Tasherre D' Enajetic Breaks Down Project 52 (Exclusive)

[Mumbo Sauce]

Detroit based MC and producer Tasherre d’ enajetic has embarked on a project that tests the perseverance and determination of an MC. “P52” or Project 52 is Tasherre's attempt at recording one song per week for 52 weeks straight. Some artists and fans make think its easy, until real life and setbacks get in the way, which is why this project is special. Indie Planet caught up with the man in the midst of a marathon and got some of his thoughts on this project.

What was your motivation for doing the P52 series?

I came across an article about a dude name Jonathon Coulton who took the journey back in 05-06. I was so inspired, that I had my journey mapped out before I finished reading. The next day I the title Project 52 (a song a week for 52 weeks). The next day I did a Google search (to make sure no one was using it) and came across another cat named Shane Beales, who did it around the same time Jon did. After talking to both of them through email, I had all the motivation I needed to do it. I also realized I had the chance to make history as the first hip-hop cat to do it.

You were faced with some setbacks during this project. How important was it for you to
keep going??
Very important. There's so many situations I can address in the black community where we start something and don't finish. I wasn't going to be another one of those examples. When you run into certain obstacles or setbacks, its really just a part of the game you're playing. The best thing to do is persevere and get through it. Its way too easy to give up and blame it on something or someone else. Truth is, we're the only ones holding us back.

What was your most memorable song recorded during this project and why?

Man, that's a tough one. The only reason I say that is because every single song has a special place with me. I write about stuff that happens to me and around me as is its happening. If you follow the project you'll see that. For instance, in Enter I say "Go ahead and blow that 10 point lead, cause Joe D is ready to fire you, see how fast you get FLIPped out", referring to Flip Saunders (ex coach of the Pistons) getting fired. That happened as I was writing that joint. Sumayyah's Song is about my wife and it came out on our anniversary. Over for You, is about a voice in my head telling me my career is over. This stuff really happens. So for me to pick one song that the most memorable, that's hard.


What was your motivation for doing the P52 series?

I wouldn't say that it altered it, but it definitely inspired me. As I said in Miracle (Obama's Song) "We now know that we can do a lot better, raise the grade of our quality of our quality of life to the highest letter". Its pretty simple, I look at Obama as a true American Idol. In order to achieve great things, you need to do great things. You can't do that chillin' on the couch, sitting on the porch, texting or talking on your cell phone (leisurely). You need to be active. Researching his history I see that exactly what he did. He never stopped, now look at him. So it didn't alter my writing, as much as it inspired me to push harder to reach my goal which I will reach.

For more info on the man and the movement, log-on to:
http://tasherredenajetic.com/