Last week, Chris Webby proved he is more than internet hype. Over the past few years, Chris Webby received a lot of love on the internet with his music, but this helped him secure a deal with eOne, which led to the release of his album. Recently, Chris Webby released his debut album, Chemically Imbalanced, to much fanfare.
Hip hop talent is coming from everywhere and Chris Webby is from Connecticut. His music caught on with fans at the right time and some artists in the industry were also feeling the movement. Chemically Imbalanced comes complete with features from Dizzy Wright, Jarren Benton, Talib Kweli, and many other stars.
Chris Webby took the time out to speak to Hip Hop Vibe and he discussed his new album. He also gave us a chance to get to know what makes him tick as an artist. During this conversation, Chris Webby takes the conversation from his album to his recording process to his collaborations.
Read the entire interview below:
Why did you choose the name Chemically Imbalanced for your debut project? Everyone’s a little Chemically Imbalanced in one way or another. Shit, at least I am.
Who did you collaborate with artist and production wise on the album? Artist wise on the album, I have a nice mix of OG legends such as Tech N9ne, Talib Kweli, and B-Real, along with up and coming veteran emcees like Jon Connor, Jarren Benton, and Dizzy Wright. Production wise there’s also a solid amount of variation including heavyweights Scott Storch, Supa Dups, and Sap, just to name a few. All in all, it came together to make a very cohesive yet musically diverse album.
What actually made you want to pursue rap as a profession? My dad is a musician (he actually has guitar solos on a couple songs on the album), so I was surrounded by music since well before I could even walk and talk. Growing up on classic rock, blues, and reggae gave me a solid understanding of music by the time I hit my early teens. Once I discovered hip hop, though, that was it. I could make music and piss my parents off at the same time… nothing better than that for a little twelve year old punk such as myself. I always excelled in English, so rap became second nature to me relatively quickly. Being that my dad is a professional musician though, my parents are very understanding and supportive of everything I’m doing now.
You’ve worked with some sharp lyricists, such as Joell Ortiz and Talib Kweli, and more, so what goes into you choosing who you do a song with? At this stage in my career, I pretty much just work with people that I’m a fan of, I don’t seek out features strictly based on who’s buzzing on the radio at the moment, I’d rather work with people I respect musically, many of which I know pretty well personally. I didn’t pay for any of the features on the album, and I think the listeners will be able to tell that everyone who gave me a verse cared enough about doing it to come with their A game.
What is the creative process and vibe like for you when you are in the studio? I do a good chunk of my writing while I’m traveling and for whatever reason the lyrics seem to flow most when I’m a passenger in a vehicle. I used to write lyrics on my way to school every day in both middle and high school, that’s probably where I developed that habit. When it comes to writing sessions in the studio, it’s nice to have a few people in there with you vibing and rolling joints/ pouring drinks to get the creative juices flowing. Never too much though, if you get too fucked up in the lab you’re just wasting studio time.
You released a slew of mixtapes as an independent artist prior to your deal. How did your deal with eOne come about and can you share the details of the deal? Is it a 360 deal or joint venture etc.? I’m signed to eOne, the largest independent label in the game, for this one album. They offered me a good deal, while still allowing me to do whatever I wanted creatively. It’s not a 360 by any means. I’ve worked way too hard for far too long to sign my life away like that.
Who do you want to work with that you haven’t worked with yet? I think collaborating with certain artists outside of hip hop would make for some dope music. Reggae groups such as SOJA or Rebelution would be crazy. Working with a band like Blink 182 or The Offspring would make for a crazy sound too. Thinking outside the box can lead to some of the best music. Just look at how sick it was for Nas and Damian Marley to come together in the studio.
