The Mission and meaning behind "Indiependent" by Mission Man

Meaning of the name Mission Man:

People often ask me where I got the name Mission Man. I wanted a name that shows that I'm on a mission to change the way people see hip-hop. At the time I chose the name (the summer of 1996 while preparing to record "Intro To My Mind"), gangsta rap was huge. When people thought of rap, they immediately conjured up images of violence, racism, sexism, drugs, rape, rioting and every other negative thing they decided to throw in for good measure. I wanted to show that hip-hop is about self-expression.

Meaning behind the title "Indiependent"

It is intentionally spelled Indie, as I'm as indie as any artist has ever been. I write my own lyrics, play my own instruments (and taught myself how to play them), produce my own music, release my own CDs, book my own shows, maintain this post-modern impressionistic medieval renaissance-istic website, and promote everything myself. However, and this is the true reason for the CD title, I would not be where I am without the superfans. Steve B., Michael and Vicki, Steve M., Garrett, Adam F., Dan, another Adam, and more. They allowed me to quit my job to focus on music (even though I had to go back a couple months later). One of them is responsible for me getting international print press in Ride BMX magazine from the UK. Thank you, superfans for bringing 25-30, and later 50-70 people to my shows.

The superfans brought me the fans, and I feel like I should have another term, like Missionairies, for you, as most of you are not the casual fan. You know all of my lyrics, even to songs I have forgotten (I've recorded 130 or so now). Tell me what you want to be called, and I'll start referring to you this way. Fans just sounds so boring, and you are not boring.

It is also meant to define what life is like for most indie musicians, and is an homage to artists such as Ani DiFranco and Fugazi who have paved the way for us.

Mission behind "Indiependent":

The quick version is the following. After listening to "Indiependent" you will know me better than 95 percent of my friends.
The CD is very personal, and really explores of the depth of myself, and my ability to express myself. I have accepted the very real possibility that this will be my last CD. I've been rapping since 1992, put out my first CD in 1997, and have been playing the drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, and producing since 1998/1999. I have had some incredible times along the way, but I haven't been able to turn that into a career. The reality is that music is an extremely tough career to create for yourself. Making this CD is not about selling out to make the most popular CD I can make. It's about making the most personal CD that I can make. If I don't make music my career, I want to be proud of what I created, knowing that I have exhausted my talent, my energy, and my money to make the best album I possibly can. Music has given me the ability to think for myself, and understand the extremely complicated situations life has shown me (and will continue to show me), as well as express myself to alleviate pain or enhance my joy for life. I just want to give something back to the music world.

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