Boo Yaa T.R.I.B.E. interview

[mrtonguetwista]

   
Bloods, Crips, Aftermath and Tha Row all compiled together on one landmark album. Who could get all these warring factions together? Who could unite the seemingly un-unitable? Boo Yaa Tribe, that's who. According to Boo Yaa Tribe member Godfather, "a lot of muthaf**kas don't got the credibility, but we're like that platinum card."

Credibility is important, but the level of credibility Boo Yaa Tribe has is even more meaningful as Godfather explains "for Boo Yaa it's cuz of the respect. We're always in the middle of everything, everyone wants Boo Yaa on their side, but we got respect for everybody." Their upcoming album, West Kosta Nostra, displays their respect for everybody as well as the aforementioned level of respect Boo Yaa has earned, with guest appearances by artists including Eminem, B-Real, Knoc-Turn'Al and Crooked I.

"The whole concept was actually brought together because the west fell apart," Godfather says of the album, continuing "there's a lot of pride, whether it's the Lakers, or us not having a football team, we wanna be number one. There's only a handful of us here in the west coast, we need to bring something back. We can't even have a video show because there aren't enough videos from people out here."

Bringing some of the west coast's fiercest rivals together was important for Boo Yaa Tribe. Godfather feels that doing so "shows unity. That we can put aside all our differences and work together and succeed. I want to bring that unity together, that's what me and my brothers are about."

Another thing Boo Yaa Tribe is about is taking a step back from all the violence that's surrounding Hip-Hop right now. Godfather, a self described O.G., yearns for a simpler time. He reminisced, "I want to go back to the old ways, when people could listen to the music without pickin' up a gun and shootin' each other." Godfather, however, is quick to point out it's not the music's fault entirely. "I think it has to do a lot with both society and music. It's all about changing a way of thinking. From the government to the media and within ourselves, it also has to do with us. How am I gonna wake up in the morning? Am I gonna f**k somebody up, or am I gonna talk to somebody and do something positive?"

Positive vibes are something he feels Hip-Hop is in need of, in fact, Godfather feels Hip-Hop is in need of a lot of things right now because from where he's standing "right now we're in a state of emergency, just like Eminem said, Hip-Hop's in a state of 911." This is especially meaningful to Godfather who likes to point out how much good Hip-Hop can do, noting "where I'm from it's saved a lot of lives, and created jobs."

The creation of jobs is something Godfather has had a hand in for years. A close friend of his, Jayson Won, heads Boo Yaa Tribe's label, Sarinjay Entertainment. Godfather says Sarinjay is unique in that "artists can be on our label and own their own masters and take it to different labels." There's a lot more in the works over at Sarinjay other than music, though, as Godfather notes there are plans for "a clothing line (to be called Gawtti), and (we're) working on books." Godfather feels it's important "to open up other aspects," adding "we're gonna be working on a Heavy Metal project."

Heavy Metal may seem like an odd endeavor for a west coast rap group, but according to Godfather "we've been in Heavy Metal strong for years, it used to be an element in our show. We did first Lollapalooza in '92 when the Chili Peppers was headlining." Boo Yaa Tribe was also featured on the landmark Rap/Rock hybrid soundtrack to Judgment Night.

With a resume a mile long, and the respect of their peers, Boo Yaa Tribe has come back to create something special. When West Kosta Nostra is released in October it could signal a rebirth for the west coast. A new, united, west coast. And if that comes to fruition just realize the rebirth wasn't random, it was organized by a Godfather.

Adam Bernard

[Lincoln]

Good read

[Code Blue]

 
Bloods, Crips, Aftermath and Tha Row all compiled together on one landmark album. Who could get all these warring factions together? Who could unite the seemingly un-unitable? Boo Yaa Tribe, that's who.

Haha. That was an idiotic thing to write/say. Anyways, like Lincoln said it's a great read, Can't wait to cop this album.