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[rock the dub Interview]: L.E.G.A.C.Y.

My appreciation of 9th Wonder's production back when Little Brother first came out bridged into a lot of ish, namely my love of a collection called Legsclusives, which featured the homey L.E.G.A.C.Y. merking 9th's beats. While his lyrical chops are unquestionable, it was his more heartfelt, deeper material that drew me in. He has no qualms with speaking on whatever topic that might be troubling him, and delivers it in a no holds bar shiv, making you damn near experience the situation the exact way he did! I've followed his growth through his Project Mayhem album, and have been lucky enough to speak to Leg on the regular (although our more involved convos tend to be about the squared circle, haha). His new project, Suicide Music, has been getting some mmuch-needed love, and is set to drop in a few months, and I got a chance to speak to the man about this, his live show and other points about his evolving career.

khal: I saw in an interview of yours from December of 2008, where you said that “the real guy is the new nice guy”, finishing last. In a scene where niggas stay preachin’ “keep it real”, how is it that fans have embraced these cartoon characters?

L.E.G.A.C.Y.: I've come to that conclusion that to really succeed in this industry you have to "fake it" to an extent. I’ve lost out on a lot of different opportunities that could've possibly put me in bigger places or give me more exposure had I just told a few people what they wanted to hear. I've never been the “yes” man type or a follower, just because and I'm content with whoever catches on to me catches on to me, but I won't compromise who I am or pull some fraud shit, it's just not me… that fake shit is not me. I won't "sellout"...or will I? LOL

khal: It’s been something like four years since heads have heard you on a proper album. Talk to us about the changes and growth you’ve experienced since Project Mayhem dropped, and how that affects what you’re working on today.

L.E.G.A.C.Y.: A lot of artists say they don't pay attention to the critics or what people say about their work – well, I did. I read the reviews, the random fan comments, the love, the hate, whatever. I took that all into consideration while plotting my moves musically. I'm a lot more calculated because of that; it was the fuel I needed to expand and grow as an artist. Also, growth as a person in general - I mean I'm not that same person I was during the recording or release of Mayhem; “a lot has changed” is an understatement.

khal: Suicide Music is the next project. How long have you been working on this one?

L.E.G.A.C.Y.: Originally my official 2nd album and the concept/direction was to be The Son of San, so I began working and plotting on that. During the process of recording new material, the song "Suicide Music” came out of that. A few people whose opinions I respect told me I should build around that song, [and] that's what I did. Other than the title track, the album was recorded between ’07 and early ’09.

khal: Is it true that Khrysis handled all of the production this time around? What is it about your working relationship that makes your rhymes fit so perfectly over his beats?

L.E.G.A.C.Y.: It is true, all Khrysis on the boards with the heat, it's something severe. And I believe it's more than my words fit imperfectly on his beats, it's just something that works, but people will see. We have some cutting edge material here, pun intended.

khal: Will there be any features on this album?

L.E.G.A.C.Y.: Glad you ask (LOL): the brand new single, "The Greatest", features a dope spoken word artist from NC by the name Dasan Ahanu - it's crazy!!!! There's a small but critical part done by Mela Machinko, and I have classic appearances by Phonte, Chaundon and Sean Price.

khal: When can heads expect to pick Suicide Music up?

L.E.G.A.C.Y.: We've been in overdrive lately really pushing and it's looking like June 2nd will be the date; I'm excited, haven't been excited about something musically in a while,

khal: Over the last year or so, you’ve been developing the S.I.N. Music Group. How will this grow, exactly – is it just a vehicle for you to get your music out, are you going to be helping others get their art out as well?

L.E.G.A.C.Y.: Sooner or later I would like it to expand into a full blown label/promotion company. For now, I do use it as a promotional vehicle mainly for me; I wish I had some innovative artists that I could help push. I've been looking for years now to no avail. But I plan on really getting back into the mix on searching/molding some artists, I plan on getting back to putting shows/parties together again, and really focus on building an empire. All of that has been and will remain on freeze until after this album happens and does what it does.

khal: We all know that the Internet is charged with having killed the music industry. What are some ways that you think the ‘Net helps the industry, or at least helps artists?

L.E.G.A.C.Y.: You can reach large numbers of people all at once. I'm pretty much one of the late people when it comes to the newest ‘Net sites and trends, I used to be like "fuck that, I don't need this or that", but once I saw the networking possibilities and flocks of people getting on, I had to try to catch up. But with record stores and magazines shutting down and blog site/YouTube hits going up, the ‘Net is the main tool for artists now

khal: You dropped the NC Chainsaw Massacre earlier this year, and got some good hits and love from the blogs with that. How did that mixtape come together, and do you have any plans on doing something of that nature in the future?

L.E.G.A.C.Y.: I needed something to hold people off while I put the finishing touches on the album and figured out a situation for that. I knew I was sitting on some album-worthy material and I wanted to give it away, get the buzz back. Threw the idea and songs to Flash [and] he hooked it up. I've been thinking about a sequel, may be my new thing right before I drop an album, a new NC Chainsaw Massacre.

khal: What would you say has been one of the more impactful songs in your repertoire?

L.E.G.A.C.Y.: Technically, impact-wise, "I'm A Star" was my biggest song (#2 in the us on the college charts), but, impact on people in general, probably "Pain In Life" or "Broken Heart Disease". I still get hit up often by people like "Pain In Life helped me get through such and such”, or “Broken Heart Disease helped me get over the loss of ___" on a personal level. And, as an artist, somebody saying that a ‘from the heart’ song you wrote/recorded changed their lives is serious shit. I mean that's what kept me in this bullshit industry this long, those few emails and messages like that.

khal: There’s been some chatter on your live show – you definitely don’t fit into the stereotypical rapper role when it comes to live performances. What is your take on how a live show should go?

L.E.G.A.C.Y.: It's always been my ideology to make somebody remember you that night. I really take the live show serious - I really like performing and trying to win over people that have no idea who the fuck I am. It's the same thought pattern I take with my music, like "I'm going to do the opposite of what everybody else does". I really try innovative shit, if I'm on the show I try to rock that show. Rappers overall put on some of the worst shows, period, and I never wanted to be in that category. I really don't get enough credit as far as being original it's like you get more attention now by being a knockoff of somebody else.

khal: How would you define success? Like, for Suicide Music: what outcome would make you react and say “this project was a success”?

L.E.G.A.C.Y.: I'm not a naive or unrealistic person, so I'll say I want that respect after the smoke clears. Peers, critics, fans and everybody to say this is a classic. If for whatever reason this is my last album, I wanna go out knowing I dropped some monumental shit.

khal: Have you made any plans for your releases post-Suicide Music?

L.E.G.A.C.Y.: You mean in the afterlife? LOL

Yesterday, I leaked an unreleased gem from L.E.G.A.C.Y. ("Happy"), as I did the week prior ("Don't Have To Stay"). He's also dropped the technicolor-version of the video for "Bang", and should be flipping some more ish in the weeks leading to Suicide Music. Stay tuned to ihatelegacy.com for more (or follow him on twitter).
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2 comments:

Steph B-More said...

Good interview

Kid Hum said...

great interview

can't wait to hear the Suicide Music!