MONEY B
(September 2010) | Interviewer J-Double
Recenty J-Double of Dubcnn had an opportunity to interview an artist that
he grew up listening to, one of the most distinctive voices in hip-hop, none
other than Money-B of the multi-platinum group Digital Underground.
During the interview we discuss a bevy of topics including his music, his
radio show, upcoming projects, as well as this long-standing rumor about he
and Tupac over the movie “Juice”
Read on and enjoy. As always feel free to hit up
the forum with questions or comments.
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Download The Interview Audio: Here
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Interview Audio
Dubcnn: Thanks for taking the time out to do this interview, I’m a big fan
of Digital Underground and have followed the group since ’89, but just in
case our readers aren’t up on it, let our readers know your resume?
Of course I’m Money-B from the Mutli-Platinum, Grammy nominated
group Digital underground, I started back in 1988 with the release of the
single “Your Life’s a Cartoon” followed by “Doowhutchalike” and of course
“The Humpty Dance” from the groundbreaking album “Sex Packets” that featured
classics like “Freaks of The Industry”
Dubcnn: I recently came across the release of the “Greenlight EP” on
Jake Records, is this going to be the final stop for Digital Underground or
will there be any future releases new, and/or from the vault?
As far as I know that is supposed to be the last release from Digital
Underground, however there is more music that is unreleased that could
resurfaced or we could make another Digital Underground album, I would never
rule out another “Digital” reunion or reunion album
Dubcnn: Going more into your history, I’ve noticed that you’ve been
quite the entrepreneur, first with your ventures into he indie scene with
your compilation “Folk Music” then with your solo album “Talkin Dirty After
Dark” then later with the DVD series “Sex and the Studio” and now with
Mandatory Music how do you manage all of these endeavors?
As far as being an entrepreneur, it’s my nature…I’ve always been active and
I have a lot of big ideas and I’ve never been one just to wait foe someone
to do something for me when I can do it myself…. I’m not lazy and I don’t
have a problem with hustlin’ …it’s just in me to get out and get it.
Dubcnn: I find that a lot of the work you put into the game gets
overlooked sometimes and people don’t really recognize a lot of your
contributions…I was listening to an episode of your popular radio show “The
Going Way Back Show” and it was discovered that the “6 million ways to die,
etc.” vocal sample popularized by the track ‘Serial Killer’ from Snoop
Dogg’s seminal album “Doggystyle” came from your group Raw Fusion, I myself
didn’t even know that and I consider myself somewhat of a music historian,
What other gems have you brought to the game that the newcomers may
not know about Money-B or Digital Underground for that matter?
The vocal sample “Six Million Ways to Die, Choose one” was actually taken
from a song called “Don’t Test” from my group “Raw Fusion” off the album
“Live From The Styleetron” the voice you hear is my man P.O.D.E. (Product of
D’ Environment) or Courtney Rankin…. Most people think that sample comes
from a dancehall tune from Cutty Ranks back in the day, cause it was a big
dancehall record, but he sampled our record.
As far as my voice being sampled in other songs…I’m able to still see
royalty checks from my guest appearance on 2pac’s “I Get Around”… it’s a
blessing.
Dubcnn: Over the years Digital Underground has garnered a devoted
fan base and brought so many artists to the table (i.e. Gold Money, 2pac,
Saafir, the grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Mystic and most recently
Element, Esinchill) With the obvious exception of 2Pac are you still in
contact with any of these acts?
Actually anybody that was ever in Digital Underground is still technically
in “Digital” cause we never kicked anyone out of the group. I’m actually
still in contact with Pee-Wee who currently tours with the Shock-G Trio, I
still talk to Saafir every 6-8 months, I still follow Mystic on Twitter,
Element is still doing their thing, and Esinchill, that’s my nigga, were
still doing music and are looking to take a trip to Miami this year…Were all
still in touch and there’s nothing but love.
Dubcnn: I heard you recently make mention of a new project entitled
“M.A.S.K.” let our readers know what that’s all about and when can we expect
to hear some material or see some videos?
M.A.S.K. stands for “Money-B and Scott Knoxx”, Scott is a cat I met through
DJ Nu-Style who was the DJ for Digital Underground before we disbanded.
Scott Knoxx and I would often do music with each other and decided to make a
record together, were both likeminded and know how to hustle and wanted to
do something together. The mixtape called "Getting
It In" is available on now on Dubcnn.com for free download or you can
get at my on Twitter
or on Facebook…stay tuned for the videos “Go hard” and “Killin Em” on
YouTube real soon
Dubcnn: Shifting gears back to the “Going Way Back Show” I see that
you’ve been fortunate enough to interview a host of “Old School” artists,
which interview has stood out the most thus far?
Well my radio show “The Going Way Back Show” showcases hip-hop from 1999 and
before and we play a lot music from the “Renaissance Era (70’s), the “Golden
Era (80’s)” and the “True School era (90’s)” and a lot of the interviews I
do are with artists I’ve either toured with, partied with or hung out with
and the interviews are very candid conversations and are always really open.
Dubcnn: As a lifelong fan, I had a question I’ve always wanted to
ask you…so feel free to decline if you don’t want to answer it, but I heard
somewhere that 2pac’s seminal role in “Juice” was originally intended for
you, is there any truth to that?
Ok, there is a misconception that 2pac took my role in the movie “Juice” and
its not true at all, what happened was I was supposed to audition for
“Steele” but 2pac and Treach came with me to the audition. I blew the
audition, but 2pac nailed his audition. Treach didn’t get the part he
auditioned for, which was “Q” it eventually went to Omar Epps…but no 2pac
did not take my part, that never happened.
Dubcnn: Going back into your history with Digital Underground is
there any song that still stands for you today, as being one of your
favorites, if so which track and why?
I would have to say “Freaks Of The Industry” because of the beat, it’s a
song that never gets old, I love to perform it I love to listen to it, it’s
a timeless record, it’s a dope song.
Dubcnn: Before we end the interview, can you let our readers know
how they can keep a line on all things Money-B and/or Digital Underground?
Money B: Hit me on Twitter
or get at me at Facebook or call the “Going Way Back Show” hotline at
812-252-GWBS and make a request for the radio show.
