Underground Hip Hop Albany Style

“Albany” Lou Samberg, cousin to SNL’s Adam Samberg, is a hard working young Hebrew from New York State, who likes to bust out rhymes about his life and what’s important to him to the sound of hip hop beats.

JM: Who are the Jews in your family?
AL:Both Mother and Father  are 100% Jewish. My Fathers last name is Samberg and my mother’s mother was Cohen. I had a crash-course Bar Mitzvah when I turned 13. I never did understand the tradition of tossing candy at the  Bar Mitzvah Boy.  My Father recalls me chucking it right back at people HARD…lol

JM: How do you define yourself? A rapper? A hip hop artist? Producer?
AL: A rapper, entertainer, dogman, father, businessman. I havn’t realy dabbled in production aspect of Hip Hop. I believe I could do it, but I’m more about the verbal expression.

JM: Where did your “name” come from?

AL: Growing up in Albany NY, people knew me as Lou/Louie/Casino/White Lou/Lou the Jew/Snozz/Boss. The name Albany Lou came about when I started going out of town to get money. It was then that I started advertising my game-bred pitbulls in various dog magazines under the alias “Albany Lou”. When I began taking the music seriously, it was natural for me to keep that name.

JM: Are you signed to any labels?
AL: I have not signed any papers at this point though I have had offers from some smaller labels. I’m a little uncomfortable with signing anything besides autographs. I am lucky that my cousin is an entertainment Lawyer that can help.

JM: How many CD’S/Albums have you released so far?
AL: 3 released and one on the way SOON. I have only one actual album at this point. I feel the mixtape route is a much better way to accumulate a buzz. Once I’m in the public eye a bit more then I’ll start droppin more albums.
1. DEAD GAME(the album)
2.DEAD GAME vol 2 hosted by the mix-king DJ Life
3 Back in the box
4 comin soon

JM: Who were your biggest musical influences when you started?
AL: I started listening to hip hop when the west was real popular (Snoop, Dre, Ice Cube, Cypress hill etc. Then came Wu, Biggie, Mobb Deep, Outkast, Big Pun, Twista, Jay Z, Dmx, The Lox, Eminem, etc. It would be hard to say which artist influenced me the most though.

JM: Whose music influences you today?
AL: Honestly, the people around me that I grew up with are all worthy Mc’s and they probably shape me more than anyone else. We all kind of build off each other, although at this point they dont realy persue the music the way I do. As of lately, the rappers outside my circle that I listen to are Necro and ill bill, I’m feelin that new Hellraiser and Shabazz album, but not a lot of rap I hear inspires me the way it used to.

JM: Where did you grow up, where were you raised and where is home for you?
AL: I was born in Chinatown (NYC) but my family moved to long island a couple years later. My mother and I went through some really tough times and tough years. I stayed with my grandfather for a couple of years and then moved to Albany myself. Albany is definately my home. I’ve been here since I was ten and I know everyone.

JM: Is Tupac really alive?
AL: Josh your a jerk(smile).

JM: Whose music rubs you the wrong way?
AL: I don’t really ever get rubbed the wrong way by music, even when maybe it should at times. I’m a little mad at Eminem for not putting on another talented white rapper. Em, we are out here and yes we had it hard too!

JM: How did you get to where you are now? What were the big breaks and events?
AL: Haha, I’m still lookin for that big break.

JM: Has there been anyone who has mentored or really helped you along the way?
AL: I have great support through friends and family, but my answer has to be no. I do it mostly on my own even when they say it’s not possible!

JM: When did you first start getting into the performance side of music?
AL: When I was eleven, three of my friends and I performed Bobby brown’s “Get away” in the school lip sink contest., after that it was house party. I think performing is somthing that has always been in my blood.

JM: Who do you hang out with, anyone noteworthy?
AL: My 1st Cousin Andy Samberg is real popular on SNL.  I’m also close with DJ Life (Blockburners/streetsweepers/BLACKFOOT ENT. He’s like Albany’s Kayslay and his name is known heavy in NY, and in Jersey.

JM: What song has had the biggest impact on you personally?
AL: What song of mine? I would say my Dead Game song because of the creativity that went into makin it and because of the effect that it had on other people. It gave me my original fan base.

JM: What do you write about in your songs?

AL: Life in general. I’m not the type of artist that sticks to the script. No one is one-dimensional. If I feel happy then I make a happy song and if Im angry it also shows in my music.

JM: What bothers you about the music business?
AL: The same thing that bothers me about Life. Not enough loyalty, too much ego, and very little truth. Plus, its’ all about a buck. Deserving artists that make real authentic music are the ones who should be reaping the benefits.

JM: How has being a Jew or in other less popular words, has having Jewish blood in your veins made a difference in your life?
AL: It’s made all the difference in many ways and yet no difference at all in others. First of all, let me say that I did not grow up around Jews. My mother and I celebrated Hanukah every year. When I was young I used to get into fights because I was constantely ridiculed for being Jewish but I was always proud. I was never afraid to stand up for myself the same way my grandfathers did when they were alive. I also got a lot of love from certain people. My friends often said “Lou ain’t white, he’s Jewish.” When I was young that phenomenon made me feel accepted.

JM: Is being a Jew important to you? Please explain.
AL: Absolutely. Although I am not religious, being Jewish is a big part of my identity.I wouldn’t want to be anything else. A part of me feels very special to be a part of something so ancient and strong!

JM: What do you do for beats?
AL: My brother Legacy from the Dead Game video, he also produced the track, and my dawg Damian. Both childhood friends and both great producers. Other than that I jack other peoples beats for my mixtapes.

JM: Do you play any instruments?
AL: No, but I can sing.

JM: What is your favorite city?
AL: Vegas is the shit, NYC is mind blowin, Atlanta is beautiful, Beacon is quaint, but Id have to say I’m the most at home in Albany.

JM: Have you been to Israel?
AL: I had the opportunity to go when I was younger but I was so rapped up in my own chaotic life to accept the offer. Now i regret it. I do plan to go one day as I have family in Israel.

JM: Do you know what tribe you are from? Levi, Judah?
All I know is my grandmother was a Cohen.My family came from Russia, Lithuania, and poland to the united states in early 1900.

JM: Do you pay attention to what is going on with Israel?
To be truthful I hardly watch American news or Tv at all for that matter.I am behind my people 100%, though,I would really like to visit Israel and see it for myself.

JM: What’s coming up for you?
Well I sent Necro my Cd i havnt heard back fro him yet.i kinda want o do a song or two with phsycological.im supposed to be touring with Gym class heroes next summer. Right now its about sellin cds and tryin to get more shows

JM: What’s your favorite piece of musical equipment?
AL: Microphone hands down.

JM: Which one of your songs do you like the most and why?
AL: Their are so many that I love but iI would have to say Only Human, because it was from the heart. I listen to it for inspiration and it reminds me that I can do, it if he can do it. I also like Electricity, its the opposite of Only Human, but somehow has the same effect.

JM:Have you been in the media yet, and if so, how so?
AL: Well right now The PETA people are on my ass.

JM: Are you a spiritual or religious person?
AL: Definitely spiritual, not religious, for some reason I only pray when I’m High though (4:20).

JM: How and where can people listen to your music and watch your videos?
AL: http://MYSPACE.COM/ALBANYLOU

http://www.youtube.com/user/ALBANYLOU

JM: Where can people buy your music?
AL: http://MYSPACE.COM/ALBANYLOU I have a paypal. Other than that, come to Albany and I’ll sell you one personally.

JM: Who made your videos?
AL: I made every single one! I must say that for the limated resources I have they came out Damn good. All I have is a digital camera SRAIGHT RAW !

JM: Any shoutouts?
AL: First of all JEWISH MAYHEM MAGAZINE!!! Second of all my Mother (the strongest woman alive!) my Father, my Son who is my everything and my Fiancé, and of course everyone that I consider family!! .

Infinite love

Thanks,

Lou

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