CooLikeDat Interview w/ Nefarious!

CLD interviewed @NefTheDamaja, known to the public as Nefarious!.See what the producer  had to say about his latest release, The Dream Theory as well as other topics including The Soul Dojo, weird dreams and more! 

CLD: Who is Nefarious!?

NEF: Nefarious! is a chill ass Producer and Sound engineer from the Bay Area, to put it simply.

CLD: How did you get into producing?

NEF: I was actually a rapper first... I didn't even know how to jack beats off of Soundclick at the time like every other rapper did, so I decided to learn how to make beats myself. Eventually I realized that producing is what I really loved to do and never had any desire to rap ever again.

CLD: Tell us what inspired you to start The Soul Dojo. 

NEF: I had just turned 17 and started getting into reading hip-hop blogs and stuff. At that time, there weren't really any blogs for producers out there yet so I decided to start my own. The name is inspired by my Martial Arts background and it was primarily to get my own music out. I'd put up work by artists I'm affiliated with as well and here we are today. We operate more like a label and brand than just a blog nowadays, but we still promote those that are dope! 

CLD: The Dream Theory was extra smooth. Do you have a favorite song from that project?

NEF: A lot of people dig “The Dreamer”, but I think “Tolerance Break” has to be my favorite... I remixed one of my older joints called "Still You". I like to have fun with it. Put out whatever I want. Creating and not really worrying about what others will think type of thing... Bong rips and all. Self censorship is the worst.

CLD: What is it that you want people to walk away with after listening to your music?

NEF: At the end of the day I just want to move people somehow. Spark some kind of connection between music and memories and the way the listener is feeling. I love it when I hear a song I really liked back in the day and remember things that I thought I've forgotten. Places... faces... The same thing when I listen back on my older work.

CLD: Now let's have some fun...Do you have a favorite movie?

NEF: definitely Fresh or Fear of a Black Hat

CLD: Do you remember the creepiest/craziest dream you've ever had?

NEF: In one dream I remember I could escape into any record sleeve I wanted. Like, the artwork and stuff. That was pretty cool, I think about it all the time now.

CLD: If you could do one thing today, with no matter of the cost, what would you do?

NEF: Can I buy my own album 10 million times and keep the money?

(Fill in the blanks:)

a. I think food when I first wake up.

b. When I was a kid I wanted to be a Power Ranger.

c. Beat jackers annoy the sh*t out of me.

d. I couldn't live without my records

e. Most people don't know this about me but I love liver and onions.

CLD: F*ck one, kill one, marry one: Angelina Jolie, Kim Kardashian, Queen Latifah

NEF: Uhhh... Sorry Queen Latifah :(

CLD: What can we expect from you in the future? 

NEF: More music from me and the rest of the family at The Soul Dojo. We're expanding into other aspects of music, I can't say much but it'll be up at TheSoulDojo.com of course.

CLD: Any "shout outs"?

NEF: Shout out to my family at The Soul Dojo for never letting me down. To all the folks that have supported us over the years and continue to do so (sites like Producers I Know and PotholesIn My Blog, to name a few). And of course, shout out to Sai from CooLikeDat for hitting me up for this interview!

CLD: We here at CooLikeDat.com would like to thank you for this interview and as a last question we always like to ask: what makes you CooLikeDat? 

NEF: I mean, just listen...

Follow @NefTheDamaja on twitter, visit thesouldojo.com to get more info on Nefarious! as well other artists. Download The Dream Theory  right now and check out his latest joint "Still Dreamin'"  below: 

CooLikeDat Interview w/ The 6th Letter

@The6thLetter. We've had a series of back to back interviews in the last couple of weeks, but last week we didn't bring you one. Now we're back to it. We're bringing you the Toronto resident/ herbalist The 6th Letter. Get to know the kid.

CooLikeDat Interview w/ GrandeMarshall

 Philadelphia based E&J sipper @GrandeMarshall did a little Q & A with us. Check out his latest single E&J on CooLikeDat's I'm CooL Compilation Mixtape.  Click Read More For the Interview.

CooLikeDat Interview w/ Robb Bank$

Robb Bank$ (@Tumblrgod) is an up and coming rapper from Southern Florida. Who has a knack for Pokemon Cards & fronts. Last month he released his debut EP Calenders. A little Q & A with the Florida based emcee.

CooLikeDat Exclusive: Interview w/ Joe Cool!

This time around we ask @JoeFnCool a few questions.

CLD: Who is Joe Cool?

JC: I always say Joe Cool is like a characterization of my raw conscience....Joe Cool is intelligent...but at the same time ignorant as fuck....as humans I think that’s how we all are.

CLD: When did you first realize you had a passion for music and wanted to pursue it?

JC: When I first heard "It Ain’t Hard to Tell" off Illmatic. It made me feel so many things at once, I almost lost my mind haha! I was already rapping at that point. I was like 15 or 16 and I just decided that I want to have this feeling forever...and I want to make other people feel this way...Imma go for it.

CLD: Can you name some of your main influences?

JC: Life, Marvin Gaye, Outkast, Eminem, cartoons, my friends, haha.... I don’t know. I have so many influences 

CLD: Congrats on the release of Cooley Hi! Do you have any favorite moments from recording this project?

JC: Thanks! I enjoyed doing this whole thing. My favorite moment I think was listening to the whole thing after it was finished though....and just feeling proud like I never felt before. I was just like damn....this is my baby hahaha.

CLD: Some of our favorite songs were “I Need It All”, “Cheeba”, and “RLCS”. Do you have any favorites?

JC: Damn I’m happy y'all have favorites! haha, but I think my favorites are “Fame” & “MK Ultra”. I felt “Fame” was the perfect song to come out the gate with on the tape, it makes me feel myself...haha. “MK Ultra” is dope to me because it’s a trap sound almost. I just think its dope to be able to make conscience music and then follow up with some simple ass hype shit haha. I just love all sounds of music.

CLD: Now that we know a little about you in reference to your music, do you mind if we get to know you? Hopefully not. So with that being said, when you were a kid what did you want to be when you grew up?

JC: I wanted to be everything! haha. I wanted to be an artist for Marvel Comics in elementary! I actually sent them my art, even though it was more anime'ish. They mailed me back saying it was nice and that I need to graduate high school first. After that I wanted to be a professional wrestler for the WWE! hahaha. Me and 2 of my closest friends would always be getting into trouble in Junior High wrestling and shit.

CLD: Top 3 Movies?

JC:AAAHHH! This is hard yo.  1. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Jim Carey outdid himself acting. 2. Return of the Dragon because I love Bruce Lee movies and was raised on Kung Fu movies. 3. Superbad. Micheal Cera is that nigga, haha. Those are just 3 of my favorites. [Editors note: Those are all awesome choices, haha]

CLD: Complete these sentences. I can’t leave home without my:

JC: Phone!

 

CLD: If I could have 1 Million dollars for only ONE day I would:

JC: Invest it in a company that would make me money when that 1 day is over (loop hole! Haha).

CLD: All I need in this life of sin is:

JC: Me and my headphones

CLD: What can we expect from Joe Cool in the future?

JC: Nobody knows yet...and that’s kind of the cool thing. Just expect some epic music. 

CLD: We here at CooLikeDat would like to thank you for your time and as a last question we always like to ask: What makes you CooLikeDat?

JC: What makes me CooLikeDat is I’m about to listen to Digable Planets after this interview haha! Much love. 

 Follow Joe Cool @JoeFnCool and download Cooley Hi available now.

CooLikeDat Exclusive: Interview w/ Phaze One!

This is an exclusive CooLikeDat Interview @ThisIsPhazeOne Check out this preview and check out the full interview in the March/April Issue of CooLikeDat Magazine! 

     Who Is Phaze One?

-A rapper from London City.

How did you get the name Phaze One

-It means the first step, the first stage. I found regardless what I was doing, whenever I was at that first stage, I had the most drive and most hunger to do well. It's easy to lose that drive after time passes, so Phaze One is about maintaining those attributes you only get at that stage.

Where are you from originally?

-My mum is from Mauritius and my pups is from Dominica. Mixraced is the future right?

How did you get into rapping?

-I think it happened very naturally. I always liked creative things. I used to like drawing but was never good at it. Tried poetry but I didn't enjoy it. I started to write rhymes, felt like it was the only way I could enjoy expressing myself creatively. As soon as I delved into rapping I got hooked, engulfed in it. I had my moment of clarity.

How do you maintain your style of gritty and lyrically rap?

-I think every rapper is a product of who they listen too. I maintain my style by listening to good music, good rappers.

How does it feel to be a part of something that originated in a completely different country from you’re from?

-It's not something I really think about. I think more about the fact that no mc from London has really gone to America and had that massive impact. Slick Rick don't count!

Do you think there is a difference between the state of Hip Hop in London and in the states?

-Not too much. I think everything America does the UK mirrors. The problem with that is the majority of the time America does it first, then we come with a bullshit version of it. We've got our own culture, own accent etc etc, it's cool to take inspiration from others, but if you're not doing you, its never gonna work out.

Who are some of your main influences?

-Biggie Smalls, J Dilla, Madlib, Slick Rick, Pete Rock, Eminem when he made infinite, some old skool Redman, Common and Busta Rhymes. All of the early Deathrow westcoast stuff. I can go on for days!

Do you have a top 5 MC’s List?

-This list changes everyday, its undecided! There are so many factors to consider but I'd say:
- Biggie
- Oldskool Eminem
- Elzhi of Slum Village
- Pharoah monch
- Nas

CooLikeDat Exclusive: Interview w/ Skewby

1.) Who is Skewby?

I'm just a person who loves making music.

2.) Where are you from originally?

I was born in Charleston S.C. I don't remember it at all though. We moved to Memphis when I was 5 so it's really all I know.

3.) Who are some of your inspirations?

Everybody really. Jay, Outkast, UGK, Common, Ye', Arrested Development,  Cash Money, No limit, and the list goes on.

4.) Congrats on the success of "More or Less", do you have a favorite memory from making that project?

Thanks. My favorite memory of the project is finishing it, haha. The last song I recorded was "LaLa". After I finished that I just got in the bed and it was the best feeling in the world. I've been wanting to work on other things for a minute so I was happy to get "More Or Less" completed.

5.) One of my favorite songs is "LaLa", how did you come up with the concept for that song?

It was just the first thing that came to me. I went in the booth and freestyled for about four minutes. Out of those four minutes we kept the part that ended up being the hook. I did that about 6 months ago and did the verses like two weeks ago. It's a fun song.


READ THE REST OF THE INTERVIEW IN THE FIRST ISSUE OF COOLIKEDAT MAGAZINE COMING 1.11.11! 

Big Sean Interview W/ RadioPlanet & DJ Whoo Kid [Video]

"What Sean sound like, Ye protege? Nah he sound like he a pro to me." Big Sean kicks it w/ DJ Whoo Kid to talk about his relationship w/ Kanye, his accomplishments over the last year, where he is going and more.

CooLikeDat Exclusive: Canon is Waiting for Your Attention!

Check out CooLikeDat's featured artist: Canon! 

Who is Canon? (Is that your artist name, if not what is it)

Canon is a guy who has a big vision and a burning desire to make the greatest music possible from this vision. Honestly, it's pretty much all I care about, just making better music from my last song. everything must elevate. I'm constantly elevating, and growing as an artist. 

Where are you from?

Philadelphia. Born in South. Raised in West. Residing in South.

What do you want people to realize with this mixtape? 

I want them to take a small sample of what I have to offer as an artist. Waiting for Your Attention has a real mellow mood to it, just music to chill to. It's actually the first in a series. I'm currently in the beginning stages of making part two. It's gonna be kinda different, but not too far off from this project. No date for when that's gonna come out though. 

who did you work with to make this project?

I recorded at like 4 different places: a couple people's houses in Philly, ALLSMiLES studio in Harlem, and Jazz U Up studio in South Philly. My only feature on there is my homie Vlad. He was on the Light Up freestyle and How We Do It.

Do you have any favorite songs from "Waiting for Your Attention"? 

I feel like they're all great, but my favorite has to be How We Do It. I had fun writing that song, and it's actually alot of people's favorite song on the mix. Feather is my other favorite. Been a huge Little Dragon fan and just to put my own spin on that track was fun.

Shout outs?

Everybody who likes my music, everybody who will like my music, everybody in general. lol.

Download: Waiting for Your Attention now!

Nicki Minaj Openly Addresses Lil' Kim Issue [Audio]

Nicki addresses fully the Lil' Kim situation with Angie Martinez. I saw on twitter earlier that XV was speaking on the subject of Nicki & Kim and I had a little input.
"I know... I shall be bashed for this... I'm from Brooklyn but, I can't ride with Kim @XtotheV speaks the truth as much I'd wanna kick it BK" We respect Lil' Kim and understand that she paved the way. It's definitely an issue of her personal feelings about Nicki. It's as if Kim want's Nicki to revive her career. Original design is not created but, designs that are altered and advanced and that is how artists move foward.

CooLikeDat Exclusive: Interview w/ Koncept!

Who is Koncept?

Koncept is 1 of 4 emcees from the Brown Bag AllStars. Originally from Jackson Heights in Queens, NY, now residing in Brooklyn. An ultimate bar fighting champion, with the energy of a ninja who uses his flying kicks to get his point across. Oh yeah, and I rap.

How did you get into music?

Always been into music. Ma dukes got me my first album (cassette tape, remember those?) when i was 3 years old. Michael Jackson "Bad". Remember dancing to that ish all the time! My moves were fly! haha

Tell us about your latest project.

My latest project: Koncept "Playing Life" EP, first dropped as a 9 track free download. Later released as a Physical CD which has exclusive bonus tracks not available online. The project features outstanding production from the talented Brown Bag producers J57 & The Audible Doctor, as well as the young jedi, marink. Also has bangin' production from DJ Brace, maticulous & DJ Dyllemma. Guest features from the geniuses  themselves - Sene, Silent Knight & J57. All the cuts on the project are from the amazing Juno Winning/ DMC Champion, DJ Brace.

How do you maintain the level of success you've obtained and still stay true to your craft?

I just continue to work hard, be myself without any compromise and surround myself with talented motivated people. My group members, friends, and people in my circle are some of the most talented individuals I know and have met. They inspire me to constantly be better and work harder. The bar of my success is set higher everyday. 

Who would like to work with in the future?

I want to work with people who have the same respect for me as I have for them. So features and collabs that I want to work on I guess will fall in place over time.

One person who I do want to work with tho is Pharoahe Monch.

Give us your favorite hip hop line/bar ever? Why is that your favorite?

Waka Flocka
"sex s e x imma beat that pussy up yeah shawty no flex put me to the test i can make your leg shake bet i make the bed brake make yo booty gain weight"

Because that shit is soooo ILL!!!

hahahaha I'm fucking around. I kinda feel bad that I just googled that.

What's your most vivid memory from your career so far?

I would probably have to say hitting the stage at Brooklyn Hip Hop festival. At the time, that was the biggest show we did, and hitting the stage and seeing all those people got my adrenaline pumping so hard I felt like I was stepping into a boxing ring. I had so much excitement I was actually jumping up and down waiting to be called on the stage. haha That shit was fun. My career is only beginning. 

Something many people might not know about you?

I love cheesesteaks, mojitos, and long walks down 3rd avenue.

Shoutouts?

Much respect to EVERYONE that has supported "Playing Life" as well as everything that me and my crew has done thus far. Really appreciate all of you! Believe me when I tell you that this is only the beginning. If you like what you have heard, you are going to love what is soon to come.

Much respect to Saidah Kay & CooLikeDat for being so damn cool!!

We here at the CooLikeDat Blog would like to thank you for this interview and as the last question we always like to ask: what makes you CooLikeDat? 

No, Thank you! What makes me CooLikeDat is my voice and my music, and that is all. Your image doesn't make noise.

- Check out Koncept (of Brown Bag AllStars) "Playing Life" here:

http://konceptbbas.bandcamp.com/album/playing-life

 - follow Koncept on twitter at: twitter.com/KONCEPT_

Kanye West Apologizes to George W. Bush [Video]

"Kanway" has changed completely with his rashness. He is really manning up for what he has done over the past couple of years. "Kanway"

Wiz Khalifa Admits To Smoking Weed w/ His Mother & Getting His Dog High

Wow... I wish my mother would smoke mary with me but, the title says it all. Wiz goes more into his worth ethic, how his music has changed. At the end he let's all the fans of him know that weed isn't for everyone so don't go around tryna be like him... quote.

Drake Speaks on J. Cole Collaboration [Video]

Drake speaks on collabo w/ Cole on J. Cole's mixtape dropping on Friday called "In The Morning" and the mixtape is called Friday Night Lights. There is a song  J. Cole has called "In The Morning" right now... I hope its not just him featuring Drake.

Coolikedat Exclusive: Interview w/ Chuuwee!

1-Who are Lee Bannon and Chuuwee?

Just 2 average dudes that are both good at what they do. Its like a best of both worlds feel him on the beats me with the bars. Almost like a 2010 Gangstarr if you would.

2-Where are you from originally?

I'm originally from San Antonio,Texas but Sacramento,CA is my homestead

3-How did you and Lee Bannon meet?

We met at a homegirls house one day. I'd always heard of Bannons stuff and we just so happened to be kicking it there one day.

4-What are you reactions to the success of "Hot N Ready"

I knew hot n ready would be huge but I'm humbled so I didn't expect it to be this big. I'm glad that everyone is receiving it the way they are I felt like I was the last person on earth still bumping that golden era 90's boom bap so I'm really glad to see people still have space for it in their itunes.

5-Give us one memory/story from the process of making "Hot N Ready"

I actually wrote Hot N Ready in less than a week. Bannon sent over the beats and I just went to work. The project was completely finished in less than a months time we just waited for the right time to drop it on the public.

6-Who would be a part of your dream team(producers, directors, artists)?

There's so many diffrent combos I can't even answer the right way. Other than my crew T.U.S I'd have to say Method Man, Erykah Badu, Big L and Lauryn Hill for artists and production by Ski, Dj Premier, Madlib and Dilla would be a pretty nice dream team.

7-If you had to take one song from "Hot N Ready" and that would be the only song people could hear from you, what would it be?

"This One For You" or "Sac". People never really understand how hard it is to be an MC in such a time we're in. Often times when you spit a heartfelt verse like that they deem it as a complaint. And Sac-town never gets the positive feed that we deserve. Through all the rumors and truths about, sac as negative as they can be, its a very beautiful and diverse city filled with a lot of talent.

8-There's a very authentic hip hop sound that comes from your music. A sound this is definitely missing from hip hop today. What are your reasons for this?

A big reason being that since birth I've been stuck in the 90's music scene. Growing up I didn't listen to much but older albums from a lot of the classics. And being introduced by so much diffrent music due to my parents I always wanted to blend the classic style of hiphop with how they do rap today.

9-What can we expect from Chuuwee in the future?

Big Big things. Just keep your eyes open there's some crazy stuff up ahead.

10- As a closing question we always like to ask, What makes you guys CooLikeDat?

What makes me cool like that is my rhymes, style and diversity. Stay tuned in the near future and you'll see yourself haha.

Kanye West On KiD CuDi's Coke Addiction [Audio]

Kanye drops a few words about KiD CuDi's liquid coke habit.