An Interview with Gabriel Teodros

Seattlest fell in love with Gabriel Teodros after the Capitol Hill Block Party this summer, when Teodros brought up artist after local artist to join him on stage at Neumos and threw down a song or two about sexism. Teodros is the real deal, one of the best men Seattle hiphop has to offer to the world at large, and here's what he's thinking about these days.

We're all wondering why you're not named on the lineup for The Program at Neumos in December. What gives? Will you be joining Khingz on stage?

I'm doing a show with Christa Bell at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center on December 15th, and I wanted to be free for the rest of December to perform at any kind of events I want. I was asked to perform at 'The Program' but I already had this show with Christa Bell booked, and they asked that I not do any other Seattle shows in December if my name was on the flyer for that one night, so I said no. As far as me performing with Khingz... come through on Dec. 20th and find out!!! [Seattlest notes: We will, we will.]

Your music clearly has a political bent. Do you think that's hurt you more or helped you? In which direction do you see yourself and your music heading, with regards to social justice?

Has it hurt or helped me what? Everything is political. Some people make music to get money and fame, others make music cause they would die if they didn't. I do this to breathe, so yeah, telling the truth in my work has helped me stay alive, thanks. I'm just gonna keep carving my own path, making music simply because I love it and leaving behind a body of work I can be proud of, while working with youth and chasing my fullest potential... as a human being, artist and the big homie. I don't know where else this road goes, and if I did I wouldn't be walking on it.

Image is a detail of a photo by Dean Zulich