Interview With Rideout (Las Vegas MC)

[D-Nice]

http://raptalk.net/website/content/view/2410/

We hooked up with Las VEgas MC Rideout for an exclusive interview. His "Youngest In Charge" mixtape drops soon. Read on y'all.
 
Raptalk.Net:  Where did you get the name Rideout from?

Rideout: Well first it is my actual last name, but real talk, my basketball coach in high school was the first to call me Rideout and it just stuck from there. I used to go by my name Reggie Rideout and then I just decided to go with Rideout.

Raptalk.Net: With that name, I have to ask, are you a big car fan? If so, what's your favorite car and why?

Rideout:  I would say no I am not a big car fan (laughs). As far as my favorite car I would have to say a Cadillac Escalade sitting on some thangs and because it's bossy, fitting for a boss like me (laughs).

Raptalk.Net: When did you start writing and putting rhymes together?

Rideout:  I started when I was 16, right after I met [Lady] Lust.

Raptalk.Net: When did you realize you were good enough to rap for a living?

Rideout:  I would have to say after the reaction and feedback that I got from my first mixtape, “Ride with Me: The Prequel”. That got a great reaction from people here in [Las] Vegas and online as well.

Interview: Describe coming up in Las Vegas to our readers. A lot of people visit Vegas and know what that's like, but not many experience actually living there.

Rideout:  One of the biggest things out here is Las Vegas is built for grown ups (laughs). So once you turn 21, you want to hit up all the clubs and play some blackjack and be a high roller for a bit. But on the real, Vegas has a very hometown feel to it. Everyone knows everyone and it is very chill once you get past all the glitz and glamour of it. It may sound cliché but it is like any other city.

Raptalk.Net: How have the local Vegas artists reacted to your career moves? Have they been jealous or supportive?

Rideout:  For the most part, they have been supportive, but at the same time there are those that do come off envious. I don't understand because I am just trying to do what every Vegas MC is trying to do, put the Viva on the map and follow my dream.

Raptalk.Net: Coming up in Vegas, the hip hop scene isn't nearly as strong as let's say Los Angeles, New York or Atlanta - how do you deal with that?

Rideout:  Well Vegas is more of a tourist attraction place. Most people in the music industry come here for events and business to more or less promote themselves then say building a label. Those cities you mentioned have home labels built in the cities. Like Capital in LA or Def Jam in New York but out here in Vegas it is more of a indie grind. That is one of the main reasons I wanted to and started my own label, L.I.F.E. Entertainment so that we would be self sufficient and not have to feel the need to have the majors come to us. We gonna show we can do this on our own and we don't need that co sign to be recognized.


Raptalk.Net:  Have you ever thought of relocating?

Rideout:  This kind of ties into the last question, I have thought about it. But I would not do it unless a REALLY good business situation would come up elsewhere. Relocating would be like starting from scratch and I have unfinished business here in the Viva that needs attending to if you feel me?

Raptalk.Net: Being from Vegas, do you have any crazy gambling stories you'd like to share?

Rideout:  I’ve never gambled in my life, but I have seen plenty people lose they life savings though (laughs). Nah Vegas is the kind of place that if you get caught up in that, you will be homeless real quick and in a bad spot.

Raptalk.Net: Tell us about your upcoming mixtape.

Rideout:  Well it is titled “The Youngest In Charge”. It is a collection of my thoughts and opinions that occurred in the past year and I felt that I had to express myself, so what better way than through music. It is the perfect prelude to my debut project, The Realization. But for those that heard my first mixtape, the prequel, the tone is more aggressive, the flow is more natural and free flowing. This mixtape I was not concerned with being the best rapper in Vegas, I focused more on putting together the best songs that I could and with this maturation it will continue on my debut project.

Raptalk.Net: What is the upcoming single your promoting?

Rideout:  Well a couple weeks ago I leaked a single from the mixtape entitled “My Last Name”. It has been doing good on the net, but for my official singles from the tape is “I Make Moves” featuring Noah Jones, produced by Disko out of Inglewood, CA will be coming first and then followed up with “I’m The Boss”, produced by my boy E-Sharp out of Citrus, CA. After that, anything goes.

Raptalk.Net: Ok, we’ve got the Noah Jones assisted video and song. Any other guests & producers on the tape you want to talk about?

Rideout:  Like I said earlier, E-Sharp did 2 beats on the mixtape. For those that have not heard his beats, they are west coast, but it has a very unique sound. Not the run of the mill stuff you hear. Disko did a beat, my family out here in Vegas, Remixx did 2 beats on the tape, 1 Thang and Lightweight. By the way I appreciate the support y’all showed for both on Raptalk. I did have some others though but I am gonna hold on to those for my album.

As far as guests, Noah Jones is on there, Chrome from Campfire Music, of course my sis Lady Lust, Ray Bottom, my protégé SP aka Soda Pop and my bro, Rick Ride.


Raptalk.Net: Tell us about your work with Lady Lust?

Rideout:  Well my first studio session was with her when I was 16. She taught me how to write songs and we kept in touch over the years as I got older. She then moved to Oakland, CA for a bit. Last year she moved back to Vegas from Oakland and by the time she came back she seen I had dropped my first project and started my own label. She was very proud of that, and we linked back up and she was working on a album at that time as well, Miss Ceily Complex, that was about half done. She officially joined L.I.F.E. Entertainment, we put the album out last October and it has been on ever since.

Raptalk.Net: Are there talks about doing a duo album/mixtape with Lust?

Rideout:  Yeah initially we were talking about doing it. The title was going to be called L.I.F.E.- Living In Fear Of Extinction. But after we started doing it, we thought it would be best for both of us to focus on our solo projects. But yeah we will definitely do one in the future. Check out 1 Thang, Lightweight and Eternal Wipeout to see what we got cooking for the fans.

Raptalk.Net: What did you think of the idea Luda had to do a project Shawnna? It’s a similar idea to you and Lust together.

Rideout:  I think it was a good idea for Ludacris, because it was new and different and anything on that page is good for hip hop right now. As far as myself and Lust, we have always had crazy chemistry and we have done tons of songs together, since day one. When we do a album together, conceptually it would not be like Luda's but best believe we will turn heads when it drops.

Raptalk.Net: You rap over a lot of existing instrumentals - do you have a favorite industry beat you've spit on?

Rideout:  Of course, it would have to be Ride with Me, over the Outkast, Art Of Storytelling Part 3 beat. That is one of your favorites as well right Justin? (Laughs) I wrote that song in 3 weeks, story of my life. You want to know about Rideout, go back and listen to that song. But on the real, I feel that I can spit over any beat, but I always add my own twist to it and make it my own.

 Raptalk.Net: (Laughs) That is indeed one of my favorites you’ve done. That track blew me away. What are your overall thoughts on the west coast right now?

Rideout:  I think the west coast is never gonna be back to where we were or where we want to be unless a couple things happen. The OG's need to help out the up and comers, and the new cats need to respect the ones that paved the way. That is some real shit. It has to be a collective effort, one rapper is not going to do it by his or herself.


Raptalk.Net: What's next up for Rideout?

Rideout:  Well I am prepping “Youngest In Charge” for a late Spring, early summer release. We are just getting the promo and everything set up for it right now. Got some shows lined up for later this year as well. But my main focus after dropping the tape is to continue to build on the L.I.F.E. Entertainment label and make that situation the best I can. But definitely you can look forward to The Realization coming soon and also I will begin co hosting a radio show with Lady Lust. I will always be working on new music but you can keep up to date with me on www.twitter.com/iamrideout, www.myspace.com/rideout702 and my own site, www.iamrideout.com. That will have all my up coming events, shows and new music.