Introducing ‘Notes from Mr. Sandman‘ – a column slapping a spotlight on lyricists overlooked, under appreciated, or just plain criminally slept on. Or like a man named Nas once said, “I never sleep, cause sleep is the cousin of death.” Enter Mr. Sandman with what y’all missed while chasing the REM dragon; Photo: YouTube
Hex One is a paragon of rap, a lyrical pundit who wields a pen like Griffey swings a bat.
He is a lyricist by birthright, and his pedigree goes back generations. The skill is a family affair, one that makes rhyming second nature. “My family is Colombian, and specifically my father is from a region called Antioquia,” said Hex One.
“There is a traditional form of improvised comedic rhyming called ‘trobas’ that originates from there. My dad and uncles would always come up with these rhymes at parties and family gatherings and while you rhyme you are making people laugh at the punchline and you are the center of attention.”
“They would even go back and forth sort of like an MC battle. So seeing this and being around it and really enjoying it, I naturally just began making my own. Eventually when I moved to New York and began listening to hip-hop, it was easy to make the transition to writing hip-hop rhymes. I would hear rap and think to myself, ‘hey I could do this, I’ve been doing it since I was like 5-years-old with the trobas so why not give this a shot.'”
For Hex One lyricism is an expression of freedom. When he first began writing raps he would sit for hours, composing with no structure, form or beat. He would partake in marathon sessions on his dad’s computer, and let his words spill out like a tidal wave.
It was a solitary existence that allowed him to explore his imagination without any restraints. Those early days alone at his desk would set the groundwork for what would eventually be his greatest escape.
“My family moved a lot so growing up I often felt like an outsider,” said Hex One. “I liked different things than others, I spoke differently than others etc. So I think this made it harder for me to fit in and I sort of accepted that I was different. Popular trends in music had a weaker influence on me because of this.”
“By the time I was in my mid-teens I already felt like mainstream music was trash and I was part of a special select few that knew the ‘real.’ This made me even more enthusiastic about my rhymes living up to that paradigm. This way of thinking is what kept me sharp and always wanting to get better and be the best MC possible.”
Hologramz, Hex One’s solo debut under Mic Theory Records is a leadoff home run, a rocket over the fence that deserves multiple curtain calls. It’s a lesson in thoughtful lyricism and agile wordplay, and how conscious rhymes don’t always have to be so rigid. His delivery is liquid smoke, and the ease in which he flows is a testament to his passion. It’s raw and potent, a cutting effort from a razor sharp mind.
On “Dinner Time” Hex One serves up knuckle sandwiches. He’s light on his feet and nimble with the wordplay. He’s Muhammad Ali throwing poetic jabs with childlike ease: [LISTEN]
“These days the process of motivating myself to write has become sort of intuitive,” said Hex One. “It’s just very simple: put the beat on and get started. That’s it. So, the way I make music is first to find a really dope beat. I search the internet or beat folders sent to me for hours and hours clicking beat after beat until I finally hear something that stops me.”
“I’m so picky when choosing beats that sometimes it takes me a really long time before I find one I want to write to. When I do pick one, it’s definitely because it was super dope. That in itself is all the motivation I need. I know my rhymes and the resulting song will be insane before I even start writing because I spent the time to find that gem. So I guess my main motivation would be the music itself.”
Hex One followed up Hologramz with another stellar project in Words Worth a Thousand Pictures. In the three years it took to make, Hex One refined his craft even more; delivering crisp, decisive lines but never overstating his purpose. His selection in beats add an ambiance that paints a portrait of a lyricist who approaches his craft with laser-like focus. Words Worth a Thousand Pictures frames his struggles and the difficulties he’s faced while defining the parameters of success.
“My Story” is storytelling at its finest. In a casual tone, Hex One details the trials and tribulations that have shaped his perspective. He is completely forthcoming, allowing a multitude of emotions to shine through: [LISTEN]
Hex One is always on the hunt. Writing is his weapon and with the world in flux he stays ready. Never one to follow trends Hex One does what he’s always done, which is follow his heart and let the music unfold.
“Politics and social climates only influence my music in the way they change me as a person,” said Hex One. “So it’s an indirect influence not a direct one. If there is a social issue like overt racism or police brutality which makes me a more angry and outspoken person, then my rhymes will be a bit more angry and outspoken.”
“Or if there is something that makes me lose hope in our political system, my rhymes will then take a more sad and hopeless tone. I’m not really drawn to the idea of naming actual names and political situations in my music.”
“It’s not my place to manipulate my listeners to believe what I believe is the right way to think, my approach is way more subtle. I just want to capture a perspective and what my state of mind is at a particular moment and let you know how I’m feeling. If you relate, cool but you don’t have to.”
