Illuminati 2G

What up people, D-Nice back with a interview I conducted with rapper/producer Versitile. In this interview we discuss his new album, Klassikal Entertainment, the independent game, what it takes to make good beats and much more so enjoy the interview.

D: Tell me about your upbringing and what got you into music.

V: As a child, I can remember watching yo mtv raps. I remembered dancing & recite the words of  LL Cool J, Kool Moe Dee, KRS & several other hip hop pioneers I guess the music was so appealing then, I looked at the cars, money and fat ropes. I said to myself: " I want to rap when I grow up."

D: How did you come up with the name Versitile?

V: I felt like the name versitile is a title that fits me very well. It basically means to be adaptable & competent in many functions and occupations. With me being the rapper, writer, producer/engineer. Versitile is a name that just stuck to me like glue since I change styles often and change subject with ease.

D: Who are some of your musical influences both production and rapping?

V: My lyrical influences are: 2pac, T.I., Jay-Z, 50 Cent & Lil Wayne mainly. But I do like other artists as long as they can keep my attention and inspire me in the process. My musical influences are: Cali, Kanye, David Banner, Lil Jon, and Nitty.

D: Tell me a little bit about the music scene in Birmingham and in Alabama in general. The big homie Knoc is from Fayette and Rich Boy is doing his thing from Mobile.

V: Ah! man... the music scene out here is good, but it could be better. Knoc is a artist that i'm not familar with at the time, Rich Boy is doin his thang. A BIG SHOUTS OUT TO RICH BOY. Out here in the ham we got another artist that doin his thang. he go by the name Birmingham J ya know what i'm sayin. I'm just gettin started, so the ham can get ready for me real soon. But other than that, its hard out here when you a inde artist (you know). We ain't got no real major labels, distributors nor promoters out here. So you know we gotta get that cheese and go at it with a stone type mentality. 

D: Your production style reminds me alot of Rap-A-Lot's producers Mike Dean and Mr. Lee. Alot of instrumentsand hard hitting clean bass. Without giving away too many tips, what to you are the keys to having dope beats and being a good producer?

V: First of all you just gotta know sound. But with me, I just try to become one with the beat. I feel like the beat is a interlude to a story, that must be told with words. my keys are: rhythm, consistancy, passion & concentration.

D: Tell us a little bit about your album Klassikal Entertainment and your mixtape.

V: Klassikal entertainment is a unique and different album. I felt compelled to produce and drop a tight album that don't have all of that flossed out, street vibe that the industry promotes today. My main priority was to cover everything under the sun, in a lyrical & poetic display. And it is the music that takes what i'm doing to a classical plateau, so that's what make this album klassikal. And as for my mixtape,  I don't even know what to call it ( they're so hot). I brought in some new faces on the imperial rekordz line. Ya know, my fam 4'reala, Yung Cheek, Princeton Lank,& Buck 1. We all recorded well over 125 mixtape tracks with me last year. ya know what i'm sayin', we bout ready to give it to em raw this year.

D: What is your favorite track or tracks from the album?

V: Man, it's so classical till I dont even know which one I like the most. Probably: Welcome To The South, simply cause I act a natural ass on the production of that beat.

D: The album is bangin man. Definitely one of my personal favorites this year. Dope rhymes and those beats are fiyah. You gotta tell the people about your reason for picking the name Klassikal for your album.

V: Like I said, It's a unique and different album. the music is similar to classical music in a sense, the lyrics are so poetic that they paint real pictures in the mind. I guess it's safe to say that it's a real hood classic.

D: What are your thoughts on the state of rap right now?

V: I say all artists need to come together and take over this recording industry. We got too many talented independent artists out here being overlooked 85% of the time. Regardless of how many units you move.

D: Any deals on the table to sign with a major or you gonna do the indie thing for a minute?

V: As of now, I ain't got no deals on the table. I'm at the point to where I'm trying to get out there and create a buzz for myself. but on the up and up, I am being reviewed by the A&R panel at Hit Quarters. So, who knows what can come out of that. I'm willing to sign on a distribution agreement, but until then I'm indie all the way.

D: Your website and our partner site Imperial Studioz is just that, a studio. You offer mixing, mastering, and
production. You don't see that too often.

V: Yeah, we are a recording studio that offers post production mastering & editing for independent artists. Since we are all indie, we must spend indie dollars, to make inde moves. And that is something that you see regularly. And you know what that is the main reason why I took my recording resouces to that level.

D: What advice would you give up and coming producers and rappers wanting to get into the game?

V: Know your role before you try to play the position. It's alot of opportunities out here and you gots to know the right people that can get you in the right place at the right time and the rest is up to you. Be sure you research a company before you get invoved with them cause everything that glitters ain't gold. And another thang, get you some good management, and a entertainment attorney.

D: Well homie that is all from me. Any shout outs or last words?

V: Big shouts out to D-Nice at Illuminati 2G. One love to my people, my fam, my wife, and tha whole Imperial Rekordz squad, we all ready. And last, Klassikal Entertainment is on sale at Imperial Studioz website. So you need to pick up a copy of that today.

Klassikal Entertainment and the Imperial Records mixtape out now. Hit up the website for more details.