Top GWHH Interviews

DJ Premier talks Kanye West, ‘new school’ and ‘true school’ hip hop, more with Gowhere Hip Hop

GY312 posted May 8, 2012

There are few producers in hip hop that one may utter is better than DJ Premier. Like seriously. One half of legendary group Gangstarr, Premo has gracefully managed to stay relevant and create fresh grooves in a young man’s game for decades. Last month, before DJ Premier’s show at The Shrine, I had the pleasure (yes, I bum-rushed his set lol) to interview arguably hip hop’s greatest producer of all-time. Of course the show was packed and there were fans from all eras paying homage to the scratching legend.

DJ Premier speaks on his new project with Bumpy Knuckles ‘Kolexxion’, why Kanye West is a boss, and the dualities in hip hop between “new school,” and true school.

Here’s an excerpt of my conversation with Premo about ‘Ye:

“Kanye’s has taken things to a whole “nother level. And he’s a challenger. That’s what I am. I took challenges and risks of being different. Kanye has decided to be different and some people hate on him, some people call him weird. I’m weird. When you’re weird, that means you’re not like everybody else. That’s why Ye has grown from a nobody to every model chick wants to get with him…everything because he has made his path of showing that he can be a leader in the game. Not everybody is built to be a boss. I wasn’t built to be one either, but I am a boss now. And I carry myself as one. Bosses deal with bosses on a whole different level and Ye is a boss.”
- DJ Premier

Sidenote: I didn’t really bum-rush, Preem. I mean, I guess I kinda did. There was slight haste involved lol. I just hate doing interviews after shows. Entertainers are usually drunk and high at that point or occupied with said groupies. Who would want to interrupt that? The fact that some drunken interviews are sometimes cool is an entirely different post. Much propers to DJ Premier for kicking knowledge. Go cop his new LP with Bumpy!

Filmed by: Stan Perry & Sgt. Tibs // Edited by: Terrence Jones

DJ Premier & GY312

Talib Kweli talks Black Star, BK & Chicago, the ‘Super MC’, MORE featuring GLC with GWHH

Sgt. Tibs posted May 8, 2012

BUMP: Don’t miss these top four posts of exclusive content from today!

Last week, I witnessed perhaps the top concert to date to hit the Chi in 2012. Talib Kweli, accompanied by his live band, headlined a packed house at The Shrine as he spit verses new and old, classics and covers, and even an incredible a capella that we give you a taste of above – just before launching into our latest exclusive interview!

And ladies and gents, this interview is an instant classic. After the show, Talib Kweli sat down with our own Jeff Baraka, while we were also joined by the special surprise guest Kweli brought on stage during his encore – none other than true Chicago playa emcee, GLC. What you see above is a raw, reflective conversation between the three, where first, Kweli realized and articulated on the spot, the similarities between his hometown of Brooklyn and our hometown of Chicago. He had these powerful words to say about the City of Wind:

On Brooklyn & Chicago similarities:
“Well to be honest with you, I didn’t even really notice that there was such a similarity between Brooklyn and Chicago until you said it. With me, Chicago is.. a hub. It’s a mecca. It’s like a shining light in the middle of the country. It’s a place where a lot of people came who didn’t have access to the coasts. And came, and was able to make their dreams come true.”

But that’s not all. Of course, we needed some words on a Black Star album and Kweli kills any and all rumors, while leaving the door open to the possibility we all want.

On a new Black Star album:
“We had been puttin’ out Black Star songs on the website blackstarhub. We been workin’ on music. We don’t have an album together yet.”

Finally, Kweli describes the ‘Super MC’ and in the process talks about the art, skills, and business of hip hop. Baraka then brings in GLC as he and Kweli share laughs about an awesome story of a tour stop back in ’03 overseas where GLC was NOT having any bootleggers. Hah! On the music tip, GLC also reveals an artist who embraces ‘The Ism’ lately and one that we can expect a collab with in the future (Hint: From Pittsburgh, first name rhymes with Biz). Lookin’. Forward. To that!

Shoutout to everyone involved for makin’ this one memorable night. To Talib Kweli & GLC for the excellent show, the time afterwards, and all the Gowhere love. To the good people at The Shrine for hosting yet another high-energy concert (Groove Series with Jean Grae up next this Thursday!). To the #TeamGowhere fam below for creating one of our most raw and entertaining interviews to date. It’s simply a must-see! Watch and enjoy above.

Interview by: Jeff Baraka

Filmed by: Cam Be, Terrence Jones, & Jessica Nowak

Edited by: Jessica Nowak

Jen DeLeon, Talib Kweli, & Maks G

Kuda, Add-2, Ant, GLC, Jen DeLeon, Sgt. Tibs, Maks G, & Jessica Nowak

Tank talks T.I., Chris Brown, ‘This Is How I Feel’, more with GWHH

Sgt. Tibs posted April 28, 2012

Who out there would turn down a listening party, turned performance, from a Grammy-nominated R&B singer who’s still doin’ it big in 2012? Well, we didn’t turn down such an opp earlier this week as Tank made his way to Chicago to promote the upcoming album, This Is How I Feel. Above, get a glimpse of what went down with some performance footage mixed in with our all-new interview as Tank talked with one of our fresh faces at Gowhere – Palita.

Tank took the exclusive fans and tastemakers in attendance at the Funky Buddha on a journey from his first album through to This Is How I Feel as he simply sat down at a piano and performed hit song after hit song from throughout his career. He then previewed a few of the upcoming singles off the album, of which Palita got the low down on in the interview shortly thereafter. Among them is “Complications” featuring T.I. & Kris Stephens as Tank talked about the upcoming video and “Lonely” featuring Chris Brown. And in addition to some words on the album, Tank also filled us in on his workout regimen and overall way of life to maintain his R&B icon status as he is about to release his fifth album on May 8th.

Check it all out and more in the freshly edited video from our newest #TeamGowhere member: Jessica Nowak! Plus, hit the jump for some fun pics with Tank as he was all love towards not only us, but all of the fans who got their own special photo with him after the performance. Shoutout to Tank and once again, This Is How I Feel. May 8th.

Interview by: Palita // Filmed by: Jessica Nowak & Sgt. Tibs // Edited by: Jessica Nowak

PREVIOUSLY: Tank “Complications” f/ T.I. & Kris Stephens (BTS) [Video] // Tank “Lonely” f/ Chris Brown

Palita, Tank, & Jen DeLeon

B.o.B talks Taylor Swift collab, ‘Strange Clouds’, and more with GWHH

Sgt. Tibs posted April 20, 2012

Are you wondering how that B.o.B / Taylor Swift collab “Both Of Us” came about? Or maybe, which of the many A-list stars that will be appearing on Strange Clouds was B.o.B most excited to work with? And what artist he hasn’t yet worked with that he would like to? At the young age of 23, B.o.B is prime to see his star shine even brighter come May 1st when Strange Clouds hits stores everywhere. In addition to answering those questions above, B.o.B also provides a glimpse at what else lies ahead – including an upcoming collab with adidas at the Olympics, digging deeper into music (likely the rock route, as told in “Ray Bands”), and even movies. Watch above for those answers and more as B.o.B talks with the always funny and entertaining Julian On Da Radio (of B96) for GWHH!

And to catch you up on all things B.o.B, hit the ‘PREVIOUSLY’ links below our last sit-down with B.o.B from SXSW last March, in case you missed it. He talks more about Strange Clouds, including the deepest record he wrote for the album, working with T.I., and more. Plus, he and Jen DeLeon created a handshake last month… did he remember it earlier this week at the adidas Originals store in Chicago? Hah, also catch that, amidst all sorts of good fun and info, in the new interview above.

Interview by: Julian On Da Radio (of B96) // Filmed by: Julian On Da Radio (of B96) & Stan Perry // Edited by: Terrence Jones

PREVIOUSLY: B.o.B “Ray Bands” // B.o.B “So Hard To Breathe” // B.o.B “Both Of Us” f/ Taylor Swift // B.o.B ‘Strange Clouds’ [Tracklist] // B.o.B Interview with Gowhere Hip Hop @ SXSW [Camovement] // B.o.B “So Good” [Music Video] // B.o.B “Where Are You”

PREVIOUSLY:

B.o.B Interview with GWHH @ SXSW

March, 2012!

Maks G, Sgt. Tibs, Jen DeLeon, B.o.B, B96′s Julian On Da Radio, Terrence Jones, & GY312

Sir Michael Rocks talks music, fashion, and animals with GWHH

Sgt. Tibs posted April 11, 2012

BUMP: Scroll below for some of the morning/afternoon updates. Will be posting on top of our new interview like regular throughout the day!

We’re proud to present our newest interview, taking place at GWHQ, with Toothpick Clique leader, 0.5 of The Cool Kids, and a fast-rising solo artist as most recently evidenced by last week’s Premier Politics 1.5 – Sir Michael Rocks! We broke down the interview into three main parts: music, fashion, and… animals as Mikey sits down with our newest correspondent: Palita.

First, the music. SMR is excited to share some of the features appearing on his next solo project. Among them? How about Mac Miller, Casey Veggies, and Jeremih? That’s just a few, in addition to some of the usual suspects, and some surprises to be revealed when the time is proper. Lookin’ forward to this.

Then get to know Mikey beyond the music. He speaks on his alignment in the fashion game and spits some truth about the industry after his experience within it. Plus, did you know Sir Michael Rocks owns a marmoset?! Yup, at one point Mikey wanted to become a zoologist, and the animal lover talks all about the animals he wants to own in the future. Lastly, #TeamGowhere has been reppin’ the ‘Buss Down Dance’ well since the tail end of 2011 after “Cell Dope”. I mean, we really break it out in celebratory fashion all the time. So it’s only right that Sir Michael Rocks teaches us the proper way to buss down! That fun video from the office is intermixed in the interview so press play and enjoy this fun look at Sir Michael Rocks above!

Interview by: Palita // Filmed by: Cam Be & Maks G
Edited by: Terrence Jones (Fifteen80 Films) & Teddy Waffles

PREVIOUSLY: Sir Michael Rocks ‘Premier Politics 1.5′ [Mixtape]

Sir Michael Rocks & #TeamGowhere

Diggy Interview with Gowhere Hip Hop

Jen DeLeon posted March 30, 2012

Earlier this week, the Gowhere Hip Hop team had their second sit down with Diggy Simmons at The Hard Rock Hotel – Chicago.

Diggy just turned 17-years-old a few weeks before, so of course, I opened up the interview with a Happy Belated Birthday greeting and asking him what the best birthday gift he ever received was.

The big thing that has occurred in his music career, is his debut album, Unexpected Arrival just dropped, which includes features with Jeremih, Jadakiss and more. Some songs have a female audience in mind, while others reflect his new era of life.

Being the ladies man Diggy is – I knew that his JetSetters would be interested in the type of girls he looks for, so I got the answer! What type of personality is Diggy’s perfect girl, what are his pet peeves and where would he take you out for a perfect date? Find out in this exclusive interview.

Filmed by: Stan Perry & Maks G // Edited by: Maks G

Diggy Simmons, Jen DeLeon, & Maks G

Mobb Deep Interview with Gowhere Hip Hop & R&R Productions

GY312 posted March 27, 2012

It’s always dope having good conversations with good people, especially when it’s Queensbridge very own Prodigy and Havoc of Mobb Deep. I’ve been bumping Mobb for a very long time. What questions do you ask legendary rap royalty? Just have a seat and don’t move for awhile. Be on the lookout for exclusive “Day In The Life” footage with Mobb Deep coming soon.

Big shouts to my UK bros over at R&R for the crispy digital shots and much love to Jay for helping set up the logistics and what not. Groove!