Author Topic: Catskill Interview (Read 141 times)

Lunatic · « **on:** March 16, 2009, 12:19:39 PM »

http://raptalk.net/website/content/view/1405/54/

Raptalk.Net hooked up with an up and coming MC out of Winnipeg, Canada by the name of Catskiill for an exclusive interview. Taking advantage of the current digital age, Catskill has his name buzzing in cities such as Los Angeles, New York and more. With a unique level of confidence held in himself (a lot regarding that in the interview) Catskill used his arsenal of rhymes and unique flow to catch the attention one of of the biggest DJ's in the game, Clinton Sparks. Sparks and Catskill are currently prepping a mixtape set for release within' the next month and a half, so remain on the lookout for that. Read on and get to know Catskill, the artist who is more than sure he is poised to take over the Hip-Hop game shortly...

Raptalk.Net: We are right here with Catskill! Start us off by letting everybody know how you’re currently doing.

Catskill: Right now I’m doing flawless! I’m the king of the world right now; I’m the illest rapper of all time – Get to know me!

Raptalk.Net: We feel that. How old were you when you figured out you had the talent required to rap and when did you figure out you were good enough to make a career out of it?

Catskill: Oh shit! I’ve been flawless for the last ten years. My freestyles…I swear to God, in 1999, my freestyles were up to par with Ghostface (Killah) or Rakim’s written stuff. My freestyles are magic. I knew I was going to do this since around the year 2000.

Raptalk.Net: Ok. You grew up in Winnipeg, Canada. What’s the Hip-Hop scene like out there?

Catskill: It’s not non-existent, we have our classics – we have our Bonafide’s, we have our Dee Grinds; but we don’t have anything that is that next level type stuff. I’d say we have a committed Hip-Hop scene out here; we make sure that we stick out and stand out; but it’s not on the level of T. Dot (Toronto, Canada) or Van-City (Vancouver, Canada), you know what I mean? It’s much smaller.

Raptalk.Net: I’m Canadian myself, so I understand what the Hip-Hop scene is like out here. How difficult is it for a Hip-Hop artist to get recognized for your talents in a country like Canada?

Catskill: To tell you the truth, it’s been easier for me to get recognition in the States. In Canada, I hooked up with my man Moka Only (editor’s note: Moka Only is a member of a popular Canadian Hip-Hop group, The Swollen Members). I hooked up with Moka (Only) out there in Van-City (Vancouver, Canada). We talked and chopped it up a bit; He told me that he supports me and I talked to the rest of The Swollen Members. But breaking out here, it’s a lot harder than it is to break out in the States.

I’m co-signed right now by Clinton Sparks, one of the biggest DJ’s in the world and I’m from Winnipeg, Manitoba. I’d say it’s a lot easier to break out in the States. There’s a lot of hate in Canada. I respect Canada, but we have a lot of hate out here right now.

Raptalk.Net: That plays perfectly into my next question. What was the first thing that stuck out in your mind in regards to how much easier it is to get recognized and appreciated in the States.

Catskill: I’m going to be in Los Angeles very soon. I’ve traveled to New York; I’ve done some shows out there. I’ve been around. It’s just about getting my shit exposed through the net because that’s so easy right now. I’m planning on taking over HipHopDX, AllHipHop.Com and every magazine in the world. I’m going to make a name for myself right now from Winnipeg, Canada – that’s what I’m planning on doing.

From my point view, I’ve been getting nothing but love. I have a publicist; I was Unsigned Hype on Dubcnn.Com. I have the greatest production from this hometown guy in Winnipeg by the name of Paul Katznelson. I’m Catskill; you put those two cats together and that’s Cats-Ill! I’m telling you, I have the greatest production. It’s like Dr. Dre, DJ Premier but its 10,000 years in the future. I’m telling you that it is sick. I’m getting all kinds of love in Los Angeles, New York, here in Canada and so on. But pretty soon, we’re going to be taking over the globe, period.

Raptalk.Net: You’re talking about exposure through the internet. A lot of that is thanks to the digital age. What effect in your opinion has the digital age had on Hip-Hop?

Catskill: The effect it’s had on Hip-Hop is a lot of digital downloading. There are a lot of cats getting ring tone deals; they’ll make one single but they’re not the whole total package artist. There are a lot of ring tone guys that you won’t buy an album from because you don’t want to hear thirteen tracks of filler. I’m the type of dude who has a ring tone deal right now; it’s non exclusive and it’s with Via Mobile in Texas. My ring tone “Woah” is available now; everyone can find that information later. It’s all with the times. You can’t put out CD’s anymore. CD stores are not getting the audience they use to get because of the internet age. Everything is just free; it is what it is.

I’m planning on taking over this industry soon through ring tone sales and movie placements. I’m the greatest artist of all time so I plan on selling more albums than Eminem did. And that’s not me being cocky, that’s me knowing what I can do. I’m the greatest rapper of all time so digital is good for me. I don’t know about everybody else in the industry but it’s good for me.

Raptalk.Net: What is it specifically about your skills on the mic that leads you to make such claims? I’m not trying to disrespect you or anything like that because I think you need confidence. I’m just curios to hear what you think it is specifically about your skills on the mic that allows you to make such claims.

Catskill: I’ll tell you right now. Specifically my skills on the mic are up to par with Tiger Woods on his Golf game. My metaphors are extremely specific. I can say ten metaphors in a row, string them together, syllables and everything with combinations and I don’t need to use the word “like.” My freestyles are oh my god! Gorgeous! My song structure?!? My theories?!?

I made a song called “Sugar Town.” That’s the song that led Clinton Sparks to discover me on Myspace. It’s all about me going to the store and picking up a retarded hooker, falling in love with her and training her for the Special Olympics. I say shit that nobody says. I’m the type of dude that is so taboo, it’s like breathing to me. I can take a shit and write a song about that shit falling down the toilet and it’ll be a hit. That’s how great I am.

Anyone who studies my music will see that my flow is unbelievable; you’ve never heard a flow like mine. My voice is crazy! I’m like the Axl Rose of Hip-Hop, without the racism. I’m that voice that is so unique that you just have to know that is Catskill. I’m that unique. Anyone who listens to my music will know that I’m one of the greatest of all time. It’s simple.

Raptalk.Net: You were talking about bringing your music to the States and how much easier it was to get some shine out there. By doing that, what was the first big break you received in the industry?

Catskill: The biggest break that I’ve received in the industry was first of all talking to Clinton Sparks and getting to know him. He originally told me that he had a record deal for me. This was about a year ago. He told me “we listened to you’re music and we’re going to hook you up with a deal right now; we’re going to see what we can get.” Then I got hooked up with Riggs Morales (Shady Records A&R), I have Riggs Morales cell phone number and I’ve been talking to him. I’ve been talking to the A&R over at Jive Records. I have the biggest A&R’s knowing that I’m the next big thing.

What we’re doing right now is setting up a video campaign and a radio campaign with the core DJ’s with my publicist; there media out there has the core DJ’s on lock. We’re planning on getting out in the States and bring that into Canada, get hooked up with dudes like you. That would be my big breaks, you can say. We’re just planning on getting a storm brewing right now that is going to make everybody understand what I’m about. That’s about it right now.

Raptalk.Net: You’re mentioning talking to a few different people in the industry; you also have a pretty good relationship with Bizarre from D12. Tell us about how that came out.

Catskill: I was on AllHipHop.Com eleven months ago and Bizarre was on there talking about putting out these freestyles and lyrics artists could buy off of him. I’m from Winnipeg; I need a nice dude like Bizarre to set me up. I talked to Bizarre’s manager and they wanted to hear what I had, they told me to send them something. I sent them “Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum” and they thought it was bananas. He told me he’d cook up something real good for me. He mentioned my name; he (Bizarre) gave me the illest flow with a west coast feel to it. I was talking to his camp and it’s all beautiful; it’s all love across the board. You have to do what you have to do, especially when you’re an artist like me who’s in Winnipeg, Manitoba. You have to make your name known and you have to make relationships by networking; you have to do everything you can.

Raptalk.Net: I agree with that. What was the first impression that Bizarre and the rest of his camp held towards your unique feel on the mic?

Catskill: I was talking to his manager and they loved the way that “Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum” came out. I have them the thirty-two bars that I had, plus the chorus and they thought it was bananas. They asked me what production I was working with and I told them about Paul Katznelson. They were really feeling his style and so on. We haven’t linked up yet, but we’ve always been talking on and off through Myspace, just checking in on each other. I’m finding out what D12 is up to because I’m planning on doing some tracks with them. We’ve been talking on and off, but we haven’t linked up just yet.

Raptalk.Net: You already mentioned your relationship with Clinton Sparks. Tell us about the mixtape you two are working on.

Catskill: its bananas. It’s called “Heir to the Throne.” It’s just an album. It’s an album that we condensed down to a mixtape. We’re going to put it out there so the world can see what quality sounds like. This album is going to do for Hip-Hop what Michael Jackson did for pop music. He’s (Clinton Sparks) given me his seal of approval, he didn’t charge me, he went out of his way – fucking big ups to Clinton Sparks; he’s the greatest fucking DJ in the world as far as I know. We have all fucking hot joints on there starting from “Get ‘Em” which was my first single here in Winnipeg two years ago; we revamped it and it’s flawless. My second joint is “Kill ‘Em” and it’s one of the hardest fucking records you’re ever going to here. The beat on “Kill ‘Em” rivals that of Dr. Dre and Timbaland, but may be higher quality. That’s not being rude or cocky, that’s just honest – my flow is ridiculous. The third song, “Good to Go” is my single right now out in Winnipeg and we’re killing it on Hot 103. This album is classic; five mics in The Source, XXL – I guarantee every reviewer that sees this is going realize that there is a change happening. This CD is classic and that’s the mixtape I’m putting out Clinton Sparks Presents: Catskill – “Heir to the Throne.” Get ready!

Raptalk.Net: Tell us about the meaning behind that title, “Heir to the Throne.” That’s pretty bold.

Catskill: It’s a bold statement that I’ve had planned for the last three years. I started recording in 2005 and did a freestyle battle contest here (Winnipeg) on our Hip-Hop radio station, 107.9. I dominated those for four weeks in a row. I decided we’re going to change it up. I told everyone that we we’re going to do freestyles as topics because I was up against competition that was writing their shit; I was like come on. I started doing that and said “my album is going to be called Heir to the Throne” because it was fresh and smooth. I am the heir to the throne; I’m the next big thing.

You hear your Lil Wayne’s, Drake – Drake is dope. I’m sure your familiar with Drake but I’m the heir to the throne. I’ve known that I’m the king; I’m the next in line. My flow is bananas. I’ve had all this talk from all kinds of different DJ’s. My music is on www.digiwax.com, I’m getting feedback from Los Angeles and New York; they know that I’m the next big thing; it just made sense to call the album “Heir to the Throne.” I feel like I’m the next king of Hip-Hop; straight up.

Raptalk.Net: When is the mixtape set for release and how will it be available?

Catskill: It’s going to be available on Itunes. We’re going to be promoting it like fuck. I’m going to give you exclusives, four new joints that are coming out right now. We have the Bizarre track; my publicist has some exclusive shit that we did with Grand Puba and Sadat X; I did a track with them called “Mercy” and we’re going to drop that joint. You’ll probably see it within’ the next month, month and a half. We’re going to do my publicity stuff; I have to do some photo shoots and get out there. I have a lot of publicity out there. You’ll see it out within’ the next month and a half, two months guaranteed. The album is flawless. The cover art is done, we just have to do the publicity shoots and it’s a wrap.

Raptalk.Net: That’s good to hear and will definitely remain on the lookout for that. You mentioned having some relationships with a few A&R’s, being in contact with them and what not. Are you close to signing a record deal at this time?

Catskill: I’ve been close to signing a record deal for the past year and a half. I have my finger on the pulse. Right now, my goal is to make a bidding war. I can sign with at least two labels right now. I’m also talking to a few digital outlets right now. I don’t want to go full force yet. I’ve been talking to Mims’ manager through www.digiwax.com and they’re interested in me. I’ve been talking to a lot of different people. Right now we just want to get the fans to know who I am before we explode so I can get a bidding war going on. That’s exactly what we’re doing right now.

Raptalk.Net: After the “Heir to the Throne” mixtape drops, what’s next in store for Catskill?

Catskill: I’m either at Def Jam, Akon’s label (Konvict Music), I may be at Universal; it doesn’t matter where I’m going to be. I’m going to be where everyone wants me to be. I’m going to be the number one downloaded artist of all time. I’m going to be the number one dude on TRL, 106 & Park, it doesn’t matter. The next thing for Catskill is the covers of The Source, XXL – the biggest thing you’ve ever heard. You’ve had your Eminem’s that was so original and unique. You get your Michael Jackson’s, Bob Dylan’s, and you get Catskill and you’re like “wow.” There’s a new revolution that is going on. There’s a new society of Hip-Hop that nobody has heard before. People are going to be expecting a lot and they’re going to be getting a lot, and it’s going to happen very soon; I can’t wait.

Raptalk.Net: Will that be accomplished within’ the next five years?

Catskill: Oh definitely. Before five years. Within’ the next two years – I’m on top of the Hip-Hop game.

Raptalk.Net: Ok, that’s a bold statement right there and we’re going to go out like that! Thanks a lot for your time Catskill, do you have any last words for Raptalk.Net?

Catskill: Raptalk.Net, much respect to you from Catskill! My last words are much respect to the entire Hip-Hop nation, which goes out to Germany, Canada, the United States – this is for the whole wide world. My last words are get ready for the new Hip-Hop – Respect.

Hoodlum204 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2009, 11:51:18 AM »

Yeah I've Heard Of This Guy A While Back Being From Peg City & All. He's Def Got Skill & I'm Happy To See Him Making Moves 4 The City & Mentioning The Whole Scene & That There Are Other Acts Making Moves. Like He Said Bonafide & "D.Grimez" Not "Dee Grinds". I Also Kind Of Agree With What He's Says About The "Next Level Type Stuff".....But Aside From The Fact That I Used To Go To High School With D-Grimez. He & Bonafide Are The City's Next Biggest Thing Aside From Catskill.