AmpedAsia.com: Okay, can you give a little bit of background about yourself, what you do, where your from, etc.

Paul Yutaka: I am a half Japanese, half Caucasian MC and actor out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. I have been writing music for over a decade, but it really took until just recently to finally feel as if I had all of my ducks in a row to start coming out of the cave and letting the world hear my story.

AmpedAsia.com: Have you always had the dream to be a rapper?

Paul Yutaka: I always dreamed to do anything in the spotlight and be an entertainer. When I was kid in pre-school I used to put on shows for the other kids and teachers. As I grew older I actually got into magic tricks and spent a few years as a young magician all the way up to the point where I was being hired for birthday parties and graduations. It was during my teenage years that I started to get heavy into music, in particular Hip Hop, and was writing songs and recording them into a cheap microphone on the computer. It just became something I took more and more serious over time as I was given so much constant positive feedback and support from the people around me.

AmpedAsia.com: When did you realize, I want to pursue this seriously?

Paul Yutaka: I think I first realized I wanted to take it seriously when I had put out my first rough draft songs in high school and people were really identifying with them. It didn’t seem superficial, I could tell that I was making a connection with others. Sometimes your gut just leads the way and it always felt like the right place for me to speak my mind and form my identity was through the music. I have always been a huge perfectionist, a gift and a curse, which is the reason it has taken me literally years until now, where I am making music that I feel finally represents where I am at on a lyrical level and a production level.

AmpedAsia.com: Any inspirations?

Paul Yutaka: My list of inspirations is all across the board. Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly, Charles Bukowski, Edward Norton, Hayao Miyazaki, Jay-Z, Nas, Wu Tang, King Karnov. Damn man I can’t even do this, too many!

AmpedAsia.com: Currently what’s your status as an artist?

Paul Yutaka: I am unsigned, doing everything independently with the help from some insanely talented producers. We are in a interesting digital era of music where you can really become your own force behind the music for promotion, production, and so forth without the help of a label. Most of the biggest new names in Hip Hop have built a major audience for themselves independently before getting signed to a major or indie label, so that is where I am at right now. I have an E.P. coming out soon that is produced entirely by King Karnov, who has made tracks for Busta Rhymes, Little Brother, Bishop Lamont and many more along with some surprises coming soon.

AmpedAsia.com: How did you get those people behind you?

Paul Yutaka: I spent a lot of time building relationships with people in the scene here. For example, Brandon Allday of the group Big Quarters, who produced “Fair Game”, has been a close friend and in some ways a mentor of mine for over 5 years. King Karnov was someone who I had heard incredible tracks from in 2005 and I knew I had to meet him. It took me months to finally get together with him and after connecting a few times for music we ended up becoming friends. We really look after each other now. It feels validating to me that he is now making amazing music with huge names in the Hip Hop world, because it was something that I knew was going to happen for him years ago.

AmpedAsia.com: The music video for “Fair Game” was really funny. Where did you get inspiration for the song, “Fair Game”?

Paul Yutaka: When I was in my early 20s (I am now 27), I spent a lot of weekends around a University that several of my friends attended. We would drink and party like most young people around campus, and end up walking around town by the bars and what not. I remember laughing at certain guys that just had this aura about them that screamed, well, douchebag, for lack of a better word. I think that is the word we used on the music video’s set the most to describe the character, haha. There was a sea of these guys and girls who seemed as if they were hiding some deep insecurities with themselves by wearing this untouchable image of cool and cocky, or pretty and sassy, but to me it just seemed pathetic and forced. It was my decision to end the video with me getting the girl (of course), because I wanted to also point the finger at myself. I think we all are a little misguided and I know I have acted as stupid as the characters in the song, so really it is about laughing at ourselves in general.

AmpedAsia.com: Other artists that I’ve talked to have said they fund everything on their own, is this what you’ve had to do?

Paul Yutaka: I fund everything myself, and also have had support from people around me who believe in my project(s). I am a real believer in karma. Most of the producers who have thrown me tracks to work with are people that I have gone out on a limb for or like I mentioned before, are already friends of mine. The “Fair Game” video was a huge, expensive production, but it was full of experienced crew members that knew the director or me and wanted to volunteer and get a music video in their portfolio, or just help out. The director himself, Michael Forstein, is even one of my best friends. We had been talking about doing a music video together for years and waited until we could do one at the scale that we felt was necessary. We received large donations for that video from people who cared about us and the project to help pay for equipment. Friendships and relationships become investments without you even knowing it. It really pays to meet people and stay connected with other creative minds who are on the same page.

AmpedAsia.com: Where do you see yourself going from here?

Paul Yutaka: I hope to continue to break out of my perfectionist shell after all of this time and finally release more material that people really connect with. I am already working on the next music video which is for a song produced by King Karnov, and it is a whole different direction than “Fair Game”. I want to keep entertaining people while also working on other left field projects such as “THIS IS SEX – An Interview With Phallik”, which is a short mockumentary you can also check out on my YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/paulyutaka). I want to stay inspired from the world and keep creating for myself and others. The end goal is to never have an end to my goals.

AmpedAsia.com: So since you do fund everything yourself and I’m assuming you’re not yet profitable as an artist, how do you pay the bills?

Paul Yutaka: I am a freelancer and have owned my own business for a decade. I work in web development, video production, graphic design, and whatever else needs to be done. It is not always easy, but I try to find work doing whatever I can to help out someone or their business. I guess a good analogy would be that if someone asks me if I can build a sand castle for them, I say “Yes”, and then I research how to build a sand castle and get it done. I definitely live on the edge sometimes and when you freelance there is no promise of a job tomorrow, but as grueling as that can be it also keeps me hungry and active. Sometimes literally hungry though.

AmpedAsia.com: Are you dating anyone?

Paul Yutaka: I have a girlfriend that I love very much.

AmpedAsia.com: For all the ladies out there, what’s your ideal type?

Paul Yutaka: Well I think if you watched “Fair Game” you could assume that I am probably not going to be attracted to someone who might find themselves in the female character’s role, trying too hard to be sexy or attractive is always unappealing. I am attracted to a woman who will be herself, speak her mind, and most of all someone who has a passion for something. Nothing is more sexy to me than a girl who knows what she wants in life and is pursuing a dream of her own.
P.S. SHE SHOULD HAVE A BANGING BODY

AmpedAsia.com: Any tips for anyone who aspires to become an artist?

Paul Yutaka: I am still aspiring myself, but I would say if I had to mention anything it would be to always remember that people can sense authenticity. Always be honest in whatever you create with who you are and what you are trying to convey, and people will relate to it. I mean you could make art about beetles who do jumping jacks, and someone out there is going to make a connection. I think some artists put a lot of energy in trying to emulate what others are doing, and I am sure I have my own influences within my own music that came from others, but I think it is good to constantly look for yourself above anything. To me, that is what artistry is based upon.

AmpedAsia.com: What can we expect from you in the future?

Paul Yutaka: You can expect a new music video and more music from me in December. 2011 is going to be the year I finally release a project. I have been saying that for years, but with the video out and people asking for more now I feel a sense of duty and don’t want to let anyone down or lose their attention. Rappers always say “I don’t think they’re ready for me yet”. I am going to go the other way and say I definitely think they are ready for me. You can stay posted with me at www.paulyutaka.com, www.facebook.com/paulyutaka, and of course http://www.twitter.com/paulyutaka.

AmpedAsia.com: Thanks a lot Paul!

Written by Editorial Staff