The word “invisible” might convey a feeling of not being noticed, but hip-hop act, The Invisibles, from USA have sure put a fun spin on it. The five-person act including Carl “DJ Invisible” Hollier, Richie “Robot” Steighner, Miz Korona, Khary Kimani Turner and Hans Pierre breezed through the city with the tour Bridging Cultures Through Hip-Hop. They hosted a music workshop in the American Center Kolkata on April 25, conducted a dance workshop in Prayasam and wrapped up their stay with a performance in EZCC on April 26. The Invisibles had initially come together as DJ Invisible wanted to put the different elements of hip-hop together, by accumulating some of his friends. After their act was made, they made a name for themselves and have had the privilege of touring with names like Eminem, Xzibit, Linkin Park and Rihanna.
The Telegraph got an exclusive chat with DJ Invisible while they were touring the country.
How is India, and most importantly the tour, treating you?
India is AMAZING! I really enjoy seeing the buildings and the historical sights I read about in my studies. I’ve been telling everyone back home that they should definitely visit India and that they should visit multiple locations because every city has a different vibe and its own unique beauty.
Most people want to be seen, so why are you The Invisibles?
My name is DJ Invisible and when I began my career the DJ had fallen to the back of the hip-hop community... behind the rappers and the producers. So I wanted to use the name as a play on words. I want to be seen and heard. It’s also important to our group because when you hear something is “invisible” you look harder trying to see it. We want you to see and hear all five of us on stage and have a good time in the process.
Can you tell us how the five of you made the group together?
I have always wanted to put a group of my friends together and positively represent the elements of hip-hop. I called each member of the group for a different reason. Miz Korona is a strong woman who is all but invisible on stage. Her lyrical delivery is known for eclipsing her male counterparts. All the members of the group are individual rockstars that, when both on and off stage, are impossible to miss.
Hans Pierre of The Invisibles during a workshop
You have toured with a bunch of well-known bands and artistes, which has been the most memorable?
Most memorable would be my first big tour opportunity. I was spinning in a small club in Detroit and a rapper named Champtown offered me a spot on tour, an opening for international hip-hop super group, Public Enemy. This tour led to me touring with Eminem, Xzibit, Linkin Park, Rihanna and others.
From the time you all got involved in hip-hop till now, how have you seen the community grow?
With more and more people around the world having unlimited access to the Internet, the hip-hop community has expanded to the entire world. It has taken on aspects of every community it touches.
Any Kolkata-based musicians that you have been listening to?
We got a chance to meet and perform with a group of rising stars called Street Food Music (Cizzy and Joestjoint). They have an awesome stage show and even better lyrical content.
Hip-hop involves a lot of sampling. Could you explain to us how sampling works?
Sampling is the art of borrowing a sound from one song to make a completely new song. Sometimes it adds a familiarity to the new song that attracts listeners. Samples can be used to honor old songs. I sampled our friend Mia saying “hello” in five different ways on our song Hello Indian Power... available on all streaming platforms!
What is something you would tell other musicians who are trying to make it in hip-hop?
I tell all artistes trying to make it in music that you have to really LOVE music and love making music to be successful in music. It’s not an easy road and you might have to find an alternate route but if you keep focused on your goal you will eventually find the path that was meant for you.
Linkin Park and Rihanna are a couple of acts that The Invisibles have toured with
KNOW THE ARTISTES
Carl “DJ Invisible” Hollier: DJ Invisible has been behing his turntables for over 20 years. He has performed with some of the world’s greatest artistes including Xzibit, Public Enemy, Eminem, Linkin Park and Papa Roch with an audience as large as 70,000 people approximately.
Richie “Robot” Steighner: Robot is a music producer and beatboxer who specialises in voice-powered pop and hip-hop. He has collected dozens of awards while performing in 50+ countries, collaborating in 15 languages and founding music programs across four continents. Richie has toured with the Backstreet Boys, performed with Flo Rida, and collaborated with Ben Folds and Sara Bareilles.
Hans Pierre: Hans is a house and hip-hop dancer who has been involved with the Jabbawockeez Dance Crew, The BET Awards, America’s Got Talent, Kanye West, and more. He is also an original member of the internationally recognised dance crew, The FLooridians. His teaching focuses on musicality, creativity, and different ways around self-expression.
Khary Kimani Turner: Turner was one of the founding members of Black Bottom Collective, an explosive band that became known for its ferociously electric live sets, formed in 1999. The group gained widespread acclaim, appearing on stage with such stars as Stevie Wonder and Don Was.
Miz Korona: Miz Korona, born Paula Smiley, is a performing artiste, photographer, and activist hailing from Detroit. Miz Korona capitalised on her hard-earned reputation and well-deserved acclaim as a lyricist to secure opening performances for national touring acts including Scarface and Run DMC.
