RHT Interviews Continued: Meet Hanif

Today we bring you Hanif, RHT's resident hip-hop expert and general all-around music junkie. Read below and find out all about him, including the story behind his RHT photo . . .

RHT: Where did you grow up? Small town? Big city? Mountain abode?

Hanif: I grew up on the Eastside of Columbus, Ohio. It was a pretty rough area, but that made for a great community atmosphere. One of those things where everyone's parents knew each other, and if kids got out of line, there were community spankings, etc.

RHT: Yeah, when I grew up any adult could beat you if you acted up. Wasn't a bad deal really. The guy who owned the local gas station knocked the hell out me once for being an idiot. I didn't tell my dad because I knew I'd get smacked again. But this is your interview. Sorry. Let's move on - what's the first record you ever bought? Listened to?

Hanif: I bought Mariah Carey's "Music Box" from Singing Dog like the day it came out. I had a little bit of money, and I had to find an album without that dreaded Parental Advisory sticker, and that was it. The first record I recall listening to was After Bathing At Baxter's by Jefferson Airplane when I was like 3. My parents were hippies, and that's just what I recall.

RHT: What record, early in your life, had the biggest impact? Why?

Hanif: Motown records. All of them. Like not the big ones though, like I remember Martha and the Vandellas Watchout!, and some early Miracles and Four Tops albums. Having good soul music in my life at an early age was good, and I was surrounded by it. I think back on this and find it funny, but my parents had seperate record collections, which I find odd. It's like you're sharing a home, kids, finances, etc....but her Supremes records better not mix in with his Fleetwood Mac.

RHT: Rank your musical tastes by genre.

Hanif: Hip-hop is first and foremost. And then everything else follows. Soul, Rock, Pop, Jazz, etc.

RHT: Where did you go to high school? College?

Hanif: I went to high school at Beechcroft here in Columbus, and I stayed close to home and went to Capital University in Bexley.

RHT: What do you do for fun aside from listening to music?

Hanif: What? I don't get the question. No, seriously....I am a sports fanatic. I play soccer, basketball, etc. I also chase girls who are out of my league for fun.

RHT: What do you do for a living? Hold any weird jobs in your past?

Hanif: I work for the fine state of Ohio currently, but the weirdest job I've had was working at Pizza Hut. It's not as cool as you would think.

RHT: Yeah, Chuck E. Cheese's is where it's at. Any life-changing moments growing up?

Hanif: My mother passed away when I was 13. I was a big mama's boy, and still have some of those traits in me even now. So, nothing was more life changing than that. I also consider the fact that I was forced to learn piano to be pretty life changing. My Grandmother taught me the hard way, pretty much standing over me demanding that I play until I got it right. I think she's still waiting for my first gold record.

RHT: Any favorite movies/TV shows growing up? Now?

Hanif: I stand by High Fidelity as the greatest movie ever made. By far. I also love the Five Heartbeats, it's like what I WISH the story of the Temptations was. Annnnnddddd The Wonder Years might be the best show ever.

RHT: Any favorite foods? Restaurants?

Hanif: I only eat when I'm not writing for and/or reading RHT. So, I don't know what food is.

RHT: What have you done that no one would guess you'd done, by just looking at you?

Hanif: The list is long, I think people have a general stereotype of me just by looking, but I think in general people are shocked that I a.) know anything about music beyond rap, and b.) played soccer in college. Those two are big. I'm really short, so if I saw myself, I wouldn't imagine myself playing any sport in college.

RHT: Any other amazing things our readers should know about you?

Hanif: The picture of myself on here (Taken by my talented buddy David Merz) is not to be taken seriously. I always have to explain it...it was a joke, but in a weird way, the Pixies hoodie (which is now ruined, by the way...) and the bandana (which was actually pink, so it's a good thing the picture is in black and white) make for an interesting combo. And that is not a 40 in the bag...it's actually green tea. I've never had a drink in my life, and I don't have a good reason for why, so don't ask. I'm kidding. Ask all you want.

RHT: What was the most interesting trip you have ever taken?

Hanif: Supervesey has had the best answer to this already. I can't top it.

RHT: Pick one rock star, living or dead, that you could spend an hour with over dinner.
Hanif: Ummm......wow....I think I could probably talk to Roky Erickson for a solid hour. That would be crazy. I would pick Lindsey Buckingham, but I've read that he can be quite abrasive.

RHT: Thanks for coming down to RHT for the interview.

Hanif: My pleasure. And thank you for sending the RHT Chopper to pick me up.

RHT: S-h-h-h-h . . . you got the chopper, DJ got the private jet, but SuperVesey had to get here in his '85 Yugo.