Favourite album ever and why?
Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers. It’s the album that kick started my favorite era in rap music - that era of East Coast dominance, from about ‘93 to about ‘96. The first time I ever heard 36 Chambers, I remember thinking to myself, how is it that I’m 12 years old, and I’ve never heard anything quite like this?

What song would be played at your funeral?
Retarded as it sounds, the first thing that comes to mind is a song called “At Your Funeral” by Saves the Day - a somewhat obscure emo band that was around when I was in college. You know how these emo kids are. It’s probably just about a girl he wanted to bang, but he couldn’t. In that sense, it’s pretty much the story of my life.

What’s your earliest music memory?
My parents had these milk crates with records in them that lined the walls of the area where I would play. I was too young to operate a record player. This was already getting to be the end of the vinyl era, and I first got into listening to music on cassette tapes. But I remember flipping through those albums and just checking out the covers.

Is there any particular song you never want to hear again in your life?
Every day I find a new song on the muzak at my day job that I can’t get out of my head and I wish I’d never heard before. It’s usually something I wouldn’t mind as much, if I only heard it once or twice. But having to hear pretty much anything over and over kinda ruins it.

Who’s in your fantasy group?
Rappers are always talking about doing an album with DJ Premier, but when’s the last time he produced someone’s album in its entirety? Occasionally, you hear rumblings of him doing albums with Nas, and KRS-One, but the ultimate would have been an album with him and Biggie, circa ‘95.

Best gig you’ve ever seen?
The National, touring behind the album Boxer, in ‘07. I caught them at this venue called the Duck Room, which is kinda like having them play your basement.

Most high profile musician you’ve ever met?
I once met ?uestlove from the Roots. I’ve written about it a few times now. He could quote from my own work chapter and verse, which was kinda weird and kinda flattering, but I don’t think he likes me very much at all. Which is understandable.. He gave me a phone number and told me to call him, probably to get me to leave, and come to find out it wasn’t even his number. He probably just made it up.

What’s the thing you like most about music in 2009?
I’m really enjoying the way social media like blogs, Twitter, and Facebook are taking over hip-hop. It’s easier than ever to interact both with artists you like, and artists you can’t stand.

What’s the thing you like least about music in 2009?
There don’t seem to be very many good albums, and I still love listening to albums, front to back, not just songs on shuffle.

Biggie or Pac?
Biggie. I’ve developed a reputation as a ‘Pac hater, but I’m not. I like him as much as anyone should, which is kinda. I just think Biggie is a far superior artist