Illuminati 2G

D-Marc back in the place to be with another interview. This time it is with rapper Hash out of Cali. He talks about the recording process for his new album, Latinz Finest, in stores now, the state of hip hop on the west, advice for aspiring artists and much more so check it out.

D: For those unfamiliar with you, tell us about where you’re from and your upbringing.

H: I'm from L.A. but more specifically the Great-One-Eight, San Fernando Valley (818). I'm of mixed background half Latino and half Indian, but I was raised by mother whose Latina.

D: Tell me about how you got your start in the game.

H: I first started out same as everyone else just messing around my friends. The 1st time I got in the studio it was kind of funny; I had been listening to this song this rapper had been doing and he asked my opinion and I told him I wasn’t feeling the song and he was like well if your so good jump in the booth and let’s see what you got. I did and it went from there.

D: Who are your musical influences?

H: Man my influences come from the oldies tunes, jazz, old school hip hop, r&b, everything. From Michael Jackson to Babyface, from Run DMC to Jay-Z & Nas, west coast, east coast, down south everything.

D: First off let me say I picked up Latinz Finest and it is a very diverse and smooth album. You touch on alot of topics that other rappers are not talking about. How has the feedback been for the album since it dropped?

H: The feedback has been incredible. I got a lot of people hitting me up through the internet and off the street picking up the album. It amazes me that everybody's got their own favorite song on the album from "Everyday Thing" all the way to "Industry 100". To me it shows just how versatile the album is because it’s got something for everyone and it can’t really be categorized as one particular genre of hip-hop.

D: Tell me a little bit about the producers that contributed to this album. The beats are knocking.

H: A majority of the album was produced by The Innovator League (www.myspace.com/innovatorleague) they produced 6 tracks on the album (Home Tonight, Fairy Tales, Do What We Do, Street Life, Drama, & Industry 100). Their tracks are crazy, they a whole different sound comin out the west coast. If you don't know who they are believe me you will within the next year they making major moves of their own. Next we got DJ SBC, he has helped guide me over the last 2 years and produced 3 tracks for the album (Muevelo, Everyday Thing, & Twist Up). He brings a lot of knowledge and keeps me with a deep respect for making original music and having a unique sound that people can’t help but be drawn too. Then we got my boi Cat with 2 joints (Flawless & Sweat Like U Burnin'). He from Riverside and is really coming into his own with his sound and technique on the boards. I’ve known Hypnotiq for a couple years know and he’s got 2 tracks on the album. And last but definitely not least is my boi my dj, DJ Tony J producing the "Great-One-Eight" anthem.

D: What is your favorite track off the album?

H: Man honestly I don’t think I can pick one favorite track but I’d have to say it’d be between Street Life, Everyday Thing, Home Tonight, Twist Up, and Fairy Tales. Haha like I said I can’t really pick my favorite track they all bangers.

D: One of my favorite tracks on the album is Be A Man. You talk about guys putting they hands on women and the tension between Blacks and Mexicans. What do you think can be done to improve the relations of the black and the brown?

H: Honestly to improve the relationship with blacks and browns it’s just putting our differences aside and looking at how much we have in common like I say in the song. We both deal with hardships and want to maintain a strong family unit. I don’t think I need to spell out everything we have in common it’s as simple as just looking at what’s true in your own life and the “other” side is more than likely dealing with or experiencing the same things.

D: In Industry 100 you give insight on the snakes and politics of the music industry. What advice would you give an artist wanting to get into the business?

H: The best advice I can give a new artist is learn as much as you can on your own, from marketing to promotions; to contracts and budget; to your own responsibilities to keeping the right people around you! Don’t depend on other people to tell you what to do, go out and make your own moves. You’ll see you get a lot more respect that way. Also surround yourself with as much positive energy as possible (even I’m still going through this) because that negative energy is deadly and can really mess with your whole swagger. You also need management that knows what he/she is doing and can deliver on what is promised and can help you set goals that can be completed in a reasonable amount of time.

D: What is your thoughts on the state of hip hop on the west coast right now?

H: I’m seeing the west coast getting ready to really blow up again. There’s a lot of major talent out here that’s grinding and understanding the power of numbers in terms of collaborating with each other. Lot of these cats are doing there thing with hustling for themselves and learning the business side of the industry because that’s what makes you the money. I’m really loving a lot of the artists up here from G. Malone, Bishop, Taje, Noni Spitz, VI from my camp, Hectic, Eastwood, Damani, man the list just goes on.

D: Any upcoming tour or show dates?

H: The Wild Style Tour is still coming I talked with my boi Cliff Love the other day and he confirmed that with me; dates are TBA. We got a show August 30th in Pasadena, another show in Studio City late September, and other shows are getting lined up as we speak as well. I’ll keep ya’ll updated on the websites www.picvibe.com/hash and www.myspace.com/hashlosangeles

D: What is bumping in Hash's deck right now and what artists do you think are doing they thing in the game right now?

H: I got Hot Dollar in there, Chrisette Michelle, Musiq Soulchild, T.I., and couple mixtapes in rotation in my ride right now. As far as whose doing there thing right now I gotta say I’m lovin what Hot Dollar’s doing with his situation over there at Def Jam, Eastwood’s really making moves, G. Malone, Papoose, T.I., I know there a lot more artists that I should be giving props to right now but there just too many out there making the right moves.

D: Any plans for a follow up to Latinz Finest or mixtapes or anything?

H: Hell yea! The main priority right now is getting the retail distribution for the Latinz Finest album. We already have the digital distribution set up on Itunes, Napster, Rhapsody, and more. By the way Go buy the album off those sites. We are also getting ready for a radio run in several different markets starting around November. The lead single is between Home Tonight & Fairy Tales right now.

H: I got a bunch of projects that we are working on right now. 1st I'm dropping a FREE mixtape for download in mid-late September called "My Time, My Grind". This will be available on every major hip hop website. I’m not gonna speak on the features right now, but it’s a nice list haha. We also got "The Great-One-Eight Mixtape Vol. 1" which myself & DJ Tony J are putting together which will showcase some of the best talent from the 818 ever assembled. That should be due out in November. We are also in the beginning stages of putting together the next album which will be due out Fall 2008.

D: Well that is all from me, any last words or shoutouts. Shameless promotion.

H: I gotta shout out first of all you Illuminati 2G for the interview, my right hand man Bugzy, DJ SBC, Ray, Picvibe.com, The Innovator League, Jazzy D, Jazzy Management, VI, Hectic, Bakari, J.W., Ron Patterson, Bullet, Yvette Wilson, Mooch, DJ Tony J, Dynamite Jive, and anyone else I forgot my bad get at me and I’ll get you on the next time around.

D: Thanks for taking time to chop game with me.

H: Anytime man.

Hash's new album is out now. Hit up his myspace page at www.myspace.com/hashlosangeles to pick yourself up a copy. You won't be disappointed.