Hiphop.org: Where do you live, where you holdin it down?

Tonedeff: I live in Queens, NYC, USA.

Hiphop.org: What is the significance of your name??

Tonedeff: “Tonedeff” it a play on words, and I thought that was the best way to exemplify my actual rhyme style.

Hiphop.org: When did you first become introduced to hip hop?

Tonedeff: Since birth, really. I grew up in Chicago and it was all around me as far back as I can remember. It’s in my atoms.

Hiphop.org: What artists/people in your life intrigued you to start emceeing?

Tonedeff: I started writing at 9 and I’ve been recording and performing since I was 12. So my influences are basically everything that was available at the time. This was back when hip-hop wasn’t on the radio 24-7. When you really had to dig for it. I was listening to alot of LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, Fresh Prince & Jazzy Jeff and alot of other shit I can’t really remember right now.

Hiphop.org: Who would you enjoy the most to work with?

Tonedeff: I’d really like to work with Pharoah Monch or Common. I think the result would be bananas. Anything’s possible.

Hiphop.org: Tell me about your current projects, you got an ablum coming?

Tonedeff: I’m currently finishing up albums for PackFM, Session & Mr. Mecca. You’ll hear me on the upcoming CunninLynguists album, as well as a bunch of tracks with your favorite indie rappers on Asterisk:Four.

My debut album is Archetype. It drops VERY soon. Be sure to cop it and support the new hip-hop.

Hiphop.org: Who are your favorite producers?

Tonedeff: Kno, Domingo, Elite, & Deacon The Villain. Hands down.

Hiphop.org: Whats your formula, how do you come up with the concepts for your songs?

Tonedeff: I don’t have a formula. The songs come to me randomly when I’m out and about. I write about life, and the only real inspiration you can get for something like that is to go about living.

Hiphop.org: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years in hip hop?

Tonedeff: I see QN5 MUSIC continuing to break ground musically, and doing bigger and better things with more exposure.

Hiphop.org: What underground emcee’s do you currently listien to?

Tonedeff: I listen to PackFM, Sessiom, Mr. Mecca, CunninLynguists & Kynfolk, Substantial & The Plague. They’re definitely my favorites.

Hiphop.org: Do you listen to any commercial, what’s your take on mainstream hip hop?

Tonedeff: I like good music, period. I don’t care where I heard it. Both Underground and Mainstream “rap” is fucked up. There shouldn’t be a division to begin with. There’s no balance right now… and all-types of GOOD Hip-Hop needs to be heard by everyone. Not just one style.

Hiphop.org: Will you be doing any touring? What shows/events are you going to wreck?

Tonedeff: Of course, I love the stage. Archetype will be dropping soon so of course I’ma be pushing the fuck out of it. We’re currently setting up USA and European QN5 Tours for later in the year, so hopefully that pans out. Stay tuned for QN5.com for dates and announcements.

Hiphop.org: What one reason would you give your fans, to go out and buy your album?

Tonedeff: If they were really my “fans” they would buy the album without me having to give them “one reason”.

Hiphop.org: So you have any final words for our community and the prospects of hip hop?

Tonedeff: I’d like to thank all the fans and listeners for their support of Tonedeff and the QN5 camp over the years. Check us out @ www.qn5.com

Hiphop.org: thanks again man..

Tonedeff: No problem. thanks for the interview.