In many ways, hip-hop up-and-comer
Customary is the antithesis of what you'd expect from a rapper. First of all, he hails from the not-so-mean streets of Boise, Idaho, the son of a pastor who grew up in a white, middle class community in the heart of potato country.
But hip-hop is about artfully presenting reality--even harsh reality--and the honest and provocative rhymes of this newcomer are getting noticed. With his latest EP,
Compassion, the rapper also known as Alex Post gets real about a number of things--the most striking being the struggle of looking the part as a Christian, while struggling with sin.
The gifted rapper and vocalist started out as a drummer, and he still gets behind the kit from time to time, most recently as the touring drummer for Gotee Records artist Ryan Stevenson. We talked with Customary about his background, the new record, and his mission.
For people just getting to know you, tell us about how you started rapping, your musical background, etc.?
I started out as a drummer. I would take Folgers coffee cans from the trash and build my own little drum set and use chopsticks in the kitchen. By the time I entered high school, I developed a love for hip-hop, and would get melodies in my head as I was at school, or basketball practice, and I would beat box to those melodies. Some might call it ADD, ha ha.
I eventually got a tape recorder for Christmas my freshman year of high school that I could record my beat box ideas onto, hoping I could eventually put them onto a CD. By the time I was 16, I got my first software to start making beats. I made hip-hop music for a few years before I decided I'd like to start rapping at 19. I hadn't met anyone else who I really connected with on a creative level, so I decided to try to do it on my own, because I always wanted to put out an album, and try to do something with music.
I put out my first, awful record at 21, and I've been doing it ever since. I don't know music theory, or how to read music. Everything I create, I use my ear and feel to get what I want. I get melodies in my head, or I chop samples, and I put a beat behind it.
Your new EP is called Compassion. You're singing, you're rapping. How would you describe the vibe and heart of this project?
I just wanted to put my heart and soul into this project. I wanted to be vulnerable, to push myself to be honest, and to try things I haven't tried before, like singing for a full song with no rapping. It has been challenging and humbling, for sure. Every song meant something to me, whether its my own personal story, or a story of someone who is dear to me. No one gets through life without facing hardships, without insecurities, without failure, and I tried my best to share my experiences in hopes of encouraging others to understand that Jesus brings hope through all of it, not judgment or punishment. Grace and forgiveness is a beautiful thing that can change people, and you can give that to people through being compassionate instead of prideful.
Who are you listening to that inspires you these days?
As far as hip-hop and rap, I listen to Blu and Exile, Lecrae, J Dilla, Common, D'angelo, B. Cooper, Little Brother, 9th Wonder... But overall, I listen to a lot of experimental, electronic music as well like Snakehips, Ladi6, SBTRKT, Tove Lo, Disclosure, Sam Smith, anything that is cool, innovative and soulful.
Describe the hip-hop scene in Boise, Idaho, where you live.
Is there such a thing?! haha. It is a very small scene, but for the most part everyone is cool with each other and supportive of each other. It's a nice scene, very small, but easy to get connected with everyone doing the same thing.
You've been drumming for Ryan Stevenson since the beginning of this year. How has that been for you? What's that like?
Drumming for Ryan has been great! He is a great dude to be around, and has fun music to play drums to. I've been able to travel with him a bit as well, and that is always fun. That scene is cool, too--a bit different from the hip-hop scene, but a great scene to be involved in as well. There's just a lot of good people out there trying to make music that directs people to the grace of Jesus, and it's cool to see it done in different ways, different cultures, but ultimately the same message and same team.
How would you define your unique mission?
To bring a message of hope to people who need it. To be real and honest through music and to ultimately use reality and honesty to point back to the hope and peace found in Jesus.