Raptalk.Net hooked up with one of the west coasts smoothest and most popular voices, Butch Cassidy. In this exclusive one on one interview, Butch takes the time to discuss many things.

The first being his two latest singles, "I'm So Gangsta" which was produced by Dae One and "In 2 Deep" which features Glasses Malone and Roc-C. We discuss how those records came out, what Butch wants the fans to take away from them, if music videos are in the works and more.

Butch also gives us some concrete information on a release date and the title of the album which has changed (read all about it below in the interview).

We ofcourse get all the details on the album - motivation behind the new title, guest appearances, production and more.

Butch discusses the reasoning for the push back of the album and how it has likely improved the record. 

There is a whole lot more in this interview, so read and enjoy! 

Raptalk.Net: How are you Butch?

Butch Cassidy: What’s up man?

Raptalk.Net: I’m doing well; how are you doing?

Butch Cassidy: I’m doing good; just trying to handle business – you know how it is.

Raptalk.Net: Let’s get right into it. Tell us about your two new singles, “I’m So Gangsta” with Dae One and “In 2 Deep” with G. Malone and Roc-C which was produced by the Joint Chiefs.

Butch Cassidy: Both of those records are pretty much straight to the streets. The one I did with Dae One, “I’m So Gangsta” is talking about the hood, the streets and the life we live. “In 2 Deep” is just talking about us getting tired of the bullshit and giving it up and thinking about quitting. But I’m in too deep and the streets keep calling so I just have to run back to it and give the people what they know and love.

Raptalk.Net: What do you want the fans to take away from these two new singles? How do you want them to enjoy it, where do you want them to play it and so on?

Butch Cassidy: I just want them to get closer to me and listen to what I’m saying on the record. I want them to understand where I’m coming from and what my life is about. Just enjoy what I’m talking about. That’s the only way there going to get a taste of my life; through my music.

Raptalk.Net: Is a video going to be shot for either record anytime soon?

Butch Cassidy: Oh ya, we’re working on that right now. Probably around next month will be shooting a video for it.

Raptalk.Net: for which record?

Butch Cassidy: It’ll probably be for the “In 2 Deep” record.

Raptalk.Net: What’s the title of the upcoming album and is their a release date?

Butch Cassidy: The release date is looking like first quarter of 2009. The title of it was going to be “Self-Sufficient” but I’m leaning more towards “Gangsta Love” now that I’ve listened to the record.

Raptalk.Net: Tell us about the “Gangsta Love” title if that’s what you’re going to roll with.

Butch Cassidy: the “Gangsta Love” explains itself. It’s just about me having a lot of gangsta stuff on there and I have a lot of for the women on there which deals with love; some of it is not love – I might be saying “bitch” and talking about a girl really bad or something. It’s just split up between the gangsta and the love. I just might have a ladies and gentleman’s side; it may say that instead of A & B. You know what I’m saying?

Raptalk.Net: I feel that right there.

Butch Cassidy: Yeah.

Raptalk.Net: the album was supposed to be out a while ago; what was the reasoning for the push back?

Butch Cassidy: The push back was because I kept doing so many different records and they kept coming out so hot; I didn’t know what to do. I was just excited. I just had to put it on hold for a second. I know everyone was waiting and anticipating on what I was going to come with but I had to push it back because everyday we just kept coming up with more, hotter shit. So, I pushed back a little bit and now I’m glad that I did because the extra ten records that I came up with since I pushed it back completed this album. Now there won’t be any push backs and the fans are going to get what they need.

Raptalk.Net: You pushed it back to improve the record it sounds like.

Butch Cassidy: Yeah, pretty much.

Raptalk.Net: What label are you on and who is distributing the project?

Butch Cassidy: It’s going to come out through Itunes. On the streets side, we are going to put it out through Fontana/Universal.

Raptalk.Net: How do you think taking the album digitally will help the sales? What are your overall thoughts on the digital age?

Butch Cassidy: The digital age is really good for me because it brings me a lot of money instead of having the label eating me all up and I’m not making anything but 50 cents.

Raptalk.Net: There’s no doubt about that.

Butch Cassidy: The digital side, I can make up to about $7-8 a record and then I don’t have to sell as much. I can sell 10,000-20,000 and then I’m looking real pretty.

Raptalk.Net: That’s the business right there.

Butch Cassidy: Exactly. I’m in the business to make money, not to just be a star; I don’t give a damn about being a star. If I could sell my music and just have a pocket full of money, it’s all good with me.

Raptalk.Net: It’s more about putting the money in your pocket, not the label.

Butch Cassidy: There you go. It’s still pimping and hoeing, the label has been pimping for years; we’ve just been out there hoeing – we have to accept it.

Raptalk.Net: (Laughs) and now we’re switching it around.

Butch Cassidy: Yeah, I’m tired of hoeing. I’m transferring to being a pimp (Laughs).

Raptalk.Net: (Laughs)

Butch Cassidy: I’ve been working too hard out there for that pimp; I’m trying to switch the game.

Raptalk.Net: I like that.

Butch Cassidy: I’m freelancing now. I done left the pimp; I’m my own pimp now.

Raptalk.Net: (Laughs) let’s hope the pimp doesn’t get too mad at you.

Butch Cassidy: Nah, they’ll be alright.

Raptalk.Net: That’s good.

Butch Cassidy: if they come back later on, they can make me a hell of an offer and they can get into this game, but we’re going to be partners this time.

Raptalk.Net: That’s the way artists have to look at it and that’s the route artists need to start going.

Butch Cassidy: Oh yeah, they better because everybody is already on the computer anyway. There aren’t too many people walking into the record stores. If they can just get it while they sit at the house, that’s what’s up.

Raptalk.Net: It’s a lot easier to buy it on Itunes and get it right there.

Butch Cassidy: Exactly!

Raptalk.Net: Perfect. Which type of guest appearances do you have on the album?

Butch Cassidy: G. Malone, Snoop (Dogg) and I have a couple of other cats; some new cats. A dude named Pr1me who was on the remix to the first single; he raps and is really dope. I have one of my new artists called Uncle Isaac, one of my OG’s. He is coming with a new record. I just did a song with my cousin, Roc C; he’s on the “In 2 Deep” record. We might have a record with Bishop (Lamont). Silky Slim is a female I am working with who is real dope. I did one with Vanessa Marquez. That was pretty much it right now.

Raptalk.Net: Looks like a dope lineup. Who is producing on the album?

Butch Cassidy: We have some stuff from Warryn Campbell, Dae One, Mel-Man; I had a track from Snoop (Dogg) and a couple of other new cats who are doing it big. On this project, I’m trying to break down the doors for some new cats that are coming with that new sound. I’m hitting people with stuff they didn’t expect. I can get that old sound from anywhere but I’m trying to come with some new stuff and new ideas and get really creative in this game.

Raptalk.Net: We definitely like that direction your going in. “In 2 Deep” is produced by The Joint Chiefs which is a new production team which consists of Dae One, EP, Damizza, Los and Jedi; how do you think all these producers coming together can help out the west coast?

Butch Cassidy: It’s going to help the west coast a lot because all the producers you just named are young, up and coming and hot. They’re pretty much the future of the west coast. We all get old and tired; these guys just have to kick down the door because nobody is really giving them any opportunities. That’s what I’m trying to do; give the youngsters and everybody an opportunity to get their shine because I wouldn’t be where I am if nobody gave me a chance. I’m just reaching back and pulling them on up and sharing the wealth (Laughs).

Rapalk.Net: And that’s about 5 big names which create great music individually, imagine what they can do together.

Butch Cassidy: Exactly! Once we come together, they can’t stop us.

Raptalk.Net: It’s all about that unity and togetherness. I like that.

Butch Cassidy: Exactly!

Raptalk.Net: You’re apart of the ChronicVacation team; how do you think they can help out your career?

Butch Cassidy: With the hell of a promotion there doing (Laughs).

Raptalk.Net: No doubt. What about ChronicVacation made you want to join them?

Butch Cassidy: That team has always been with me because that’s Damizza and another cat. The stuff that they do; I already know the whole team. I was just with the whole idea which they came up with, starting a new website. I was just behind it 100%. I felt it could help us out here on the west coast and push out our projects. I’m real proud of them.

Raptalk.Net: I like that. Before I ask you this next question, I want you to know this is not my opinion at all. How do you respond to someone who may say “Butch Cassidy is just a hook singer, he can’t hold down an album.”

Butch Cassidy: I would respond…that would be cool with me because that’s what they say because they never heard me do a record and their entitled to that opinion. But when they hear my record, they’re going to know what’s really up. I like people to say stuff like that because they’ve only heard me on the hooks and all that stuff because I’ve just been performing with everybody else my whole career. But once they hear this record and see what I’m really bringing to the table whether it is R&B, Blues, Jazz, I don’t give a damn if it’s Country or Rock; I’m coming with it all. Then, they will know Butch Cassidy is not a joke and we’re going to have to change what we always thought about him and let the world know that he is one of the elite players.

Raptalk.Net: I like that. Put a positive spin on it and use it as motivation.

Butch Cassidy: Yeah!

Raptalk.Net: What’s your current relationship like with Snoop Dogg at this point?

Butch Cassidy: We’re still good. He’s doing his thing. He participated on my record. He has always helped me out when I have a project. Snoop always comes through when I need him. All I have to do is make the call and he’s there for me. I just knock it out and we make a hot song every time we click up together. I and he are always going to be good. I mean he gave me a break when he kicked me off with Tha Eastsidaz record. Our relationship is still good.

Raptalk.Net: A cousin of yours and a very well known west coast legend Nate Dogg suffered two strokes in the past year or so. How’s he doing? Do you have an update for us?

Butch Cassidy: Nate Dogg is holding on. It’s just day to day with him. He’s trying to recover. He’s getting his feeling back. It was slow at first but he’s starting…I’ve seen some improvements. I’ve visited him about 4 or 5 times. Everybody just needs to keep him in your prayers and everything. Just put it in God’s hands. Let’s hope for the best. There’s been some improvement. It’s going to be a slow process; the strokes were real damaging to his body but he’s still with us and he’s fighting. He’ll be back on the streets real soon.

Raptalk.Net: We are definitely all praying for him. Stay strong to yourself and the rest of his family.

Butch Cassidy: Thanks.

Raptalk.Net: Yourself and close friend Damizza released a duo album last year, “Back B4 you’re Lonely” which was well received. How do you look back on that project?

Butch Cassidy: That project really pushed us. We might be coming with another one in another 6-7 months. The “Cruzin” song really did good and everybody took well to it. That put us on track. The feedback was great; everybody loved the sound and what we did. It was just appreciated from the world so we’re going to put another record together; me and Damizza are going to do another duo thing really soon.

Raptalk.Net: That played perfectly into my next question. There’s definitely a second duo album in the works?

Butch Cassidy: Ofcourse. Look for that sometime next year; maybe around the end of summer.

Raptalk.Net: You definitely need to come with that smooth, west coast, cruising type music for the summertime.

Butch Cassidy: You know I’m going to keep that for you!

Raptalk.Net: It has come to my attention that Damizza is coming with an autobiography very soon. Any chance that Butch Cassidy would one day release his own autobiography?

Butch Cassidy: Oh yeah! I’m writing on one right now. I’m writing on my book that everybody doesn’t know anything about; it’s on the down-low. I’m talking about everybody in the book and everybody better be looking out for that. It’s going to have some names on it and it’s going to tell on everybody! Everybody is going to be upset. I’m just going to release my thoughts; let the world know that I keep it real and don’t give a damn how they feel!

Raptalk.Net: (Laughs) I like that right there, I hope you don’t have any of my dirty laundry in there!

Butch Cassidy: Nah, I don’t have anything on you. I’m just talking about a few of the players out there; a few chicken heads, you know? (Laughs).

 Raptalk.Net: (Laughs) we definitely can’t wait to read that.

Butch Cassidy: (Laughs).

Raptalk.Net: (Laughs) we’re going to end the interview on that note Butch. Thanks for your time. Do you have any last words for Raptalk.Net?

Butch Cassidy: Much love for the respect y’all show me. Much respect for all that y’all do. Just be looking forward to the record and it’ll be out next month. I’m going to bring the heat like I always do. Go cop it. Love it, live it and like it.

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