please post: Mac dre interviews

  • Wanna Join? New users you can now register lightning fast using your Facebook or Twitter accounts.

chase

Sicc OG
Jul 27, 2003
581
0
0
#1
I know mac dre did some intervies in magazines and online and I want to read these. Can someone post the interviews or links to them. thanks.
 

Doxx

Sicc OG
Apr 25, 2002
5,281
18
0
strivin.com
#3
There's a bunch of interviews out there so hopefully people will post them. I know Jay Tee had a really good one in 4080 magazine. If I can find my copy of that issue I'll transcribe it here for everyone.

Until then I'll post the two interviews that I did with Dre....

Interview One (this interview was done over the phone while Dre was in Lompoc Federal Penitentiary in June of 1995 and appeared in the July 1995 issue of No Joke Newsletter)

Mac Dre, one of the original game spittin’ Vallejo rappers, after becoming a common name in the Bay Area scene, was on the verge of making a huge name for himself nationwide before he was incarcerated. Now, after being locked up for a few years, he’s on another verge-he’s going to be released within a year and will be right back at home in the Bay. In my interview over the phone from prison he speaks on how Young Black Brotha Records began, the funk between North and South Vallejo and what’s comin’ up once he gets out of the Feds and back to the V.

First of all, tell everybody who this is and where you’re from.
Yeah, I’m Mac Dre. I come from Vallejo, California. The Crestside.

When did you start in the rap industry?
I started writin’ raps when I was seventeen years old. I was in Fountain Springs Boys Ranch doin’ like six months for joyridin’, drivin’ without a license, the type of stuff that young playas get into. I started writin’ when I was up in there. Came out and started makin’ demo tapes with Studio Ton. $20 an hour downtown in Vallejo. I was just passin’ the tapes out and my homeboy The Mac stayed in the Crest on Leonard Street where I’m from. He took my tape to Khayree and since then I been hooked up.

So that’s how you got hooked up with Young Black Brotha?
Before it was Young Black Brotha it was Strictly Business.

Oh yeah.
I made this song, “Young Black Brotha.” That’s where the name come from. I made that song and that’s where it started.

I remember a few years back there was tension between you and other people in Vallejo. You grew up in the Northside and there was tension between you and Southside people.
Southside and the Hillside.

Yeah, what was that all about?
Ever since I was little there was tension right? I think it started off one of my homeboys cappin’ on one of they homeboys outta The Click. Then it turned into a argument. Then it turned into a boxing match. One person from they side got in, another person and it just escalated to high powered funk for real. Me, The Mac and my homeboy Coolio was representin’ on the rap tip for the Crestside. E-40, The Click and Little Bruce and them was representin’ lyrically for they side. It was deeper than lyrics though.


So what’s up with that now? Is it all squashed?
I’m not lookin’ to get into no funk. It’s deep rooted funk so I guess the animosity is there, but I’m not holdin’ no grudges. There is still that rivalry there.


What kind of lyrics do you have for when you get out?
All types of lyrics man. I’ll rap about anything. I rap basically to relate to most of the people I know, people in the hood and stuff. Then I got raps for the radio, for the kids, the youngstas. Just spittin’ game, that Bay stuff. I just want them to know basically to keep ya eyes peeled ‘cause I got a record label when I come out, Romper Room Records. I got a stable of rappers, so vicious. I’m just gonna be the start of things and it’s gonna be a snowball effect. It’s on like a vacation in Rome.

How do you feel about how big the Bay’s gotten in rap?
I’m lovin’ it. I’m sittin’ in here listenin’ to the radio. The Beat down in LA, that’s the station we listenin’ to and every time some Bay stuff comes on I’m juiced, pumped ‘cause they my folks.


Everyone from the Bay in the last few years has been getting’ big.
Yeah, I’m just comin’ back to pour some gas on the fire. Blow it up with a different style, a new twist to it. A lot of people have been fakin’ about that stuff that the been through, that gangsta stuff. I got my stripes. I done been there and I’m on my way back.

One of my favorite cuts off Young Black Brotha was “My Chevy”…
Man, that was just stuff that I could do over the phone. If I could get in the studio… Man I got so many lyrics.


How do you feel about Mall since he’s not on YBB no more?
I hooked Mall up with Young Black Brotha Records. Right before I left I had Mall at my house in my studio daily. I was gonna produce him. Then I got caught up in this bullshit so I just called Khayree and told him man, “Hook him on up.” Khayree hooked him up, switched the record label to Young Black Brotha and Mall was his first artist. That’s all my work, him and Ray Luv. I hooked Ray Luv up too. Ray Luv, he know my cousin that stay in Santa Rosa and he brought him out to Vallejo one day and I heard him rap so I took him to Khayree. Hooked both of ‘em up. So basically that whole Young Black Brotha Records thang evolved from me and my homeboy The Mac. I’ma keep it goin’. My homeboy restin’ in peace right now.


Can you speak on your case? What led up to you getting’ in there?
Well, I can’t get into it…


Yeah, I know, not too deep.
Basically I went somewhere with my folks and got caught up being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I wasn’t never no bank robber or nothin’ like they portrayed me to be. I’m a rapper. I spit game for a livin’.


I remember seein’ some of that shit up on the news.
I got a story to tell when I come home. Gotta make sure I get there first.


You got some raps about that?
Yeah, no question. On the record label I got people that’s from the Bay Area, but then I’m in the Feds so you got people from all over. I met a few dudes that got like bomb lyrics that’s gonna be on my label that’s from the East coast, from down South. I got a bomb label comin’ out.


How many artists do you think you’re gonna have on there?
Right now I got five. Two from New York, two from LA and two from the Bay. That’s six, I got six artists.


We also gotta let everyone know where you’re at right now.
I’m in Lompoc… United States Federal Penitentiary in Lompoc.


Do you got a message for your fans that supported you before, while you been in there and are just waitin’ for you?
Yeah, just tell e'm to kick back, wait about ten more months and I'm comin' back with that shit that they been missin'. Tell 'em it's a Bay thang with Mac Dre mayne.
 

Doxx

Sicc OG
Apr 25, 2002
5,281
18
0
strivin.com
#4
Interview Two (this interview was done in person at the Young Black Brotha Records office in August of 1996, during Dre's second week out of prison and appeared in Issue 2 of Strivin' Magazine)

Ask most Bay Area rap fans who was one of the first Bay Area rappers that really put it down and most likely they will say, “Mac Dre.”

In the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, Mac Dre was on top of the Bay Area rap scene. His first release, 1989’s Young Black Brotha, was a maxi-single which featured “2 Hard 4 The Fuckin’ Radio” and “Young Black Brotha.” He then put out his second maxi, California Livin’, which featured the now classic song of the same name. Following that was his first EP, What’s Really Goin’ On? On March 26th, 1992 (eight days after that EP’s release) Mac Dre was arrested for conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery in Fresno. While in Fresno County Jail he recorded (over the phone) his fourth release, the four song Back N Da Hood.

While many felt the evidence against him was weak and that he was set up, Mac Dre was sent to Lompoc Federal Penitentiary on March 12th, 1993, right when he was on the verge of blowing up big time. Shortly after he began serving his sentence, Young Black Brotha-The Album was released featuring a mix of his old songs and some newer material. This album first introduced the public to Mac Mall who guested on the song “My Chevy.”

Mac Dre was released from Lompoc Federal Penitentiary on August 2nd, 1996 after serving four years and four months and is back to drop some game on all his fans who’ve been eagerly awaiting his return. He’s got a compilation (The Rompalation) out now and in ’97 he’s putting out a full-length solo album.

Let everyone know, what’s up with Mac Dre now?
What’s up, this is young Mac Dre fresh out the Feds, handlin’ business. This is my second week out. I’m already starting my own record label, Romp Records. We puttin’ together like a sixteen song compilation that will be out on December 10th. It’s called Mac Dre Presents The Rompilation with the 187 Fac, Mac Mall, Da 5 Footaz, JT The Bigga Figga, Dangerous Dame, Jay Tee from N2Deep, Beesh, San Quinn, Seff Da Gaffla, Messy Marv, Dubee aka Sugawolf Pimp, Coolio Da Unda Dogg, Young Lay, me and various artists that’s gonna be on my label like Stevie D (PSD), Doscha and Young Web. So I’m just in here workin’ immediately tryin’ to get back out in the mix.


I heard you’re also workin’ on a solo album to come after that.
In early ’97 I’m gonna drop a solo album on Romp Records and that’s just gonna be the bomb. Both of ‘em gonna be the bomb, but this is a taste to let you know what you’re in store for. The first one is just like a icebreaker. I’m just lettin’ people know that I’m back and the things that’s on my mind and where I’m gonna take my corner of the rap game to.


Are you talkin’ at all about the case that sent you to the Feds?
I’m not gonna talk too much about the case because one thing I found out while bein’ locked up is that when you fuckin’ with the Feds it’s a no win situation. I can do all the rappin’ and talkin’ about mothafuckas I want and the end result is I’ll be back behind bars hopin’ to be out again. I’ma concentrate on makin’ money and doin’ what I gotta do to keep my pockets extra fat.


You were down for four and a half years right?
Four years, four months.


Most of your time you spent writin’? That’s what you told me last time.
I did a lot of writin’ and a lot of game soakin’. A lot of watchin’ and a lot of listenin’.


Who’s workin’ on the compilation as far as production?
We got K-Lou, Khayree, Ferg, Johnny Z. We tryin’ to get (Mike) Mosley to do some thangs and that’s about it.


Now that you’re out are you doing things a little different as far as your own personal behavior?
Well, I’m doin’ things a lot different because before I went to jail I was like in the hood 24-7, didn’t wanna leave the hood and was just a straight hood person, a straight hood nigga. Now I’m concentratin’ more on handlin’ my business as far as the rap thang and stayin’ shaded and out people’s way.


So you saw what you were doin’ before is not the thing to do anymore?
I wasn’t really doin’ nothin’ wrong really, but just hangin’ out. Everybody hang out, but you get caught up hangin’ out. And then when you on celebrity status too… See I wasn’t thinkin’ about me bein’ on celebrity status. I was just thinkin’, “Man, I’m just a regular nigga. I just rap. I can be out here just like everybody else.” But now I see when you on celebrity status the attitude that people have towards you change differently. You just can’t be out like every other ordinary dude.


So you saw that the more you came up, the more other people were tryin’ to bring you down?
It’s a lot of jealous, envious people out there that hate to see the next person doin’ good. I was lookin’ at it like I’m not gonna change because I’m from here and this is what I do. I’m not thinkin’ I’m better than nobody, this is just what I do and what I do has got me successful, but some people can’t take it for that. And I’m not just talkin’ about dudes from the neighborhood. I’m talkin’ about police, city hall representatives, people in the music industry.


Now while you were gone a lot of bad things happened as far as people with your label-DJ Cee got killed, (Young) Lay got shot and then what happened with his baby and girlfriend. How did that affect you while you were in there when you heard about it?
Well, it hurt me. Especially DJ Cee ‘cause he was with me from day one and I hate to hear what happened to Young Lay too ‘cause that’s my folks. I watched him grow up and all that hurted me. But the end result was it motivated me to take this thing to the next level, to a higher level and be successful for my folks that not here right now like DJ Cee and The Mac.


He (DJ Cee) was one of the original DJ’s from Vallejo, right?
Yeah.


Was he the one who got you started?
Naw, The Mac got me started rappin’.


How did he influence you when you first started off rappin’?
I was in the boys ranch. I got released from the boys ranch and when I came out he had a maxi-single out and I was like, “Man, you makin’ records? I’ma try to start rappin’.” So I started rappin’, makin’ demos. Studio Ton had a little four-track studio downtown and I was fuckin’ with him and when my partner The Mac heard my shit he took it to Khayree and when Khayree heard it he said we got to have him on wax.


Last time I interviewed you we talked about how things were before between Crestside, Southside, Hillside and all that. Now that you’re out have you associated with any of those people that you used to have beef with?
I talked to a few of ‘em. The only one I haven’t talked to I think is 40. He probably on celeb status somewhere chillin’. But now it’s no animosity. The only conflict I got is with my bankroll. I’m tryin’ to have my bank as fat as possible.




 

Doxx

Sicc OG
Apr 25, 2002
5,281
18
0
strivin.com
#5
Interview Two, Part Two

So your label, Romp Records, who are you gonna put out on that?
Romp Records. I’m the president. My partner right there is D-Con, that’s my executive. A female by the name of Pam, she runnin’ A&R and my cousin Los is doin’ promotion. We got artists from here to New York, Compton, Vallejo, but we gonna start at home in the Crestside.
Who’s gonna be first?
Remember Coolio that rapped on “California Livin’” with me? That’s my first artist. He changed his name to Da Unda Dogg. After that we got two artists that’s comin’ out at the same time, Doscha and Stevie D (PSD).


Can you talk about a few of the things that are gonna be on your first album?
I might come with some stuff that I wrote while I was in the pen, but I’m thinkin’ about just lockin’ up with a Khayree DAT and just writin’ all new shit.

What’s some of the stuff you’re talkin’ about?
It’s just like I’m a good storyteller. I got a lot of story raps and I could take you to the hood and put you on a all night money mission grindin’ from eight o’clock at night to four o’clock in the mornin’. I got raps about that. I got raps about takin’ you to a party where suckas is playa hatin’ on you and you have to handle your business. I take you in different atmospheres and then I let people know that the end results of doin’ the things that I did is the penitentiary. That’s cool if you choose to do it, but just remember the consequences. You gonna be in the pen or like my homeboy The Mac, be in the casket.


Since you left and now you’re back and you’ve had a few weeks to circulate and talk to people, how do see people’s attitudes?
Since I been back I’ve seen nothin’ but love. From people from my neighborhood to Bay Area artists, everywhere I go they greet me with open arms. Everybody thinks I’m gonna be real successful so I can’t let nobody down.


Do you see how times have changed a little bit?
Times have changed and people have changed because when I left it was more of a bond between Bay Area artists. Now you got these people over here, you got people that moved up out of the Bay that don’t mess with the people they used to mess with and that kinda tripped me out.


How else have you seen the Bay Area rap scene change as far as more artists and different areas comin’ up?
Yeah, everybody rappin’ now. When I left people was just buyin’ tapes, now everybody makin’ tapes.


Do you see that as good?
Naw, I don’ see that as good because some of that stuff be bullshit and it be cloudin’ up the industry. If somebody go to a record store and the got a hundred tapes up there and you might overlook somethin’ that’s good because you might see somethin’ that has a good album cover on it and think that’s the bomb and you really lookin’ over the bomb. I think people who don’t know how to rap should try somethin’ else. And if you friends with somebody that’s tryin’ to rap and they don’t know how to rap, tell ‘em man, “You don’t know how to rap. Give it up!”


I heard you had a little BBQ party, a surprise thing that happened (upon his release).
Yeah, they threw me a little surprise party. Warren G came up, Dru Down, the Luniz. It was cool.


Did you know them from before?
Nope. They came just to show. They remember me from back in the day.
 
Nov 5, 2004
9,218
100
0
40
#6
Thanks for posting those...



random question:

I heard you had a little BBQ party, a surprise thing that happened (upon his release).
Yeah, they threw me a little surprise party. Warren G came up, Dru Down, the Luniz. It was cool.




In The Game is Thick 2 dvd, in the end where Dre is on a moped for the Treal TV ad, is that Warren G on the moped in front of him? Hella look like him, lol. I was just wondering.