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| Interview With Mr. Kee |
|
| Written by Styles | |
| Thursday, 10 December 2009 | |
 San Francisco native Mr. Kee took the time to chop it up with Raptalk in this new interview about his career and to share some of his thoughts on the music business. Word has it that he's formed a group with the likes of Planet Asia, Mitchy Slick and Messy Marv. Stay tuned for more info on that as that news was shared with us after this interview was done.
Styles: Let's get the basics on you if we can. Please start by telling us about yourself. Mr. Kee: I'm from San Francisco, CA. The first label I was a part of was called Black & Brown. I got down for a couple of compilations. One was called 17 Reasons and the other was called 18 With A Bullet. I was actually the first solo artist on the label because they were known only for compilations. My album, 14 Karat Dream came out in 2001. Styles: How did that album work out for you?Mr. Kee: For a label that was used to pushing compilations, it was good. I had quite a few solo tracks on there but there were guests like B-Legit, C-Bo, Cougnut – I had all kinds of cats on there. It was a good album for me because of the people that featured with me. Good competition brings out the best in you. If you're around sucky people, you are not always going to be at your best. I had fun on that album. I ran in to B-Legit on the freeway and flagged him down. I asked him if he wanted to make some money, then to come on over to the studio. A lot of stuff was on the go like that. There wasn't a lot of time to prepare – I got thrown in to the shark tank and had to make it work. Styles: You didn't feel nervous working with bigger names for your first album? Mr. Kee: I don't know if I want to call it nervousness, but there was excitement. After the first 15 minutes of meeting them, I went from a fan to a worker. I went in to rip people's faces off – not being rude but just like professional UFC fighters. They'll share coffee and doughnuts and then head to the ring and beat each other up.Styles: Whatever happened to the Black & Brown label that you were on? Mr. Kee: It kind of transformed to Thizz Latin. There was a merger that took place. I had an album off of that label too caled The First, Last and Only. They've always known that I've wanted to handle my own business though. That was just a platform and a ladder for me to go above and beyond. I helped to make a name for their company and in turn I helped make a name for myself. Ever album after 14 Karat was a 50/50 joint venture so it wasn't like I was even signed really. Styles: I don't really hear too many Latino rappers that are non-gangster related coming out of the Bay Area. Mr. Kee: I've got a handful of them with me. They are called The Soldiers of Fortune. I'm selective when I pick cats too. The guys that I have under my own label are lyrical. They have that street mentality too but I need more content because if you've ever listened to Mr. Kee – the music has subjects. Every song can't be about grabbing your 9mm. The best rappers in the world have every aspect covered. There are a lot of cats out here in the Bay that can spit but it seems like it's getting harder and harder for them to stand out. I came in to the game at the right time and made my little nitch. I do feel bad for cats that are 16 or 17 years old and just coming in to the game right now. They are in a sea full of motherfuckers trying to do their thing. Styles: You bring up an interesting point about rap being an over crowded field. Mr. Kee: (Laughs) Stay at your Safeway job, man. Or whatever job you have! Don't be ashamed of your 9 to 5. There is nothing wrong with it. It's about surrounding yourself with people that will tell you the truth. If you suck, then you suck. I can see if a cat has potential, you know, if maybe he did this different or that different, that he'll be alright. There are also some cats that will never get it. They are taking their paychecks and putting their money in to this which is fine because it keeps the music business going, but they are clogging the shelves. You can't even impress a bitch anymore by saying that you rap! She'll be like, “So what? The other 5 guys that I just met rap too.” Styles: Do you think that some believe they actually have skills or they're just doing this to try and be famous? Mr. Kee: I would say a lot more people want to be famous than caring about the music itself. I think a lot of people would sell their souls if they could famous for one month straight. I think a lot of cats just want to be famous. Thats why cats are on myspace and twitter constantly trying to keep their face out there. It's only human nature to want to be famous, but damn, be the best lawyer or doctor you can be! It doesn't have to be this. People feel they don't have to put their minds to rapping when you really do! First off, I don't appreciate anybody in this game that doesn't have a love for music. That pisses me off, if you don't know music or have a background in it. This is my area! What are you doing in my area? I'm kind of a grump when it comes to that shit. I don't like cats being all up in my field of expertise and just half-assing it. Styles: Rap has a short life span for an artist. There's usually only a small window of time for someone to be successful. How long are you going to keep this up for? Mr. Kee: As long as a person can wake up and say that they love their job, why not? But my main focus is to pass the torch and establishing my label, Money & Muscle. I can see myself rapping for a minute still but I'm trying to push these up-incomers. I myself have two albums coming out called The Great Paper Chase and Money & Muscle. The Great Paper Chase will be on the shelves in about a month or so. The other one will be released online. Comments (2)
  written by PLAIN, December 14, 2009
Showin my dude KEE love & respect ya digg !! Firsco legend. Haystacc stand up !! Money N Muscle ENT boii !!!
written by MELVI DA HUSTLA, January 06, 2010
MY NIGGA KEPT IT ONE HUNNID , GOT ME THINKING WHAT AM I GONNA DO TO BE DIFFERENT AND SEPERATE MYSLEF FROM THE AVEREAGE RAPPER ?
IM GONNA PUT IT ALL OUT THERE. WE CAN HAVE FUN POP BOTTLES AND SHIT BUT IM TRYING TO REACH THOSE WHO FEEL HOPELESS. I RAP ABOUT MY INSECURITIES AND STRUGGLES IN EVERYDAY LIFE. GOOD OR BAD, REGARDLESS THE FANS WILL RESPECT YOU IF YOUR REAL MONEY-NMUSCLE ...... Write comment
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