Philadelphia Area resident Booder debut mixtape “Truth In The Flesh” features songs that tell the story of his journey growing up and as an out artist. Booder was born and raised in Magnolia-Dover Delaware; he always liked hip-hop music and started rapping at the age of 13. After being the encouraged by friends to record his own music, the masculine out artist finally gave in and produced “Gotta Get It,” a song that talks about money and personal drive. Although his baritone voice has won him numerical compliments, don’t expect him to break into a love ballad this fresh young artist chooses to stay focuses on the hip-hop genre for now. Booder talked to PrideIndex about his music, his influences and what’s next.
PRIDEINDEX (PI): Tell me about your music, what is your musical style and what do you talk about in your music?
BOODER (BDR): I try to keep my songs to things that I went through or something that I feel strongly about. As far as my style of music goes; I like the old school music. Don’t get me wrong I like new school beats but the old school stuff really gets me in my zone. You have to be in your zone when you are doing your thing and the old school beats work for me.
PI: Who are some of your influences?
BDR: Definitely Jadacist, NAS, Rakim and Jay-Z, for his classics.
PI: You’re an openly gay artist, who are some of the out artist that you look up to?
BDR: I am really just starting to get with some of the out artist; I really like Vertical Science, and KOAZ is really good. I also like IKP and Splash T.
PI: Do you perform poet or spoken word?
BDR: I have not but I could if I wanted to.
PI: I’ve had a chance to listen to your single “Gotta Get It.” I really like it; you have a mature voice for a 21 year old.
BDR: (Laughs) Thank you.
PI: It could be somewhat Barry White-ish, now that you are talking slowly to me over the phone right now. Do you get compliments on your voice?
BDR: Actually I do! Ever since I started recording I’ve gotten more and more complements, people seems to like it.
PI: Have you gotten you into trouble because you have a nice voice?
BDR: Nope not yet. (Laughs) and I am going to keep it that way!
PI: Okay, let’s rephrase—have you ever had to use your sexy voice to get yourself out of trouble? (I.E. Have you ever found yourself in trouble then noticed that you were putting the other person under a spell as you spoke; so you kept on talking and got out of getting a parking ticket, etc? )
BDR: (Laughs) HUM… I’m still young and I have not had any situations that I had to talk myself out of so far! (Laughs) I have never had to talk my way out of anything so far.
PI: What do you like to when you’re not at recording or writing music?
BDR: I am a laid back type of dude. I like to work out or stay at home. I’m a homebody although I may go out to the bar every now and then and have a drink or two. I try to stay out of trouble (Laughs)
PI: What were the inspirations for “Gotta Get It” and “Keep on Pressing?” Where do you get the inspiration for your music?
BDR: I was going through something when I wrote “Keep on Pressing,” it was the first song that I’d ever recorded. My best friend, a female named Mulan, who is on a skit on my mix tape, really pushing me to into the booth, I’ve always enjoyed writing raps for others but she encouraged me to perform. It was my 21st birthday and I was in Delaware visiting, I wrote ‘Keep on Pressing” a song about my own struggles. Mulan encouraged me to record it, with the help of some Paul Mason (brandy) and her boyfriend at the time helping to sing on the hook and second verse.
(I really must thank my best friend’s boyfriend and give him props for helping me, an out artist, because he’s straight. It does not happen often with all this homophobia in hip-hop. )
“Gotta Get It” is all about money. However I did not want to be like the typical artist who sings about all money, especially since some artist really don’t have it, they’re just fronting; I sing about what you do when you do get it. It’s not even the just about money; it’s about keeping the drive or the passion to get what you feel you deserve.
PI: Tell me about your coming out story and why do you believe that it’s important to tell people who you are, this is me, accept it or reject it?
BDR: A lot of people who I meet tell me they would have never known that I was gay, that being said I could have gone ahead and performed and not have come out; but I did it this way because I would not have been true to myself. My mix tape is called “Truth In The Flesh.” My family, friends and the artist on my songs know about me so it’s a take it or leave it approach with me. I’m fighting like the next man to be on top and get my respect.
PI: And speaking of fighting to be at the top, the music industry is a very competitive industry and not for the faint of heart; what sets you apart from the other artist?
BDR: I have never met anybody else like me. I have been through a lot in the mere 21 years that I have been on this earth. I love music, music is my life and if I’m not at work then I’m at home listening/studying music or writing new material. It’s my life’s passion. I’m from a small town, I have a different flow than others, and people like my voice.
PI: Can we expect for you to write then sing a sexy ballad and perhaps become another crooner like Luther Vandross or Barry White?
BDR: (Laughs) I’d rather just rap. I welcome the chance to work with a few good singers to show my versatility. I don’t want to have just one type of artist singing on my mix tapes; I do want to work with artist in other genres of music. We can all help each other come up.
PI: Do you plans to perform on the black gay pride circuit this summer or fall?
BDR: I am talking to a couple of people and trying to make that happen. I have been doing a lot of networking on the internet and trying to book shows. I am working with another out artist named Swany River. We will see what happens as far as appearing at black gay prides.
