The Inter(view) series Installment #3 w/ Botch "5yn-tifik"

Yeah man, we back once again with The Inter(view)
This time around I got my girl Botch from Canada.
This little lady is like my little sister and has a very dope
blog that you all should check out. So without further a due
here's Botch.





1. Just for a brief introduction please state your name, city and state you’re from and the website you represent.

My name is Botcho, and I'm from Winnipeg, which is in Canada. So, we don't have a state, haha. & I'm fully plugging Http://5YN-tifik.blogspot.com


2. How did you get into blogging and writing?

Botch: My mom gave me a journal when I was a kid, to keep my busy while she worked. I haven't stopped since. It was just a place where I could put my day, my week, or whatever, and look back on it. The blogging started when I was about 13. I basically just took what I was writing to a keyboard, and had a really good response from it, so I kept with it.


3. How long have you been writing and what inspires you to keep doing it?


Botch: I've been writing since I was 7. I KNOW! It's crazy. What inspires me? Feedback, definitely. Hearing how people can relate to the things I go through, or if they have the same interests as me, or even if they absolutely dis-agree with anything; I love opinions. I love that people can relate to anything I write. The whole reason I keep writing is because it made me feel like I wasn't alone. Like all my thoughts were permanent, and to share that with someone else is a completely surreal feeling. That, and I don't really have any talents, so I might as well stick with the one thing that comes close to one !


4. What do you feel is your general message is to public when you write /blog?

Botch: I'm just writing about every day shit. I'm writing about what I think, and feel. I tend to jump all over the place, with reviews and real life situations. It's to let people get a glimpse into my life, if they feel like it. Hopefully it's a good read.


5. What do you feel separates your blog from everyone else that may be doing it?

Botch: I'm not trying to impress anybody. If that comes off as a bitch statement, I'll try and word it better. I feel like most blogs are out there to be like "Yo, I think this is cool because I know other people will think it's cool and then think I'm cool", fuck all that. I never gave a fuck if someone read my blog or not, I just do it for me. Having readers and positive feedback helps me to write more - but if no one read it, I'd still be doing it.


6. What does Botch do when she’s not writing /blogging?


Botch: If I'm not at a hip hop show, I'm watching movies or tv.. or sleeping. I sleep, a lot.



7. What’s on heavy rotation in your iPod / mp3 player right now?

Botch: BELIEVE THIS ONE! I don't own an ipod, or an mp3 player. However, on the way to work I've been listening to the XX album. Shit is ridiculously good. At home, I've been listening to Kanye's new album, Wu-tang's 36 chambers, and Erykah Badu's Mama's Gun. I was going to start doing some laundry to beastie boys though.

8. What do you feel you get the most out of writing? (sense of stress relief)

Botch: Release. Putting down everything into a notebook, or even a blog entry, you just let that load off your shoulders. If I'm angry, I'll write about it. After I'm done writing about it, I calm down a lot. Kind of like finishing a glass of water when you're really thirsty. You feel relieved til your thirsty again. Then it's back to the notebook.


9. With me knowing you personally, how do you find time to write and release your thoughts?

Botch: I don't ! I honestly feel like I don't blog enough. I almost never have a free moment. I sleep like 5-6 hours a night, and I don't even know how I do it. I guess when something is this important to you, it's not about finding time to do it, time kind of finds you, and allows you to do it.


10. As a true hip hop fan, do you feel that music fuels your inspiration to write?

Botch: BIG QUESTION! Do I even need to answer this? Haha, I'm kidding. I definitely do. Hip hop takes emotions that are hard to express, and then all of a sudden you feel it when you hit the play button. I try to do that with writing. I try to make that emotion real, and put out exactly what I'm feeling or thinking into words. I want people to get a sense of emotion when they read when I say.


11. And finally, what are your personal goals for the next 5 yrs. / where do you see yourself?

Botch: In 5 years, I'll still be a writer, De - I just hope for more numbers at the end of my account balance.

And just in case you missed the last 2 Inter(view)'s

#1 Ms. Pearl

#2 Ms Carol

The Inter(view) series Installment #2 w/ Carol Ann "crlnn"

Alright y'all here's the 2nd installment of Inter(view) with the homegirl "Carol".
Let's get into it.




F110: Just for a brief introduction please state your name, city and state you’re from and the website you represent.

Name: Carol Ann
Location: Brampton/Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada
Website:crlnn.tumblr.com

F110: How did you get into blogging and writing?

Carol: I used to write about my daily happenings on a social site called AsianAvenue, but it wasn't an official blog. It wasn't until 2004 when I finally got a LiveJournal account. It wasn't anything too serious. It was just me taking out frustrations and just writing about anything on my mind. I usEd to TyPe Like *thiS and sHyT. It's interesting to see how much I've matured. lol

F110: How long have you been writing and what inspires you to keep doing it?

Carol: I've been blogging for about 6 years now. To be honest, I don't get to say everything I want anymore, well not publicly anyway. I've gotten myself in trouble a few times from my blog now (messed up some close relationships) and I've learned my lesson. Just keep it positive. If you got nothing good to say, just...don't.

F110: What do you feel is your general message is to public when you write /blog?

Carol: Keep it positive and drama-free...and Be happy!

F110: I see that you’re a currently studying design. How did you get into that?

Carol: I've always loved art. Then I wondered how I could get a job in art. I figured anything in the design field would do. Tried architecture but that didn't work out. So now I'm doing my Bachelor of Interior Design and I love what I do.

F110: What does Miss Carol do when she’s not writing /blogging?

Carol: I like to do what any 21 year old would do (sleep, hang out, drink, clubbing, etc.). I also doodle/sketch. School work takes up a lot of my time as well.

F110: What’s on heavy rotation in your iPod right now?

Carol: To be honest, I haven't listened to my iPod the past 2 weeks while I was on vacation. Just tried to enjoy and cherish my time with family.


F110:What do you feel you get the most out of writing?

Carol: I'll be honest. Sometimes, I feel like I'm not 100%. But that's because of past mistakes (refer to question 3) and too much people knowing about my blog (LiveJournal and Blogspot). So nowadays, my blog (my tumblr) is more of a place where I post my artwork, anything that really interests me, and just blog about positive things. I try to cut out all the negative. Blogging is more of a memory box now. Not so much a place to express my stress.

F110: And finally, what are your personal goals for the next 5 yrs. / where do you see yourself?

Carol: In the next 5 years, I hope I'm still blogging. I'll probably blog less, but it's always nice to look back at old entries and just reminisce. Besides the blogosphere, I see myself being in a stable position in the design world. I see myself being really close to having my own company. I also see myself being well-traveled, settled, and happy.


Well there y'all have it...another Inter(view) done. And just in case you missed the 1st installment with my homegirl
Pearl from pensivepearlsays you can check it out here: Ms. Pearl

The Inter(view) series Installment #1 : Ms. Pearl / My Wonderwall

ALright ya'll I m back once again with some interviews for y'all to check out.
This is the 1st installment of The Inter(view) series. First up is my homegirl from
Houston TX "Ms. Pearl". She runs a blog that I just got turned onto to entitled:
"My Wonderwall". I was able to catch Pearl to take a little break from her busy
schedule to answer some questions for me. Check it out!!!!!!!







1. Just for a brief introduction please state your name, city and state you’re from and the website you represent.

Pearl: My government is Ms. Perla Quintana but most of my friends call me Pearl. I wasn't born in my hometown but I've lived here most of my life. Deep in the heart of the dirty south, Houston, TX. Trill city baby. And of course http://pensivepearlsays.blogspot.com/


2. How did you get into blogging and writing? Blogging?

Pearl: I just got my blogger account, about two years ago. I just felt like sharing my random ass thoughts with the rest of the world. So I googled "blog" and blogger was the first site so I went from there. But writing, I've been writing for a pretty long time now. I love writing. I love expressing myself in words, words that a person can read and consume as they read them.

3. How long have you been writing and what inspires you to keep doing it?

Pearl: Everything inspires me to write. A passing train, a red-light, the color of the sky at 8am in the morning, the ex boyfriend, the ex friends, my family and close friends. Everything is made up of everything. I've been writing since it was age appropriate to own a "diary". I moved up, matured a little or alot, and now call it a "journal". Writing is key.


4. Where did the name of your blog come from?

Pearl: My Wonderwall. Well, that pretty much defines itself inside and out. A naked wall where my vast thoughts are smeared on. I'm also a huge fan of Oasis and one of there big hits, Wonderwall contributed to it. It was perfect, scratch that, it is perfect.

5. What would you say is the general message in your blog?

Pearl: My blog is very much like myself. It's something different everyday or every other day. Similar to my life style, nothing in my life is constant. My life is just a scary, fun-filled, ups and down roller coaster that just won't come to a fucken end. But the ride has been worth it so far. I mean what's not to like about roller coasters right? I want people to read it and to relate to it. Not everything, but I want them to feel me. I want them to go back in time, in there minds, and relive what I'm writing. I want to get under there skin, I want to piss them off or make them smile. Just feel the words in general. And sure there some people that completely dislike my blog. But fuck em' fuck em' all. What I eat doesn't make them shit.

6. I couldn’t help but to notice how personal your blog is. Do you find writing out personal feelings and experiences as a positive release for you?

Certainly. The majority is based on personal experiences, a triggered emotion of some type or simply because it just felt right at the time. Don't get me wrong, there's some posts that I've cringed too, second guessed myself on but I ALWAYS end up posting them. Just write what you feel, who gives a fuck what it is, don't go back and re-read it, sign out, and that's dealt with.


7. What does Miss Perla do when she’s not writing?

Pearl: She still writes actually. I have a ton of side notes and written paragraphs all over my school notebooks. It's crazy bumping into them when I go back to re-read or study my school notes, "like shit, when did I write this?" Mad crazy. But I also play indoor soccer when I get a chance & I work an 8 to 5 job as a receptionist. So I'm in front of a computer the majority of the day. And after a long day of work and school I go home to my little man. My pride and everything, and yes I wear my pride on my arm like a fucken sleeve. He is the only reason I push myself as hard as I do. Mr. Prince Damian Alexander


8. What’s on heavy rotation in your iPod / mp3 player right now?

Pearl: Since I'm writing it's Maxwell, Lauryn Hill, and Miss Badu. At this exact moment it's Playing Possum by Maxwell. They just have so much soul in there music. It's perfect for writing.


9. How often do you like to write and update your thoughts?

Pearl: More often than often. I have a journal I carry with me. It goes everywhere I go. If it's not in an appropriate scenery, I usually leave it in my jeep. But it's never too far away. I always have to have something to write on, something to write with or I'll lose it. Fucken bonkers.


10. And finally, what are your personal goals for the next 5 yrs. / where do you see yourself?

Pearl: Hopefully I'll have my teaching degree by then. I want to be an art teacher. Mmmm I'll most likely teach 5Th or 6Th grade. So watch out University of Houston, it won't be long before I'm roaming your hallways, and molesting the shit out your library. :)

In the artist corner with...Chaundon

Now this is probably my favorite interview that I've done so far.
I had the pleasure of of meeting this talented emcee a few summer's
ago. Now I give you a insight on what's going on in his world. So with out
further delay....I give you CHAUNDON!!!!!




F110: Before we start, For all of those who might not be familiar with you, tell the people your name and place you represent.

CHAUNDON: Ladies and gentlemen, I am Chaundon, The Bronx Borough President, The Punchline Perfectionist repping the Hall Of Justus.

F110: So let’s just jump right into it, you got the new album “No Excuses” coming out. What can we except from this album as oppose to the other albums and mixtapes that you’ve released in the past?

CHAUNDON: What you can expect from NO EXCUSES is a complete cohesive solo album from yours truly. I created this album minus rap features because a "solo" album has been redefined recently as an album with a gang of features. So I took it upon myself to set the example and raise the bar of what a solo album sounds, looks, and feels like. The difference in NO EXCUSES in comparison to my previous releases are vivid stories and gems I never put forth before. Plus 11 out of the 14 tracks are created with out samples by the extremely talented 18 year old producer, DK The Punisher. Keep an eye out for him. I also have 2 of the most incredible producers in the world, Ill Mind, and M-Phazes who laced me with classic tracks to make NO EXCUSES an unforgettable LP!

F110: I was on twitter about a week ago and saw your ustream about the producers on the album. Now I know it’s gone through some changes (producer wise). How did you finally decide on who you were going to get to put in some work on this album?

CHAUNDON: When I began the recording process I started out with 2 Ill Mind joints which gave the album its direction sonically. Then D.K. The Punisher who was 16 at the time sent me 6 of the most incredible tracks I've heard in a minute. I wrote to those tracks that week and told him that he will do the majority of my album. Then a short week later, Matt Diamond of Coalmine Records, hit me with the dopest beat to come out of a pair of speakers by M-Phazes. After that I knew I was on the road to creating an album to stand the test of time.

F110: While recording “No Excuses” what have you been up to recently? What’s been going on in the world of “Chaundon’?

CHAUNDON: During the recording of NO EXCUSES I was recording another album produced by Shuko and The Gunna. The sound of each album is completely different so when I started receiving beats from them I was compelled to write. Their music inspired me to create something special. So in the world of Chaundon the air was filled with timeless music!!

F110: Tell us a little bit about the first single “Yall Don't Want It” featuring the lovely Carlitta Durand. How did the concept for that song come about and what statement are you trying to get across with this track?

CHAUNDON: When I played the M-Phazes track the verses just poured out of my soul. The pen didn't stop moving until both verses were done. I felt I said everything that needed to be said to the world. Then the hook automatically popped in my head. The sound of the sample sounded like it was saying "waaaant it" lol so I built around that. I came up with the melody and the words then called Carlitta to the studio to lend her superb vocals to make the cipher complete. Lyricism to a dope beat is the statement of the song. I am basically proving to commercial radio and the fans of it that dumbing down is not an option and balance needs to be restored. Plus I'm a problem and "Yall Don't Want It" is more than a song title, its a warning.

F110: What is the overall tone for “No Excuses”?

CHAUNDON: The overall tone of the album is to let people know in life there is no excuses when it comes to the decisions you make. Once you hear the album you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

F110: This is a fun question I like to ask everyone I interview: If your album were a season (spring, summer, winter, fall) what season would it be & why?

CHAUNDON: It would be the summer because summer time is the season people remember for the rest of their lives. NO EXCUSES will be an album that will be talked about every summer until the Most High decides to turns the lights out on this small planet.

F110: In the current state of Hip Hop as a whole, what would you like to see more of? (example: creativity, originality,)

CHAUNDON: I would love to see more creativity and originality. It seems as if the artists of today are sheep who follow the popular artist of the moment and its sad. In the 80's & 90's people got punched in the face just for biting. Now these days biting is the thing to do. For the young readers who were born after 1996, biting is an old school term that means copying another persons style and sound of music.

F110: What’s next up (work wise) after “No Excuse’s” drops?

CHAUNDON: After NO EXCUSES drops I plan to be on the road to promote the album. Shoot some videos to further build my visual presence. Then I will be setting up to release the album produced by Shuko and The Gunna and start the cycle all over. I also started picking tracks for an album which will be produced solely by Kuddie Fresh. I'm a busy man lol

F110: Are there any upcoming tours coming up that you’re apart of to promote the album?

CHAUNDON: I am in the process of putting a tour together beginning in August. Once things are solidified I will put the word out about it.

F110: And finally…what advice would you give any up and coming artist / producers in the game?

CHAUNDON: The advice I would give is to make your sound bullet proof. Meaning, to make it undeniable. Don't sell yourself short and compromise your integrity just to sell a record. And most importantly, BE ORIGINAL. Why be the next Jay-Z when you can be the 1st you!


Be sure to go cop "NO EXCUSES" and check out the rest of the catalog:

www.chaundon.bandcamp.com
www.Chaundon.com
Twitter: @Chaundon

In the artist corner with : "Jane"

It's amazing what you find on your best friend's myspace page.
I had the opportunity to get in touch with a beautiful vocalist by
the name of "Jane" to talk to her about her musical influences and
also her current project "Hello Jane" I would like to thank Jane personally
for helping me and doing this interview....YOU GO GIRL!!!!!....lol



F110: So let me start off by asking, would you be so kind as to tell the public your name, along with the city & state that you represent?

Jane: Hello, I'm Jane! I represent the 7 Cities, VA and Hartford, CT... ALLLDAYY

F110: How long have you been doing music & how did you know that it was your calling?

Jane: Ha, that question always gets me. Well... I've been singing since I was three, writing since fourteen, and recording since fifteen.
There wasn't really a moment, a day, or even a month when I realized I wanted to make a career of what I love, it just sort of happened. More and more things started coming together for me musically and I figured the universe was trying to tell me something, so I went with it.

F110: Alrighty so I'm just going to jump into it, the EP "Hello Jane" first of all, what was your main inspiration behind this project?

Jane: Wow. Honestly, it was just the music. I LOVE the beats, and all of the words in the project were inspired by each beat. "Movies" came about because the strings in the beat reminded me of a Disney movie, "Flashback" talks about Cupid's shotgun because the beat has an effect that sounds like a gunshot, the "Lightspeed" beat sounded very futuristic to me, and "Him" constantly mentions a heartbeat because the bass sounds remind me of a heartbeat. I try to fit the words to the beat as much as possible, to make the song more powerful and real.

F110: What is your favorite track on the EP & why?

Jane: I always try to figure this one out for myself, haha. It's too difficult though. I chose those songs to put on the project because I absolutely love all of them. That's how it should be when you put out a product. I guess my favorite song changes with the date... tonight it's Lightspeed.

F110: Now, I read on a bio of yours that you've been influenced by your life in London, England. What effect does the culture of a different country have on the influence of your music?

Jane: Living out of the country and in a different culture really expands your musical knowledge. Its like, reading a book about a theory that you never knew existed before you read that book, if that makes sense, haha. There's almost no way for us to easily access music from other cultures here in the states, so it's difficult to get that wide variety of musical influence unless you really search, or live in a different country. When I lived in London, I disliked much of the popular music at first (I used to get so mad at my cousin for constantly playing it around me), but after a while of listening to it, I started to really appreciate the different characteristics that I had never been exposed to before.... like the crazy complicated bass lines of English garage (gar-idge) music. Little things like that influenced me, and it's those small pieces of each genre that I use to pull together and create something that's different, that's me. My music is everything I like, not the label I like.

F110: This is a creative question that I always like to ask. If your album were a season (spring, summer, winter, fall) what season would would it be & why?

Jane: Hmm... I'd say fall. In fall, you get to see unique colors that simply "wow" you. You never get to see them during any other time than those short couple months, and nothing in nature seems to look alike. My music is a mixture of all things that are beautiful to me. It is uncommon and diverse.

F110: Where do you see yourself 5yrs from now (goals, music)?

Jane: Signed to a major label, working, evolving, and reaping the success from my first studio album ;)
Oh! And living in a cute apartment in Manhattan with a Yorkie as my companion.

F110: Other than the "Hello Jane" EP is there any up & coming projects that are coming up for you in the near future?

Jane: Ha, nothing that's named yet. I'm always working on new music, whenever there's a flow of really good stuff, I'll package it up and slap a title on it for you all :)

F110: And finally, if you could work with 3 artist & 3 producers, who would they be & why?

Jane: LUPE FIASCO - because he's everything I need in an MC
CHESTER FRENCH (as artists and producers) - because I love them and their nonexistent senses of humor.
DAEDELUS - because his style varies so much and the music is consistently brilliant
DRAKE - because he's real, and I would like to thank him for that
THE NEPTUNES - because they always inspired me and I owe them a lot
PUSHA T - because it would be a happy ending


Here's the link for the album if you haven't already copped it.

DOWNLOAD

In the artist corner with Crust & Grimes

Finally, I get somebody to do an interview on the blog...lol
I got a chance to ask Crust & Grimes out of LA some questions about not
only their current project "Bleezy listening" but also how they feel about Hip Hop
and the future of making things happen.

If the album "Blezzy Listening" were a season what season would it be?
It's but not quite, more of a sub-tropical rainy season ya digg?
-Crust




F110: So let me start off by asking, what is your Name, & the city and state that you represent?

C&G: We are bob schooler and Chris henderson aka Crust and grimes
and we are from the bay area in California. San Jose to be exact
408


F110: How did you guys come up with the name "Crust & Grimes"?

Grimes: Well thats always an awesome question because it has alot to do with the music we create. Our beats are pulled straight off the Mpc so they arent all that "clean" if you will. We also like that dirty hip hop with the vinyl popping and nasty drums so it was only right that our name represented that.

Crust: Ya, its just what we try and do to make it sound real hip hop, and we still tryin to find new stuff to give us what we want equipment-wise


F110: What inspired you two do music?

Grimes: We didnt get into hip hop until high school but it was albums such as Redman- Dare iz a Darkside, Black Moon- Enta da Stage, Snoop Doggy Dogg- Doggystyle, and many other classics that flipped the light switch in our minds.


Crust: Shit what grimes said, redman's one of the best, really love what Pete Rock does. Also prob what got us most inspired was bumpin old bay tunes, we came up in the Hyphy movement, which was dope, and that prompted us to dig deep and find all the old E-40, the Click, Mac Dre, Mac Mall, so much dope shit

F110: How long have you guys been doing music as a group ?

Grimes: We always wanted to do some thing with music but we just werent sure what. So finally in May of 08 we decided to take this hip hop shit thing seriously. It feels like its been way longer than a year though haha

Crust: Yeah just picked up the MPC 1000 back about a year ago and been takin the steps ever since.


F110: How did you two meet?

Grimes: Well its pretty funny how that happend and people will probably call us squares for this but we met in 8th Grade Honor Society at Campbell Middle School. We knew nothing about hip hop and we were just 2 above average students but we've been homies ever since.

Crust: Yup met in middle school 8th grade, i think we were talking about Rickey Henderson getting traded again to some random team haha.


F110: In reguards to your album "Bleezy Listening" what was the inspiration behind this project and how long did it take you guys to put it together?

Grimes: Well we like to smoke a lot of blunts and "bleezy" is the bay area slang for blunt so we decided that instead of easy listening we'd make it "Bleezy Listening". But as for the concept of the album we just wanted to make something for the smokers to vibe to but at the same time slap in their car and watch the mirrors vibrate. It took us about 2 or 3 months to do the album in total.

Crust: Shit, Grimes couldnt say it better himself, props to the name as well yee. Ya basically we've just been waitin for a way to show the world what we're doing, cuz we have fun and take it serious all at the same time. So we've been kickin the idea of puttin a beat tape out, pretty standard practice by producers. But we were just waitin for the right time, equiptment, and ideas. we must've kicked around at least 20 ideas over a few months or so just comin up with concepts for tapes before settling on Bleezy as our first one. Those others will have to wait stay tuned.

F110: If you could only choose one track each as your favorite on "Bleezy Listening what would those two tracks be and why?

Grimes: Id have to say blu(nt) just because the fact that it fits the album so well and the audience applause is so dope haha

Crust: Chronberry is my fave, its one we both did coast 2 coast. You see they arent all coproduced, a lotta solo stuff on there. But Chronberry is just wierd its not happy or chill or sad, just random, and someone's gonna shred that track up.


F110: If the album "Blezzy Listening" were a season what season would it be?
(example: Winter, spring, summer, fall) and why?

Grimes: Wow thats a tough one... Probably Summer because it has beats like Blu(nt) and Trealaxxx, but at the same time it has Go to the West and Slump in Peace which are chill but beats such as the latter can get you up out your seat and and move a crowd. To us, that is what summers about... chillen but still partying

Crust: Nah you trippin its like summer but not quite, more of a sub-tropical rainy season ya digg?


F110: Who would you say are some of your main influences?

Grimes: Off the top of the head itd have to be dilla, easy mo bee, biggie, snoop, Dr dre, outkast, The Pharcyde, UGK, Mac Dre (TIP), E 40 and many others

Crust: Too many, and always increasing by the day. So many people get tunnel vision and only listen to one subsubgenre of hip hop- thats not what it is to us. But then there are those on the other end of the spectrum who bump a large variety of hip hop but only cuz its whats fed to them. if you want to make it and not be wack, you got to dig through the music in search of what YOU like - thats what hip hop is to me


F110: How do you feel about the current hip hop scene in the state of California?

Grimes Well the bay area is kind of slowing down but cats like e 40, Del tha funkee homosapien, and yukmouth are still doin it big. Cali is still very underatted in hip hop and there are many good bubbling artists like blu, planet asia, fashawn, Mitchy Slick and many others.
Cali always has had some of the best music, yet its kinda skipped over when it comes to really good hip hop. The thing about Cali is that every artist is usually so unique. Like where else you gonna get keak da sneak, e-40, murs, planet asia, alchemist, and the pharcyde all in one state? In NY a lot of times MCs or producers just want to bite bite bite and carbon copy, not to hate or generalize, but its truesds

Crust: That being said, hip hop in Cali is kind of slow when it comes to new shit. All these legends are still doin it big, but where are the new kids at, besides Crust and Grimes? There are some newbies like blu and shit, but i want more than a small handful of dope artists.


F110: What do you guys feel is missing in music as a whole these days?

Grimes: Most of all its a lack of balance. In terms of MC's your either all swag and no rhymes or your all rhymes with no charisma. both of those MC's make very boring bodies of work. Guys like biggie, snoop, and redman had a steady balance of both which allowed them to make timeless albums. Producers are the same: their either making overproduced beats on FL studio for lil wayne, or their making really soft songs about loving girls and shit. Guys like dilla, pete rock, and easy mo bee were able to do both and that made them legends.

Crust: Yup 100% agree. Its all about the feeling, nothing else. Everyone wants to bitch about rhymes or beats, but it all boils down to the vibes. People need to get a little uncomfortable and start doin shit that isnt just the status quo. But yeah, not to get too deep but in the end all that matters is how you feel after a song or concert.

F110: What do feel you guys do differently as producers that sets you apart from other producers doing their thing?

Grimes: Well for starters we use an all analog setup contrary to people on software. We dont just make beats and throw them on the myspace either we have cool concepts for albums and we are trying to get into live beatmaking on stage.

Crust: I think we know a lot about hip hop from a lot of different circles, which comes out in our shit. We dont really try to be different, we're just doing what is dope to us... after that its just a matter of puttin in work

F110: What's in your cd deck right now? (Who is inspiring both of you right now?) And why?

Grimes: Mainly just the classic hip hop shit like Keith Murray - Enigma, Pharcyde- Labcabincalifornia, J dilla- Ruff Draft, Snoop- Doggy style, The chronic, Outkast- Atliens.

Crust: Hmmm I always bump Petestrumentals, recently so much ODB, Chip Fu, and i just got this shit from Kan Kick, this treal dj who worked with Madlib a lot in the beginning of all that. Anyway, he put out this instrumental album called Beautiful: Opus of Love Deeper Than Flesh

F110: If you could do a collaboration with five of your favorite artists right now, who would those five artist be and why?

Crust & Grimes: Madlib- He's just amazing with the beats, concepts, originality, flavor. everything about him is influential
Tha Alkaholiks- We always said that we want to ressurect the career of a great group and the liks are one of the best things to happen to hip hop and its a shame to see them not putting out albums anymore
Yeah also MF DOOM, we love his stuff and he would just be funny as fuck over our beats. Him over Chronberry? haha. Also in that list would be the Hiero Crew of Course, and maybe a track with like redman, ghostface, spice 1, dru down, and e-40.


F110: What's going on in the world of Crust & Grimes when you guys aren't working on new music?

Grimes: Oh well we are either coming up with albums, chillin with our girls, and also we like to play alotta video games. Pokemon, Nba live, megaman legends, Street fighter, and lots of others.

Crust: Hmmmm not much haha. Nah we do lots of stuff, but when we're chillin there ain't nothin better than gettin an array of bleezies, a stack of vinyl and seein where it takes us.


F110: And Finally, other than the Bleezy listening project that is out now, are there any upcoming projects that you would like to let the public know about? Is there an email or myspace page where people can contact you at?

Grimes: We got a little instrumental ep called CG easter treats that should be availiable for download in 2-3 weeks. Also the homie Juve is a longtime collaborator and we are putting out an album with him called "Dirty Soul" in may or june. You can reach us at www.myspace.com/crustandgrimes or at chenderson420@gmail.com.
thanks Gem this means alot man always happy to do interviews

Crust: Man we're gonna hit the world with like 10 tapes this next year, and people will see whats up. I highly suggest everyone checks them out as they come. Not to give anything away, but some might include a series called "The Green Tapes" those will be fun. Just get ready for some straight funk.