Haastattelussa Sacramento-räppäri Lil Sicx

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10/04/2019

Haastattelussa Sacramento-räppäri Lil Sicx.

What’s up, Lil Sicx? How are you today?

Hanging in there. Same shit, different day.

Can you introduce yourself to those who may not know you?

My name is Maxmillian, but I go by Lil Sicx or Sicx. I’m from Sacramento, CA, and I’m 29 years old.

Being from Sacramento, what kind of rap did you listen to growing up?

I really just listened to my family for the most part: Lynch, Sicx, X-Raided, and the rest of the Siccmade Family like Cos, Tallcann, Zigg Zagg, D.E., and others, including Gangsta Dre, C-Bo, Mr. Doctor, and Lunasicc. That’s pretty much it as a teen, but the artists my pops played were DMX, Eminem, Drag-On, Snoop, and even a few pop artists. Other family members like my mother and grandmother played a lot of old-school ’90s R&B and a lot of James Brown era music. I can’t remember the artists’ names, though. So I grew up around all types of music.

When did you discover your drive to be a musician?

When I was 16-17. I was in a group called The Stuntinboyz with my little bro Mace and my cousin YB. So that was the beginning.

How many years have you been rapping?

I never know how to answer this. It’s a little complicated. I got locked up at 17, so I stopped rapping because of my probation restrictions. Then I rapped again a short while after I got off probation when I was about 20, but didn’t release the songs. Shoutout to my boy MC, aka Dana. I was solo but was doing a group project with him. He was hella dope on the beats. Then I stopped rapping completely and just lived a regular life: wife, kids, job. Fast forward to about 8 months ago, and I just got the energy to speak my mind and leave something for my family to hold on to that would last forever. Total years rapping? Eh… 2-3, but it was all a hobby. Not taking it seriously until now.

Tell me about the first song you ever made. Was it a success or a failure in your opinion?

Shit, I don’t remember the title, but it was definitely a Stuntinboyz song back in high school. The song turned into a mixtape, so I would say it was a success for us. Keep in mind, we were just kids having fun.

What’s your writing process like? Do you write with a pen and paper?

I don’t force any songs, so my writing process is a little different than others. I usually have the most creative energy early in the morning, like 3-4 AM. So I just listen to beats in the dark, wake up, and write. Other times, I just freestyle until I say something I like, then write from there. Then I practice the verses at home, then off to the studio, repeat.

Do you feel you’ve mastered your craft, or do you have more to learn?

I feel like a rookie with a very high potential ceiling, so I know I have a lot to learn and get better. I definitely feel like I’ve mastered my sound and my comfort with my voice.

Which ingredient do you think is most essential in making your sound and style the way it is?

Pain. Struggle. Being filter-free. Just telling my story on wax with my creative side added to it.

What type of environment do you prefer to record in?

I’m not too picky. I just need it to be quiet so I can hear myself think.

Is there a certain person who makes most of your beats?

C-Dubb, Phonk Beta, and my boy Devious One. But I really want to get some Strew B beats as well. He’s dope.

Do you have anyone that you consider your mentor?

I try to learn something positive from everyone I interact with, but specifically my manager E and Don Rob help me a lot with the game.

How has their help or advice shaped you?

Man, just them believing in me was enough for me to make sure I give it my all when I rap. Also, to stay out of trouble and not mess up the small chance I have to really make something of myself with this music. So they help a lot in many ways.

Musically, what are your biggest influences, and who are your favorite musicians?

I just like good music, but Sicx and Lynch get the most spins, and that’s where I get my influence from. That’s pretty much it.

What about non-musical influences?

Just real life, good and bad; sneakers; video games; and social issues within this world like racism, police brutality, and religion.

What are some songs in your current rotation right now?

“Genie” by NBA YoungBoy, “I Refuse To Lose” by Lynch, and “Hood Nigga” by Ke’von.

Could you name your top three rap albums of all time?

I’m way too biased, but here it is:

Brotha Lynch Hung’s “Season of the Siccness”, Sicx’s “If These Walls Could Talk” and Brotha Lynch Lynch’s “Loaded”.

What is your favorite hood movie?

Belly.

What do you hope to accomplish this year?

Musically, just to establish myself and build my catalog. Personally, I just want to be able to support my family with my talents. That’s all I really want at this point.

Any upcoming projects that we should be on the lookout for?

“Hellz Angel” is dropping soon. My label mate Fatkao 396 has a few projects coming soon, and C-Dubb does too. I think the people need to hear those collabs as well if they enjoy my style of music.