Let me know what you think of the 2nd interview I've done w Numskull. The first is at http://www.ballerstatus.net/features/read/id/34551060/
http://www.mvremix.com/urban/interviews/numskull.shtml
Numskull (The Luniz)
February 2007
One half of the Bay Area's most famous duo, The Luniz, Numskull's is set to finally release his debut solo album, Numworld in March on Ball or Fall Records. Check Numskull on myspace at www.myspace.com/sirdrankalot. For booking please contact [email protected].
MVRemix: Tell me about your upcoming album Numworld, in terms of the feel of the album and how it compares to your previous work?
Numskull: Upcoming album is about me. What I think about life, how I’ve succeeded in life, I hope I succeed more, and I continue not to lie in my songs. Look out for that coming in March.
MVRemix: Why have you never released a solo album until this point?
Numskull: I was always traveling. And never wanted to.
MVRemix: Ball or Fall Records signed the Luniz back in December. When can we expect to see that released, and have you done any songs for it yet?
Numskull: We haven’t started yet, but, the paperwork is already in. It’ll be there soon.
MVRemix: What was it like when crack cocaine first hit Oakland?
Numskull: At first it was great ‘cause we were all benefiting, driving nice cars, getting money. But, really once crack came about the world went to shit.
MVRemix: On your song “Killaz on the Payroll” from the Lunitik Muzik album you say “I got the lord in my life/not ‘cause religion/ but the fact was, a ni*** had dreams, and visions”
Numskull: I don’t really believe in god, but I do believe that there is some higher power out there.
MVRemix: Do you ever feel like people over-emphasize “I Got 5 On It” and don’t appreciate the many other songs you’ve released throughout your career?
Numskull: No, I just think they haven’t had a chance to hear it. If any other songs was played as many times as Five On It, they would love those songs. ‘cause we have others songs that could have exceeded 5 On It’s fame.
MVRemix: When Operation Stackola dropped you were 21, you had huge international song and were touring around the world. What did it feel like at such a young age to be making so much money and encountering fame?
Numskull: It was a blur for the first couple years. But when you start not having anymore, then you realize how famous you was and how much you miss it.
MVRemix: Most people think rappers are ego-maniacs, but you are in fact quite a humble person. What has kept you grounded throughout your career?
Numskull: I don’t know, I guess the way I was raised. To me, I’m just me. I just like to be, I wanna be me, I love being me.
MVRemix: You recorded with song with Tupac Shakur for his One Nation album he was supposed to release before his passing, but it still has never seen the light of day. How do you feel about original 2pac songs being remixed and distorted from their original recording?
Numskull: I don’t really care about that, I think anything he did should be out there. I just don’t like people doing songs with 2pac that he hated.
MVRemix: 2007 is supposed to be the hottest year ever in world history. How serious do you believe global warming to be, and what do you believe are some realistic steps for people to take to delay the process?
Numskull: We should be thinking about that and not terrorism. Well we should be thinking about that as much as terrorism. But look at it like this; they wouldn’t be bombing us if we didn’t fuck with them, and the earth wouldn’t be messed up if we didn’t do anything. It’s our fault.
MVRemix: You mentioned that you were into history. What kind of history interests you the most and why?
Numskull: I wanna know how people thought, to make things that would help out in the future. I wanna know what they were thinking. That’s why I study history. I want to know what they were thinking.
MVRemix: What is the story behind your verse on “Fugitive(Armed & Dangerous)” from the Silver & Black album?
Numskull: All I’ve got to tell you is that it’s a true story. The only thing that was different were the cities and the names.
MVRemix: The Luniz are the last rap group to go platinum in the bay area. Why do you think that is?
Numskull: I think it was just a time for Oakland to be seen right then. It took a long time from then ‘til now, nobody really came big, until the hyphy movement came. I don’t’ know why that really was, ‘cause we had a lot of tight people. But the South was coming in, shining, it was their turn. The west coast was kind of over. It was really just the South’s turn that’s all.
MVRemix: Do you feel like piracy helps or hurts independent artists?
Numskull: Hurts, definitely.
MVRemix: How do you want to be remembered in history once you retire?
Numskull: As a person who said real things in his raps, and wasn’t a fake rapper.
http://www.mvremix.com/urban/interviews/numskull.shtml
Numskull (The Luniz)
February 2007
One half of the Bay Area's most famous duo, The Luniz, Numskull's is set to finally release his debut solo album, Numworld in March on Ball or Fall Records. Check Numskull on myspace at www.myspace.com/sirdrankalot. For booking please contact [email protected].
MVRemix: Tell me about your upcoming album Numworld, in terms of the feel of the album and how it compares to your previous work?
Numskull: Upcoming album is about me. What I think about life, how I’ve succeeded in life, I hope I succeed more, and I continue not to lie in my songs. Look out for that coming in March.
MVRemix: Why have you never released a solo album until this point?
Numskull: I was always traveling. And never wanted to.
MVRemix: Ball or Fall Records signed the Luniz back in December. When can we expect to see that released, and have you done any songs for it yet?
Numskull: We haven’t started yet, but, the paperwork is already in. It’ll be there soon.
MVRemix: What was it like when crack cocaine first hit Oakland?
Numskull: At first it was great ‘cause we were all benefiting, driving nice cars, getting money. But, really once crack came about the world went to shit.
MVRemix: On your song “Killaz on the Payroll” from the Lunitik Muzik album you say “I got the lord in my life/not ‘cause religion/ but the fact was, a ni*** had dreams, and visions”
Numskull: I don’t really believe in god, but I do believe that there is some higher power out there.
MVRemix: Do you ever feel like people over-emphasize “I Got 5 On It” and don’t appreciate the many other songs you’ve released throughout your career?
Numskull: No, I just think they haven’t had a chance to hear it. If any other songs was played as many times as Five On It, they would love those songs. ‘cause we have others songs that could have exceeded 5 On It’s fame.
MVRemix: When Operation Stackola dropped you were 21, you had huge international song and were touring around the world. What did it feel like at such a young age to be making so much money and encountering fame?
Numskull: It was a blur for the first couple years. But when you start not having anymore, then you realize how famous you was and how much you miss it.
MVRemix: Most people think rappers are ego-maniacs, but you are in fact quite a humble person. What has kept you grounded throughout your career?
Numskull: I don’t know, I guess the way I was raised. To me, I’m just me. I just like to be, I wanna be me, I love being me.
MVRemix: You recorded with song with Tupac Shakur for his One Nation album he was supposed to release before his passing, but it still has never seen the light of day. How do you feel about original 2pac songs being remixed and distorted from their original recording?
Numskull: I don’t really care about that, I think anything he did should be out there. I just don’t like people doing songs with 2pac that he hated.
MVRemix: 2007 is supposed to be the hottest year ever in world history. How serious do you believe global warming to be, and what do you believe are some realistic steps for people to take to delay the process?
Numskull: We should be thinking about that and not terrorism. Well we should be thinking about that as much as terrorism. But look at it like this; they wouldn’t be bombing us if we didn’t fuck with them, and the earth wouldn’t be messed up if we didn’t do anything. It’s our fault.
MVRemix: You mentioned that you were into history. What kind of history interests you the most and why?
Numskull: I wanna know how people thought, to make things that would help out in the future. I wanna know what they were thinking. That’s why I study history. I want to know what they were thinking.
MVRemix: What is the story behind your verse on “Fugitive(Armed & Dangerous)” from the Silver & Black album?
Numskull: All I’ve got to tell you is that it’s a true story. The only thing that was different were the cities and the names.
MVRemix: The Luniz are the last rap group to go platinum in the bay area. Why do you think that is?
Numskull: I think it was just a time for Oakland to be seen right then. It took a long time from then ‘til now, nobody really came big, until the hyphy movement came. I don’t’ know why that really was, ‘cause we had a lot of tight people. But the South was coming in, shining, it was their turn. The west coast was kind of over. It was really just the South’s turn that’s all.
MVRemix: Do you feel like piracy helps or hurts independent artists?
Numskull: Hurts, definitely.
MVRemix: How do you want to be remembered in history once you retire?
Numskull: As a person who said real things in his raps, and wasn’t a fake rapper.
