New Knoc-turn'al Interview On Rapindustry.com (Confirms First Single/Album/More)

[Lunatic]

I was just surfing the net a bit and found this brand new Knoc interview on rap industry..Figured some of y'all might wanna read it.

Interview:  http://www.rapindustry.com/knocturnal_interview.htm

It’s been a few years since we’ve last heard from you Knoc. When your last single The Way I Am dropped in 2004, it seemed to be a sure thing that you were going to jump back on top because everyone was feeling the title track. However, it ended up being the only track released off of that album. What was the reason behind that?

Knoc: Lyor Cohen (former head of Island Def Jam) bought Elektra from Time Warner at around the same time that my album was supposed to be released. He ended up firing 400 people from the rap department, so I couldn’t really move forward with my project. I ended up being released, debt and obligation free.

Elektra actually offered you your own label, LA Confidential, at one point. What ever happened with that?

Knoc: A couple of things just weren’t right with the owners. So I just felt that it was best to just back away. Sometimes you just gotta move on, I’m sure I’m not the first person to move on from a shady label and I probably won’t be the last.

So what have you been working on since you left the label?

Knoc:I got my solo album project coming out called The Book of Knoc on a label deal we got with Equity Records. I’m just trying to make sure we get everything done , but it’s basically almost done. I did about fifteen songs, plus a couple of skits and interludes. It’s a great album; just keep looking for it because it should be coming sometime this summer.

This is going to be your third studio album. How would you describe the sound of this one?

Knoc: The sound’s crazy, there’s been a lot of love. There are some features on there that’ll basically build up my camp. I got a couple of West Coast artists like Mr. Big. There’s also a group that we formed for the West Coast called Mathmadix.

What is going to be the focus of the new album?

Knoc: I’m just going to be real about the streets and what really goes on, you know? I want to focus on life and on me, since I haven’t been out in 3-4 years. It’s basically the stuff that the fans want to hear. Being that they have been supporting me this whole time throughout my entire career, I got to give them what they want to hear.

What do you plan on dropping as the first single?

Knoc: The first single’s gonna be a track called “Ya Boy is Back”, and it’s produced by Scott Storch. It’s just me on there and Scott’s producing so it’s definitely a hot track…he’s a good dude. Scott also produced “The Way I Am”, so we just work well together.

Last album Missy Elliot, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg were just a few of the big names you featured on some of your tracks. Who do you link up with this time around?

Knoc: Of course I got Dre. I’m working with Ice Cube on one of my last songs so that I can finish up my album. I got Nate Dogg, DJ Quik, David Banner, Jayo-Felony, Proof of D-12 (R.I.P.), Warren G, and a couple of other local artists I was telling you about, like Mathmatix. I’m just trying to round the album out to where I can give the West Coast artists and fans what they deserve and what they need. A lot of times West Coast artists will come out and instead of trying to help out the West, they rely on the East Coast cats and don’t try and get the West Coast cats paid. That’s why with all of the things I come out with, I just try and stick to what I know and do mainly West Coast things. The only East Coast thing I did was the Transporter soundtrack a few years back, where I recorded a song called Muzik that Kanye West produced.

Tell me a little bit more about some of the projects you have worked on.

Knoc: I did a couple of other things, like “When I Bubble it's Trouble” with Quik. I’ve written a couple of songs for The Chronic and a few songs for The Wash. I wrote a couple of songs for Warren G on the Return of the Regulator as well. I linked up with a couple of different dudes like Crooked I, and Big Tyme just to see what I could do to try and help out their careers. Sometimes West Coast artists don’t get a lot of the props that they deserve, so whatever I can do to help I will.

You started out your career writing for some of the hottest rappers on the West Coast, and you have been featured on some of the classic albums. Do you ever feel that you’re not given enough credit as a solo artist, as compared to some of the hits that you helped to create?

Knoc: No, not at all. I feel like the job was done, I just have to keep pushing to become a legend. It’s really about leaving your legacy, getting as many awards as you can and just trying to make timeless music so that people will listen to you even when you’re gone.

The industry has changed a lot since you were last out. How do you feel about the state of hip hop now?

Knoc: I feel like its going good, like we’re moving in the right direction. We need a little bit of censoring of course, because we are trying to raise our youth.

True. True. Who exactly is Knoc feeling right now? What artists are you listening to?

Knoc: Mainly Mathmadix (laugh). Actually, right now I like a couple of different people. A cat I did a song with is actually a pretty good r&b singer. I listen to a lot of stuff; I just mainly want to know what the basis of it is. I kind of felt Akon a bit, but things just started to get a little repetitious. That’s not something I want to have in my career, because when you start to get too repetitious you burn out too fast and people get tired of hearing you. I just tried to get back in it with this album and this camp that I’m trying to build and just come back with a whole foundation of people. That way, it could be more of a movement, and not like me just trying to ride for myself and by myself like I had to do last time.

You sound like a good businessman, like you have a plan set together for what you would like to do differently this time.

Knoc: Yeah. I just grew up a little bit, that’s all. Less drinking, less smoking, you know?

Is there anything that you would like to let the fans know about you before I let you go?

Knoc: I just really appreciate them supporting me throughout my whole career. When this next album comes out, The Book of Knoc, they will not be disappointed. I took my time on it.



Nice. So we got a first single y'all. "Ya Boy Is Back" produced by Scott Storch   can't wait to hear that..Book Of Knoc, just in time for the summer y'all

[Dre-Day]

Last album Missy Elliot, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg were just a few of the big names you featured on some of your tracks. Who do you link up with this time around?

Knoc: Of course I got Dre. I’m working with Ice Cube on one of my last songs so that I can finish up my album. I got Nate Dogg, DJ Quik, David Banner, Jayo-Felony, Proof of D-12 (R.I.P.), Warren G, and a couple of other local artists I was telling you about, like Mathmatix. I’m just trying to round the album out to where I can give the West Coast artists and fans what they deserve and what they need. A lot of times West Coast artists will come out and instead of trying to help out the West, they rely on the East Coast cats and don’t try and get the West Coast cats paid. That’s why with all of the things I come out with, I just try and stick to what I know and do mainly West Coast things. The only East Coast thing I did was the Transporter soundtrack a few years back, where I recorded a song called Muzik that Kanye West produced.

nice feature lineup, i'll check the album out when it drops 

[--Vance--]

That's good news, looking forward to the new single. Props for the interview Lu

[Dimos]

Props Luna! What's up with the Jim Gittum interview on raptalk.net? Holla back!

[smegma]

http://www.rapindustry.com/knocturnal_interview.htm
Add this link to your initial post. They did the work, so they deserve the hits.


What Knoc said about his album sounds like a crazy West Coast compilation album. I don't know about a Scott Storch single though.

[KC-HOODSTA]

yo man on ya avatar isn't coming

spelled with one M

[Dodgers#1]

propz

[Lunatic]

Dre Day: no doubt, looks good.
Vance: no problem
Dimos: Np. I gotta call up Jim Gittum once again. Last time we spoke he said he was really busy. I'll get an update on that soon.
Smegma: Its been added, happy?   Scott Storch is dope and him/knoc have never disappointed me, so I love the idea that Storch produced the lead single
Kansas: Yes the album is coming, around summer time. The cover is something treacherous did, contact them about the spelling
Dodgers: No doubt

[KC-HOODSTA]

Dre Day: no doubt, looks good.
Vance: no problem
Dimos: Np. I gotta call up Jim Gittum once again. Last time we spoke he said he was really busy. I'll get an update on that soon.
Smegma: Its been added, happy?   Scott Storch is dope and him/knoc have never disappointed me, so I love the idea that Storch produced the lead single
Kansas: Yes the album is coming, around summer time. The cover is something treacherous did, contact them about the spelling
Dodgers: No doubt

im just saying tho cuz it's funny

COMMIN SOON

[Lunatic]

^LOL true

[Tha G In Deee]

Dope interview. Knoc is mad slept on right now. I know this album will get people looking at him again though.

[187Proof]

Good work Luna! Can't wait for Knoc to get rollin again...I'm all about his 1st single being produced  by Scott Storch. And daaammnn.....the album featuring Dre, Quik, Nate Dogg, Ice Cube, Warren G, & more?!??! That lineup is bananas!!! Props!

[Lunatic]

Good work Luna! Can't wait for Knoc to get rollin again...I'm all about his 1st single being produced  by Scott Storch. And daaammnn.....the album featuring Dre, Quik, Nate Dogg, Ice Cube, Warren G, & more?!??! That lineup is bananas!!! Props!

This isn't my interview lol. I'm just bringing it to the attention of the fans. I am gonna try to do my interview with Knoc for raptalk within the next few weeks. Yep, the lineup looks ridiculous. All those amazing proven vets plus I know it has some great up and comers like Knawledg, Ripacut, Deztined, J-Beam & Big Tyme.

[187Proof]

Good work Luna! Can't wait for Knoc to get rollin again...I'm all about his 1st single being produced  by Scott Storch. And daaammnn.....the album featuring Dre, Quik, Nate Dogg, Ice Cube, Warren G, & more?!??! That lineup is bananas!!! Props!

This isn't my interview lol. I'm just bringing it to the attention of the fans. I am gonna try to do my interview with Knoc for raptalk within the next few weeks. Yep, the lineup looks ridiculous. All those amazing proven vets plus I know it has some great up and comers like Knawledg, Ripacut, Deztined, J-Beam & Big Tyme.

Yeah, but I know I wouldn't have see it if it wasn't for u b ringing it to my attention (and I'm sure many peeps on here feel the same way). Props homie!

[Lunatic]

Good work Luna! Can't wait for Knoc to get rollin again...I'm all about his 1st single being produced  by Scott Storch. And daaammnn.....the album featuring Dre, Quik, Nate Dogg, Ice Cube, Warren G, & more?!??! That lineup is bananas!!! Props!

This isn't my interview lol. I'm just bringing it to the attention of the fans. I am gonna try to do my interview with Knoc for raptalk within the next few weeks. Yep, the lineup looks ridiculous. All those amazing proven vets plus I know it has some great up and comers like Knawledg, Ripacut, Deztined, J-Beam & Big Tyme.

Yeah, but I know I wouldn't have see it if it wasn't for u b ringing it to my attention (and I'm sure many peeps on here feel the same way). Props homie!

Oh, alright lol. No problem homie. I came across it by luck. Knoc told me he was doin this one with rapindustry soon, but I totally forgot haha. Found it through a google search. BOOK OF KNOC