24: Introduce yourself to everyone that doesn’t already know who you are.
Motel Eola: My name is Motel Eola, and I am a 20 year old producer from South East London, UK and I love Hip-Hop.
24: Before we get into your music, can you describe your history about how you got into production and what inspired you?
Motel Eola: I first ventured into production when I felt I wanted to start rapping, I caught on straight away that the best body of works came from original music as opposed to just the mixtape collection of remixes, I had this crazy ambition that my 1st release would sound as good as an album. Then the real catalyst came when I heard J Cole’s “The Warm Up” , I was blown away by how emotional, relatable and sharp the lyrics were, whilst showcasing amazingly strong production. As time went on I realised I had more of an affinity to beat making in comparison to being a lyricist. I studied different production styles and whole albums to pick out what made them stand out production wise, from the hard knocking beats of Apollo Brown & Guilty Simpson’s “Dice Game”, to the epic Alchemist production on Evidence’s “Cats & Dogs” to Exile’s amazing sample play on Blu & Exile’s “Below The Heavens.”
24: What was the Hip-Hop scene like for you growing up where you’re from?
Motel Eola: During my school days I was more into Grime which in my opinion is like a branch stemmed from hip hop. The notable difference between Grime and Hip-Hop is the tempo, being at a faster 140bpm. Grime artists such as Ghetts & Dot Rotten were my favourites at the time and are still incredible artists to date. I then began listening to Lowkey, a very lyrical, emotional, hip hop artist. Rhyme Asylum, one of the craziest group of metaphor champions i’ve ever heard. And Kyza Smirnoff, his SOS album was my 1st album I ever bought, and I still own it to this day. Because i’m only 20 I feel the Hip-Hop scene in UK is still maturing and developing with me growing up with it to blossom into a very incredible force.
24: What makes you unique as a producer and different from others out now?
Motel Eola: I am forever learning, because of this my style is never stagnant or reaching its peak, however it’s still able to remain noticeably similar enough to be recognisable as my work. I’ve taken ingredients from my favourite producers and blended them together to make them how I’d want a producer to be from a listeners view point. For example: building hard knocking drums like Apollo Brown & Jake One, whilst still sounding realistic and vintage like Oddisee’s break beat style, whilst arranging them in unorthodox patterns like J Cole does.
24: Tell us about what you are working on.
Motel Eola: Right now I am in the creation of my sophomore beat tape to my debut “Kids Looking For Gold.” Due to be ready for release towards the end of 2013, in hopes to end a good year of placements and collaborations in between. In the meantime I have numerous EPs, joint projects and other interactive content I will be releasing.
24: What artists have you worked with and who would you like to work with in the future?
Motel Eola: I have worked with Brooklyn emcees Lafayette Stokely & JohnNY U on our independent 3 track project “We Three Kings” produced entirely by me. UK emcee Reps Reppatwa has a great project coming soon titled “In The Name Of Reps” which features a batch of my production. I’ve produced for New Jersey Blax, and i’m currently creating music with Melodious Mike of Devils Kazoo, a very skilled collective. New York MC Elijah Black has a record over my production in the stash, which he took to whole new level vision wise. More recently me and the talented singer Olivia Louise from the UK have a track in building. Probably one of my most proudest works being for my brother and his crew SWB “Tight Rope”, a very emotionally powerful record.
In the future I would really like to work with Blu, his lyricism is among the best to ever grace the mic. J Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Omen, Wretch 32 & Fashawn just to name a few.
24: Are you happy with the feedback you have been getting from people on material you have released?
Motel Eola: I receive a lot of positive feedback about my music which is very fortunate for me. I think this is partly because of my genuine love for creating powerful, real & emotive music, I feel this is very transparent in my approach and translates to my audience. I release my material to the public like a fellow fan of music and not from a “higher” level, like an “artist” down to “fan” transaction type relationship. “Everybody Is Nobody” Kansas rapper XV wrote, the most relevant advice for any up and coming artist in my opinion, an ego is destructive and vanity is a distraction.
24: In today’s free download age, what do you need to do to make your self a household name?
Motel Eola: A solid, credible catalog of high quality material. The right utilisation of opportunities and resources. The ability to build and maintain great relationships within the industry and a strong love for the craft.
24: How do you feel about the current state of the Hip-Hop scene?
Motel Eola: I think Hip Hop is incredible right now, my iTunes library is ever growing with great music from Kendrick Lamar’s latest album & Big K.R.I.Ts newest mixtape release to classic Roots albums. Hip-Hop can only ever be as great or as bad as the music you choose to listen to. With all the recourses we as a consumer have, our options are so vast we actually don’t have to settle for sub par music ever. I can find out directly from my favourite artist when their album is due, production features, artist features & track listings. Thanks to the Internet I can always find past material of any artist. I can hear a new artist today and have their whole discography the same day. With all these avenues at our disposable the scene of hip hop will always be great as long as you take the effort needed if you want the good music bad enough.
24: Outside of the music what else are you currently working on?
Motel Eola: Outside of music I work full time and I box at amateur level. To be honest I’m just working on making sure I stay positive throughout my life and fill it with incredible years and moments.
24: Where do you see yourself going in 2013 and how do you plan to separate yourself from the other artist out today to get the recognition you feel you deserve?
Motel Eola: I feel listeners have been very generous in their opinions and support of my music so far, of which I am very grateful. In 2013 I hope to land more production placements, become an even greater producer which will in turn gain me more recognition, the same way everyone who hones and builds on their craft does. However the recognition is a privilege and not an entitlement. This sense of entitlement I think is what makes a lot of artist become sour in my opinion, feeling they are owed praise they never received. It’s all about appreciating the love you do get.
24: How can fans go about contacting you?
Motel Eola: Fans can reach me personally through my twitter account @Moteleola1st
They can download my music from www.moteleola. bandcamp.com
They can watch my videos at www.youtube.com/moteleolaofficial
24: Thank you for providing 24HourHipHop with this exclusive interview, do you have any last words for your present and future fans?
Motel Eola: Thank you to all my supporters so far and those about to join us on this journey. Let’s help make each others dreams become reality.
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