BLACKALICIOUS INTERVIEW with GIFT OF GAB (27th May 1999)

1) WHERE HAVE YOU GUYS BEEN SINCE THE "MELODICA" EP IN 93/94...?
Since then we've been working hard on 'NIA'. The album sort of sums up all of our experiences in those couple of years in terms of stuggle and growth, and there has been alot of that in the past years mentally, physically, spiritually, and artistically. So I guess the answer to the question is GROWTH.

2) DID YOU EVER EXPECT MELODICA TO HAVE RECEIVED AS MUCH ACCLAIM AS IT DID AND STILL DOES...?
I really didn't know what to expect. Of course you want people to appreciate what you do and it is a good feeling to receive so much acclaim. But I can't really get caught up in that when I'm creating. I just try to focus and do my best.

3) WILL YOU BE ROCKIN THE MELODICA CLASSICS LIVE IN AUSTRALIA...?
Without a doubt!

4) WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT OZ...?
Latyrx and Shadow told me it was a blast and a place they'll never forget. Other than that I've only seen things on TV about it. I'm really looking forward to coming out so I can experience it first hand.

5) CONSIDERING NOT MUCH LIVE HIP-HOP GETS TO AUSTRALIA, IT'S PRETTY GOOD THAT BOTH SHADOW AND LATYRX FROM YOUR CREW, QUANNUM HAVE BOTH TOURED HERE AND NOW YOU GUYS GET TO COMPLETE THE CYCLE...
Definately. I heard we have a lot of love out there. Like I said I'm excited about the tour.

6) I HEAR YOU HAVE A FEMALE VOCALIST COMING ON TOUR TO AUSTRALIA...
Yes. Erin Anova. She's very talented and brings a whole new chemisrty. Her and Xcel also have a group together.

7) TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE NEW EP, 'A2G'...
A2G is where we've evolved to. We're still Blackalicious. we can make lyrical songs or we can be introspective, and tell stories. It's really no limit actually. But A2G is also a prelude to our album, 'NIA'.

8) THERE SEEMS TO BE A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE AND A MATURITY FROM THE LAST EP...?
I think its just from growing in life and getting older and wiser with time.

9) WHAT'S YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THE CURRENT STATE OF HIP-HOP MUSIC AND THE INDUSTRY...?
I'd like to see the more talented groups get more exposure. Not to knock the comercial groups because they got to make a living, but it seems like the innovators are always overlooked by the masses because these record companies aren't interested in what's creative, they're only interested in what can be marketed and sold.

10) DO YOU FEEL THERE IS A DAWNING OF A NEW CONSCIOUSNESS IN HIP-HIP LYRICISM AND AWARENESS WITH GROUPS LIKE: DEAD PREZ, LAST EMPEROR, TALIB KWELI ETC...?
Definately. I think there are always groups like that around and I think that kind of rap will have it's day again because sooner or later gangsterism and jiggyism is gonna be played out.

11) WHAT'S UP WITH THE NEW QUANNUM/SPECTRUM RELEASE...?
With that we wanted to showcase all our groups coming out. (Latyrx, Shadow, Blackalicious, Joyo Velarde, Moorons) in the future as well as work with artists we really respect and have always wanted to work with, (EL-P, Souls of Mischief, Jurassic 5, Divine Styler...) It's good cause we got the chance to experience with other chemistries outside of our own.

12) HOW DID YOU HOOK UP WITH THE MOWAX LABEL...?
James Lavelle (label owner) got word of Shadow, came out, hooked up with him and signed him. Through Shadow he heard our music, we hooked up and the rest is history.

13) DO YOU THINK THE MOWAX LINK HAS HELPED THE BLACKALICIOUS AWARENESS OUTSIDE OF THE USA...?
Definately. We released Melodica overseas first and basically MoWax manifested Blackalicious awareness outside USA.

14) WHAT'S THE PROCESS OF SONG CONSTRUCTION BETWEEN LYRICS AND PRODUCTION...?
Most of the time Xcel will do the beat first, shoot it to me, and I'll write to the beat, or sometimes vice-versa: or sometimes we'll just be in the studio vibing and come up with and complete a whole song in one night.

15) WHAT MUSIC/ARTISTS ARE YOU LISTENING TO OR INSPIRING YOU AT THE MOMENT...?
Curtis Mayfield, Bob Marley, BlackStar, Common, Pharoah Monch, and The Roots.

16) AFTER ALL THESE YEARS ON THE INDEPENDENCE PATH WOULD YOU RECOMEND IT TO OTHER GROUPS...?
I think it depends on where they wanna go. I think going independent pays off in the long run because you own your music and creativity, but you have to be in it for the long run and be able to take all the bumps along the way.

17) HOW ARE YOU GUYS RECEIVED IN NEW YORK...?
We get alot of love in New York. We did a show at Wetlands last year and the crowd was really open. Also, I performed at the Lyricist Lounge and was shown mad love. It was cool because at first I didn't know what to expect but it was all gravy train.

18) WHAT CAN PEOPLE HERE EXPECT FROM YOUR AUSTRALIAN SHOWS...?
Raw Hip-Hop, Blackalicious style. Prepare to be captivated.

19) ARE YOU STILL DOWNING A 40 OZ FOR BREAKFAST TO GET YOU THROUGH THE DAYS...?
For the most part, NO.

20) THE NEW LYRICS SEEM TO BE MORE SOCIALLY AWARE AND CONSCIOUS YET AS PERSONAL AND REFLECTIVE AS THE MELODICA DAYS (THAT'S MY VIEW) WHAT'S YOURS...?
I don't really plan how the lyrics are going to be. However I'm feeling or what I'm feeling or thinking about at that time, I express.

21) I HEAR YOU ARE PERFORMING AT THE TIBETAN FREEDOM CONCERT IN SYDNEY...HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE EVER GROWING PERSECUTION OF THE HUMAN MIND, BODY AND SOUL ACROSS THE WORLD...?
I think we are living in a time where at some point it won't be able to get any worse, but I think better days are to follow, you have to experience the worst before you can appreciate the best.

22) COULD YOU COMMENT BRIEFLY ON THE FOLLOWING ARTISTS:
* KRS-ONE
The teacher. I think in terms of rhyme patterns he and Rakim revolutionised the way MCs rhyme today more than anyone.
* DJ SHADOW
He is a genius. Ahead of his time. He's proved just how limitless the world of sampling can be.
* PUFFY
He's doing his thing. Not musically, but business wise. I don't listen to his music, but I can't be mad at him for making his money.
* GARTH BROOKS
I aint really familiar with his stuff.
* SADE
Listening to her is like relaxing in a hot jakuzze in the middle of nature. She puts me on another plane.
* GIL-SCOTT HERON
One of my favorites, very insightful and spiritual and soulful, has that music that sort of takes you back in time.

23) COULD YOU ALSO COMMENT BRIEFLY ON THE FOLLOWING:
* LANDLORDS
Cool until rent is late, but they're just doing their jobs.
* BEER
To me that represents destruction, but that's just to me.
* URB
Good for meditating, relaxing, opening spiritual doors, but too much can work against you.
* CAPITALISM
It sucks!
* MUSIC INDUSTRY
Very political, not enough focus on the art.
* THE HIP-HOP CULTURE
It's good, It's bad, It's everything. It's a way of life.
* KANGAROOS
They're big and they hop and carry their kids in their pouches, can box.
* STAR WARS
I aint seen the new one yet, but Return of the Jedi's one of my all time favorites.
* THE OLYMPICS
The world coming together for a common cause. Beautiful.

24) ANY LASTING COMMENTS...
See you in the land of OZ...

Blackalicious Interview c/- Trent @ SlingshotEvents