Sotusura is a Jordanian Dj/Producer/Radio Host and someone who has been supporting Arabic Hip-Hop for a while. I've always been a fan of his use of "Arabic Samples" and finally the day came where he dropped his OWN BEAT TAPE entitled "SALEH AL ALHAN" inspired all by Arabic Sampling...
I caught up with him for a one-one-one chat, check out his Album LIVE now on Soundcloud
RE-VOLT: Saleh Alalhan, your latest album that consists of Arab Sampling, How did the title come around?
Sotusura: At first i thought its "Sane3 Al Alhan" . :) hahaha I actually thought of calling it Sane3 Al Al7an but that didn't sound right in many ways, I always found it interesting how Arabic names unlike in other languages have actual meanings to them, names such as Steve or Frank don't have meanings, Saleh has multiple meanings in Arabic, righteous but also good or valid... and Alhanan means melodies.
RE-VOLT:.How long did it take you to put this together? and what was the process of gathering out the Samples?
Sotusura: I learned to DJ on vinyl in 2001, so my record collecting and sample gathering started then, when it comes to Arabic records, i started collecting them slowly since 2006-2007. The album itself from scratch took a bit less than a year of madness to finish, from the music to the artwork, mastering, getting it on all platforms online.
RE-VOLT: You've always been heavy on playing samples, is that what made you get into production?
Sotusura: Yea of course, that and the fact that i've always been heavily into hiphop as well so i started producing on and off a long time ago on fruity loops but didn't like it much and always wanted to mess with it, never got the chance to get an MPC or to even be around one to learn on it which was a dream, but when NI dropped the Machine, it was exactly what i needed.
RE-VOLT: How is the feedback on the album so far?
Sotusura: So far the feedback is great,I have a few people that approached me to rap to those beats so i also want to take this time to make it clear, other than for people who enjoy just listening to the music, there are rappers and singers out there who would like to write to those tracks, be my guest.
RE-VOLT: What were the challenges that faced you putting this album together? I know you had a crowd funding campaign, which I salute you for, its an album for the people by the people.
Sotusura: Yes, the crowdfunding was going on during the month of December and I want to take this opportunity here to thank everyone that has funded this project, Im glad you guys made this happen and hope you enjoy the outcome as well. The main challenges is trying to meet deadlines, but its only by giving myself deadlines that i was able to make it happen, even if things got postponed a bit, thats things I learner from this release and will help me better in the future when I plan releases as far a challenges since the album dropped spreading the music outside of my direct circle is what I find the harder, making it and releasing it is one thing, pushing it once it is out is another game of its own...
RE-VOLT: Very hard question i know, but what are your fav tracks on this?
Sotusura: Hahaha, yea thats not an easy one, i think i like different tracks at different times, the 1st 2tracks Sahi Al Nayem & Bel Fai,and the last 2 tracks Down and Wallz are more chilled and like them at the right times, I like Belbalad and Riding but think they will be even better if i got some mc's on them. Other than those i would say Darkning is one of my favorite, but if i just had to name one i think i would go with Gasdara.
RE-VOLT: Whats next for you? what are you planning for the rest of the year?
Sotusura: Well before the year ends, I'm trying to finish and drop 2 more Ep's, instrumentals as well, on a vibe close to Saleh Alalhan... And hopefully doing more shows in and out the region...
