KIDA (January 2009) | Interview By: Jonathan Hay

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Interview was done in December 2008
 
Questions Asked By: Jonathan Hay

Kida Gave Dubcnn A Shoutout: Listen Here

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Kida Interview
A Dubcnn Exclusive
By Jonathan Hay and Chad Kiser
 www.myspace.com/jonathanhay
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Dubcnn: Tell us what people can anticipate from you in 2009?

I got the new mixtape coming, The Endemic, as well as the LP, The Epidemic. Basically, a flood of new music – I’m trying to flood the industry with good music, you know!


Dubcnn: How were you first connected with Focus…?

I was connected to Focus… through my man, PhD -- who is now my manager. I’ve known PhD for a while now, he asked me to come to the studio one day. I had the opportunity to flow for Focus… and the rest is history.


Dubcnn: What is the most important thing you have learned from Focus…?

*Laughing* Focus… pretty much taught me to ‘Go hard or go home, every time!’


Dubcnn: You said in a previous interview, “Focus was allowing me to just hang while he was working on Detox” …so is there any chance that you could be featured on Detox? On the other hand, have you submitted any material to the Detox project?

Nothing definite, but that would be a dream come true! I actually have submitted a few things but nothing concrete. It would be an honor to be heard by ‘The Great!’


Dubcnn: When will you be dropping your official full-length album?

We’re pushing for late summer for The Epidemic LP. We are really hard at work trying to make our mark in this game -- expect great things out of me, I always do! (Laughing)


Dubcnn: You have a collaboration with Rapper Pooh from Little Brother. When will people be able to hear that and what album will the song be released on?

That record is on Rapper Pooh’s upcoming album; it should be coming at you very soon. It’s a hot one, I love it! Shout out to Pooh for the opportunity!


Dubcnn: You also did some recording with Shaquille O’ Neal…how did that divine intervention take place?

I used to go to all the Laker’s games through my man. He was a ball-boy at the time. I used to be in the locker room with him, telling him ‘I Rap, I Rap!’ One day, Shaq said, ‘Let me hear something.’ That was it. From that night forward, I was in the studio with him…great experience for me. I really appreciate him for the opportunity!


Dubcnn: Your LA State of Mind joint is a definite banger! The way you flipped Nas’ classic jam is crazy! What was the inspiration behind that song concept?

My man PhD called me with an idea to re-make a classic -- but put our stamp on it. I went in the studio that night and vibed out to the original joint “NY State Of Mind”, and the rest was history. I just wanted to capture the hunger in Nas when he wrote that classic record. Shout out to Nas and Premo for that joint ‘cause my joint is just paying homage to The Greats who created it.


Dubcnn: Being that New York is territorial of hip-hop and such, how have the heads in New York responded to LA State of Mind?

I’m actually surprised. I’ve been getting an overwhelmingly positive response by my East Coast brothers. I think game recognizes game. This game we call hip-hop is much bigger than coasts -- It’s about the art. Shout out all my East Coast fam! Good looking on all the love!


Dubcnn: What do you personally think about the West Coast hip-hop scene right now?

I think we on our way back to the top. We have a lot of good music coming out real soon, watch out! Shout out to all my West Coast peoples -- hold me down!


Dubcnn: Would you say you’ve experienced more support or jealously from your local surroundings and peers?

Man, it’s been an overall positive reaction from everybody. I’m so happy for that. I think people are just happy to see something different, I love it.


Dubcnn: Something very interesting about your fast-rising career: Suge Knight once offered you a major deal. Share with the readers the history on that interesting experience…

Suge offered me a deal a little while back. I was young mentally then. I really appreciate Suge for giving me my first taste of the music industry; it gave me what I needed to grow, business-wise. I passed on it, needless to say, but big props to Suge for recognizing my talents!


Dubcnn: What is Suge Knight like in person – is he different from his intimidating public persona?

He was actually a cool dude. I wasn’t on his bad side so I was good. *Laughing*


Dubcnn: You have been exposed to some of the most elite names in the business -- one name that really stands out to me is Dame Dash. How did you end up rubbing elbows with Dame?

I had the opportunity to do street promotion for Roc-A-Fella and Roc-A-Wear. I was blessed to be able to work under a dude like Dame Dash. I recall one day in the blazing sun of Las Vegas, Nevada, Dame called me in his office and personally thanked me for the job I was doing for him; I respected him from that day fourth. I feel he didn’t have to do that, but he did. Shout out Dame Dash!


Dubcnn: As you know, Dame Dash has been getting slammed in the media lately. Years ago, with the Roc-A-Fella conglomerate, everybody -- public perception, anyway -- thought that Dame was the savvy business mind, not Jay-Z. Now today, Jay-Z has created a business empire, has done deals with major corporations all over the world, and is one, if not the most important, figure in the business of hip-hop. What are your personal comments on that?

I really don’t know what went down with Roc-A-Fella. All I can say is that I was very disappointed to see a conglomerate of that status end up like it did. I hung with Jay-Z during the Life and Times of S. Carter album and he’s a really cool dude as well. He and Dame are both dope business men and I hope to conquer half the things they have.


Dubcnn: Politically speaking, what do you think the biggest change people will see with the Barack Obama presidency?

Hopefully more equality…’Racism still alive they just be concealing it’. That’s a Kanye line -- shout out to Kanye!


Dubcnn: What is the best way for people to get in contact with you?

Get at me, only about that business though. All the obvious ways [like] MySpace or my manager on (323) 423-0014


Dubcnn: Do you have any final comments for Dubcnn?

Shout out, Dubcnn for looking out for a dude! Shout out a.Fam, Oso Reel Entertainment and everybody affiliated with us! If you a part of any of our projects we doing, much love to you! Peace.



Questions for Focus…

Dubcnn: Focus…, you have been in the studio with some of the most celebrated artists in the world -- what is it about Kida that stands out to you?

Kida is truly talented, definitely passionate about his music, and humble. Every time he came through [the studio]; he showed me he was ready for whatever I needed him to do. Not a lot of artists come through with that frame of mind.


Dubcnn: Do you do the majority of the production for Kida?

No. Kida has a production team that he actually came thru the door with and both of those cats are dope to me. The team is called Mel & D and you will definitely be hearing more from them thru the a.Fam / Oso Reel movement.


Dubcnn: *Laughing* Every time I have the opportunity, I just have to ask a Detox question… Will 2009 be the year that people finally get the Detox?

*Laughing* We go way back, fam, and hopefully you and our listeners don’t ever think that I don’t wanna see this come out just as bad as you all do, but Dre wants this project perfect, so I’m just moving when the boss says ‘move’ and doing the best job I can. I can say this: we go back in hard on DETOX top of the year!