INTERVIEW WITH TOPE OF TxE

What up Tope? Introduce and make sure these people know who you are!

Whatuptho! I go by the name of Tope.. I'm a rapper/beat maker from PRTLND, Or. 1/2 of a group called Living Proof and 1/3 of another crew called TxE.

Back in March you put out Soul Music LP, how long did it take to record and release that?

I finished working on Soul Music around March//April 2009, but I didn't actually press and release the album until March 2010.

How has been the response to that release?

Its been good. So far all the press has been positive, the release party was dope. I'm not mad at

it.


What is next for you?

Albums Living Proof "Full Speed" ft Abstract Rude, Planet Asia, Destro, Epp, & more. TxE "You're Welcome" ft Waajeed, Planet Asia, Chase Moore, & more
Tope - TBA EP ft production from Tony Ozier, Devonwho, Hi-Res, G_Force, Stewie Vuitton, & more

Shows TxE w/ Macklemore July 7th @ The Satryicon
Tope @ Rotture w/ Shabazz Palaces (Butterfly of Digable Planets) July !4th @ Rotture TxE w/ People Under the Stairs Sept. 11 @ Hawthorne Theater MFNW 2010


Tell us about TxE (Tope and Epp) how did this come about ?
TxE formed officially around Aug/Sep 2009, when Epp and I first started making songs with our producer, G_Force. In March, we went on tour with Diezel P and released our debut EP "Rain In

Cali" (FREE DL -->http://topeandepp.bandcamp.com/). Since then we've been in the studio recording our new project(s) and rocking shows here and there.


How old were you when you did you first live show?
As far as rap goes, I started performing around 15-16, but I was in a touring gospel choir when I was hella young.

Who are your favorite rappers doing it right now?

TiRon, Elzhi, Black Milk, Royce, Fashawn, Evidence, Danny Brown, Blu, Curren$y.

Do you like being in the studio recording or getting on stage and rocking a show? Or is it hard to compare?

Good question. I really like being in the studio, being inspired and making a song on the spot, but its a different feeling from rocking a packed house. I feel like the studio is similar to going to work, but I love my job. At the same time these shows we've been rocking have been crazy lately too, so basically its a win/win.

Industry wise who do you think is on top of the rap game right now?

Jay, obviously. Jay is the game basically, but there are some young cats with a good buzz..

Drake, J. Cole, I'll even give it up to Wiz, his fan base/buzz is crazy!


The Northwest is on a strong rise over the past couple years, what/who do you think have really helped paved the way ?

Cool Nutz has done an incredible amount of work for the town. 20+ years in the game, 10+ solo releases, co-creater of POH-Hop, host of the NWBS, the list goes on and on. The most important thing is Cool Nutz is constantly reaching out, supporting young artists in attempt to share experience he's gained throughout his years in this business. Lifesavas have opened a lot of peoples eyes to our region. I feel like "Hellohihey," from Spirit In Stone, might be the best song to ever come out of the town. Whenever they drop their new EP/Album people will jump right back. Then of course you have OLDOMINION/Sandpeople and all their weird ass fans.

Give the people your info! Facebook, myspace, website, twitter, online store!

http://twitter.com/topelp
http://myspace.com/topemusic
http://myspace.com/livingproof
http://tope.bandcamp.com/
http://topeandepp.bandcamp.com/
http://livingproof.bandcamp.com/


Got some final words for our viewers?

Go cop Soul Music & Rain In Cali plus be on the lookout for the new Living Proof, TxE, and Tope projects. Make good music and stop all that funny shit. Hllr.

Thanks for doing this Tope! Continue making that good NW music.

Thats whats up! Thanks for having me.