According to Wikipedia, The Sandman is someone who brings good dreams by sprinkling magic sand onto the eyes of children while they sleep at night. If you’ve ever heard of Homeboy Sandman, then you would know he brings his lyrical gift to everyone who listens. “I take you out the mundane with my storytelling,” he says.

His music is filled with intense lyrics and metaphors that exemplify who he is as a person. But who is Homeboy Sandman? As a youth he would race to Queens Blvd. to pickup 2 for $5 bootleg tapes to listen to. Now, he’s an emcee who walks around with a notepad and two pens in his pocket, just in case a rhyme comes to him (today’s pad is blue and dons Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on the cover). He’s someone who gives his all in his music, “My music is me. It’s my art for real. It’s me for real.”

“Before I found my path had to deal with my past shit/Lost but now I’m found, time to follow my passion”

Sandman wasn’t always as confident in himself as he is today, but life is about the journey and on his journey, he’s gaining perspective and learning every day. “My journey is real unique. My whole life I’ve been aware of my blessings. I realize that this is what I’m supposed to do. I wasn’t even alive before I was chasing my dream,” he says. He thought he only spit if he was high but now super sober he is relinquishing his talent to the world in the form of bars.

Sandman is only a few weeks away from his debut release on Stones Throw First of a Living Breed and that just proves that talent prevails and dreams do come true. The album is filled with deep messages and thought provoking lyrics that continue to push the envelope and showcase his God-given talent. He isn’t just rhyming for the sake of it; he’s spreading messages to change the world in attempt to make things better,“My music is about innovation. Innovation and creativity and the injection of new.”

First of a Living Breed drops September 18 and if you haven’t had a chance to listen to a Homeboy Sandman album then let this be your introduction. It’s hip-hop in it’s purest form. An emcee with talent, a dream and a message.

The post “Storytelling in Rhyme” — An Exclusive Interview with Homeboy Sandman appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

If you’ve ever heard Homeboy Sandman rap, then you know about the passionate, creative wordplay  he continuously spits, time after time. He has a natural gift and a very inspiring story behind it all. Director Rel followed Sandman with a camera for a few days and compiled a short documentary called “FOUNDation.” Get to know Homeboy Sandman, how he turned his life around and how he got started rapping.

Homeboy Sandman is set to release First of a Living Breed, his first full release, on Stones Throw Records on September 18. His first single “Watchu Want From Me” is showcases his emceeing skills and a dope beat from Oddisee.

The post Get to Know Homeboy Sandman appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.