Showing posts with label Interviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Interviews. Show all posts
Thursday, February 4, 2010
{Video} Slum Village - Da Villa Chronicles (part 6)
...check out the other 62 parts of this interview below. Learn something. Get up on some so(ul) legendary underground music. Enjoy!
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Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Judge this shit for yourself: Savant of RAREBREED
Listen: Savant of RAREBREED - 'Til Death Do Us Part
What makes you different and/or better than those rappers/MC's that are thought of as the best the game has to offer (Hov, Lil Wayne, 50 Cent, etc) right now?
What sets me apart from most of these people considered to be the 'best' is my lack of fluff. I make sure that every line I write counts for SOMEthing. That doesn't mean that every line is going to be deep or profound. It simply means that none of my words are used just for the sake of rhyme, I don't use filler lines that serve to simply get from point A to point B, and I don't put less effort into what I'm doing just because a song that I'm working on is supposed to be a single or is being backed by a banging beat.
Why do you love hip hop?
I love hip hop music because it's the only genre that I know of that legitimately incorporates elements of every other genre around it and because it's the only genre that is built solely on creativity. I'm a classically trained musician that has taken about 10 years of music theory training and the fact that there's no definitive music theory in hip hop is nothing short of miraculous to me. The participants MAKE the theory and rules as they go along. Some rules stick. Some rules thankfully don't. Either way, the rulebook is always changing as the participants and listeners change. Of course there are some drawbacks to that, but what other genre of music can lay claim to such a system? Hip hop is beauty that abounds from organized chaos.
Why should we/I give a fuck?
You should care about what I'm doing because I truly care about what I'm doing. While everyone else is claiming that they aren't a rapper, and for that matter SOUNDING like they aren't a rapper, damnit I'm laying claim to the title. I'm a f*cking rapper. Actually, you know what? F*ck that. I'm not a rapper. I'm an emcee. And yes, there IS a difference. Either way, I'm good at what I do.
Blogger commentary: if you want more info, hit this nigga on Twitter: @SavantRAREBREED
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
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!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
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.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Judge this shit for yourself: Illingsworth
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?
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!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
{Interview} Exile x Yours Truly (like... the website. . . not actually me)
Yours Truly (again, the website... not... myself) has done a two part interview with producer and all around superhero Exile. Considering he did the production on one of my favorite albums... EVER... I think he is a superhero. This is my website, and I will call him whatever I want. . . Anywhos © DOOM, check these interviews out for a little insight into the beat maker, MPC master, producer extraordinaire, and superhero they call Exile... enjoy!
Part 1:
In Love from Yours Truly on Vimeo.
Part 2:
Exile x MPC x Yours Truly from Yours Truly on Vimeo.
For more info, check out these sites:
Part 1:
In Love from Yours Truly on Vimeo.
Part 2:
Exile x MPC x Yours Truly from Yours Truly on Vimeo.
For more info, check out these sites:
Cali Mic Check interview with Fashawn
Fashawn speaks on some things as Cali Mic Check caught up with him while on tour. Check it Out.
Q-tip on Talk Stoop
Q-tip speaks on a few different topics including his spiritual journey to Islam, the music industry today and what's up with his album. Press the play button and enjoy.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Wait, you don't have a favorite MC of all time. . . the fuck?: Consumer X
1. Who the fuck are you? (Alias, oldness factor, place I should avoid if I never want to see you, etc. . .)
Tek the intern (@tektheintern). Producer, writer, and avid thinker. 26, Born in the Bahamas, grew up between Philly and New York, currently living in Orlando.
2. Describe hip hop in one word, then explain your word choice.
Influential: Everyone knows at least one rap song, can you say that about any other genre of music? Simply put, everyone wants to be in it or apart of it.
3. Favorite MC (current vs. all time)
Right now definitely between Royce Da 5'9” and Lupe Fiasco. As far as all time I’ll never have one because growing up a really followed producers more than rappers.
4. Why the fuck do I care? What qualifies your opinion on the subject?
You really shouldn't care, that's why "your taste in music sucks". I'm only qualified for what I put in my head... and its usually the best stuff out there.
5. If you had to boil what hip hop truly is down to three albums, what would they be? Explain.
I only need one. Ready to Die - Notorious B.I.G
This is one of the most complete albums of all time. Not only do you get great beats and lyrics, you get what most rappers lack these days, and that's story telling. It also gives every emotion all the way down to suicide, everything is just simply relatable. It’s an album you can listen to on any given day
6. You may not be Dave New York, but I still wanna know. . . How do you feel about radio hip hop?
I stopped listening to the radio in 2002... seriously.
7. In your opinion, are hip hop and rap the same? Are the words interchangeable? Why or why not.
No it's not. Plain and simple, Hip Hop is the culture. Break-dancing, graffiti, etc. Rap is a bi-product of the culture (or the soul of it more less).
8. Best producer in the game?
This is a very tough one but I'm gonna have to give it up to NOTTZ & Black Milk. They’re always underdogs, but they both have some seriously dope shit out there.
9. What's your guilty pleasure in terms of music? The stuff you wouldn't want ANYONE to catch you listening to.
I don't have any, if you see a black man rollin' around skipping from Incubus, to Coldplay, to Kev Brown, to Slum Village, that's who I am. I love music.
10. Do you like Jay-z? If so, for the love of god, explain why.
Jay-z is honestly one of the only rappers who can choose to be either a rapper or an emcee. But the reason I respect his craft is because he does both pretty well. He's not making "Exhibit C", but he's also not making, or even featuring himself, on songs like "Swag Surfin”.
11. Who is the one rapper out right now that you feel does not deserve the success they have? Why.
I honestly used to have a book full of people, but then I realized no matter how stupid the lyrics, or the entire song, those people are putting in there share of work, no matter how you look at it. Even if its bullshit (and a lot of it is), denying their success doesn't make them go away, but ignoring their entire existence might just do it (in my opinion).
12. Who is the one rapper out right now that deserves more success than they have currently? Why.
This kid from LA by the name of "Tiron". His music is just dope and very relatable. It’s that kind of music you wish you heard everyday. Look him up if you don't know about him.
13. "I'm tryin' to be one of the best, period. Not just one of the best with breasts and a period. . ." -Invincible - How do you feel about the fact that you are being interviewed by a girl that thinks she knows more about hip hop than you ever will?
I think its great. Hip hop has kind of a one-sided rep, so it good to see females standing out saying, ‘hey I'm a hip hop head too’… and I may know more than you.
Blogger commentary: Some of these answers were a little sus... but, whatever.
Monday, January 4, 2010
So... what, you think you're better than me? Fuck outta here!: Consumer X
1. Who the fuck are you? (Alias, oldness factor, place I should avoid if I never want to see you, etc. . .)
Yohance' aka M.E.R.C.U.R.Y. aka Merc80
Los Angeles, CA
27
Artist, Cultural Anthropologist, Urban Renaissance Man, Taste-maker, Interviewer, Intellect, and Lover of all things positive.
2. Describe hip hop in one word, then explain your word choice. . .
Integrity.
I think that has been a strong basis of Hip Hop and it's formation out of the disco era. Something from the soul, rooted in 4 elements, "keeping it real", all have to do with integrity and being true to oneself and overall spirit. I think integrity is what is severely lacking in Hip Hop now also.
3. Favorite MC (current vs. all time)?
Yikes....it's a stalemate between Andre 3000 and Rakim.
4. Why the fuck do I care? What qualifies your opinion on the subject?
My father is a drummer and played African and
5. If you had to boil what hip hop truly is down to three albums, what would they be? Explain.
1. In The Jungle Groove - James Brown
2. Any album from Parliament.
3. Any album by The Meters.
That's about 80% of Hip Hops existence right there.
6. You may not be Dave New York, but I still wanna know. . . How do you feel about radio hip hop?
I don't know what "radio Hip Hop" is. I am familiar with the stuff called "Hip Hop" that's being played on the radio though. It sucks.
That's about 80% of Hip Hops existence right there.
6. You may not be Dave New York, but I still wanna know. . . How do you feel about radio hip hop?
I don't know what "radio Hip Hop" is. I am familiar with the stuff called "Hip Hop" that's being played on the radio though. It sucks.
7. In your opinion, are hip hop and rap the same? Are the words interchangeable? Why or why not?
Hip Hop and Rap are like Bill Withers and Trey Songz.
They both sing, they both are doing the same job.
But Bill Withers sings with soul, aims for the heart, and will last you a lifetime. Trey does not.
Hip Hop= Soul. Rap= Pop
8. Best producer in the game?
Alive: Timbaland. For all time: Dilla.
9. What's your guilty pleasure in terms of music? The stuff you wouldn't want ANYONE to catch you listening to.
If you can't accept whatever the hell I'm listening to in my car or home, then fuck you.
(I don't play my cheesy 80s stuff around the homies though)
10. Do you like Jay-z? If so, for the love of god, explain why. . .
See #11
11. Who is the one rapper out right now that you feel does not deserve the success they have? Why?
Jay Z. I have seen his rise to current fame and
12. Who is the one rapper out right now that deserves more success than they have currently? Why?
If I have to choose one, I'd say Black Thought. He's too slept on. He's gangsta and thought provoking. And really, those two traits are not mutually exclusive.
13. "I'm tryin' to be one of the best, period. Not just one of the best with breasts and a period. . ." -Invincible . . . How do you feel about the fact that you are being interviewed by a girl that thinks she knows more about hip hop than you ever will?
Haha! We'll see about that. ;-)
Blogger commentary: Let it be known, my music taste is 16.59% better than this fools... if for no other reason than because he said Timbo was his favorite living producer... don't make me body check you.
Friday, December 18, 2009
{Video} Kendrick Lamar - Interview/A Little Appalled (freestyle)
This freestyle is kinda nice. . . Enjoy!
{Video} Nardwuar vs. KiD CuDi (interview)
So. . . umm. . . this is a KiD CuDi interview. . . yep, that is all. Enjoy!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Hawdwerk & Jansport J. . . the interview.
After reviewing their latest and greatest, High Power Moves, I thought it might be a good idea to interview these two. . . they have made what is, in my opinion, a pretty amazing first LP together, and I just thought you might want to know a bit more about them. . . or not, whatever.
Tell us about who you are, where you are from, and all that bullshit…
H: I go by the name of Hawdwerk, emcee based out of West Covina, Ca. My friend Kawnflixx gave me the name. He's from Jersey, hence the East coast drawl; "hawd" instead of hard. I've been rapping actively for about 3-4 years, writing for about 14 years and finally decided to follow my dream, cliche but I'm a lot happier now.
J: I'm Jansport J, from the lesser known Covina, CA...about 5 min from West Covina. How ironic. I'm the producer. Basically I make beats, send emails, and tweet a lot.
How did you two come together? Conceptually, how does it work?
H: I met Jansport through a mutual friend "Funklogik" from my crew the "Cov Originals". He sent us some tracks for his project "Carry-on Experience" pretty much every track we did made the cut. After that he sent me beats for my solo project, which was takin a rocky start, and it just kinda developed into us workin on a rapper+producer colllab album. We have a mutual respect for each other as artists, and he arranges his production a lot differently than ... all the producers I've worked with, which made it easy for me lyrically because he doesn't sound like anyone else. I just listen to the beats and then write around the production... in other words I let the beat tell the story and I just narrate it vocally. We've never had a conceptual conflict. *knocks on wood*
J: Yessir, every time we collaborated on a track dating back to my compilation album in Sept 08, we had great chemistry. His lyricism was providing the exact vision I had for the beat, which as a producer, I can say rarely happens. It's usually a give-and-take of creative ideas when working with an artist, but it always seemed as if Hawdwerk and I were on the same page. It also helped that we are both goofy and crack jokes 24/7.
The LP title, High Power Moves. . . explain it.
H: Basically when we started workin on the project we wanted to make the dopest shit anyones ever heard.... honestly. I came up with the title after Jansport said "its gotta be somethin that says we're here and there's nothing you can do about it" I say "I want it to sound like we hit you upside the head and while you're dazed and confused ... we rob you" ... titles pretty fitting.
J: Yep, this was a statement album. It was about making our mark as Hawdwerk & Jansport J. There is a ton of dope music coming out of LA in particular, and we felt like our sound and angle we provide was missing. I respected him immensely as an artist, and he felt the same about our production. With us being from the same area and having a similar ambitious mindset, we figured we could make these "high power moves" together.
Who are your influences, both as a group and individually?
H: I don't think we have any influences as a unit. It’s easy to compare us to a “Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth" or "Self Scientific" (Chace Infinite and DJ Khalil) based off of the rapper+producer concept, but we never really set out to be the next duo... we just became one. Personally I'm influenced by DJ Quik, Xzibit, Busta Rhymes, Talib Kweli, Lupe Fiasco, Black Thought, Kurupt, Strong Arm Steady, Planet Asia, Nas, and a long list of others for various reasons. Surprisingly I've had people compare me to Del the Funky Homosapien, Tupac, and Chamillionaire ... CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD COMPLETELY but its great cause it means I'm doin what I want to do and not be seen as "that kind of artist".
J: There are 4 in particular that I’m heavily influenced by: Dilla, 9th Wonder, Pete Rock and DJ Premier. Although I'm no longer the biggest fan, Timbaland was the sole reason I ever wanted to be a producer. I use to ride around with my Dad when I was 13 listening to "Welcome to our World" and trying to mimic the drum patterns with my hands and lap. As a duo, not to sound like a prick, but I think our own personalities and talents influence us. The way Hawdwerk is able to convey his personality 100% through his lyricism is influential. We want people to hear our music, and feel like they know us when they meet us. Not be surprised by the individuals they meet.
What do you want to become in terms of music? What do you NOT want to become? Why?
H: I want to be respected as a lyricist and make a living. The fame and fortune sounds nice but not at the cost of my artistry or moral and personal stands. Music is life so my music isn't always squeaky clean nor is it always raunchy, at the end of the day it’s all bullshit and I make it sound good, haha. I’d hate to be the next "remember that guy". But I can only go as far as God allows me, as long as I keep gettin right with him, and steadily workin on my craft, I’ll be successful.
J: All I want from music is to continue to make honest, quality music, and to make a living off of it. Whether that be 100k per beat one day, or 35k per year. I want music to be my full-time profession. I also look forward to seeing like artists like Hawdwerk flourish so I can make a lot of money off of them and trick like I got it.
H: I go by the name of Hawdwerk, emcee based out of West Covina, Ca. My friend Kawnflixx gave me the name. He's from Jersey, hence the East coast drawl; "hawd" instead of hard. I've been rapping actively for about 3-4 years, writing for about 14 years and finally decided to follow my dream, cliche but I'm a lot happier now.
J: I'm Jansport J, from the lesser known Covina, CA...about 5 min from West Covina. How ironic. I'm the producer. Basically I make beats, send emails, and tweet a lot.
How did you two come together? Conceptually, how does it work?
H: I met Jansport through a mutual friend "Funklogik" from my crew the "Cov Originals". He sent us some tracks for his project "Carry-on Experience" pretty much every track we did made the cut. After that he sent me beats for my solo project, which was takin a rocky start, and it just kinda developed into us workin on a rapper+producer colllab album. We have a mutual respect for each other as artists, and he arranges his production a lot differently than ... all the producers I've worked with, which made it easy for me lyrically because he doesn't sound like anyone else. I just listen to the beats and then write around the production... in other words I let the beat tell the story and I just narrate it vocally. We've never had a conceptual conflict. *knocks on wood*
J: Yessir, every time we collaborated on a track dating back to my compilation album in Sept 08, we had great chemistry. His lyricism was providing the exact vision I had for the beat, which as a producer, I can say rarely happens. It's usually a give-and-take of creative ideas when working with an artist, but it always seemed as if Hawdwerk and I were on the same page. It also helped that we are both goofy and crack jokes 24/7.
The LP title, High Power Moves. . . explain it.
H: Basically when we started workin on the project we wanted to make the dopest shit anyones ever heard.... honestly. I came up with the title after Jansport said "its gotta be somethin that says we're here and there's nothing you can do about it" I say "I want it to sound like we hit you upside the head and while you're dazed and confused ... we rob you" ... titles pretty fitting.
J: Yep, this was a statement album. It was about making our mark as Hawdwerk & Jansport J. There is a ton of dope music coming out of LA in particular, and we felt like our sound and angle we provide was missing. I respected him immensely as an artist, and he felt the same about our production. With us being from the same area and having a similar ambitious mindset, we figured we could make these "high power moves" together.
Who are your influences, both as a group and individually?
H: I don't think we have any influences as a unit. It’s easy to compare us to a “Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth" or "Self Scientific" (Chace Infinite and DJ Khalil) based off of the rapper+producer concept, but we never really set out to be the next duo... we just became one. Personally I'm influenced by DJ Quik, Xzibit, Busta Rhymes, Talib Kweli, Lupe Fiasco, Black Thought, Kurupt, Strong Arm Steady, Planet Asia, Nas, and a long list of others for various reasons. Surprisingly I've had people compare me to Del the Funky Homosapien, Tupac, and Chamillionaire ... CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD COMPLETELY but its great cause it means I'm doin what I want to do and not be seen as "that kind of artist".
J: There are 4 in particular that I’m heavily influenced by: Dilla, 9th Wonder, Pete Rock and DJ Premier. Although I'm no longer the biggest fan, Timbaland was the sole reason I ever wanted to be a producer. I use to ride around with my Dad when I was 13 listening to "Welcome to our World" and trying to mimic the drum patterns with my hands and lap. As a duo, not to sound like a prick, but I think our own personalities and talents influence us. The way Hawdwerk is able to convey his personality 100% through his lyricism is influential. We want people to hear our music, and feel like they know us when they meet us. Not be surprised by the individuals they meet.
What do you want to become in terms of music? What do you NOT want to become? Why?
H: I want to be respected as a lyricist and make a living. The fame and fortune sounds nice but not at the cost of my artistry or moral and personal stands. Music is life so my music isn't always squeaky clean nor is it always raunchy, at the end of the day it’s all bullshit and I make it sound good, haha. I’d hate to be the next "remember that guy". But I can only go as far as God allows me, as long as I keep gettin right with him, and steadily workin on my craft, I’ll be successful.
J: All I want from music is to continue to make honest, quality music, and to make a living off of it. Whether that be 100k per beat one day, or 35k per year. I want music to be my full-time profession. I also look forward to seeing like artists like Hawdwerk flourish so I can make a lot of money off of them and trick like I got it.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Interview with Frank Nitt. . . yep, it's as awesome as it sounds.
A few weeks ago I was privileged enough to interview Detroit rapper Frank Nitt. What you are about to read is the product of that interview. It is not suitable for all audiences. Proceed with caution.
“This is rapper shit right here…” –Frank Nitt
First things first… Who are you as an artist? Who are you as a person? What do you want people to know?
As an artist Frank Nitt is one half of the Detroit crew Frank ‘n’ Dank. Hailing from Detroit, but everybody should know that (from the previous comment). Detroit is pretty popular these days, is what I’m finding out. You know, that’s really about it. I’ve been doing Hip Hop for- first record out in 98 I think it was, so for 12 or 13 years I’ve been an actual artist putting music out to the public, not just making it in my house. You know, that’s really about it. The history is there.
“I make records. I’m not a battle MC. . . I can make a record. If you want to make a record, call me up.” –Frank Nitt
L.O.V.E. the latest and greatest, but it’s a little bit different than what we are used to from you. What was behind that?
A lot of people just don’t know that musically I am all over the place. You know what I mean? Like, if I started playing things that were unreleased, you would hear a whole range of music, from up tempo, being 140 BPMs, to the normal things that people are used to from me. My range is all over the place. I listen to pop music, and rock, and rap, and country music - I listen to anything that sounds good to me. So, I draw from a little bit of everything as well.
Me doing L.O.V.E. when I did it was – it wasn’t a second thought from me. It was just me and Terrace Martin in the studio and J. Black had laced these crazy chords/vocals, and I just jumped in there and did what I do. So, it wasn’t really like a thought of ‘oh, I’m trying to be different’, it was just really – it was a natural thing. I guess musically it’s different for people, but you know, that’s the vibe we had going that that moment.
L.O.V.E. is the latest song/video put out by Frank Nitt, which can be viewed here:
“We’ve made good music…” –Frank Nitt
Prior to L.O.V.E. you came out with Concert Hall, and that was a little different too. It was a pretty dramatic sound. Talk to me about it.
It was a different sound for me, but that was the purpose. As a solo artist, people are used to me in the Frank ‘n’ Dank kind of – in that realm. You know what I’m saying? So when I decided to do the solo tape, I wanted to do something different, and I wanted to touch on certain subjects. You know, people call us party MCs, and that’s good, it feels good to be able to rock a party. For us, a lot of our shows are filled with girls because of the records we put out. We put out records that girls can, you know, dance to, and even though we’re real raunchy on those records, I love the ladies for stepping up and being a little on edge. It ain’t all lovey dovey, you know? I might smack it up and flip it one time, you know what I’m saying? (intense laughter ensued from both parties)
So, even though I couldn’t totally turn away from that (part MC title), because that would be foolish on my part, I didn’t want to just repeat Frank ‘n’ Dank again with just Frank. That makes no sense.
So, I looked to change the sound up, and then, even some of the subject matter. We got like, sort of political songs with the ‘N-Word’ record, know what I mean? Relationships and different things on the ‘Stop Calling’. It’s five different subject matters for me. So that was the purpose of that, and then the whole larger scheme, the album will be Stadium Music. To everyone that doesn’t know, a concert hall is basically a small stadium, and that’s why it (Concert Hall) was just an EP, and then Stadium Music will be the full length. All I’m saying is I was trying to go with a new sound with Concert Hall and even with L.O.V.E. It was an opportunity to mess with something that was a different, cleaner, more radio friendly sound, and to have Terrace (Martin) come through with that, and obviously being able to get DJ Quick on the record and have him mix and match things, took it over the edge with me.
You can purchase Concert Hall from iTunes here: Frank Nitt - Concert Hall
“This is rapper shit right here…” –Frank Nitt
First things first… Who are you as an artist? Who are you as a person? What do you want people to know?
As an artist Frank Nitt is one half of the Detroit crew Frank ‘n’ Dank. Hailing from Detroit, but everybody should know that (from the previous comment). Detroit is pretty popular these days, is what I’m finding out. You know, that’s really about it. I’ve been doing Hip Hop for- first record out in 98 I think it was, so for 12 or 13 years I’ve been an actual artist putting music out to the public, not just making it in my house. You know, that’s really about it. The history is there.
“I make records. I’m not a battle MC. . . I can make a record. If you want to make a record, call me up.” –Frank Nitt
L.O.V.E. the latest and greatest, but it’s a little bit different than what we are used to from you. What was behind that?
A lot of people just don’t know that musically I am all over the place. You know what I mean? Like, if I started playing things that were unreleased, you would hear a whole range of music, from up tempo, being 140 BPMs, to the normal things that people are used to from me. My range is all over the place. I listen to pop music, and rock, and rap, and country music - I listen to anything that sounds good to me. So, I draw from a little bit of everything as well.
Me doing L.O.V.E. when I did it was – it wasn’t a second thought from me. It was just me and Terrace Martin in the studio and J. Black had laced these crazy chords/vocals, and I just jumped in there and did what I do. So, it wasn’t really like a thought of ‘oh, I’m trying to be different’, it was just really – it was a natural thing. I guess musically it’s different for people, but you know, that’s the vibe we had going that that moment.
L.O.V.E. is the latest song/video put out by Frank Nitt, which can be viewed here:
“We’ve made good music…” –Frank Nitt
Prior to L.O.V.E. you came out with Concert Hall, and that was a little different too. It was a pretty dramatic sound. Talk to me about it.
It was a different sound for me, but that was the purpose. As a solo artist, people are used to me in the Frank ‘n’ Dank kind of – in that realm. You know what I’m saying? So when I decided to do the solo tape, I wanted to do something different, and I wanted to touch on certain subjects. You know, people call us party MCs, and that’s good, it feels good to be able to rock a party. For us, a lot of our shows are filled with girls because of the records we put out. We put out records that girls can, you know, dance to, and even though we’re real raunchy on those records, I love the ladies for stepping up and being a little on edge. It ain’t all lovey dovey, you know? I might smack it up and flip it one time, you know what I’m saying? (intense laughter ensued from both parties)
So, even though I couldn’t totally turn away from that (part MC title), because that would be foolish on my part, I didn’t want to just repeat Frank ‘n’ Dank again with just Frank. That makes no sense.
So, I looked to change the sound up, and then, even some of the subject matter. We got like, sort of political songs with the ‘N-Word’ record, know what I mean? Relationships and different things on the ‘Stop Calling’. It’s five different subject matters for me. So that was the purpose of that, and then the whole larger scheme, the album will be Stadium Music. To everyone that doesn’t know, a concert hall is basically a small stadium, and that’s why it (Concert Hall) was just an EP, and then Stadium Music will be the full length. All I’m saying is I was trying to go with a new sound with Concert Hall and even with L.O.V.E. It was an opportunity to mess with something that was a different, cleaner, more radio friendly sound, and to have Terrace (Martin) come through with that, and obviously being able to get DJ Quick on the record and have him mix and match things, took it over the edge with me.
You can purchase Concert Hall from iTunes here: Frank Nitt - Concert Hall
Listen to ‘N-Word’ here:
“You gotta have a certain hop to like my beats. If you like my beats, you gotta certain bounce to you.” –Frank Nitt
So I recently listened to your beat tape, and I liked what I heard. The beats. . . they’re dark, not real up tempo. Can you tell me about where you were coming from, and your plans for that beat tape?
Nah, I’m not a big up tempo guy. I mean, I’ll rhyme up tempo, don’t get me wrong, and I’ve made some up tempo beats, like this new project I’m doing, the Orio Circus, there’s some up tempo beats on there, you know, over 100 BPMs, so there’s some up tempo stuff on there. That’s just me, man. For me, I concentrate on the drums, the drums are what drive me. If you listen to most of my beats, the drums are slappin’. . . some people might say too loud. So, low key, for those beats, if someone just happens to want to rap on them, they can.
I’m all about building things. Anything given to me, I want to build a strong foundation, and that way it’ll last for a while, you know? I’m not really known for production or any of that type of thing, so right now the beats are just for people to- if they vibe to them and want to use them, you know, just get the name out there with that.
I never had to be a producer- I had Dilla right there my whole career. And if I didn’t have him, he had aligned me with so many great producers that I’ve never really felt the need to be a producer. Until I ended up in China somewhere, and, wasn’t doing a show, and didn’t have anything else to do. All the beats I had belonged to dudes that I couldn’t just get music out of. I couldn’t just say let me find a studio here in China and go do some music because there wasn’t- there was paperwork I had to go through, politics I would have to go through to make it happen. And that’s cool, they have this paperwork policy, and that’s cool, but, not when I want to create. . . because I just want to create. So, you know, from that point on, it was like- it was bugged out because it was like shortly after Dilla had passed, and while I was out there (in China) Proof passed away. It just kind of made me feel like, man, I need to step it up. You know what I’m saying? I need to become more self sufficient, more able to create music on my own. Hence, me on the beats.
“I’m either going to be a really good husband or Hugh Hefner.” –Frank Nitt
What does the future hold for you? What do you want 2010 to look like?
As we speak right now, (the) US Delicious Donuts tour (is) being planned with me and Illa J headlining (they are currently in Europe doing the Delicious Donuts tour). My solo record, of course, I’m working on that. Right now, as we speak, I’m on my way to the studio for the Orio Circus project with me and another MC/producer from out this way by the name off Grim Ace. He’s relatively new on the scene I would imagine, but he’s doing his thing. He’s also a photographer, and an all around artist of all trades. So, we somehow linked up, through mutual friends, and sat down (and talked). It was an opportunity where I was either leaving LA or staying in LA, and he was like, you can stay here, and while you’re here, let’s make something.
Being that I’m kind of a free spirit in that sense, a nomad for that matter, me just kind of being out in the world, it’s good for me, it’s kind of what I do. So, that was right up my alley, to have a spot away from MI, away from Detroit, where I could be, and create music, and try and work on something, because I like to create music for stuff. I mean, it’s cool to just do it, but I don’t really have that luxury anymore because I don’t do anything else. So I’ve got to be working towards something all the time. So, we sat down and we came up with the Orio Circus.
Also, a new Frank ‘n’ Dank record is coming, that I’m going to probably have some of the production credits on. I’ve got things in the works. I’ve got Madlib projects in the works, I did some work with Oh No, I did some work with Babu, you know, Rhettmatic’s still got an EP sitting over there. I got stuff everywhere. I’m trying to keep it moving but, we’ll see.
“I keep it hood though. . . it’s just that my hood is becoming more adult.” –Frank Nitt
Let’s take it back. . . how did all this shit get started?
Well, with the good old guys in the great Slum Village. I started off as a dancer, when I was a young, young, young guy. I was a breaker, and this was before I met Dilla, or Slum, or even Dank for that matter. I used to live in a neighbor in Detroit that was kind of- it was me and another black kid (it was a mostly Latin neighborhood). One of the homeboys, this Puerto Rican cat, from New York, his family just happened to move to Detroit, and he was a breaker. He was a little older than me, I was a young kid, but I could break. I was pretty good, so I was like the secret weapon. It ended up being a crew. . . a Spanish break dancing crew. . . and we would go and battle. Like on the weekends we would go to bank parking lots, like at night, and spot lights would shine like in the middle of the parking lot, and we would literally come out there with a big radio and a big roll of linoleum, lay it out, and be having battles in the parking lot. I got in so much trouble for coming home late, but I won the battles, so I didn’t care.
That’s kind of where it started for me as far as Hip Hop goes. That’s where I fell in love. I was really young so, my only real experience up to that point was my brothers bands. My brothers were both drummers, and they had bands in the basement when I was a kid or whatever, whatnot. So, it was that, and, you know, Prince, and Parliament, and Michael Jackson. Then I found Hip Hop, and it developed. Then from there, I moved out of that neighborhood, and the next neighborhood I moved into was where I met Dank, where I met Dilla, and that whole crew, and Dilla taught me how to DJ at his mommas crib on this old big ass ancient stereo. He taught me how to transform. From there I started DJing, and then me and Dilla for years, like through middle school and high school, we DJd parties, school dances, house parties for all the homies, like we were the DJs.
Then you know, from there, Dilla picked up the beats and started rhyming. It just evolved until one day I was in high school, and you know, slum, me, QD, slum village, well, yeah basically, not Elzhi, but Baatin, T3, and Dilla, we all went to high school together at some point. So, you know, we used to beat on the tables and rap, you know, the old school shit. That’s how we came up. T3 then said that I should try and rap. So, I went home, wrote my little rap, came back at lunch, did it, and they were like ‘aaaaaahhhhh man, you can rap!’. So, that was it, I started rapping.
So I recently listened to your beat tape, and I liked what I heard. The beats. . . they’re dark, not real up tempo. Can you tell me about where you were coming from, and your plans for that beat tape?
Nah, I’m not a big up tempo guy. I mean, I’ll rhyme up tempo, don’t get me wrong, and I’ve made some up tempo beats, like this new project I’m doing, the Orio Circus, there’s some up tempo beats on there, you know, over 100 BPMs, so there’s some up tempo stuff on there. That’s just me, man. For me, I concentrate on the drums, the drums are what drive me. If you listen to most of my beats, the drums are slappin’. . . some people might say too loud. So, low key, for those beats, if someone just happens to want to rap on them, they can.
I’m all about building things. Anything given to me, I want to build a strong foundation, and that way it’ll last for a while, you know? I’m not really known for production or any of that type of thing, so right now the beats are just for people to- if they vibe to them and want to use them, you know, just get the name out there with that.
I never had to be a producer- I had Dilla right there my whole career. And if I didn’t have him, he had aligned me with so many great producers that I’ve never really felt the need to be a producer. Until I ended up in China somewhere, and, wasn’t doing a show, and didn’t have anything else to do. All the beats I had belonged to dudes that I couldn’t just get music out of. I couldn’t just say let me find a studio here in China and go do some music because there wasn’t- there was paperwork I had to go through, politics I would have to go through to make it happen. And that’s cool, they have this paperwork policy, and that’s cool, but, not when I want to create. . . because I just want to create. So, you know, from that point on, it was like- it was bugged out because it was like shortly after Dilla had passed, and while I was out there (in China) Proof passed away. It just kind of made me feel like, man, I need to step it up. You know what I’m saying? I need to become more self sufficient, more able to create music on my own. Hence, me on the beats.
“I’m either going to be a really good husband or Hugh Hefner.” –Frank Nitt
What does the future hold for you? What do you want 2010 to look like?
As we speak right now, (the) US Delicious Donuts tour (is) being planned with me and Illa J headlining (they are currently in Europe doing the Delicious Donuts tour). My solo record, of course, I’m working on that. Right now, as we speak, I’m on my way to the studio for the Orio Circus project with me and another MC/producer from out this way by the name off Grim Ace. He’s relatively new on the scene I would imagine, but he’s doing his thing. He’s also a photographer, and an all around artist of all trades. So, we somehow linked up, through mutual friends, and sat down (and talked). It was an opportunity where I was either leaving LA or staying in LA, and he was like, you can stay here, and while you’re here, let’s make something.
Being that I’m kind of a free spirit in that sense, a nomad for that matter, me just kind of being out in the world, it’s good for me, it’s kind of what I do. So, that was right up my alley, to have a spot away from MI, away from Detroit, where I could be, and create music, and try and work on something, because I like to create music for stuff. I mean, it’s cool to just do it, but I don’t really have that luxury anymore because I don’t do anything else. So I’ve got to be working towards something all the time. So, we sat down and we came up with the Orio Circus.
Also, a new Frank ‘n’ Dank record is coming, that I’m going to probably have some of the production credits on. I’ve got things in the works. I’ve got Madlib projects in the works, I did some work with Oh No, I did some work with Babu, you know, Rhettmatic’s still got an EP sitting over there. I got stuff everywhere. I’m trying to keep it moving but, we’ll see.
“I keep it hood though. . . it’s just that my hood is becoming more adult.” –Frank Nitt
Let’s take it back. . . how did all this shit get started?
Well, with the good old guys in the great Slum Village. I started off as a dancer, when I was a young, young, young guy. I was a breaker, and this was before I met Dilla, or Slum, or even Dank for that matter. I used to live in a neighbor in Detroit that was kind of- it was me and another black kid (it was a mostly Latin neighborhood). One of the homeboys, this Puerto Rican cat, from New York, his family just happened to move to Detroit, and he was a breaker. He was a little older than me, I was a young kid, but I could break. I was pretty good, so I was like the secret weapon. It ended up being a crew. . . a Spanish break dancing crew. . . and we would go and battle. Like on the weekends we would go to bank parking lots, like at night, and spot lights would shine like in the middle of the parking lot, and we would literally come out there with a big radio and a big roll of linoleum, lay it out, and be having battles in the parking lot. I got in so much trouble for coming home late, but I won the battles, so I didn’t care.
That’s kind of where it started for me as far as Hip Hop goes. That’s where I fell in love. I was really young so, my only real experience up to that point was my brothers bands. My brothers were both drummers, and they had bands in the basement when I was a kid or whatever, whatnot. So, it was that, and, you know, Prince, and Parliament, and Michael Jackson. Then I found Hip Hop, and it developed. Then from there, I moved out of that neighborhood, and the next neighborhood I moved into was where I met Dank, where I met Dilla, and that whole crew, and Dilla taught me how to DJ at his mommas crib on this old big ass ancient stereo. He taught me how to transform. From there I started DJing, and then me and Dilla for years, like through middle school and high school, we DJd parties, school dances, house parties for all the homies, like we were the DJs.
Then you know, from there, Dilla picked up the beats and started rhyming. It just evolved until one day I was in high school, and you know, slum, me, QD, slum village, well, yeah basically, not Elzhi, but Baatin, T3, and Dilla, we all went to high school together at some point. So, you know, we used to beat on the tables and rap, you know, the old school shit. That’s how we came up. T3 then said that I should try and rap. So, I went home, wrote my little rap, came back at lunch, did it, and they were like ‘aaaaaahhhhh man, you can rap!’. So, that was it, I started rapping.
Being that me and Dilla were tight, I honed my skills kind of just being around him while he was honing his skills. He was just more advanced then all of us. He was the best MC, he was the best beat maker, he was just the best at every God damn thing. You know what I’m saying? So, he was so far advanced from everybody that he was designated kind of the leader. Like, Slum was the bigger group, like the leader (group) of the group of our crew, but Dilla was kind of the unofficial leader (of everyone). He jumped off first. He got on first, and that Pharcyde record and that Tribe hook up and all of that, first. So, you know. . . I was Dilla’s right hand man. Ask anybody in the crew. I had to go everywhere.
At some point, before I had a record deal, before I had any records out, I wasn’t working. I quit working a job and it was all music all the time, but it was only because I was with Dilla everyday. Know what I’m saying? Like, every morning he’d call like ‘Frank, wake yo’ ass up, I’m coming to pick you up right now.’, and I got to get in whatever car is out there in the yard. You know? It was a couple years before Frank ‘n’ Dank was a group, but Dank still had a regular day job, and in the hood grimy, and doing all types of hood shit. Where me and Dilla were out, we was gone, traveling with Slum.
If he’d go to Cali, he’d be flying me to Cali. If he was in New York, he’s going to have me. It got so bad that Common was calling me- not Dilla. Common was like ‘Hey, Frank, I just booked your ticket so you could be here, so you have to get on a plane tomorrow and, we’ll see you in New York tomorrow.’ I’ve had like a weird ride in Hip Hop, you know what I’m saying? I was able to mix and mingle and deal with people like that were stars- stars then, and stars now. And you know, it was before I had a record, before I got to see so much, and maybe that’s why I am the way I am. But, I got to be around these great people, I got to, you know, rub elbows, with the greats. Some of my favorite MCs. Just all types of craziness. It was a great thing. So, the start really came way back when, as an MC with Slum, in high school, at the lunch table.
From there, once we did ‘Pause’, things were kind of given a different perspective. Up until that point, there wasn’t really anything- like, it was funny, it was like we were just making records for ourselves. Even the singles (that came out before ‘Pause’), like we kind of put those out, but we didn’t like- if I had a single right now, all the things I do to have a single right now, I didn’t even think about back then. Like, no press, no trying to get interviews, no anything to even make people aware that this music was out. It was just ‘we gon’ put it out’. It was just out. It was like, we took it at that, we were just into being. We were kind of in a bubble because of Dilla.
At some point, before I had a record deal, before I had any records out, I wasn’t working. I quit working a job and it was all music all the time, but it was only because I was with Dilla everyday. Know what I’m saying? Like, every morning he’d call like ‘Frank, wake yo’ ass up, I’m coming to pick you up right now.’, and I got to get in whatever car is out there in the yard. You know? It was a couple years before Frank ‘n’ Dank was a group, but Dank still had a regular day job, and in the hood grimy, and doing all types of hood shit. Where me and Dilla were out, we was gone, traveling with Slum.
If he’d go to Cali, he’d be flying me to Cali. If he was in New York, he’s going to have me. It got so bad that Common was calling me- not Dilla. Common was like ‘Hey, Frank, I just booked your ticket so you could be here, so you have to get on a plane tomorrow and, we’ll see you in New York tomorrow.’ I’ve had like a weird ride in Hip Hop, you know what I’m saying? I was able to mix and mingle and deal with people like that were stars- stars then, and stars now. And you know, it was before I had a record, before I got to see so much, and maybe that’s why I am the way I am. But, I got to be around these great people, I got to, you know, rub elbows, with the greats. Some of my favorite MCs. Just all types of craziness. It was a great thing. So, the start really came way back when, as an MC with Slum, in high school, at the lunch table.
From there, once we did ‘Pause’, things were kind of given a different perspective. Up until that point, there wasn’t really anything- like, it was funny, it was like we were just making records for ourselves. Even the singles (that came out before ‘Pause’), like we kind of put those out, but we didn’t like- if I had a single right now, all the things I do to have a single right now, I didn’t even think about back then. Like, no press, no trying to get interviews, no anything to even make people aware that this music was out. It was just ‘we gon’ put it out’. It was just out. It was like, we took it at that, we were just into being. We were kind of in a bubble because of Dilla.
We got to see so much, and like, Frank ‘n’ Dank was like, not only signed artists and the artists he (Dilla) was dealing with, we were friends. I was there when Dilla got his first beat machine, you know? Like, his father used to put me out, like scream at me ‘Frank, get yo’ ass out my house! What is all that noise coming from up here? Get out! Go Home!’. Today, that’s still my family. . . Like we still laugh about it now, you know what I’m saying? So it’s like, for us, we were kind of in a bubble. We got to see things from a very, very special view. It’s a little crazy.
“Everybody should support good music. . . I’m going to be putting a whole bunch of it out real soon, so support that…” –Frank Nitt
So. . . you already know this is coming. Tell me something about Dilla.
It’s a lot of different ways to approach that question, or approach that statement. People don’t really understand like, everybody knows the music guy, and I know that guy too, but I know the personal guy. I know how he really perceived things, and how he really got down.
I’ll just say that, there ain’t nobody that worked harder than him. Like, I’ve literally seen him work till his fingers were bleeding. He would go lay down, and then put band aids on all his fingertips and then go back to work. You know what I’m saying? Like, all the music he did- it sounded like he did something really simple. It sounded simple to you (hearing it) because he had a way of making it digestible, very easily digestible. But the work that he did to get to that point- unparalleled. I don’t know anybody- I haven’t seen anybody work like he worked.
This is from high school, like he would skip school to stay in the basement and work. It wasn’t like he was skipping school and having fun. He was in the basement making beats. He was at a different school because, Dilla, he was kind of like a smart kid, know what I’m saying? He was really, really smart, and he went off to a aerospace high school where they teach you how to build and maintenance planes and all types of craziness. . . as well as your regular curriculum.
By tenth grade, he was like ‘I ain’t going to school’. Like, his parents had to leave before him (in the mornings), so he ain’t going to school, he’s going to stay there and bang on the machine in the basement, and then when his parents come home, he’s going to put on some clothes, and make it look like he went to school. . . and then came home from school. . . and is back in the basement working. Nah, that nigga ain’t never left. As a matter of fact, I came there at lunch time and heard the new creations. Ain’t nobody work harder than him. I haven’t seen anybody work harder than him. I’ve seen some people work, but, not like him.
“I’m a new age MC. I’m like a well rounded guy. It ain’t just hood, it ain’t just suburban, I got a bit of every God damn thing. MC’s gotta become more worldly.” –Frank Nitt
Who are some people you have worked with that really stood out to you?
I’ve been lucky. Somebody like Madlib- it’s crazy, just the sheer amount of work that he does, and the way he works is crazy. And then, for the quality level to be up where it’s at, because he’ll literally like- I’ll say ‘Madlib lets meet, I need some beats’, cause we’re working on an album, like, a Madlib - Frank Nitt album right now. But that’s hard work cause getting’ him in the studio. I’ll say ‘Madlib, let me get some beats’ and you know, I’m used to Dilla beat tapes, 20 beats, 25 if you’re lucky. But he poured over those 25. Madlib will give you three CD’s with 200 beats on them. AND they’re going to have skits and everything too. Mad is crazy. He’s an evil genius.
One of my favorite MC’s ever on the planet is Busta Rhymes. I’ve always been a huge fan of Busta as an MC. It ain’t about what he’s saying, per se, even though he says some crazy shit too. I think it’s more his style, like, he’ll bend styles in one verse. He’ll have 3, 4 different flows in a verse. If you go back and listen to my verses in that context, I do the same thing. You know what I mean? Busta Rhymes can rhyme on anything, he don’t have to pass on nothing. Only thing he has to pass on is the shit he don’t like.
“I sound like I’m kinda smart a little bit” –Frank Nitt
What have you learned about you?
I just learned that life is just bigger than everything that’s in front of your face. There’s always more. You don’t start living till you realize there is always something more going on. It doesn’t matter how involved in your shit that you are, there is always something bigger, something greater than you. Keep your eyes open and keep pushing forward.
So that concludes my very interesting/informative interview with Detroit rapper Frank Nitt. I can honestly say he is one of the nerdiest, most down to earth, all around cool people I have met in the music industry, and if you haven’t yet, you should really give his music a listen, cause he has made some pretty classic shit. On that note, I’ll just leave you with these:
“I’m a little older, like, I’ve been making records for a while, and, its not that I don’t want the kids to by my records, I want that, they should, you know what I’m saying? I think they’re good records. But, I think they would lose respect for me if I’m trying to be like them and I’m the old man in the room. I ain’t 17. I ain’t 18, I ain’t even 19. Even though I may look like I’m 22. As an MC, we’ve got to grow up. If you want to keep rapping, you’ve got to own your grown man. You can’t be a grown man trying to be a kid, you’ve got to be a grown man.” –Frank Nitt
“Big shout out to Delicious Vinyl and everybody over there. . .” –Frank Nitt
“I’m on the rappers diet. . . (McDonalds)” –Frank Nitt
“Everybody should support good music. . . I’m going to be putting a whole bunch of it out real soon, so support that…” –Frank Nitt
So. . . you already know this is coming. Tell me something about Dilla.
It’s a lot of different ways to approach that question, or approach that statement. People don’t really understand like, everybody knows the music guy, and I know that guy too, but I know the personal guy. I know how he really perceived things, and how he really got down.
I’ll just say that, there ain’t nobody that worked harder than him. Like, I’ve literally seen him work till his fingers were bleeding. He would go lay down, and then put band aids on all his fingertips and then go back to work. You know what I’m saying? Like, all the music he did- it sounded like he did something really simple. It sounded simple to you (hearing it) because he had a way of making it digestible, very easily digestible. But the work that he did to get to that point- unparalleled. I don’t know anybody- I haven’t seen anybody work like he worked.
This is from high school, like he would skip school to stay in the basement and work. It wasn’t like he was skipping school and having fun. He was in the basement making beats. He was at a different school because, Dilla, he was kind of like a smart kid, know what I’m saying? He was really, really smart, and he went off to a aerospace high school where they teach you how to build and maintenance planes and all types of craziness. . . as well as your regular curriculum.
By tenth grade, he was like ‘I ain’t going to school’. Like, his parents had to leave before him (in the mornings), so he ain’t going to school, he’s going to stay there and bang on the machine in the basement, and then when his parents come home, he’s going to put on some clothes, and make it look like he went to school. . . and then came home from school. . . and is back in the basement working. Nah, that nigga ain’t never left. As a matter of fact, I came there at lunch time and heard the new creations. Ain’t nobody work harder than him. I haven’t seen anybody work harder than him. I’ve seen some people work, but, not like him.
“I’m a new age MC. I’m like a well rounded guy. It ain’t just hood, it ain’t just suburban, I got a bit of every God damn thing. MC’s gotta become more worldly.” –Frank Nitt
Who are some people you have worked with that really stood out to you?
I’ve been lucky. Somebody like Madlib- it’s crazy, just the sheer amount of work that he does, and the way he works is crazy. And then, for the quality level to be up where it’s at, because he’ll literally like- I’ll say ‘Madlib lets meet, I need some beats’, cause we’re working on an album, like, a Madlib - Frank Nitt album right now. But that’s hard work cause getting’ him in the studio. I’ll say ‘Madlib, let me get some beats’ and you know, I’m used to Dilla beat tapes, 20 beats, 25 if you’re lucky. But he poured over those 25. Madlib will give you three CD’s with 200 beats on them. AND they’re going to have skits and everything too. Mad is crazy. He’s an evil genius.
One of my favorite MC’s ever on the planet is Busta Rhymes. I’ve always been a huge fan of Busta as an MC. It ain’t about what he’s saying, per se, even though he says some crazy shit too. I think it’s more his style, like, he’ll bend styles in one verse. He’ll have 3, 4 different flows in a verse. If you go back and listen to my verses in that context, I do the same thing. You know what I mean? Busta Rhymes can rhyme on anything, he don’t have to pass on nothing. Only thing he has to pass on is the shit he don’t like.
“I sound like I’m kinda smart a little bit” –Frank Nitt
What have you learned about you?
I just learned that life is just bigger than everything that’s in front of your face. There’s always more. You don’t start living till you realize there is always something more going on. It doesn’t matter how involved in your shit that you are, there is always something bigger, something greater than you. Keep your eyes open and keep pushing forward.
So that concludes my very interesting/informative interview with Detroit rapper Frank Nitt. I can honestly say he is one of the nerdiest, most down to earth, all around cool people I have met in the music industry, and if you haven’t yet, you should really give his music a listen, cause he has made some pretty classic shit. On that note, I’ll just leave you with these:
“I’m a little older, like, I’ve been making records for a while, and, its not that I don’t want the kids to by my records, I want that, they should, you know what I’m saying? I think they’re good records. But, I think they would lose respect for me if I’m trying to be like them and I’m the old man in the room. I ain’t 17. I ain’t 18, I ain’t even 19. Even though I may look like I’m 22. As an MC, we’ve got to grow up. If you want to keep rapping, you’ve got to own your grown man. You can’t be a grown man trying to be a kid, you’ve got to be a grown man.” –Frank Nitt
“Big shout out to Delicious Vinyl and everybody over there. . .” –Frank Nitt
“I’m on the rappers diet. . . (McDonalds)” –Frank Nitt
Saturday, November 28, 2009
You had me at Sweet Pea. . . and by 'had me' I meant made me seriously question you: Consumer X
1. Who the fuck are you? (Alias, oldness factor, place I should avoid if I never want to see you, etc. . .)
My Mama call me Sweet Pea, but I’m EL3G to the world. I'm one of many in the Hip Hop Collective OkiZoo (http://blog.okizoo.com/) & I'm a Host and DJ on http://www.gtownradio.com/ Wed 8-10pm EST. Currently in Philadelphia, 28 years old and life's a blessing.
2. Describe hip hop in one word, then explain your word choice. . .
Freedom. Hip Hop is an artistic commitment to seize freedom. Its origins began as an outlet to express oneself, and in doing so you become free. Free from the bullshit of your daily life, just free in the music. That feeling you get from Hip Hop is freedom.
3. Favorite MC (current vs. all time)?
Current: Elzhi (of Slum Village)
All Time: Black Thought (of The Roots)
All Time: Black Thought (of The Roots)
4. Why the fuck do I care? What qualifies your opinion on the subject?
I have a great ear for music. Born in 81, Hip Hop has been a part of my life since the beginning. I live, breathe, eat, shit, hip hop so I think that makes my opinion on it valid.
5. If you had to boil what hip hop truly is down to three albums, what would they be? Explain.
Public Enemy - It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back
The Roots - Things Fall Apart
NWA - Straight Outta Compton
The Roots - Things Fall Apart
NWA - Straight Outta Compton
Those three albums kinda cover the bases when it comes to hip hop.
You got your East Coast Rap w/ PE.
You got your Conscious, thought provoking, Underground Rap w/ The Roots.
You got your West Coast, Gangsta Rap w/ NWA.
You got your West Coast, Gangsta Rap w/ NWA.
Honorable Mention goes to Outkast - Aquemini. They hold it down for the South.
6. You may not be Dave New York, but I still wanna know. . . How do you feel about radio hip hop?
I don't fuck w/ it. Only radio I like is Internet Radio & College Radio. At least w/ those mediums you won't hear the same wack ass song over and over again.
7. In your opinion, are hip hop and rap the same? Are the words interchangeable? Why or why not?
Rap is rhyming on a beat. Hip Hop is the culture and the 4 elements Rap, DJing, Graffiti, Bboying. They're really not interchangeable, since Rap is just one part of Hip Hop.
8. Best producer in the game?
Madlib. His catalog is crazy, he really focuses on the music and he's a crate digga for real. If Dilla was still around he'd hold the crown tho.
9. What's your guilty pleasure in terms of music? The stuff you wouldn't want ANYONE to catch you listening to.
Honestly I don't think I have one. If the music is suspect or wack to me I don't listen to it. Everything I do listen to I bump that shit loud in an attempt to get someone to ask me what I'm listening to. I can't call it.
10. Do you like Jay-z? If so, for the love of god, explain why. . .
I can't knock the hustle. I don't like him as a person tho. Reasonable Doubt was dope, and still gets play in my rotation, but he just kind of rubs me the wrong way. Plus that nigga fell off as a lyricist. He should have retired the first time he said it.
11. Who is the one rapper out right now that you feel does not deserve the success they have? Why?
Gucci Mane... how the fuck did this dude get on? I mean do I really have to even explain why, he's terrible, just terrible. I can't knock the hustle tho, I'm not a hater.
12. Who is the one rapper out right now that deserves more success than they have currently? Why?
Blu, that guy is dope. He made a classic album w/ his debut but he gets little shine from the mainstream. Even you mentioned how dope his album w/ Exile, 'Below The Heavens' is. I just wish MTV or BET would take notice to some of his videos.
If you never heard of Blu, "Judge This Shit For Yourself" --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia0VxX1y-1M
13. "I'm tryin' to be one of the best, period. Not just one of the best with breasts and a period. . ." -Invincible . . . How do you feel about the fact that you are being interviewed by a girl that thinks she knows more about hip hop than you ever will?
Well I doubt you know more than me, but I know that you are a fly woman w/ a good ear for music. So I feel real good about it.
Blogger commentary: I'm gonna need for your answers to not be so similar to what mine would be. You're like a non-asshole version of me. Which makes you automatically less cool. . . so I win. That is all.
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