Eclectic Approach Talks About Rocking Out With PacDiv And N.E.R.D.
posted in: OurStage Updates
Eclectic Approach won big in the “Coors Light Search for the Coldest” Competition. Chill doesn’t begin to describe the laid back vibe these hip hoppers bring to the table and thanks to their track, “Cool”, Eclectic Approach was crowned the winner of the West Channel. We caught up with Eclectic Approach MC Jowed Hadeed after his performance in Baltimore to see what it was like to open for heavyweights N.E.R.D. and PacDiv and how he plans to win the Grand Prize”a performance at ESSENCE® Music Festival in New Orleans!
OS: How did you react when you found out that your song was the winner of the West Channel?
JH: I was so excited. Ryan (our guitarist) called me and said that we won and that we [would] get flown to Baltimore and I was like “NO WAY!” This is my first time ever being flown for a competition so I was stoked. We have worked so hard these last two years since we started music full time (nine years all together) and it feels good to have something good come our way.
OS: As the only finalist in the competition that uses live, organic instrumentation in your hip hop production, how do you think this will effect your chances in the competition?
JH: I hope that it will improve my chances. We spent a lot of time in the studio making the song “Cool” sound big and I feel that not a lot of music these days is taking the extra time and effort for live instrumentation and good production.
OS: What was it like opening for N.E.R.D. and PacDiv? Were you a fan of them before you entered the competition?
JH: Opening for N.E.R.D. was amazing. I consider them to be one of the top five hip hop producers and performers today and of all time. I had not heard of PacDiv up until this performance but they put on a good show.
OS: What are your plans for promoting yourself to earn that Grand Prize”a performance at Essence Music Festival in New Orleans?
JH: My plan is to use the social networks to the fullest. Our fans, friends and family have all seen the hard work we put in and are ready to do everything they can to vote and promote. We will be using all communication channels possible to spread the word about voting.
OS: What kind of impact do you think this will have on your career going forward?
JH: My hope is to win, and meet with a rep from Universal. I think that our band displays such a wide variety of styles and talent that someone with the right platform could focus the “best” sound for us and put us on the road in front of big crowds so that we can prove our music is good.
OS: Any shout outs for the fans and your supporters on OurStage who helped Cool win in the competition?
JH: OurStage has been so awesome to our band. We couldn’t be more thankful that OurStage exists and that they have such wonderful and supportive people there. I really get the feeling from them that they want to see our band succeed and we hope to make them proud. Our fans are so amazing as well, they have all been rooting for us since they heard about the competition.
OS: After seeing Billa Camp performing live, what do you think of the competition in the finals?
JH: All I can say is that going into this competition it was my goal to be who I am and nothing else. I got up and only performed two songs but I feel as though I did a good job of speaking to the crowd and giving them an experience that left them feeling good about my music. I wish all the other contestants the best of luck!
Check out the winning track from Eclectic Approach below: