Interview

BET's 'Food For Thought: Conversations With Ice Cube'

West coast legend Ice Cube meets with Angie Martinez, Stephen A. Smith and Harry Allen in a Harlem, NY restaurant to interview him on his career, in music, film and family - the first career as Cube puts it. One of the memorable questions led to Cube speaking on being in the ninth grade and writing his first rhyme. Great interview, a must watch for all fans of real West coast rap.

Posted on Sat, 17/07/2010 - 05:53

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In preemptive strike to Cypress Hill's new album Rise Up coming out soon, Complex magazine's Toshitaka Kondo hit up the Latin hiphop leaders to break down some of their classic tracks over their legendary career as they near twenty years standing at the top of West coast hiphop.

Cypress Hill Classics: B-Real & Sen Dog On The Making Of 10 Key Records

April 19th, 2010

'PIGS' FROM CYPRESS HILL [1991]

B-Real:
We were in South Gate coming back from a house party and we went to Jack-In-The Box. I had a dark blue 520 Cadillac Seville sittin’ on McLeans. It was gangsta. Straight up. I was using the phone booth and they decided to come harass me. Some of them were high school football guys and they didn’t go anywhere else but to become a local cop. We knew them, so we weren’t intimated by them. We’d be like, “Fuck you, you third stringer. You couldn’t even make LAPD” And they were trying to gang up on me. It was about five or six cops. We looked like thugs so they basically treated us like thugs. But I wasn’t doing nothing. I didn’t have no weapons, no weed. [They said,] “What are you doing here? Put your hands on the car?” I’m like, “What the fuck you mean? What did I do that I got to put my hands on your car?” They’re like, “Don’t create a problem.” I’m like, “You’re gonna arrest me for fuckin talking on the phone?” Then they were grouping around me and I was like, “What? You gonna jump me in front of all these all these people in Jack In The Box? Go head! The first one that jumps out at me, I’m knocking him out! I don’t care if I get beat up the rest of the way. You guys better call your on-duty sergeant or something because we got a problem.” The sergeant comes on the scene and asks me what happened. And I told them exactly what happened. And he told those guys to let me go and to apologize.

Sen Dog:
B-Real was pretty pissed. When I rolled up to my house, he was sitting in front of my mom’s house in his car. I rolled up in my driveway and I walked up to him and I was like, “Hey what are you doing?” And he goes, “I’m writing a song about the pigs!” He had this look on his face. When I came back outside the house, he was like, “Listen to this!” That was actually one of the later songs that we recorded during the first album because either Muggs or I reminded him about the poem he wrote about the pigs. It was right around the time we did “Latin Lingo” because that was one of the last songs we recorded for that album. I remember having the first rough of the album, “Pigs” and “Latin Lingo” wasn’t on it. It wasn’t until we went back in with Joe The Butcher, the owner of Ruff House Records, came out to L.A. to hear the final. We recorded “Pigs”. Then we flew out to Philly to mix and master the album and that’s when we came up with “Hole In The Head” and “Latin Lingo”.

He laid it down to this funky track Muggs had come up with. And then we started to build the concept for the song more deeply around that. Names were changed, but where we grew up, a lot of people knew each other and what not. A lot of these cops would try to chase the same chicks that we chased. And chicks knew everything because what do men do? They talk to women. So we were connected back in the days. We knew exactly what those guys were up to, they were no different than us. They just wore a gun and a badge to work and we didn’t. But you know, B was swift with the pen. And they gave him a creative spark and they paid the price. And those guys know that song is about them. They have to know. [Laughs.]

For the complete interview [CLICK HERE]

[SOURCE]

Chi-Town native and Death Row Records' son of soul and songbird to a host of notorious Westcoast rap legends - R&B star Danny Boy (Danny Boy Steward) is steady grinding on his come back with a new album and a dusted off collection due for release by the new WIDEAwake/Death Row label. Steward, all grown and still beautiful in voice gave Dynamexx Enterprise and Hiphop.sh an exclusive on where he's at now.

For the exclusive interview [CLICK HERE]

Check out Los Angeles rapper Bambu during an appearance on Soul Assassins Radio with DJ Choc and DJ Muggs from February 2010. He also spits an exclusive freestyle.

UGLY DUCKLING interviewed for Hiphop.sh // Street Press Australia

29th June, 2009
Picture three hip-hoppers who came together in 1993, straight outta Long Beach, California, two emcees and one DJ rocking a gold dookie chain and you won't come close to pinning the tail on the donkey. At an era where hip-hop's balance of power had shifted coasts down a lecherous path of hardcore reality rap, an ardent group became set on bringing back that pure ether of hip-hop. True artisans of rap, Ugly Duckling continue their forthrightness and steadfast resistance to sell their collective soul for the dangling carrot. While en route flying south, the guys drop in to paint their views of hip-hop, the audacity of a new President and illustrate their latest album.

How is the Australian hip-hop fanbase treating you while your down here?

Andy: We've only had very good experiences down under. In fact, I've always thought that the people were overly nice to us; it almost seemed to be a mercy-date. Like a pretty girl is going out with a guy who's terminally ill for the make-a-wish foundation. We can't wait to get back down there and perform for the people again because our collective self-esteem could use a boost.

A profile on you guys says U.D. are influenced from the Native Tongue movement, hip-hop on a conscious level seems rare in the spotlight, shining in favour of more materialistic rap. Do you see much of the Native Tongue ideology still practised?

Andy: Honestly, I'm not sure about any ideology and we try not to worry about other people's messages. the reason we loved the native tongue groups is because they made the coolest, funkiest, sample-based music and had creative song-writing style as well. In fact, black sheep, a great n.t. band, was a bit misogynistic but they still, on their debut album, created great music and great music from any era will always be our motivation. Great music is hard to kill.

Coming out of Long Beach in 1993, were you guys influenced much by the Snoop Dogg/Warren G etc. breakout in the same period or were you guys already in another headspace with your hip-hop, separating your identity from the over-popular 'Gangsta rap' of Cali?

Andy: At that time, we were surrounded by gangster music and it made having a career in the mid-90's impossible. that's why it took us until the late 90's to officially get a record out (we put one out on our own in 96 but it did nada). That said, it was nice to see people from Long Beach succeed and, truth told, we were cordially friendly with those guys (Dizzy and Warren G were class-mates and Snoop Dogg went to my senior prom) so there was some excitement and inspiration when they made it big. But again, all we try to do is make great music in which we believe and let the chips fall where they may.

[CONTINUE READING]

Interviewed by Rip Nicholson // 411@hiphop.sh

LYRICS BORN interviewed for Hiphop.sh // Street Press Australia

7th December, 2009

Leading the new vanguard of West Coast hiphop, Lyrics Born stays as active as ever, polishing up his fourth studio album in between jet-setting live heaters around the globe. Caught in Denver on The Deadliest Catch Tour, Lyrics has a story well covered and before he reaches out to Australia in the new year, The underground's most heralded performer takes time out to discuss his legacy as a leading tourist in hiphop and why he always looks forward to rocking Australia's summer.

You're hosting The Deadliest Catch Tour across the west coast then straight down here to Australia. How's the dynamic change from rocking a home crowd to bringing the same show down under?

It's great. It's not really any different as you may think. Every show I come to, every crowd I perform to I just bring the same attitude, which is - Kill it! I didn't come here just for vacation, you know. I hope to just drive everybody into a frenzy. I don't really look at it any different gig to gig, country to country, city to city.

A while back you played down here, Australia became part of your live album. Was it something down here that made Australia the tour to record?

From my point, my objective, my job is the same. On the Australian point, definitely Aussies love to party – pretty much harder than any place I've ever played. But I think it makes my job a little bit easier because, not that I'm trying to be lazy. [It's easy to feed off the energy] Exactly. One thing I noticed about an Australian crowd, they come to party, from the moment they walk in the door. I don't know whether it's the alcohol or the general culture you know what I mean... I can't keep up with 'em.

Your latest Season Pho mixtape drops soon is this pre-hype to the forthcoming album, As U Were?

Yeah it's already dropped and it's available worldwide and at Lyricsborn.com. Yeah the whole idea of the variety store series is it gives people a chance to see what I've been doing in between albums and gives people a sneak peek. I like to leak songs from the forthcoming album, so there's a few joints on there that are from As You Were.

Is this LP still building strength in the lab, or a finished product?

I'm almost done, I've got a few tracks left to mix. When I come home from The Deadliest Catch tour I'll dabble with it a bit more and it should be done.

[CONTINUE READING]

Interviewed by Rip Nicholson // 411@hiphop.sh

RZA interviewed for Hiphop.sh // Street Press Australia

19th January, 2010


The abbot of Wu-Tang's conglomerate band of brothers, RZA AKA Bobby Digital AKA The Rzarector and a slew of other conceptual identities dependent on the current of creative air swirling around the genius who was born Robert Diggs, is making power moves on a Hollywood chessboard. A student under the wings of this generation's biggest cult director, Quentin Tarantino whom RZA refers to as the Master, is making grandeur attempts to bring the Wu-Tang dynasty to film, for eternal survival in a young man's game of hiphop.

Recently the Wu-Tang performed in Melbourne. Good to see almost everybody on stage. How was the chemistry during the event?

We had a really good time out there, the crowd was having a good time with us. We had a good time on stage. I think the chemistry and energy was great. We are trying to do a proper tour with the Wu-Tang Clan but that can be difficult. So I'm coming down, you know test the waters. Ghostface and GZA been down there. Now Method Man and Redman are running around right now. I'mma come down in February and bring my high voltage energy – getting' it ready for when the whole Wu-Tang Clan returns late this year or early next year. We are working out details for everyone to be involved, but right now you have the energy of RZA individually and have some fun and I'll build up a demand for the whole crew.

Is this to promote the new album, The Cure?

No I wouldn't say that. (laugh) It's really just to touch bases with Australia and New Zealand. I haven't had a chance to perform in the country for about five years, and then last year we did two dates, then ten dates so it's like you know, it's a long trip, a great continent, I think the energy of the people there are really driven and just right for my style of hiphop. I think the youth and adults have really grown to a level of appreciation for the music. So it's a real treat and pleasure to perform out there.

But I don't wanna pre-talk on that (new album), I've done some work with some good other musicians. We did the Black Rock project with the Black Keys and I've been doing some music for some buddies in Hollywood. I don't know exactly what I wanna do creatively yet to be honest with you. I'm having fun with music and that sound I've missed. Over the years I've been doing music and in the beginning it was all about fun and good times. Then we strived and got a record deal, then we have a career and started doing music for pay checks, you know what I mean. And if they didn't write me a budget I wasn't goin' in the fuckin' studio. That became a problem, so for the last two years I've been back in the studio makin' music for fun. Now I don't know what to do with it, and one day I'll decide what to do with it. Do I sell it or give it away, we don't know what we wanna do.

LA Times just announced your clearance for Man with the Iron Fist. I can't help think this was the next logical step for you, how does writing and directing film compare to scoring music?

Well its a whole 'nother world but it still reflects my creative, artistic nature but it's not an easy job, I gotta admit it's not an easy job to write the script and get it to the format we got it at and to be accepted by Hollywood and the elite people. It's taken a year, year and a half to get to that level. It's not easy but it's very fulfilling. When you get all that creativity out of you and give it to other people to appreciate it and say, 'Wow what a great story, what a great script.' It's something I've been working on for a few years and I'm really passionate about and I'm ready to share it with the world.

[CONTINUE READING]

Interviewed by Rip Nicholson // 411@hiphop.sh

Photography: Jonathon Mannion

Taken from [XXLMag.com]
Lyor Cohen is about to pull a power move. “Is Method Man confirmed?” he asks a publicist. Cohen is inquiring about Meth’s participation in VH1’s Hip Hop Honors, which, this year, is dedicated to Def Jam. Method Man is not confirmed. “What’s Method Man’s number?” he demands in his clipped Israeli accent. Cohen is soon dialing the digits. It goes to voice mail.

“Tical, guess who this is?” It’s an album skit come to life.

Cohen, the former president of Island Def Jam, is working the phones because the label is celebrating its 25th anniversary. It’s also why he opened his Upper East Side townhouse to XXL on Rosh Hashanah for this momentous round table. For the first time ever, Cohen, his Def Jam co-founder, Russell Simmons, and former Def Jam president Kevin Liles will sit together and candidly reminisce (and argue) about hip-hop’s most storied record label.

It’s about to get bigger and deffer.

[CONTINUE READING]

RAEKWON interviewed for Hiphop.sh // Street Press Australia

21st October, 2009


The word is, New York's seminal rap clique Wu-Tang Clan is slated to perform in Australia in less than two weeks time. That's nine clansmen of the world's hardest group to assemble at Festival hall in Melbourne on the 31st. Amid conflicting reports, Hiphop.sh phoned the Chef to check in on the latest movements of the Shaolin shadow-boxers and open up his new album, the sequel to one of the greatest hiphop albums ever dropped.

Making it happen in Staten, Raekwon is goin' hard promoting Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II, the most anticipated hiphop record in years. Debuting 2nd on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, 4th on the Billboard 200 from a lyrical purist recently numbered the 10th greatest emcee ever by the MTV News Hip-Hop Brain Trust becomes just desserts for the cock-sure emcee also known as Corey Woods, a.k.a. Lex Diamonds, a.k.a. Shallah Raekwon.

Did you know you had one of the most anticipated album of the year coming out?

Yeah I know that, I know a lot of people was waitin' on this album right here. It's definitely been requested for a few years now so, I kinda knew everyone was waitin' on this one you know.

Spin Mag said about this album, "contains some of his most rewind-worthy bars in years." Does this pick right up where the first album left us hanging?

That was definitely the point. The plan was definitely to go back down memory lane and give y'all what you've been waitin' for. For no other reason than what hiphop's been missing – that classic Raekwon song. So we made it our business to give it that effect so i'd say it definitely falls in that bracket. I was really matching up my best to put this album together. Where we began this album we ended with the last one, you know. It was kinda like a double-CD that I wanted to make off this album.

You've got the greatest producers ever cutting your beats, what's it like pulling this kind of power to your product? Inspirational?

Oh absolutely, yana'imean. My thing always been, production is so important to me and it's always been my job when I make my music I wanna be able to be influenced by some of the most illest sounds and production alive. Them guys definitely paved a way for a lot of artists. It was an honour to get involved with them. They was working hard because they believed in the first album so much that they kinda knew where I wanted to go and where I needed to be at with this one. So everyone just made it their business to go hard. That was definitely something that I can say was challenging. It was a big thing you know. I just gave it my best, I just gave it my best.

[CONTINUE READING]

Interviewed by Rip Nicholson // 411@hiphop.sh

In a recent interview for FakeShoreDrive, Tha Doggfather raps about new album, Malice In Wonderland and working on Detox with the one and only Dr. Dre.

By Andrew Barber...

So speaking of Malice In Wonderland, the advance tracklisting (via Wikipedia) has some serious heavy hitters on board for it: Just Blaze, Timbaland, the Neptunes, Rihanna, Polow Da Don, etc. I know you’ve worked with a lot of these people before, but are you going for a new sound?

Actually (that tracklist is bogus). Other than the Neptunes, none of those people are on it. Danja, Nottz, The Dream, Soulja Boy, Scoop Deville, R. Kelly, Brandy, Pharrell, Problem, Terrace Martin, my nephew Nipsey Hussle, Jazmine Sullivan, Teddy Riley. I’ve got sum shit for you and I guarantee it’s gonna bang until the wheels fall off. Classic. Timeless. Great music.

Also on the advance tracklist I see that you have a song with Battlecat and Kokane. Will we be hearing more west coast influenced records from you on this release?

This is definitely a west coast banger and I’ve got more for you too. On December 8th you will be one of the first to hear how we bang. It has its Malice and its got its Wonderland. It's Snoop Dogg! You’ve got to do it, Jack!

Will you return to working with West Coast producers like Meech, LT Hutton, Jelly Roll and others you worked with earlier in the decade?

I'm always open to working with them again. They’re dope and I get down with dope artists. It's a no brainer.

What about the infamous picture of you, The Game and Dr. Dre in the studio supposedly working on Detox, that recently leaked to the internet. Any truth to that? What’s going on there?

It wasn't photoshopped - let's leave it at that. So just be on the lookout!

Are you going to be involved with Detox?

Is it Windy in Chicago???

For the full interview [CLICK HERE]

Posted by Andrew Barber // [SOURCE]