the bottleneck

Architect is a cat that I always respected. His beats been dope from day one. I got up on him thru his early Stones Throw projects. He really set himself apart from a lot of the stuff I was hearing. He’s always doing something creative and original. And that’s the direction we’re going in with this project     

2. Vulture’s Wisdom, Volume One is the first part in a triology. Are you going to be working with any other artists on the follow up albums?

Keep checkin our myspace, youtube etc. We have gems to drop. Currently we’re keeping a lot of the details of the other records under wraps right now. We just want to focus on Volume one and allow time for cats to absorb this energy. Phase 2 is coming soon. But I think people will pleasantly surprised when they see what we’ve done… 

3. What is on the DVD that comes with the album?

Man to keep it real I’m an insomniac, so whenever I’m at home on the late night puffin that Northern Killa Cali I’m mostly watching cartoons and videos. With the DVD we tried to bring the two things together. Like you’re channel surfing between the 2. It’s hot! We got cartoons as interludes and videos for a lot of the songs on the album. The Original Lyricist video where I’m at the Raiders game really captured the essence of the song. And my man Justin Herman killed it on Some Superfly Shit! He made my raps come to life… 

4. When did you first notice the ‘hyphy movement’, Did it fit in to what you and your crew were doing?

Hyphy is not givin a fuck! They been feelin like that in Oakland for as long as I can remember. And history shows that it was like that even before I was born. The “Hyphy Movement” is the new age of that energy. But it ain’t brand new, and it ain’t all funny and jokey. It’s hardcore and underground, pushing away from the status quo because it’s so wild. You can’t contain Hyphy. To many it appears to spiral out of control and that terrifies the mainstream. But underneath, it’s all organized confusion. It fits into what me & my crew is doing because on one level it helps put our life experience in context. People would think that since we’re from CA that we had Crips and Bloods in Oakland. Or that we drove around in 64 impalas with hydraulics. We respect LA but the Bay has its own separate identity. The hyphy movement shows that California has a diversity of thought that doesn’t exist in many places on earth. And the bay is a key element to that identity. We stay connected and respected peep “The House That Hiero Built” in the SF Bay Guardian…

5. I saw you play Jazz Café in London with the rest of Souls of Mischief and Zion I a few years ago.  That was a tight show.  Do you think you’ll get out to New Zealand any time soon! 

I’ve actually been to New Zealand when I was like 12 or 13. It was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I’ve always wanted to go back. I went to both islands and had a great experience there. I know the dude is Australian but I got to listen to Rodney Rude when out there, I’ll never forget that shit man. I wanna come back. From Oakland To Auckland!!!!

6. Hieroglyphics have kept pretty prolific over the years. Are their any plans for a new Hieroglyphics album?

We have some things in the works as we speak. Be on the lookout, it’s fa sho comin’.

7. Are there any new artists from the Bay Area that we should look out for?

Peep out my man Knobody outta Oakland. He’s the truth… 

8. What do you listen to when you’re not listening to hip-hop?

Shit I listen to everything from Salsa to Classical. Recently I’ve been bangin a lot of Isaac Hayes RIP he was a genius and the embodiment of soul. My heart goes out to his family he will be deeply missed.

9. Finally, what are your top 5 current tunes at the moment?

Pursuit of the Pimp Mobile: Isaac Hayes 
Hung Up On My Baby: Isaac Hayes 
Dope Fiend Beat: Too Short
Creator: Santogold
Too Drunk To Fuck (Live): Dead Kennedys

Thanks man, dope album!! peace