http://www.strictlyfitteds.com/blog/?p=6538#more-6538
Long time FRANK151 familia, ILL BILLblessed me with an exclusive interview. The Brooklyn born and bred lyricist served as 1/4 of the hardcore hip-hop group NON PHIXION during the 90’s. BILL is currently recording as a member of the group LA COKA NOSTA. LCN is comprised of DANNY BOY, EVERLAST, DJ LETHAL (HOUSE OF PAIN), SLAINE and BIG LEFT. Never at a loss for words, ILL BILL checks in about his fitted game and his current solo projects.
TN: Let me start by saying thank you for all the support the past couple years. FRANK151 has made a huge connection with LA COKA NOSTRA this past year with the LA Looters collabo t-shirt and also carrying the ILL BILL NEW ERAs at the CHOP SHOP and all the contributions you made to the Frank151 Grown Man Mix tapes years back.
What is it that’s kept you in sync with a brand like FRANK151 all this time? There’s definitely been a lot of consistency as we’ve evolved as a brand and yourself as an artist.
IB: I think it’s that we both have a mutual respect and appreciation for what each of us are giving back to the culture. And when I say culture, I’m talking about our lifestyle. The music, the art, the clothing, we’re not waiting for anybody to connect the dots for us, we’re creating it right now. It’s always with a love for what came before us but at the same time, with a pioneering spirit. We’re always looking forward and staying ahead of the pack and so whether we plan to or not, we always seem to meet up at the same places eventually and be like “oh s—-, what up fam?”.
THE FULL INTERVIEW FOLLOWS AFTER THE JUMP >>
TN: Explain the NEW ERA projects that you worked on over the course of 07. Will there be more updates coming in the future?
IB: I’ve always been a NEW ERA head so to get to finally design my own joints has been crazy. I’ve dropped two so far. The first one was an “IB” logo that was a nod to the Brooklyn Dodgers that I did for the homies that appreciate that kind of thing. The second was a mash up with my new group, La Coka Nostra. I put my logo on the front of the cap and on the back it says “A Brand You Can Trust”, which is the name of the upcoming LCN album. Right now I’m working on a new one that will coincide with the release of my new solo album, “The Hour Of Reprisal”, which drops this summer.
TN: Your hat designs seem to be very straightforward, derivative from your roots in Brooklyn, very simple Black and White, or the Brooklyn Dodgers Royal Blue. Can you give me some insights on that?
IB: I just like to keep it really clean and classic. What’s cleaner than Dodger Blue or Raiders Black and White? Nothing. I wanted these designs clean, crisp and classic like a brand new pair of White uptowns. They got to match the uptowns or a pair of J’s. I still have to do a Yankee Blue one.
TN: What are some of your favorite Fitted styles throughout your history? As an artist, but even as a kid growing up in NY.
IB: Yankees and Mets we’re always official but pretty common around my way so I would also come through rocking a 70s era Orioles joint or maybe an old school Expos or Brewers joint. It was hard to get shit like that back in the day. There used to be a spot on Sullivan St. near W. 4th that had the heat. I can’t remember the name but it was a baseball card spot and they always had crazy shit up in there. Anything Raiders or Kings has always been dope to me. I love the Black and White Colt 45s joint. That might be my favorite one of all time.
TN: I know you collect a lot of team caps and have an appreciation for the FDL fitteds we’ve released so far, but are there any brands in particular your feeling right now? And what is it about the FDL line that you like?
IB: I’m definitely feeling the FDL joints, I like a bunch of stuff that King Stampede, Ssur and Recon have done lately too. Crooks killed it with that Gucci link joint. Bounty Hunter is always dropping something dope. I always check for Supreme. Their stuff is always clean and classic. That’s what I really like about the FDL fitteds as well. They’re not overdone. The designs are basic and the colors pop right. The Black and White NY Kings is crazy. I need one of those.
TN: What are current projects your working on musically?
IB: Aside from my new solo record and the Coka album dropping in 08, I’m working on mash up albums with both Vinnie Paz and Crooked I right now. I’m about to jet out on tour for the next ten weeks with Tech N9ne & Paul Wall but I will be recording and making beats on the bus, so there’s no rest. Just staying really busy and productive. There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing so I’m psyched. It’s gonna be a busy year.
TN: I interviewed Toby from H2O, he just filmed a video here last week and you know we have FRANK151 DMS issue coming this summer. I know you are all fam from way back. How does LA COKA NOSTRA fit into that family today? Are there any current collaborative projects, shows, or tours between any of the bands or groups?
IB: LCN is a definite part of the family and everyone from Hoya and Freddy and the entire Madball, to Ezec to Toby to Jorge from Marauder are all very good friends of mine. Too many people to name. We’ve done mad shows and recordings together over the years and we will definitely be doing more in the future.
TN: Any shout outs?
IB: Word. Big ups to Frank 151 and everybody that took the time to read this. One.
www.myspace.com/illbill
Long time FRANK151 familia, ILL BILLblessed me with an exclusive interview. The Brooklyn born and bred lyricist served as 1/4 of the hardcore hip-hop group NON PHIXION during the 90’s. BILL is currently recording as a member of the group LA COKA NOSTA. LCN is comprised of DANNY BOY, EVERLAST, DJ LETHAL (HOUSE OF PAIN), SLAINE and BIG LEFT. Never at a loss for words, ILL BILL checks in about his fitted game and his current solo projects.
TN: Let me start by saying thank you for all the support the past couple years. FRANK151 has made a huge connection with LA COKA NOSTRA this past year with the LA Looters collabo t-shirt and also carrying the ILL BILL NEW ERAs at the CHOP SHOP and all the contributions you made to the Frank151 Grown Man Mix tapes years back.
What is it that’s kept you in sync with a brand like FRANK151 all this time? There’s definitely been a lot of consistency as we’ve evolved as a brand and yourself as an artist.
IB: I think it’s that we both have a mutual respect and appreciation for what each of us are giving back to the culture. And when I say culture, I’m talking about our lifestyle. The music, the art, the clothing, we’re not waiting for anybody to connect the dots for us, we’re creating it right now. It’s always with a love for what came before us but at the same time, with a pioneering spirit. We’re always looking forward and staying ahead of the pack and so whether we plan to or not, we always seem to meet up at the same places eventually and be like “oh s—-, what up fam?”.
THE FULL INTERVIEW FOLLOWS AFTER THE JUMP >>
TN: Explain the NEW ERA projects that you worked on over the course of 07. Will there be more updates coming in the future?
IB: I’ve always been a NEW ERA head so to get to finally design my own joints has been crazy. I’ve dropped two so far. The first one was an “IB” logo that was a nod to the Brooklyn Dodgers that I did for the homies that appreciate that kind of thing. The second was a mash up with my new group, La Coka Nostra. I put my logo on the front of the cap and on the back it says “A Brand You Can Trust”, which is the name of the upcoming LCN album. Right now I’m working on a new one that will coincide with the release of my new solo album, “The Hour Of Reprisal”, which drops this summer.
TN: Your hat designs seem to be very straightforward, derivative from your roots in Brooklyn, very simple Black and White, or the Brooklyn Dodgers Royal Blue. Can you give me some insights on that?
IB: I just like to keep it really clean and classic. What’s cleaner than Dodger Blue or Raiders Black and White? Nothing. I wanted these designs clean, crisp and classic like a brand new pair of White uptowns. They got to match the uptowns or a pair of J’s. I still have to do a Yankee Blue one.
TN: What are some of your favorite Fitted styles throughout your history? As an artist, but even as a kid growing up in NY.
IB: Yankees and Mets we’re always official but pretty common around my way so I would also come through rocking a 70s era Orioles joint or maybe an old school Expos or Brewers joint. It was hard to get shit like that back in the day. There used to be a spot on Sullivan St. near W. 4th that had the heat. I can’t remember the name but it was a baseball card spot and they always had crazy shit up in there. Anything Raiders or Kings has always been dope to me. I love the Black and White Colt 45s joint. That might be my favorite one of all time.
TN: I know you collect a lot of team caps and have an appreciation for the FDL fitteds we’ve released so far, but are there any brands in particular your feeling right now? And what is it about the FDL line that you like?
IB: I’m definitely feeling the FDL joints, I like a bunch of stuff that King Stampede, Ssur and Recon have done lately too. Crooks killed it with that Gucci link joint. Bounty Hunter is always dropping something dope. I always check for Supreme. Their stuff is always clean and classic. That’s what I really like about the FDL fitteds as well. They’re not overdone. The designs are basic and the colors pop right. The Black and White NY Kings is crazy. I need one of those.
TN: What are current projects your working on musically?
IB: Aside from my new solo record and the Coka album dropping in 08, I’m working on mash up albums with both Vinnie Paz and Crooked I right now. I’m about to jet out on tour for the next ten weeks with Tech N9ne & Paul Wall but I will be recording and making beats on the bus, so there’s no rest. Just staying really busy and productive. There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing so I’m psyched. It’s gonna be a busy year.
TN: I interviewed Toby from H2O, he just filmed a video here last week and you know we have FRANK151 DMS issue coming this summer. I know you are all fam from way back. How does LA COKA NOSTRA fit into that family today? Are there any current collaborative projects, shows, or tours between any of the bands or groups?
IB: LCN is a definite part of the family and everyone from Hoya and Freddy and the entire Madball, to Ezec to Toby to Jorge from Marauder are all very good friends of mine. Too many people to name. We’ve done mad shows and recordings together over the years and we will definitely be doing more in the future.
TN: Any shout outs?
IB: Word. Big ups to Frank 151 and everybody that took the time to read this. One.
www.myspace.com/illbill
