New Paris Interview W/Sixshot.com

[Laconic]

http://www.sixshot.com/interviews/12072/

Paris - Heightened Awareness        
Posted: 8/8/2008 9:19:55 AM by Jon Michael

Gas costs 5 dollars a gallon. People are out of work. The economy is not doing well. We’re at war. And those are just a few problems we’re facing in the United States of America. Things are bad and there’s really no indication whether they will get better or worse. It’s at times like this when we need everybody to stand up and not only raise awareness but also do what they can to help the cause. Veteran MC Paris does that with every single bar he spits.

Whether he’s letting us know our right, discussing overcrowded prisons, or giving his take on the upcoming presidential election, every song will have a message. It’s not only a preference but also a responsibility. While many feel that hip-hop isn’t the place for politics, the fact of the matter is that hip-hop was built on politics whether they be above or beneath the surface. Sixshot.com caught up with Paris to discuss Barack Obama, John McCain, and messages delivered through music.

Sixshot.Com: Sup Paris, what's good?

Paris: Peace.  Everything is cool on this end.  I’m out touring in Australia and New Zealand right now.

Sixshot.Com: Alright man, you're from the Bay Area but your music doesn't fit that typical Bay format. You take it in another direction. Why is that?

Paris: What is the typical Bay format to you?  I just make music that moves me, and that consistently has a message that I'm comfortable with.  I'll never make music that I'll be ashamed of later and that's the standard I put on myself.  There are so many different influences and walks of life in the Bay that there is room for all of them.

Sixshot.Com: "Don't Stop The Movement" definitely gets some points across. How has the response to the song been so far?

Paris: So far it's been excellent.  Radio is responding favorably, which is always uncertain and reviewers seem to all be into it. I can't really ask for much more, so we'll see. The timing for Acid Reflex is perfect, especially given the shitty condition the U.S. is in and the fact that this is an election year.

Sixshot.Com: Are you excited about the fact that it looks like we're going to have Obama as the next President of the United States. Do you think he can make some of the changes we need?

Paris: As a black man, of course I am excited but more so because of the inspiration he will provide to so many people.  As a thinker and proponent of social justice, however, I'm concerned because I disagree with many of the things he's now saying such as unwavering support for Israel, revised troop withdrawal timelines, willingness to drill offshore, etc.  So I'm cautiously optimistic that he's saying a lot of this shit just to get into office, and that he's a Trojan horse for real change.  We'll see.  Better than McCain though, no matter what.

Sixshot.Com: How important do you think it is for young people to get out and vote?

Paris: It's important because it does matter, especially at the local level, and it's free and easy.  It's obviously not an end-all solution, though.  It's one small part of participating. There is always more that can be done.

Sixshot.Com: If you could pick one main thing that was wrong with the Bush administration what would you say it is?

Paris: Hmmm, let's see. War. Profiteering. Lies. Murder. Injustice. Propaganda. Reduced civil liberties. Racism. Theft. Ineptitude. Misogyny. And environmentally disastrous.

Sixshot.Com: You worked with Chuck D. How did that come about and what was it like working with him?

Paris: We've known each other for 20 years. It was time. I approached Chuck while he was on the West Coast and told him I wanted to produce a PE record.  It became apparent early on that I was going to have to write it too, so I did, and we knocked out the vocal overdubs in '05.  The record came after that. It was cool.

Sixshot.Com: Another interesting feature was George Clinton. How did you get up with him?

Paris: Any interest I've ever had in music was a direct result of the legacy of P-Funk.  I hooked up with George through a homeboy of mine at Def Jam and we just clicked.  He's a legendary figure and one of the few cats is music that I'm awestruck by.  Once we got started everything just fell right into place on the One.

Sixshot.Com: You address a lot of issues in your music. What are some of the main problems we as the people are facing today?

Paris: Yeah, I do.  I think it's necessary, at least in my music, to reach folks with a message.  Of course, mine is often harsh but it’s also necessary.  The music I do is on the farthest end of the spectrum and is intended to be a bitter pill every time I do a project.  Hopefully it will serve as a life-affirming body of work that people can relate to in these harsh economic times where racism, police brutality, raggedy schools, mass incarceration and disunity in our communities still exist.

Sixshot.Com: I've been talking to a lot of people about Katrina lately despite it having taken place a while ago. What do you think really happened there?

Paris: Some would argue that the floods were aided artificially, and given the legacy of America, I would be hard pressed to disagree.  The lack of response and indifference was definitely racist, though, and once again America showed its ass.

Sixshot.Com: What are some of the things you want to do with Guerrilla Funk recordings?

Paris: Guerilla Funk really exists to simply provide an alternative to less conscious material out there. That's it. It's a platform for those who feel as I do to be heard.

Sixshot.Com: You're bringing along your artist T-K.A.S.H. How far do you think he can go as an artist?

Paris: As far as he wants to, because he's extremely talented.  One of the best out, really.  And he’s very honest which is a quality missing in so much of today's music. His debut Turf War Syndrome was on many people's "Best of 2006" lists.

Sixshot.Com: What's your opinion on people who say music isn't the place for politics?

Paris: They are simple, and often don't think for themselves.  All music isn't the place for politics, I agree.  But voices need to be heard through the medium, and politics is now pop culture just like corporate news.  The only people who feel that way are happy taking Fox News at face value.

Sixshot.Com: Bill O'Reilly often attacks rappers and in Ludacris' case has taken food out of his mouth. What is your opinion of him?

Paris: Bill only attacks the indefensible. That's why Fox doesn't fuck with me.  It's easy to pick on folks that don't specialize in this type of confrontation or who aren't as well informed about certain political or social topics.  I wish a motherfucka would.

Sixshot.Com: Alright Paris, let the fans know where they can find you, shows, music, whatever you want.

Paris: www.guerrillafunk.com, all day, every day. We're on tour now starting in Australia, coming to your town soon. Thanks for all of the support, peace.

[D~Nice]

Great interview. The Bill O' Reilly comment was DEAD ON. Acid Reflux is becoming the album I am anticipating the most.

[Laconic]

^Yo, D the album is a fuckin' banger.  I don't want to spoil it for you but you will not be disappointed 

Thanks for reading. 

[D~Nice]

^Yo, D the album is a fuckin' banger.  I don't want to spoil it for you but you will not be disappointed 

Thanks for reading. 

I can tell by people's comments it is the shit. I am just going to wait and pick this up when it is released.

[Laconic]

^Fair enough.  I'm going to review this later on closer to the release date so I'm sure we'll have some good discussions about it along with a few other fans like Chad V and Dre-Day and a couple others 

[D~Nice]

^Fair enough.  I'm going to review this later on closer to the release date so I'm sure we'll have some good discussions about it along with a few other fans like Chad V and Dre-Day and a couple others 

I don't know, when a album leaks early and I listen to it, it ruins it for me if I buy the album. Kind of defeats the purpose for me. This I will definitely buy and you can count me in on that thread when it's done homie.

[Laconic]

^Sounds good.

[Dre-Day]

interesting interview, i have a lot of respect for Paris' consciousness/sense of responsibility 
i was hoping for a deeper interview though 

^Fair enough.  I'm going to review this later on closer to the release date so I'm sure we'll have some good discussions about it along with a few other fans like Chad V and Dre-Day and a couple others 

I don't know, when a album leaks early and I listen to it, it ruins it for me if I buy the album. Kind of defeats the purpose for me. This I will definitely buy and you can count me in on that thread when it's done homie.

i totally agree with you D~Nice, i like surprises too   
so that's why i've only listened to the single so far 

but i'll definitely be active in conversations about the album after i've bought it and listened to it 
you know how i do it 

[Lunatic]

cool interview, i am setting one up with paris soon

[D~Nice]

interesting interview, i have a lot of respect for Paris' consciousness/sense of responsibility 
i was hoping for a deeper interview though 

^Fair enough.  I'm going to review this later on closer to the release date so I'm sure we'll have some good discussions about it along with a few other fans like Chad V and Dre-Day and a couple others 

I don't know, when a album leaks early and I listen to it, it ruins it for me if I buy the album. Kind of defeats the purpose for me. This I will definitely buy and you can count me in on that thread when it's done homie.

i totally agree with you D~Nice, i like surprises too   
so that's why i've only listened to the single so far 

but i'll definitely be active in conversations about the album after i've bought it and listened to it 
you know how i do it 

No doubt. I owned a couple of his older albums but they got jacked from me. That and my Coup albums. So I got to get some of those back but this is good as bought when it comes out. He pushes the line and I like that. He does not pull no punches, just tells it like it is.

[Laconic]

cool interview, i am setting one up with paris soon

We are all looking forward to that 

[Lunatic]

cool interview, i am setting one up with paris soon

We are all looking forward to that 

great, i hope mine is as good as this 1

[Dre-Day]

interesting interview, i have a lot of respect for Paris' consciousness/sense of responsibility 
i was hoping for a deeper interview though 

^Fair enough.  I'm going to review this later on closer to the release date so I'm sure we'll have some good discussions about it along with a few other fans like Chad V and Dre-Day and a couple others 

I don't know, when a album leaks early and I listen to it, it ruins it for me if I buy the album. Kind of defeats the purpose for me. This I will definitely buy and you can count me in on that thread when it's done homie.

i totally agree with you D~Nice, i like surprises too   
so that's why i've only listened to the single so far 

but i'll definitely be active in conversations about the album after i've bought it and listened to it 
you know how i do it 

No doubt. I owned a couple of his older albums but they got jacked from me. That and my Coup albums. So I got to get some of those back but this is good as bought when it comes out. He pushes the line and I like that. He does not pull no punches, just tells it like it is.

sad to hear that some of your stuff got stolen 
well as you may know, a couple of Paris' albums were reissued in remastered form, so you can pick up those  (the reissue of sleeping with the enemy seems to be out of stock though  )

anyway, you are right about Paris; there are no gimmicks 

cool interview, i am setting one up with paris soon

interesting 

[D~Nice]

interesting interview, i have a lot of respect for Paris' consciousness/sense of responsibility 
i was hoping for a deeper interview though 

^Fair enough.  I'm going to review this later on closer to the release date so I'm sure we'll have some good discussions about it along with a few other fans like Chad V and Dre-Day and a couple others 

I don't know, when a album leaks early and I listen to it, it ruins it for me if I buy the album. Kind of defeats the purpose for me. This I will definitely buy and you can count me in on that thread when it's done homie.

i totally agree with you D~Nice, i like surprises too   
so that's why i've only listened to the single so far 

but i'll definitely be active in conversations about the album after i've bought it and listened to it 
you know how i do it 

No doubt. I owned a couple of his older albums but they got jacked from me. That and my Coup albums. So I got to get some of those back but this is good as bought when it comes out. He pushes the line and I like that. He does not pull no punches, just tells it like it is.

sad to hear that some of your stuff got stolen 
well as you may now, a couple of Paris' albums were reissued in remastered form, so you can pick up those  (the reissue of sleeping with the enemy seems to be out of stock though  )

anyway, you are right about Paris; no gimmicks 

I have so many albums it is hard to keep up. I am looking through them right now to see which Paris albums I still need.