NETWORK (May 2008) | Interview By: Eddie Gurrola

Dubcnn recently sat down with San Diego artist Network for an exclusive interview.  In this feature, Network tells us all about how he first got started in the music industry.  He tells us about the game he's learned from E-40, Knoc-Turn'al, and others over the years by observing their moves first-hand.

We also get into to detail about Network's new single "U 4 Me," which will be heating up the radio this summer, as well as his latest mixtape "Gritz & Eggz" with DJ D-Rock & DJ 2Rille.


Network also tells us about his company Earthquake Productions, and he explains how he got into the concert promoting business as well.  Read on to find out about all of these topics and much more.





Please feel free to send any feedback regarding the interview to: eddie@dubcnn.com
 

Interview was done in May 2008.

Questions Asked By : Eddie Gurrola
 

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Dubcnn:  We're here with Network. How are you doing?

I'm good. I'm just out here on my Boss-A-Saurus hustle and grind my dude.

Dubcnn:  Let the readers know where you're from and how you got into hip-hop...

I reside in the Sick-One-Nina, aka Da Basement, aka Da Bottom of the Golden State, aka Daygo City, aka San Diego pimp. I got into hip-hop as a young'n, listening to KRS One, BDP, Biz Markie, Slick Rick, Dougie Fresh, Eric B and Rakim, EPMD, NWA, and of course E-40. Their music was just a major influence in my life, ya know?

Dubcnn:  At what point did you decide to take on being an artist as a full time career?

Seriously, about two years ago. I was seeing everything going on, and I was like, the direction hip-hop is headed in is damn near like a state of emergency. I had shut it down for a few years on some family mission and my dudes got at me on some "you gotta make it happen" [stuff]. So I started this underground showcase named "The Urban Legend Get Down," which assisted with getting my city poppin'. We been doin' that for about a year and a half, and every time it goes down! We just started the Urban Legend Get Downs in Colorado now as well.

I started recording once I started that showcase because I had to perform. One thing led to the next and now I'm here. I've met and have dealt with great people along my journey like E-40, Big Omeezy, Jazzy D, DJ 2-Rille (of Z90 in San Diego), DJ Sabotauge (Colorado), Vanya (of Blazin' 98.9 in San Diego), Roscoe Umali, Glasses Malone, DJ D-Rock (of Z90 in San Diego), DJ KMP, Big D and West Coast (of U92's The Basement), Sly Boogy, R-N-B, Harold Whaley (of Urban Network), DJ Peezo, Mitchy Slick, Jayo Felony, and many more.

With the help of those I mentioned, and many more, I'm here in my lane goin' hard in the paint.

Dubcnn:  You've worked closely with several artists including E-40 & Knoc-turn'al over the years. What have been some valuable pieces of advice about that rap game that you've learned from these veterans?

For me, being blessed enough to deal with and get game from a dude like E-40 is crazy! This dude showed the indie grinders in this game how to get it. The blue print's been laid. Whenever I'm around 40 or my dude Big Omeezy, I instantly turn into a sponge. Their knowledge is crazy. The best thing of it all is that they're the same dudes now that I met over ten years ago. In this game, it has to be business first. I've watched 40 over the years, and once again he blazed another path which I'm am trying to incorporate in my business ventures. It's all about relationships.

Honestly, I haven't spoke to Knoc in a while. But that's another good dude who I was fortunate enough to meet and gain knowledge from. Any cat that finds a way to get into the lab with Dre must be doin' something right, ya know?

The one thing I've noticed with the cats I've come across that's doin' they thing is that they're humble and down to earth people. That's a good thing because that's the kind of dude I am.

Dubcnn:  You just released your mixtape "Grits & Eggz" with DJ D-Rock & DJ 2 Rille. What do you hope that the listeners get out of that project when they listen to it?

I'm originally a country Florida dude but spent a majority of my life in Daygo. "Gritz & Eggz" was the perfect name because I eat all the time! See, my thoughts of it is that my hustle and grind, that bees my grits and eggs. To me, that could be anything, whether you a D-Boy, Gangsta, Pimp, Corporate Person, or anyone else. At the end of the day, we all out here tryin' to get it. We out here tryin' to eat.

The concept is crazy but catchy. I got a single we workin' now that's a little bit on the bright side, so I had to let dudes know what I'm about. I'm on my NASCAR hustle, and grind at all times. If you ain't with that, don't even breath on mines if you a rapper or in the music game. Like the Big Homie Water say "If it ain't about no Gouda, partner you can vanish!" *Laughs*

Dubcnn:  Right now, you've got a single that's already being played on the radio, "U 4 Me." Tell us about your experience making that record...

It's simple.  No matter how hard you are, how gangsta you are, how much of a pimp you are, there comes a time in all of our lives when we want a special someone there that'll have your back through thick and thin. Dudes need to keep it one hunnid out here. The single is doin' well, considering we just started workin' the record with the radio. I've gotten nothing but a positive respone [from] the record. It's a summer type of song. It's cools, ya know? It's one of them feel good records that the ladies and women love.

As for getting it out to the masses, it's a uphill battle, but I'm bout my grit so I'ma go hard. It's starting to capture the listeners and the powers that be, so hopefully it'll be on a station near you by beginning to mid-summer. By the end of June, you'll also be able to buy it on the digital outlets, as well as a ringtone.

Dubcnn:  You're a part of the Jazzy Management roster. Tell us about the movement you guys have going on over there...

There's some good things goin' on with that. Right now, I'm focusing on my project, the "U 4 Me" single featuring Ashley Robles.  I just got a distribution deal so waves are about to be made. We're gonna have that record out here heavy.

Dubcnn:  You also own your own company, Earthquake Productions, which, among other things, has put on various parties and concerts. Tell us what it's like being on the other end of the music business by being a concert promoter...

Man, it's crazy! EarthQuake Productions rings bells. We pushing the line. Me and my boy PT, D-Train, Don, DJ 2-Rille, A-Skee, Grown Folkz, D Major, D Rough and the staff is goin' hard. We've been promoting parties in Downtown San Diego, Urban Legend Get Downs and some more shit. We've got some clothing we're about to start pushin', along with some artists, D Major and D Rough.

We've got an Urban Legend Get Down coming up in August with Can-i-bus, which is gonna be crazy. I created my own avenue, ya feel me? We don't wait for it to happen, we make it happen. The good thing about the Urban Legend Get Down is that it gives up and coming artists who are hungry a platform. An avenue to "Network" *laughs* with other dudes in the game, which creates other opportunities. Some people have taken full advantage of it by selling their materials there and connecting with other artists and producers, while some still haven't figured it out yet.

Dubcnn:  As a concert promoter, what qualities are you looking for in newer artists that are in being opening act performers?

First off, I tell folks, your music is a reflection of you. If you don't put your heart and soul into your music, which includes proper mixing and mastering, don't come this way. The first thing we do is listen to the sound quality. Sound quality alone will have people who are in a position to change your life walk away from you. Your song or songs might be great, but the quality tells a person a lot about you and your business moves. Bottom line, you've gotta spend a little to get a lot.

Dubcnn:  After the "U 4 Me" single takes off, what's next on the agenda for you?

Once my single "U 4 Me" takes off, be on the look out for my album "Da Epicenter." It's gonna have some blazin' tracks on there, and some guest features that's gonna catch people way off guard. We're lookin' to have that ready by early next year. I've got another single we plan on dropping after the summer time that's gonna let these dudes know that I'm bout it. So for those of you haters out there that think "U 4 Me" is the only thing I got, you're way off! *Laughs*

But the good thing is, my city loves the record! There's haters, or like my dude Big Omeezy from Sick-Wid-It says, "Shine Blockers," out there who I'd like to thank from the bottom of my heart. Y'all cats let me know that I must be doing something right. As a matter of fact, I'm tryin' to get a handful a day. *Laughs*

Dubcnn:  Thanks a lot for taking the time out to speak with us Network. Let the people know where they can go to hear more of your music and find out more information about you...

You can hear my music on my Myspace Page. We fixin' to shake shit up around here.  Real talk! We pushin' the line for real. Like my dude 40 Water say, "I'm far from a couch potato hustla!" *Laughs*

Dubcnn:  Is there anything else you would like to say?

Yeah, be on the lookout for my single "U 4 Me," available on digital outlets by the beginning of summer! Check out the "Gritz & Eggz" mixtape, and stay tuned for everything else comin' from the EarthQuake Productions camp. I'm a Daygo Boss-A-Saurus that's bout my gritz and eggz, ya dig? I want to give a big shout out to the Sick-Wid-It family, The EarthQuake Productions family in Daygo and Florida. All my dudes in Florida. Jazzy Management, DJ 2-Rille and DJ D-Rock, DJ SABOTAGE (Radio Bums / Violator All Star DJ's), Clinton Wayne, Mad Backer Productions, Blitz Ent, Yogi, LO, Gangsta Rab, Lil Ed, D Black, Big D and WestCoast, WB, DJ Rage, Halon, Digiwaxx, Skeet, Rockhill Ent., House Of Flava, 54 East, Double-00-Beez, Bean, Brain, Gator, Bake, Profit City, Tish, Jelly Roll, DJ Silk, Glasses Malone, Dorsey Fuller, DJ Dale Da Dread, DJ Gigi, Icon Records, Mac P, Steve Vicious, Tommy McMillion, Vic, Big Tone, Urban Network, Deep Rooted, Skeet, Hot Box, Guilty One, Erick Hawk, Chill Ent Group, Dubi, Snow White, Noire Ent, Grimmie Wreck, Tre, Mike Smoke, DJ Junk, Auditory, Big Sherm, Jutebox Ent, Skinny, Moe, P-Roe, D-Scott, Urban EFX...all the producers that deal wit me, and all SD artists if you weren't mentioned.