“The title of the new album is The Good Sun and it signifies several things,” Homeboy Sandman begins. “It symbolizes a new day, a new beginning. The sun provides illumination and energy for all forms of life on this world, and even though the songs cover various subject matters, the theme of optimism runs throughout the album. Also, Hip-Hop has been often defined in classic songs and by classic groups as a woman, and I feel that the culture has so many bad sons that defile her and make her cheap, and I’m one of the good sons trying to give her the respect and honor she deserves – so there’s a little play on words going on there too.”

When you engage in a conversation with underground Queens rapper and super-lyricist Homeboy Sandman, better be prepared for a mental duel, because one-dimensional thinking and cerebral shallowness are traits completely anathema to this magnificently skilled rhyme slinger.  He readily admits that he spent the majority of his college years in a haze of sweet marijuana smoke, and that he finally quit the habit in the December of 2006. It was only then that he realized that he was supremely nice on the mic device, and it was imperative that he took on rapping as a fulltime career. To date he’s released two independent albums: 2007’s Nourishment, and then “Actual Factual Pterodactyl” in 2008; he’s been featured in The Source Magazine’s Unsigned Hype section, and has appeared in high-profile concerts like Rock The Bells, The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival, CMJ Music Marathon, etc. Basically, he’s a diamond in the rough, and his full glimmer is just starting to be comprehended by the rap cognoscenti at large.

Oh and by the way, when you talk about the genre of Hip-Hop with Homeboy Sandman, don’t refer to it as the “game,” because he’ll quickly take you to task.

“It’s gotten to the point where Hip-Hop music has just gotten so divisive within itself,” Sandman declares. I mean, do we call country music the game? Do we call jazz music the game? I’m a musician, I make music for a living and I love what I do; this ain’t no game to me. My music will be discussed when they’re talking about greats like Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson – these guys are not playing a game, they are respected musicians. We as rappers always dis ourselves, and I guess there is a derivative of Hip-Hop filled with rappers who don’t take themselves seriously, but that has nothing to do with me. I’m about making music that lasts forever.”

That’s just how dedicated this Queens rapper is to his craft. Make sure to pick up the recently released LP, The Good Sun on High Water Music (distributed by Fat Beats Records) featuring production by DJ Spinna, Psycho Les (Beatnuts), Ski Beats, Core Rhythm and more. Honestly, this guy is exceedingly sharp with his lyrical sword, and trust us, you’ll be doing yourself a huge disservice by sleeping on his music. So please wake up and recognize true talent.

Words by Geo Hagan with photos Courtesy of Matthew Conway/MAC media