VERBAL (September 2010) | Interviewer J-Double

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Interview was done in September 2010

Questions Asked By: J-Double

Dubcnn: Thanks for taking the time to holla at us, I know you and work have been featured on Dubcnn for a minute, but let our readers who may not be up to speed yet, know your resume?

Thanks for having me, I was born in South Central L.A. and lived everywhere from the “Jungles” to the “Neighborhoods”. You can say I was heading in the wrong direction, so my pops decided to move me to the Desert in order for me to get away from the violence. His mind state at the time was to give me a future instead of planning my funeral.

Needless to say it was the same situation out here just “Hotter” with less buildings and no sidewalks! As a youngster I remember listening to artist like Chino XL and Canibus on the “Wake Up Show”, that sparked my interest in wanting to create my own music...So I started grinding and became a part of the “Massive Thursdays” on Dubcnn, this lead to my feature on the track "Runnin Ya Mouth" with Chino XL, then I dropped "U Ain't Heard” featuring Phil The Agony and Planet Asia. Recently I dropped my new single off "Get Down or Lay Down" entitled "Get Her" featuring R&B singer Avant.


Dubcnn: Congratulations on the new single “Get Her” featuring Avant, it’s definitely a club banger, how did that record come about, and will you two be working on any other records in the future?

Thanks, I appreciate that homie. It’s about from me grinding and doing my thing. So someone connected to him was feeling my music and thought it would be a good idea for us to collab...we made it happen and "Get Her" was the result. We might have to do some more work together.


Dubcnn: Our Dubcnn readers may be familiar with your work on Massive Thursdays, but you’ve also worked with a few other noteworthy acts like, Planet Asia and Chino XL, just to name a few…so what are listeners to expect from the upcoming street album “Get Down or Lay or Down”?

Since I'm from the west coast your definitely gonna hear that influence, but my music is universal. I have something for the underground, mainstream, east, west etc. I never limit myself. there is something on the album for everyone to enjoy.


Dubcnn: Who are some of the producers you collaborated on the album?

Verbal: Well I got artists like XL Middleton, HMG/Universal Recording artist Epademik, my homie Lee Wilson from Canada, KDE (who's produced for lil wayne) Tommy Black (who's produced for Glasses Malone) and a up and coming producer named YG Feeva.


Dubcnn: I hear that you are also recording alongside other Dubcnn alumni like Clinton Wayne, how did that connection come about?

I met Clinton Wayne backstage at the “Rock The Bells” concert a few years ago. A few months later I ran into him at the again at the studio, so we chopped it up, he told me my name was “buzzin” in the streets and we needed to link, being that we both represent the desert it was only right.


Dubcnn: Being that “Get Down or Lay Down” is considered your “street album” are their any plans to follow this up with a retail album?

This actually will be a retail album. It contains all original material, "Get Down or Lay Down" will also be available on all digital outlets such as Itunes, Amazon, CD Baby as well as physical copies.


Dubcnn: In preparation for this interview I was able to do a little more research on you, and I can see that you are very much a “hip-hop” head who’s also very connected to a lot of artists in the game, what do you feel you bring to the table from an artists perspective?

I'm half Belizean and Panamanian who grew up in South Central as well as the Desert. My story is different because of my cultural background.


Dubcnn: Being that you are among some of the new artists rising out of west coast, what are your thoughts about the seemingly uphill battle that is west coast music these days?

It don't affect me...I’m one of those people who still buy albums. I'm a fan of music in general, plus I feel like I've created my own lane so I'm not in competition with anyone. Good music is good music period.


Dubcnn: Before we get outta here let our readers know how they can get a hold of you for collabos, features, etc.?

Verbal: For features and booking hit me on email, other than that you can check me out on Twitter, or Facebook, MySpace, ReverbNation, and my website will be up real soon.


Dubcnn: Any last words before we get outta here?

Be on the lookout for my street album "Get Down or Lay Down" featuring Phil The Agony, Planet Asia, Chino XL, Clinton Wayne, Epademik, XL Middleton & more

Also a shout out to my Fam, my Girl, Daughter, Dynasty Crew, The 760, Desert Boyz, YG Feeva, J-jackz, Murda Mick, Clinton Wayne, Rakaa Iriscience, C-Sick, Billy Danze of M.O.P., Phil The Agony, Planet Asia, Strong Arm Steady, Epademik, XL Middleton, Redrum, Ghetto Rich, West Coast Angel, Big D, Sean 1, The Basement, and all the radio station playing my music, not too mention J-Double, Rud and Dubcnn for always holding me down.

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