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interview Conscious Daughters  (April 2009) | Interview By: Chad Kiser

   Dubcnn sits down with the Bay area’s own Conscious Daughters! Following the recent release of their third album, The Nutcracker Suite, Special One & CMG talk to us about the new album and what we can expect from it, where they’ve been lately, getting down with Paris & Guerilla Funk, and much more!

"Fonky Expedition" officially put CMG and The Special One (TCD) on the map, with their debut album, "Ear to the Street" selling over 300,000 copies and yielding a cross-country tour. Their second effort, Gamers was released and sold over 200,000 copies, entering the Billboard Chart with a bullet. By continuing to bring bangin' beats to the streets, TCD once again rocked the world with their "female baller" anthem and title track single.

Now in 2009, The Conscious Daughters again are poised to bring heat on Paris' latest venture, Guerrilla Funk Recordings, with their third effort, "The Nutcracker Suite”, featuring themes of self-empowerment and sisterhood with a hardcore edge, The Conscious Daughters continue to prove that they have their collective thumb on the pulse of the street.

Take a ride on another fonky expedition!

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

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Interview was done in April 2009

Questions Asked By: Chad Kiser

 
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Dubcnn Exclusive – Conscious Daughters
By: Chad Kiser
www.myspace.com/chadmkiser
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Dubcnn: You were featured most recently on Nas’ “Where Are They Now (West Coast Remix)’, so where have you been and what’s been up with the Conscious Daughters?

Conscious Daughters:
We have been in the studio and still making music over the years. We are also mothers so we been spending a lot of time with our kids. It was just about finding the right “outlet” for our music and we couldn’t find that for a while. We were happy to hear that Paris was ready to work so we made it happen!


Dubcnn: I understand you have a new project coming out. What’s the title of it and when will it be dropping?

Conscious Daughters:
“The Nutcracker Suite” dropped February 10th!! Finally!


Dubcnn: Are you still with Paris and Guerilla Funk?

Conscious Daughters:
Yes – we’re still on the same label.


Dubcnn: What can we expect with “The Nutcracker Suite”, another Fonky Expedition?

Conscious Daughters:
Well, yes – you know we gotta have another riding song! We also touch on domestic violence, black on black crime, single motherhood, living in California and we keep it gangsta too! It’s the total package!


Dubcnn: Who handles the production on the new album, and what kind of features, if any, can we expect to see?

Conscious Daughters:
Paris, Steven King, Rick Rock, One Drop Scott. Expect hard beats and lyrics! We got club bangers, some jazzy hip hop, and even a little R&B!


Dubcnn: Tell us how the Conscious Daughters came together in the beginning?

Conscious Daughters:
KRS One, BDP, Run DMC, Too Short, NWA, Real Roxanne, Funky Four Plus One, Mantronix, Tribe Called Quest, just to name a few!


Dubcnn: In the beginning, was it hard being a female group in the midst of a male-dominated artform?

Conscious Daughters:
Yes it was, but we were so ambitious and our personalities were very outgoing so people accepted us and took to us well. We always “stood out” no matter where we were. So we would just grab the mic and get it.


Dubcnn: How did you two initially get down with Paris?

Conscious Daughters:
We started hitting the clubs with our demo tapes and passing them out to everybody and anybody. We gave one to Paris and he was attracted to the name, because he was a conscious rapper. So he took the tape, listened to it, and called us about a week or so later and asked if we wanted to make an album. The rest is history.


Dubcnn: We did a interview with Paris around election time, and he was pretty candid in it. What are your thoughts on Barack Obama and the history that was made?

Conscious Daughters:
On inauguration day we were both in tears because of the overwhelming pride we felt for this qualified, sincere, intelligent black man we are blessed to have as our President. His views and plans for our future will change this country for the better!!


Dubcnn: Do you think we will see a major shift or change in the way America handles domestic issues regarding race, education, etc?

Conscious Daughters:
I think we’re seeing it already. Some things will never change becasue there will still be negative people out there who are racist or biased or negative. But our future is definaltely looking brighter and I think our children will have a better America tomorrow, most definitely.


Dubcnn: In light of the historical achievements made recently, it was a snap back to reality with the Oscar Grant incident. What are the feelings/thoughts out there about what happened?

Conscious Daughters:
It is unfortunate that some officers are able to get into these positions and are able to abuse people and mistreat people and even kill people and get away with it. There is definitely discrimination and ego issues in the police force and I think there needs to be a new plan put in place to check police officers regularly and remind them they are here to serve us and people should feel safe when dealing with them. Especially young, black men. The police need to be policed!


Dubcnn: Has/will justice be served in this case?

Conscious Daughters:
Probably not, but hopefully so!


Dubcnn: It’s kind of been discussed countless times, but what are your thoughts on the independent vs. major debate?

Conscious Daughters:
Major labels like to have too much creative control and that usually doesn’t sit too well with true artists. It’s a good thing if you can find a major label that let’s you do you, but not everyone is that lucky. Of course indie is the way go, but it only works if you have money!


Dubcnn: In a very much male-dominated industry, what do you attribute to the Conscious Daughter’s success?

Conscious Daughters:
Definitely the confidence we gained at an early is the key to our success. Being radio DJs and mixing and recording in the 9th grade set us up for perfection by the time we were out of high school.


Dubcnn: How important is your image to your music?

Conscious Daughters:
It’s important that we just be ourselves. We don’t even think “image”. We just “do us” – and luckily no one has offered us a lot of money to change our image because we just might do it! Nah.. real talk though… we’re blessed to be able to be accepted the way we are. And our lyrics are always “just us” so it’s a perfect match.


Dubcnn: Looking back on your career, is there anything you change?

Conscious Daughters:
There are some business decisions that we would probably have made differently, but overall we were blessed with our success and hopefully will continue to be.


Dubcnn: Which female artists, past or present, do you admire and why?

Conscious Daughters:
Queen Latifah - for her love and dedication for the art, and for being able to consistently deliver quality music, and for still being around today.


Dubcnn: Who’s the nicest female MC of all-time?

Conscious Daughters:
Can’t name just one!! There are a few in two categories: past and present. Sha-Rock, MC Lyte, Real Roxanne, Roxanne Shante and Queen Latifah all hold a crown in my book! As for the new MCs I think Conscious Daughters is the shit! Yeah!


Dubcnn: Who is somebody you would like to work with that you haven’t yet, producer or artist?

Conscious Daughters:
Dr. Dre!








 


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