Zechariah Ysaye Oluwabankole Babington-Johnson has had many rap aliases but he chose “OGICIC” as a result of a Dairy Queen his father owned when he was a child. An avid learner, “Z” as he is often called boasts both a juris doctorate and a masters of business administration from the University of North Dakota , where he also was a record setting outside linebacker on the football team. Having made appearances on 106 and Parks freestyle Friday, OGICIC took a break from music in order to “make sure the message he was preaching was one that would be fruitful for the listeners”. As he returns with his debut EP entitled “Lech Lecha” slated to drop on April 5, 2018 ( his 34th birthday) OGICIC weaves his spiritual growth together with his entrepreneurial acumen to present a blended expression of truth that’s far from preachy, yet rich in substance. With a full video documentary to accompany the project, we can only hope that their are live shows soon to come, OGICIC truly is opening up a behind the scenes look into his life. With songs like “Northside Aleinu” he blends Hebrew psalms with truths like surviving cancer and finding his grandfathers body decomposed. Lech Lecha is the beginning
Exclusive Interview
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
Grew up in North Minneapolis. Music runs in my family and I first saw my mother recording on 8 Tracks and I woiuld hear stories about my cousin Prince (her 1st Cousin) and then seeing Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and being in that environment, seeing Bobby Joe Champion and Excelsior and Sounds of Blackness, iconic groups around me, I naturally cultivated my artistic side. I started rapping and playing the drums at four years old. Because of how I was raised my mom had us working on mandatory vocab words, encyclopaedia Britannica article reports, book reports every week, so my vocabulary and exposure to knowledge was constantly growing. As I got older it was easy to freestyle and people also realized that I was competitive so battle rapping came easy as well. That led me around the country curshing kids, appearances on 106 and Park and also dropping music projects at the time. I took a slight hiatus as I wanted to make sure my message was tight, but now we back and its all for Hashems glory.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
You have to be willing to hear no and go out and just ask if you can get down. Connect with others that are doing shows and see if you can get down with them, pop off spontaneous shows, etc. The craft of a good showman comes from repetition and you can never get enough opportunities to develop your stage presence.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
There is never a mistake for a chef. You simply cook with the ingredients that you have. If you think the public cares, they are most concerned about a good show and a good show is all about your energy and vibe.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
I was last on tour a few years ago with Cool Keith. Since then I was occupied with law school and business school however since starting this entrepreneurial venture I am looking forward to touring.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Right now I don’t have any studio upgrades in the works. I typically record at a few different spots but I’m not well versed in the equipment lingo to be able to speak to the line up.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
I have found the best promotion is just being a good citizen on earth. As people resonate with your vision and energy, then they will be drawn to your music. Beyond that I’m working on leveraging the various outlets that are out there to push music online. Ultimately I have found that live shows are the best form of promotion. It’s a genuine test of whether people like the music or not.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
I would bring my cousin Prince back and do a show with him at Paisley Park. That would be epic and legendary and would fulfill something that I never got to do, plus I’m sure my family would love the chance to see him again.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
THEMSQUAD has a mixtape dropping soon and I’m already working on the next body of work and looking to ecpand the producers that I work with so there is a variety of sounds.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
I would be in entrepreneurial endeavors. Born to be free, I’d be doing what I am doing, which is building Lets Go Gaming.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?
Lech Lecha is dropping on April 5th. We looking to rock out shows and definitely tour later in the year while we keep building for the inaugural LGG GE-Sports league season. Definitely go to HYPERLINK “http://www.lggesports.com” www.lggesports.com or lggesports on Instagram and tune in. Be on the look out for our inaugural league season coming up and the after school league we started for high school students. `
Exposed Vocals: Any Shout-outs?
Definitely want to shot out to Lets Go Gaming, my sister, mom and dad, my lil brother Ekeze, shot out JB, Ace, Spitty, Paul, Jathan, DeCarlos, Lorenzo, Dre, Rabbi Aizman, born royalty, black bag ent, Spencer, ChopSuii, JR and the Chicago Anti Eviction Campaign, Tony Sanneh and the Sanneh Foundation, Rabbi Brook and Uptown Chabad, Rabbi Kravitz , Evan, Trudy and everyone at Adath, EA Sports, Microsoft, Dirty Glove Bastard, The Cool Club, T Beezie, Nephew, Tradoe,……Northside Boxing Club, Stairstep Foundation, and Bobby Trendz.
