HOME MEDIA INTERVIEWS FEATURES RELEASE-DATES FORUM STORE THE-VAULT CONTACT
 
 
 
 
 
 
f
 
interview Dubcnn Exclusive – AG  (December 2009) | Interview By: Jonathan Hay

   Encapsulate high above the ground in a stadium press box on an ice-cold winter evening, AG overlooks the beautiful city of St. Louis and reminisces back on his bittersweet childhood. “Growing up in the heart of one of the most dangerous, ruthless and hate-driven cities in America has created a passion in me that can only be described as ‘crazy’,” he explains, “See, when all you see is bad, you have just been presented with a choice. You could choose to continue that negative process or you can evolve and become a solution for that problem.”

Now riding the wave of his current single “I Know” and soon to be releasing his lead single for 2010, called "Yes, I'm That Guy", AG is reaping his benefits from choosing to go against the grain of his city’s negative influences a long time ago.

In this Dubcnn Exclusive interview, we talk about real talent versus the gimmicks that have seemingly overtaken his city of STL, we talk about the speculation and circulating rumors of Kanye West’s homosexuality and one particular situation that makes him cringe every time he thinks back.

You can find AG’s current single “I Know” on iTunes and be sure to visit him on his website at www.itsmeag.com

As ever, be sure to leave your feedback in our forums or email them to haywire@dubcnn.com.

..........................................................................................
Interview was done in December 2009

Questions Asked By: Jonathan Hay & SIA

Interview Assistance: SIA  
..........................................................................................
Dubcnn Exclusive – AG
By: Jonathan Hay
www.myspace.com/jonathanhay
..........................................................................................



Dubcnn: What’s up, AG?

Hey now, how are you?


Dubcnn: Doing great. How are you today?

Very cold and excited (laughing). The temperature [in St. Louis] is so crazy; it was 72 degrees this time last week, now it’s 39!


Dubcnn: Yeah, it is freezing. So, let’s jump right into it. Who or what serves as your biggest influence?

Well, I would have to say that there is no better influence then life below the bar, you know what I mean?


Dubcnn: Yes, definitely. What is it exactly about your life that drives you?

Just seeing so much hardship growing up...seeing families with some of the best intentions be basically held to scraps because they were not as informed as other; seeing people going in and out of prison because they felt that life had nothing else to offer.


Dubcnn: That's so true. What was your situation like growing up?

It was like a rollercoaster at the World’s most scariest theme park -- the hood. Don’t get me wrong, I've had fun and some of the most memorable times of my life…


Dubcnn: So, describe what it was like on a bad day, at the bottom of the rollercoaster.

It’s a day full of pain and regret, and a lot of decisions that mothers and fathers have to make. It’s a day of being hungry for more than just food, ya dig? It’s a day of struggle and wishful thinking that if – if we put our minds toward something better, then we just might wake up from this long ride and find ourselves on Dubcnn one day, talking about the past that we avoiding making our only future.


Dubcnn: So did you grow up with both of your parents?

No – and yes. I have known my father my whole life, but when I was about eight [years old] or so, the limited time that I had with him got cut even shorter, ya know. It started to get filled with "excuses". But I still love him.


Dubcnn: I understand, and unfortunately a lot of kids can relate to that. Do you keep in touch with him now?

Yeah, but it’s more like a shadow relationship. He's around, but I just rarely see him, ya dig?


Dubcnn: Gotcha. So, amidst you dealing with the trauma going on around you, how did your city and surroundings then influence your music now?

It influenced me a lot. Growing up in the heart of one of the most dangerous, ruthless and hate-driven cities in America has created a passion in me that can only be described as “crazy”. I'll explain. See, when all you see is bad, you have just been presented with a choice. You could choose to continue that negative process or you can evolve and become a solution for that problem.


Dubcnn: And you chose the latter…

Yeah. It takes a lot of energy to be upset all the time…I would much rather be happy. (Laughing)


Dubcnn: How did you become a solution for that problem?

I paid attention to the streets and the OGs that I had the chance to be around. If I saw them go through something that would lead to death before age 24 or jail until age 44, that would send a message, and make my decision a little less difficult. I paid attention, even when I couldn’t afford to.


Dubcnn: A very valid point. Do you see yourself wanting to be a role model for kids growing up in the same situation as you?

Hell, yeah. (laughing)


Dubcnn: Give me an example of that in some of your lyrics…

Alright, I have a song called “In My Life”, here are some lyrics:

“Life and just living it is hard as it is; factor in I was scarred as a kid, but gotta grow. Calling me ‘snotty nose’ sorta felt like body blows, cuz verbally it was hurting me, I came up nervously.”


Dubcnn: nice!

Thank you. You should hear the song. (Laughing)


Dubcnn: Have you released it?

Naw, not yet. I’ve learned that this music business is a game of chess…and that’s a move for later. (Laughing) Ya dig?


Dubcnn: Dig. So who are you feeling right now on the west coast?

That’s the easiest question so far -- Crooked I and Nipsey Hussle. (Laughing)


Dubcnn: Cool. What are you feeling about them right now?

Well, even though Crooked has been around for a long time, I don’t think he has ever been given credit for how good, lyrically, he really is. And Nipsey just makes me feel like the west coast of the mid 90's is back; him and G Malone, them guys can spit.


Dubcnn: Definitely. Any favorite producers on the west coast?

Well, of course, the legend, DJ Quick. And Rudy Pardee.


Dubcnn: Do you do any producing yourself?

Naw, I let the pros do what they do, I just rap my ass off. (Laughing)


Dubcnn: Ha, okay. Do you have any major collabs or projects in the works?

Well, right now, because of the way that music has been – a little too collabo-happy – I have just been focused on getting myself on a hot track. But, like I said earlier, it is a chess game and that’s a move I am setting up. (Laughing)


Dubcnn: Who is a hot producer you aspire to work with right now?

Well, you know what; right now, the name of the producer I work with is not as important to me as the passion that they portray. But, to answer the question, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, they are so damn creative. And Kanye [West], because he’s crazy. (Laughing)


Dubcnn: So, you back him on the Taylor Swift thing?

Hell, naw, but I don’t think he deserves to die for that either. He was being true, which I love about him, but that was just a bad chess move, ya dig? Well, it was great for her. Half of the world got introduced to her because of that – great chess move. (Laughing)


Dubcnn: Yeah. She couldn't have asked for a better publicity stunt. Another question about Kanye West: some people think he's gay and that his whole relationship with Amber Rose is a front. Honestly, what do you think?

(Laughing) I think that as long as he never ever tries to hit on me, I don’t care. And I think she got some lovely lady lumps, and I love lady lumps.


Dubcnn: So, what type of artist, stylistically speaking, do you prefer working with?

Artists who care about music and the power that it has, and artists who have a sense of people, not just money, you know? My favorite artists are Lupe Fiasco, Andre 3000, Jay-Z, Slaughter House, Mos Def, Kanye West, Jill Scott, and Erica Badu.


Dubcnn: How would you describe your music style?

I would describe it as passionate and lyrical, with the confusion; creative, original…and awesome. (Laughing)


Dubcnn: (Laughing) Okay, so what makes you original?

Now that’s the one thing I don’t know. If I had to guess, I would say that it’s my voice and the way that I create a song.


Dubcnn: That's cool, a voice can be a very distinctive quality, Like Andre 3000 or Snoop Dogg.

Yeah, and AG. (Laughing)


Dubcnn: Yes, and AG. Tell me something people would be surprised to know about you?

Aiight, I have lived and been in Saint Louis all my life but I have never been up in the [Gateway] Arch. Wow, I can’t believe I said that out loud!


Dubcnn: Are you afraid of heights?

I think I’m gonna make the move a contest, and yes, I am afraid of heights…but I’ll get over it.


Dubcnn: New Years resolution -- conquer the Arch?

Naw, personal desire. But I think I can make that like a contest – a lady can win a date with me and it ends in the Arch. (Laughing) See, chess move.


Dubcnn: Bam, there you go. What lady would you like to meet you up there, anyone particular in mind? Don’t say Halle Berry.

(Laughing) Okay, I won’t. I would say…Oprah, best chess move ever.


Dubcnn: Whoa, wasn't expecting that one.

But naw, Stacey Dash or Alicia Keys. Yeah, one of them, ‘cause my Beyonce is married.


Dubcnn: Yes, she is married, that’d be a very bad chess move for you. And speaking of marriage, who is the person who holds you down in life, especially when things get rough?

Right now that’s not a job that one person has ever filled because I have always been that person to everyone else. My music is the closest thing I have to that person.


Dubcnn: hmmm. Deep. Do you have sisters or brothers?

I think I might actually have a half brother, but I have never been sure. But in Saint Louis, I got like 28 sorta brothers and sistas. (Laughing) People actually do like me sometimes.


Dubcnn: But no one to confide in?

Crazy, right?


Dubcnn: Crazy. What are you working on right now?

Well, right now I’m trying to take over the world, one [music] bar at a time (laughing). But I really look at it like this: I have a gift, and it’s my choice to share it musically. I don’t have to make 90 mixtapes or 1,000 collabos to prove that I’m good at this. So right now, I wanna make sure that everything -- as far as the foundation of my “life” with music -- is set, first. And I think that interviews, like this, give me the cement to do that.


Dubcnn: Are you a fan of Dubcnn?

To be real with you, until about three weeks ago, I wasn’t even aware of how big you really were, but now I am a fan that will stay more informed.


Dubcnn: What turned you onto Dubcnn?

Actually, I was checking out some songs online from G Malone and Nipsey Hussle and Crooked I, and articles kept popping up [from Dubcnn]. And my manager was already a fan.


Dubcnn: Yeah, they are west coast favorites.

Yeah, I think Crooked I might be my favorite.


Dubcnn: I wanna go back to your childhood for a second...

Aiight.


Dubcnn: Let's say you go to bed as AG tonight and wake up as Jay-Z tomorrow. How are you gonna use your fame, power and connections to give back to your community and the kids that may be going through that same thing that you did as a child? Be careful how you answer this because we are going to hold you to it. (Laughing)

Okay, I would first charter a jet to Saint Louis and find AG and make sure he gets on, because he hot (laughing) and then I would do mainly what I do now as a nobody: make sure that the places where I came up and the people who are there now know and understand that I made it to this point by hard work and by never giving up, and that I never was given a shot – I had to take it myself. So if anyone thinks they can guilt me into doing anything, they’re wrong. And then I would do my best to stay available to the kids so they can see what hard work can get you. And, of course, dish out the bucks – for good reasons, not political ones.


Dubcnn: How will you get that message across?

I would just be visible and on the front line for change. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?


Dubcnn: Yes, it does. Okay, we are going to hold you to that!

Good. I might need it later. (Laughing)


Dubcnn: Dubcnn interviews stay archived forever, you know?!

Perfect.


Dubcnn: Do you have a single you're currently promoting?

Well, I have a few singles that the world will be introduced to in the new year. “I Know”, “On the Grind” and “Yes, I'm That Guy” are just a few.


Dubcnn: What can we go and listen to right now?

Right now, you can go on iTunes and get "I Know" or you can go to our website at www.itsmeag.com. You should check it out and give me some feedback.


Dubcnn: For sure. We all have a situation in our life that makes us cringe when we think back -- a situation we may have overreacted in and hurt someone, for example. What’s yours?

Well, when I was a little younger I had a very bad temper and a crazy self-control problem, and one day, I was out at a club and me and some of the people from the block that I’m from got into a fight with this certain group of people, and it caused someone to lose their life…regret.


Dubcnn: Wow. That's rough…

Also, I regret not having a better relationship with my mother when I was younger. That would have helped me in a lot of situations.


Dubcnn: What's the status with your mother at this moment?

I love that crazy lady. (Laughing)


Dubcnn: Do you talk often with her?

Well, now, yeah. I try to bother her every day. (Laughing)


Dubcnn: If you weren't close to your mother when you were younger, what changed in your relationship to make it tighter?

Remember when I said earlier that once we are confronted with bad things, we are introduced to a choice? Well, we both needed each other to make it, and that decision has molded me into not just a great rapper, but a great man.


Dubcnn: That’s great. Was she there for you during that whole situation you mentioned earlier, the club scene?

Naw, she doesn’t know about that...chess move.


Dubcnn: Well, I hope she doesn't read Dubcnn. (Laughing) So that leads me to ask what you think about the whole anti-gun / Obama thing?

I don’t think about it much. My grandmother was an alderwoman in Saint Louis for a big piece of her life when she was still living, so I had a front row seat to how politics can be a big smoke screen for other things. And I don’t have enough info about it to give a good opinion.


Dubcnn: Do you think it should be harder for people to get guns?

Yeah, but it’s so easy now that "harder" would still be sorta easy, ya know? It’s easier to get a gun then it is to get into college.


Dubcnn: Well, that's very true. Okay, moving along: what do you consider to be your biggest accomplishment to date?

Being able to be a rock of support for a lot of youth in my city. And growing into my big ass head. (Laughing)


Dubcnn: Nice. If you weren't an artist, what would you be doing?

I would most likely be in school, flirting with the cutest girls while trying to balance sports and education, or helping other kids and young adults with day-to-day life, one or the other. (Laughing) I did coach high school, last two years.


Dubcnn: What did you coach?

Girl’s basketball, it was hella fun.


Dubcnn: So you're a basketball player?

Yes, and football.


Dubcnn: Who are your favorite teams?

The Saints, Rams, Nuggets, Heat, and, of course, the Saint Louis Cardinals.


Dubcnn: Oh, yes, of course…just not a fan of the Arch.

(Laughing) ya know…


Dubcnn: What do you consider to be your biggest strength?

My ability to be honest and humble without the assistance of tragedy, ya dig?


Dubcnn: And your greatest weakness?

My heart. I care about too many things that I don’t really have control over. See, I’m very honest.


Dubcnn: Like what?

Like, if people appreciate my talent and not just that I’m hella sexy (laughing), and that my city gets shown love for the skill, not the gimmick.


Dubcnn: What gimmicks are you referring to?

The dancing and the "Oh, I’m tough" and the “If you don’t wanna shake something when you hear my music it’s not good” BS that has been a cloud over us. We got some real good talent.


Dubcnn: Like, when you say “gimmick” I automatically think of Lady Gaga, even though she's not from Saint Louis…

(Laughing) Yeah, I feel you.


Dubcnn: But yeah, the tough gimmick should be retired. Even Jay-Z is over that.

Yeah. BS has a very short life span.


Dubcnn: Anyway, any final thoughts for Dubcnn?

Yeah, my voice is my weapon of choice and my aim is not the same as lames may proclaim.


Dubcnn: Awesome. Check mate.

I was just finna say “check mate”. You’re good.


Dubcnn: Ha (laughing). Well, thanks for baring the cold weather for us. We'll see you on Dubcnn.

You cool. I’ll heat up my toes when I get home. Dubcnn has just given me one more reason to do my best every day.


Check AG out on MySpace www.myspace.com/314ag or online at www.itsmeag.com


 


.........................................................................................
.........................................................................................

 
Enter Your Email Address
To Receive Our
Free Newsletter!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DESIGN BY LIL JAY