Afoot | Tell us  a little bit about yourself?

I’m Jesse Abraham, a human man person alive on the planet right now. I was born relatively recently and exist as a grateful, jolly individual. My life has been a pleasant balance of heart-warmth and heartbreak, and I aim to achieve such equilibrium throughout all of my endeavors. I run a tutoring company in Manhattan, I am a hip-hop artist and an avid student of life. I like smiling, inspiring thought and appreciating the under-appreciated.

“If it’s not from within, it’s without.”

Afoot | Where  were you born and raised?

I was born and raised lower in Manhattan, New York City, in the neighborhood of Tribeca. A ten-minute walk from The World Trade Center, my neighborhood (the downtown NYC scene) played a vital role in my development both as a person and as an artist. Twas a diverse, burgeoning area, and it was there where I was introduced to break-dancing, graffiti, DJing and rapping as a youngen. I learned many lessons of integrity, self-sufficiency, cooperation and awareness as a child in NYC in the 80′s. I am very much so a reflection of my city.

Afoot | Where does your sound come from?

Like all entities of mine, my sound comes from my good ol’ brain box. I don’t pattern myself after many specific individuals or movements, as my style’s power comes from its individuality. However, I’ve been an avid student of music my entire life, and to claim that artists such as KRS-1, Michael Jackson, Outkast, Otis Redding & Homeboy Sandman don’t compel me to create the most splendid sounds possible would be silly. My sound comes from the truest place within me, aimed for the truest part of every listener. My sound comes from pain, from smiles, from dreams and from promises. It comes from you.

Afoot | Where do you get your inspiration and motivation  from?

Everything I experience, from the mundane to the magnificent, acts as inspiration for my music. My thoughts are lyrics and my everyday moments are catalysts for songs and sounds. I’ve gone through quite a bit in my years as a person named me, and it is a beautiful combination of all of these experiences that comes out in my music. Tis purity, it is. The underground community in NYC of which I’m a part acts as an incredible source of motivation, as I am consistently surrounded by some of the most talented and inspiring individuals on the planet. We all force each other to step our games up constantly, and as we see one another ascend and progress it’s only natural to reciprocate such attempts. Effort is one thing, but my city forces me to achieve, not simply try.

Afoot | What does the  future hold,  what are your plans?

Tis impossible for me to claim that I know what the future holds, for I do not. I suppose it will be some combination of triumphs and disappointments, lessons learned, love lost and emotions run rampant. But these are merely guesses. I have a variety of plans – my general plan is to continue to pursue life with a sense of wonder, appreciation and creative expression. My hope is that the universe will hear my music – I’m in this for the ears. I will be continuing to perform, promote and persuade the unaware to become acquainted with my work. I am currently working on my next project which will be a double EP, the first of which is due to be released early ’11, and his younger brother will emerge later on that year. I plan to continue to make people smile, consider and react to my music. I aspire to inspire; tis my ultimate goal.

“My lyrics are a reflection of my innermost ideas, which just happen to rhyme…which is odd.”

Afoot | Do you  find  it’s important to send out  a  positive message  in your lyrics?

I find it’s important to send out a balanced, honest message in my music. Positivity is a subjective idea, as what one may deem positive another may deem positively ridiculous. However, as long as I am being true to myself as both a person and as an artist, and am mindful to maintain ultimate integrity within my work, I think that is as universally positive as one’s intentions can be. I don’t think that art need be positive as a requirement – but it should be a fair portrayal of the artist’s purity. My lyrics are a reflection of my innermost ideas, which just happen to rhyme…which is odd.

Afoot | What are some current projects you can tell us about?

I recently released a mixtape entitled Bars & NoBull, which is available on iTunes at http://tiny.cc/irkm3. I also recently released two music videos (shot by Noisemaker Media) for the singles off of that project. Yoga (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs0X3InJenQ), and Little Bit of Everything (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x04_QWRY7OE) . Earlier this year I released a mixtape entitled XS, which is available for free download at http://jesseabraham.bandcamp.com/album/xs . Also in 2010 I put out a compilation album with my homie Spills entitled Alphabutter, which is available for free download at http://alphabutter.bandcamp.com/ . Produced, written and recorded in less than 6 weeks, it is a joyous project that features a slew of NYC-based talent, such as Premonition, Jeanette Berry, Warren Britt, Top $ Raz and more.

Afoot | Any crazy fan stories?

Yeah one time this was working at the venue where the show was taking place. While on duty he hid in a bathroom next to the backstage entrance during soundcheck for like 15 minutes, just waiting for a glimpse, some eye contact, a handshake. When the time came he jumped out and pleasantly said whatup and threw some dap. That fan was me. The artist was Marshall Bruce Mathers III. Good times.

Afoot | Favorite quote to live by?

If it’s not from within, it’s without.