For anyone that might not be too familiar with Phat Kat can you give us a brief introduction?
Phat Kat aka Ronnie Cash, Detroit native. One of the founders of Detroit Hip Hop, thats who I am. Slum Village affiliate, 1st down.
Speaking of 1st down, what was it like back then?
I mean, it was a crazy time, you know. That was when Hip Hop was real competitive. We just felt like that was a great accomplishment at that time, to have something out on a label that was big in Hip Hop.
How did you actually meet Dilla? I know you guys go way back.
The whole Hip Hop scene was real small back then. We met up at this spot Maurice Malone had, this Chinese food spot called Stanleys.
Switching gears to the present, how would you describe the D sound?
I would describe the Detroit sound as like soulful, with a little techno feel and aggressive.
Do you think theres any connection with the fact that Detroit is also the home of Motown?
Definetly, we like to chill in the Motown.
Going more towards you and your style personally, what were your influences?
As an MC? All the greats, from the Grandmaster Caz, the KRS-Ones, the Big Daddy Kanes, all the greats. Ice Cube.
Youve been through a lot, can you tell us about some of the things youve had to endure in the industry?
Its been a real rocky road, but I wouldnt change anything for nothing because it made me who I am today. I went from the label folding; to albums keep getting pushed back. A lot of setbacks, people passing away, you name it. Theres been a lot of shit, but its made me who I am today so I cant say I would change things.
Speaking of label situations, what is it about LOOK records that made you want to give them a chance?
The cat over at LOOK, when he reached out to me and called me, the first conversation we had, I mean you can tell a lot about a person by the music thathey listen to. We just had so much in common as far as music and the views that we had on how Hip Hop is now, and we just wanted to be comfortable to put out a project to bring that raw essence that is not heard anymore in the game.
Now, I wanted to talk about the dedication to the suckers 12 inch. Ive heard the story that you and Dilla knocked it out in one night?
Yeah we did that in a couple of hours.
How does that happen?
Well, it went from him making the beats to me dropping the songs.
Just like that, done and done?
Thats how me and Dilla always worked, we had a crazy chemistry. We would just sit there cracking jokes, you know, smoking, he got the headphones on. Hed come up with a beat in like 10 minutes, take the headphones off, the beats banging through the speakers. Load it up, make sure the mics on, show me where to press play, where to stop at, hed press record and go upstairs, Id lay the verse, hed come back down like done and done. Load the next one up, hed talk on the phone, Id lay another song. Thats just how we worked. Thats the whole thing with creating songs, we always looked at it like you get the best quality off the first take thats why every songyou cant keep doing it over because you lose that feel.
I see
If you at home, getting a rhyme together and come to the studio, it should be like you speaking. You should already know the rhyme, you shouldnt have to come in the studio with a notepad or what have you, you should already have the stuff in your head.
Thats how you like to work?
Exactly.
New album, I heard the promo and the album is on point.
Thanks man, I appreciate that bro.
It seems like its all the D on your album, is Truth Hurts from Detroit?
Nah, shes not. Shes the only person thats not from Detroit on the album.
Was that a conscious decision?
Yeah. I mean a lot of people was expecting me to reach out, and by me being cool with a lot of cats thats already big in the industry, they was expecting me to grab the big names but I didnt want to do that I just wanted to really show the world what Detroit has to offer. Just to let people know that we got MCs and producers is hotter than the people yall are paying all these thousands of dollars for.
Ive done interviews with other people, radio in the D dont support. Is that changing?
Nah its worse. Funny you should ask that because I just did an interview right before this, saying how radio is not supporting the Carte Blanche album because of the True Story Pt.2 with House Shoes, because of what were talking about.
What?
Yeah, but its gonna be like a black eye to them because its sad for the listeners. For the listeners of the city, theyre never gonna get to hear to Phat Kat on the radio and Im from Detroit. Its sad that they wont get to hear it.
Now you mention something in your album about the market being easier for you to crack overseas, what is it about overseas audience that makes music like yours more accepted?
Well, the game is not really corrupted yet over there. Its still about the music, its always about he music over there. They dont care about how big your chain is, or how much ice you got on or how big your crew is, its always been about the music at the end of the day. Thats what they appreciate over there and thats how weve been able to go over there and survive and eat.
Speaking of overseas, I was just covering a show in Oslo that House Shoes, Illa Jay, Aloe and Exile did and Illa Jay spilled the beans on the 2nd down thing.
Oh yeah Im real curious about that because that sounds big.
Yeah man, we just decided where we left off. This the new phase, me and Dilla were 1st down, now me and Illa Jay are 2nd down.
Whats the future looking like for you?
The purpose for this album is, I just wanna bring some balance back to the music industry, because right now its wack. Nobody really has a choice to listen, everyones walking around brainwashed, just to let some people hearing some real Hip Hop again, still being made.
Your top 5 Dilla beats?
Wow, my top 5? Okay, the Jungle Love joint off the Shining. Wow, this is hardok. The Jungle Love , thats one of them. Cold Steel has to be on there, Dont Nobody Care About Us, Thats three.
Wow...and the De La joint off The Grind Date, the put all things aside.
The Verbal Clap joint?
Exactly! * hums the bassline * That one is hard, that one is hard!
I was on tour with De La in Europe man, and thats how they come onstage. Im in the dressing room and when I heard that I almost fucking lost it. Oh my goodness, that beat right there, wow
I remember buying The Grind Date when it came out and hearing that, I think it was track four or something and being blown away like, yo what is this? And then turning to the credits and being like, of course.
Man, when he played that for me I was just like, you cant be serious. Wow, thats four right? Yeah, one more.
Okay, and the last one, I would have to saydamn this is hard, the joint aah, I cant even say that. The lets do it, the joint off Commons Like Water For Chocolate.
You mean Dooinit?
Exactly!
Oh yeah, the one where he slowed down the Rick James sample
Exactly man!
When I heard the story about Dilla doing that beat blindfolded in that beat battle with ?uestlove, man I lost it.
Yeah man, those five right there.
Was there ever anytime when you heard a Dilla beat and were like, damn, I wish I wouldve gotten on that?
HELL YEAH. Me and Guilty just had a conversation about that, we always talk about that. Theres a couple of beats that I hear and Im like, damn!
Do you have any plans to tour coming up?
Actually Im doing the Carte Blanche tour starting next week on the 11th. Ill be out from the 11th till June 2nd. From the east coast to the west coast, starting on the west coast, then were working our way back east.
You got Slum Village and Illa Jay on that tour with you right?
Exactly, were gonna have fun on that tour.
I also wanted to ask you about the unity in Detroit, because from the outside looking in it seems like a big family.
Yeah man, its like a big family. Whenever someones working on a project, we try to make sure we include everybody.
Is there anything else you want to say before we wrap this interview up?
I want everybody to just listen to the album, if you dont like it, if you see me, Ill give you your money back.
I dont think that would happen too much.
I think artists should start putting money back guarantees on their albums.
Keep all the wack shit out?
Exactly. Once again, Phat Kat. Thanks a lot for doing this and I wish you all the success you deserve with this new album. Thanks a lot.