Photo courtesy of HiSpeed Network
The English translation of the Spanish word Sincero is sincere, which means to be honest, true, or genuine. Massachusetts emcee Louie Sincere titled his latest Bandcamp exclusive album “Sincero” as he delivers his sincere self to listeners in both English and Spanish.
Sincere is a 13-track album courtesy of HiSpeed Network. The project is produced by Matteo Getz, Hocii, Ditty Broker, Reuel, Serious Beats, Dan Murphy, Dolce Vita, M.W.P. and Chuck Chan. HiSpeed head honcho King Author delivers the album’s lone guest appearance.
Louie Sincere talks to The Real Hip-Hop about being a bilingual emcee, the large-scale direction of HiSpeed Network, and his new album, Sincero.
TRHH: Why’d you call the new album Sincero?
Louie Sincere: Sincero is Spanish for “sincere.” It’s true to me, so, I decided to show out my Latino heritage too putting it in that way about me, being sincere as I am.
TRHH: The first single “86 That” has kind of a different sound and a more laid-back flow from you. Take me into the creation of that song.
Louie Sincere: When I heard the beat, I felt like back in the days running amuck as a youngin. So, it kind of like immersed me back in that realm that I used to be a part of. It was just that griminess. You know what, now that you say it like that, it is more of a laid-back flow, because that’s exactly how I was. Not giving two craps about anything, just going and doing what I had to do, and just talking reckless and basically not really giving a care in the world at that time.
TRHH: “Cien Por Ciento” flips a sample that Big Pun used 25 years ago. What made you decide to rhyme on that sample?
Louie Sincere: Since I was a kid that sample has always been a part of me, man. I’ve always gone back to that song. It’s in almost every playlist I’ve ever created in my life. I just love the whole dynamic behind it. That sample alone is what drove me to write the song. Being 100% Puerto Rican, I was able to really experience the culture and what it was. The first thing that popped in my head when creating this album was I need to do a joint that really can express my heritage. Not only my heritage, but a little bit about me because I’m also a Big Pun fan. So, it was like a win-win. It was a no-brainer in really doing that record.
TRHH: Is Pun the best Puerto Rican emcee of all-time?
Louie Sincere: For me, yes. I would say that. Even though his career was very short lived you could tell how much heart came into a lot of his joints. So, definitely, yeah, man. I would say so for me on this end, especially being from that time, being young and listening to Pun.
TRHH: How difficult is it to switch languages within the same song?
Louie Sincere: Back in the day when I tried to like really mess with it, it was kind of a problem. Because it’s really hard trying to like make it flow perfectly into what you’re saying, whether it be in English or Spanish. But also, on top of beats some words really like don’t roll off the tongue right on parts of the beat. I practice a lot, so, when I’m doing the switch ups I probably did like four or five takes [laughs]. That I will admit because I just want it perfect, especially when I’m about to bring you into that world too for a moment and then jet you back to what we were talking about.
TRHH: Were you born in Puerto Rico?
Louie Sincere: No, I was born in Framingham, MA. But like I said, being around that completely my whole life I was there, except on different terrain.
TRHH: You have a song on the album called “Kilos in the Honda Civic” where you say “Fine women scantily clad/Y’all call them bad/They bad for the wallet/I need one that’s solid.” Has that always been your take regarding women?
Louie Sincere: I would like to say me being 33 now and experiencing different eras of I would say young kid chasing women, and then actually getting into relationships, and now I got four kids, so, now I have that solid woman. So, now I will say that’s really how I think. And then of course seeing your homies go through some stuff. I learn from everything, too, so, me seeing that before my eyes, that would never be me, man [laughs].
TRHH: Tell me about HiSpeed Network.
Louie Sincere: HiSpeed Network was founded by my brother, King Author. Crazy lyricist, great friend, great mentor. Basically, it is what it is with him. We’re definitely pushing this not only in a musical direction, but we’re trying to touch base in anything that we could deem art. Because at the end of the day everything we’re doing from what we’re doing right now, everything is in art form. That’s definitely what we strive to be.
TRHH: Who is the Sincero album made for?
Louie Sincere: For me. It is it is made for me, and for me only. Now, whoever can grab from it, whether it be the bars, whether it be just to have fun, whether to enjoy the ride, that’s just like you by my side at that moment. That album was made for me.
Purchase: Louie Sincere – Sincero