My homegirl, LatinBeatz got the chance to interview emcee, Final Outlaw.
Thank you for the interview, I know you are a busy man, thanks for taking the time to meet with me, You have an impressive established presence in Hip Hop, where do you draw your work ethic from?
I often see myself a step behind the projection of myself in my mind. Frustration and faith have a lot to do with my work ethic. The music industry is very watch-and-learn oriented, so naturally I’ve learned many things from observation. I guess the easiest way for me to say this is that I’m in no position to sit around right now because my livelihood is at stake.
Since You’ve done shows with some of the illest, how did it feel to share the stage with some of the Legends?
At first it’s very exciting. You forget all the hard work you did to get to a certain position for a moment and wonder how you ended up backstage with musicians you grew up listening to. After a while though you realize you’ve just entered a new level of business and you have to focus before you end up making some poor decisions.
How was it collaborating with KRS ONE?
I was flattered for having been offered the opportunity however… communication was kept at a minimum so I didn’t get to really enter any interesting conversations with the brother. He’s always been a pillar of importance in Hip Hop whether people agree or disagree with his views. Ultimately I don’t really care if we spoke much because he was present as I recorded over his track. I think he offered us chicken or something but I said no thank you.
Tell us about “Rice & Beans Ft. Niles” Is that a track about the staple of your culture or a metaphor a word play on something else? When are you planning on releasing it?
Chinch 33 from Germany did the cuts on the new record and sampled a Flipmode song. The lyrics to the sample go something like “I eat MC’s with rice and beans.” The single is about being elite lyricists and combining both of our skills in the process. Levenkhan from Spain produced the song and both Niles and I fit perfectly in place.
I became an instant fan when I heard “Hip Hop 4ever.” I’m obviously not the only one, you’ve been on tons of noted websites, magazines, etc what do you think is so appealing about your style, and also that track?
I strongly believe my followers exist because they can tell that what I have to say is sincere. Music isn’t sincere anymore. People drop records all the time about struggle, and peace and what have you, but it doesn’t come from the heart anymore. In the end most artists today are just pretending to have certain agendas but you can tell their hearts are not truly in it. Its protocol to have the “love song” on your album, or its good for marketing to show your compassionate-side so then you’ll see a song about world-peace on an album but when you listen to the music its just a cliché clutter of empty words. What I say I mean, what I talk about in my music I actually live. If I say I want to help the world in a song, come and find me or read about what I’ve done in the past and you’ll find that I’ve gone out of my way to help others. I walk what I talk; other artists just talk to broaden their audience.
Your next video about to drop is “Machine” directed by Janelle Ryan, who also directed “Hip Hop 4ever.” Already having worked together prior, was this an easier collaborative project? And when will you be debuting it?
I don’t think it’ll ever be easy when you create something with love. When you make quality material you essentially take the hard-way-out. I’ve noticed a reoccurring surprise or disbelief in other industry peers when I release new material or perform. I think the standards in which Janelle Ryan or I work should be taken as an example of what is born from the quality over quantity approach. Artists like Sade may not release music often but when they do, everyone purchases it – even if record sales are down, because they have respect for the sincerity, and quality work put into the music; and most importantly because they relate. I think the more I work with her and other directors it’ll only get tougher each time as we try to exceed what we did last time 1000 times over.
Are you on a Label or are you Indie?
I’m independent but I’m in discussions with 2 or 3 major and indie labels about my future. Let’s see what happens.
Recently you wrapped up a West Coast Tour, being that you’re from New York, what differences and similarities did you experience?
There is an unnecessary separation between blacks and Latino’s or Latino’s and Latino’s on the west coast. Everyone was extremely hospitable and kind to me but there were many places where the air was dense. Don’t get me wrong, you come across tension often on the east coast but something really erked me about cultural differences between people. I notice the west coast plays a lot of east coast golden era Hip Hop also, but I don’t see the same love come from New York. I would like to work with anyone trying to change these things. There is no happiness or freedom in separation.
To see the rest plus some exclusive videos go to > http://www.latinabeatz.com/?p=1434
and tell her Essince and Royal Heir sent ya.
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