Interview

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]

Jay-Z was invited on Real Time With Bill Maher. [Download Here]

[SOURCE]

The Game // Exclusive Video Interview // Dubcnn by: Lil Jay

Dubcnn caught up with The Game for an exclusive video interview. We sat down with "the kid with no home" at two different stops during his world tour for a 2-part feature.

He is already heavy into promoting his upcoming record "The R.E.D. Album" in new songs, recent interviews and video blogs, but for part 1 of the feature we take some time out to talk about his life on the road and travelling through Africa and Europe. We also cover a couple random topics and find out which song he relates to the most from his whole catalogue and why he never featured any of his Black Wall Street artists on his albums. Last but not least, Game expresses his opinion about fans getting involved in his beefs.

You can watch the video or read the transcript of this exclusive interview and we urge you to leave feedback on our forums or email them to liljay@dubcnn.com.

Stay tuned for part 2 of the interview coming soon!

Transcribed interview below:
Dubcnn: Dubcnn has linked back up with The Game! What's up Game?

The Game: You know what the fuck it is man, it's Game time, Starface, the kid with no home. That's what it is, West Side, California, West Side Bompton, Cedar Block Piru, still on probation and everything. Straight up, Dubcnn.com. Get loaded motherfucker, the number 1 Hip-Hop site in the world, Dubcnn. All the fakers and imitators eat a dick!

Dubcnn: So, if you're looking back at all your three albums and you had to pick out one specific song from your whole catalogue, which is the one that you can relate to the most?

The Game: "I Don't Need Your Love" off The Documentary, because it's been 7 years since I've started and today I'm still here. For all the motherfuckers that don't got love for Game, I don't need it. I still get by, I still make my money, I'm still rich. I'm still the father of two kids, they're happy, they're good. I'm financially stable, all my homies is good, they're shining. That's just what it is. I don't need shit, I don't want shit. Get it how I live. I reached all my goals on the first album. I never ever thought that I'd be anything other than a dead gangbanger. So here I am, half way across the world. I go to Switzerland to perform in front of 2000 people. It just feels good to be a hood nigga that made something. My whole career has been a memorable moment. Everything that I've done, everything that I will do, every place that I been, all the people that received me and appreciated me. It's all been a memorable moment, just my career as a whole.

Dubcnn: You always separate your Black Wall Street business from your solo projects, since there werent any BWS artists on any of your albums. Do you keep that balance on purpose or what's the thought behind that move?

The Game: When one of my Black Wall Street artists gets big enough, then I will feature them on my album. But until then they gotta grind the mixtapes like I did. You know, get in where you fit in. But I got some shit planned for them, it's gonna get real big. But I got Goon, a cat from Inglewood. He reminds me of myself as far as his hardcore flow. You know, Clyde Carson from the Bay is doing his thing. X.O. from Pasadena is doing his thing, Juice is still in Arizona holding it down. We got a young kid named Elijah. So we got some things on the way. It's just me and my brand, but I give people that I meet and have ambitions and dreams like I did opportunities to make a name for themselves. And if they can use my parent company to branch off and do their thing, then more power do them. I don't want nothing from them, I just want them to get money and have a good time man.

Dubcnn: You made some tour stops in Africa too. Talk about that experience, since most people will never get the chance to see that continent.

The Game: Africa is the real hood. Everybody think they from the hood, but you don't know how real life is and how fucked up people got it until you go to some of the 3rd world countries in Africa. Specifically speaking about Kinshasa in Kongo and stuff like that. The people are great and beautiful, you know, they look like me and they represent what I represent, which is the struggle. I appreciate them and I can't wait to go back man. Africa is a wonderful place. You know, I leave gaps in my music and then my fans fill it in. When you get the crowd participation when you're rapping and they're feeding the music back to you, and you look in the crowd and you can see everybody saying every word, that's how I appreciate my fans, and I know they appreciate me.

Dubcnn: You also have a pretty strong fanbase in Europe. What are some of your favorite places when you go overseas?

The Game: [I love Dublin, Ireland and Zurich, Switzerland]. I love Switzerland to death man. The shit's crazy, always when we're in Switzerland, I ask Tony 'How many days we're in Switzerland?' and he's like '1 Day', then I'm like 'Fuck!', cause we'll go to some other town where I don't wanna be for fuckin' 4 days! I got nothing but love for Switzerland and the people. I stay in different hotels, this time I was at the Marriott and my view is always over the river and the city, and in the daytime it's just beautiful man.

Dubcnn: Speaking of fans, what's your opinion when your fans take sides in your beefs?

The Game: I don't give a fuck about that man. Any beef that's gonna be a beef of the time that people gonna talk about, those are the beefs I get involved in. I don't got time for the petty shit, cause when I see those rappers, we just knock them the fuck out and then we make sure it's on camera so everybody can see how bitch made they is! I ain't gotta say no names. They try to challenge me, but I'm one of the only rappers in the world that's never been tested like that, I never had a chain snatched. So anybody that steps to anybody in the Black Wall Street finna lie straight on they motherfuckin ass, that's all they can have.

[SOURCE]

by JUSTIN STEWART

To have longevity you have to change with Hip-Hop, it's not going to change with you.”-The Game

With a short and simple response from Jay-Z, the Brooklyn rapper has put the Game in overdrive as it relates to his ongoing beef with Jigga. In a recent interview on Tim Westwood, in relation to Game, Jay simply called the West Coast rapper a “groupie” and that he just needed to get over it in reference to the reported intro to The Blueprint III.

It seemed that's all Game needed was an inch from Jay as he went into Go mode with his response on Virginia's radio station 103Jamz with the Buddha Brothers Morning Show. In reference to his rising campaign of shouting out “Fuck Jay-Z” at shows, he stated that he was surprised that people were so quick to join with him in proclaiming it as if they had been waiting to say it for some time.

“As soon as I came out with the whole “Fuck Jay-Z” thing, everybody jumped on. It even surprised me because I'm thinking that everybody's gonna be like “Fuck Game” and “Game's just hating” but it was a pretty cool split with half being Roc-A-Fella this and that and the other half saying that Jay is old and washed.”

Game stated that the underlying problem with Hov is his inability to accept that his age is only getting higher and he must accept the fact that he is ageing.

“Some people just don't want to get old. He got a problem like my dad got that problem. My dad is still trying to be young, still rocking fitted caps and I'm like ‘pops you 60 man, you gotta chill'. Jay has that problem and he doesn't want to get old.”

As Jay has previously called himself the Michael Jordan of recording, the Game has compared him to the basketball legend, but has added that as time progressed even Jordan fell far from where he once was when he was at the pinnacle of his game. Even for a player of his calibre, times have changed and age has worn the legend down.

“To put it in shorter words, this whole Jay-Z debacle between me and him is basically Michael Jordan stepping on the court today with Kobe. Don't get me wrong, Michael Jordan is the best basketball player ever. We watched him put the tongue out and smash on everybody and take six championships, but that was then. The he tries to come back and do it again for the Wizards, but he's old, he's got a couple of grey hairs, he ain't moving as fast as he used to and the points are down. He kind of tarnished his legacy and that's what Jay is doing right now and trying to play for the Wizards. He's trying to show people he can still go when he really needs to just sit his old ass somewhere and just let the new niggas make their money.”

Game proceeded to touch on Jay not having children and stated that he could end Jay-Z as he has in other lyrical beefs. To hear the complete interview on Buddha Brothers' Morning Show on 103Jamz. [CLICK HERE]


[SOURCE]

by Joseph Poakwa

DJ Quik, arguably The West Coast's best producer connects with Kurupt The Kingpin to create a lyrical and sonic explosion...

2009 has been a year full of ups and downs so far. With the passing of Michael Jackson, the world has realized how fragile the music industry really is. There aren't many people that can enter the fraternity of music and produce works with the ability to stand the test of time. Each year sees the entrance and exit of a new artist; however with every exit we are reminded of those select few artists who have been able to produce hit after hit, leaving them with a career full of longevity. Kurupt and DJ Quik are an example of what happens when an artist creates rather than imitates.

For their uniqueness and ability to create music that not only defined a neighborhood, but an era, Quik and Kurupt continue to be West Coast staples and Hip Hop Legends. With their combined effort Blaqkout in the streets blowing out speakers, Hip-Hop Wired sat down with the west coast kings to speak on their longevity, Death Row records, and the untimely passing of Michael Jackson. [Click here for more]

[SOURCE]