Meet Aaron Pointer

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Aaron Pointer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Aaron, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

Education is big because if you can learn to read and write, then you can learn to think deeper and translate your own thoughts and creativity. If you can learn to memorize then you can perform what you wrote and become more of an all around artist. I am grateful for my Mom and family always teaching and stressing education with reinforced Sunday School even, so I was getting extra juice that I didn’t realize until later. I have kept my creativity alive by not overly absorbing content that would dull it and discourage or influence it in a negative way. I don’t waste time doubting myself when I write or create, if I like it that’s good enough to keep it and let the world hear it at some point I stay in somewhat of a protective bubble content wise, and if I do absorb content I’m more narrowing on aspects that speak to me as a Creative. I watch things differently, I contextualize things differently than most people who absorb content – this keeps me creative. I’m always seeing the angles and thinking outside of the box – that keeps me creative. As the world gets older I pay attention to those who are younger, while still studying history and not dismissing what we have evolved into. I remain an avant garde soul in a sea of mediocrity, even when I can’t fully stretch all the way out, that abstract expressionalist soul is always lurking beneath the surface. I remain a story teller in an existence with infinite aspects of stories to share. That’s what ppl get from music career. Three decades of an unwaivering creative.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Aaron “Abstract Rude” Pointer is a West Coast veteran of independent and
underground hip hop. He like many other rap artists in the Los Angeles scene got his
start at the Goodlife Cafe, and starred in the Ava Duvernay directed docu-film, THIS IS
THE LIFE. Abstract Rude (along with tour mate, UK legend DJ Vadim) also has a
current song “Soundcatchers” used in Duvernay’s “Colin In Black & White” Netflix
series. Recently, he was featured in and received Creative Consultant credit in the
documentary series HIP HOP EVOLUTION (season 3 episode 3) now streaming on
Netflix.
Rude’s distinct voice and vast catalog has kept him working in the music business since
the mid 90s. He has released groundbreaking albums such as Project Blowed, South
Central Thynk Taynk, Mood Pieces, Who Framed The A-Team?, P.a.i.n.t, Haiku De Tat
& Coup De Theatre. As frontman of his original group Abstract Tribe Unique (ATU:
w/Zulu Butterfly, Ebony Prince, Irie Lion King, DJ Fat Jack & DJ Drez), collaborator with
Freestyle Fellowship members Aceyalone & Myka 9, and as a consistently touring solo
artist, Abstract Rude has endeared himself to fans worldwide.
Ab Rude’s music has been featured in motion picture scores such as The Wood, in TV
scores and soundtracks such as Dark Angel, videogames like MLB The Show, various
2KSports and Scarface, on French import albums Mixed Drink 1 & 2 by The Beastie
Boys (to whose Grand Royal Records label Rude was once signed in ’95), and on
award nominated albums such as the Look At All The Love We Found…A Tribute To
Sublime cd/dvd. Internationally, Ab Rude has appeared on and/or released albums with
Australia’s award winning hip-hop band Resin Dogs (Set It Off – 2002), Germany’s
Taktlo$$ (These Walls – 2005), and Canada’s award winning hip-hop act Swollen
Members (Heavy – 2009). Abstract Rude’s 2009 lp, Rejuvenation, was his 1st on
Rhymesayers Ent., and was produced entirely by Seattle beatsmith Vitamin D. Ab did
extensive sold out tours with Atmosphere & Brother Ali during that run, and released interim discs (Coat of Gold Paint, Eyes Wide Shutish, Steel Making Trax, Dear Abbey:
the lost letters mixtape) on his own Keep The Feel Ent. imprint within the 2 years after
Rejuvenation was released. In November 2013, Rude released a collab ep with
Rhymesayers co-founder Musab entitled The Awful Truth on Fifth Element Records.
Abstract Rude’s last four projects were released on Keep the Feel Entertainment: a
2014 lp titled Keep The Feel: a legacy of hip-hop soul, a 2017 mixtape titled The Owl’s
Cry by Abstract Rude & DJ Vadim, and two interim discs titled Making Lost Trax
Reappear (2018) and Making Lava Trax (2019).
Since 2020, Abbey Rizzle, Ab Rude’s affectionate event production & social media
alias, has added Project Blowed 26 Documentary writer/director/executive producer, as
well as Audible book narrator (The Murder Of Biggie Smalls: 2nd Edition by Cathy
Scott), and Ben Caldwell Award Selection Committee Chairman credits to his resume.
Late Fall of 2022 Marked Abstract Rude’s newest release on Keep The Feel
Entertainment, the LA Basin EP with Orange County based producer Cal S thetics, out
now on all formats. From 2023 til recently in late 2024 Rude released two volumes of
Making Indie Traxx, and he has been featured on 3-4 Australian releases with producer
Inkswel and also a few with Resin Dogs & Hydrofunk Records. In addition, Abstract
Rude is featured on Canadian group Potatohead People’s new album on the song “I
Wanna Come Home To You” and on DJ Vadim’s new Remix lp with the song “Like The
Wind”.
2024 into 2025 for Ab Rude will include: Re-Education Music Project by The Suitors ft.
Abstract Rude & Various Artists, 25th Anniversary Edition of South Central Thynk Taynk
by Abstract Tribe Unique (mixed and remastered reissue) on Rhymesayers, Notes From
The Sanho by Abstract Rude & Kenny Segal.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Authenticity, Education & Determination were the three most impactful elements for me. Staying true to who my fam raised me to be character and content wise for the most part I mean I’m no perfect angel, but I feel I made them proud and make my fans proud as far as the content of my art and character coming from a good and real place. So that’s remaining authentic. As for education knowing how to write and think deeply and count your money and contextualize your history etc, is a big advantage for a songwriter and business person. Lastly the determination and self belief u have to have is almost delusional but if u believe and keep pushing then eventually others may as well and u will make progress, but u have to have unwavering faith and determination to succeed against all odds.
For those early in their journey, keep your head down and create, be true to yourself and block out the noise around u whether it be praise or discouraging criticism. Only listen to constructive criticism from those u respect.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

Taking me to church. We still attend and are members of New Life Baptist Church in Southeast LA. There I learned rhythm, how to sing from the soul, act in plays, be in a choir rehearsal, how to make friends, how to respect your elders and why you respect people, unconditional love, how to pray, how to not feel hopeless against all odds, how to fight from the inside, and that I was never alone. I definitely became universally wise, but those old Hymns Golden Rules and early lessons have never left my heart, and wherever and with whomever I create art with, benefits from all of that foundational good in me that my Mom and her side of the family instilled.

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Image Credits

Abbey Rizz, Mamastrosity, Alyson Bruno

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