DJ Khaled, Trick Daddy and Rick Ross have been praised for their contribution to the growth of Florida hip-hop. Although he has not been able to equal their sales figures, Fort Lauderdale native Mike West has been just as, and maybe even more important for the sunshine state. Raised in the street life of South Florida and very well much the West Coast, Mike West considers himself a bi-coastal rapper, adding a West Coast twist to Southern hip-hop.
After working for Uncle Luke’s Luke Skywalker Records, West Coast veterans Mopreme Shakur and the Outlawz took Mike under their wing and taught him the tricks of the trade, while Mike gained exposure in the South through collaborations with Pitbull among others.
After his ’05 single with the culo-man, “Grand Finale”, things got a little quiet around Mike West. He has been sitting back, watching his fellow-townsmen explode. With a grimace on his face, he has been taking his time to work on new material knowing that he laughs best who laughs last.
We caught up with Mike West to celebrate his 10 year anniversary in hip-hop and to find out what he has in the offing for the upcoming decade.
What’s up Mike, how are things with you?
All good, everything is everything. Just pushing the issue.
Hip-hop wise, Florida has been doing well lately. As an industry veteran, how did you experience the local growth of the music genre?
It’s definitely come a long way I can say. I’ve seen a lot of rappers come and go, but the music has been a tremendous growth and all. I’ve seen cats from MC Shy D, 2 Live Crew, JT Money, Trick and now Rick Ross do there thing for the longest. I’m just happy to see brothers get money and put
out good records that the hood and the streets can relate to.
Last time we spoke you said that the industry was missing real hip-hop and that there were too many commercial acts out there. Nothing seems to have changed in the meantime. Do you ever get frustrated with it, like, does it make you feel you want to quit hip-hop…or does it serve as a motivation to put out new material and show them how it should be done?
Motivation! On everything. Frustration takes part at times but what artist doesn’t gets frustrated? The industry ain’t nothing but motivation for me ‘cause it’s not too many artist that’s out putting out real shit that the people can relate to and that’s were I come in at.
Speaking of new material, you’re about to drop a mixtape with DJ Irie, Welcome To The Bottom. Putting a mixtape together is an intensive project; you need to find the right hosts, artists and theme. What did you want to achieve artistically and how do you look back on the entire process?
Well, actually I changed the mix CD title to The Movement Vol.1, because Thuglife is a movement. It’s not just a rap group, it’s a movement to spread and only the real recognize the real. That’s why I changed the title of my mix CD. But the music on there is the music that you used to hear but you don’t hear anymore. That people want to hear again and I’m the one to bring it back for them.
Tell me more about the subject matter and guest appearances.
The subject is all on some real shit. This ain’t no fluke shit or what so ever, I can tell you that. All the guest appearances are my circle of folks that grind and hustle every fucking day. I got the Outlawz on there, Pitbull, Daz, The DA out of Orlando I been fucking with, Chair Krazy, Derulo, Thuglife and a surprised guest appearance by the Godfather of Gangster Rap.
A few years ago you turned down a deal with gangster rap label Death Row. What’s your label situation right now?
Well, I was signed to this label called Boy Boy Ent last year, but they didn’t know what hell they were doing. So I flew away from that shit. But now, I got my label Hangtime Ent that’s in full effect alongside of a really good situation that’s about to crack. So when it goes down…you’ll know ‘cause you’ll see it for yourself.
Now you used to work for Uncle Luke’s Luke Skywalker Records, where you became head of promotions and projects. Last time we spoke you weren’t content with some aspects of your last album, including the time frame for the single releases… As someone with experience and knowledge of marketing, what are you planning on doing different with this release?
This release we doing everything new and clean. It’s gonna be like a breath of fresh air when it comes to my new album. That’s why I’m taking my time with the entire shit, I’m just working my ass off man and just sitting back observing these cats and how the industry looks right now. But when the time is right, the time is right to release a drop of taste for these suckers and wack artists out there. They better sleep with one eye open that’s all I can say.
You’re currently working with The Diaz Bros. How did that come about and how would you describe your musical relationship?
Me and The Diaz Bros have a great chemistry together on these new records I been doing lately. Shit is real good. Its like a Dr Dre and Snoop all over again for they ass out there. We have a great work
ethic, so we just keep it moving by all means.
Mopreme Shakur and the Outlawz have had a big influence on your career. How have they helped to develop you as an artist?
They helped out a lot far as me being more skilful and on point with my shit. I can’t deny it. They my family and when you have family like that, family always helps out. They may not hold your hand and guide you along the path, but they can help in so many ways that you yourself have to pick up on your own. So I picked up and pushed the issue harder.
What’s the latest on you guys, will you put out more music together in the near future?
Yeah for sure! We all there for each other if someone needs something. Everyone is doing a lot of things right now…projects, deals…But we all here for each other when we need something, The world just has to stay tuned and see what we bring to them.
Did you stop at the thought that it’s been 10 years since Pac was killed?
Yea, every year. Not just on the 10 year passing. Pac was the big homie man. I didn’t get to spend a lot of time with him ’cause I was rolling with Luke majority of the time, but when I bumped into him we just had a good time. Fun, clowning, getting at hoes and getting drunk and shit.
As a hip-hop fan and listener of his music, how do you feel about the way his legacy has been kept alive over the decade?
Its a wonderful thing man, I love the way how the world remembers him from all over. That just goes to show you that he was the greatest of all time and there will never be another like him and that’s why he still lives on.
This year it’s your 10 year anniversary in hip-hop. You first came to the scene in back in ’96…Where do you see yourself in the next ten years?
The next 10 years, I will be on top of this shit. I will be doing way more than I’m doing right now, helping the hoods and communities out that’s in need. Helping other artists that have talent expand their gifts and giving cats a chance that I didn’t have when I punched in the game back 96, ‘cause no one gave me shit! I had to make the mark on my own and that’s what makes me different than the rest, original baby…fuck wit it.
If you would decide to retire by then, how would you like to be remembered among the hip-hop heads?
A thug poet that spoke the truth to the world.
Besides the musical projects, you’re also trying to make name for yourself as an actor. How’s that coming along?
Well I don’t really want to fuck wit that. But it’s nothing wrong with expanding your talent when you can reach more people in the role that you’re doing and it’s definitely nothing wrong with that movie money. I’m getting ready to be featured in this movie my homie Choke No Joke is doing called The Last Hustle that will be shot in Miami late October. I wasn’t even looking for something like that to even happen. Homie called me up and told me he had a part for me in the film, so I was like, let’s do it!
Are there any other projects you’re working on right now, besides the mixtape and tracks with The Diaz Bros?
Too many. I got the mix CD with DJ Irie, The Movement Vol.1, my album A Westside Story Chpt: 1 and Chpt: 2 and I got a special project that I’m working on that’s gonna be a real surprise for everyone when it gets in its completion. Stay tuned.
You recently befriended the Internet and signed up for a MySpace.com account, www.myspace.com/rappermikewest, where the fans can get in touch with you and check out new music. Online artists get to deal with posers and strange fan mail, what’s the craziest online experience you had so far?
The craziest shit from that MySpace shit is artists that I don’t even know be emailing me wanting to do songs with me but don’t have any budgets for their album. Now I can understand the musical aspect of it ‘cause I been there myself before. But at the end of the day it’s still a business, that’s why they call it the music business! Y’all get all budgets together and holla at me!
Anything else you’d like to add or get off your chest?
Shout out to my Thuglife Family, Mopreme, Syke, Mac and Alabama Ju. Shout out to the Lawz, Jibril and Chair Krazy over at 4ever Family. Big shout out to all my fans from all over the world. I appreciate the love from them and that shows you that no one can never take this shit from me. So Thuglife till the end. Everyone be sure to check out the Tupac Center for Performing Arts in Stone Mountain. Log on to www.tasf.org for more info. Every little bit helps out the foundation. So thug in peace and stay tuned for more.
Meer info: http://www.myspace.com/rappermikewest
