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Chief MYSPACE Forward and interview by Frizzo I got the opportunity to interview a rising star from the West Detroit area. His name is Chief and he’s been a steady on the underground hip hop circuit here in the D for a minute. Known for his energetic stage presence and lyrics that are easy to follow but have a truth and depth to their meaning, Chief is a well heard voice for the Motor City. His new video for the song, “City Boy”, has an unmistakable, made in Detroit, authentic feel to it. He’s currently been in the lab working on a new release and he graciously sat down to answer some questions for Beat The Scene, so show some respect while the Chief holds the talking stick. BTS- Tell the people where you're from and describe your musical style. Chief- Well, I’m originally from Redford, Michigan born and raised and I love it there. My people understand me, and as far as musical style man, I heard best from a fan, He said, “you make that music we can relate to“. That shits deep, I mean, I guess that’s what I try to do. I only speak truth and I guess it reflects in real life situations. BTS- How did you get the name "Chief"? Chief- It’s a long story but it stems from old heads givin’ me shit every time they seen me almost as like a derogative term or them bein’ smart asses, like, “wuttup tiger“, or “ok chief“, then it stuck and I flipped it on ‘em. BTS- How did you get started in the rap game? Chief- I was writing music for my cousin’s punk band at the time and one day in in school suspension a dude named Jabari I was cool with asked to read it and schooled me that my shit rhymed so I started fuckin’ wit raps with him and it was just so intense like the passion and thrill it gave me was intense so I ran with it. BTS- Who are some of your main musical influences and why? Chief- Dog, I mean, where do you start?... There’s so many but its constantly growing. Like when I started rappin’ I loved Tribe, Wu, Black Sheep and Pac. That was like the first shit I was really bangin’ and I always was influenced by punk rock and reggae as well as everything from Sade to The Eagles. But if I was to narrow it down I would definitely say if I could compare what I do to anyone’s it would have to be Nas. BTS- What’s the business on the Detroit rap scene nowadays? What’s the sound of the scene? Chief- Well the business is some bullshit but that’s wherever you go. With that said as far as what I’m hearing I’m loving, I mean from K Deezy to Trick Trick’s new shit to some new shit I just heard from Fatt Father and Black Milk’s new shit is fuckin’ crazy man. I don’t like a lot of rap but I always will be a fan of Detroit hip hop, I mean, it’s the sound of the streets and the streets tell the facts. BTS- The “City Boy” video was dope. Please tell us about the whole creation process of the song up until the point you made the video for it. Chief- Well, I got the beat and thought the sample was a little too much so I almost didn’t do it, but after a month or so of it sittin’ on the desktop we were all drinkin’ ‘round the computer and all my dudes and some ladies were listening like, “thats a hit” and convinced me to rock it. As far as the video, we were on a short budget and my guys in the Chi came and let me run ‘em around Detroit for 3 days and follow what I wrote as far as the shots and it was rainin’ and all sorts of shit so we improvised a lot. BTS- What was it like growing up in Detroit? Chief- I don’t know man, like I said, I grew up in Redford and I wouldn’t change what I seen or went through for anything, I mean, we were always in the D doin’ shit and Brightmore was walkin’ distance so I seen it all but I never want to misconstrue were I’m from. BTS- What’s the wackest trend in Hip Hop nowadays that you want to see die with a quickness? Chief- Shit, the wackest trend is trends in general. I hope they all die. Man, if you need a gimmick, you don’t deserve it. I’m just a fan of the music not of the business. BTS- I know you just got back from doing a show in New York, how was the crowd as compared to a Detroit audience? Chief- I got detained at the border so I didn’t make it but I have rocked there before and it’s all love. My man Phathom is up there killen’ ‘em right now, so I wish I could of been a part of the show. Fuck customs. BTS- You’re in the process of making a new album, Do you have any features lined up for that and who is producing it? Chief- I don’t know man, I’m not one to speak on things till they’re done but I definitely am working with some well known producers and can’t wait to release it. You know I got my fam on there... Phathom, Rusty De Yah , and Paradime, fa sho. BTS- What are your career goals in the music business? Chief- Man, I just wanna be able to take care of my self and family off of music whether it be someone’s manager in the future or runnin’ the boards at a studio, I’m cool wit that. as far as rapping goes, I don’t know man, we’ll have to see were it takes me, ya know? BTS- You’ll be at South by Southwest later this month, who you gonna rock the set with? I’m not too sure who is all on the bill but I’m really looking forward to goin’ down there, seein’ some nice Texas ladies, some nice weather , good culture at the festival... I love traveling. BTS- What’s the best part about doing a show? Chief- The energy you get from the crowd by far, and the money, but the energy first. BTS- What are some essentials for a good studio session? Chief- Knowing what your gonna do before you get there, especially if you’re paying. Also having a knowledgeable engineer ’cause a lot of these assholes just go and get the equipment then put a price on the time but couldn’t mix a drink, ya know? But I also like the spontaneity of jus goin’ in the lab fresh with no idea of what you’re gonna do and let some music speak to you but that’s a luxury of having a studio that you can call home. BTS- As a rapper that has toured different cities, what’s a big misconception that people have about Detroit rappers? Chief- I haven’t come across that. What I have seen, is that we are greatly respected ‘cause anyone who has ever rocked here knows that we are one of if not the toughest crowds, so if you come to Detroit, you better be on point. BTS- What was your first experience recording a song like? Chief- Wow, I mean, I can go way back when I recorded on a duel cassette using headphones as a mic. We took the first tape and played it and recorded on the duel, then we flipped the duel into the main, popped in a new blank tape to record our adlibs. I don’t know, its too hard to remember exactly how I felt, but I remember when I was rockin’ the finished piece, I was in love. BTS- What’s your favorite nightspot in The D? Chief- First, I’m gonna have to shout out the Bullfrog on the Monday nights we do there ’cause that bar has always showed me love and supported me plus my girls Justine and Gina might be the best bartenders ever. With that said, I also love Envy and Alvin’s, they have also just shown me nonstop support. BTS- Who can you credit as being supportive of your music career from the beginning? Chief- From the beginning, shit, I would say my mans Willie and Greg, other than that including my parents I had to prove to everybody that, “hey I’m fuckin’ serious and if you aint wit it, then kick rocks.” More and more people through the years heard me progress and are now supportive and I understand that. BTS- Any shout outs? Chief- Always love the shout outs at the end ’cause I always forget people. I’d be fucked if I ever won an award (laughs). So this time man, I’m just gonna shout out Detroit as a whole, the cats that know me know me. some like me, some don’t. But at then end of the day, I was always true to myself and kept it real...sometimes 2 real. thanks for ya time. Chief |
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