Illuminati 2G

8/13/07: I had the pleasure of chopping game with Topic for a interview with Illuminati 2G. He is one of the rising stars on the west coast and he pulls no punches on his views on the west, his street album, The Coast Guard, his viewpoint on the crazy posse cut Cali Niggaz on Game's latest mixtape and much more so sit back and enjoy.

D: Tell me where you are from and your upbringing.

T: I'm originally born in Los Angeles but I'm representing West Covina, Ca. Life for me growing up was pretty much normal besides the fact that I had a visual of reality to live in that most kids that live like me didn't. What I mean by that is being from West Covina and living there I seen a certain life style that was a lot different from the gutter ghetto struggle of my fathers neighborhood, or brothers and older simblings. I was raised primarily by my moms "Robin" with a rather decent background so the street aquired lifestyle that I live now and began to in my early teens was strictly my decision and choice.

D: Who are you biggest musical influences?

T: 2pac, Scarface, Nas, 50, Marvin Gaye, R Kelly.

D: How did the deal you secured with Drama Family/SRC/Universal come about?

T: My deal came about after connecting back with my long time friend and CEO of Drama Family Ent. Big Chuck, I was able to work with the amazing producer Neff-U and record one record. That record was later put directly into the hands of Steve Rifkind, via Big Chuck. I was able to secure a meeting do to that record. I sat with him played 2 other records and rapped them live in front of him and he signed me on the spot the rest is history.

D: Yeah Neff-U has got some dope ass beats. That Get Ignit beat off of Westside Connection's last album was sick. With you being a up and coming artist on the west coast, what is your thoughts on this New West/Old West talk that is going on? I know it is starting to divide some people on the music.

T: Well in my opinion it's an issue that we can't run from. I'm by no means a follower to anyone or anything that other people are doing. So a lot of times especially now out here on the west coast you here the term "NEW WEST" being used losely. It's almost like a fad or something. When I say "NEW WEST COAST" I mean it. I represent a different face, different city, a different look, a familiar but different sound, and a new generation which I feel I'm at the forefront. That's what "NEW WEST COAST" means to me. As far as division there shouldn't be, it's up to the older cats in the game the vets etc, to hold the new generation of soldiers down and embrace us to do our thing.

D: Man that was some real talk right there Topic. We most definitely need that unity out here to prosper. Speaking of new west coast artists, which ones from the west coast are you feeling that are on the rise?

T: Well feel wouldn't be the word I prefer, when you talk about feeling I'm feeling them all only because I feel what there trying to do. If what I'm sure you mean is which do I like and support, in that case Glasses Malone is my guy aside from music and he's dope. Jay Rock has a very unique voice and delivery he's dope. Roccett is my guy. I think Bishop Lamont is dope in what he's doing he's keeping backpack hip hop alive threw a major machine Aftermath very dope. That's pretty much it off hand.

D: What are your thoughts on how the west coast can return to it's glory days?

T: To be honest we still have a long way to go in my opinion, if you notice I keep saying my opinion because everything I say, I have reasoning behind just for the record. I feel like we as the west coast and the artist need to make better music that has more of a global feel to it. I think the imagery needs to change show the fly and other elements to our culture. I would say the pioneers need to get behind the new artist and up comers to support the cause and help with strengthening the movement, guidence, and showing a lot of the new artist how to avoid some of these pot holes we're all going to fall into from time to time.

D: Man you have got to tell me what it was like recording that Cali Niggaz posse cut on Game's last mixtape. I saw the DVD and I got a little insight on it but with a lineup like Ya Boy, K-Dot, Jay-Rock, Dubb, Topic & Eastwood that is some historical music in the making.

T: Big shout out to the homie Game, real talk. It was amazing I mean for anyone to be apart of history is a good thing. It was a record that was a lot more powerful than people realized. That was a direct reflection of a large portion of what you could expect coming from the west coast and people need to understand that. That wasn't all the new west artist by no means but it was bar far some of the best the new west has to offer so it was historical moment. Different sectionsof California from Compton, to South Central, toWest Covina was highlighted. Can't beat that!!!

D: Yes that track really showcases the future of what the west has to offer. Classic track in my opinion. Let's chop game about your mixtape/street album, The Coast Guard. BANGIN MAN! One of my favorite albums this year. How has the feedback been so far?

T: Yeah street album man it was really just and opportunity to let the streets of the west coast along with other regions on the east coast and the south for that matter know that a NEW force and movement is coming out the west. One of your favorites THANK YOU very much. I mean what I did was took original material and put it together and gave it away with the exception of 3 records that were other peoples beats, I had DJ Skee and DJ Kay Slay host it and put it straight to the streets. The Coast Guard has honestly become one of the dopest cd's period to hit the streets this year depending on who you ask. Can't shake the haters you feel me. I'm working on a new one entitiled "This Is My Life" that I will drop close to halloween. From there I will be dropping my official album titled Topic, If Not Me, Then Who?. To be honest the feedback has been all love.

D: Who handled the production? The beats knock in the ride.

T: The production is everybody from Neff-U, to Cool N Dre, Mansur, Classic, J-Hen, you know when I make music I don't really go just for big names on production I aim towards good music. I'm willing to workwith anybody that got that crack music ANYBODY!!!

D: For those sleeping on the album where can they pick it up at?

T: If for some odd reason people are still sleeping on the Coast Guard you can grab that off my myspace page which is http://www.myspace.com/mrbosslife or in a hood near you. Or contact me at bosslifeworld@gmail.com and I can have one sent to you.

D: How's the new album coming along and do you have a release date for it?

T: The new album is incredible actually, I'm referring to "If  Not Me Then Who it is coming along just fine. I don't have a exact date and that is only because we are droppin the top of 08 so we don't want to pick a date to early, would make no sense. That's my reasoning behind droppin my third street album This Is My Life I had a previous record out in the streets called "Start Of A Legacy I only pressed up 5k units so wasn't able to generate the buzz that I wanted but it's a classic i'll have to get you one. I'm not going to let the streets breathe though in the mean time i'm a keep them on fire. You can expect to hear from me from now until the top of "08" and from then until I choose to stop.

D: Dream collabo for you on your album that you have not had a chance to get yet?

T: Scarface, R Kelly.

D: Any upcoming tours or show dates that you have coming up?

T: Crazy, because I have stuff all the time but my management etc, usually just tells me as they come, so I have no dates.

D: Well that is all from me, time for shameless promo. Any shoutouts or promo you want you get out there?

T: You know it, shout out to Big Chuck and the entire Drama Family and Boss Life World Inc. I want to shout out my dedicated staff of
people that handle my business at SRC records Steve, Gaby, Rich, Ice Schuler, Jay Andino, Jason Kpana, and everyone. I want to shout the Big Homie Snoop Dogg, David Banner, and Kai. Good looking and let the world know West Covina is on the map do to yours truly TOPIC. WEST COAST TIL THE WORLD BLOWS UP.

D: No doubt homie, Thanks for taking the time to do the interview Topic.

T: THE PLEASURES ALL MINE!!! THANK YOU!!!