PROBLEM  (May 2007) | Interview By: Eddie Gurrola

       Dubcnn recently linked up with one of the West Coast’s rising stars, Problem, for an in-depth, exclusive interview. We go into detail about his new projects, including the upcoming mixtape “The Streets Is Mine,” and his group album with Kurupt and Terrace Martin. We also talk about his new single “My Life,” featuring Krys Ivory, which is making a lot of noise on the radio right now as well as much more  in this world exclusive.

 

As always we have both the transcript and the audio for you to check and please feel free to send any feedback regarding the interview to: eddiegurolla@dubcnn.com

 

Interview was done in May 2007.

Questions Asked By : Eddie Gurrola

Problem Gave Dubcnn.com A Shoutout! Check That Here

Full Interview In Audio : Here

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Dubcnn: What’s up Dubcnn, we’re here with Problem. How you doing man?

What’s goin’ on with it Dubcnn? How y’all, how y’all, what’s up?


Dubcnn: Alright, so for our readers that don’t know much about you, why don’t you go ahead and tell them a little bit about yourself.

Oh well, man if you haven’t heard about me, you must be hiding under a rock, man. This is Problem, man, Compton’s finest, I’m out here chillin’. Everything in sight man - lyrically, physically, mentally. Respect right here - everybody fuckin’ with me, plain and simple, because that’s what it is.


Dubcnn: So, you’ve got a lot of momentum going right now, we liked that “Deal Or No Deal” mixtape you dropped on our site last year. So, how have the responses been on that one, were you happy with it, with the way it turned out and everything?

Oh man, shit, I’m still getting calls about that “Deal Or No Deal,” man. I did that strictly for the East Coast, because you how they think niggas can’t really get down out here with the rappin’ wise. That’s why I didn’t have no features on there, I wanted it to be all me. And, shit, I proved my point. I got a lot of love from XXL from it, you know, The Source, a lot of folks, and the East Coast fuckin’ with it. And the West, you know, the West is home, baby, so they always fuck with Problem.


Dubcnn: Yeah. So you’ve been collaborating with a lot of new artists coming up, but you’re also working with Kurupt, Terrace Martin, and a bunch of other West Coast artists. So, what would you say the key to succeeding and breaking out of the rap game has been for you?

The key to me, man, is honestly good relationships, and staying humble but being confident at the same time, and always grindin’, man. You can’t sit around and wait for nobody, you know what I’m sayin’, Terrace Martin, he told me that, he’s the key to that. He went from sleeping on Snoop’s couch to now being part of this Niggarachi, man, and having his own label deal. You know what I’m sayin’, the grind, man, that’s all it’s about. You know what I’m sayin’, niggas don’t out work me - that’s why I win.


Dubcnn: That’s awesome. So tell us a little bit about your relationship with Terrace Martin. We see you guys collaborating all the time.

That’s my guy man. What it is man, I met Terrace 4 or 5 years ago, and he met me as a producer, and he wasn’t really fuckin’ with my rap shit, you know what I’m sayin’, and I respect him for that, for keeping it 100, you know what I’m sayin’, like “You ain’t really that tight to me.” But, he keep my thing right, we stayed in touch, not on some music shit, but on some friend shit, we chopped it up, and then, he could not deny it. I started coming up with it! You know what I’m sayin’, my spit got strong, I started slayin’ niggas and, you know what I mean, we linked up.

We linked up actually when he got his deal, I was gonna help him with some songs on his joint, I helped him with the song they got on “The Big Squeeze.” It was that, that catapulted me to meet Kurupt, and then doing the “All Night” song that’s on y’all site right now, what’s up Kurupt? And, that just shot me up to doing shit with the big homie Snoop, hopping on Niggarachi tracks, and you know what I’m sayin’, honestly man he’s the big reason why I’ve got a little industry buzz right now.


Dubcnn: Nice! Alright, so you’ve got the group album with Kurupt, Terrace Martin, and yourself. So, the name of the group is “All Night”? Is that it?

Naw, that’s just the first track we dropped, the “All Night” joint, a real 80’s sound, fun, fun record. We ain’t gotta be mad all the time, we ain’t gotta be talking about killin’ everybody all the time, we really have fun on that record, and the record was us just having fun in the studio, drunk, high, fuck it, it’s fly! You know what I mean?


Dubcnn: Yeah. I actually heard that track yesterday, I loved it.

Hell yeah!


Dubcnn: So, how did you guys decide to come together and form this group?

Man, you know Kurupt. Kurupt is a wild cat, and it kinda was his idea, I mean we got good chemistry when we in the studio, we have a lot of fun, so, let’s do a fun album. And, you know, Terrace has his situation, and I’ve got mine, and we all know Kurupt has his, and it’s a good way for us to do another type of music, something fun. There’s gonna be songs on there where Terrace gets to do his thing, where I get to do my thing, he do his thing. But, as a collaborative type thing, we’re working pretty much on some fun shit.


Dubcnn: So it’s all gonna be like funky, up-tempo type of summertime shit?

Most definitely, but there’s still gonna be the ones where you get to hear the greatest West Coast MC of all time go off. You can hear him go hard, I’m talking about HARD. Like, if you’re questioning Kurupt, then you’re a goddamn fool. And, you get to hear me do my thing, you already know how I get down, so, you know what I’m sayin’, that’s a good collaboration from a vet and a new dude. You know what I’m sayin’, we’re pretty much bridging the gaps. And we’ve got some fly ass tracks, I mean, it’s undeniable, we gonna win!


Dubcnn: You’ve got it all covered, seriously.

Pretty much, man.


Dubcnn: So, it sounds like you guys have recorded a lot for this album. How many songs deep are you into the album?

We’re about 15 songs strong right now, we’re gonna take the best 11 and fly with it.


Dubcnn: Nice. So, do you know when it’s gonna come out, do you have any plans for releasing it anytime soon?

Once we get to 20-30 songs, [we’ll] stop, take it to Snoop, see what he think, take it to whoever, see what they think, you know what I mean, we’re just pretty much flyin’ right now. But it is gonna come out. It’s not one of those projects where we just started it to fuck with people, naw, this is really gonna hit the streets.


Dubcnn: Cool. So do you guys have a name for the group?

That’s the hardest part, we ain’t got no damn name! You know, but honestly, we don’t need one because, you know, Terrace has his own name, I have my own name, Kurupt has his, and we could just call the album Terrace, Problem, and Kurupt! It don’t matter, you’re gonna know what it is, you know what I mean?


Dubcnn: That’s a good idea, alright. So, are you thinking about taking it out on Doggystyle Records, or are you just shopping it around to see what’s going on with that?

Oh man, shit, Dogghouse would be the perfect place to take it, man. Why not? Why not have the biggest artist on the West Coast have his hands on this. We would hope so, but, you know, we’re gonna see how it all plays out, you know what I mean?


Dubcnn: Alright, so you guys formed this group, and then the Westurn Union, they’re doing their thing, and The Warzone, all these super groups are forming. So, why do you think everyone’s forming groups like this? What’s your idea behind forming groups like this?

I think it’s a good look to...if they don’t want one thing, they’ll want another thing, I’m talking about far as the people. And then, it’s also a way to shed light on a muthafucka that you ain’t never seen before, like with this group. Terrace has been doing things in the industry for years, Kurupt, you know who he is, but me, I’m relatively new, so it’s a good look for me. In fact, at the same time, the new fans that I have, that probably was sceptical on Kurupt, they’re listening to me, so they’re gonna listen to him. And they’ll be like “Oh shit!” Something like that, you know what I’m sayin’? With all the groups, with The Warzone, shout outs to Warzone, shout outs to Westurn Union, you know what I mean, it’s pretty much like that with all the groups, it’s diverse. It’s diversity when it’s three different people. You know what I mean?


Dubcnn: Yeah, it was great to see you guys come together when I was over there in the studio the other day with you and the Westurn Union, everyone just coming together…

Ahh man, I don’t think they ready for that track man, I don’t think the net, the streets, the world is ready for that, man, the “West Coast Roll Call,” man. Shout outs to Soopafly, man, love Damani for inviting me over to that track, man, it’s serious.


Dubcnn: That track was crazy!

Jay Rock, Young Maylay, whoo! Crazy, man!


Dubcnn: Alright, so let’s talk about your solo stuff now. You’re getting radio spins on this track “My Life” with Krys Ivory, so tell us about this track.

Shout outs to Tha Bizness, man, that’s Dow Jones and J Hen, gotta love my DJs man, that’s crazy. It’s getting a lot of love, a lot of love at Power 106, shout outs to Big Syphe, Eric D-Lux, Felli, Miguel, muthafuckin’ Reflex, everybody up there that’s supporting the record, and at K-Day, what’s up Julio G, Yo Yo, they givin’ it runs. And, I just came from KDON [102.5], I was up north, I was just fuckin’ with Mistah FAB up north in the Bay, he about to throw it on his show, and KDON is supposed to be running it. So, you know, it’s spreadin’ right now, it’s spreadin’ like wildfire.


Dubcnn: Good, sounds great! So, you’ve got a new mixtape coming out too, do you want to talk about that a little bit?

That’s right man, it’s called “The Streets Is Mine.” Right now, it’s up in the air, I don’t know who’s gonna host it, I know Dow Jones is gonna be involved, but what we’re trying to do is take a DJ from the East, a DJ from the West, and have them all, with Dow Jones, have them all three host it.


Dubcnn: So you’re just gonna go nationwide with this one, huh?

Oh, it’s gonna be crazy man. We shooting for Big Mike and Skee, to get them to host it. I’m gonna have all my friends on there, it’s gonna be, because my last one was pretty much solo, I’m gonna bring all the super friends out that I got, all the niggas I fuck with is gonna be on this tape. All the G’s from the West, from the Bay to LA to Daygo, everybody is gonna be on this tape, in some way, shape, or form.


Dubcnn: Are you almost done recording it, or is it ready to go pretty much?

I mean, shit, I got so much shit in the vault, man, that it ain’t really like a thing of recording it. It’s like pulling out shit and having them jump on it. But, I know, me man, I might get the buzz building and then say “Fuck it, let’s just go fresh.”


Dubcnn: Who do you think is gonna be on it, like for sure at least? I know you’ve got a grip of people lined up…

I know for sure...I’m gonna go from down Cali on up. I know Mitchy is gonna be on it, for sure, I know everybody from my label, Derang Entertainment, Nero, K-Active, Sequel. K-Active is from P.I.M.P. Entertainment, but that’s my dogg. Terrace is gonna be on it, Bang Loose is gonna be on it, Glasses and Jay Rock, Bad Lucc, you know what I mean, Mykestro, everybody from all over gonna be on it. Fab is gonna be on it, Mistah Fab, I’m trying to get some more folks from the Bay on it. Sean T, he got some joints on there, it’s gonna be crazy, just put it like that. It’s gonna be crazy. You already know Kurupt is gonna be on it.


Dubcnn: So are you doing a mixtape with other people’s beats, or are you gonna do mostly original production on this one?

We gonna mix it up, I’m gonna make sure there’s some original joints on there, and there’s gonna be a lot of mixtape versions, because I’m gonna change the way LA is doing things. I mean, like I just came back from the Bay, and I just love their movement, man. And, if I can input some of their shit into our shit, I don’t even need to say ours, because we all California. We need to get right, you know what I’m sayin’! Their grind is crazy up there, I’m with that, so all original music, I finna put out, man. I’m gonna go to these independent distributors, and put it out. Put it on the streets, put it on all the mom and pop stores, whatever the fuck, you know what I mean? I’m not sayin’ it’s all original shit, but there’s gonna be some on there.


Dubcnn: Sounds good man. You’re producing too, you’re a producer, so are you gonna put your own beats on there as well?

I only dibble and dabble a tad, a little bit. I’m gonna keep it real, I don’t like people to know that I produce, because I don’t want to be looked at as a rapper/producer. I don’t want people to say, “He’s dope because he’s a producer.” Naw. I want to be dope because I’m dope. You know what I’m sayin’? But, the producing shit, I was doing that first.


Dubcnn: OK. So, after the mixtape, what’s your plan for a solo album gonna be? Do you have anything lined up?

Right now, I’m with Dow, and that’s all we’re trying to set up. I’m trying to get on a radio project or whatever. I do have majors looking at me right now, but right now I’m not really hurting for money, or nothing like that, I’m not just gonna take anything, because I know my worth. I know my work ethic; I done sold more than 15,000 mixtapes in LA alone.


Dubcnn: That’s amazing.

I’m not just finna take anything, you know what I mean, and I know my worth, and I know what I can bring to a label. So, if the numbers ain’t right, I’m not gonna go nowhere, I’m gonna do it myself, do it like my niggas in the Bay do, you know what I mean?


Dubcnn: Definitely, that’s a good way to approach it. So, you’ve got your own label, Derang Entertainment, too, what are you guys doing with that?

Shit, that’s how we’ve been before all the names and before the buzz and everything, it was Derang Entertianment selling the tapes, that’s hand to hand out of the streets. Shout out to Ed Jones, Sequel, Nero, Marliek, Mills, you know what I mean? It’s like, that’s what it is, that’s what it was, that’s what it is, so you know, that’s always gonna be a mainstay with anything you see with me, you’re gonna see Derang Entertainment on it.


Dubcnn: Do you guys have a bunch of artists signed to that label, are we gonna see anyone come out soon?

Yeah, like I said we’ve got Sequel, he’s a monster man, he’s a monster. I got my boy Nero, Marliek, I got my boy Mills. Like I said man, I got a little squad just sitting back, waiting for a nigga to really just kick the door open. Once I kick it open, man, everybody better move, because we finna wrap back the whole place, niggas is just gonna run in there and take everything.


Dubcnn: So, obviously the whole New West is about to blow up real soon. So, what role do you see yourself playing in it? Do you think you’re gonna be at the forefront of it? What type of role do you see yourself in?

I feel like, man, I’m the muthafuckin’ leader. I’ve gotta be one of the top three New West artists, hands down. If I’m not at the top, I’m top three, period, because I done been in the grind from what I feel was nothing, and now there’s something. I got a track, I don’t know if y’all had it, I put out the “New West Order,” man, I put together this track when I didn’t hardly know anybody. Let me tell you everybody that was on it...it was crazy! This was when nobody really had a buzz, except for probably, maybe, Glasses. It’s me, Glasses, Lil Bam, Young Hootie, Tristate, Mykestro, Bad Lucc, The Frontliners, Taje, Roccett, Maylay, shit it was anybody!

Anybody who was rappin’, I had them all on there, the shit was 18 minutes long, the beat was changing up, everybody that wanted a take did the track, it was crazy! Yeah, I listened to that song, like not too long ago, and I was just like “Damn! This shit is crazy!” Because all these muthafuckas on here, they’ve basically got their line now, it’s like it’s getting crackin’ for them.


Dubcnn: When did you put that one together?

Man, that shit was, I dropped it New Year’s last year.


Dubcnn: So, New Year’s 2006?

Yeah, New Year’s last year, I dropped it.


Dubcnn: Damn, a whole lot of shit has changed since then, man, that’s crazy.

You know what, I feel like if I ain’t the top one of everybody, then I’m top three of anybody that’s on the Westside, as far as artists. You know what I’m sayin? It gotta go like that.


Dubcnn: That’s awesome man. Alright, so, what would you want to say to some up and coming artists?

Don’t think that the Internet is your only way of making moves. You have to grind, and it does not cost money to get on planes and leave. The same amount of money it costs a nigga to get fresh, with $300 jeans, you know what I mean, $150 shirt, the Prada shoes, the Gucci loafers and all that shit, it’s the same amount of money you can spend to get your ass and go to New York, and go out there and see how they doin’ it, go out there and network with them. Go to Atlanta, go to the Bay, go to the South, go do something! Don’t stay here and think that because you’re relevant here, you’re somebody. Because honestly, you’re gonna get a culture shock, when you hop your ass of that plane and don’t nobody know who you are. You need to get your buzz up, everywhere! Grind, get up out of here, go see something, I guarantee your rhymes will elevate, everything will elevate, if you go see some shit. Don’t stay at home.

Go out there, if you’re really trying to do this, though, not if you just wanna rap to holla at the bitches, like you’re on the phone, and the hoes call in, and you say “I’m at the studio.” If you’re doing it for that, please stay home. But, if you’re ready to quit your job, you’ve got kids, and you’re trying to muthafuckin’ be something with this shit, you’ve gotta go homie, you’ve gotta get up out of here.


Dubcnn: We’re about to wrap it up here, unless you’ve got anything else. What do you want to say to the fans on Dubcnn?

Yeah, Dubcnn, if you don’t know about me, believe me, you will, real, real, real, real fast, man! And, I want to show love to everybody, everybody that support the whole West movement, New West, Get West, whatever you want to call it. From the Bay to LA, to Daygo, Seattle, everything over this way man, if you supporting it, I’m riding with you. Shout outs to all the artists that I named during this, shout outs to the ones I didn’t name, man. There’s no beef. Nobody’s mad no more, right now everybody’s trying to get this money, and everybody’s trying to get it right, and that’s the way it should be.