Auralarians are a patient bunch. They know that records come slowly, progress takes time and the Auralarian of the Month sometimes means ‘Auralarian of the YEAR’. This month’s (ahem*year*ahem) AOTM is one of the blue school community’s most notorious characters, AMEN! Check out what he had to say.

1.What is your name and where are you from?

I am Angel Navedo and I’m originally from Spanish Harlem, but have proudly claimed residence in Brooklyn for the past 12 years or so.

2.What’s your favorite Color?

I would say baby blue, but I’m really too old to pretend. It’s red. Sorry.

3.How did you get into Tonedeff’s music?

I was 16, at the Braggin’ Rites battle at the Wetlands in May ‘00. Immortal Technique won, PackFM wasn’t allowed to battle, and DJ Blowout was on the wheels and selling his “Verses vs. Beats” mix CD. I was just getting into the scene at that time, so I had no idea who half the names on that CD were. It was a very dope, head-nodding experience until I hit what I think was track 9, when it rapidly became an “Oh shit! What just happened here? Let me hear that one again!” experience. “I’m obligated, concentrated, contemplative, beyond creative/ not elated by the way…” somethin’ somethin’ somethin’ “properly consummated!” Forgive me, it’s been a few years. But it’s basically been a wrap since then. The mp3.com page became a favorite, I learned you and PackFM had some songs together, started seeing show flyers when I finally found Fat Beats, and boom! The live show properly consummated the situation.. eh.. no homo.

4.Which Tonedeff albums do you own?

Aside from the Asterisk series and Extended Famm album, my collection only consists of Underscore and Archetype. The few times I tracked down Hyphen, I just didn’t have the dough lined up to truly drop for that asking price. When I consider some of my purchases since then, I have regrets, but what can I do?

5.Any hobbies besides beating those who have negative comments about the Jets?

Those damn Jets. Their dismal season put me in a position where I can’t even talk shit… unless you’re a Dolphins fan (LOL @ you). But yeah, I work from 8:30 to 4:30 and if my time after work isn’t spent with my lady, I’m usually writing something ridiculous that I refuse to share, or playing XBox. Holla at me on Live, Gamertag: Amen Bk. Funny thing about all that is, the main reason why I hooked up XBox Live back in 2002 is because I read Tonedeff’s interview with Trixie on XBox.com, no stalker.

6.You gained quite the reputation in the blue schooler community for speaking your mind. Ever pick on anyone for no reason at all?

Yes, and I have regrets about one occasion in particular. But I won’t even describe it vaguely because there’s no way to hide how tasteless and classless it was. I like to think I’ve calmed down a bit, but people who’ve chilled with me are familiar with my rants and some of the rudely outlandish things I say in public.

7.Any interesting favorite Tonedeff/QN5-related stories?

The funniest thing that immediately comes to mind is how Tonedeff had absolutely no idea who I was up until about two years ago. I’d see this man at the Lion’s Den, Southpaw, SOB’s, Knitting Factory, etc and I’d always say, “What up?” We’d chop it up for a few seconds and he’d always converse with me politely. But when it was all said and done, I had this feeling that he still hadn’t put my face with the name. I think it was at Poison Pen’s party at SOB’s in the summer of ‘07 where Tonedeff finally recognized the short, chunky dude as Amen from the forums.

8.What’s your favorite Tonedeff song?

That’s a fully loaded question. Tone’s music isn’t the type that you can flat out say that you like one song over another because the range of all the songs speak to you differently in certain scenarios. But if I truly had to pick, since that what this question is all about, it’d be “Case Closed.”

9.You’re also an emcee (New York Rhyme Exchange) and have been to many a QN5 event. How have you been able to maintain a fan’s perspective as an artist yourself?

Awww! You noticed! But I’ve always maintained that I’m a fan first. It’s difficult because my attempts at music are open to criticism and immediately targeted the moment I disagree with someone’s opinion on a quality artist. When you get involved in music, you have to be prepared for that, so it truly doesn’t phase me one way or another. Aside from that, I think all artists should be fans. If I can’t appreciate what’s around me, or admire what other people are doing then I’ve already lost touch with my target audience. It’s difficult to not suck my teeth and roll my eyes at every artist I see on stage; but when I see something I love, and recognize that there’s other people next to me that are just as into it, I try and grasp what that artist on stage is doing, and hope to do the same at my next opportunity without cloning them.

10. Make any wild new years resolutions for 2008?

I actually don’t bother with those. If I didn’t start it last year, I don’t need a new calendar to inspire me this year. I brought in the New Year with someone dear to me, and the first phone call I received was from my parents. The only thing I can hope for this year is to keep everyone I love close and safe so we can bring in 2009 together.

11. Life or death decision: RealityKings or BangBros?

Damn. Can I do the question about my favorite Tonedeff song again? I have to go with Bang Bros off the strength of Ball Honey’s alone. I almost strayed from the Bros a few years ago when I learned of the Bait Bus, but the consistent quality of the ladies they get to sexually demean themselves is astonishing.

12. What’s bumping in your whip right now?

I no longer own a vehicle. My Metrocard is my best friend, and so are my headphones. And on my train ride home from work this evening, Dirty Acres was in the headphones. That’s the first album in a long time I’ve been able to listen to and love front to back, because for the last few months I’ve been uninterested in music.

13. What are your thoughts on the New Hip Hop Movement?

I fully support anything that’s innovative and about moving forward. It doesn’t mean I’m against the Old Hip Hop. I appreciate balance, and also realize that the New Hip Hop is something that needs to be done to establish that balance.

14. You’ve also got a knack for faux-news story writing. Any aspirations to work for The Onion?

Ah man, you have no idea. I’m working on establishing an acceptable tear sheet that I can proudly submit to multiple publications. I have to get out of my office environment. I didn’t mind working on Wall Street, but if I could see a pay day for churning out another “50 Cent Loses His Hand in Car Door” story, I’d be exactly where I need to be.