XSF Interview

We catch up with Thizz representer XSF.

How did you first start rapping?

I did my research on old school hip-hop in high school, and that did it. I had been listening to what was coming out at that time, and felt like what was going on then was way doper than what was coming out. Not to say today’s artists cant rap, but I’m into that lyrical shit like Rakim, KRS-One, etc. That lead me to freestyling at school and whenever possible, writing raps and songs, honing my craft for the right time. After school was over, my friend Remy called me and said his brother Taz makes music, and wanted to hear me spit over the phone. After I was done, he came thru and picked me up to go to a studio in San Jose, where I laid the first three songs I’ve ever recorded.

Who were your main influences when you were first starting doing music?

Bone Thugs~N~Harmony, 2Pac, Nas, Jay-Z, X-Raided, A Tribe Called Quest, Rakim, Wu Tang Clan, and pretty much all the Bay Area Artists that were doing it big at the time.

Who do you listen to, and who do you respect in the rap game today?

Rakim, 2Pac, A Tribe Called Quest, Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Mos Def, TI, Talib Kweli, Tech N9ne, Jeezy, Yukmouth, Fabolous, The Outlawz, UGK, Jadakiss, Method Man, Red Man, Busta Rhymes,  Raekwon, Ghostface Killah,  AZ, Big Pun, Big L, Masta Ace, Black Thought, Common, Lauren Hill, GZA Andre 3000, Slick Rick Ice Cube, Scarface, Chuck-D, Kool G Rap… There’s more, but that’s a good start. 

What projects have you had out in the past?

My group, The Dragons, have put out 2 projects ourselves: Rapademics 101, which is our debut album. And Smokehouse Chronicles Volume 1, which is a Demolition Men Mixtape.

Which would you say has been the best received, and where can we cop it from?

I would say this recent mix tape: Smokehouse Chronicles Volume 1 is better received, only because our evolution as artists and musicians shows, the production and features are also a huge step up from our previous effort. You can find it on iTunes or amazon.com and very soon in stores around the Bay Area. 

What are you working on now?

Personally, I’m working on a solo album. As the Dragons, we are working on The Backdraft, which will be our 2^nd album. 

If you could work with anybody in the game, who would it be and why?

I wanna sit down in the studio with the guy who mixes and masters the hit records. I’m not sure who, but somebody is twisting knobs and using plug-ins to make everything sound right. 

Where can we get at you on the net?

I’m on myspace/therealxsf and twitter/therealxsf Myspace has videos and music, but Twitter is where u would go to get at me.

Where would you like to be in Five years?

Somewhere where the water is clear and the sand is white. 

Do you have any shout outs, or last words?

I just wanna shoutout everyone that has kept it 100 with The Dragons, everyone that has shown love and support. There are too many to name, but they know who they are. Thizz is the Nation!