WIZ KHALIFA (November 2008) | Interview By: Jonathan Hay

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Interview was done in October 2008

Questions Asked By: Jonathan Hay

Interview Assistance By: Sabrina

Wiz Khalifa Gave A Shoutout To Dubcnn: Listen Here
 

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Dubcnn Exclusive – Wiz Khalifa
A Dubcnn Exclusive
By Jonathan Hay
 www.myspace.com/jonathanhay
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Dubcnn: What are your overall feelings off the negative publicity – such as content, or morale associated with hip-hop?

I feel like hip-hop itself gets a whole lot of negative publicity because of some of the controversial topics that the artists speak on – or the songs where they are beefing – and beefing I think is really getting out of hand – and it’s to a point where artists are trying to use beef to sell records, which I don’t think is a good message to bring to the game, because it misrepresents us as hip-hop artists and musicians because it makes the people look at hip-hop as a whole like that… and not just the individual artists who are doing it. So I really don’t feed into the negativity or backlash – and I want people to like me, not dislike me…


Dubcnn: I agree with you. Do you think it is staged all the beefs and whatnot – or is it really that serious?

I don’t think it’s staged… I just think it gets exaggerated and mixed-up. People know they have cameras on them, or are being recorded and they feel like they have to act a certain way, so artists go a little further than they normally would – exaggerate it and try to make something out of a situation for attention.


Dubcnn: Who are your top 5 or Top 10 personal favorite emcees of all time?

In no order… I would have to say top 5 would be Biggie, Snoop, Big Daddy Kane, Jeezy and [Lil] Wayne.


Dubcnn: Really?

Yeah, I think that’s my top 5. In no particular order…


Dubcnn: What about Rakim or Jigga?

Jay-Z is cool and Rakim is that dude – but I like Kane better than Rakim because he had that swag…


Dubcnn: Yeah. Big Daddy Kane was so nice…

He was all swag and he could spit too… to me, he could spit as good as Rakim and he had that swag that people wanted to hear.


Dubcnn: Yeah and he had that big explosive voice too…

The voice and that whole appeal – he had that star power


Dubcnn: So anyways, I want to talk about your upcoming album. What can people expect from that?

The album is called First Flight and basically, I’m just taking people in the air with me. I’m a new artist and this is my first major label experience – and coming out and having the whole world hear my music and it will be different from what people expect. Being from Pittsburg, I make all kinds of music because of how diverse we are. I want to have a good start on my career and be here for a long time.


Dubcnn: With this being your first major release – ‘cause you’ve done the indie scene, mixtapes, etc – but what’s the main difference in the creative process with indie verses major?

There is really no difference is the creative process, other than probably like the studios I record in. Before I signed with Warner Brothers, I never really recorded in a studio outside of my home-studio in Pittsburg, and when I say home studio, I don’t mean I my house – but my team’s studio. Being able to record in a big studio has been good for me, but as far as creative process I’ve really been keeping it the same, keeping beats from the same people, I’m still always in the studio and writing songs and never taking breaks. I always stay on top of myself and I really tried to keep the same formula and really just build on top of what I’ve already done… I feel like if I start changing things up then I could lose what has got us here now, so…


Dubcnn: I feel that. If it ain’t broke, then don’t fix it…

Exactly.


Dubcnn: So was most of the album done in Pittsburg?

Yea...


Dubcnn: Do you have like a certain vision, sound, color or vibe that you want First Flight to have – and that’s how you selected the songs?

That’s how I do all my projects and there is definitely a vibe and a theme that I want to get across. First Flight has that certain feel to it… I feel like I see music – the color and scenery. It’s art.


Dubcnn: What about the producers for First Flight?

I’ve been working with Terrance Martin, The Runners, DJ Toomp and some other people, but I’ve got my own people and working with the cats I’ve been working with.


Dubcnn: It’s good that you’re so loyal and that you are sticking to your sound and what has worked for you.

I have own in-house production team consisting of three producers, including my mentor who has been working with me since I was 15, showing me how to write songs and put jams together. My mentor is the first one to really take a chance on me – and give me free studio time and beats


Dubcnn: What about touring plans for First Flight?

I’ve been doing that and that been getting crazier and crazier… getting to go to a whole lot of different places and do my show. I’ve travelled a lot and I plan to stay on the road, because the road is where an artist basically makes a living now and the road has a lot more opportunity. I feel more comfortable out on the road then being at home, constantly doing something, meeting new people, making new fans,


Dubcnn: What does you stage show consist of for people who haven’t seen it yet?

It’s a whole bunch of energy. I’m a real outgoing person, so I get on stage and really just become myself. People have fun at my shows… as I get animated, jump around and bring a lot of energy, which is different from me off stage, because I’m really just laid back. My shows are really spontaneous… and sometimes I do a lot of crazy stuff *laughs*.


Dubcnn: What’s the biggest show you’ve done to date?

Probably the Pittsburg Summer Jam because it was right here in the arena in Pittsburg with Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy.. You know. It was real big for me personally and for my city. It was like 50,000 people…


Dubcnn: With the business of hip-hop expanding more than just emceeing and stuff, do have any aspirations outside of hip-hop like movies, TV or…

I definitely want to get into acting and other type of business ventures. I’m trying to cover all avenues other than just music, because music is just a way for me to get started and I’ll definitely move around and do other things. Watch out for me! *Laughing*


Dubcnn: What you say is the image or brand of Wiz Khalifa…

My image is just more of having a good time and having fun, partying and everybody just being themselves. Don’t worry about trying to act too tough or letting your guard down and go with what you feel. Just be real in the world and have fun. I’m always smiling, that’s my thing.