Interview with Sikadime
Sikadime is a indie Hip Hop artist and producer from Vancouver BC. After a 5 year hiatus, he came back on the Canadian hip hop scene with the 2017 award winning album “Going The Distance”.
2018 saw the artist release his 46th album “The Wooden Spiral Staircase in a Glass House” spawning the hits West Coast and In The Northwest feat. Alite.
Originally from Victoria BC, Sikadime is best known for his collaborations with B-Real of Cypress Hill, Demrick, Mellow Man Ace, Moka Only, D-Sisive, CookBook of LA Symphony, Dan-e-o as well his production work for Tru-Paz “Revolutions (The Time has Come)” and the theme for the 2010 indie cult film “The Musick.
Where are you from?
I’m originally from Victoria BC. I lived in Niagara ON, then Sherman Oaks CA, then Bronx NY, then back to LA, then back to Niagara, then Toronto before making the move to BC in 2014 and settled in the greater Vancouver area.
How long have you been making music?
Been making music since I was 7, keyboard & drum machine. Started rapping around 8 and dropped my 1st cassette album when I was 9-10 years old.
How many songs /albums have you released to date?
Too many. On average each album I release is 10-12 tracks. I’m at 46 releases including 5 beat tape/instrumental albums. Yeah my Socan is always being updated.
Can you tell us about your latest release and the background and inspirations behind it?
The Wooden Spiral Staircase in a Glass House is a title I been holding onto since 2012. I started an album recording process with the title and make the album along the way set the foundation for it. After “Going The Distance” in 2017 as an ode to returning home (you know had to go around the world to finally make it back home) and the love I was getting from the album, it was only right to continue that feeling with this new album.
How have you ended up in the music industry?
That’s a long story. I’ve been on a few US labels since I was 17. I’m 33 now. I took my wins and L’s very publicly. I learned a lot from the labels. But for most part, I stay 100% indie nowadays. It’s only me, I use Distrokid as a my digital distributor and as for cd pressing, I invest in myself and only press cd’s for touring. My vanity label is called From West Till Three.
What do you think of the music industry in 2018?
It definitely has changed to from what it use to be 10 years ago. Everything is about streaming now. It’s not about making mix cd’s anymore, it’s about making it on playlists like Spotify and Apple Music.
Who do you think the most influential artist?
For me, it’s always been Ice-T & Ice Cube
Who have you collaborated with so far in your career?
Moka Only (2x), B-Real of Cypress Hill, Mellow Man Ace, Dan-e-o, Vicious 5150 (2x), Tyrow James, D-Sisive, Russ Wilson of 90’s band Junkhouse, Demrick, KeenOne of Subliminal Oprhans, CookBook of LA Symphony (2x), Provokal (UK), Eclipse of DiamondMinds, Kac Himself, MicRippers (UK), Jay Plot of Galmorvs Fade and the list goes on
How do you think you differ from other artists?
I really don’t know the answer to that because my mom would say ” I’m famously known for being unknown.” I get the “oh I’ve heard of you” to the “your pretty good”.
I’m in the same melting pot as every other artist out there. I’m no different, I think I have an appeal and charm plus make anthem type music.
Dead or alive, who would be your dream collaboration?
Oh hands down it would of been Prince (RIP). I would of loved to been able to be in a studio session with him.
What was the first album you bought?
1st cassette – Ice-T OG Original Gangster
1st vinyl – Big Daddy Kane – Long Live The Kane
1st cd – LL Cool J -Mr. Smith
What’s your favourite song at the moment?
Belly – 4 Days feat YG
Thats my tune I gotta blare loud in the whip.
If you had to sell your music collection tomorrow, what album would you leave in your draw?
My album from 2012 They Missing Out When They Not Here
What is your favourite saying?
Stay fresh to death and fucking gorgeous y’all.
What other hobbies or interests do you have?
Hiking with my wife. Road trips. Exploring my backyard really. BC is a beautiful place to get lost and find epic stuff scenery in a day. Supporting my fellow artists and homies at their shows.
Do you have any tattoos or piercings?
Oh yeah, covered in tats and just my ears pierced.
Tell us more about your upcoming project or this new project?
The Wooden Spiral Staircase in a Glass House is full of hard hitting west coast /northwest style beats. Bass lines, lyrics. It gets deep on songs like Skeletons & Daddy Loves You but then there are feel good songs like West Coast, Doing Good and In The Northwest. It’s dope, it’s fresh and makes you fall in love with hip hop again.
What’s in the pipeline after this project?
I’m currently on my In The Northwest tour and still taking bookings for the rest of the summer. But here are the dates so far.
APR 19
Manchester Pub Vancouver, BC
APR 21
Mex Pub Courtenay, BC
APR 27
405 Pint Club Coquitlam, BC
MAY 05
The Cambie Nanaimo, BC
MAY 08
Judge Begbies New Westminster, BC
MAY 17
Bez Arts Hub Langley, BC
MAY 25
Lana Lou’s Pub Vancouver, BC
MAY 27
Sundance Pub Delta, BC
JUN 05
Finnegan’s Pub Abbotsford, BC
JUN 06
Anavets 305 Chilliwack, BC
JUN
11
Great Bear Pub Burnaby, BC
JUN
14
Wired Monk Langley, BC
JUN 20
12 Kings Pub Vancouver, BC
JUN 22
Mex Pub Courtenay, BC
JUN 23
The Copper Owl Victoria, BC
Thank you for your time and may you carry on making great, fresh music.
Thank you for having me for this and shining some light on me.
Stay fresh to death and fucking gorgeous ya’ll at Artistrack.
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