Graffiti writer, Bisco Smith has taken the images burned onto forbidden surfaces and translated the colors into words. The result is the release of The Broadcast, a Hip Hop album of electronic proportions.

A grouping of tracks created by the MC and J. Vegus, The Broadcast is a soundtrack to the daily grind of an artist. Taking the main elements of Hip Hop to another level, Bisco has created a platform clear of the usual Hip Hop drudgery. He doesn't complain about lack of radio airplay, rather exposing a different side of musical responsibility.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words. In the case of The Broadcast the words are the snapshots, elevating the experiences of Bisco Smith and producer J. Vegus. Refusing the confines of the everyday box mentality, Bisco Smith talks with Yo! Raps about pushing the envelope, and the often over looked continued influence of graffiti in Hip Hop.

First of all, The Broadcast is dope. Full of electric beats, dub step and fierce lyrics.  Talk about production and the evolution of this project.

Thank you! The record is a collection of tunes created by myself and J. Vegus. We toured the last LP, When Electric Night Falls, and on return we linked to discuss this one. I laid out my ideas and directions, Vegus did the same. He wanted a certain lyric approach and I was looking for a production style. We both are eclectic with the tunes, but listen to and make a lot of Hip Hop related material. This is a collection of our electronic based influences with a Hip Hop overtone. It is my photograph of life.

On Transmission Live you talk about much needed change. What is the most obvious change you are bringing to Hip Hop at this time?

They say change comes from inside. I don't know what, if anything I am trying changing in the game. As far as me, that's always changing and growing, the rest will follow. Maybe I am melting music together. I would say it's not me bringing change to Hip Hop. If anything it's Hip Hop bringing the change to me. For now it's in me and the people around me. Time will decide the rest.

The production on the album is absolutely stellar and handled entirely by J. Vegus.  Did you find yourself at the top of your writing game amongst these innovative beats and such?

Yes. But I also didn't over think the project. We worked comfortably and when I get in the writing zone where I actually sit and craft versions of songs. That's when I know I am working and the beats he was making for me pushed the patterns, the techniques and the thought process for sure. Definitely some very motivating next level production. 

Your album is titled The Broadcast, have there been any obstacles in radio play?

In 2010 I am questioning radio as a medium. Not so much internet radio, more broadcast radio. Who tunes into a station in 2010? Maybe because I live in the north east technologically ahead of a lot of the world, or I sit in my own bubble. But I don't know the value of it on a listener level. It's great to connect with DJs because those people really care for music, the preservation and spreading the sounds. But the overall radio airplay thing, I don't know.

Are you concerned with pushing the envelope too far?

Nah not at all. If anything, not far enough. I wish I was crazy sometimes and could just drop everything, fall into the music and push it and myself over the edge. But, I somehow keep things in order. If I push it out of hip hop what happens? Only more doors to open. Its art, some people love it, some hate it. I just make it, that's how I see it. It's not for everyone and in the end; I am just doing what I feel. If that goes too far for certain people that's on them not me.

How does being a writer (Graf artist) play into how you invent lyrics and music?

I think writing has a certain attitude. That's how I see this music. Writing is not a weak persons sport. I don't think spitting raps is either, in terms of the creation itself. I definitely see the beat as my surface, main vocal as my base fill, back-ups like the faded and subtle jumps in a burner highlights the adlibs, and so on. It's all the same sort of details and build up. The difference really just being the medium.

One of the major elements of Hip Hop, Graffiti has almost become a generic term.  What are your thoughts on promoting and continuing to develop a culture like Graf writing from an organic sense?

I'm glad people are making money and new styles. Some days I wish that was my focus 100% because as I get older I see that game different, on a more artistic level. I have a better understanding of why it exists. The good and bad, the winners and losers. Painting laid the ground work for what I do today; I have had so many dope experiences and met the best people because of it. I am proud to promote it.

I also think it is going to promote itself as an art form no matter what. When little man writes on a wall and another person sees it, that's the advertisement. It will exist forever in one form or another. Will it always be so hip hop related? That I don't know.

Your imagery in lyrics really shines, perhaps because of your experience as a Graf writer. What kind of everyday experiences find their way into your music?

Thanks! All my music is derived from my every day. I think I wrote most of the first versions of these songs on a sidekick riding through the subway system. So when I am scripting songs there is so much visual static around me. That record is my everyday but where I live the things you see every day are mind blowing and extremely vivid if you take the time to look it can be overwhelming. 

From, NY, one of the major ports of Graf creation, can we still find tags from you in obscure locations?

Yeah. I catch them here and there. You are more likely going to find a burner than a tag these days.

How do record labels and deals relate to where you want to go as an artist.

Just my business Ivee Studios. On the distribution side I have a homey running it through his business, So Valid. We worked out a digital distribution situation that seems to be great. First, it's between friends, we have been in the same circles for close to 10 years so we will see where it goes, but there is trust and faith between the dealings so it should be proper. Embedded took some time off, I had to find a new way to move. So Valid offered me the fresh opportunity, naturally I jumped on board.

What is the most important aspect of getting your content out to the masses? Why do you do this?

Sometimes I wonder that too. I think the art goes first, the rest follows. If I make good music, hopefully that opens the doors. I put it out because I learned that process of completion and became accustomed to it and the gratification that follows. I design a lot of things. There is a process, sketches, drafts, development, final, and then things get manufactured, and next they go out to the world. I make records, there is a process very similar, things get manufactured and they go out to the world. I enjoy the feedback and the accomplishment.

Who is your favorite rapper?

I would say Guru was most influential, GangStarr as a whole.  Favorite? There are a lot of people I feel for one reason or another. So many people, on a rap level and a music level in general. 

What about your favorite song?

Hmm, again a very tough one. I think Masta Ace - Born To Roll, might hold some of the most vivid memories for me back in my young days. But I have listened to well over 100,000 songs easy. To pick one seems unjust.

How can we keep up with the haps?

My website, www.biscosmith.com, as well as Facebook, www.facebook.com/bisco.smith, and Myspace, www.myspace.com/bisc1

- By Maxine Ross