Haastattelussa Kalifornia-räppäri Lil Chino.
- What’s up, Lil Chino? How are you today?
What’s up, homie? I’m good, G!
- Nice to hear that! Let’s start with the basics – where are you from and how did you first get into rap?
I’m from Fillmore, California, in the 805 area. I first got into rap back in 1999-2000 when I began to record vocals with a couple of neighborhood friends.
- What is the first album you ever owned?
The first album I owned was Spanish Fly’s “Trust No Man.”
- Are you strictly an artist, or do you produce as well?
I do a little on the production side as well. I record and mix all my own vocals, as well as some of Lil Vandal’s vocals. He’s an artist on my label. I also produce beats as a hobby but nothing professional.
- What is the scene like in your area?
We’re one hour from either Los Angeles or Santa Barbara, so you can say the scene is cracking around here.
- What other artists/producers have you worked with? Or currently work with?
On my last album, “Smooth Stylez of Life,” I worked with Mr. Criminal, Sara Shine, Lil Vandal, Two-J, Phonk Gee, and DJ Chulo. On other projects, I have worked with 805 legends Dominator from Triple C, Delux and T Dre from CLS, Rocky Padilla, J-Locc, Doc Free, QC the Kidd, Weeto, Casual, Arduz, and La Monphe, as well as my two producers on my label, JKings Productions and Funkhouse Productions.
- What influences your sound, and which emotion more than any other currently dominates your music?
My sound is very much influenced by G-Funk, 80s and 90s rap, old school, funk, oldies, and R&B.
- Is there a specific song you have done that is your favorite?
Yes, I recorded a song on an SSOL album, which is my rap group with Lil Panch. The song is titled “Playa Ways” on the album “Return of the West.”
- What’s a song you have stuck in your head these days?
Honestly, I don’t listen too much to current music, so I don’t have anything new stuck in my head, but I’m a fan of old-school music. I stay listening to DJ Quik, Ice Cube, Nate Dogg, WC, Kurupt, Daz, Too Short, Warren G, Second 2 None, Suga Free, and Dr. Dre.
- What are some of your favorite G-Funk albums of all time?
Warren G’s “Regulators,” Nate Dogg’s G-Funk classics, and The Dove Shack.
- What is the biggest struggle you deal with in the music game?
The biggest struggle I would say is promotion. I feel like the music on my label has not had as much exposure as it could and has not been heard by too many people.
- Could you see yourself ever operating in a mainstream context?
Yes and no. I say this because I am an artist who likes to express myself with my music, and I would not like to have someone tell me how and what to express.
- Do you have any other hobbies outside of music?
Yes, I like photography. I have been taking pictures and editing them for some years now.
- If you had a choice between three superpowers—being invisible, teleportation, or flying—which would you choose and why?
Flying, for sure. I would be able to travel and see every part of the world I would want to see, and I would have a cool view the whole time.
- What else can your fans look forward to from you in the future?
A bunch of music! As long as I have fans who are willing to hit play and listen to my stories and messages, then I will continue to make music.
- Any last thoughts?
I want to thank Killahoe and all the fans in Finland who support and listen to Street Hustle Records music because without the fans, I would have no one to create music for!
Lil Chino:
https://www.instagram.com/ssol805/
Haastattelu: J-P / Fileerausveitsi
