April 29, 2010

April 2010 Interview of C. Renegade

How long you been rapping?


You might not believe me... but... I been rapping for about 13 years. Im talking late 90's! I was 8 years old. Back then, I used to write raps for cartoon characters I made up!


Cartoons?

Yeah... Then I actually got into it for myself.


But what was your influence?

I was influenced by everything. My sister always had BET on, back when Rap City was Rap City. When BET and MTV actually played videos. I remember hearing Master P for the first time in the 3rd grade. I remember watching OutKast. I remember Big and Pac died. I remember watching guys freestyle with Tigga... It made me wanna learn cuz I wanted to write my name on the Bassment wall.


Too bad Rap City dont come on no more...

Damn right... I dont know what the hell BET be doin now days


They need to work on that. But what you working on?

Too much! Im renovating my studio, and my label got a long line up... We just put out my album "Good Times", and we 4 albums, and 2 mixtapes lined up to be release in the next 2 months. We gonna have at least 7 projects to get us through the Summer.


Your new album, "Good Times", what was the inspiration?

I wrote a good bit of the album in basic training...


Basic Training? Like the Army, Marines or something?

Yeah, I joined the Army, and I wrote alot of songs in my free time. Being that I couldnt listen to music, talk on the phone, or do anything, I had to wrote songs based off of memories. So I tried to remember all the good times and make them into something. I ended up with this. "Good Times".


No music... How long?

None... It was 10 music-less weeks... Thats hell... I still got so much music that I wrote there, its crazy. Im about to flood the streets.


Since you got so much music, any producers you wanna work with?

Well, I do produce too, but I rarely produce on my own albums. But im picky, I like beats that catch my attention in the first 3 seconds. KE is killin the streets right now. I think I could make hits with him. DJ Toomp, Boi 1 Da, Johnny Juliano, Superstar O, Vybe, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, The Runners, The Inkredibles... man, I do my research, I know which producers would fit my style. Almost forgot Nine Mil, Cannon Banyon, MIDI Marc, and Ablaze Da Architek... that Carolina right there...


Any artist?

Just about anybody that aint afraid to try different music man. I dont rap about dope and I quit with all that violence. I'll work with any rapper/singer/producer thats ready to take it past all that.


So, no trap rap for you?

No... and no disrespect to the trap niggaz but that aint me. Aint no need in me lyin to nobody. I aint never sold crack, but I seen the effects. I COULD rap about it, nigga im from ESTILL. But naw, I aint a trapper. Im just Ren. Simple as that.


But what about the MILLIONS of rappers claiming drug fame, big money, and the street life?

They fake. I mean... some of them real... I know real dope boys that TRY to rap. But the ones I know, they cant balance the streets and music. Its too many niggaz from the same cities claiming to be cocaince king pins. Just because you sold rocks dont mean you sold weight! I dont understand these guys...


So you saying...

It aint possible... the game is flooded with fake, false, music.


And thats why the industry is hurt...

No, well, in my opinion... the industry hurt the industry. Execs got money hungry and A&Rs stopped giving a fuck. It got cheaper to make music on your own, and it got cheaper to get, or should I say STEAL, the music on the internet. People blame it all on the internet, but they forgot the internet HELPED alot of them dudes get on in the first place.


How do you feel about South Carolina's music scence?

We growing and learning. We wising up. We seen people come and up and we learned from their mistakes and everytime we take a step further. Loyalty is the problem right now. And staying relative. You cant put out one song and ride off that forever! The work ethic, everybody aint got it. But as a whole, the music scene is at a good place right now. One day people will respect SC music.


Would you sign a record deal?

No, I rather stay indie. People might say Im stupid but everybody dont get the chance Drake got. Labels rape niggaz and I aint having that. Simple as that. Ill record and distibute myself.


Anything else you would like to add?

Muzik Clazz Entertainment is the name. Come to us and learn something new. Clazz is in session. Lezzon One. Pay attention! Go to twitter.com/renegade803 and follow me on the road to success. Search "C. Renegade" on Facebook. Google a nigga. Look out for all my artist on Muzik Clazz and get ready to witness greatness. Not arrogance. Confidence!