Me: June 2nd is the release of Suicide Music, what’s your angle on this? Niggas gonna kill themselves when you drop?
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: Something like that (lol.) I don’t condone the practice of suicide per se, but if some weaklings feel froggy enough to jump after they hear the record, so be it…
I’d love to see the majority of rappers kill themselves after hearing it for real.
Me: There are a lot of wack rappers out there that may need to go…
“And decrease the surplus population” ©Scrooge
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: Exactly
Me: I like the idea of the notes - that’s different… you’re different… what do you think people will think when reading these?
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: I just wanna build the buzz slowly but surely. People always catch on to what I’m doing late so I figure by the time the album drops, if all goes well, I will have dropped at least 6-7 notes… but I’m really working hard on coming up with innovative ways to promote this record. I just don’t believe in doing the same old, same old.
Me: So far I’ve heard “BANG” and “No Regrets.”
One thing that stood out to me immediately was the lines
“I hate fuckin’ labels so I made a fuckin’ label- force feed you fucks like take this fuckin’ label.” I’m gonna go out on a limb and say there’s a couple meanings there. Break that down for the slow types.
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: Well, I’m an anti-industry dude for the most part… I’m just not into the overall fakeness and the way the industry works. During the time when I recorded “BANG” especially; I was feeling like ‘fuck these labels I’ll start my own’ –“Strength In Numbers Music”… the foundation has been laid.
I plan on really going in with that heavily after my artist duties are done.
Me: Are you looking for artists? Should we have everybody send you their demos?
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: I’ve been looking for artists for a few years, but a certain kind… Some “special” artists…as for demos I don’t know if anybody does “demos” now, ha.
Me: What makes an artist ‘special’? How do they capture your attention?
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: Originality… that certain “it factor”
I mean, I know some very talented people, but talent alone doesn’t cut it these days. You have to have a variety of other things to bring it all together. This music shit ain’t for the weak-hearted… or the weak-minded.
Me: Who are you really impressed with as of late? Who do you listen to? Who would you co-sign for?
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: impressed with… like, a rapper? Actor, singer, what?
Me: A rapper, or a singer… Hell, actors too. Do you want to act?
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: OK well rap wise: I just not impressed easily. And it’s not me listening as an “artist.” It’s honestly me listening as a former fan of this art form for years…
I really wanna hear some dope music basically, so I check out the message boards, the sites, the blogs, and listen to what people say about whatever “new” artist is hot..
I go check it out and it’s “not” (lol.)
I mean I’ve been giving a lot of sucka emcees a chance because of other people’s co-signs and I came up empty.
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: On some singing shit… Keri Hilson is going in right now. I think she makes good songs, and I hear she’s been a ghostwriter for a while, but I’ve been paying attention to her movement and I like Keisha Cole also. I wanna take her to a nice seafood restaurant and never call her again
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: Acting? Well, I’m overall a major movie/TV dude so that would open a whole ‘nother dialogue for real…but yeah, I plan on finding/hiring a good agent soon and trying to explore the acting thing further.
Me: You’re a very dark dude, I would type cast you killing people and whatnot.
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: I really want to take that seriously, like classes and all that if possible… I don’t wanna be NAS in Belly— so whatever role it is, I want to nail it. But a dark killer type thing, yeah I could pull that off… I already have
Me: Exactly! Even your NAME is dark. I don’t think a lot of people even know the acronym: Life Ends Gradually and Changes You…?!
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: I guess it IS kinda dark when you look at it all typed out (lol.)
I’ve been through some things…pretty close to everything. And I’m still going through things… So until I start seeing sunny days, dew on the grass, flowers and shit- I won’t be making too much happy-go-lucky music.
Me: Yeah, that’s real…So in four weeks- almost three weeks now…Who’re you hoping to see killing themselves? Or would you like to see a trend die?
Like me for example… I hate that “hipster” shit. I can’t wait until it’s over.
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: Man, don’t get me started on that Fruit of The Loom rap shit, for real!
I’ve been trying to just mind my business and not mention other rappers and call out dudes, I just focus on making dope music… that’s what I’ve been on.
But there is some corny shit flooding the underground and [so much] ignorant shit flooding the mainstream. So where does that leave people like me?
Me: What has to be done to bring awareness to good music?
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: Eliminate the label structure… Get some new blood in some of those higher up offices…Shake the staffing up… Get some people in there that will take chances on the dark horses… like how it used to be.
Me: What would you say to somebody who’s never heard you before? Say something to them that would sell them your album. Or what would you play for them?
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: hmm….
It’s not what I would personally want them to hear…I gauge my song popularity from what the people say…. which is usually way different from what I feel or would say.
So yeah, something I heard people say was my best shit.
A lot of true Leg fans bring up rare, older shit, when it comes to that… They pull out “Crouching Writer” a lot, “I Hate Legacy”, or “Imperfect World” 1 &2, “2Sided coin” etc. Its tough- I got some shit in the catalogue.
Me: The irony of “2 sided Coin” is what I mean when I say “dark” as well.
I think people who aren’t afraid to tackle issues head on, or speak candidly, often get labeled as pessimists.
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: Yeah, I suppose so.
Me: What do you want people to take away from Suicide Music?
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: that I am easily one of the most slept on artists of all time, and I don’t get enough credit.
I want people to feel horrible for sleeping on me… I want them to chant my name in the streets, and I want a big parade like at the end of Coming to America.
Me: lol - you’re a hero and yet, a villain…
What do you think about MF Doom?
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: I don’t… Not in a disrespectful way. I’m just not familiar with his work.. I’ve heard people say I should check him out, maybe work with him… I’ve actually heard that a lot recently, but honestly, I can’t name a song by him at all.
Me: … *shock and awe face
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: Yeah that’s how people react when I say that.
Me: I’m gonna send you some of his stuff - the nigga speaks in almost ALL metaphors. And I think you guys have similar dark humor.
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: I get type-cast as to what people think I like or listen to a lot.
Update for the people: I’m not familiar with EVERY rapper or rap song in the world!
Me: I’ve heard you say you don’t listen to a lot of rappers.
I can’t think of another rapper who’d call themselves the Jim Morrison of hip-hop, but then again, I can’t think of many rappers who would know who Jim Morrison is.
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: and they SHOULD.
His writing was some other shit… I’m into words heavy.
Him and Donald Goines with the words- I try and tangle with them.
Me: Alright so- I wanna try this last thing. I will start asking all artists this:
I represent ALL the fans.
What would you like to ask me?
What do you want to know from “the fans”?
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: How could you follow and support this bullshit that keeps surfacing?
How is this rap music coming out relevant? or groundbreaking? or even good’ for that matter?
L.E.G.A.C.Y.: Suicide Music, June 2nd, this is the real deal.
Befriend: Myspace.com/ihatelegacy
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