CHASE ft. ILLMACULATE & DJ PT Leave Them In A Past Tense

LEAK: Living Proof - City (prod by Tope)

Living Proof, the PRTLND based duo, comprised of Prem and Tope, is set to release their sophomore album Full Speed at the end of summer 2010. This album is the culmination of three years of hard work and constant reformatting and adjustments. The release reveals a more mature sound from the group, and is clear evidence of the scene's progression and growth. Keeping with tradition, the production on this album is top notch and the Proof elicited the help of West Coast heavyweights Abstract Rude, Planet Asia, and Destro (Boom Bap Project/Oldominion) as well as PRTLND's own TxE, and Kelli Shaefer. The cohesive project bridges willfully between soulful, thought-provoking compositions like "Gone Home" and uptempo, feel-good joints like the title track "Full Speed" feat. Abstract Rude.

With anticipation building for the new Living Proof record, we thought it was only right to give fans a sneak peak at the project. City 2.0 is a reworked version of an original song we made for the record, prior to a couple beat changes and verse/sequencing transformations. This unmixed track brings the familiar 'feel good' vibe you're used to from the Proof and is perfect for riding to in the summer. Left Coast!

DOWNLOAD

Only One - Roll Green Weed LIVE

Savage.

TxE Gray Matters Only One July 7th

Go Vote For Matty!

We recently got to do an interview with Matty from Salem, Oregon. READ IT HERE.
He is currently in the running for Salem's top 20 under 40 and it's a people's choice.
If you could take the time to go HERE and vote for Matt Almendinger AKA Matty it'd be a good look. You can vote once a day. The contest has no known closing date at this time.

INTERVIEW WITH VERBZ

What up Verbz? School readers on who you are and what you do!

Hello World. I’m Verbz aka Verbz The Kid. I’m trying to be a Renaissance man, do a little bit of everything, mostly I’m a DJ & crate digger & music blogger here in Portland Oregon. Also do graphics, photography, video, & a dozen other things. All I wanna do is spread good music.

So lets start off with why you got into hip hop and how long you’ve been in the game?

Fell in love with hip-hop when first saw Run DMC & Aerosmith breakdown that wall on MTV. Started out a b-boy & graff writer in the 90s. I started getting into the budding online battle scene & helped run websites dedicated to early web music. I got involved in a small part of the Portland hip hop scene through rap about 7 years ago. We’ve kinda built a family out of it & become a larger part of the hip hop Portland has to offer. Set up a bunch of shows around the Portland area. I’ve spent the last 7 years DJing & collecting records. Doing a music blog for a year now.

I often check your page on tumblr and you have a great taste in music, who are your favourite producers?

Cliché answer, J Dilla. He was one of those producers that I had heard & loved without ever knowing he produced the beats. My first Dilla moment was watching the World Premier on BET of Slum Village “Climax.” I drove 20 minutes immediately to buy the album. Aside from the obvious Pete Rock, Prince Paul, Premier, Just Blaze, Cut Chemist & Numark, Jake One, Kev Brown, Madlib, ect. most of my favorite producers are my friends here in the NW scene.

Who are some names that you’ve worked with?

Just yesterday I DJ’d a producer showcase called The Neckbrace 3. The featured producer was Exile. He was inspiring & ridiculous on the turntables & MPC. I’ve done shows with underground artists Glue & DJ Abilities. Shows with Ohmega Watts, Theory Hazit, DJ Flip Flop, Illmaculate, Luck One, Grey Matters, & on through the Portland music scene. Mostly make music with my brother Mark Steez.

You are very active in promoting the hip hop scene in the NW, throw out some names people shouldn’t sleep on:

I’ve grown up in the Portland scene with a family we’ve built through years of shows. In the NW my people TxE have really been making my favorite music lately. That’s Tope of Living Proof & Epp who has been one of my favorite MC’s in Portland for years. With G_Force on the beats, they are producing some of the NW best. Also DO NOT sleep on, Illmaculate, Theory Hazit, 9DM, Sandpeople, Sapient, Grey Matters, Luck One, Ohmega Watts, Braille, Dave Notti, Sole Pro, Only One, Kid Espi, & dozens more.

What about the top producers from the NW?

I would say that the beat scene in the Portland area is amazing. We have been flooded with the do it yourself attitude because we’ve always been ignored as a scene. My favorite NW producers are G_Force, Lawz Spoken, Trox, DaiN, Theory Hazit, Dave Notti, Ohmega Watts, Hi-Res, Devonwho, Tope, & DJ Flip Flop. In Seattle of course Jake One holds it down but also Big Tune Seattle 2009 champ, Marcus D. But truly, my favorite producer is my brother Mark Steez, because we have similar tastes in music & we share samples.

What are you currently working on yourself?

Currently my biggest project is launching my new site for NW artists, events, photos, videos, samples, & my own music called VerbzTheKid.com. Also, I’m a full time psychology student at Portland State University & I’m working on a mix playing with the idea of perception. I’m hoping to give that out at the end of the summer.

A lot of people say the internet killed the music industry, do you think that’s true or do you think it just gave people a bigger venue to hear a better variety of music and a lot of the main stream music lost its appeal?

I could take up your entire blog, a documentary, & 2 hour presentation on this topic. If the music industry is dead, it was suicide. Record labels started a war with their own consumers. Check the numbers, music downloaders buy more music, go to more concerts, & have exposure to more artists. Downloaders stopped looking to mainstream record labels for music. It’s a mainstream that helped turn MTV (the old way people discovered artists) into a reality TV channel & bought every radio station to homogenize music across the country. It’s hardly Top 40 anymore; it’s more like Top 5 of the same flavor. Record labels looked at downloaders as enemies instead of consumers. Had the record labels individually made their music available for download at high quality at low cost (only paying for bandwidth for distribution & no cost in producing physical CDs) the industry wouldn’t look like a wasteland. The internet has definitely shortened the attention span for any one album, but now we are seeing artists release music through the web constantly or in short EPs to keep up with the development of new music & it helps keep interest in the artist. Is music better with more money in it? I sure would rather hear about reality than how much money you’ve got.

What is the biggest misconception rap fans have about the game?

Originality. Music is an art of influence. Hip hop especially the case. From sampling to the words artists choose usually are in respect to something that inspired them. When I Talib sampling Nina Simone there is a connection to something that came before that is mutually inspiring. I feel like most people don’t even think about samples until they hear Eminem & Lil Wayne sampling the Night At The Roxbury track. Sampling. Another hip hop wasteland.

What moves do you want to make in your career before 2010 ends?

I wanna create a really great site that people come back to. I wanna really explore some new things with music on my own & I want to see the rest of my crew continue to grow because the whole family is doing so well.

Who is the best freestyler in your opinion?

Illmaculate. You can fight me. Been around him freestyling for many years, I’ve heard ridiculous things come out of that dude’s mouth. Supernat is incredible. I’ve heard 9DM just go off & rhyme all night. My boy Epp from TxE is amazing with some freestyle rap/singing/different personalities whatever. I’m blessed with some really talented friends.

Plug your info so people can peep your shit homie:

Right now you can go back & download hours of good music, or bump a playlist on my Tumblr site, verbz.tumblr.com. Follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/verbz. & check new site, VerbzTheKid.com coming soon.

Also check out my brother Mark Steez for a Beat CD coming soon at twitter.com/marksteez. & my boys TxE at topeandepp.bandcamp.com & check my boys G_Force & Illmaculate’s new video at GravityHits.com

You got any last words for the readers?

Get at me. Get at me with music, events, ideas, questions. Let’s spread good music.

Verbz

verbz@verbzthekid.com

INTERVIEW WITH CORTEZ

Yo Cortez what’s really good? Tell the people what time it is!

Haha…. What’s Good??? You Already know what’s good- ME!!!! (PAUSE) LOL

NYB’s the Movement- Murda Ave’s the Home.. We working hard out here!

You’ve been on the rise in the battle rankings, who or what is next?

Well Honestly I got a few options as of right now but nothing concrete as far as battling. Besides the battles though I’m concentrating on this music! I’m receiving 1,000’s of d-loads and listens daily off my music and I feel its time to show that side of me talent wise! I wrote a few records for a few R&B singers already and I’m finishing up my project “Exception to the Rule”.

I read that Marvwon called you out and you accepted, whats the deal with that?

Well I have lots of respect for MarvWon & we were going to do it at MOB but I had other obligations that restricted me. Who Knows hopefully in the future we can do it but as of now I’m working on music until the right opponent approaches.

You’re tight with DNA what do you think about the shit with Grind Time and would you ever battle in GT?

UMMMM…I was one of the first people in GT! Myself along with Hollow da Don started in the East Coast NY division under Jaze Juce & PumpkinHead. I’ve battled Complex, Kay-M, Mosh Jelton, Yung Sheen, Conceited, Soul Khan and Real Deal! As far as DNA and the GT issues-he has a very valid Point! I’m Not sure as to how he’s perceived outside of NY but in NY he’s highly respected! He’s On every major blog site, He’s got multiple segments on BET, MTV, Every level for radio interviews, major label sit downs etc… yet he’s thrown Nobodies or someone that will not help him gain further recognition! I said in the Response to Marv & Quest that us as artist must take advantage of our opportunities and preserve value as an artist and the things GT is offering at times will not help him gain! . I cant speak for what GT outside of NY perceives as value opportunities but In NY our views are a lot different from the regions of other divisions.

You’ve got a big mixtape (EXCEPTION TO THE RULE) dropping real soon. Whens the due date?

The Mixtape is dropping 1st week of July and its going to make lots of noise! I’m recording from different angle to showcase my overall writing and musical talent and people are going to realize that I’m an Artist at the end of the day-NOT A RAPPER!!!!!!!!!

Who do you have for producers? and who else is laying verses down with you?

Well as far as Producers I have my in house producer Che’ Boogy for Honor Society Prod. I also have a record with DNA prod. By Mr. Divine from D-Blok., Cory Gunz and I spazzed on a record prod. By the Bizness who’s working with Young Money. I got Sha Stimuli, Babs Bunny, Fred the Godson, Math Hoffa and My Brother Charlie Clips as well!

Where will this mixtape be available?

It will be posted on every Major blog site also the hard copies will be available in all local bootleggers DVD, CD spots all over the tri-state! Any Show I’m at any club I’m at or industry event expect to see me hustling and grinding to promote this music!

Are you getting an album together too?

At this moment I’m working out a few details to make that happen around 1^st quarter for 2011 actually. I feel blessed that I have this opportunity again after I severed ties with Universal but I’m almost done with negotiating an actual album release. If it does materialize I want to thank the fans because without them it’d never be possible!

Where did you get your start battling and is this something you want to keep doing or are you going to start focusing more on music soon?

Well I was winning showcases all over the tri state and LA Reid offered me a situation with Roc La Familia back in 2007 but that turned out to be a flop due to bad business besides that it never really helped me get to that next level though so I started battling at Fight Klub to maintain my buzz without spending money on promotion. Whether its battling or making music whatever can help my career I’m down to do. Right Now both are working out so I just feel Blessed to be in this position.

In our interview with Dizaster he said that the east coast is the most bias coast in battling, and the fans there become haters the instant you diss their city, what do you think about that?

Wow….I mean NYC isn’t the most bias-No Disrespect but California is by far. NYC will definitely let u get destroyed if u come unprepared for a battle…Look at Nuborn vs. Calicoe-Nuborn’s from NY and Calicoe got all the attention and love from the crowd. In cali even the wack battlers get oohs & Ahhs for simple bullshit! People are starting to catch on to the bias crowds in general though and at the end of the day-FOOTAGE DOES NOT LIE! …. EASY!!!!!!!!!

What are you feeling right now music wise? Whats on your mp3 player?

Honestly I’m listening to a lot of different material! I listen to a lot of 90’s hip hop and alot of R&B also. I listen for melodies, and arrangements a lot just to try and find something refreshing! I got 160 gigs on my ipod so I got a lot of shit but what stays in rotation is TI, Notorious BIG, Sean Price, Jay-Z, Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne’s The Carter 2, Early Nas and DMX, Death Row, Slaughter House and Classic Eminem material!

Alright homie plug your info where can the people go to get your music and show you love (or hate haha)

HAHAHA If U wanna show Love hit me on my twitter: @Cortez_HSP or on FB: Cortez HSP!

If u wanna hate log on to www.KISSMYASS.COm LMAO!!!!

Na but seriously go and listen to the Mixtape in July “The Exception to the Rule” hosted by SMACK & SUPERSTAR JAY and send the feedback! Constructive criticism only helps me get better…I wanna relate to the public so please No YES MEN AROUND ME!

Get @ ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You got any final words for everyone reading this?

I want ya’ll to know that I really am appreciative of all the support! I’d be the first to say I’m doing this for ya’ll and over the last year I’ve really studied my errors in previous battles and corrected certain faults I had and improved! Trust Me I’m a Different Breed Now and I thank ya’ll(The Fans) cuz it was ya’ll who pushed me to get to where I am now!!!!

******************Brooklyn Waddup????**************************

That’s whats up homie thanks for taking the time to do this and hopefully we can catch up with you in the future!

Official "Matty: The Documentary" Trailer

The Official Trailer for the "Matty: The Documentary".
Produced and Directed by: Burns in the City Productions


Check www.ThisisMatty.com for more info of when and where you'll be able to see the entire documentary!!!!

Illmaculate, G Force - Lay it Down

Illmaculate and producer G Force link up for THE GREEN TAPE. Peep the track/vid below and stay tuned for more to come!

Lay It Down - The Video from AIS on Vimeo.

(source: http://gravityhits.com/)

Go Peep Matty and Luck One Live in Action Sat. June 19th. ALL AGES

INTERVIEW WITH CONFUSION AND ABSYRD AKA NEAT FREAKS

Yo whats up NeatFreaks? Introduce yourselves and how

you 2 got working together for the people who don’t know:

Well... myself being such a networking

person i got at Confus?on on twitter he sent a

beat, I enjoyed the vibe we talked about cd now were just finshing up our ep "Just Watch Me…&Him"

Confus?on- From there it’s history…

Absyrd you’ve been battling on Grindtime and recently battled Canadian Sketch Menace, what do you think about the talent in Canada?

Serious Canada is the perfec

t spot for this battle shit theres so many emcees from canada i cant even keep up... as for battling sketch dude was super dope and i was proud to be offered one of the best canadians to face. Organik has a great thing going for his self and the league much much respect to them

What’s next for you in the battle circuit?

june 19th im facing Kodyack which will be super dope in my boy Ghambits league big ups to GSB

july 10th im facing LA vet Aspect 1 dude is also very ill this has to do with my league Assault and Battling

from there see u BOLA 4 and MOB 2

How would you describe your style?

i feel im me.. i dont hold back about alot stuff i just let the beat create my style one word i use most often FAT

Confus?on, how long have you been producing for and what are your weapons of choice?

I been producing for a little over 3years, started learning around 13. I’m 17 now. I use the MPC2000XL, a lot of vinyl, and two Numark turntables.

What projects do you two have in the work?

We have an EP coming out July 20^th

called “Just Watch Me…&Him EP” It has about 6 songs on there. This will be our introduction and follow up to our LP

Are you mainly focused on getting your material out or have you both been working solo as well?

We are mainly focusing on NeatFreaks material. Just trying to put out this EP and show people who we are as a group. I (Confus?on) had been working on a solo album but it’s on hold till this EP drops.

Absyrd- I have a mixtape droping with HUGE features but that is on hold it will be for free for all you scum bags who are broke.

Do you guys usually work together and work the beats and lyrics at the same time or do you (Confus?on) make the beats and Absyrd just get on and do his thing?

Something like that… I usually do the beat and send it over and Absyrd will just do his thing on it or sometimes I’ll have an idea for the beat and I’ll let Absyrd know and we’ll work it out. We have good chemistry..lol

Confus?on who are your top 3 producers right now?

Man that’s hard….. I would have to say Marco Polo, DJ Premier, and Surock. Im really digging the stuff Marco Polo is doing right now with all the Duck Down artist. Big ups to him!

Absyrd who are 3 mc’s you think are unfuckwithable?

Biggie, Eminem, 2 pac

Confus?on+Absyrd+Who=Classic?

Confus?on+Absyrd+Kool Keith=Classic

If it wasn’t hip hop what you two do be doing career wise?

Well I(Confus?on) would probably still be playing Basketball, that’s what I was doing before I fell in love with Hip Hop.

Id probably buy out a burger king and raise my kids there..

Plug your info, how can fans find you?

www.twitter.com/Confusion2010

www.twitter.com/absyrd

www.lifeisabsyrd.com

www.assaultandbattling.info

www.centralcali.com

Thanks a lot for doing this interview homies, any final words for the peeps?

Yeah for promotion me and Absyrd are going around punching kids in the stomach and writing NeatFreaks on their forheads

^^^^ THIS -

Thanks for doing this once again guys!

shouts to you fam..-NF

NeatFreaks - "Cali"

Caust Draven - "Bottom 2 Da Top (Prod. By Confus?on)"

INTERVIEW WITH 'PH'

What up

Pumpkinhead! I’ve been listening to your music for a few years but introduce yourself to the people who don’t know about you!

What up world this is ya boy PH MCMI/TEAM HOMI/FYL/Streetgrind ETC...

Are you looking to line up a battle for any up coming events?

I have a battle sept. 4th in Miami against someone from another time zone can't spill the beans on it just yet , shout to Kap Kallous GTFL Prez. and July 31st I will be facing another agressive and formidable opponent in NYC can't say yet either lol shouts to GTEC prez Poisen Pen for hooking that up . July 11th i'm in the EOW MC challenge of Champions so yeah ya boy is back in beastmode.

You are a legend in the underground, how long have you been rapping for and how many cd’s do you

have out?

I been rapping for 20 years about and have released about 11 to 12 projects albums and mix cd's combined. And for the record i do not consider myself a legend i might say it on track for braggin sake but man Guru was Legend REST IN POWER AND FUCK SOLAR.....

What have you been up to? Any projects on the go?

I am working on 2 albums like i said 1 is BBTV Brooklyn Battery Tunnel Vision and I got another experimental album style and sound wise called Fabulous Freebird shouts to St. Joe Louis who helped me in the creative process of that project and My boy Chordz

Is Brooklyn Academy still together and have anything in the works?

Nah Brooklyn Academy are no longer a group and will never be do to personal reasons but Met aka Marc Bars is still making music me and him rocked something for BBTV and Will Tell rocks with Sadat X now as a DJ/Producer and they have a Youtube show called True Wine Conisseurs and it's dope ya'll should check that out.

Who have been some of your favorite people to work with out of all the heavy hitters you’ve done tracks with?

Off Top I gotta say Talib Kweli i have know that man since we were like 8 or 9 so it was dope to finally lay down heat with him over that Illmind beat , Jean Grae that's my sis all day , Aceyalone , Murs , Del , Vinnie Paz.

For the people who haven’t heard, can you explain why you took a step back from the GT East Coast Presidency position?

Man listen get all those misconceptions out of ya head it was not all because of the Cortez and DNA situation with Lush although it added to the frustration on how it was handled on both parts but they all my family at the end of the day. I had real life things to take care of music to finish , which is the most important factor the Music i had 2 albums half way finished on the shelf time to complete em , and mind you when i stepped down i told everyone from Drect to Posion Pen that i didn't know if it was permanent or not i just had too many obligations and very little time so you never know.

So a lot of folks have talked shit and hated on rapmusic.com in my mind haters give you more views and you must be doing something right. A lot of people also say that or the drama that popped off between Cortez and DNA and not being able to make it to MOB are reasons you took a step back from being president of the GT East Division.

I love RM it's entertaining at the end of the day any one who talks shit on their would not say it to anyones face so when people talk shit i egg em on they sleep on me like the boy can't throw hands and it's funny and one of my civic duties as a civilian and no longer being GTEC prez i can check certain people who went to far but shouts to my real niggas on RM Goon Squad holla at me Foreman.



Which battle was the most fun for you? I thought you vs Dizaster was really good on both parts

Dizaster vs. PH classic he did his thing i hated him before we battled and we actually are cool we still argue over who won that battle of course he thinks he did lol. But doing research on that fool was fun being it was the first time i did anything like that i was googling his last name did research on the Lebanese culture and then i found the infamous 4:56 SECONDS clip by the way ya'll rappin ass niggas stop using that skeme i'm the orginator you see dumb used which made sense cause he battled me although it didn't hit nearly as hard as my version did , but the rest of ya'll stop it!

So you know we gotta keep this interviews poppin, the people wanna know, whats up with the Tall T situation homie?

Who ?

If you could pick 3 battles you’d like to see? Plus one 2 on 2 battle?

Dna vs. Dizaster, A-Class vs. Thesaurus for scribble sakes , Troy Brown vs. Kid Caustic, and 2V2 Me and Drect vs. Syd Vicious and Sonny Bamboo lol

Take the time to plug you info for the fans to find you and your music:

Well music you can always find on myspace though i have not updated it in a minute oh go to MCMIREPORT.COM that's My website we have the Brooklyn's Finest Mix cd for free download and there is a link on the site for the Punch your Mic Around T-shirts And GTEC tee's and other designs that are dope that my boy Lr Blitzkrieg hooked up . Oh and you can DL my mix cd My Era No Skinny Jeans allowed on www.2dopeboyz.com shouts to shake and Meka


If there is anything else you want to touch base on it’s open mic time:

cool i'll be starting a website soon for abused mothers who's sons or daughters yell at them and then make a profit on youtube off of it let's stop the child on mother violence ya'll . And look out for the Team Homi Mix cd we are gonna start working on that in time for July 31 st

hopefully Team Homi for those who don't know is Swave Sevah , Ike P, Amzilla , Me , Cortez ,Royalty , and from what Swave has informed me he threw Charlie Clips down like last week or so.

Throw out some last words for our viewers.

It's not the Bomb to Beat ya mom. and stop watching me bitch ass niggas watch oprah . Oh and the Team Homi Slogan ------ YOU PUSSY !!

Peep the jams Pumpkinhead provided us with as well:
Fiyakrakaz

Clips

Popular Demand freestyle

Scenario remix Pumpkinhead, Copywrite , Homeboy Sandman , Archrival , Marvwon

Two Cortez drops from Exception to the Rule

Cortez releases two more tracks from that Exception to the Rule mixtape dropping soon
Peep them:



"GET 'EM OFF ME"



Cortez and Math Hoffa - Get Low





Talk that shit by Cortez produced by Cheboogy

Cortez, D.N.A, D. Chamberz - The Statement

Exclusive drop from Cortez.

These 3 MC's get together on a sick beat and each rip it with their own flows.

Dope shit. Holler at them on twitter with some feedback

@Cortez_HSP @DChamberz_SCH @DNA2K10

Lawz Spoken Remix - Mr. Slow Flow by Evidence

Lawz Spoken brings you a remix of Evidence's Mr. Slow Flow. A great beat and track. Roll up and chill to this shit!

Download Link ----> HERE

Go over to Lawz Spoken's site and peep more of his work! http://lawzspoken.com/

INTERVIEW WITH DAIN

What's poppin Dain, how you been homie, what's been good with you?

Not much man, just living and working on new tunes.


What have you been workin on?
Well currently I'm working on a new record for a label in Vancouver B.C, Canada. It's still in the early parts but it is coming a long well. Not sure if I'll have any guest features. If you look at my catalog you'll notice I don't do many guest spots.

So for those who don't know, not only do you rap, but you produce as well. When did you getstarted doing both?

Rapping I've been doing since 2003. At first I did not want to make beats. I looked down on those who did both. My theory was this, if I am going to rap, then I will stick with rapping. I felt it was way too many folk trying to do both. I wanted to perfect my writing the best way I could. Then around 2005/6, I started to look for original beats because you can only rock over someone else instrumentals for so long. But the locals (pdx) were charging like 600 and 700 dollars. Not only did I not have the money to afford that, but the beats weren't even worth the asking price. So I saved up money for a few months and got an MPC1000 because it was the cheapest one at the time. I had no clue what I was doing but it all boiled down to this, either pay for wack beats or make my own wack beats. Clearly I chose to make my own.


If you had to choose between rapping/producing, do you think that you could choose?

Honestly?! Yes, I'd choose rapping. Sure there are a lot of rappers in the world. But not nearly half of them put out quality music. It's definitely enough beat makers with nice sounding material. I'd just have to find someone who would believe in me and work on an album lol.


You have thousands of posts on rapmusic.com, how long have they been posted on that site?

LOL, man I've been on rapmusic since October of 2002. My original name was "supremEmcee"

hahaha. Corny as all hell, but I thought it was just the dopest name. Its really not that difficult to get a lot of posts on that site. Especially back in the day. You could have a simple convo with someone and that could be 50 posts in only 20 minutes or so. And for a long long time I was on rapmusic everyday faithfully lol. Shout out to Jeff by the way, he's been running that site since 1999!


So I heard you just recently moved to Vancouver, how you likin it out here so far?
Its temporary. But I guess it isn't that bad. To be honest, there's nothing to do lol. All I see are old folk in my neighborhood and Russians. Don't be fooled though, this is certainly not my final stop (sorry vancouverans).


For those who don't know, you are a big Kobe Bryant fan. Why do you think that Lakers are going to win the championship this year?
Yes, I am VERY much a Kobe fan. And I feel the Lakers will win this year for the same reason I think they'll win it every year. Because Kobe makes those men work hard. Now, how well that translate during the game is one thing. But you can always bet that Kobe will let them know when they are messing up and vice

versa. That team has a great chemistry when they are all on one accord.


Could you name your top 5 all time rappers? If not, don't stress.

But of course. In no order; Black Thought, Mos Def, Redman, Jay-Z and Biggie


Now is the time to plug any upcoming shows, projects, or events you are working on to let people know what is to come

Well I'm doing the Neck Brace tomorrow (June 16, 2010) at the Someday Lounge with Exile, DaveNotti, Theory Hazit, DJ Flip Flop and Xperiment. Should be a nice evening. Projects wise, only the album for Wandering Worx (whattup Canada!) and that's it. I was suppose to do an EP but some things happened and unfortunately I'm not able to do so. That's it really.


Good lookin on stoppin through to do an interview with me homie.

No problem thun!


Any last words for the fans/viewers?

Yes, if you are a rapper, start learning how to make beats. Believe me, it'll save you money. Also, if you do not like Kobe Bryant then you're in denial. He is the closest thing we're gonna get to Jordan for a very very very very VERY long time (no, lebron wont come close).

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.

Chase Moore in the lab with the Fresh Coast All Star line up!

INTERVIEW WITH TROX

We got the One and Only Trox Diesel wit us kickin it !! whats good wit u homie? how you been my friend?

Been good, a little hungover but I'm livin.


That is whats up my G tell world about Trox Diesel!!

Where to start... I'm a music producer from the southeast side of Portland repping Executive Branch. Shoutout to the big homey Cool Nutz for helping the kid turn his passion into a career... Shoutout to the homeys Lawz Spoken and Stalemate too. Together we formed Chain Gang Music around late '08.


Man u have been killin the game you are by far one of the illest producers out there...you got any new projects your workin on?

Too many of them haha... I got a project with Epp from TxE called "The Pavement" that we plan on releasing hopefully early Fall. Epp is just one of those dudes that will go off on any kind of beat you throw at him; he has a good ear and is versatile. Easily top 3 in the town right now.

Of course Cool Nutz and I are working on a project together too, which will be very monumental for the town. It's always a humbling experience working with the triple OG of the town you're from, because there's always something new that I learn after every meeting.
Last but surely not least I'm working on my album called The Small Hands Project that I hope to release the first or second quarter of 2011. That's all I'm gonna say about it for now...


Also you have won a couple Beat Battles in the Grindtime NorthWest Events!!What do you think about Beat Battles?

Beat battles are fun, man. They give the producer a chance to play their shit loud in a club environment. I love the competitive atmosphere about them because it gives me a chance to brag and talk shit. At the same time, you can't be battling your whole career. When it's all said and done, it's all about making good music and the right connections to further advance your career.
With all that said, I might just be a judge for the next Grind Time NW battle, but we'll see how everything pans out...


For along time i have heard talk about a Trox & 9DM album !!! WHATS UP WIT IT?

Hahahaha... It's coming. Don't worry kids. Y'all will hear something from us very soon...

Also what got you into making beats? Since you started how has your style evolved since you've started?

I started off drumming in the second grade. Loved drumming, kinda regret quitting it now that I think about it. Started to DJ in middle school then found out that wasn't really for me. Then I discovered the wonders of Fruity Loops and the rest is history...

I used to make hella fake ass Heatmakerz beats back then.

Robotic ass drums with pitched up samples and shit. After learning how to play keys by myself in high school, I started to develop a sound. The MacBook Pro that I have now was my graduation present so I downloaded Reason and really started to get my own style together. I don't lock my drums in at all now, unless I'm making some 808 shit. Reason has definitely given me my rhythm. The ASR10 with Logic is what I use now because I can finally get the sound I've always wanted: dirty and warm, but CLEAN.

Who have you been working with and how do you decide who you want to work with?

Of course I've been working with Cool Nutz and Epp a lot, as I've said earlier. I also have tracks with Illmaculate, Sapient, Luck One, Krizz Kaliko, Fashawn, Braille, and more coming soon...
Can't really say how I do business tho. Usually whoever comes up to us with the dough.


Bro "Small Hands Big Slaps" was a savage work of art how long did it take you to put that togther?

That took me about a month to pick which beats I wanted on the tape. It took about two, 4-hour sessions with DJ Flipflop to mix it.


Name 3 people you want to produce a track for!!!! and why?

1. T.I. - He always has a good ear for beats and he's become one of the most versatile MCs from the south in a long time.
2. Ghostface Killah - That dude's always been hilarious to me. He's had some of the most quotable lyrics of all time. I'd love to hear some of his one-liners over my production.
3. Snoop - Just to say that I've worked with Snoop... He's one of the biggest all-time characters in hip-hop.

Also i know u be watchin grindtime and battles i have seen u at events!! Do you think the saying battle rappers can't make good music is being proven wrong by this new generation of mc's

coming up?

Honestly, no. There are still a lot of battle rappers that either don't make music, or make god awful music. Won't say any names but a lot of these battlers sound like they're actually battling in their music. Don't get me wrong though, there are still some battle rappers that make quality music... Shoutout to Illmac, 9DM, Marvwon, and everyone else I forgot...

Thats whats up homie Well i just want you and everyone else to know Figure of Speech/UTAGM

Fucks wit the Homie Trox All day!!!(No Homo) And much love for comin threw hold shit down my G.

No doubt my dude. Always a pleasure.

Well MR Trox Diesel plug ur info where folks can find you!!! (twitter/myspace/facebook/website) all that good shit

Follow me on twitter @iamTROX ... Go download my beat tape Smallhandsbigslaps Vol. 1 at

http://trox.bandcamp.com ... Like me on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/TROX-Diesel/17600246066?ref=search ... Fuck a myspace!

Any last words for the Viewers?

Fuck the Lakers!


Also hit up Kingcoolnutz@gmail.com if any of you rappers are lookin for them fire ass Trox beats!!!!
Peace