I had the pleasure of interviewing Chicago native and dope MC, Psalm One who will be in Minneapolis this Saturday, September 24th at Cause with Desdamona, and The Tribe & Big Cats. Check out the interview below!
Introduce yourself
My name is Cristalle Bowen, pka Psalm One. I am a regular black girl from the South Side of Chicago, a college graduate, a former chemist, an avid traveler and an extraordinary wordsmith. I like cheese, but I’m eating vegan these days. Hi.
How long have you been rapping and writing music?
I have been writing music since I was 9 years old, and been rapping like a rapper type since high school. I was into soul, classical, and classic soul as a younger girl, and growing up in the hood didn’t make me love street rap as much. Now I do, and now my writing reflects all of these influences.
How did you get the name Psalm One?
I gave myself the name Psalm One. Psalm looks great on defaced property. I was really into tagging and bombing in high school, and when we got into Hip-Hop people usually did more than one “thing”. Psalm means a “song” or “hymn”, a soothing piece of work that makes you feel better. That’s me. Music makes me feel better and hopefully my music makes you feel better.
What projects have you released thus far?
Yikes. I have a discography that’s long, to me at least. I have Whippersnapper, my first ever EP, released in 2000. Then I haveBio:Chemistry I (out of print) and Bio:Chemistry II. I also have Personal Surplus, the work I did with Nacrobats (my old crew), my RSE debut, The Death of Frequent Flyer, then I have Woman at Work Volumes 1-3, Get in the Van Volumes 1-3 and I hope I didn’t leave anything out. Get tons of music over at Regular Black Girl (dot) com.
What inspires you to keep the Get In The Van series going? Will there be a GITV4?
The Get in the Van series is inspired by me preparing to get on the road. I really love trilogies, but I can see GITV going as far as I want. What do you think?
(Danami) I think Get In The Van is as relevant as you being on the road. So continue hitting the road!
You have a degree in Chemistry from the University of Illinois. How has this influenced your writing? Any crazy periodic table metaphors?
Yes I have a Chemistry degree, it has just kept my writing very organized. A few periodic table nods. I just wrote a crazy bar about acids that made me laugh. As far as the influence from Chem, I am very very very VERY anal and particular about my rhyme tools. Be it pen and pad, my iPad, my notes in my phone or a napkin, I keep it all very organized, and no one touches them. No one. Just like in my lab.
Is there any pressure as the first lady on Rhymesayers?
There is tremendous pressure as the first lady of Rhymesayers, and that’s all I’ll say about that.
Do you have any before or after performance rituals?
Before any performance, I make sure I warm up my voice in the way Eyedea taught me. RIP. After any performance, I am thankful, and I go sell merch and hug people.
What can the Twin Cities expect from your upcoming performance at Cause on September 24th?
I hope Minneapolis comes out on September 24th ready to get in my candy coated van. I have a really comfy show I’ve been working on, new music, and a new perspective. I’m ready for you all to hear how great I’ve gotten.
Any Last words?
Get in the Van.
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