The Weatherman Predicted: Evidence
http://www.hhnlive.com/features/more/220

HHNLive.com writer Chaundon (J.U.S.T.U.S. League) sits down with Evidence of Dilated Peoples. Chaun and Ev chop it up about his new solo album, the idea behind "The Weatherman" moniker, the future of Dilated Peoples, working with ABB and Capitol Records and much more.

Chaundon: For those who live under a rock who is Evidence, aka Mr. Slow Flow?

Evidence: I'm 1/3rd of the group Dilated Peoples. I'm an Emcee/Producer and have been waiting a long time to release my 1st solo LP which is finally dropping March 20th 2007!

Chaundon: Again, for those who think you're just an emcee, list a few hits that you've produced to wake the people up.

Evidence: I've produced a lot of Dilated Peoples 4 lp's,"The Platform" "Expansion Team" "Neighborhood Watch" & "20/20" I Produced a lot of Defari's work Including the majority of his 1st LP,"Focused Daily". I just produced Planet Asia's new LP,"The Medicine". I did all of it! I co-produced "Last Call" off The College Dropout by Kanye West (and received a Grammy). I Produced "High Voltage" feat Pharoahe Monch by Linkin Park (the single off Reanimation). I remixed "Alive" by The Beastie Boys ....I've done a lot more but those are some notables.


Chaundon: Let's dissect your lyrics real quick. How real was the line "headliners that used to never make the flyer"?

Evidence: When Dilated started out we were opening up for everybody, but after years of grinding we built up enough of a fan base to become the headliners and bring out others to open up for us.

Chaundon: When did you decide to title your solo effort "The Weather Man"?

Evidence: I've always known that would be the title. It was an alias my fans gave me back in 2000. I used to talk about weather too much in my rhymes. One day I was on the internet and some kid said,"Evidence is dope but he talks about weather too much." So I said ,"Fuck it..I guess I'm The Weatherman." It's also erasing the misconception that it never rains in Southern California, with the Reign Of Evidence so to speak. Cali is a very misleading place, and I'm showing you can't believe all the stereotypes. It's not all gangstas and palm tress. There is a different side, and I'm reppin that.

Chaundon: On your myspace page you made it really evident that "The Weather Man LP" has no affiliation with Capitol Records. Do you have any animosity with Capitol Records from the last project with Dilated Peoples? What actually went down?

Evidence: No beef with Capitol. We finished 4 LP's with them (no other rap group in history has done that). I wasn't allowed to put out solo LP's while I was with them though, which is why I had to wait out our contract to get The Weatherman LP to become a reality. I have been waiting to make this LP since 2001...I'm just happy I am finally gettin the chance.

Chaundon: How is your relationship at ABB? Did you know Benni B is my uncle on my mother's cousins, next door neighbors sisters side LOL?

Evidence: I produced the 1st record ever released on ABB which was "The Bionic" by Defari then the next 2 releases as well. "Third Degree" 12 inch by Dilated and "Peoples Choice" By Defari, and many after that. I felt that this would
be my most natural option to release my solo because of complete creative freedom and not just being signed to a label but more like being a partner. I have known Benni B for a long time, and he's giving me a fair shot with this album.

Chaundon: How many joints did you produce on "The Weather Man"? Who else put in work on the album?

Evidence: I did 4 joints that I felt were very powerful..the rest I left to my team that I assembled so I could focus on my lyrics and delivery. The rest is produced by The Alchemist, DJ Khalil, Jake One, Sid Roams (Joey Chavez&Bravo),and Babuuuuuuu.

Chaundon: When can we expect the album to drop?

Evidence: March 20th 2007!

Chaundon: How will "The Weatherman" differ from your previous projects with Dilated?

Evidence: It's very personal compared to a Dilated record. I have had certain things go on in my life that I needed to speak on that wouldn't really fit on a Dilated LP. I lost my mother (Jana Taylor - Forever) 2 years ago and it really wouldn't be fair for me to weigh a Dilated record down with a topic like that. I did a song called "I Still Love You" for her. It was hard to record but was very necessary for me to do. I just feel like I can't hide behind my group anymore. I have to let people In.

Chaundon: Do you have a follow up single lined up? What will it be?

Evidence: My 1st single,"Mr Slow Flow" is buzzing really hard right now. It's added on Shade45. The video is very popular on YouTube and being serviced to TV as we speak. When I perform it, people are saying the catchy lines along with me. I'm very happy with how it's going. Ima drop "All Said & Done" feat. Kobe produced By DJ Khalil with the
release of my album to create multiple impressions. I really love that record. I have 2 other singles I wanna drop during the campaign. "Chase The Clouds Away" &" Believe In Me" feat Res.

Chaundon: Will there be another Dilated album?

Evidence: Yes in 2008! And we have our 1st ever DVD dropping MAY 22nd 2007! It's Incredible. It's called "The Release Party".

Chaundon: When Little Brother was on tour with Dilated, you rocked the shows with an exclusive freestyle for each city. Will you have another show trick up your sleeve to top that one?

Evidence: I'm workin' on it! hahaha. I love doing shows. It's what separates rappers from MC's. Anybody can get in a vocal booth, but not everybody can rock a crowd.

Chaundon: What was your best tour experience? What is your favorite city to perform in?

Evidence: Too many to name but I did like touring with Little Brother last year. Overseas is the craziest for my group. Fans are die hard out there, and show up in great numbers. Oh yea....touring with Kanye was a great experience. Coming out to do "This Way" every night was huge!

Chaundon: How soon will you be on tour? Who will be your show DJ?

Evidence: I'm doing a lot of spot dates right now! Check http://myspace.com/evidence I also have an East Coast tour lined up starting March 28th. The Alchemist & myself...gonna be crazy. DJ Revolution & Mr Choc (World Famous Beat Junkies) have been dj'ing for me. I'm in great company.

Chaundon: When you're on the road what's the one thing you can't live without and why?

Evidence: A good book, some good weed, and some quality mami's.

Chaundon: The "Mr. Slow Flow" video is crazy. Who came up with the concept?

Evidence: It's based around the movie "Beat Street". I'm playing the roll of "Spit" he was the bad guy dissing everybody's Graffiti with ugly cursive tags. "Ramo" was the good guy in the movie. So we went out and did a bunch of "Ramo" pieces and then I dissed them with my tag,"Mr Slow Flow" in the same "Spit" writing. In this video the bad guy finally wins! LOL. The whole industry is "Ramo" to me right now. I'm just basically saying fuck ya'll! haaaa

Chaundon: Was it your idea to tag up the wall with the Capitol Records building in the back drop?

Evidence: I plead the 5th. LOL!

Chaundon: Word around the cipher is your shoe game is crazy. How extensive is your sneaker collection?

Evidence: Not as crazy as some of my homies like Alchemist but I got some joints though! Not really a lot in volume..more about what I got.

Chaundon: If Hip Hop ended today, what would you be doing to fill that void?

Evidence: PORN.

Chaundon: One last question, for an unlimited supply #2 pencils and composition notebooks, who shot Bobby Ewing in Dallas? Lol

Evidence: Bobby was killed, but then was written back in years later due to popular demand by the fans, so he really never died. Do the math. hahahhahahahaa