Song of the day: MF DOOM - Rhymes Like Dimes

If you don't LOVE this song - get the fuck off my website. ...please and thank you.

Song of the day: Notorious B.I.G. - Juicy

"Fuck all you ho's..." -Biggie

Song of the day: Jaylib - Mcnasty Filth

This is one of the hardest songs of all time... tell me that beat doesn't make you want to run like 27 miles. It's not hard in terms of talking about baby murders and heroin addiction and shit, it's just. . . hard. As shit. Amazing. DILLA!

{Download} Freeway & Jake One - One Thing (feat. Raekwon)

Freeway is not my favorite rapper... I don't even need to go into that hole animal hibernating on his face issue, his flow just doesn't do it for me... that being said, this beat is nice. ...and when does The Chef not do his thing? Never. This is DEF worth the hard drive space. ...enjoy! Freeway & Jake One - One Thing (via ONSMASH)

{Download} A Bun B double play...

Welcome to BunBTracksOPlenty.com - how may we help you? Oh, you want a newly made Bun B track? Well hawt damn, we got them Bun B tracks on deck! All 90 million of them. . . Enjoy!

Bun B - Pants On The Ground

Bun B - Champion Freestyle

{Download} Sadat X - Turn It Up (feat. Pete Rock)

I mean... what else do you really want? Sadat X (I shouldn't have to say this but... of Brand Nubian) and Pete Rock? Enjoy! Sadat X - Turn It Up (via ONSMASH)

{Download} Joe Budden - Downfall

...okay. So. Yeah. I mean. . . I know I'm supposed to like this dude. . .  but. . . I don't like this dude. On a multitude of levels. He has a couple tracks that sound aight (usually because I like the person who he collabs with), but on the whole. Nah, pass. Out of control egos are a bit more than I can deal with. ...but, you know - enjoy or whatever. Joe Budden - Downfall (via ONSMASH)

{Video} DOM Kennedy - Menace Beach

I'm kinda feelin' this beat. . . I don't really listen to DOM Kennedy, because everything of his I've ever heard, I haven't really liked... but this isn't bad. I guess. Enjoy!

{Video} Sean Price - Figure Four

The. Fucking. Shit. ...that is all. Enjoy!

"Sean Carter is nice, but Sean Price is the best..." - Sean Price

{Video} Kendrick Lamar - She Needs Me \ I Am

This dude is an example of one of those people that, I can respect his music, as it's not bad/shameful/suicide inducing/etc. . . but, I just don't really like it. Again, not because it's bad, but just because... it doesn't appeal to me personally. Though I know more than a few of you like this guy. . . thus I know I'm going to get more than one raving response to this like 'WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, KENDRICK LAMAR IS THE BEST THING SINCE KOOL AND THE GANG?!'. . . oh well, whatever. Enjoy!

Song of the day: Ludacris - Georgia (feat. Field Mob)

This song goes sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo hard in a car with a good sound system. I miss this Luda. ...okay, enjoy!

{Download} Styles P & DJ Green Lantern - Make Millions From Entertainment

Another great beat - Props to Alchemist... the verse on this ain't bad either for that matter. Enjoy! Styles P & DJ Green Lantern - Make Millions From Entertainment (via ONSMASH)

"Too many fake niggas... with they fake ice... talkin' fake shit... you gotta fake life." -Styles P

{Download} U-N-I - Pussy (feat. Evidence)

This beat... is so sick. I kinda blanked out on everything else. ...enjoy? U-N-I - Pussy (via ONSMASH)

Song of the day: Kayne West - Family Business

I love this song. It's sooooooo much more than just the song of the day. Really listen to it. . . if this shit don't remind you of your family... well, it reminds me of mine. Enjoy!

{Download} Mos Def - The Tournament

This track is kinda fresh... though most of what the mighty MOS does is kinda fresh... so, enjoy! Mos Def - The Tournament (via ONSMASH)

Danny Brown... yep, I interviewed someone else from Detroit. You know you love it. Motherfucker.

So I’ve recently had the pleasure of interviewing Detroit rapper Danny Brown… if you don’t know him yet, please believe that you will soon, cause the boy got bars. From having a track on Jay Stay Paid, to working with the likes of Elzhi, Quelle, Marvwon, and others, Danny Brown is holding his own in this hip hop shit, so you should know about him… if you don’t already. Check this shit out…

“I think I just have to do… whatever I want. I don’t put limitations on myself” -Danny Brown

Danny Brown - Contra (feat. Elzhi)


Danny Brown, Danner Tanner, Danny the Hybrid… how would you like to be referred to? …and can you give me a brief run down of who you are, where you’re from, and what you do for those assholes that don’t already know.

Just Danny is cool with me… if you know me good enough Daniel, but. . . I ain’t really trippin’ on your nick names. Just don’t call me wack. I’m from Detroit, and umm… I rap. And. . . umm… I like video games.

(laughter ensues)

I’m just a rapper.

Another rapper from the D… shocking. So, what makes you different from every other amazing rapper from the D? …or are you different?

I think… (what makes me different is) just because I am different. I mean, I’m not saying that they’re not different (other Detorit rappers), but most of them just got like a certain image or a certain style that they just have to do, you know? I think I just have to do… whatever I want. I don’t put limitations on myself, you know? Pretty much, like… say they’re a super underground, hip hop, Detroit artist… under the J Dilla influence - if they wanted to do a song with Soulja Boy, then it would be like (weird). . . you know what I’m sayin’? But I could probably do it, and people would be like, ‘Aight, he’s just Danny’, you know?

“I can kinda understand all aspects of hip hop. I can kinda understand it all… and I kinda like it all…” -Danny Brown

Aight ‘just Danny’. . . who influences you? Who has helped make ‘just Danny’ the person that he is? Musically speaking of course…

I can say Nas. . . and then it goes to someone like Dizzee Rascal. Then like, E-40. . . those are my biggest influences. Wu-Tang too… that’s pretty much it for my biggest influences. …MF DOOM too.

Fair enough. So where are you right now? What are you doing? Sorry if that came off as creepy, I just like to get a feel for the random shit…

I’m in LA chillin’. . . watchin’ Slum Dog Millionaire.

Wait… while you’re doing this interview? …you know what, nevermind. Instead, tell me who is getting a lot of play from you right now? Wait. . . lemme rephrase that. Who are you listening to right now? I hear you don’t even listen to all that much rap. Which I understand, because rap sucks. . . but, if I were to push play on your MP3 player right now, what would I hear?

Right now I’m listening to Lil B a lot. I kinda like Yelawolf a little bit. . . I dunno, that’s pretty much it. I just listen to Lil B. …and I listen to Yelawolf.

I like Fever Ray. Yeah. I like Fever Ray a lot, and I like… I’ve been getting’ into Animal Collective. I liked the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s last album… I’d never heard that, and it’s extremely dope. It’s kinda old now though, and I just got up on it. And yeah… that’s pretty much it. Fever Ray though… I didn’t know how good that number was.

Danny Brown - Head


Enough about your idea of what’s good… In MY opinion, as much as I love Contra (and talk about it virtually every day, not to mention listening to it repeatedly), I think Head is my favorite song of yours… (I’m a girl, so sue me) What is your favorite song of yours? Why?

That’s like… a weird question. I can’t really just say that - like, if I have a favorite song (of mine). But I guess it would probably be Dilla Bot Vs. The Hybrid. That was just like my comin’ out party, you know? A lot of people knew about me but… I got more respect and shit from off that. It was like a good look, so. . . it showed that if you give me a good look than I’ll knock the ball out the park. You know what I’m sayin’?

J Dilla - Dilla Bot Vs. The Hybrid (feat. Danny Brown)


Speaking of Dilla… Considering you are on that track with him, I’m morbidly curious to know the answer to this one…Who’s the one artist you would like to work with most that you have yet to?

Wow… artist that I would like to work with that I haven’t… I always pick Jack White when I get asked that question. So I would say Jack White would be it. Most of the people I’ve wanted to work with… I’ve worked with. So it’s like, I gotta… you gotta set your goals kinda… too high. Where you can’t reach’em. That’s like on of them big, too high goals.

…okay. Favorite MCs?

My favorite MCs right now… umm… Quelle and Crown Nation, of course like, everybody else. Danny Swain… I like The Cool Kids a lot… Ummm… yeah, that’s pretty much it.

That’s pretty much it. …I didn’t say Lil B? I like Lil B a lot so… Lil B is like the new Too $hort right now to me. I’m heavily influenced by Too $hort so…

Sounding unreasonably unconvinced, I interrupted with: Lil B is like the new …Too $hort?

I really don’t like music that your parents - like, you know how hip hop got kinda soft? Like, you can listen to hip hop with your grandma and shit. There ain’t too much shock value in it. Versus like… Lil B. It’s not something you can listen to with like… an older person, you know what I’m sayin’?

(laughter ensues)

A lot of people came up with Too Live Crew, and were like, ‘this shit is wack as fuck’, but after years on it, it’s like, wow, you really understand now what they did back then. It’s dope. Like, real shock value… nothin’ fake - where you talkin’ about eatin’ up babies or some shit like that. You know what I’m sayin’? Something just that simple, as a nigga sayin’, ‘I fuck bitches every time I can’.

You gotta have all of it… and I like that. I like that, because that’s what I was raised on. My momma used to tell me to cut that shit off… steal tapes from me and shit like that, you know? That’s why I say some of the shit I say… for the little kid that’s gonna piss his moms off. It’s not for the little kid that’s gonna vibe to the song with his mom. Like, cause his mom like it too. This (music) ain’t for yo’ momma. Like… you know what I’m sayin’? It’s for the little niggas. The young niggas.

Danny Brown - New Era


Understood. …speaking of young niggas - you’ve come a long way from Cocaine Cowboys (even though you’re still pretty young). . . What’s on deck for Danny Brown? Tell me about what’s in the works… projects? Collabs? Album? Burgeoning career in the adult film industry? (yeah, I read your tweets)

I’m just finishing up The Hybrid. …it’s almost done. I’ve been working with Ali Shaheed Muhammad from A Tribe Called Quest. He’s sort of like my mentor right now. He’s just been helping me, teaching me and shit, so… that’s pretty much it.

“I’m not alright with that… that shit is wack.” –Danny Brown

Who is one rapper who you really don’t get? The one that, when people talk about how much they love them, you think they’re fuckin’ crazy?

You said… like, a rapper that I think sucks?

Umm… I can’t really say anybody, because… like, music is music. It’s really your self expression. What you think is wack, another person thinks is good.

So, I really don’t listen to too much – a lot of new rappers… I really don’t be like, ‘that shit is wack, won’t nobody listen to that shit’, you know what I’m sayin’? I’m tryin’ to think hard, but… everything I come up with in my head, I can figure out why somebody would listen to it. Like, (I could think of) what type of person would listen to some shit like that. So, I really can’t say that. It’s not nothin’ out there that’s just so wack to me where, I cannot listen to it… cannot understand why somebody would like it.

I can kinda understand all aspects of hip hop. I can kinda understand it all… and I kinda like it all, so. . . That’s a good question too. I’m tryin’ to think… like, it just hasn’t been somethin’ that I’ve hated on in a while.

I remember when Gucci Mane first, first came out … I’m talkin’ bout when he came out with ‘So Icey’. I thought that was wack, but, obviously Gucci Mane’s not wack now if you look at it - what’s he’s done, you know what I’m sayin’? So… I really don’t… I can’t say that. I really wanna answer that question too. I’m tryin’ hard to think…

I interjected with …eyebrow raised in the most skeptical voice ever… Why do you think Gucci Mane’s not wack?

Because he can kinda rap… it’s just that his accent is so crazy. Gucci is one of the real ones… you know what I’m sayin’? I think that inspires a lot of people - to do good in some sense, because he came from the same shit that niggas is goin’ through, and look what he’s doing. . . So that might make a nigga be like ‘Man, Imma try somethin’ else…’ you know? It’s really positive, if you look at it. Yeah, he talks about his negative experiences… to show people what type of person a person can become. People can change their life… cause obviously he’s not doin’ the same thing no more, you know what I’m sayin’? He gettin’ into rapper trouble now… but that’s not street trouble, you know what I’m sayin’? So… I can’t really hate on it.

I’m really tryin’ to think of something that I hate. Like… who do I really just HATE? Like… ugh. Who fuckin’ sucks? Like… I would say somebody like Flo Rida - but then I see why people like Flo Rida too, you know what I’m sayin’?

My response: WOW. No. …but, yeah.

I can see why people like that. That’s good fun, techno, Miami, spring break… ‘I’m white from fuckin’ Illinois, on vacation, Imma go ham on some Flo Rida right now… I don’t care what he said, the beat sound good! …I’m drunk, we dancin’. . .’ It’s got its purpose, you see what I’m sayin’?

(intense laughter breaks out from both parties)

I’m still tryin’ to think of somebody that really sucks. …Won-G sucks.

Me: …who?

You don’t remember him? Did the video with Paris Hilton in it? I’m not alright with that… that shit is wack. You know? YOU KNOW? That’s my answer.

(…continued laughter)

Uh… on that note. What should the world know about Danny the Hybrid? Anything at all, from the random to the completely inappropriate, to the boring. . .

I’m just… you know, happy that people enjoy my music. I’m just tryin’ to… you know, make people smile… that’s all. I’m just about (being) positive and being good and happy.

Me: REALLY? …okay.

Yeah, I mean it feels good to make you laugh. I don’t wanna make you feel bad, you know? Even if I’m talking about bad situations, I’m still putting some humor and comedy in it, you know? You gotta laugh at the bad shit man… that’s how we get through it. That’s it pretty much.

So that concludes my interview with Danny ‘I love kittens’ Brown (you said you wasn’t trippin’ off nick names… you can’t take that back now). Hopefully you learned a little something, and will check this dude out if you haven’t already. Look for The Hybrid, which will hopefully be out sometime soon, and in the mean time, check out some of his other shit, like Hot Soup and/or Browntown. Not to mention the track he is on with J Dilla on Jay Stay Paid entitled Dilla Bot Vs. The Hybrid. Peace!

{Download} A Bun B double play...

Did Bun B get some kind of memo that said if you don't drop 8.4 billion songs in the next month I'm coming for your whole family? I mean honestly... I'm lightweight thinking about changing the name of this site to BunBTracksOPlenty.com ...enjoy. Or not, whatever.

Bun B - Happiness Before Riches (feat. GLC)

Bun B - I Made It Freestyle

{Download} Yelawolf – I Wish (feat. Pill & Prynce CyHi [remix])

I'm literally in love with this dude Yelawolf. ...well, not like that. But, yeah... sorta. Anyway, enjoy! Yelawolf - I Wish (via ONSMASH)

{Video} Smoke DZA - Marley & Me (feat. Devin The Dude, Curren$y, Asher Roth & June Summers [remix])

I don't know why I'm posting this... you people like Curren$y, Devin The Dude, and Asher Roth right? I mean... whatever. Enjoy!

{Video} Mos Def - White Drapes

Mos Def makes the most simplistic videos... yet they somehow work. If you don't think Mos Def is one of the best rappers... period. You need to go get a CT scan. Though, in all honesty, I'm not the biggest fan of The Ecstatic, as it's not his best album by a long shot... he is still fucking amazing though. Enjoy!

Song of the day: Johnson & Jonson - Nuts Hang

This shit is dope... kinda high energy for 11pm, but it's called song of the day, not song of the night so. . . whatever, fuck you. Enjoy!

Little Brother x Album Release Date

I was gonna be an asshole and put up a picture with 9th in it too... but. Fuck it, I start enough shit. Just know that I feel like LB isn't really the same without 9th. Though, with or without 9th, LB is one of the greatest hip hop groups of all time. That being said... LB's latest (and hopefully greatest), entitled LeftBack, will be available for consumption April 20th. The album features production from Khrysis, Denaun Porter, Zo!, Symbolyc One, J. Bizness, and King Karnov. Guest appearances by MCs Torae, Truck North, Jozeemo, Chaundon, & Median, as well as singers Darien Brockington & Yahzarah. I know I'm excited. . . no, really. I love LB, and I can't fucking wait. Salute.

{Download} Sene & Von Pea - Cantstandya

Von Pea and Sene teamed up for this track which will be available on Flawless Hustle's upcoming compilation entitled Stay Flawless. Check out Flawlesshustle.com for more info... Enjoy! Sene & Von Pea - Cantstandya

{Download} Bun B - Bag Music

Wow... what is this, the 9000th track Bun B has released in the past two weeks? Geezus. He coulda' dropped an album with all these fuckin' songs. . . anyway. Enjoy! ...unless you're sick of Bun B by now, in which case... fuck you. UGK FO' LIFE nigga! Bun B - Bag Music (via ONSMASH)

{Video} CurT@!n$ - Exodus

Ummmm, I don't know why... but I was feelin' this. . . That is all. Enjoy!

Song of the day: Ghostface Killah - Do Over

This song is a favorite for me because, for one, it's a great song. . . and two, I mean. . . can I get a do over? I dunno... whatever. Enjoy!

{Download} Redman - Oh My

Oh my... this track is hawt. Tell me when you heard the first ten seconds though, you didn't think it was T.I... you lie, you did think it was Tip Harris. . . or not, but I fuckin' did. Oh well, whatever. ...enjoy! Redman - Oh My (via ONSMASH)

{Video} Styles P & DJ Green Lantern - Send A Kite (feat. Dwayne Collins)

This song and video aren't bad... I heard the song previously, and I've got to say... for once... this video actually enhances the song. Imagine that. Incredible. Enjoy!

Song of the day: Danny Brown - Sittin' So High

I choose this as the song of the day, not only because it's a dope song, but because I will be posting an interview I did very recently with Danny Brown, hopefully sometime this week. . . so get up on him! Until then ...enjoy motherfuckers!

Song of the day: Royce Da 5'9" - Part Of Me

Cot damny. . . I'm not gonna lie, I have been listening to several hours straight of Royce Da 5'9". . . and it's got me a little mixed up in the head. That being said... (and no, I didn't mean for that to rhyme), this video and song are bawse... it's sick, in like, both a positive and negative way. . . but, it's even more awesome because of that duality. Sidebar: Royce lightweight looks like Ray Charles with those stunnas' on. . . okay, enjoy!

{Video} E-40 - The Server

Ummm. . . I can't even front, this song and video GO HARD. ...excuse my Bay slang, but it's fuckin' true. I've been listening to 40 Water since I was a little one, so when I hear that he can still lay down verses, it gives me warm and fuzzy feelings or pride. This makes me extra excited for the album, which is supposed to drop in March. Bay Area STAND UP... enjoy!

{Download} A Bun B double play...

Bun B just became my hero. . . If you listen to the first 5 seconds of Dick Cheney Freestyle, you might be ready to throw yourself in front of a train on some 'not another Exhibit C remake' type shit. . . but then. Bun B. You're just my hero. UGK FO' LIFE! On the homies. Okay. . . enjoy!

Bun B - Dick Cheney Freestyle
Bun B - As I Am Freestyle

{Download} Nas & Damian Marley - As We Enter

So, this is DEF more of what I was looking for from God's Son and Bob Marley's son. . . This beat is fun, and the whole joint is dope and full of energy. I hope the new album is more like this joint than the first one they dropped. Enjoy! Nas & Damian Marley - As We Enter (via ONSMASH)

Song of the day: Pete Rock - Play Dis Only At Night

I have been on my instrumental steez lately. . . I started listening to Petestrumentals heavily again a few days ago, and I gotta say, I think I'm enjoying it more now than I did the first time around... and I loved it then. This whole album really speaks to me... which is ironic considering only a few of the songs have verses over them. In my mind, there is a way that you can tell a good beat maker from an amazing artist... a good beat maker makes a good beat. An amazing artist can make an instrumental say more than a song with a verse over it. Pete Rock is an artist. Respect. Enjoy!

{Download} Oddisee - Odd Winter (mixtape)

This is Oddisee's (of Diamond District) latest. . . I felt like a lot of the tracks on this really did embody how winter feels, which is pretty dope when you think about it. Music invoking the feeling of a season. Awesome. ...enjoy! Oddisee - Odd Winter

{Download} Nas & Damian Marley - Strong Will Continue

No bullshit... I'm honestly not sure how I feel about this. I saw Nas perform live this summer with Damian Marley, and it was awesome... but this song. Meh. Whatever. I mean... You already know I love Nas... and Damian Marley is great too, but I'm not feelin' this beat, and I think they could have dropped a better first song. I dunno. Enjoy! Or don't. . . whatever. Nas & Damian Marley - Strong Will Continue (via ONSMASH)

Song of the day: Young RJ - Lovely (instrumental)

This is an awesome beat... I have been listening to a lot of instrumentals tonight, and this one stuck out in my mind above the others, so... enjoy!

{Download} Common - Next Time

I'm always apprehensive about new Common. . . he is so hit or miss. I have had my heart broken more than once by Common... but at the same time, when Com is on, he is fuckin' on... I mean, don't you agree? Nah, for real? FOR REAL? ...enjoy! Common - Next Time (via ONSMASH)

{Video} Joe Budden - 40/40 (feat. Royce Da 5′9″)

I'm not gonna even front... this song is sick. . . like a whole fucking hospital ward. Quotables for DAYS. Enjoy! Joe Budden - 40/40 (via ONSMASH)

"You're one fuck of a fuck nigga..." -Joe Budden

{Download} Strong Arm Steady - Best Of Times (feat. Phonte)

Ahhh, talk about a combo I can get behind. . . Madlib, S.A.S., and Phonte... need I say more? No, I needn't! ...and, don't tell anyone this, but. . . uh. . . Tigallo KILLED it... the lyrics are so real. Enjoy! Strong Arm Steady - Best Of Times (via ONSMASH)

{Download} AZ – Exhibit AZ

Yep... another Exhibit C freestyle. Enjoy! Or don't. . . whatever. AZ - Exhibit AZ (via ONSMASH)

{Video} D-Lo - No Hoe (feat. E-40, Beeda Weeda & The Jacka [remix])

I love D Lo... there will be no more discussion about it. Fuck you and your judgments. . . sidebar: why are the girls in Bay videos always waaaaaaaaay hawter than girls in videos from other places? I'm just sayin'. Enjoy!

Song of the day: Slum Village - Dirty

All I can say is : "Girl, if you're flexible, intellectual, bisexual, can I get next to you?" ...enjoy!

14KT interview... oh you ain't know? Cheeeaaaaaa!

Over the past week or so, I was given the privlage of interviewing a gentlemen and scholar by the name of 14KT. I could write a witty little intro, but... fuck it, let's just get into it.

For people who maybe don't know (how unfortunate for them..... but I guess they are about to come up in the world). . . who are you? Tell me about what you do, from the basic, to the intricate, to the broad ranging... also, how did you get your name?

What up world? I go by the name of Kendall Tucker (KT). I am a bighead light skinned alien from a place called The IS. The IS is where I work. I am a recording engineer, emcee, child of God, DJ and producer there. I also Co-own a Day Spa called My Day Spa as well. Many know me as 14KT, I got my name in high school from playing basketball (number 14...Kendall Tucker), started rapping with my brothers Athletic Mic League and the name stuck with me cause it made sense in more ways than one.

So... I hear you make beats. .. . what's with that? How did you get started? Drop some beat making history on us. . .

Yep, I’m known to tinker with the beats a little bit. Well, I started writing rhymes in 93'. I wanted beats/breaks to rhyme over so I started making the pause/play/record cassettes tapes, looping breaks just so I could rap over them. When I linked up with the AML crew, I started getting more heavy into the beats. Then around 95'-96' me and the Lab Techs Production crew got up on a computer program called Cool Edit Pro and been using that ever since. For the last 6-7 years, I’ve been getting more into playing instruments and messing with synths, but that's basically what's up!

14KT - Gee Whiz


Fair enough... so, being a fan of your beats myself, I kinda wanna know, what inspires you? And, even more than that, who inspires you? Both in terms of their career and their actual music... is there a difference between the producer whose career you are modeling yours after versus the producer who has the most tracks on heavy rotation in your iPod? If so, why?

That was like 3 questions in one...haha. First of all, I appreciate you being a fan of the music! What that inspires me? God, creativity, records, emotions, challenges, downfalls, relationships, women, family, peace, joy, love, hate…all of which are apart of my journey and purpose in life. There are way too many artists to name that inspire me, but to name of few Stevie Wonder, Dilla, Organized Noize, Quincy Jones, Dexter Wansel, and my crew Athletic Mic League. In terms of careers, I think of Quincy Jones the most... Now, I would be lying if I said that I liked and owned every project that Quincy Jones was involved in, which I don't, but when I look at his accomplishments in his life as a producer/composer/arranger/artist/etc...it is VERY inspirational.

As far as the producer who's career I’m modeling mine after versus the producer who has the most tracks on heavy rotation. If you saw my iPod, you would probably think that I’m modeling my career after Dilla. Obviously, if you've heard the material that I’ve put out and the fact I’m from Michigan, it would be easy for you to think that. Really, I’m just a HUGE fan of his work and naturally I study things that challenge myself in life. However, as much as Dilla inspired me, I'm definitely not looking at his career as my model. I’m looking at ME as my model. I want to have the most tracks on my iPod honestly. There is no one person or artist that I shape my career after. So, everything that inspires me, I use that inspiration as tools to shape my career. Kanye said it best, everything I’m not made me everything I am…haha.

If you could make a record with anyone... who would it be? Why?

Simple…either with Stevie Wonder or Outkast. Stevie Wonder because he's my fav all time artist and it would be blessing to work and learn from him. Outkast because they're my fav hiphop group and they are always trying to stretch the game out with their creativity and that's where I wanted to be!

Define yourself musically. Are you hip hop? Soul? R&B? Some sort of hybrid? What do you relate to and/or aspire to most in terms of your sound and how people perceive it?

For the most part, I'm Hip Hop because that's really how I fell in love with music & found my place to express my art. However, as I got older, I would say I embody an Hip Hop Gospel Electro-Soul style...haha.

Okay Mister Hip Hop Gospel Electro-Soul..... why hip hop? Why do you love it? What does it mean to you?

Well, I feel Hip Hop music gave me my voice in music. It gave me confidence. It taught me that it was okay to be unique, be me, stand up and represent where I’m from because that's what made Hip Hop music dope to me! So I was attracted to that when I was young. That's why I love it. Honestly, the shine of Hip Hop music got kinda dull to me, but when I hear records where cats tell you exactly who they are...like if you love eating frosted flakes and you make a song about it not caring about if anyone else likes it, if it’s a hit and the song is dope...that makes me love Hip Hop you know?

Speaking of hip hop losing it's luster, how do you feel about radio/mainstream hip hop? Are you as jaded as some of us... and by some of us, I mean me. Or........... do you have some sort of hope or something? Would you like to someday be considered 'mainstream', or do you want to keep it more underground?

Honestly, I don't care too much about radio/mainstream. It's hard to keep up with all that cause it's tons of new artists who make songs that sound the same and I can't tell the difference between none of them...haha. I always have hope because hope is all I got. Plus, I know tons of artists that make great music that I wish was "mainstream". I love the "underground", but a lot of underground music sucks. However, there is a lot of "underground" music that I wish was mainstream like Black Milk's “Tronic”, Foreign Exchange "Leave It All Behind", Mayer Hawthorne "Strange Arrangement", Buff1 "There's Only One", PPP "Abundance", Dam Funk…I don't want these artist to be underground! This is stuff that needs to be heard on a bigger scale! It was inspiring to see Foreign Exchange nominated for a Grammy! That's hope right there!

Speaking of music you support... what's on heavy rotation in your iPod/CD player/boom box/8 track player/record player/etc right now..?

Well since I'm working on a lot of music, I've been listening to beats and tracks I've done with my brothers Mayer Hawthorne, Othello and my brother Ro Spit for our albums we're working on together. Three different albums. Besides that, M83 "Before The Dawn Heals Us" LP, Ab "Student of my Dreams", my man Black Milks new joint "Keep Going", Elzhi "The Leftovers"…that 5 man Hustle joint is my ish… Swiff D "Basic Cable", some New Wave ish and a lot of afrobeat, Nigerian rock music...haha..

Your state... is pretty much embarrassing other states in terms of music. Invincible, Apollo Brown, MarvWon, Guilty Simpson, Black Milk, Slum Village, YOU. . . and about 96 million other ridiculously talented people. Without gloating... what are your feelings about that? Anyone from the Mitten us non-Mitteners need to know about that we might not know about already?

I love my state! I love that…when it comes to music, everybody here goes 200%. That's why I still stay here and surround myself with all these talented cats. Hmmm…cats you should know about? Nametag (Black's Cousin), Young RJ, Ro Spit, One Be Lo, Magestik Legend, Cold Men Young, Street Justice, Miz Korona, Nick Speed, Illite, Kodac, Fes Roc, DJ Dez, Cream of Beats, Will Sessions, Ren Cen, Fat Killaz, Yoshi, Fowl, Denmark Vessey, Celsuis Electronics, Othello, Finale, Now On, I can go on and on.

Invincible - Sledgehammer! (prod. by 14KT and Haircut of the Lab Techs)


Yeah, yeah, yeah... we get it, your state is awesome. Now tell me more about the Athletic Mic League, and any other projects you have going currently, or that are in the works.

Athletic Mic League a.k.a Mic League Kingz…that's my brothers. My Team. 7 man Hip Hop group from Michigan consisting of Buff1 and Mayer Hawthorne aka DJ Haircut. We're actually in the process of putting together our 3rd official group album after a 6 year hiatus. I'm planning on putting out at least 3 new projects this year including an album with Othello of Lightheaded and an album with Ro Spit. I’m also working on my 3rd Solo that will hopefully come out in the fall. I'm also working on full lengths projects with my man Ab, Dibia$e, and a New/Dark Wave album with Mayer Hawthorne...dropping albums like mixtapes.

Okay so, it sounds like you have some amazing things in the works... but let's take it back. What's your favorite project of your own that you've done so far? It can be a track, an album, etc... and why is it your favorite?

Aaaahh...I don't really have a favorite cause every project I’ve done has been different. I would probably say my projects are a tie between Athletic Mic League - Sweats & Kicks LP and the Jungle Gym Jungle LP because they were the first time I had really put together a real official album and they're like my "Southernplayalisticcadillacmusik" and "ATLiens" respectively.

Athletic Mic League - RU???


There are a lot of beat makers who will be reading this who I'm sure would love any advice you could give them... So... give it up, give it up, give it to me... errr, them? Anyway, advice for beat makers?

Word…before I say anything...I'm definitely following my own advice, haha...but beat makers need to embrace the creativity they have within. Everybody was created uniquely, just master your uniqueness! Don't feel like there's rules to the "game" of beat making, so chop a record how YOU hear it, not how Premier or Dilla or Madlib would. Also, work on crafting your ear. Study and practice some type of music theory, pick up an instrument, learn scales and chords. Anything that will improve yourself as a beat maker and producer!

What do you want the world to know about you and your music? Or about life in general... drop some knowledge on us KT...

As far as my life and my music, I just want the world to know that I'm part of "The New Model" that me and my A-Side Worldwide crew exemplifies. God put me on this earth to inspire. God has a purpose for everyone and if you're living on earth and you don't know what you're purpose is, you need to be working on it! It's important! While I'm here on earth I going to do the most I can. I already accepted the fact that I'm never gonna be a superstar or crazy famous, but I gotta work hard anyways and hopefully I will inspire someone or something that will be greater than me and change the world. Sorry to get all deep...haha. But that's how it is right now...oh yeah…Celebrate life!

So that concludes my interview with beat maker, producer, and all around super human 14KT. I hope you enjoyed this interview and have learned something... or not, whatever. I would like to thank 14KT again for allowing me to interview him, as he and you already know by now, I am a huge fan of his and it was an honor. If you wish, hit this light skinneded big headed alien on Twitter at: @14KT - and make sure to keep an eye out for the limited edition gold vinyl of The Golden Hour, coming at you very soon.

{Download} Gorillaz - Stylo (feat. Mos Def & Bobby Womack)

Man WHAT?! New Gorillaz? I'm stoked on this... and with Mos? The Mighty Mos Def?! Yes. This is what I need in my life... it's got this super 80's feel to it, which... I love. Enjoy this shit. Gorillaz - Stylo (via ONSMASH)

{Download} Method Man, Raekwon & Ghostface - Our Dreams

I mean... honestly, what more could you want? Yeah. . . that's right. NUTHIN'! Bitch. Okay, enjoy. Method Man, Raekwon & Ghostface - Our Dreams (via ONSMASH)

{Download} Tanya Morgan - Gotcha Open Original

I'll be the first to admit, I'm not the biggest fan of Tanya Morgan's overall sound. . . but lyrically, these dudes are beasts. Enjoy! Tanya Morgan - Gotcha Open Original (via ONSMASH)

Song of the day: Eric Lau - For The D (feat. Guilty Simpson)

This shit should be my fuckin' theme song... If Locksmith's 'Therapeutic' weren't it, it would be this... okay, enjoy motherfuckers..!

Judge this shit for yourself: Illingsworth

Listen: Illingsworth - Time Kills (feat. Sene)

Some of the greatest acts in hip hop are duos or groups (Tribe, Goodie Mob, N.W.A., etc)... How do you plan to prove yourself as worthy of being included in the same league as those legends? 

Well I'm an emcee/producer in a group called Detroit CYDI (http://detroitcydi.com). To keep it simple, the group plan is the same as my own. I have NO plan to prove myself worthy to sit amongst those greats. When legends die, people who only met them through their music will still shed real tears. That's love. I have no idea how to make someone love me. Also, you can have the desire to be a legend but true legendary status is never contrived. I just want to give people the best approximation of the music I hear in my head, and if they want to crown me the-king-of-something at the end of the day, sweet. If not, I'll live, until I die. If the CYDI or myself become legends is entirely up to the listeners/supporters. I've done a few instrumental projects (all available at http://illingsworks.com for free or fee) which have received pretty good feedback. I always feel like I can improve. As long as I keep working towards polishing my skills at translating the sounds in my head into actual sounds, someone other than my blood relatives might mourn my passing from this realm. :)

Why do you love hip hop?

I love music period, mostly because of what it does to the senses.  From the creation, to the digestion, to the performance, I'm sure it has to be the closest thing to using drugs, aside from actually using drugs (I don't smoke). I rhyme as well as produce, and when I'm on stage I feel like I can kick the planet into the sun. It's a ridiculous rush, a very euphoric experience. You get the duration of a song to win the crowd. It's sink or swim. Unpredictable. And when you are an emcee and you feel yourself enter the infamous "Zone" , there is nothing in this world like it. The listening experience can also be pretty euphoric. There are songs that make people cry, smile, laugh, reflect. Music is life. It's beautiful. 

Why should we/I give a fuck?

You should care about what I'm doing because...well...because I care about what you hear. I put a lot of myself into the music I create, and I want you to feel just as happy and honored to hear it, as I feel to make it for you.  So um, EXCELSIOR. I don't like to talk a lot, I'd rather let the music do that so. Check out some sounds, and you can tell me exactly what you think. Peace and thank you. 

Blogger commentary: if you want more info, hit this nigga on Twitter: @Illingsworth

{Video} Reflection Eternal - Interview w/ Trace TV

I love these two together... I'm so glad they are comin' with that new shit. I'm going to let me own personal bitterness about Talib go on this one, and just say... enjoy!