Illuminati 2G sat down with DTP’s own I 20 for a interview. We discuss his new album, Blood In The Water, his thoughts on Ludacris and TI, the hip hop game and much more so relax and take notes.
Illuminati 2G is here with I-20 how’s it going?
I’m good brotha how are you?
Good. Tell us what you have been up to since your last first album, Self Explantory dropped.
Working on this album man. It took me a little while to get out of this Capitol deal. I was signed to Capitol and what happened was they wanted to sign more than 1 Distrubing The Peace artist to a deal. So they signed Chingy and myself at the same time. Our record deals were connected, so when Chingy had his disagreement with DTP, and decided to do his own thing, that kind of made my deal null and void. It kind of took me a while to get out of that Capitol deal. After that I was just shopping, looking for another deal, and then the Koch deal came up.
What details can you give about your new album, Blood In The Water?
I feel strong about the album. The album features Devin The Dude, Lil Keke, Playaz Circle from DTP, Ludacris. In terms of production I got the Heatmakerz, Salaam Remi, Buckwild, and some up and coming producers X File and Street Symphony and I just feel real confident about it. I feel like I took my time to get a better understanding about what the audience listens to. This time I am better prepared and I feel real confident about it.
How would you compare this album to your 1st album?
I guess it would be a little bit of what I said earlier. The 1st album I think I just came in as a mc and a lyricist and someone that was from the battle rap circuit. I don’t think I had a full understanding of what it meant to be a rap artist. To be a artist you have to make various songs, you have to touch on alot of different demographics. I think I was just coming into the game and I did not do that as well as I possibly could. I have learned how to make a better song and how to be a better artist.
How did the first single Really Like Her with Rocko and Ludacris come about?
Basically my man Street Symphony hit me with the beat. Had the sample from the classic Rocko song, and that was super catchy to me. I really enjoyed the beat. I knew it could be a situation where Luda is always talking about if you can make it into a hit then go with it. He really liked the fact that we got together and Rocko came out and showed love at the video. The vibe of the whole record came along so good. I felt like it made sense to be the first single.
You have been on Distrubing The Peace for a while now, and it has always been in the forefront as far as Southern labels and labels in general. What changes if any have you noticed in the hip hop game since you first got started with DTP?
Oh first I think everybody has a click and that was not that big when I first got in the game. When I first came the south did not have a strong a voice as it does now. Obviously back then the music industry was booming. The next thing that changed was in terms of the internet presence. The internet was always present but it was not as strong as it is now. Now it is very important that you have a strong online presence if you want to be successful in the hip hop forum. To me the biggest difference to when I came in and now is the strength of online presence.
How do you feel about the south and the role it has played in hip hop the past couple of years?
Proud. In terms of, me, I am 31. So I remember when it was kind of hard for us to get a song on the radio or for anyone to sign a artist from the South. To see how prevalent we have been over the past couple of years, and our independent grind and the influence we have over many different places, I’m just super proud and I hope that it continues.
Yeah that was crazy I saw a video a while back you, Luda and the whole DTP camp was doing a concert and TI had showed up to it. Just being a fan of both artist and seeing both on each others albums I think that was a big step towards unity. I mean the south has been on a unity tip for a while now, but with those 2 I think that was big. What’s your thoughts on it?
I think like everybody else. I think it is big and it was something that we always wanted. I hoope we all stay strong and there is unity all across the board in hip hop. That was a big deal to me just like everybody else, because at the end of the day I am a fan of TI and Ludacris’ music so that felt good.
What would you say is the best advice Ludacris or Chaka Zulu has given you about the rap game or just watching them do their thing on the business end that you have learned that is benefical to you?
Don’t sleep. Never sleep. Try to learn every aspect of the game. Do as much as you can by yourself, for yourself. The more can accomplish by yourself, the more connections you can make, the more studio time you can book for yourself, the more you can do for yourself, the more in control of your destiny and your career you will be. You cannot rely on everyone else for everything you can’t get mad if it never gets done if you rely on others. So I can say the best thing that Luda and Chaka taught me is to do as much as I can for myself.
You made a appearance in the highly successful movie Hustle N Flow. Has there been any talks or plans for a sequel and if so do you plan to be in the sequel?
I have heard rumors of a sequel. I have not talked to the director, Craig, as he has been super busy with other projects. I wish him the best because he deserves alot. He has been very instrumental in my acting career. I actually was going to be in the movie Black Snake Moan but I had some family issues that I had to take care of. So I have heard rumors about a part 2, but I have not talked to Craig to confirm. I would love to be a part of it, but either way I hope he is blessed and I hope that he does well.
What is I-20 playing at the house or in the ride or the ipod that you are really digging at the moment?
I stay with Sade in the Ipod. She is my favorite artist. So she does not leave. Nas is my favorite rapper, so Illmatic is in there, Southernplayalistic, I love the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, old Limp Bizkit. I like alot of 80’s heavy metal. So that is in there. TI Urban Legend, got my favorite Ludacris album, which is Word Of Mouf, I got my 1st album, Self Explanatory, I am not afraid to self promote, I said it. Yeah just the basics man.
Well that is all the questions that I have for you, thank you for getting down for the interview. When is the album dropping, what is the date?
We got it at November 4th, but between me and you it could change, but tentatively the 4th.
Ok, do you have any last words or shoutouts you want to get out there?
Just thank you to everybody that has been supportive. Thank you.
Appreciate the interview man
No thank you.
D-Nice