On the surface, it’s easy to understand why The Foreign Exchange is a fitting group name for rapper Phonte (of Little Brother) and producer Nicolay. Having never met each other, the duo first collaborated over the internet while separated by thousands of miles of ocean. The result was their superbly-executed debut album Connected (2004), and loads of critical acclaim to follow.
Although Dutch-born Nicolay now resides in North Carolina and is able to work side-by-side with Phonte, the innovation and earnest creativity still remain intact. Their sophomore release, the refreshingly smooth and melodic Leave It All Behind, is easily one of the best R&B albums of 2008. Quite impressive for two guys who admittedly garnered most of their fame as two of hip-hop's most prolific acts.
Armed with their newly formed label and a recent solo-release from Nicolay – City Lights Vol. 2: Shibuya – FE is busy touring the country and killing the dreams of auto-tune abusers everywhere. BlackListed recently got the amazing opportunity to talk with them about what inspires their music (and what doesn’t), the importance of record sales, and the impact of hip-hop on our culture. Oh, and if you haven’t heard any of their music – forcefully slap yourself. Then proceed to www.theforeignexchangemusic.com. You will not be disappointed.
BL: Thanks for taking the time to hit it up with us, we love the music. Any chance you’ll be bringing it to Florida in the near future?
FE: Thanks a lot man, something may actually be in the works with Florida, we’ll see.
The story of how you two met is quite unique – groundbreaking, really. Was it the first time that either of you had done anything like it?
FE: Yeah, it was a first for both of us.
Were you afraid that it might have come off as a sort of gimmick?
Nicolay: From the start, I think we always let the music speak for itself. Looking back at the first tracks we even dropped online, the music has always been undeniable. It started off simply with Phonte putting up some Little Brother tracks and me putting up some [instrumentals]. By the time we even announced that we were doing something together, the fans were already on it.
Does commercial viability or the success of a record ever cross your mind?
Phonte: To some degree, but not entirely. When I think of commercial viability, I’m not thinking ‘I need this record to win a Grammy’ or how much radio play it’ll get. I think along the lines of whether it’s something that I would want to hear. Then, I ask myself, ‘would the fans want to hear this’? Don’t get me wrong, this is a business - you still got to sell records to make a living. You still gotta butter the bread. Any artist that says their only into the "the art of making art" and not mindful of what the fans want is going about things in a short-sighted way.
Little Brother is easily classified as a hip-hop act. Even Nicolay’s prior work has largely been rap production. What are you looking to be defined as with Foreign Exchange?
Nicolay: If anything, we are carving out a [genre] for ourselves. We really just try to do us. Again, we do the type of music we would want to listen to. We do it for the people of our generation that crave something other than what they hear on the radio. Foreign Exchange exemplifies the freedom to make dope music. Really, everytime we make a song we start with a blank canvas.
Phonte: If I had to choose one artist that, like us, doesn't fit into a mold, it'd be Michelle N'Dechello. Her latest record is on some rock-jazz-hip-hop type stuff -- it’s dope.
All or Nothing (From Leave It All Behind):
Daykeeper (From Leave It All Behind):
So it’s fair say that FE bends genres – sometimes even transcending them altogether. Do you ever think an artist can do this too much? Phonte, you weren’t subtle in your cristicms of Kanye’s 808 & Heartbreaks. Explain.
Phonte: I think artists should play in to their best abilities. If you’re a good rapper, then rap. If you’re a good singer, then sing. Do whatever it is that you do to the best of your ability. My only problem with people is when they’re not really good at any of that shit, but then try to wave the flag of ‘I’m a singer/songwriter/composer/guitarist/etc.’ Nigga – you’re not really good at any of that – you’re just marginal on all fronts! That's my only [gripe]. But no, I don't think artists should box themselves in.
Nicolay: I’m very much open-minded. We try new directions all the time, but we’re cautious not to just do ‘whatever’. That whole excuse of being an ‘artist’ won’t hold up if the music isn’t grade-A material. If an album is done by someone who can’t sing, aided by some sort of technological device, you already know what the deal is. What's the point?
Your lyrics seem so authentic – even the random adlibs. I especially enjoyed the ‘playing Xbox’ anecdote from "All or Nothing". Do you guys make it up or are any of the experiences real?
Phonte: Well, it might not all be from my life, but it’s definitely all real life experiences. Some of it is things that I've experienced firsthand or seen unfold. Sometimes I get stories from just talking to my boys and seeing the situations they go through.
And Nicolay, what inspires your beats?
Nicolay: This sounds kind of silly, but it’s just something that’s kind of there. Sometimes I struggle, but the ideas eventually come to me. I’ve definitely had to hone and perfect my craft, though. I hope that I’m beginning to make things that can withstand the test of time. That’s my personal goal – to produce music that isn’t disposal after only a few weeks. It's especially hard to do when you reach the major label status -- there's so much pressure to follow what everyone else is doing. But in 10 or 20 years, I want people to be able to come back to my music.
What’s on your iPod right now?
Phonte: A lot of House music. Chicago and New York House music, definitely. Monique Bingham -- Michelle N'Dechello -- Zoogie. Some disco, even. I'm listening to little bit of everything.
Alright, last question. A few weeks ago, 16-year-old high school student Darien Albert was murdered in Chicago by his classmates. Many are again looking towards the music industry – specifically Hip-Hop – as an influence on this type of violence. Do you buy that?
Phonte: I think music does have some influence. What you listen to affects your thoughts. And your thoughts eventually become action. What you feed yourself on a continual basis can definitely play a role in the type of person you become. But, on the other hand, the systemic and sociological problems that these kids are facing runs so much deeper than hip-hop. Poverty, drug addiction, lack of parents – you essentially have a generation that’s been left to fend for themselves. As artists, we do have some responsibility in what we produce, but it’s not like people listen to some Gucci Mane and decide to go kill somebody.
True, true. Well, thanks so much. Keep making dope music. Anything else the people need to know?
FE: Thank you to all the fans for the support. Leave it All Behind is still in stores. City Lights: Volume 2 is out now – if you like the FE stuff, you’ll dig it. And steer clear of iTunes if you want to purchase our entire albums. It’s good for singles, but www.theforeignexchangemusic.com is a better place to get the music.
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. keep up the good work !!! ♥ 
! 