Charlie Alpha Papa and Marvalis released a new song called “On the Rocks”, and is really worth listening.
Charlie Alpha Pap (Cap) is a hip hop recording artist, producer, label owner and publisher of Capishmusic based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The artist whose real name is Michael Capshaw, began writing poetry in high school, free styling with his peers and early on recognized his ability to be a creative in hip hop music; a genre he would set out to master! After finishing high school, however; Cap joined the military and immediately went overseas to serve his country. After two years of military service , Cap returned to California and dedicated his free time to writing and recording music while still providing medical service to veterans in local military hospitals . Within a few years, Cap had networked to local artists, producers and other creatives to begin making compilation albums. To date, Cap has been featured on over 10 albums to include underground and store releases. His solo debut album, entitled INSIDE OUT; continues to network all over the world with album sales from Australia to Zimbabwe. He continues to earn over 50,000 listeners per month and his latest album “Part of Me” released in July 2020 earned him 1 million streams and can be found at all major online distributors. Read more here
Lisa: Hi Michael! What’s the story of with the name Charlie Alpha Pap (Cap)? How did you get it?
Cap: My last name is Capshaw, my friends started calling me Cap in the military so it stuck. Unfortunately in music there are now many caps so I used the letters to make the name Charlie Alpha Papa.
Lisa: Your latest album “Part of Me” released in July 2020 has streamed over 1 million times on all platforms. What was the inspiration for this particular album?
Cap: My first album was giving listeners insight into who I was and things that I’ve been through. This album is a decade later and I wanted to re-cap events up to now-give my listeners a “part of me” now.
Lisa: I really enjoyed listening 1 min video for your upcoming release “On the Rocks”. What’s the story behind this song?
Cap: Had a long year with Covid and after working one day with patients in the ER…I thought
these lyrics up. Was feelin like I needed to go out and de-stress….thus a song was born.”
Marvalis: My story for my lyrics was to go with Caps lyrics and vibe with the Spirit of the
song and that’s having drinks in the rocks”.
Lisa: You were also in military, overseas. Tell me more about that experience, and how it influenced your music.
Cap: I had many moments of solitude to think about music but I really wasn’t inspired at the time to write or think up songs. Once I got back, I had all this built up creativity and I put it to use. I spent most of that time trying to figure out the business side to music.”
Lisa: What non-musical entities and ideas have impacted your music?
Cap: Life in general is a song, moments, people, events, time alone..I get inspired by anything really. What makes it really spin is feedback from fans and those connections made with listeners.
Marvalis: What impacts my music that’s a non entity is spiritual knowledge of self. Ima spiritual teacher so we like to get as real as possible . Showing our true identity.
Lisa: Describe your approach to recording.
Cap: Typically come up with a topic or browse beats first. Then once I’m inspired or in the groove I write and record that very day. Usually start with the hook and go from there.
Lisa: Was anyone else involved in writing, recording or producing the songs?
Cap: Too many people to name here. I write all of my own songs, features write their verses. I work with many producers however, all very talented, and sometimes I produce the music myself. I record and master all of my music.
Marvalis: I write all my songs, raps and r&b and I’ve used multiple producers and recording studios but I write all my music.
Lisa: How do you nourish your creative side when you’re not working? And how do you avoid burnout?
Cap: Sometimes it’s a matter of just giving myself time to be alone, I workout and try to stay healthy, I listen to jazz and classical music to get my brain going and basically cleanse my head. I don’t think I ever get burned out, but I do step away to reset and start new.
Marvalis: I rarely burn out at all and I’m always inspired when I’m not working . I listen to my favorite artist on my downtown and think about the things I love.
Lisa: If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
Cap: I would increase the streaming royalty rates to give artists what they deserve. I would have more platforms for those independent creatives to get radio play and I would certainly cut out executives ability to monopolize their artists to radio.
Marvalis: If I can change one thing I. The industry I would add more artist on the radio then
the small amount they show.
Lisa: What types of change do you feel your music can initiate?
Cap: I would just hope that I can inspire other musicians and artists to get out there and do what they love, in any form that makes them feel successful and heard.
Marvalis: The biggest change my music can give is creating higher vibrations and good times amongst humanity through down to earth music.
Lisa: What is your favorite song you’ve written so far?
Cap: Worth it feat: Alex Marie Brinkley.
Marvalis: I would say a song I did called “ Stay With You” it’s on my new album “ Welcome to New Earth”
Lisa: What are your plans for the future?
Cap: Keep making music and eventually sign other artists to my label and promote them.
Marvalis: My plans for the future is to spread high vibrational feel good music, spread great knowledge, and move up in vibration and frequency
Thank you
