| | |
|
Straight outta Long Beach
comes an emcee that has released three CDs in the UK in just under a year. A work ethic that maybe some home-grown rappers could learn from! His official mixtapes The Chronicles Of Bigg Steele have propelled Steele into limelight over in the UK with a tour last year including an unforgettable performance at London’s Jump Off, as well as appearances in every single rap publication going from RWD to HHC. We sent Dirty Den to find out what goes on with Steele's focus on the UK market, as well as his thoughts, views and opinions on things Hip-Hop.
Hi Steele, thanks for taking the time out to do this interview with UKHH.Com. First up let’s get a little brief background on you. We hear you were American footballer at some point, as well as roadie for the 2Live Crew. Can you break it down for us?
Yes, I played football. It gave me a lot of discipline at a point in which I needed it a great deal. I hooked up with Mr. Mixx from the 2 Live Crew and he pretty much took me under his wings. Him and Marquise are good friends and mentors of mine till this day.
You are originally from Cleveland you moved to Long Beach when you were younger. How have you found California and the independent music industry there?
European producer Polar Bear produces your beats. How did you hook with him and how did this working relationship start?
I met PB through QD3, (Quincy Jones Son) Years ago. We hooked up later on at one of my shows in Mexico and it went from there. The first joint we ever went to the studio and did wound up on the radio, so we just kept it crackin.
So do you both run the label Street Currency Records? Who else is involved and who distributes the label in the US?
Street Currency is our production company that we both have a stake in. As far as the US goes, we are fielding offers from 2 or 3 major labels now. It will happen if these dudes give me the deal I am seeking. I will under no circumstance sign an artist deal and make less money than I’m making now just to be more famous. That’s hustling fucking backwards!
The mixtapes The Chronicles Of Bigg Steele have done big things in the UK. How have they been received back home in the States?
Any plans for a Volume Three?
Yeah, Volume three will be the prequel to Cereal & Water. I’m taking the series to five and will take a break at that point from it.
‘Size Duz Matter’ was a very impressive debut album. How long did it take to record, how did you go about making it and how would you describe this album?
It took us about 3 months to record that album. It’s a party album, much different from 'cereal & water'. At the time with the climate in hip hop being what it was, we came with a fun album.
Your new album 'Cereal And Water' is planned for release soon. Can you tell us a bit about it who features on there, when does it get a full release and what do you think are the killer tracks?
I have Ne-Yo, Juice, Dirty Birdy, Dr. Stank & Spit-Fiya on the album, as well as my homie young Maylay, you might know him as CJ from the Grand theft auto video game San Andreas. Spit-Fiya has a album coming out on Interscope executive produced by Will-I-Am. Juice is one of the most respected rappers in the world that once beat Eminem in a battle , Dirty Birdy & Stank are fam and Super tight lyricist. The album will be out in Late Feb 2007 and it’s a classic!
Do you have an official release date for this album?
The West Coast seemed to drop off after Tupac's death and the collapse of the mighty Deathrow Records. Do you think that Los Angeles will ever explode again like it did before?
The West never really went anywhere. These radio stations just need to get off the old regimes dick and give some light to some new people. That’s a major problem.
Every region has there time. The ball will bounce this way really soon.
Apart from the obvious like Dogg Pound, The Game, Snoop, MC Eiht and Dr. Dre, who is really hot in L.A right about now?
G.Malone, Spit-Fiya, Homeless Nation, Roccet, Dr. Stank, and a slew of others and of course... Me ha, ha, ha!!! Its some fools that think they are hot, but until they sell units they ain’t shit. Just because the radio plays your shit don’t make you official
It ain’t a scene; you gotta create your own.
So let’s talk about your connection with Altered Ego and the whole Bigg Steele in the UK subject! With no disrespect, how did a totally unheard of rapper in the UK get a deal to release albums through one of the UK's hottest distribution companies?
I’m a fisherman. I go where the fish are biting. And if the waters on one side of the world are flooded with boats, I’m gonna go where there is less traffic and the lanes are wide open. You have to remember your talking to a guy who has been on his own since 15; I know how to make shit happen. I pretty much bugged the shit out of em until they believed in my cause hahaha. I’ve made altered ego a lot of money, so the relationship has been mutually beneficial.
What did you think of the UK and its Hip-Hop scene?
Are you concentrating on any other territories?
Japan, Australia, Germany, Russia. Any where with CD players and Ipods. If they sold records on mars, I would be there.
In the time you have been in the game of Hip-Hop what would you say your biggest achievement is?
Buying my first home off this shit! And really branding my name.
West Coast Hip-Hop has always had a big following in Japan. Have you ever been or have any plans to play there?
Will you be returning to the UK soon for more promotional work and live shows?
September I should be out there with Big Syke and The Outlaws.
|
© ukhh.com 2006
Bigg Steele Interview
In California, You have to give it up to the Bay. Their Indie scene is ridiculous! In Southern Cal where I’m at, you have cats looking more to get hooked up or signed to a major label rather than putting in work. Me myself, I’m a whole different breed. I started out years ago selling CDs hand to hand and it perpetuated to where it is now. The hustle is in my blood.
I don’t sell them in the States because there is really no benefit. All they do here is bootleg shit, and I’m not into lining other grown men’s pockets.
I’m planning for the last week of Feb, 2007
Whats the scene like out there? What radio stations, mixtape DJs and clubs are there?
The UK scene is dope. There is a lot of talent, those guys need to stop thinking that there is something in the states that they don’t have in there own backyard.
Me, DJ Coke-E and Hi-C Just did 6 sold out shows there last month. I’m going back out there in December.
Related Links:
