Cool Nutz, all the way from Portland, speaks to AfricasGateway. Check it out!

Can you tell the fans out there who Cool Nutz is on a personal level and what you busy doing right now?

I am just an average cat that grew in NE POrtland, and started doing hip-hop to give the world my story. Hip-Hop is a way to let people all around the world know about NE Portland, and the way we live life. Now with the internet, everyone can get exposed to Cool Nutz and his message. That is who I am.
Right now I am busy finishing “I Hate Cool Nutz” which is my next album, and working on albums from Maniac Lok, Ray Ray, Bleek, Phranchise, and DBA. These are all going to be hot products.

You’ve been putting in a lot of work, are you beginning to see any payoffs?

I have always been seeing payoffs from the work that I have done. It might not be huge payoffs, but they are big enough to live off of hip-hop. I am blessed to have done all of the stuff that I have done, and seen all of the stuff that I have seen through hip-hop. We have been in the game for like 10 years, and have been fortunate enough to make a living off of this. We have been in the Source, Murderdog, XXL, Showcase, Rapsheet, Rap Pages, and more. We have had record deals with Universal and Atlantic Records. I have travelled all over the country, and seen alot of stuff. I consider that alone a huge payoff.

The DBA and that major record deal, how has that turned out for you?

It was a good opportunity. We got alot of publicity and money from the Universal deal. However, we were going two different directions, in terms of the project, so we had to part company. I thank them for the opportunity.

Can you tell us what a typical day is for Cool Nutz?

I’m always working on music or music related business, more so business. I have a daughter as well, so I have things to do with her. I have alot of shows, and other stuff that I have to tend to to keep the company running. I work hard almost everyday of the week. It’s alot of work to keep an independent record label going.

The NW is putting out some really good albums, who you feeling at the moment and what do you think the NW needs in order to catch the national/international ear?

I’m feeling Cool Nutz, DBA, Maniac Lok, Ray Ray, Mr. D.O.G, Bleek, Boom Bap Project, GOTM, Twin G, Mac Money, Shaolin, Arjay, Gangsta Nutt, Street Level Records, and a few more groups in the NW. I support all my NW riders, but some of them need a little more help with the music.
NW artists need to start making music for the nation and not just the NW. Alot of them are limiting themselves, by making regional music, and not national music. That is what it’s going to take to make it out of the NW.

Verbal Porn as you know is our album of the month, the quality is superior. How have people been receiving that album?

People love the album. You can’t deny good music. I put my heart into the music that I do, and it shows in the final result. I feel that right now, I am putting out my best product ever. I have worked hard to be the best that I can be.

When I listen to the DBA it just brings me back to the days when hip hop was raw. Is there any future offering from the DBA in the future?

We have a brand new DBA album ready to come out, that didn’t come out on Universal. The album is sick, and will be a welcomed release to the music world. We are aiming at summer 2002.

What are the things that frustrate you in this industry?

It isn’t about the music anymore. People are frustrated because of all the bad shit that comes out now days. They are scared to buy records. Good music used to sell records, not big videos, and buying out radio stations. We are the underdogs, and it’s harder then ever to sell a record independently these days. Thats what frustrates me.

You must have had some weird shit happen to you in this music biz, tell us!

I have had a pretty normal experience in the music business. The most unusual shit, is the hating that you have to endure, when you are somewhat successful in the game. You just see that cats turn on you in the blink of an eye. Everyone wants to be the man, but they don’t want to work to get there. That is where the hate comes from.
I have alot of people that depend on me, but they take it the wrong way, when I can’t do everything they want done for them. It’s just hard satisfying everyone. And the feelings that come out of that aren’t cool. That is the weirdest shit to deal with, to tell you the truth.

What are you views on the industry in Texas and Tenessee, do you think that it’s time soon for the NW to shine just like they have been for the past few years?

I feel like the NW will get it’s chance, we just need more cats to step up. There are only a few people out here doing stuff that is newsworthy. I think that we will get our fair chance, and people will see what the NW has to offer. I feel like, I have already shown people what the NW has offer, and now it needs to be done on a larger scale. Our time is coming. People always count us out the game, but the game has just begun.

How would you describe your style of music?

My music is Hood/Hip-Hop. I feel like I represent MC’s and street cats. The lyrics are important, and being that I grew up around street stuff, it comes out in the music. I am bringing them both together, and giving it to the world. That is why it’s called Hood/Hip-Hop.

What future projects can we expect from you and can you give us some timeframes?

Cool Nutz “I Hate Cool Nutz” Late 2002
DBA “DOing Business As…Pt II” Mid 2002
Maniac Lok “Taz Mani” Early 2003
Ray Ray of G-Ism “TBA” Mid 2003
Bleek “TBA”
Phranchise “TBA”
Jus Family Records & Murderdog Presents “The Northern Light Compilation” mid to late 2002

Thanks for speaking to us, we know you a busy man, any last words or shout outs?

What up to all my NW cats out there. Especially Mr. D.O.G, Funkdaddy, Torrey Ward, and all the cats that support Jus Family Records. One luv.

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