Big Rich and Balance

So what u been doing since ur last album dropped?

Big Rich: Well I hit the road… I was booked from September 06 til March 07… when I wrapped up the shows I got back in the studio… I’ve recorded over 50 songs for various projects.

Balance: I just been working on pushing “Young & Restless” album. It’s been out for over a year but tha promotions never stop.

Where did tha idea of doin Tha Unda Dogg Kingz mix CD come about?

BR: Me and my boy Balance was just talkin’ about getting’ in the studio and working together. From there we decided we might as well do a whole project. We have similarities as far as being established Bay Area artists but still under-rated, so this mixtape is a statement… ya dig?

BA: Yeah, me and Big Rich was doing shows together and we both on tha same shit, bringing real music to the table. So I had a song called “Bodied Away” for Traklordz compilation and I got him on it. It whas the song we ever did it came out dope so we was like “lets do a project,” and we just started with a song. Then we got up wit Rick Lee, who is a very important DJ in breaking me and Big Rich, and he and Network helped us put the CD out.

What can we expect to hear on tha CD?

BR: u can expect a gang of street records on this CD… we kept it gutta! Real intense lyrics, bangin beats. This mixtape is for the streets, definitely. Hot shit!

BA: Like Rich said, it’s for tha streets! Just hot beats and hot rhymes, definitely a classic mix tape.

What’s ur favorite song off the CD?

BR: my favorite joint is “Nothin Changed” featurin Akon and Coolio Da Undadogg… the record has crazy energy and we got the original Unda Dogg on that one. So this joint is perfect to me.

BA: Yeah, I’d have to say “Nothing Changed” and “Live It Up,” because we talking about real shit on there. Real life lessons. Are u gonna do an Unda Dog Kingz album?

BR: Yes, me and Balance is definitely gonna do the album. It’s in the works right now. We’re gathering up beats.

BA: We got to! The demand for an album is crazy right now. Probably after we both drop our solos we’ll come together and bang it out. Make it real big.

What u got coming next?

BR: Next up I got my mixtape trilogy “Get Down Or Lay Down.” It’s all new original music and that will keep the streets warm until my next album.

BA: Right now I got a compilation coming before the end of the year that got all tha best rappers from the Bay Area all on one disc with me on each song.

When u dropping another solo album?

BR: My next album is due out February 08. We will be releasin a single in November. The album is untitled right now

BA: Right now I’m waiting to just keep building a buzz! Next time I drop I’m tryin’ to sell 20k, so I gotta keep buildin’ my name. But next year an album will come.

How do u feel about tha state of hip hop right now?

BR: Hip Hop is in trouble right now. Digital downloads is killin’ the record sales. The game has changed. It’s all about making a commercial hit that will generate TOURS and endorsements. It’s all about branding urself at this point. and I’m ready to take whatever direction hip hop goes. I’m built for this.

BA: I agree wit Big Rich, it is in trouble. It’s a battle between real rappers and ring tone artists. Me and Big Rich is real rappers.

How do u feel about tha state of the Bay rap scene?

BR: Bay Area rap has upgraded in the couple of years. A handful of us have major deals. We have to stay consistent and put out great music and we’ll be alright

BA: As long as we keep puttin’ out dope music the Bay will be fine.

Any shout outs?

BR: I wanna shout out my fans… that’s all… keep supporting

BA: I wanna shout out Rasputins and go get the Unda Doggs mix CD! at all rasputin locations for 7.99.

Posted in Interviews