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BIG HUTCH
(December 2010) | Interviewer Todd Davis
"It's not what you know, it's what you can prove..." -- "Untouchable"
Above the Law.
As veteran West Coast rapper/producer, Gregory "Big Hutch" Hutchinson,
a.k.a. Cold 187um, readies for the early 2011 release of his 4th solo body
of work, the appropriately titled Only God Can Judge Me, in the meantime he
has put together a very special treat for his tried and true friends & fans,
a maxi-single called EF U Hutch.
Above the Law, comprised of Hutch, along with fellow group-mates; KMG the
Illustrator, Go Mack and DJ Total K-Oss, "officially" came together as a
collective back in the mid-to-late eighties, eventually catching the
attention of pioneering "gangsta" dynamo, Eazy-E [R.I.P.]. After signing to
E's, then still burgeoning, Ruthless empire, A.T.L. dropped their
impressive, Dr. Dre assisted debut, Livin' Like Hustlers.
Over the course of the next decade-plus, the Hip-Hop quartet from Pomona,
California, went on to record seven additional, mostly successful, projects;
Vocally Pimpin', Black Mafia Life, Uncle Sam's Curse, Time Will Reveal,
Legends, Forever: Rich Thugs, Book One and Sex, Money & Music, as a unit,
whilst Hutch steadily continued to build up his elite clientele; the
aforementioned Eazy, Kokane, Frost, Kam, MC Ren, Tupac Shakur, Tha Dogg
Pound, among others, as a, now, highly revered beatsmith.
Although, as of late, Above the Law have suffered more than their fair share
of, both personal and professional, lows, throughout it all Big Hutch &
company somehow always seem to manage and uphold their reputable legacy in
the game.
Dubcnn recently had the good pleasure of sitting down with the man, the
myth, the, living, legend himself, Mr. Big Hutch, so sit back, relax and
take notes...
Read on and enjoy. As always feel free to hit up
the forum with questions or comments.
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Interview was done in November 2010
Questions Asked By:
Todd Davis
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Check Out Big Hutch on:
BigShot Music
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Dubcnn: First things first...Now as far as Above the Law, as a
collective, are concerned, the last time the masses heard from you all
was on Sex, Money & Music, which was originally scheduled for release
back in 2002 while you all were signed to Death Row -- What was that
whole situation about? And, why was that record delayed?
The situation was that they would never get us in the studio to
cut the CD, so we opted out and I went in (and) recorded it myself.
Dubcnn: However, you all finally did drop Sex, Money & Music,
digitally, in February '09, but didn't really promote it -- How come?
Well, it was not endorsed by me or the group. Someone took it upon
themself and put it out.
Dubcnn: During your extended hiatus there were several things
[legal matters, incarceration, etcetera] going on with you all, but,
professionally what were you all working on? How exactly did you all
spend your time off?
Well, you know, as far as the break, I just had set out (to) do
my time. But, we put out Fresh Out... CD, and continued to work on the
new A.T.L..
Dubcnn: Speaking of that, and like you said, upon your release
from prison, you dropped your third solo LP, Fresh Out the Pen -- Were
you somewhat disappointed in the overall commercial success of that
record?
Yes, but only because I put my all into it and didn't get a lot
of support from the channels that I know. Because I'm a real artist, I
feel you should get a fair run at shit.
Dubcnn: There were also talks of another A.T.L. effort,
Reloaded, but that project, too, was shelved. Please tell me why these
plans were quickly halted as well? And with that said, what's currently
up with Above the Law?
Well, the Reloaded CD is still comin'. Its title just
changed...It's called Victims of Global Politics, and it's comin' out fa
sho!
Dubcnn: Which brings us to now and this new solo opus -- You
titled it Only God Can Judge Me, although self-explanatory, please still
tell me how come you named it this?
It's because you can spend a lot of time trippin' 'bout how
people look at you, and forget about who you are and not do what needs
to be done. Or, feel fucked up about what you may have done in life. At
the end of the day, "Only God Can Judge Me." When I was away, that's
what kept me sane. So, I'mma do me always.
Dubcnn: How does Only God Can Judge Me differ and/or compare to
previous Big Hutch/A.T.L. releases?
It's just as funky, and the topics are profound like the shit
we always do.
Dubcnn: Who all did you enlist in regards to the CD's
production?
I did all the production.
Dubcnn: Are there any special cameos/guest appearances that you
would like to point out at this point in time?
Yeah, Tha Chill from C.M.W., Mitchy Slick, Royal Krown, Hazmadic, The
Dirt Bags and Gangstaz In Stilettos.
Dubcnn: Do you have any personal favorite track(s) on Only God
Can Judge Me? If so, why that/those particular one(s)?
I love "Only God Can Judge Me" because it's the truth -- (Straight up,)
no chaser! But, it's hard to just say one song. It's a lotta good music.
Dubcnn: As a songwriter, what is the inspiration behind your
lyrics?
I was always taught a song is always around in your every day,
so I get my ideas from that. A convo, a thought, a discussion, the
news...Life itself. Music-wise, I'm an all around musician.
Dubcnn: Only God Can Judge Me was announced as coming out on
your very own label, West World Records -- What are your future plans &
goals for the imprint? And, who currently makes up its artist roster?
My plans for West World is simple: Smash the game with a focus
like never before, keep music consistent and show people that you can be
your own man. The roster is Hazmadic, Royal Krown, Tha Dirtbags and
Gangstaz In Stilettos...All new, raw artists.
Dubcnn: Hutch, you've been known to also write and produce for
other acts -- So, is there anything that you have recently been
doing/done and/or are gearing up for along these same lines?
Start back producing other artists. I may do a few
collaboration projects with other artists in the game, too. I'm thinking
'bout collabin' with these cats down in Houston. We gonna do some 'ol
Southwest shit.
Dubcnn: Do you have any specific memorable stories/anecdotes of
your time working in the lab with some of the greats, particularly
during the whole Death Row era?
The most memorable time I can remember, especially over at
Death Row, was me being the music supervisor over 2Pac Until the End of
Time album, which also happens to be one of Pac's biggest records to
date. I also had produced four joints on the album. I remember at first
they didn't want any Death Row people to oversee the project, but Pac's
mom wanted me on the project.
Dubcnn: Take it back to the beginning for me...When did you
first become interested in music? And, how did it all begin for Big
Hutch?
Back in high school, we stayed vibin' to music. I always was in
music classes; from jazz to classical, and by the time we all got out of
school we formed A.T.L..
Dubcnn: Growing up in the fifth largest city in Los Angeles
County, who all influenced both your sound and style? And, with that
said, describe for me your overall musical vibe?
It's a lot for me...A lot of funk bands, '60's, 70's, '80's
rock, jazz and all the early Hip-Hop. I also got influences from my dad.
He was a writer on Motown, and he wrote for The Jackson 5, The Miracles
and (The) Commodores. Also, Willie Hutch is my uncle, so I got a world
of skills from them both, and I incorporate it into the Above the Law
sound.
Dubcnn: Where did the group's moniker originally derive from?
Just things that was around us. We feel "Above the Law,"
because in music we make our own laws. So like in life, a person is
gonna do what it takes to make a mark. We just like to go against the
grain.
Dubcnn: Initially, what particular string of events led to you all
hooking up with the late, great Eric "Eazy-E" Wright, who introduced the
Hip-Hop world to Above the Law?
We met Eazy through a mutual friend named Laylaw. We were doing
street tapes at the time, and Laylaw dug what we were doing and took it
to Eazy and Dre. The rest is history.
Dubcnn: To date, what has been the ultimate key to your success,
thus far anyway?
Doing me, working hard and being open to learn new things.
Dubcnn: Do you have any other aspirations, maybe even completely
away from entertainment?
Yeah, I want to get into the fashion industry. I have a line to come out
in 2011 called Gregory Fernan. It's (a) women's line.
Dubcnn: On a more serious note, how do you view the current
climate of today's Hip-Hop artists -- Are you content with it? And, more
specifically "Left" Coast rap?
Well, I feel that aspirations is like the climate in the
weather...Unpredictable! Cats need to just do what they feel, and fuck
what suckaz think. I feel it's too many "DJ's and A&R's," when they need
to just play the music and let people get it. It's starting to become
one big record...The same shit and same people on the shit. So from the
"Left" Coast, just do you! If they like you, love 'em back. If they
don't like you, fuck 'em! We need to wake up out here...Not to the music
game, but to ourselves. We need to get back to setting trends and not
following them, and get back to putting ourselves on the right track and
not being the imitator. I'm gonna do me...I'm content with that.
Dubcnn: Everyone either knows your music already, or will become
familiar with it soon enough, but who exactly is Gregory Hutchinson?
I'm a strong, God fearing black man, and I work hard and love
family. I'm that cat you can always trust to keep it real with you.
Dubcnn: And, what do you like to do in your spare time,
completely away from this music?
I like to bowl, shoot pool, hang out with a lot of bad bitches, go to
the movies, fix up old school cars...But, the most important is spending
time with my family, and coaching Little League football and basketball.
Dubcnn: What is your current 5 to 10 year plan in entertainment?
To be a strong force in the entertainment game, and have West
World become a household name and a brand built to last...Like the
greats; such as Motown and Ruthless (Records).
Dubcnn: Your anticipated new studio collection, Only God Can
Judge Me, is due out, when exactly? You are also already working on its
follow-up, O.G. Since 1967 -- What can you reveal or divulge about these
upcoming outings?
Well, I can tell you Only God Can Judge Me is a more dark CD
and serious. Some fun spots, but straight to the topics. O.G. Since
1967, is more soulful, funky and it's gonna make you think how it was
when shit was good, even when it was bad. Trying to bring back music to
when artists really gave him or herself to the fan.
Dubcnn: The lead single is "EF U Hutch" -- Is there a video in
the works? And, are there any current plans to tour behind it all?
Yeah, we plan on shooting to the single, "Electric
Lady" and to "Lord
Have Mercy," which is on the Only God Can Judge Me album. I also do
plan (on) touring after the release of the album.
Dubcnn:
What's that "live" show element actually (gonna be) like?
I have a "live" band, all females, called Gangstaz In Stilettos, and
it's gone be "The Big Hutch Experience."
Dubcnn: Is there anything else that I may have left out or just
plain forgot to ask you about?
Not really. Just keep it locked at
BigShot Music
and stay tuned. Also, we are giving away free exclusive new music to our
fans that register with us on the site.
Dubcnn: Do you have any parting words for the readers of Dubcnn?
My last words...Stay focused and keep God number one in yo life. Thanx
for all the love, folks, and continued support. Go get that EF U Hutch
[maxi-single], available November 30th, and Only God Can Judge Me on
January 18th! West World/Big Shot -- One!
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