www.westsiderap.com is bringing to you an exclusive interview with Sacramento artist Loki
Loki, introduce yourself to the folx out their, let'em know where you're from.
I hail from Sacramento, California... came over here from Hawaii in ‘84... started up as an mc, on the serious level, in 1990... dropped a hit song with Brotha Lynch Hung on Master P’s "West Coast Bad Boyz II" called "Datz What I Said" & been focused on the music ever since. I dropped a solo record in 2000 called "Illegitimati" which was well received critically.
How'd you get the name Loki?
I chose it just fucking around & it stuck... you know how that goes.
"21 Gun Salute" dropping July 27th. Tell me about the album. Who'd you work with on this project regarding features and production?
I worked with a lot of producers, Lynch, Phonk Beta, my boy Speakeasy, DJ Epic, Daluca, Elemental, E-Moe & myself. We all collaborated on various songs putting the record together, there’s a real diverse feel in the music. As for MC's, I got Lynch & Zagg on there as well as some new cats, Calico 101 & Loco Ricc, that y’all ain’t heard of yet. I’ll tell you this, I’m ten times happier with this record than I am with "Illegitimati." That should tell you of the caliber of this record.
Why the name "21 Gun Salute?"
Years ago I did a song called "21 Gun Salute" for this Sac-Town compilation called "Who Put Sac On The Map?" Ever since then I occasionally hear from people "Lloki, you got to put that song on your new record." Everyone insists it’s a classic though I don’t, I feel the song had flaws but I’m my own worst critic, ask anybody. It’s a song I will feature on my mixtape "That Bastard: Re-Mixed & Re-Mastered" but I held the title for this next solo record.
How does this project differ from your debut "Illegitimati?"
It’s harder, it’s more personal, it’s deeper, it’s musically more diverse in it’s sound. Recording your first record, you don’t really understand what you’re doing. I knew what I wanted this time and I got it.
What's your favourite track off "21 Gun Salute" and why?
If I had to pick just one I’d say "The Memorial." It’s a song that’s real & real personal and it captured my state of mind at the time perfectly. I’m shooting a video to it, and believe me, there’s nothing about the song that says "Music Video." I mean it’s down-tempo, there’s no room in it for bling-bling or eye candy, it’s hardcore, but at my level in the game you don’t have to worry about that shit. Other songs that deserve mention are "Fuck It, Then," "Good Riddance" and "John Does & Ho-Cakes."
What's next for you after this project? Are you going to tour?
First I’m going to promote. That means in-stores, flyers, posters, magazine ads, a video and internet hustling. Then yeah, I’ll do shows, how many and if as a tour remains to be seen. Then I release "That Bastard: Re-Mixed & Re-Mastered" on my own label, AnyGhetto Records. Then there’s the next project, “The McCoy Gang."
Tell us about those 2 projects. "Tha Bastard" you said is a mixtape you're doing but what's "The McCoy Gang?"
"The McCoy Gang" is my next full-length record. It’s all the songs and all the collaborations I’ve wanted to make but couldn’t fit onto a solo record. It’s all the cats I been wanting to fuck with aswell, minus some of the bigger names out there. We’ll see.
Why have you chosen to start your own label, Any Ghetto Records? Is it completely different from Siccmade or is it a branch of it?
It’s both. It’s my own thing but it’s got Lynch’s blessing & support. Basically with AnyGhetto I’m going to be able to focus on some things that I can’t expect out of a record label that’s got a full roster of artists to release & promote, etc. There’s only so much you can do with one label. AnyGhetto will be my own outlet.
How would you describe your style?
I don’t like to. Style limits you. Whatever it takes to get the message across. Call it real chop... AnyGhetto... whatever. I’m a lyricist and I prefer substance over style.
How'd you hook-up with Lynch and Siccmade?
Lynch and I met in ‘91 & we clicked, been working together ever since. Siccmade came years later as a label, but it’s a lot of the cats we were all fucking with from day one. It’s really just family and to tell the truth, when it comes to trust, once fame & notoriety come into play, people want to fuck with you for they own reasons. So you have to sometimes go back to the folks you’ve always known.
Who are some of the artists that you would like to work with in the future?
Scarface, Above The Law, M.O.P, The Beatnuts, Eminem, Ludacris, Chino XL... to name a few. Not too mention a lot of local cats I’m feeling but I assume your question is directed on the national scene.
Name some of the local ones.
Hollow Tip, Dame, Droop, Gangsta Dre, Luni Coleone, Dubb Sak, P-Folks, Polo, Devious, X-Raided... we got a lot of talent out here now.
How about producers?
Epic & Speakeasy first off, they did wonders for "21 Gun Salute," another local boy Baby Bubb. Also Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Neptunes, Rick Rubin, The Beatnuts and DJ Premier.
What's your opinion on the Sacramento rap scene right now? Their's a lot of cats releasing albums over the next few months.
I remember when it was just Lynch, C-Bo, Raided, myself just getting into the game, and a few others. Now it’s a whole cottage industry. Those cats that shine to me are Hollow Tip, Dame, Gangsta Dre, X-Raided still and some others. This is all good but I feel like Sacramento won’t make it to the big leagues until we correct some of our practices, like re-releasing the same songs on 5 different compilations & everybody expecting hand-outs & the ‘playa price.’ The tone that Black Market set didn’t help but now it’s time to move on.
What about the West Coast in general? Why do you think the industry has put the West on the backburner for the last 7-8 years? And what do you think the West has to do to come back up and shine?
I think the industry, as you put it, is very conservative by nature. Yeah there’s a lot of excess & flash on the surface but when a black titty flops out during the SuperBowl the shit hits the fan. No reprimand at the whiteboy, mind you, who’s whole tone in that number was not sexual so much as predatorial, aggressive, towards Janet, but it’s a world of shit for her for bearing it. Don’t mistake me for a conspiracy nut but there’s grand-dragons running shit in the industry who didn’t like seeing their grand-sons banging in Little Rock and their grand-daughters shaking that ass. The West Coast was a threat and we are very confrontational & it set people off. The murder of one of our greatest icons, Tupac Shakur, sent a very clear message. You got to recognize that when millions and millions of dollars are at stake there will be power brokers and king-makers up in the game fighting for control of that money. We scared the shit out of some people and they ain’t forgot that. They handed the yoke back to the East Coast. Also, our culture assimilated into the mainstream very fast. I mean you got Lowriders on the streets of Tokyo, you got East Coast cats sporting bandanas, ya git me? Not to get territorial over who created the style first cause that would be meaningless, but the West Coast has in some ways become the World Coast and has influenced a lot of other cultures. So it may not even be an issue of shining again, the beacon may be too big now. As for answers, it’s hard to say. One thing I know above all else is this, if you got quality shit, IT’S QUALITY. Nothin can take away from that. So I’m focused on making quality music, hardcore, banging, catchy, real deal shit, real chop. The rest will follow.
Thanx for doing the interview Loki. Any final words for your fans out their?
Be on the lookout for Siccmade & AnyGhetto in 2005. Cop my new joint "21 Gun Salute" and get ready for "Loki: That Bastard Re-Mixed & Re-Mastered" and up next "The McCoy Gang." There’s other shit in the works but I won’t put them out there until it’s a done deal. And much love to all of my fans who really keep the shit crackin. 2005’g gonna be our year.
Anmelden
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