So Timid, tell us, where you from, where you at and what you all about?

Well, I was born in Michigan but through my step dad being military we moved about. I call Hawaii home since I spent most of my time there. Now I'm in North Florida looking for the next spot to move on to and trying to make it to the next levels. I'm basically about trying to enjoy life through experiences. I'm a pretty chill cat.

I checked out that documentary where they showed how you did your tracks and shit. What did you learn from releasing Intimidation?

Man, I learned a lot from whole process of doing "inTimidation". Right after it was done I even told a few people that I felt like I've upgraded my skills in all areas from doing that. It was a good learning process. I feel like my delivery has improved and my style is a bit more refined and I believe it shows in the new joints I have made since then.


How long have you been involved with this hip hop scene? Has there been any memorable experiences from the past that you would like to share?

Hip Hop is a beautiful thing, there's nothing like it or what it has done or become. I've been down with Hip Hop since I was young; all the way back to the old school. Back when break dancing was new. I've been writing for awhile but I never tried to lay it out for anyone to hear, the first time I worked in a studio was back in 1994 with my man Solo and we recorded a 3 track demo. I've had a few experiences that were memorable, recently I went to see KRS-1 live. Man that was the illest. Everyone needs to see KRS on stage at least once.

Are you affiliated with any crew? Any emcees/producers out there where you at that you'd like to mention?

Naw, no specifically named crew but I work with several cats on the regular; like my man Fayce, Pizon and a few singers I know around here. Actually working up some solo stuff for each of them. 

What feedback have you received from the album Intimidation?

The response has been positive. The general consensus seems to be "dope lyricist, needs better production". I can't be mad at that. I have been working to upgrade my production skills, I'm paying more attention to the beats.


I checked you out on the AltRap compilation. How did that come about?

Altrap is a newsgroup community(alt.rap) and a website ezine(altrap.com) that i participate in and write articles and reviews for. Last year one of the contributors, Pizon decided to put out a compilation cd of the heads that participate in the group. I dropped a track on that joint. This year I helped dude out with getting it together because he didn't it all himself last year.

In terms of pressing your own album did you manage to make that $ back? Any lessons as an independent artist that you would like to share with others?

Yea, actually I did make the dollars back, that was definitely a pleasant surprise. Lessons? Yea, take the time to make your tracks or designs the way you want them before you send them off don't rely on them to do other things for you and don't be in a rush. Most places will send you a preview so you can see if you are happy with the final copy before they press up your order. If you are planning for a certain release date then go ahead and plan far enough ahead to allow for that.

Have you had any memorable battles? Tell us about it.

Naw, if i'm in a cypher it's just spittin' with the whole love vibe. I haven't had anyone try to battle me.

I can see you spend a lot of time writing rhymes, you iz a true rhyme sayer, what are you trying to achieve with your rhymes? Is it more about education?

It sure seems that way doesn't it. I'd like to think I can adapt to all styles. I like all types of hip hop from underground to commercial, I like thought provoking topics and I like to party and hit the clubs too. I use to live in the clubs in Waikiki. So I'm not going to just limit my music to one type because I myself am more than just one type. I write what I feel. If you give me a beat and the vibe I get from the beat says "let's party" then my rhymes will be more about that. The beat usually tells me what to write, unless I just have something on my mind and it starts to come out and I write without a beat. I think that even if it's a party joint I can still maintain my own style writing style at the same time. The 'education' types that I write are usually what comes out of me most so I just let it flow. I often get that my words are too complex, that by time it registers what I just said that I'm on to something else and they are lost, but what can I do?

How does it feel to have people like from South Africa knowing about you? Any fans from other parts of the world?

Ha, I don't know if I have any fans at all much less from any other country. I have had people come up to me after a show and be like "your rhymes are dope". I had one girl come to me and tell me that she loved how deep my lyrics were. It does trip me out though that there are heads in South Africa that have at least read the review and have heard of me even if they haven't heard my music.

Who dat guy in the video with you? 

That's my man Fayce. He's a cat I met here in Florida. I produce for him and we do music together. We do our own thing too but we are fam and act as a duo when need be. You will hear more about him coming up. We have other stuff.

What emcees are you feeling right now?

Well, I try to keep my interests varied. I've been bumping this cat Lewis Parker and this DJ from Japan, Muro and i'm liking the feel of that new Nas joint, it's got that old school vibe. I know I'm gonna catch comments but Angie Martinez gets rotation on my speakers too these last few months. I'm holding out for Rakim to shut ish down and was looking for Paris to come with his joints maybe I missed it.

Heard any shit coming from Europe or Africa?

I haven't heard anything from Africa but yea I get put on stuff from Europe from several heads I know.

What's next for Timid?

Well, I'm just working on some new tracks. I have been entertaining the idea of putting out a 12" vinyl joint. Before that, I will drop about 5 cuts for free, I'm gonna try to contact a few sites and see if they will just host them joints as a free download to get heads a bit more familiar with me. I did an EP with Pizon and this other cat Killah from New York. Also, dropped on a mixtape, i'm waiting for that to come out. I've got a show next month here for Valentines Day and one in March in Massachusettes with Pizon. Next week I'm flying over to London for a couple weeks, I might record something with a friend out there and peep the scene over there. I've got some other things I've been looking into. I want to do some more shows and get on at some of these upcoming music conferences.

What do you hate the most, blatant honesty or ass kissers?

Ass Kissers. Blatant honesty is hard to take at times but you get the real. It always feels good to get your ego stroked but when it counts it doesn't help you in the long road.

Any last words?

Just, big up's to you and Africa's Gateway for taking the interest and contacting me for this interview. For those who haven't heard my joints, take a listen, there's more to hip hop than the same cats you listen to on the radio 50 times a day, hell the other stuff my surprise you. If anyone wants to contact me, get at me. New things are going on, look out for it.

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