WILLY NORTHPOLE  (June 2008) | Interview By: Javon Adams

As ever, you can read this exclusive interview below and we urge you to leave feedback on our forums or email them to Javon Adams.

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Interview was done in June 2008

Questions Asked By: Javon Adams

Willy Northpole Interview Audio: Listen Here (Part 1)

Willy Northpole Interview Audio: Listen Here (Part 2)
 

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Due to technical difficulties the first two minutes of this interview were lost. Here is a recap of Willy Northpole’s comments. In the opening exchange of the interview Willy talks about his busy schedule. The Dub Magazine car show that was held the day before where Willy performed in front of his hometown. As a surprise he brought out the CEO of DTP, Ludacris. Willy also let the Dubcnn folks know that he is from Arizona. We asked him if he was ready for the whirlwind of attention that his single, “Body Marked Up” is about to bring. He replied that he is definitely prepared for the ride and touched on his great experience on Rap City just a few days prior.

Interview picks up from that point.


Dubcnn: So with cities that haven’t had a national impact as far as aspiring artists it seems that the talk is always about how they want to be the first to put their city on the map. You have an opportunity to do that for Phoenix, for the state of Arizona. Any pressure with that?

When I get that question, it’s a good pressure not a bad pressure. It feels good to do it. To even be a possible n-gga to actually do that, hell yeah, it’s a good pressure. I know I can do it. Everyday that I wake up I know I gotta work hard. I don’t take no days off man. What time is it right now? 2:30? 9:30 (in the morning) I did a radio interview, just came from the big concert yesterday, know what I’m sayin’? I wake up, checked out of the hotel and went straight to it, know what I’m sayin’? To the radio station, so it’s just like that’s the only pressure, me doing what I gotta do.

Once people hear my music I feel like I’m gonna gain a fan so I don’t feel no pressure as far as whether they’re going to like me or not. It’s just my work ethic and what I’m gonna going.


Dubcnn: Do you feel the support from your hometown?

I’m not even gonna lie to you. When I was walking through that show yesterday man...I got witnesses and it’s on camera. I felt like Michael Jackson walking through that motherf-cker.


Dubcnn: So, tell me how does that feel? When you saw the reaction from the crowd, the reaction, the looks on their faces, how did it make you feel?

First I thought they were there for Luda. Then I forgot, we are in Phoenix, you know? We are in Phoenix. A lot of people do look at me as THAT dude. And Luda came and left. After he left, my line wrapped around the whole facility for autographs. I was signing autographs until the lights went off. They were turning the lights off in the building. Security was like, “Well, he’s still here he wants to keep going.” I just kept, knocked everybody out man.

That’s why I feel like I’m in a good position. My city has responded. In Arizona it’s hard to get a good response if you’re not doing it the right way. And they responded to me well. I had a few haters come up, you know try to throw little jabs here and there. But you know it’s nothing that was ever going to affect me because I got too much people that love my sh-t n-gga!


Dubcnn: I read somewhere where you said that your music used to sound ‘real west’. Do you think that’s where artists fall into a trap by trying to sound like an artist from the West Coast or from the East Coast or what’s hot?

A lot of times people think that’s what you gotta do. If that’s you, then that’s you. Its not that my music used to be West, I used to just focus on the negativities from what I’ve been through growing up. Instead of just showing my emcee skills I used to just talk about the hood, where I was from, dah dah dah dah dah. Which is still cool, but in order to be that broad artist you can’t be a rapper you have to be an artist. You gotta learn how to step out the box man and take chances. A n-gga ain’t gotta look tough all the time with a screw face, know what I’m sayin’?

Its really just do what you gotta do. And when I write my music I try to appeal to all markets, you know what I’m sayin’? Not just the n-ggas in the hood, not just black folks, not just the white dude that’s going through it or the esse that’s going through it. I’m trying to appeal to everybody. That’s why I say that...I used to be real West influenced but around the time when I first got out of jail I started listening to East Coast music. First it was all West Coast music, then I went to jail and started listening to East Coast music from Jay-Z to all these other artists. I just blended it all and created my own sh-t.

I don’t feel like I sound like nobody. I get comparisons sometimes but I really think I’ve found my...When I was coming up I was trying to mimic other n-ggas, you know, the people I looked up to. But now I think I’ve found myself to where I’m gonna be my own trendsetter.


Dubcnn: Tell the people out there what’s the biggest misconception about being signed. When they think of the fast cars and the fast life, what’s the biggest misconception?

They got it f-cked up. N-ggas really got it f-cked up. Like, y’all see them artists walking around with fast...you can believe it when you see it with the Luda’s, the Jay-Z’s, the CEOs, the Puffy’s. But n-ggas gotta work hard for that sh-tt. That sh-t don’t come over night. Unless you’re a dumb ass artist or unless you still trapping in the streets or whatever you gonna do. You can’t just get it like that.

When people see that all they see are the girls. All they see is the outside of it. They don’t see how you gotta impress a label every single day to stay their number one priority, know what I’m sayin’? You gotta wake up every morning, keep recording, you gotta work out. You can’t be in no bullsh-t. You wanna slap n-ggas up but you can’t do s#it like that no more. You gotta stay focused. Keep your circle small and just grind it out.

You gotta have a management team that’s willing to work. People around that are willing to work. You can’t have no homies. A lot of homies just wanna hang around and stand in front of you when you taking pictures. Know what I’m sayin’? You gotta cut n-ggas like that off. Just everything, you know? You lose friends, you gain friends, you hurt, you cry, all that sh-t. People don’t see that because all they see is the “Body Marked Up” video or the Rap City’s or the concerts. They don’t see on the inside how hard I’m workin’ for this sh-t.

Even my physical health, you know what I’m sayin’? A n-gga goin’ on a diet, trying to eat right so I don’t get winded on stage know what I’m sayin’? *laughs* So, it’s hard man, it’s a hard job but its what I do. I don’t have a 9 to 5 so its nothing else to do but what I’m doin’, know what I’m sayin’? It’s kinda like a long term investment. Its not going to come now but as I’m giving it legs its going to pay off. My people tell me I’m the hardest working artist at the label. I’m recording every single day. Besides Luda, they say I’m the hardest working artist but that’s just me. I don’t see it as working hard. I love being in the studio making new music. I love signing autographs and all that sh-t. That s#it is crazy.

Who wouldn’t want that sh-t? A lot of n-ggas front like, “I ain’t in it for the fame!” Then what the f-ck are you in it for then n-gga? You could make money doing something else. What you wanna rap for if you not in it to have fun, to have wealth and to live your life and do this and do that? That’s just my opinion. So anybody who say that shh-t, get off that sh-t. I love that sh-t! Throw me the f-cking lights, n-gga! Give me all the shine. It’s like John Gotti and them n-ggas. They was, you know…I don’t mind, I don’t mind. I’m not doing nothing illegal. I’m just focusing on my music and having fun with it. I love motherf-ckas that recognize me and say my music did this or did that for them. Or that they like this song or that song. You know what I’m sayin’?


Dubcnn: Yeah. So, speaking of that spotlight, you obviously signed to DTP. You work with Luda and you have Chaka Zulu as well. I’m sure they mentor you and try to teach you. What’s the biggest thing that they have taught you? The biggest lesson learned that has helped you out or that they taught you?

The thing about Chaka, Chaka and Luda are like two totally different individuals. Chaka is the CEO of Disturbing Tha Peace with Luda. Also he is the manager of Luda. He manages Luda, know what I’m sayin’? Chaka is more like the, I’m not going to say ‘father-type’ n-gga but he’s more like….We had a dinner for Ludacris’ restaurant opening. Chaka is the type to come fix your tie and make sure you’re straight. He’ll do some sh-t like that for me.


Dubcnn: The little things that mean a lot

The little things. He teaches me how to hold a mic and how to talk to my peoples but it’s also Jeff Dixon too. He’s Chaka’s brother. There’s three CEOs of Disturbing Tha Peace and Jeff is one of them. So Chaka and Jeff is more like the n-ggas that look out for me. Like, they might say “I don’t know if you wanna wear that. It looks too bright.” They look out for me on that area.

Luda teaches me the politics like on what to say at these radio stations. Because a lot of the radio stations try to take jabs at each other and try to put the artist in the middle of that sh-t. You know what I’m sayin’, the two sides. And Luda is teaching me how to balance that s#it out…How to take photos and different poses. He’s showin’ me sh-t like that. So, they’re both bringing two different...and on top of that it’s a family.

I don’t think a lot of n-ggas can connect with they’re CEO’s the way I connect with mine. When I go to New York I stay in they spot. I stay in their condos, know what I’m sayin’? When I’m in Atlanta I stay at Luda’s house. So it’s a balance of friendship and business but I value their opinion. Them n-ggas sold millions and millions of records. So, I can’t think like a local n-gga no more and think that my opinion matters. They definitely take my opinion into consideration. If I just don’t want to do some sh-t they won’t make me do it. But at the same time there might be a beat or two that I might disagree with and they might say, “This is the one.” I’ll rap over it and it comes out hot as hell. That’s what they do, that’s what they here for.


Dubcnn: Now, when I think of Luda I think of his charisma on the mic. You can definitely tell when he has been on a track. What’s the one word that describes Willy Northpole?

On the mic?


Dubcnn: Yeah, in general. Like Luda with the way he emphasizes some of his syllables and just that charisma.

He’s animated


Dubcnn: Yeah. What’s the one thing that describes Willy Northpole?

Man, I really think, honestly the word...Cannon told me. What was the word? Polished. DJ Cannon told me I’m a real polished artist. He said every once and a while you run across a good polished artist. He heard my album and he heard what I did to his mixtape and the n-gga was like, “You polished! You remind me of an up and coming, like a Jay or somebody.” Just a real polished flow.

Even from the way I dress. I don’t tough talk on the mic. I don’t try to get the crowd to fight n-ggas and sh-t like that. I just get on, do me with a lot of energy, know what I’m sayin’? I don’t even think I need a hype man to be honest with you. It just looks good for now you know. But I think the word Polished. My delivery mixed with the polish…ok, when people see me they see “Body Marked Up” and say Ok, just another West Coast soundin’ ass n-gga. But when you listen to the album I have broad music man. Even some sh-t that Daughtry can sing on, you know what I’m sayin’? You feel me? It goes from “Body Marked Up” to that, so…


Dubcnn: You touched on the album. Is it done? Are you in the process of recording it?

It’s never done until…


Dubcnn: …they say its done.

Until they say it’s done. But, the only fight we’re having right now is what songs are we going to use. Because I have so many songs that I can take it to a totally different...if I take this group of songs I can be viewed as this artist. Or if I take this group of songs I can be viewed as that kind of artist. I got songs that they say is too big for the first album that they want to put on the second album. Like big songs, you know? Big subjects, big topics and they’re saying, “That’s for the second album. That’s too big.” I’m talkin’ about the hits, you know what I mean? And its just like…I say put the sh-t out that’s my opinion. If it’s hot, it’s hot. Don’t sleep on it for two years. *laughs* And expect me to really be comfortable with it as a single. You know what I mean?


Dubcnn: Yeah. Now when you talk about ‘hot songs’ it always leads to, “Who’s the producer on the track?” The way the industry is when you see an artist come out and they say, “I have this hot producer, this hot producer and this hot producer.” Do you find yourself having to fight against getting that hot producer to use up most of your budget to that hot name?

I got beats from a lot of n-ggas man. A lot of big names that I didn’t use, know what I’m sayin’? I don’t care about the name. That sh-t don’t sell no more man. You could have Just Blaze, Timbaland and all kinda hot n-ggas on your album and your budget is gone. And your sh-t don’t sell sh-t. Music is changing man. From the “Oochy Wally’s” to the “Get Silly’s”, it’s just changing. Don’t get me wrong, “Get Silly” will smack but it’s just a change in music. It doesn’t matter who is producing what anymore.

It’s a good sound. And I think 50 was one of the first n-ggas that was doing that. You know, just listening to random n-ggas beats and ….


Dubcnn: Yeah and if its hot regardless of who produced it.

I was at his house, I stayed at his house for a little while. They have, like stacks of CDs in the studio. N-ggas used to just listen to beats with random ass producers and he used to just pick them sh-ts.

So, as far as big names I have a couple that’s recognizable that’s been in the game. But I don’t have any Dr. Dre’s, no Timbalands. I don’t feel like I need that right now. There’s nothing wrong with having a beat by Dre but I don’t…this album


Dubcnn: To use up everything you have to have a beat by Dre doesn’t make sense.

Yeah


Dubcnn: You were talking about how you feel comfortable in voicing your opinion to, say Luda or Chaka. How active, at this stage in your career, how active are you?

To?


Dubcnn: In terms of guiding yourself. I know that sometimes get into a position and they say, “Whatever you want me to do is what I’ll do.” So, how active are you?

Like I said, I value their opinion but if I don’t like it then I don’t have to do it. You feel what I’m saying? Like, I don’t have to do anything. Like, we shot a video with my own money from my own budget. The label didn’t want me to put it out yet. They were like, “Wait”. It was the colors in the video and some other sh-t. But they always say, “If you feel like that’s what you wanna do, just do it.” And that’s the words of Jeff Dixon, Chaka’s brother. He’s like the Kareem of the Roc, know what I’m sayin’? The silent…he’s not really in the limelight too much like Chaka and Cris but Jeff is definitely boss on the label.

Jeff is the type of person to say, “Willy, I don’t want you to do this my n-gga cuz I’m lookin’ out for you. I don’t think it would be a good look if you do this. I don’t think it would be a good look if you say this in your music.” Because I’ve said some s#it that was disrespectful in my music that I actually changed because I value their opinion. Not because they made me but because they asked me. They was like, “You might not want to say that because you’ll offend a lot of people if you say that.”

My thing is it’s a freedom of speech and you just say what you wanna say. But at the same time I gotta think of a business man. If I want McDonalds to sponsor a n-gga and Pepsi to get a hold of a n-gga, you know?


Dubcnn: Yeah, I hear you.

So, whatever they say, I value it and me and my manager Tiffany J we make the final decision on what we feel is best for the career. But we definitely take everybody’s opinion into consideration.


Dubcnn: So, you talk about your career. I read where you said you wanna be listed as one of the five elites in the game. What’s it gonna take for you to be one of the five elites?

Consistency. I think mixtapes alone can put you in that category. When Papoose first came out people were going crazy over the way he spit.


Dubcnn: Good point.

Now what I’m sayin’? So, Papoose, I don’t really know what he’s doing right now but I know that he’s a hot rapper. I know he’s good at what he do.


*Momentary pause in interview*


Dubcnn: So, you were saying about Papoose?

So Papoose came in and stamped himself as a lyricist. Lupe Fiasco came in and stamped himself as a lyricist. You know, five elites, I think it’s a new generation. It could be a new generation of five elites. You know the old generation was Pac, Biggie, Jay-Z, Nas you know what I’m sayin’? We change with the generation. Just like it was Jordan, Kareeem, Magic and now there’s Kobe, Iverson, Shaq, it’s them n-ggas now. You know what I’m sayin’? So it’s the same thing with rap. Rap Changes, so I definitely think I can be in the category for this generation. Hopefully looked at as a Biggie or Pac, one of them n-ggas in the future.


Dubcnn: And consistency is what will get you there. So, what is something that people would be surprised to know about you? I saw before where you said that you like to look at the Discovery Channel.

Discovery, I’m a...I like to watch politics on CNN. I love that sh-t. I’ll go buy some food, go home and watch that sh-t like it’s a movie. I like daytime TV. *laughs* Maury Povich and sh-t like that. That’s my laid back time though, if I have my little girl over. You know just chill, let her play around while I’m watching TV or something. That’s my laidback day.

Um, I crack a lot of jokes. A lot of n-ggas might think I’m serious all the time. I crack jokes. Me and my n-ggas be roastin’ all the time. That’s all we do. And, you know, I like to work out.


Dubcnn: I’m trying to get like you. I need to go home and do me some push ups myself. *laughs* I was reading where you said that regardless of what it is you are ‘Willy everyday’ and nothing changes about you. But my question is, in order to get to that elite status with that consistency do you feel that you might have to step out or elevate parts of your personality to get that attention? Not change who you are but…

When I say I’m Willy everyday I don’t mean….when n-ggas say ‘keep it real’ they can get the f-ck out of here with that sh-t. I’m gonna keep it 100 all the time and that ain’t got nothin’ to do with keep it real. When you say, “I’m keepin’ it real” that means you question what you’re doing you know what I’m sayin’?

But when I say ‘Willy Everyday’ I mean I’m not gonna change the person I am. Meaning I’m not going to try to act tough all the time. I ain’t gonna try to impress n-ggas or anything like that. I’m just gonna do me and have fun with this music cuz that’s what I wanna do. I’m never going to change that person. But as far as my music and stepping out of the box and collabing with folks that people wouldn’t normally collab with, hell yeah I’ll do that. That’s just me as an artist, know what I’m sayin’?


Dubcnn: So when we sit down right around New Years what would you have accomplished for 2008?

For 2008? I would feel by that time my single should be moving a little further. I accomplished a single and it’s a good street anthem. I can see me growing as one of the top mixtape emcees cuz I’m goin’ in on these mixtapes. I finished one with DJ Cannon, Green Lantern. Of course DJ Skee and Smalls down South. Then I’m touching on all these other little mixtapes, hostin’ ‘em. Just being a beast along with these DJs. Just building the legs before the machine even kicks in.

They were trying to give me a release. They’re still trying to push me this year but if my s#it ain’t out then I’m not coming out. They’re not about to flop me, I feel I’ve worked too damn long and too hard for them to just throw me out with the wolves like a little piece of bread and just have me get eaten. Even though I’m a good artist but a lot of good artists flop, know what I’m sayin’? Because of the buzz, the ethics and things like that but my s#it’s gonna be right before I come out. So, December 31st the nation should know who I am. Big time


Dubcnn: Any last words? I know you have a crew (Man Up Squad). You want to talk about them? What do you want to leave dubcnn with?

As far as the squad, man we just like brothers. N-ggas go through sh-t. Some n-ggas is on and some n-ggas is off. But we’re still 100 and everybody is still squad. It’s always gonna be squad. Everybody has each other’s numbers and everybody keeps in contact with each other. We’re not as tight as I would want it to be that’s part of my job and a few leaders of the squad to get things back together and really back to what it was.

Because as far as emcees, ain’t nobody f-ckin’ with the squad. There’s no emcees out there that are better then what we do and I promise you that. If we could just get our s#it right and get passed the bulls#it...we let a lot of n-ggas in and it got bigger than what we wanted it to be. We got up to 100 members. We had Man Up n-ggas in New York, down South. N-ggas in Man Up Europe, Germany hittin’ us up talkin’ ‘bout they the Man Up Squad. It was just getting a little bit out of hand so calm it down and get it a little bit more organized and come back with it though. But that’s part of my job, part of my duties and Cinque’s job. There’s a lot of big heads up there, you know Fraze, Raymond Redd and a lot of them dudes, we just have to get it right.

As far as Dubcnn, thank you for having a n-gga on it. It’s good and I hear a lot about y’all. I was expecting some controversial questions but *laughs* I escaped this one pretty easy.


Dubcnn: Nah man, next time we talk maybe I’ll bring some controversy to the table but I wanted to let the people know who you were.

Shout out to the whole West Coast. I know they check this out. The whole Southwest. You know I used to live on 110th and Vermont in Cali so, you know I have a little bit of CA roots. Not too much, I’m from Arizona but I used to live out there for a couple of years.


Dubcnn: Alright, thanks for your time man.