Evidence Interview
The Boy Hollywood
CHAMP: What’s goodie Evidence, what are you up to at the current moment?
Evidence: I just got off the Still High Tour with Red & Meth, Alchemist & myself with the direct support we were killing it every night. ALC is currently promoting, “The Alchemist Cookbook EP" dropping Nov 18th and I am promoting, “The Layover Ep" dropping November 25th. We have a new group we formed called, “Stepbrothers" so we are getting people used to seeing us on stage now.
CHAMP: Now we're getting ready to drop “The Layover” EP, how long was the process for this album?
Evidence: It was kinda quick to be honest, like 2 months to put it together. Well, Its wasn't that simple actually, 3 of the joints were originally slated for, “Cats &Dogs" my official 2nd LP dropping next year. I just don't ever want to fall into the mode of, "falling in love with my music" so I decided not to hold records for a year and just get them out now, and make better stuff later. Those 3 songs are, “The Cold Weather" "For Whom The Bell Tolls" feat Phonte,Blu,& Will I Am. & "To Be Determined" feat Elzhi & Aloe Blacc. “For Whom The Bell Tolls” originally had just me rapping on it, same with "To Be Determined". I think I will release those versions later or something. Being that this is an EP not my next LP, I wanted to take some of my verses off and put them next to voices you have not heard me next to. On, “Cats & Dogs" I’m going to keep the guests limited, so now was the perfect time to reach out to a person like Elzhi for example.
CHAMP: I know a lot of readers are wondering; what’s the meaning behind the title “The Layover”?
Evidence: At first it was only going to be a 5 song download I was going to do with KHRYSIS. We were on tour last year when I was opening up for Little Brother. We were making beats in the back of the bus a lot, and had an idea about a "Layover" to hold people off till "Cats & Dogs". It was gonna be all his beats, all my rhymes. The plan changed over the year, but I made sure to give Khrysis the 1st double A side 12inch. "THE LAYOVER" & "FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS" are produced by him. I made sure to get those 2 records out 1st so his vibe still set the tone for my EP. Also..EP's only have to be 5 songs. I made mine 9 songs and included a DVD with 6 video's all for an EP price, WOW!
CHAMP: Now the last album “The Weatherman” was bananas. What was the direction you were trying to go with this project?
Evidence: Who the hell knows? *laughs* I’m just going on a journey; let’s see where it takes me. My goal is to start selling out shows around the 500- person capacity level anywhere in the world- one step at a time. This is my main goal.
CHAMP: Of course we got The Alchemist on this joint, but the big surprise to me was Will.I.Am on the track. How was the chemistry between y'all?
Evidence: I grew up with him. It went like this; Call friend who has his number, write number down, wait 10 minutes and smoke a bowl, call Will, get warm response, cut bullshit and ask for a hook, I then get asked to send a session,1 day later hook is in Gmail. He is amazing for that one.
CHAMP: Who else do we got featured on this album and who else do we got on the production credits?
Evidence: Defari, Fashawn, Blu,Phonte, Elzhi, Aloe Blacc, Krondon…dope. Beats by Alc, Ev, Khrysis, Sid Roams, & Babu.Cuts by Revolution & Babu.
CHAMP: Now you dropped the “So Fresh” joint with Alchemist and a video as well. Who directed that video and what video do we got coming next?
Evidence: Antonio Scarlatta directed it. He's some Italian grease ball who sweats too much, but the video came out great. Alchemist is the man on the Kickflips. "Don't Hate" feat Defari VIDEO is dropping this Tuesday!! and the following Tuesday (RELEASE DAY) I’m dropping the, “SOLITARY CONFINEMENT" video! I’m on one right now.
CHAMP: With “The Layout” is the final copy exactly how you wanted it to be when you initially started preparing the album?
Evidence: TO THE TEE.
CHAMP: What's poppin' with Dilated Peoples?
Evidence: We hate each other. Rakaa f*cked all my groupies so we don't talk much anymore.
CHAMP: Going back to the album from what I gathered it kind of seems sort of biographical. Is it gonna be in story form?
Evidence: Nope, Didn't overcook this meal. It's just right! You don't have to mentally prep yourself to enjoy this EP, just pop it in and go.
CHAMP: Now an artist such as yourself who makes righteous music that hip hop fans can respect, witnessing the change in hip hop do you feel that at any point hip hop will be back to what is use to, or do you feel it will definitely conflict with the evolution in hip hop?
Evidence: It’s here now. All my current favorite Emcees are not on TV or Radio and if I am basing how dope they are on sales, well then they ALL suck. *laughs* the industry is trying to play catch up! I am on the other side right now.
CHAMP: What else do we have next for Evidence and when are you hitting up Toronto?
Evidence: SO MUCH SHIT. I swear .I'm overly motivated right now. Not gonna talk about, I’m gonna be about it!
THE LAYOVER - EVIDENCE
