Knoc-Turn'Al Interview ("Answers from the Book of Knoc" Special Edition)

[Lunatic]

http://raptalk.net/website/content/view/1425/54/

It's Monday and Knoc-Turn'Al is back on Raptalk.Net with a very special and extra great edition of the "Answers from the Book of Knoc" series. We apologize for the absence of last week, but will keep it real - My (Lunatic) ccomputer containing all of the Knoc answers and fan questions is in the shop getting fixed therefore we weren't able to post last week! However, myself and Knoc will continue to post interviews every Monday until the computer is back in tact! once that happens, we will continue with your your reguarly scheduled program, being the "Answers from the Book of Knoc" series you've all grown to know and love!

 

In this interview, Knoc talks about auto tune, Akon, T-Pain, Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy, "Crack a Bottle" by Eminem, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent (his personal feelings on the song), Detox, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg and so much more!

 

Make sure you stick around for the entire the interview, as Knoc flips the script and interviews me! I promise you it's one of the funniest moments you've ever read in an interview, so stick around for the entire thing!

Enjoy...

Read Full Interview Here: http://raptalk.net/website/content/view/1425/54/

Raptalk.Net: Knoc-Turn’Al is here on Raptalk and you already know how we do it every Monday, exclusively with Knoc-Turn’Al himself! Were going to talk about Hip-Hop and some current events that are going on in the industry – and we got Knoc-Turn’Al here to gauge us his thoughts on each topic discussed! Start us off with Knoc, with what you think of the auto tune phase?

 
Knoc-Turn’Al: I hate it! (laughs). I pride myself off of being an artist that has about 15-18 voices in me and I can use different voices. I have the souls of many people in me. I don’t need a button to make me sound good. If I could do anything in rap, I would make sure that if I wanted to do something, I don’t need to press a button as far as, “turn that or” or “turn this effect on to make me sound good.” I mean I can do that, that would be very easy. It’ll be easier for us to just turn on a button and say “hey I’m dope.”

 
That would allow any rapper that can’t sing or anything to just get on the microphone and say “hey all y’all gotta’ do is turn on auto tune and you can sound ok.”

   
Raptalk.Net: Preach on, that’s the truth. When you put out “The Way I Am” album in 2004, mix tapes were becoming more and more popular and damn near every artist was putting them out. Since then, we’ve seen that trend become digital music, “the digital age.” What does Knoc think about the digital age, Itunes and would Knoc-Turn’Al ever put out a digital-only album?

 
Knoc-Turn’Al: I like the digital age as far as you have the whole world linked up in one system. I like that idea. The whole world can be linked. You have to realize I linked up the world myself. I sell music in Egypt, I sell music all over the UK, Australia, Japan, anywhere in Africa, India, Middle East – you don’t even understand, there’s a bunch of places I sell music in that is outside of a national level – I’m an international artist. The west coast says that I will be the prince of the west coast, and my whole job will be to infiltrate the world with west coast music and that’s what I’ve been doing! If I have to go in my bat cave to do it, then it’ll be alright.

 
One thing that I know about music is, music is fickle. You’re only as great as your latest hit and your fans will turn on you. One thing for sure is, I’m glad that my true fans haven’t turned on me and once I come out again, I’ll have more fans – but those will be new fans, not the fans that bumped my records before; not the fans that took the time to bump my music; not the fans who even took the time to bootleg it and still buy it.

 
The whole point being around this is, I do what I do. I’ve been doing it, (Dr.) Dre paid me, and everything is good – I’m not having a bad life; it’s ok! The great thing about life is when I come back, don’t act like you didn’t know me before because you saw me passing and you were scared to talk to me! Now you just grew up! (Laughs) you’re a little older and you have some balls about yourself!

 
Raptalk.Net: What do you think of rappers singing R&B style? T.I. and Lil Wayne put out two of the biggest hit singles last year by only singing.

 
Knoc-Turn’Al: All I could do is say that’s them. I can’t tell another rapper how to sell music. If it topped the billboard chart then that’s what it do. I can’t say anything about that. I’m not a hater. I’m not hating on what there doing. I have to make something better than what there doing. Until I do that, then people are gonna’ keep listening to the type of shit that people on the west coast don’t wanna’ hear.

 
Raptalk.Net: That’s extremely true and a very good point. Lil Wayne is now doing a rock album – would Knoc-Turn’Al ever do a rock album?

 
Knoc-Turn’Al: I’m already doing it. He’s doing a rock album but I guarantee you my hyphy-metal will be way better than his.

 
Raptalk.Net: Explain to our readers what you mean by hyphy-metal?

 
Knoc-Turn’Al: Hyphy-Metal is something that we as MathMadix people

(Knoc-Turn’Al’s the group – the MathMadix) came up with. We said that heavy metal and rap music could blend because Run DMC and Aerosmith did it back in the day, “Rock This Way.” I’m a little older than Lil’ Wayne but that’s ok. I was doing (hyphy-metal) this at the beginning of my career but everybody told me “no don’t do that, just get with Dr. Dre” and that’s no disrespect to Dre but the type music that I do and the type of music that I will do is what I feel because music is a vibe; if I go to the studio and I’m in one mood, then I’m going to do that; if I go into the studio and I’m in another mood, then I‘m going to do that – you can’t tell me what type of music to make. That’s why people couldn’t categorize my music.


When I made…Kanye West before he blew up, we made music together for the Transporter Soundtrack – the first Transporter movie they ever made. I did the first single and the lead single off of that with Kanye West (“Muzik”) nobody knew Kanye West but he was a good dude. I picked him to make that song with over Megaheartz and a lot of other people Jay-Z was working with. We had a Paul McCartney sample cleared so that we could do the song – and that was the first Paul McCartney sample that was ever cleared in life.

 
The whole point about this thing is that it is what it is, and do what you believe you could do. If we’re going to address shit, I’m going to address shit in a way that people can understand what I’m saying. What I’m telling you is, I’m not a fly by night person. There’s a reason people understand who Knoc-Turn’Al is. I’m not a person that just sat here and lies about this and that and just rap. I actually got out here and went to go meet these people. You think Obama became the first black man to be the President by sitting in the white house and told his people to go talk to people? No, he actually got out there in those streets and started talking to people. Your vote does count.

 
Raptalk.Net: What do you think about the large amount of usage of T-Pain and Akon hooks in the last year, and how would you compare what they’re doing to what Nate Dogg has?

 
Knoc-Turn’Al: That’s no comparison to what Nate Dogg did first and foremost because they haven’t achieved what Nate Dogg did. Second of all, what they’re doing right now is getting their money, as they should as artists. It comes back to the point of trying to re-create yourself after that. That’s going to be the transition they’ll have to go through and I believe they can withstand anything. If they made it one time, I believe they can withstand the transition.

 
Raptalk.Net: A lot of record labels are now doing “360” deals which includes them taking profit from a rapper’s tour money. This wasn’t around when you signed with LA Confidential/Elektra. What are your thoughts on this new way of record labels doing business?

 
Knoc-Turn’Al: All I could do is follow suit, right? (Laughs). I have a couple wizard tricks up my sleeve, it’s alright – don’t worry about it.

 
Raptalk.Net: Knoc-Turn’Al has it all figured out y’all! A lot of popular songs have dances to them – Soulja Boy, the stanky leg song and so on – what are your thoughts on the popularity surrounding them?

 
Knoc-Turn’Al: I had dances in my video. Don’t you remember “The Way I Am” video? I had dancers and cripsters and all that stuff with bras on doing the crip-walk. The whole point being is I had dancing in my video before, I like dancing – it’s fine, there’s not a problem with dancers being in your video. The problem is the way they structure videos with no concept and they sit here acting like all they have to do is put out the same kind of stuff, or they re-make beats and make the same thing over and over again – it’s very vulgar, it’s unfair to the fans and it’s just aggravating.

 
Raptalk.Net: That plays perfectly into my next question. Another trend we’re seeing right now is rappers using samples on there hooks of songs that are only 1-2 months old in some cases. What are your thoughts on that?

 
Knoc-Turn’Al: All I could say is make sure the fans know that I won’t re-sell them some music.

 
Raptalk.Net: What do you think of the “Crack a Bottle” track by Eminem, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent?

 
Knoc-Turn’Al:  I like it but I think they can do better. My expectations and this is honest, I’ve always been honest with Dre – my expectations for Eminem, 50 Cent and Dr. Dre are way higher than what they released. If there stressed, then they don’t need to release music. They sound stressed and I love them. If we need to come together as a unit and re-create what needs to be the west again, one thing for sure is I’d do that and I don’t even need any money – we just need to get it done.

 
Raptalk.Net: Very honest right there. Did you hear any of the recent T.I. tracks for Detox? They were reference tracks for Dr. Dre.

 
Knoc-Turn’Al: You know what the problem is about Detox? After Dr. Dre probably saw me drink myself to near death – there might be a reason why he wanted to call this album “Detox.” Maybe I just need to go over there and be sober like I am now and just go do my damn job; as the prince of the west coast, I might need to go do my fucking job. It’s not even like I’m trying to be a jerk. I’m sitting at home with my family right now, my wife is barbequing for us and it’s just a good feeling. All I’m saying to you is, this world is fickle and you need to be sharp on your toes. If there’s nothing else I learned from Dr. Dre, you can’t be slipping like that.

 
Raptalk.Net: Your talking about being the prince of the west coast. A major figure on the west coast, Snoop Dogg just signed a unique deal with MTV to distribute his next album – would Knoc ever sign a deal like that?

 
Knoc-Turn’Al: I have to work on rap first and fix that first before I even think about that because I’m dedicated to my fans first. Of course, I want to venture off – that’s not a problem. You have to understand I was already a knucklehead when I came into the game so I had to stop being a knucklehead. I had to start listening instead of just telling people I didn’t wanna’ hear that shit. I grew up. This is why it’s better for me this time – I grew up now. I’m at a point where it’s not do or die but I understand life in itself and I still love it. Life is dealing with it day-by-day and moment-by-moment – that’s life. If you don’t deal with it like that, then you’re not being real with yourself.

 
Raptalk.Net: Who is Knoc-Turn’Al’s favorite producer that came into the game after your hiatus and why?

 
Knoc-Turn’Al: Komplex because he never seizes to amaze me. I tell him what I want and he does it. He gets it done.

 
Raptalk.Net: That’s all we have for Knoc-Turn’Al right now but you know he’ll be back on here next Monday! We apologize for the short hiatus on the “Answers from the Book of Knoc” series but it’s all good because it will be returning shortly and the relationship with Knoc is still in tact! Does Knoc-Turn’Al have any last words for Raptalk right now?

 
Knoc-Turn’Al: I appreciate you Lunatic for doing what you’re doing of course, always. Raptalk.Net is a brilliant place to be, especially when you’re trying to re-create your career after you’ve been gone for four years. One thing I want people to know that don’t know me, even though my fans do me, is that I always release high quality music so it’s gonna’ be fun; just enjoy the ride!

 
What I’m saying to you is that you were trying to get me in here for a long time, a year or something and I understand that and appreciate what you’re doing for me with Raptalk. You understand that, right?

 
Raptalk.Net: Yep!

 
Knoc-Turn’Al: What I’m saying is everything you did throughout the course of that year made me call you. I appreciate you for doing you and keeping it real and helping out my MathMadix group first because I wasn’t going to call you because there’s a lot of phonies and fakes out here; you know what I mean?

 
Raptalk.Net: Yep!

 
Knoc-Turn’Al: But you put in an honest amount of work…you don’t need to keep saying yes asshole!

 
Raptalk.Net: (Laughs) I’m recording this and I’m not trying to talk over you Knoc!

 
Knoc-Turn’Al: (Laughs) I know you recording it but we need to let the fans know what’s really going on and stop just being short! It’s like I’m interviewing you and you can’t take it! (Laughs)

 
Raptalk.Net: (Laughs)

 
Knoc-Turn’Al: (Laughs) I can take it when I’m being interviewed and now this is my interview time with Lunatic! This is Knoc-Turn’Al of course on Raptalk.Net; we got Lunatic in the studio! Lunatic, how did it feel when Knoc-Turn’Al blew you off for a year?

 
Raptalk.Net (Lunatic): I felt like shit! You know that Knoc?!? Knoc-Turn’Al was supposed to be the first interview I was ever going to conduct! I want everybody to know Knoc-Turn’Al was going to be my first interview when I got on Raptalk! I had never done an interview ever, and Knoc-Turn’Al was set to be my first! Before I even got a fucking call back from Knoc-Turn’Al, I knocked out over 100 interviews with 100 different artists and that number is not exaggerated!

 
Knoc-Turn’Al: (Laughs) Ok! Let’s do this! Now I’m interviewing Lunatic y’all! And how did that make you feel Lunatic?

 
Raptalk.Net: (Lunatic): I felt like shit but I didn’t give up and Knoc knows that, that’s why he’s giving me the chance and opportunity to be doing what we’re currently doing!

 
Knoc-Turn’Al: (Laughs) I guarantee you one thing; my next question is…I got a whole list of questions for Lunatic! When I called you and you knew that I called you back, how did you feel the first time I called you back?

 
Raptalk.Net: (Lunatic): I was like GOD DAMN! I’m finally on the phone with

Knoc-Turn’Al! After I’ve done over 100 interviews, artists like Young Jeezy, Plies, Chamillionaire and all these big names, the first one I ever wanted was Knoc-Turn’Al! If I could sum it up in one word – I felt accomplished!

 
Knoc-Turn’Al: You have to listen Raptalk! The thing is that Lunatic took a long process and a lot of favors that he did and a lot of dues that he paid to even get me on the phone for the first time. I want to explain that to you guys and this is why we have a good relationship as far as us doing stuff. The thing being is, we’ve done a lot to get here but he showed himself to be worthy of me even doing what I need to do for him. If he needs to interview me and he’s the entrance into the Matrix, then he’ll just be that! And y’all computer geeks know what I mean, I love you too! The whole point I’m trying to say…oh my next question is a good one! So when people responded the first time, when I came to you and said I wanted to do this and I had this idea and you said yeah let’s do this (“Answers from the Book of Knoc”) the first time we posted it and it came back to you and people responded, how did you feel?

 
Raptalk.Net: (Lunatic): I felt even more accomplished! Everybody was just saying stuff like “good job Lunatic”, “this is a unique series”, “it’s good to hear from Knoc again” and those three things that I just said are the top three that myself and Knoc were looking to hear from people, and what we were specifically looking to accomplish and those are just some of the comments we get every week on this unique series we’re doing!

 
Knoc-Turn’Al: Indeed! This is why people need to understand that it’s no stress, no worries – you have to keep pushing no matter whether you up, or your down, you have to keep pushing. Once again this is Raptalk and I have one more question for you Lunatic – do you get high?!?

 
Raptalk.Net: (Lunatic): (Laughs) sometimes!

 
Knoc-Turn’Al: (Laughs) me too!

[MontrealCity's Most]

Great read and Luna ive told you before but i respect your game, your hustle, your a hard working dude.

Keep doing it my man!!!

[D-Nice]

Great read and Luna ive told you before but i respect your game, your hustle, your a hard working dude.

Keep doing it my man!!!

co muthafuckin sign. Great interview. Treacherous needs to understand the work your putting in working with Knoc, and it ain't just because you looking for the fame, you are a student and fan of hip hop. Much respect and future success homie.

[dubsmith_nz]

Great read and Luna ive told you before but i respect your game, your hustle, your a hard working dude.

Keep doing it my man!!!

co muthafuckin sign. Great interview. Treacherous needs to understand the work your putting in working with Knoc, and it ain't just because you looking for the fame, you are a student and fan of hip hop. Much respect and future success homie.

No doubt, stay grinding homie!

Maybe I missed it last week, but was just wondering was this interview supposed to have information about his album?

Keep doing what you do Lunatic, spread the word of Knoc worldwide. Hows that next mixtape your making going?

[Jaydc555]

Good stuff lunatic

[David Gutterman]

Brilliant! Knoc is one funny dude  good stuff, good interview by you and Knoc, thanx again!

[Kurupt1607]

Dope interview again Luna, i like the way Knoc asked you some questions too.

Luna keep doing it man, everytime it's a pleasure to read Knoc's interviews.

[kuruptDPG]

damn that was a great interview, he was very honest about eminem and dr.dre, i give him major props on that. in fact everythn he said was true

props lunatic.

[Booz]

Great read and Luna ive told you before but i respect your game, your hustle, your a hard working dude.

Keep doing it my man!!!

Treacherous needs to understand the work your putting in working with Knoc, and it ain't just because you looking for the fame, you are a student and fan of hip hop. Much respect and future success homie.

If only the marketing people would be the same...passionate about rap music and getting the job done.

[Lunatic]

Great read and Luna ive told you before but i respect your game, your hustle, your a hard working dude.

Keep doing it my man!!!

co muthafuckin sign. Great interview. Treacherous needs to understand the work your putting in working with Knoc, and it ain't just because you looking for the fame, you are a student and fan of hip hop. Much respect and future success homie.

No doubt, stay grinding homie!

Maybe I missed it last week, but was just wondering was this interview supposed to have information about his album?

Keep doing what you do Lunatic, spread the word of Knoc worldwide. Hows that next mixtape your making going?

the info about his was postponed til i get my PC back cause thats where the answers are and i dont want to re-record them because i dont have the q's on this PC and i liked his answers

my next project is goin well a work in progress...a handful of records are done and set to appear..

[Dre-Day]

yeah, that's the great thing about these series, that others get involved!
i mean, you didn't have to do it you know

props to Knoc as well, for connecting with other people.
there are several artists out there, that have a myspace page or something similar, but don't bother to respond to serious messages.

anyway, Knoc hit the nail on the head with the Nate Dogg comments.
and i totally agree with him about Crack a bottle

[Episcop Cruel Cvrle]

dopness Lunatic, like allways. propz!!

[Mista Rosa]

anyway, Knoc hit the nail on the head with the Nate Dogg comments

hoppefuly some artits don't forget about nate dogg and what he did and don't run to akon and t-pain for commercial success

[Dre-Day]

anyway, Knoc hit the nail on the head with the Nate Dogg comments

hoppefuly some artits don't forget about nate dogg and what he did and don't run to akon and t-pain for commercial success

well if they care about quality music, then the choice will be easy

[Styles1]

props Luni