and effort making it sound a certain way. When I get it to a point I'm happy with, I'd rather pass it off to someone else so they can feed on that fresh motivation.

That said, there's always going to be a few of my own beats on any solo projects I'm doing. They just need to give me that desire to write.

I recently purchased the single for Grown Man Rap and I love what you are presenting to the audience. Muneshine today is different from Muneshine five years ago because...

Thanks for picking it up homie!

In the last few years I feel like I've really grown up in the sense that I know who I am, what I want, and how to use my creative abilities to express and achieve those things.

I think technically I've improved a lot as well, both with writing and performing and production and mixing. I've sharpened up!

What inspires you to continue your involvement with hip-hop and beat making in general?

It's beyond inspiration at this point. D-Sisive showed me a quote from Chuck Close (portrait artist) that really sums up my outlook on music (and my involvement in the music business):

"Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us get in the studio and get to work"

You have an extensive discography and you have had the opportunity to work with some of game's elite. Are there any emcees or beat makers that you want to work with?

I've been truly blessed to work with the people I have so early in my career. However, my approach to music is different now than it used to be.

I used to see association with established artists as a bench-mark for success and accomplishment. I won't say I disagree with that now, I still feel that way to a certain extent, but right now I am embracing the fact that I'm a part of the next generation of hip hop artists that are creating timeless music. To me it's way more exciting to create music with emerging artists. The hunger is there. I still love working with the already-established artists as well, but for me it's just not as fulfilling.

I'm already working with a lot of my favourite artists: D-Sisive, Ghettosocks, Shad, Oddisee, Shuanise, M-Phazes, Illmind, and many more.
Some people I would love to work with are: Dj Premier, Blu, Pharoah Monch, Dom Kennedy, Mos Def, and Jake One.

What are some of Muneshine's interests outside of hip-hop?

I love travelling more than anything (aside from music). Seeing the world and experiencing new culture is exciting and rewarding. I like film, reading, food, coffee, lots of things!

Muneshine is currently listening to...

I'm mostly listening to beat CDs from producers as I'm working on my solo album, but otherwise I'm currently bumping: Diamond District, Sufjan Stevens, The Radio Dept., Skyzoo & Illmind, Emilio Rojas, Shad, and a lot of old music, hip hop and otherwise.

Can you tell us how the collaborative project with the Vinyl Frontiers came to fruition?

I first heard about Vinyl Frontiers when they hit me up with a remix they put together of my joint 'What Now' with Sean Price and Termanology. It blew me away and we started building through email (they're based in The Netherlands). I asked them to send some more beats, they did, it was impossible to pick one or two (or three or four even) so we decided to do the EP!

Check it out, free download at: HERE

What projects are you currently working on?

I recently finished up the Twin Peaks album 'Kissing Hands & Shaking Babies' with Ghettosocks, finished up production of D-Sisive's 'Jonestown 2' (I did all the beats and mixing) and I'm currently working on my new solo record 'There Is Only Today'. Its got production from Buckwild (3 joints), M-Phazes, Illmind, Oddisee, myself and more!

How can prospective emcees, press, or beat makers get in contact with you?

Hit me up at muneshine@muneshine.com, on Facebook or Twitter. I'm around!