NEW c-bo interview

[Sickaluffa]

If you asked this 36-year old, West Coast hip-hop artist from Sacramento, California what would he change about his past his response would be, "I wouldn't change nothing." Surprising huh? Even after growing up in Garden Block one of Cali's gang infested neighbourhoods, losing family and friends to violence, and spending most of his live in and out of jail C-Bo wouldn't change a thing about his past. That's probably because his future seems promising after 3 million albums sold independently since 1993 and being one of the first artists to release a solo album off of Young Buck's Cashville Records.



"It's Cashville Records, that's all I can say!" says C-Bo.



C-Bo has recorded over 20 albums with peculiar titles such as Gas Chamber, Til My Casket Drops, and Tales From The Crypt, which is probably why he is one of the West Coast most controversial lyricists that keeps the consumers coming back for more. In addition to his solo albums C-Bo has collaborated with Academy Award winner Cuba Gooding's younger brother Omar Gooding, Yukmouth, and Nashville's own Young Buck. C-Bo is releasing records like it's going out of style including Hittas On Payroll in addition to West Side Ryders IV: World Wide Mob.



Reality rap is what he's bringing to the industry no matter how G-Unit might feel about his relationship with former Gorilla Unit member Young Buck because at the end of the day, "We getting money regardless as long as they cutting the checks," says C-Bo.



Do you think that being from the West Coast influenced your stye and the way you produce music?



Oh yeah, our music over here is reality and we're living what we rap about.



At what point in your life did you know that you were going to pursue hip-hop as a career?



I was kind of young, but as I kept with it rapping in the hood and in jail I finally came out and decided to come with it.



What artists inspired you as far as hip-hop is concerned?



LL Cool J, Ice Cube, and Tupac.



I love to ask this question. What was the first hip-hop album you ever purchased?



Man, I think the first record I probably bought was LL Cool J I'm Bad.



You have a lot of records and I heard you sold over 3 million records since you signed independently?



Yes.



How did you do that? [Laughs]



Promoting myself, going to the neighbourhoods, going to the ghettos, and staying in the streets with it. I wasn't signed to a major record label that would pay for million dollar tours or anything like that so I was doing a lot myself.



Did you ever feel discouraged during that process because pushing your own music and trying to get others to believe in you can be very stressful?



Your mind gotta be stable. You gotta do you regardless and I have my fans that support me.



Is there one instance that stands in your mind where you said to yourself if I get through this than I can pursue a career in hip-hop?



There's always a point in this game that a person wants to reach. I wanted to own my own record label, which was pretty much at the top for me.



How would you describe your style of music?



Reality rap.



Why?



When I write all I can think of is the streets and what's going on in the world. You know I'm not going in the club snapping or whatever, I can't even write a record like that. I'm a street cat all I can do is report the truth. When you listen to my record you can learn something about the streets, you might learn where to put a gun at in the car or whatever [laughts].



So, you think if Akon or T-Pain came to you with a track you would have a difficult time writing to that?



No because my verse will be for the streets, no matter what they say, it's going to be the streets first and then what their talking about. I'm coming from the hood, going to the club.



So, are you currently living in the hood?



I just left the hood.



How was it growing up in Cali because I know their hoods are no joke as far as gangs?



Oh yeah, gangs were heavy in my neighbourhood.



Were you involved with the wrong crowd?



I was in the streets hanging with older guys and following them around doing what they were doing.



What do you think are some misconceptions that people have about the hood?



I think people in the entertainment industry glamorize the ghetto and everything we do here. They don't see all the pain and suffering that goes along with other shit and what we go through on a daily. I see mothers crying, babies dying, brothers dying, funerals, and all that other shit. It angers me because I know I'm from the streets and they glamorize the hood for what it's not.



Do you still go back to your old neighbourhood often?



That's my neighbourhood for real! I go back to my neighbourhood and holla at my homeboys to make sure they standing up. I know one thing once you come from the hood you ain't going to forget about it.



If you could give advice to young inner city men what would you say?



Stay away from all that negative bullshit! Worry about your life and your future, plan for your future.



While we're talking about your future you mentioned that you wanted to start your own label can you talk a little bit about that?



I started my own record company West Coast Mafia in 1997 or 1998. I was an artist at one time at a label that was putting me out, but I felt as though they weren't paying me right so you know how that is so I started my own label.



How did you take that idea of starting your own label and making it into a reality?



It was part of the plan anyway.



So, you are also signed to Cashville Records?



Yep.



How did you hook up with Young Buck?



It's crazy because Buck was over there with G-Unit and there was a little West Coast beef at that point of time and a lot of cats was riding on G-Unit or whatever. So, my partner was like, "Man, have you seen Young Buck's first record?" He showed me the credits and he had my name in there and Buck was the only muthafucker that we was really fucking with because we really was riding on 50. So, Spider Loc had went to G-Unit and he was on my label at one time, so once he went over there to G-Unit me and him still kept in contact and he would tell me how they were feeling about me. At that point that made me want to holla at Buck and see who he was.



So, what were some of things that they were saying about you over at G-Unit?



It was never a response. It was pretty much the West was just banging on their doors to see what it was. Once me and Buck got together I squashed all of that on the West Side that n*ggas was pulling. It ain't about that, pretty much it's about money.



So, would you say the G-Unit beef is squashed?



It's Cashville Records, that's all I can say! My record label is West Coast Mafia and I don't know what's going on. Buck got a situation with 50 and I'm with Buck regardless. It is, what it is.



So, how's your relationship with Young Buck?



It's perfect. That's my n*gga right now. He calls me every other day, emails me music, we rocking shows together.



Did you hear about the suicide rumors concerning Buck? Was that true?



Hell nah! We getting money regardless as long as they cutting the checks.



So, he's doing alright?



Yeah, he's still rocking shows and still doing videos.



Talk about your latest projects?



It's a compilation, West Side Ryders IV and it's been doing pretty good.



So, what about The Rise To Fame album?



I got Murda Mayhem and Omar Gooding who is major hot right there.



Omar Gooding the actor?



Yeah.



He raps?



Oh yeah!



So, he's coming out on your label?



West Coast Mafia we doing it I'm telling you! They don't know yet though, but next year they gonna really know that we doing it!



Where did you get some of the titles from your album from because they are off the hook? You have Tales From The Crypt, In Thugs We Trust and The Autopsy.



The creation of the mind. Reality rap, that's real right there.



How's your fan base? Is it strictly West Coast or overseas?



Yeah, I'm overseas, but mostly West Coast. I'm in the South and breaking into the East Coast like Jersey, Queens, and DC.



What other business ventures are you into?



We just shot a trailer to a movie that we're going to shoot next month with me, Young Buck, Omar Gooding, and a few other actors.



Omar Gooding can really rap? [Laughs]



Yeah, that boy is dope! That boy is dope, I'm telling you for real. That boy got shit. Y'all ain't going to believe it.



Is there a message you want to send out to the industry or the streets?



Stop snitching!



Why would you say stop snitching?



A lot of people are involving themselves in situations that they have no business in, but when their caught up in that situation they want to tell all the business. You know they get out of a bad situation and when they get caught up ain't nobody keeping it real. People want to talk about being in the game and doing different things just make sure your being a stand up dude no matter what happens you gotta go do you for real.



What's your definition of being a stand up dude?



If your in the same game whatever or whoever you surround yourself with-if something happen, that's how it happens, that's how it is, that's you. There ain't no pointing the fingers or nothing.



Basically, are you saying if you stick your nose in someone's business then your going to have to suffer the consequences?



That too. There are a lot of people that are knocking on the door trying to get to the streets and really they get in the streets and there's war.



What should we be expecting from C-Bo in early 209?



Be expecting the Cashville solo record and for the first time I will be touring out of the country.



You haven't been overseas yet?



Never.



Where are trying to go?



Sweden.



That's a good look because that's where a lot of artists make their money overseas.



Yeah, that's why I'm trying to go. I just got off of parole about fourteen days ago for the first time since I was 14 years old.



Are you serious?



Nah, it's the second time.



And how old are you?



36. That's why it's going to be a big change in 2009.

Source: Yo! Raps Magazine | FEATURES: C-Bo - Reality Rap

[Birdie]

{ E. B. K.} 4 click clack GANG:

Any news on new Young Bleed album? Once Upon A Time In Amedica is in my TOP 5 albums of 2007. It came from West Coast Mafia as well...



Something for example...

[Sickaluffa]

{ E. B. K.} 4 click clack GANG:

Any news on new Young Bleed album? Once Upon A Time In Amedica is in my TOP 5 albums of 2007. It came from West Coast Mafia as well...



Something for example...

no clue but ill look into it

[Sofa_King_Awesome]

Good read. C-Bo the bald head nut!