Anrew Kabutey Caesar
On a Tuesday at Mullers
Interview No. 159
Interview by Emily Hessney Lynch.
Published November 15, 2018.
Where are you originally from? What brought you to Rochester at this time in your life?
I was born in Brooklyn, but I grew up in Ghana in West Africa. I moved to Pittsford in 2000, and graduated from Brighton in 2005.
What is your favorite part of living in Rochester?
I enjoy hanging out with friends who are still living in the area.
What are some of your favorite/secret Rochester spots?
The 9th floor of the Strathallan—you get an awesome view of the skyline. Not that many people seem to know it’s there! I was able to stay overnight in the penthouse at the Strath once and it was amazing.
What's the most unique or interesting event you've attended in Rochester?
The Puerto Rican Festival is nice, it’s great for the city. I got a picture with Bob Duffy there one year!
If you had $100 and two hours to kill in Rochester, how would you spend the money/time?
I’d go get a massage.
What's your favorite restaurant in Rochester?
I love Shema Sushi.
What's your favorite neighborhood in the city?
The South Wedge is one—a lot of my friends live in that area. They have a lot of excellent food places. I tried octopus for the first time at Butapub at the German House!
What's the best place to get a garbage plate?
Penfield Hots! I went there a lot in high school. Nick Tahou’s is great if you’re looking for the OG garbage plate. The Stock Exchange, in the building where I work, has a solid plate too.
What is your personal coping mechanism for cold/gray weather?
Staying in and making new music. I also hang out with family and friends, and drink eggnog around the holidays.
What is your favorite Rochester memory?
Playing softball with travel teams, or playing soccer. I vividly remember the talent show at Brighton High School, where my friend and I got up onstage and rapped. I remember practicing in my friend's parents' basement on Ambassador Drive. It's been a long journey.
What makes Rochester unique?
The weather. My friend and fellow rapper once rapped, “My flow is unpredictable / like Rochester’s weather.”
Also, the people here are top notch. They’re good quality, caring people. They embrace the best qualities of humanity; they’re smart and caring. Seriously, there’s so many smart people here.
What do you think could be improved?
Music should be booming here financially. Rochester should be more like Nashville. We need to take a look at our everyday musicians and find ways that they can be compensated for the music they create. Many of them end up teaching on the side so they have money to live on. We also need to start teaching music students the business side of things.
How did you get into music?
I’d always sing with my two sisters, listening to the radio, cassettes, or records, and holding a microphone. I learned about Beethoven and Mozart in music theory in school. Beethoven sparked the flame, then I learned to make beats from Timberland. I’ve developed my own style from there.
If Rochester was a genre of music, what would it be?
We’re kind of a mix of classic rock, country, and electronic. The weather, the environment, the countryside all give it that country flair. When you drive around, there’s so much variety to enjoy, like the beach, the secret pier, boats, and interesting houses, art, and architecture.
What advice would you give to someone who is just getting started in the Rochester music scene?
As much as you build your music, start building the business part too. The money adds up. Get some early hits by starting young.
Andrew Kabutey Caesar is a Brooklyn-born, Ghana-raised Rochesterian who is creating his own path as a DJ and music producer. For more of his perspective, visit our Instagram.
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