Sam Adams
09:00PM ET March 4, 2010
Contributor: Mathis Bauchner
A Rocky Williform Company
 Most college kids kill a fair amount of their time procrastinating with Facebook, twitter, chat roulette, etc. For Sam Adams that's not an option. He doesn't have enough minutes in the day as it is. Seven months ago the Boston native dropped his Asher Roth rebuttal, 'I Hate College.' A couple million listens later, he's releasing his debut EP, Boston's Boy (available March 5th), while also preparing to graduate from Trinity College in the spring. He balances classes and touring, homework and studio time. At best most college kids squeeze in a part time job. Adams has an entire career to handle.
What's the significance of the EP's title?
Besides the obvious fact that I'm from Boston, I'm just sort of making the claim on new music around here. There's a ton of rappers that range from, you know, gangster rappers to backpackers, but there's never really been a mix of electronic rap and actual lyricism. So 'Boston's Boy' means a lot of different things for me, where I grew up, where I started this whole journey of me being a rapper.
Talk about the inspiration for the content of the EP?
Wow, I mean it ranges from everywhere from trips that a bunch of us have taken…where we've been touring, concerts, to stuff that happens in everyday life. I'm still in school so some of the content obviously has to do with that. Anyone that's listened to my stuff has heard 'I Hate College,' so I have some roots still tied to college [while also] wanting to get out of college, so a lot of it attests to everyday things that we go through, travels, shows, fans, interacting with everyone.
How do you think your music has developed from 'I Hate College' and some of your earlier material to now, with the stuff that's on 'Boston's Boy'?
I'd say I'm just way more comfortable in the studio, I have a better relationship with my engineer, and all my boys in general, anyone that comes to the studio…always has the right to say whatever they want, whatever they feel, you know. So I'd say me being comfortable around other people listening to my music, and being comfortable with being in the studio myself. I'm more comfortable on tracks. I used to write things in the studio, I still do sometimes, but things are more formatted, I'm a little more organized in terms of how we actually put shit down and the artistic process.
Starting out with 'I Hate College,' you immediately established that as your audience, and now going into 'Boston's Boy,' are you trying to associate yourself more with the city, are those fans separate or one in the same?
It's interesting because when I dropped 'I Hate College,' I recorded it and I was like 'It's straight, it's alright,' didn't really dig it. And then we released it and it took off, and I think it sort of represents now what our fans are. We'll have shows and my boys from the city will come, and they'll be chilling, and my boys from private school and college and everywhere, they'll come too, a cool blend of people. There's no real hostility. I think different people feel different tracks. You know, some people will probably skip over a couple tracks on the EP that they don't like because they're more into dance music, or they're more into electronic music, but I think in terms of fans, there's a pretty vast array that we have. I can never just classify it, as like backpackers or white kids, or city kids, or hood, you know.
Are you touring a lot?
Yeah, we're kicking off an 18-day tour, in the next 3-4 months. We're doing a bunch of dates.
Are you going with anyone else, or are you touring by yourself?
Mostly doing it by myself, just solo shows, but we got some joints with Chiddy Bang. In March we're doing a show with J. Cole. We're still in the works, putting something down with Kid Cudi in Pennsylvania. Then we got Arizona with Big Sean, Lupe Fiasco in Minnesota. So we got a bunch of shit coming up which is cool because it's definitely good to be seen with some other faces.
As far as being a white rapper, do you think there's still any prejudice against that?
Oh definitely. You're always going to have someone who doubts you 'cause, I mean, we didn't come up with it. Obviously there's going to be hate, especially when you're better than someone who likes rap, and thinks that they can rap. As far as the white thing goes, Eminem broke the barrier. I dig Asher Roth. But, there will always be prejudice, there will always be someone who thinks they're better...The best way to address it is just to remember it's their opinion of things, and that's how they think. That's how I deal with it.
Where'd you record 'Boston's Boy'?
Cybersound in Boston, and Westlake out in L.A., where Michael Jackson used to do his shit, which was crazy.
Talk about your relationship with your label, 1st Round Records. What's that like?
It was shaky to start, to say the least. But now...I've got a real good relationship with them. I wouldn't be where I'm at at this point without them, because I wouldn't have funding, you know...We all have a lot to learn and a lot to work on, but it's definitely a good relationship.
When did you first start rapping?
Like seriously rapping? I mean, I've been rapping since like age 8, 9, and dudes used to just dog me, but I used to suck though. I was writing on college ruled lined paper and shit and it sucked. I'd come home and my mom would read my raps and throw them out, 'cause it was all about guns and shit, stupid shit. But...then I sort of took a hiatus, didn't really focus on it. Soccer took precedence in my life, and then about 8, 9 months ago, I picked it up seriously again and realized that I actually had talent and started going with it. So on an official, authentic level, probably like 8, 9 months ago.
What do your parents think of your music?
They love it. My dad calls himself 'Hip-Hop Pops' (laughs). My mom digs it too. The new music I've been coming out with, from a parent's standpoint what's not to love? I'm not claiming any gang, I'm not throwing up a set, I'm not violent, I'm just a reflection of what I see and what I do...It's not like I'm putting on a costume or a fake or anything. It's all coming from me. So it's cool for them to see, 'cause it came out of left field. If you had asked them when I started college if I was going to be a rapper, I don't think either of them would've said yeah.
How difficult is it balancing college with your career?
Balancing the career and school and stuff was way harder [during the soccer] season, 'cause I wasn't just another player on the team. I was the captain, so leaving [practice] 40, 45 minutes early to go catch a flight to L.A. when we got a game in two days, not exactly the leadership role you want to take. Balancing soccer, and doing my work, and going to the studio, and doing shows, it got real tiring. But now it's a lot easier 'cause I got classes Tuesdays, Thursdays. Monday, Wednesday, Friday I'm usually up here [in Boston]...But yeah, it's difficult. But at the same time it's something I love, doing music, I don't love school at all, but it's something I got to do.
You looking forward to graduating?
Oh yeah. Big time, graduation is definitely something I need to get out of the way (laughs).
Since the beginning of hip-hop, the best emcees have used personal experience to power their lyrics. Adams channels similar energy with his music. There's no falsity in his songs, no gun talk, no coke raps. He captures campus life with unparalleled specificity. More so than most students, Adams understands the frustration of having to buckle down and do work despite the constant availability of more entertaining options. Even if he is dying to graduate.
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