Stay Dedicated Fanzine Interview 2007
1. Sociopathixxx is a very interesting and innovative name for such a self aware and self conscious artist. Where did the name originate from?
I came up with the name back in like 95. I was just trying to come up with something different at the time. The name represents the fact that I am against the society we live in. The 3 X's is there to represent all sorts of things. It can stand for knowledge, wisdom & understanding, triple darkness or simply just vulgarity. The number 3 is used to represent a lot of stuff from man, woman & child to the sun, the moon & the stars.
2. Your new album "Anti Social" is out now under Black Reign Enterprises. Your album seems to have a more strong approach towards "fuck society and everything it stands for" type of attitude. What is the concept behind the title of the album?
Well the concept of this album was formulated back in 96-97. I had a notion to do an album that would musically be different from most things out on the market. Lyrically it would be in defiance to the norm in the music industry and to what society general accepts as politically correct. The name Anti-Social would just sum up the attitude of not caring about being a part of what is acceptable to the mainstream.
3. I see you have a lot of old school hardcore/punk and metal influences in your songs/music. What bands influence the sound of old punk into your brand of hip hop?
Well I have always been into a lot of different kinds of music. Yet in still, I bump hip-hop most of the time. When it comes to punk or metal stuff I always liked Suicidal Tendencies & Dead Kennedys a lot. I never was really deep in any genre outside hip-hop, so not too many particular punk or rock artists influenced me. I am more influenced by the overall vibe or edge to a particular sound.
4. I hear the term "Ghetto Metal" has been thrown around alot lately in the underground music scene. Would you know of any Ghetto Metal artists you could give word to other people?
Its not really to many other artists I have heard about who label what they are doing as "Ghetto Metal". I know Sutter Kain is real dope, he calls himself the "King Of Ghetto Metal". My producer Supreme called my shit Ghetto Metal when I was working on my debut album Graffiti Poetry. I think the tag is cool but really I still basicly classify myself as a hip-hop artist.
5. You have your single "Question Authority" Which talks alot against Lying Politicans, our president, and a society that is oppressed against each other. Are you blaming our system for the destruction of our own order or is it to change the negative outlook of oppression?
I am telling people that they need to wake up and stop taking everything at face value. We tend to accept the power structure as being flawed but believe it is more just then unjust. Any research of history and current events shows and proves that this country exploits its citizens. The government is controlled by greedy corporations who don't care about its workers or the environment. All they care about is making money and keeping people in line at the same time.
I blame the system for being corrupt and I blame the people under it for not fighting to destroy it.
6. What is your goal when you're making tracks? What message do you want to condone when people listen to your music?
When I make tracks I usually have a song title or concept so I will try to fit a sound around the feeling I want to get across. Sometimes you just sit down and come up with something that sounds good and you just write around the vibe of the music. I usually like topics that get peoples minds working. I know everyone dosent agree with my entire message but that's cool, at least they saw an argument from a different perspective.
7. What are some emcees that you're really into right now?
Talib Kweli, K-Rino, Hell Razah, UGK, Saigon… still bumping all my old school favorites. I got respect for so many mcs.
8. What are some emcees that you feel should just give it up?
Wow, that's a deep question. I think all the artists who have absolutely no love for hip-hop should stop doing it. It's so many people with the mentality of using hip-hop music to just make a quick buck. These the type of dudes who probally never helped support any artists, never went to any shows & don't have any historical perspective on the craft whatsoever.
Most the wack shit on the radio ain't even done by people who could be respected as artists or mcs anyways.
9. Hip Hop is going through some wacky ass changes and some trendy bullshit as of late. With all the rappers "showing people how to dance and more retarded fashion statements that dont mean shit" more than impressive content of lyrics and words of wisdom like the old days. In your own sense of mind, how do you play a role into the music? Do you still think there is hope for hip hop or just music in general?
Well I don't think its wrong to have party music, but I think its wrong anyone with some intellectual content is not given any real outlet for there music. When shit like D4L is the forefront of creativity then there is a problem to me. The music industry has always tried to exploit trends and make watered down music be in the forefront, but the consumers where smarter and still supported good talented artists. Now adays people have shorter attention spans so they turn on the radio and assume all these half ass artists are all that's really out here. When people demand more from the companys then they will get better artists. If the companys wont respond then people need to start supporting artists that are truly underground and go out to little live venues and spend they money.
10. If people wanna buy your music, where can they purchase your cd from?
I prefer that people buy it straight from me to cut out the middle men.
You can order at BlackReignEnterprises.com or even from the myspace page: myspace.com/sociopathixxx.
Some online stores have my CD to, but they get a cut off that action, so please order from me.
11. Any concluding words before we end this interview?
Yeah man, I respect what your doing with the zine, keep it up. To everyone reading this, please come to the webpage and listen to the music & spread the word.
Thanks man!!!!!
INTERVIEW CONDUCTED BY: MARCUS CARSON 2007