Here’s another interview I did for Steve Stoute’s The Tanning Of America website. This round, I had the privilege of interviewing one of my favorite rap artists of all time: Common. I used to listen to his Resurrection album non-stop when I was in high school (I saw him live at Tramps back in those days too), and of course I’ve been a fan ever since. Here’s my intro, with the link to the full interview below…

There was a time in Common’s life when he was known simply as a rapper. Well, that young man from Chicago has come a long way since the release of his breakthrough album, Resurrection, in 1994, expanding his visibility from the Rap City countdown to the silver screen, appearing in films alongside Hollywood’s brightest stars, such as Just Wright with fellow rapper turned thespian Queen Latifah, and Date Night with Steve Carell and Tina Fey. He even landed himself a role in the new AMC television drama, Hell On Wheels, playing a post-Civil War freed slave, which has welcomed in a whole new audience for him as well. To boot, his memoir, One Day It’ll All Make Sense, was just released to stellar reviews, creating different opportunities for press and public appearances. Quite impressively, Common has successfully managed to maintain a reputable presence in the hip-hop community throughout his transformation from rapper to rapper/actor/author. In fact, his new LP, The Dreamer, The Believer, is one of the most anticipated albums dropping in the fourth quarter, largely due to his reunion with producer No I.D. We spoke to Common about the various “tanning” moments he’s had in his professional career as a rapper, actor, and now an author. We also got his take on the recent backlash he received for his poetry reading appearance at The White House, typecasting in Hollywood for black actors, and his friend and collaborator Kanye West’s VMA incident with country music star Taylor Swift.

The Tanning Interview with Common

Watch Common’s newest videos too. All three songs are off his new album, and are produced by No I.D….

“Ghetto Dreams” f/ Nas

“Blue Sky”

“Sweet”

I’m out. Peace.

DJ Clark Kent (above right) is not only the producer behind one of the greatest hip-hop duets of all time, “Brooklyn’s Finest” with Jay-Z and Biggie, but he’s also the man responsible for introducing the two legendary MCs who rap on the song to each other. And because of this connection, he had plenty of memories to share for my latest Complex Magazine feature Clark Kent Tells All: The Stories Behind His Classic Records. You may not know it, but DJ Clark Kent produced some of your favorite rap songs of all time (in addition to “Brooklyn’s Finest”), like Jay-Z’s “Cashmere Thoughts” and “Coming Of Age” with Memphis Bleek off Reasonable Doubt, and Biggie’s “Players Anthem” with Lil’ Kim and Lil’ Cease and “Sky’s The Limit” with 112. And that’s not to mention the various other classics he produced for artists like Rakim, Slick Rick, and 50 Cent. Check out the first part of the feature below. Brooklyn stand up!

DJ Clark Kent Tells All: The Stories Behind His Classic Records (Part One)

And yo, I know the video is posted in the link above (along with the story), but I gotta give Jay-Z and DJ Clark Kent’s classic “Can’t Get Wit That” some embedded shine on Westcheddar too, because it’s one of my favorite early Jigga videos…

Part two coming soon. Stay tuned…

I had the recent privilege of interviewing my favorite new rapper, Action Bronson. I posted some of his stuff a couple months back, and since then he has only gotten more popular. Here’s the intro to my interview with him for The Tanning Of America site, and the link to our full discussion is below…

Even with the slew of new white rappers on the scene in 2011, Action Bronson has no problem standing out. The 300-pound bald-headed and bearded professional chef turned MC from Flushing, Queens, who is still an unsigned artist, is having a very successful rookie year to say the least. The Albanian-American’s debut album,Dr. Lecter, which is filled with fiery raps and sample-heavy authentic New York production, was received by hip-hop tastemakers with rave reviews. In addition, his live show, where he showcases his stamina and flair for witty humor, caught the attention of The New York Times, and GQ Magazine was intrigued enough by his culinary roots to feature him in a Guide to New York City Dining, highlighting his favorite grub spots in the five boroughs.

After returning home from a recent trip in Los Angeles to work with seasoned rap producer, The Alchemist (they are collaborating on series of upcoming releases), Action Bronson took some time out of his busy schedule to talk to us about his early exposure to hip-hop growing up in Queens, how he forged friendships in high school through writing graffiti, and why he stopped using the N-word when he first started rapping. Plus, he breaks down his culinary background, the diversity at his shows, why he thinks white producers and industry legends gravitate towards him, and the state of the white rapper in 2011.

The Tanning Interview with Action Bronson

I must say, it was a pleasure to speak with Action Bronson. He was mad cool, funny, and kept it real for the interview without holding back. Talking to him made me more of a fan. Check for his new album Well Done with Statik Selektah dropping next week. One.

Check out this in-depth interview I did with legendary southern rapper Bun B of UGK for Steve Stoute’s The Tanning Of America website. Here’s the intro, link below:

Since Bun B came in the game two decades ago with the late Pimp C as part of the duo UGK (Underground Kingz), he has consistently become more popular and well-known nationally and internationally by fans of all races, no doubt aided by an appearance on Jay-Z’s smash, “Big Pimpin’,” and collaborating with fellow southern hip-hoppers, Three 6 Mafia, on “Sippin’ On Some Sizzurp.” But his insane ability to stay relevant has had just as much, if not more to do with his impervious artistic integrity and openness to collaborating with new school artists. At an age where many rappers are clinging on to careers, the 38-year-old Bun has settled in comfortably in his role as a rap OG, even taking on the responsibility of teaching a hip-hop and religion course at Rice University. In this no-holds-barred interview, Bun B takes us back to his Texas roots to recall how he used to get pulled over on his way to do shows, why UGK wouldn’t talk about Sizzurp in interviews, what racial slur Jive wouldn’t allow him to use as a nickname on wax, and tackles an ugly issue that still lurks in the wake of hip-hop’s globalization—the usage of the “N” word.

The Tanning Interview with Bun B

*BONUS*

I also had an interview feature published on Complex Magazine’s site last week with producer Emile, who has worked with legendary artists like Eminem, Ghostface Killah, and Kanye West (he co-produced “Runaway”). He had some very interesting stories to share about the making of the songs in his catalog. Definitely an interesting read, and a dude to watch out for in the years to come. Check the feature out below….

Emile Tells All: The Stories Behind His Classic Records

One of the artists Emile is currently working with is Lana Del Rey, a new singer on the scene from Lake Placid, New York. She’s really dope, and is getting a lot of attention on the blogs and in the press. Check out her videos for “Video Games” and the Emile produced “Blue Jeans” below and see what the buzz is all about…

“Video Games”

“Blue Jeans”

She’s dope, right? Catch ya later…