Thank you for this exclusive Interview.  From reading your Bio, I can tell you have a lot going on which, is always good. I read you were born in New Orleans but raised in the Bay. How was Hip Hop culture apart of your childhood?

Hip Hop Culture is what I grew up on.  Break Dancing was new on the scene and everyone was lookin’ at the East Coast, fascinated with this new trend.  Everything that followed that, me an my older brother were into.  Things like beat Boxing, DJ’ing, battling, then freestyling and Emcee’n.  Hip Hop was new, it wasn’t reborn or going through it’s second run like it may be now.  We (the streets) were creating it as it developed.

As an Emcee (currently),  I hold lyrical skill as a bench mark.  If someone’s talkin’ about money, platinum jewelry, or 8 cars in a drive way…I’m not listening.  That ain’t tellin’ me shit. 

Have you been back to New Orleans?

Yeah.  I still have family in New Orleans.  Last time I was there was July 2004.  My younger brother was on the roof of his house for a day and a half when Katrina hit.  My cousin and her family went to Tennessee before the storm came.  Things are still a mess in Louisiana and Mississippi.  

The Bay gets a lot of heat for their unique swagger.  Do you think your style is typical “Bay” sound?

Hahahaha, not really.  I think I’ve been classified more with an East Coast style.  Even when I do gigs in Los Angeles, I think I stand out. 

I did an Emcee battle in San Jose, December 2007.  Out of 33 Emcees, I took second.  So I guess I stood out in a good way.

The Bay (in my opinion), is a stone’s throw away from some of the “Dirty South” swagger.  But, I love bumpin’ Yay Area / Sacramento music. Mob shit, hustle flow, Independent beats, and music for SideShows.  I’ll always dig Bay Area artist’s and support what comes from there.  Digital Underground, Luniz, JT the Bigga Figga, Paris, Spice 1, E-40, Sway & Tech – Wake Up Show, Too Short, DJ Qbert, Richie Rich, and dozens of Artists who have put their stamp on Hip Hop.  Most of all, the Bay is known for doin’ that independent hustle.  Makin’ it big without a major label. 

MAC DRE, REST IN PEACE PLAYA!!! 

What was the first Vinyl you ever owned?

Rodney O – Everlasting Bass & Ice-T – Rhyme Pays!  After that, I copped all their records.  I had 15 crates of vinyl.  Everything from Santana, Disco, Break Dancing, Afrika Bambaataa, Cypress Hill, Onyx…. ALL THE HARD TO GET SINGLES AND ALBUMS!!  I don’t have any of that any more and I won’t get into why….still a sore subject.

You do it all, Producing, Lyricist, Beat Making.  Do you have set formulas for each?

Not really.  Sometimes I write rhymes and match it with a beat later.  Or sometimes I make beats and write rhymes later.

When you create your own music, you know the mix too well.  That makes it hard to write to if you haven’t separated yourself from the track.  I usually walk away and get back to it a few days later.  At that point, you’re actually impressed with what you came up with or you’ll say, “What the hell was I thinking?”  Those are usually the beats you kept working on till 4:00 in the morning…

I’ve bought a few tracks from other “beat makers”.  It’s actually refreshing to get a new beat (you’ve never heard before) and start writing with the first thing that comes to mind.

Do you use a lot of samples?

No!  I have used a hand clap, snare, or kick drum from other songs to create a beat.  But, sampling instrumentals out right…I haven’t jumped on that band wagon yet.  There isn’t enough paper to write what I really feel about “sampling” but, here’s what I think (in a nut shell).  If an Artist samples, let them get paid, have record sales, and get played every 20 minutes on the radio.  But, they shouldn’t be recognized as holding No. 1 spots on any music charts.  You can’t compare a sampled record (which has been sampled 3 other times by different Artist’s) with a No. 1 Beetles song. 

What if I (re)designed the Empire State Building in the middle of downtown Los Angeles?  I receive accolades and awards.  The public calls it the 9th Wonder of the World.  Would anyone ever scratch their head and wonder….”Um, that shit’s already been done.  Why is he getting so much credit for something he copied?”  EXACTLY!!!! I’ll stay original until I run out of talent…..

Who would you love to collab with?

Oh man, good question!  Like most unsigned / underground Artist’s….I’d like to collab with my favorites like Common, Guru, Quasimoto, KAM, B-Real, Planet Asia, Chino XL, Talib Kweli, Eminem, E-40, Snoop, Crooked I, Ras Kaas, Ice Cube…..
 
Those Cats have all influenced me lyrically. 

What makes you stand out from every other Emcee?

The one thing I focus on when writing lyrics is, making sure I don’t become predictable.  For example, when I hear new records, I like to guess which words are going to be used for a rhyme.  You hear the first part of a lyric and the let’s say the last word is “girl”.  I KNOW HANDS DOWN the other word that will be used to rhyme, will be “world”.  Or hotel lobby, after party, Barcardi….yeah, sounds like every R&B song out there huh?  But, that’s what I don’t want.  I don’t want someone to hear my music and feel like they know what I’m gonna do next.  Which is why the upcoming Album is titled what it is….

I have to stay witty.  Keeping a “library” of words in my head, it helps me when I’m writing.  Also helps when I’m freestylin’.  If anything I like to make words rhyme, that typically wouldn’t.

Now that your in So. Cal, what’s the difference between the “Yay Area” and  “L.A”?

Street dialect, clothes, lyrics.  “Ranflas” vs “Scrapers”.  Thug vs Gangsta.

Musically, there’s a different grind but it’s still West Coast Hip Hop.  You definitely can’t bump L.A. music in a Bay Area club.  There’s just a different vibe.  The same would go with playing a Hyphy track in an L.A. club….people wouldn’t feel it the same.

But it’s all love.  It’s just different flavor…

Lets talk about  “Prefix EP”, tell us about it.

The Album “Ever Changing, Never the Same” was done and in post production.  I used “Buffalo Gals”, from Malcom McClaren, for scratching on one song titled “Hour Glass”.  There was enough of the song used that I figured I’d get clearance from Malcom.  While that was happening between my lawyer and his publisher, I kept recording and making more music. 

I created Prefix EP and figured I’d release it.  This would be used as an intro for the upcoming Album and Scarred IV Life.  It accidentally worked out cuz I used the EP to establish business with Southern Cali music stores and have it distributed throughout every music outlet on the internet.  This laid my ground work.  So when the Album is done, I already got my feet wet in the game.

You can find Prefix EP on iTunes, CD Baby, MSN Music, Digstation, or Amazon.  If you catch me at a show, I’ll slide you a free copy.  That’s my word!

I spoke my mind on the EP and didn’t hold back.  I talk about the Hip Hop game, the streets, spittin’ rhymes and metaphors, the current administration and this questionable War.  My opinion on the War is no disrespect to any of our Soldiers.  My respect goes to them and their brave families.

 Your full length Album is due sometime soon, right?

Yes.  Hopefully by the end of Summer, early September.  Some homies have heard it.  They like the Prefix EP but told me that the Album is be way better.  They say it’s a total different vibe from me as an Artist and Producer.

That’s all I’ll say for now.  I can’t wait to get raw feedback from everyone else.

 Lets talk about your Label “Taurus Entertainment” when did you start that?

It’s actually Entretainment.  You misspelled it like everyone else. 

I started my Label in 2007.  As you can tell, I have to be different.  I HATE following others so I made my label name unique.  It’s a combination of entrepreneur, entertainment, and entourage.  Yeah I know…. but like I said, no one else will ever be able to use it without thinking “Hey, Scarred IV Life came up with that name first!!” 

Pronounced Entru - tainment

 Why do you go by the name  “Scarred IV Life” ?

It can describe something physically, mentally or being lyrically tight.  Goin’ back to my previous answer….this has the same meaning.  It’s gotta be original. 

My homies would call me Scarface cuz of the scar above my eye and on the side of my face (from drama, back in my knucklehead days.  But anyway…)  I didn’t like the name Scarface cuzz it had to do with drug dealing and that wasn’t me.  I don’t front.  And most of all, it was already taken by the King of the South. 

One day I was recording a song (on tape) and I said Scarface and my name, Carlos, at the same time.  I accidentally said “Scarlos”.  As I was rewinding the tape deck to re-record, I started thinking of what I just said.  I tripped out for a minute but, you know me…..  No one would ever be able to have the same name unless they were called Carlos and had scars on their face  Hahahaa.  I immediately adopted it.  It took a while for my homies to catch on but, I liked it. 

I used Scarred IV Life as a slogan.  Everyone’s heard that before.  The more I said it, the more I liked it.  I started using that instead of Scarlos.  But every once in a while, I still use the other name on tracks.  I guess It’s an alias to my alias.

 “Prefix Ep” is hell a sick.  You’re definitely someone that Emcee’s need to take notice of. Whats the energy like at shows?

Thanx a lot!  I do appreciate your feedback.  I know you were bumpin’ my CD last time I got a hold of you.  I didn’t wanna bother cuzz like all Artist’s, they like people to hear their music uninterrupted Hahahahaaa.  Thanx again!!

My shows are pretty cool…seriously.  I got a lot of new tracks on deck and I spit as many I can.  I don’t like doing the same exact songs for every show. 

I got some laid back melodic beats, some real lyrical shit, and a blend of West Coast rhythm that I KNOW you won’t hear any where else. 

I’ll notice people in the crowd chattin when I first start but by the second song, I got their head’s noddin’ and most are feelin’ my vibe.  It’s important to me to bring skill especially if people paid to see underground Emcees.  Skills should be shown or I don’t deserve your respect.  It’s that simple.

How can people book you, collab and check out your music?

myspace.com/scarredivlife is the easiest.  That’s how I got a hold of you! 

I check it often and even if I don’t, it’ll go straight to my BlackBerry.  On the real, I’m not looking for overnight success or to be the next fad.  I wanna build with different Emcees and collab with other groups / singers.  As a Producer, I’d like to get my name out with these heaters I got on deck.  My style is more Hip Hop and Old School but, I got some bangin’ beats, Acid Jazz and other tracks you’ll dig.  I got several styles of production. 

Eventually, I’d like to be doing work like Pharrell or Timbaland.  Making my own Album’s but also Producing other Artist’s.

Any shows we can peep you at?

I got 3 shows in July! 

I’ve got a good relation with Urban Underground at the Airliner (Los Angeles every Friday, off Broadway).  I’ve been networking a lot lately with other Promoters.  I’d like to expand and do shows throughout Cali, Arizona and Nevada by this year.

I’ve already done shows from the Bay, Sac, L.A., O.C., and San Diego.  I’ve opened up for Tash, X Clan, BadAzz, Myka 9, Dilated Peoples, and KRS ONE. 

Promoters, get at me.  Let’s network, you won’t be disappointed!!

I got a show on July 13th in Stanton, CA.  All info is on myspace, under Upcoming Events.  Come out and show support.  This is an Emcee performance / battle.  The winner gets to appear on a CD with Birdman, Lil Wayne, Mack 10 and other heavy hitters. 

I’m going after every opportunity I come across.  I never hold back.

 
What elements of Hip Hop do you represent?

Underground, true underground.  East / West roots.  Turntablism.  Raw beats n’ breaks.

To give examples or influences:  J-Dilla, Common, Quasimoto, Guilty Simpson, DJ Quik, Pharcyde, Evidence, Pharoahe Monch, Organized Noize, Mos Def, Old School joints, DJ Revolution, Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Fugees, NaS, DJ Muggs.

Those are producers, DJ’s, and Emcees that inspire me on my level of Hip Hop.

 “One Up” is a DVD you have coming out, tell us about that.

Yeah, at first it was gonna be a promotional DVD.  A background look into Scarred IV Life, the Artist.  The more I got into it, I made it about me AND Hip Hop.  It contains some of my performances, interviews, freestyles and comments about what I’m going through in this game.  It also has vinyl stores, graffiti, open mic freestyles, DJ’s cuttin it up at different venues, and a slide show of Southern Cali City’s & landmarks. 

Who do you think are the illest Emcee’s and how have they contributed to the way you present your self in music?

I’ve already mentioned a few.  Not to sound like a broken record but, I truly do look up to these Emcees:  Planet Asia, Talib Kweli, Canibus, Guru, Rakim, KRS ONE, Guilty Simpson, KAM, Crooked I, Evidence, Chino XL, Juice, Supernatural, Eminem, 2Pac, B-Real…I know I’m missing a few.  Can’t think of all of them right now. 

They have a way of story-telling and kickin’ metaphors without losing the skill of creating clever rhymes.

I listen to those Artist’s and I can’t help but raise my game every time I put pen to paper.

Any shot outs or comments?

Peace to all those who support underground Hip Hop.  Street teams, vinyl stores, online radio, DJ’s, promoters, night clubs and all groups I’ve met online.  Thanx for the support.

Check out my music and let me know what you think. Come out to my shows, I usually throw out CD’s, hats, or shirts. 

And last, if you’re into the Emcees & DJ’s I mentioned earlier….tune in to SIVL ONLINE RADIO.  I only play REAL HIP HOP.  True Emcees and DJ’s like Babu and Revolution.  Wake Up Show freestyles….raw underground.  There are 2 banners on myspace.  You can copy/clip the code and paste to your page too.  There’s no email or membership required.  Just go to the page, click the yellow “Play” button and that’s all….

url:  www.live365.com/stations/scarredivlife

BUT DON’T GO THERE ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS…YOU SHOULD BE LISTENING TO RAPTALK.NET INSTEAD!!   LOL!!

What do you think we as lovers of Hip Hop need to do to bring back the awareness and respect it lost?

I agree that it has lost some of its respect and charisma.  That’s true of any genre because the glitzy pop version is what gets saturated in the public.  There’s a true blend of music for Rock, Alternative, Ska, Hip Hop, and Soul out there. 

We need to stop saying “Keep it Real” like it’s the latest cliché and actually do it!  Obviously the game’s gonna change and evolve.  But Rap used to be called Hip Hop.  We need to understand the difference between the two.  One is a verb, the other is a culture we live.

Let’s build. 
ONE

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written by Lunatic 63, July 08, 2008

props for your work LatinaBeatz!

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