Independent Artist Spotlight "Detroit CYDI"

Detroit CYDI is an eclectic Hip Hop group comprised of 3 members, Doc Illingsworth, Rufio Jones, and Sean Uppercut. They were originally a part of a group called The Alliance and decided to form their own group. I remember the first time a friend had told me about them. She introduced me to their song, “ClappinTheyHands”. After hearing it I was in awe because it was like a breath of fresh air. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing them perform and also the pleasure of speaking with them about their music. I must say that in addition to enlightening me on who they are I was highly entertained. Every member of the group is extremely comedic. They took some time away from making music to tell me about their history, their recent experience performing at Warped Tour, and how they are totally comfortable with being independent.


How long have you known each other?

Sean Uppercut: We’ve known each other for like 11 or 12 years.

When did you first get together as a group?

Rufio Jones: I believe the number was 4 years ago. We were a part of a larger group called The Alliance. We as a collective thought that the 3 of us had something unique outside of the group itself. So we decided to come up with us.

How many people were in The Alliance?

Rufio Jones: At least 13.

So you were kind of like Wu-Tang.

Rufio Jones: Yes but, only more.

Do you still associate with The Alliance?

Doc Illingsworth: That group doesn’t exist anymore but, everybody is still cool.

Rufio Jones: A lot of the people that are still in The Alliance are still with us but, just not called The Alliance.

There is a lot of stigma held against groups because most groups don’t stay together. How you stay on 1 accord?

Rufio Jones: First and foremost we get to stick together because all of the women in Detroit think we’re so hot (jokingly). So in order to keep that gravitational pull coming we have to make sure that we stick together as a tri-force. No, with all seriousness it all helps that we’re all real good friends. We’ve been doing this for a decade plus. Even when we disagree we chop it up and keep it moving.

Sean Uppercut: It’s basically about being mature. It’s about being above the petty stuff and being able to put our egos aside. It’s many of times that I got my idea shot down but, I knew it was for the greater good so I’ll say, “Alright.” and roll with that.

Well you all seem pretty easy going. When you’re in the studio and making music does it come natural or does 1 person have an idea and you roll with that?

Doc Illingsworth: It’s pretty natural. Everything we do is sort of spurring of the moment random ideas. It’s natural. We don’t have to make it rocket science.

Rufio Jones: With “The Rhyming Dictionary” it was something that was very natural to us. We didn’t have to spend hours in the booth in order to get a song done. Normally this man (points to Illingsworth) will put on a beat and 1 of the 3 of us, something will hit us emotionally as far as that music is concerned. If it hit one person whoever had that idea, we’ll usually roll with it. We essentially have the same brain because again we’re a tri-force (jokingly).

Sean Uppercut: Basically we just get together and have fun. I hope that is portrayed in our music. We’re not trying to beat anybody over the head with like super scientific calculus. I mean we could but, it’s just basically having fun.

A few months ago you dropped “The Rhyming Dictionary”. Describe that album for someone who hasn’t heard it before.

Sean Uppercut: It’s just good music. Like one of the songs says, “It’s Hip Hop plus Rock plus Soul.” It’s really tough to put it in a genre. I mean it is Hip Hop but, it kind of blurs the lines. I think it’s a beautiful thing. There’s a lot more out there than just Hip Hop.

Rufio Jones: I think “The Rhyming Dictionary” basically was an experiment that went very well. We clicked up with Erik L. Though not knowing each other from a hole in the wall we all just connected musically. A guy from Sweden and some guys from Detroit is such as ridiculous type of pairing. It’s something that would never happen without the use of the internet. So just being able to come together with this kind of music probably shouldn’t have worked out but, every time a beat would get put on it made us feel a certain kind of way. For those that haven’t heard it before it’s something that you can just hit play on and listen all the way through. We all have our favorites but, you’ll be able to get all the way through it and not have to fast forward to your favorite song.


You recently had the opportunity to perform at Warped Tour. How was that experience?

Sean Uppercut: It was amazing. A lot of spots we just rap in front of people who are just hard core Hip Hop fans. At this spot we rapped in front of people who were into punk rock. To see the people in the crowd actually feel it, gravitate towards it, and actually stop and say, “What is this?” It’s amazing.

Rufio Jones: I only hope that we can’t make it [Warped Tour] next year because we’re out of the country. To be completely honest it was a group of people that we haven’t had the pleasure of performing in front of before. So it was no way to know how they would receive it and low and behold literally from the start of the play button you would see people turning around and coming back that weren’t there before. They really dug what we were doing. We’re so use to either Hip Hop heads or other rappers. It’s always kind of the same crowd. These cats weren’t use to us but, they were like, “You guys are actually cool. Let me take a picture with you.”

Sean Uppercut: In addition to the experience it was us as an actual group that got the DJ, the practice, photos, stickers, and all that stuff. It solidified us a group. I think it made our levels as far as performance, lyricism, and showmanship go up. I think we can rock any show.

Doc Illingsworth: It was definitely an eye opener as far as who I thought we could and could not appeal to. I realized that our music can touch whoever we place it in front of. So I’m just glad we were able to do that. I hope that we are able to do even bigger things sooner rather than later, like touring. More shows!

So if somebody came to you guys right now and said, “Yo, come do this Techno, Rock, or Reggae tour.” You would be down for it?

Rufio Jones: For sure. We’ve even learned how to tailor make our shows for our audiences. Again, talking about the Warped Tour we did something that we never done before. We just wanted to do something for who was going to be there. If it was a Reggae crowd it may be something else. It doesn’t matter. We know how to tailor make our shows. At this point it doesn’t matter what the people are going to be like. The CD is one thing but, seeing us live is just stupid from what I hear. I’m not that arrogant but, we are sweet.

Are you currently working on a new project?

Sean Uppercut: Yes, we actually have a secret project (jokingly).

Rufio Jones: (laughing) Songs on deck! Songs on deck!

In Detroit it’s somewhat hard for artists to get shown love before “making it big”. How has the experience been for you as far as in relation to being from Detroit and still residing there?

Doc Illingsworth: I can’t really speak for other artists but, when we introduce people to our music we haven’t really encountered too much “hateration”. Every time we play stuff for people or we perform we always gain new fans. So I don’t know what it’s like for other people.

Rufio Jones: My thing has always been to not worry yourself with that. I think that has been what sets us a part. We aren’t feeling the need to break doors down. When people have heard the music and have seen the performances they’ve come to us instead of us having to be like, “Oooh, please let us in or play our music.” So I guess the only suggestion would be to be better and what you’re doing. Not to sound mean but, seriously. If you have to put in that much work then you should take that energy and put it into your music and your craft. If you’re doing that then they’ll come to you. If you build it they will. So build.

Sean Uppercut: I’m a big believer in the law of attraction. So you get what you think about. If you concentrate on your “haters”, people that dislike you, or radio not playing your music then that’s what you’re going to get. If you think about the people that like your music, the people that play your stuff, the people at shows, how many CDs you sold, or how many downloads you get. You can work with that. Just concentrate on the positive stuff.


Do you plan on staying in Detroit for a long time?

Rufio Jones: I love this city like I love Rock-n-Roll (laughs).As long as the city loves me and us I’m all about it. The only thing is we have to branch out for the better. We’re going to make sure that other cities and countries know what’s going on. The whole purpose of the name Detroit CYDI is everybody knows about us but, they don’t necessarily know about this part of Detroit city. Cats are out here talking about how many keys they sold while shooting the whore that they raped 15 minutes ago. It doesn’t have to be about that. This city’s name has all type of stigmas attached to it. Where ever you’re from if you hear the name Detroit you raise your eyebrow. We’re going to branch out but, I’ll always come back home. Detroit is the best place on the planet!

Sean Uppercut: Detroit is home base. Sometimes you have to go away from home base to get training but, you know you come back home and give the people at home what you just got from other places. All of us have been away to other places. You get a better worldview when you travel. You bring that worldview back to your city and let people know your experiences. I think as an emcee you have to become a representative for where you live and your people. Like Gucci Mane did. He’s a representative for his people and whatever his people like to do. Don’t laugh because Gucci Mane is a good marketer. He does what he does well. But, yea this will always be home.

Illingsworth: Everything I do is about Detroit. Rather it’s about music that we do or that stuff that I do to actually keep a little bit of money in my wallet and put a sandwich on the table (teaching children). Even when we get to the point that we’re able to branch out like these gentleman said we’re going to come back here. I definitely want to make sure that any success that we have can be used to help enrich and bring a positive light to Detroit.

Who are some of your influences?

Doc Illingsworth: The king (pauses) of Burgers (jokingly). No, Rakim, Bootsie Collins, and George Clinton.

Sean Uppercut: Everything. Seriously, everything has energy and you can build from that. If you want me to be specific I like all old school albums. I like Big L, Big Pun, Biggie, Nas, Jigga, Snoop, Wu-Tang, Canibus, Twista, Outkast, and old school like Stevie Wonder and Prince.

Rufio Jones: One of my favorite people in the world is Roger Troutman. As far as performances concern I want to be up to par with dudes like that and George Clinton and the Parliament. I’m a big fan of Snoop. I’m a big West Coast guy so I love Ice Cube and Dr. Dre. Also, Too Short. If I ever get to do a song with that guy I can die afterwards (laughs).

Doc Illingsworth: I think I actually have some more. At first I was just thinking about influences as far as lyrics. Because I also do production I have different people that have influenced me such as Pete Rock, DJ Premier, J-Dilla, Mad Lib, DJ Battlecat, Alchemist, and Black Milk.

I know you are independent but, are you signed to an indie label?

Rufio Jones: Right now we’re just ourselves. That’s the best way to do it right now. It’s nothing wrong with signing to a label but, as far as the numbers are concerned if you stay independent you keep approximately 80 percent of the profit. Sh*t (smiles and places an emphasis). As of right now we’re just doing what we do by ourselves. Even though it’s more work outside of just rapping it allows us to do whatever we want to do without having to answer to anybody.

Sean Uppercut: The record industry has like collapsed and we’re now getting to the point of it’s grave. Almost anything that a record label can do for you, you can do for yourself. It’s a little bit more work but, if you look at what Soulja Boy did. People can say what they want to say about his music but, the way that he did it was amazing. That’s the way that it’s going to be. There is really no need for a record deal. It’s really becoming a grass roots sort of thing. Record companies have fed people garbage for years, for at least 15 years on purpose. It’s like when people finally get a bite of what we have to give them (food) they’re like, “Oooh, wow I have tastebuds.” So we try to give them that and reinvigorate that feeling. That’s what people want. It’s an open market for us right now and I think we can take it very far.

So if somebody was to walk up to guys tomorrow and offer you a record deal would you take it?

Doc Illingsworth: We would have to inspect that thoroughly before anything could happen. (Laughing) We are aware that slavery has been abolished and we do not wish to re-enter into any indentured slavery.

Rufio Jones: There won’t be any rash decisions or anything of that sort. People are out here getting bodied. You hear about a cat that had a hot song and that man or lady you never heard from them again. Its like how can a song be that great? They would have made a total of 10 dollars (laughing).

Sean Uppercut: I can sell 15,000 records myself and keep all the profit. If I sell that with a major deal I’m going to see maybe 10 dollars and a bus ticket home. It will only get you half way home. They won’t give you a transfer. So I’ll be stranded on 6 Mile and Woodward, also known as hell (jokingly).

You can learn more about Detroit CYDI at www.DetroitCYDI.com, www.myspace.com/detroitcydi, and http://detroitcydi.bandcamp.com/


(Pictured from Left to Right: Sean Uppercut, Rufio Jones, and Doc Illingsworth)