Get Local, MN! Interview #3
-Jimmy Donn-
I basically started around the same time as Atmosphere. The scene in Minnesota was very minimal at that time. This was before the home computer studios. So the artists around at that time were really dedicated to music, because recording and releasing a two song extended play single back then would cost around $1,000-$1500. I was heavily influenced by Dr Dre, Warren G and Scarface. The music they made really spoke to me.
I have always thought of you as one of the great pioneers of local music, and through the years you have mentored many artists that are still out there making moves today. Tell us what you feel have been some of your best signings and what do you look for in local tallent before you take them in?
For starters, Liquid Assassin. I found him, put him in his first recording studio and recorded his first song. I even named him Liquid Assassin. He went on to be a part of Strange Music and now 42 Records. We remain really good friends and still network together several times a year. But the team I'm working with right now are amazing. Killa Capone, Bobby James, Cloroks, Kingpin and so on. That's the future, and I really believe that. I'm trying to take the back seat and let these talented artists drive. They are already in their own lane. When I'm looking for an artist, I'm looking for an original sound. Someone who knows who they are and is not afraid to turn that up to 11.
And right now you definately have an army of tallent at your back. When you started Sicfux Ent. did you expect things to blow up this quickly? Also, what does Sicfux mean to you?
I started Sicfux Ent to put together a few songs with Kingpin under the name Dopesic. The first person to feature was Killa Capone. Somehow that turned into Dopesic being Killa, Kingpin and myself. Within a year we started hearing people yell "Sicfux 4 Life" in malls or chanting it at shows. We became a movement without even realizing it. But what it all comes down to is this. We are a family of rejects, castaways, left behinds and nobodies. And we are perfectly comfortable with that. Because people are starting to realize that there are more people who feel like us than don't. So our family is constantly growing.
I understand that members of Dopesic and Sicfux Ent. have been nominated for various TC Hip-Hop Awards for the second year in a row. It has to be exciting for any artist to be recognised like that. But you are up against some tough competition. What are your thoughts on the matter?
We are just happy to be nominated. That means we are making enough noise and that's good enough for us. The awards are a little more mainstream than what we do, so winning best group award last year for Dopesic was a complete surprise. I guess we will see what happens this year.
I wish you all luck, but I'm also glad to see you don't let the nominations go to your head. Its important for artists to stay grounded in reality and not forget where their roots are planted. You have been in the scene longer than most, could you explain your trials and tribulations for us? What would you say was the most difficult thing for you to accomplish in your career as well as what you feel has been your biggest accomplishments?
I have definitely made more mistakes than advancements. It's a constant evolution. My biggest mistakes have been taking advice from people who don't have my best interests in mind. That's why I only listen to my that inner voice now, or what most people call your gut feeling. Definitely one of the hardest things to accomplish is the respect of fellow Minnesota artists. I work with a lot of well known heavy hitters in the Twin Cities, but there's always a few artists who really don't know me, who pass judgement as if they do. That seems to be the one thing that gets to me. But at the end of the day I feel good because I know who I am and I know how far I have come. Because I can feel it in my bones. After so many years of being dedicated to the same thing, you can't help but feel it. My biggest accomplishment this far had to have been my last ep "South of Heaven" (available on iTunes). Because it features well known artists such as Dizzy Wright, SwizZz, Stevie Stone and others. And not one of those features cost me a dime. That tells me that I have made some good relationships on a national scale.
Big things happen when you know how to play the game. I hope a lot of upcoming talent will read this interview and take lessons, because you definately know what you are doing in this. I have word that you are just released another EP titled "Dopesic". What are your goals with this new project and how does it differ from past projects?
Yeah, we released it February 10th. It's actually my solo ep titled "Dopesic" and each song features members of Dopesic as well as a couple national features such as Jelly Roll and Liquid Assassin. With all projects we just want to keep creating new material that somehow maintains that dark cloud. Even if the song is positive there's still something dark about it. That's our method of operation.
Well, you can't have light without darkness. The underground has been pushing that fact for years. There is a depth in the darkness that the mainstream can't even come close to touching. What have been your influences throughout the years and what is your opinion on the state of the local rap and hip-hop scene in Minnesota? Who do you have your eye on in 2013 outside of the Sicfux?
Well like I stated before my influences started with Dr. Dre, Scarface and others. But as time went on I started to get into artists like Vinnie Paz and Slaine. I'm also into Yelawolf and of course the homie Rittz. Actually been into both if them before Eminem and Strange Music got involved. Locally I'm looking forward to hearing the new Kamikazi and Infinity material. I've always liked what they do. Also I'm watching Prof explode as a national artist much like Atmosphere did. And I've been down with POS since his first national release. The scene in Minnesota is huge.
What are some dream collabs for you and the members of Dopesic that you would like to see happen in the future?
Those would be some epic collabs, and I know that atleast a couple of those are well within your grasp. Speaking of Hopsin, the Funk Volume DFUOB contest is coming up. Is anyone in the crew planning on entering this year? And while we are on the topic of Contests, we understand that Izzy Dunfore just won the Sicfux Sickest Sixteen contest and a slot on an upcoming track featuring Liquid Assassin, is the track already in the works? And what are your views on the contest as a whole?
Not sure if any Sicfux artists are going to participate in the Funk Volume DFUOB contest. I know Playboy the Beast did last year and destroyed most of them. GrewSum won it a couple years back. So we are definitely capable if we do. The Sicfux Sickest Sixteen contest was our first attempt at something like that. We gave a $750 cash prize to Izzy Dunfore and he will be featured on a future song with Liquid Assassin and I. We haven't started it yet, but it's in the mix. A lot of people think we set it up for him to win, and that's just not true. He's a genuine man and artist. I don't feel he cheated and I know we didn't rig it, so there you have it. Next up is the Sicfux Sickest Song contest. The winner will be featured on DJ Demik's "Kush Effect 3" and will relieve $420 cash and 20 complementary copies of KE3.
Sounds like a great deal, contests are a great way to draw out new talent and I look forward to watching this contest unfold. I urge any artists reading this article to participate in it, even if you don't win its still a great way to network and make new fans! I have just a few more questions for you, the first is about the new Killa Capone project. Manson was a huge success and this next album looks to be even bigger with production by the son of Dr. Dre whom you met up with in a recent trip to California with DJ Demik. How did all of this come to be, and has Killa started work on this new album?
Over here at Sicfux we have a team if people looking out for the entire team. Our artist liaison Paul hooked up a meeting with Curtis Young while I was out in LA meeting with comedian/rapper Andy Milonakis. He took one listen to Killa Capone and knew instantly that he wanted to produce his next album. We are heading back to LA to do some stuff in Snoop Dogg's studio and get the ball moving. But Killa has already mapped out the entire album in his head. I'm telling you I'm working with geniuses over here. 2013 is looking amazing.
That my friend is both Dope and Sick! (But I think you mean Snoop Lion
lmao) You guys keep doing bigger and bigger things all the time. Pushing
boundrys and breaking limits, but it all comes back to one thing, the
fans make the movement. Is there any messages you would like to express
to all the Sicfux and local music fanatics out there?Without the Sicfux out there representing us, there's no us. We know that and that's why we are so proud to document our lives and the lives of our friends through music. I feel we would do this with or without a following, but our fans aka Sicfux are amazing to us. They are loyal and supportive 100%. In return we do our best to give them quality music to listen to.
And do you have any messages or advice for upcoming artists trying to find their way in the vast sea of local talent?
Follow your heart. Honestly that's all it boils down to. If you have the energy to go years without being able to provide for yourself and your family, the energy to fight with your family because most of the time you are choosing music over them, and you have thick enough skin to listen to and read the negative views on your art and still stay focused, then by all means do music. But if you think that it's as easy as hooking up a cheep home computer studio, burning a few CDR's and passing them out, then doing a couple shows and boom! success. This is not for you. This lifestyle will eat you alive.
Thank you for your time and sharing some insight into the world of Sicfux Entertainment with us. It has been an eye opening experience for me, as I am sure it will be with our fans as well. We will have to sit down and chop it up again some time!
LINKS!
Twitter @Sicfux
Instagram @Sicfux
Videos
Dopesic "Learning to Fly"
Dopesic "Barely Breathing" feat. Kutt Calhoun
Jimmy Donn "The Day God Died" feat. Killa Capone
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