Hot off the heels of a new release, “A Different Mirror,” I had the pleasure of speaking with the homie Toki Wright and got to ask him some questions. Check it as we wreck it down.

1. Tell the folks who you are for those that don’t know. AKA: Who are you?

Concerned citizen. Party rocker. Father. MC. Lover of good music. North Minneapolis representative. Rhymesayers Entertainment and Soultools member. Coordinator of the first fully accredited Hip Hop Studies diploma program in the country.

2. Favorite track for you off “A Different Mirror?”

I love all of the tracks for different reasons, but I would have to say today my favorite song is “Good.” Its one of those feel good joints that makes a drive through the city in the summer better.

3. What’s the significance of the title, “A Different Mirror?”

“A Different Mirror” is all about perspectives and perception. The way I look at myself and the way someone else looks at me will always be a little bit different. If I’m standing in a mirror and someone is standing to my side they will see me in a slightly different light. So I wanted to publicly discuss how we as people look at race, class, gender, etc., while not being to uptight to tell a joke.

4. One thing you’d like people to take away from this project?

I hope that people recognize that you can tell a truthful story from your soul and others will listen. You don’t have to play a certain stereotypical role to fit in. Its possible that if you have to make yourself into a stereotype that the people you want to fit in with aren’t sure about themselves either. Be yourself. Respect yourself. Love yourself. Take care of yourself and your surroundings.

5. Favorite things about the scene as of current?

Everyday I walk out onto a stage the scene gets more and more diverse. We need that in order to survive. New ideas and new energy. I also like that people are beginning to loosen up and get comfortable. Its time to let go and get free.

Toki will be doing an album release party for “A Different Mirror” on Friday, June 26th at First Avenue. You can get your presale tickets by clicking here.

In addition, you can also visit Toki Wright’s website, and for a free download of “The Next Best Thing” produced by Sevadar Sehaj, you can get it here (right click, then save as). “A Different Mirror” is in stores now courtesy of SoulTools/Rhymesayers Entertainment.