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I’m sitting here with Cool Nutz, not Coughnuts from California but Portland, Oregon’s hip hop pioneer. For years he and his childhood friend/business partner, Bosko has been representing for the 503. Now currently signed to Universal records as the group, DBA, he sit and tells us how all the hard work has gotten him where he is but how he still is very much hungry for the recognition as one of the nations hottest lyricist.
Cool Nutz & partner in music Bosko above. Q. Many people are not aware of how deep your resume is. The same goes for the NW region as a whole. It is often slept on. Do you get the proper respect from radio & media in your own backyard (Portland)? Your region? Radio is a real political thing that takes alot of work to conquer. We just got a major radio station in Portland, and they are starting to really get into the local stuff now. All of the personalities are from out of state as well as the PD of the station, so they just now getting in touch with the scene in Portland. I get alot of support from the local media. When your putting it down people can't overlook your contribiutions. I'm a hog within the NW hip-hop scene, and also known throughout the country, so it's hard to not give Jus Family Records any ink. We had to give this to the people and wait for them to give us the stamp of approval. And once the public validates you the radio and press come along with that. I feel like I've done alot for the NW. But I couldn't do it all alone . . . . All the groups out there need to realize that if we support each other it equals combined success. |
Q. What was the hardest
obstacle for you to overcome so far being independent?
The hard part about being independent is funding everything yourself. It
takes alot of money to get the music to the people. I worked in a bakery
for 3 straight years, 15 hours a day to make the money to get the label
started. The financial side is the tough part, being that we have to come
up with the grunyons ourselves to keep the lable afloat. Q. How did you and Bosko meet? Bosko and myself have been friends since the 1st grade. We are like brothers Q. Have you noticed a significant change in radio & media's attitudes since you've signed to Universal? Media is really kicking in with the support. Radio is hard issue even being on a major label. You are competing with all the heavyweights and it takes time to build a record at radio. The major label stuff helps but it still takes alot of work to get these records crackin. We got alot of hot material that will stand up when put in the right places and given the right push.
Q. Do you feel like you are carrying the entire NW on your shoulder or are there a few groups who do their share in your eyes? I feel like I've done alot for the NW. But I couldn't do it all alone. If this DBA stuff does well it will bring the spotlight to the NW. All the groups out there need to realize that if we support each other it leads to combined success. I can't carry the whole NW without the support of the NW. I might be a little further in the game, but I need all the help I can get to keep it moving. There are a number of groups that are bringing the heat and working hard, it's just kind of hard to do it independently these days. I think the NW will keep it crackin, because you got alot of hungry groups out there that progressing on the business side, as well as the music side. Q. Who were some of your influences in the rap game?
The people that influenced me and that influence me today are: Rakim, LL
Cool J, Public Enemy, EPMD, NWA, E-40, Jay Z, The Dogg Pound, Trey Dee,
and Cool Nutz. Q. Any other projects in the work for Cool Nutz? For Jus Family?
We got my new album "I Hate Cool Nutz" featuring E-40, Kurupt, Maniac Lok,
Ray Ray, Phranchise, Mr. D.O.G, and more. The new album from Maniac Lok,
Ray Ray of G-Ism, Phranchise, Bosko solo album, and alot more. We
featured on a number of projects including some stuff from Bow Wow
Records. We just trying to staying busy.
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Q. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
Hopefully having some real money, respect, and fame out the game. I just
want to be successful and have integrity in what I do. I want all the
groups that I work with to be successful also. A strong team means more
then just solo success. We could be the Cash Money, Death Row, No Limit,
Bad Boy, Okay Player of the NW. Q. Alot of people don't know you were the voice at the end of 40's song with Jayo Felony off Element of Surprise. How did you hook that up? Well that big break came when I was at the mansion of E-40 while he was recording the album. You know when all the creative juices are flowin, people get to display their talent. We are real close with the Ambassador of The Bay. Sometimes we jet off to far off Tropical locations and just politic about current affairs. Bosses will be bosses, we are trying to change the world, so we must join forces like Voltron. I know you can underdig that side hob. 40's my weepalizations. Smell me? Any last words? Thanks for having me. Keep it hoggish and doggish. Pimps up, hoes down. Keep it GANGSTA playa. Well there it is. You heard it all right here. You can learn more about Cool Nutz at www.dbamusic.net These are just a few of the CD's he appears on: Cool Nutz- Dis Nigga Nutz Cool Nutz- Playa Vision G-Ism ft./Cool Nutz- On A Mission Jus Family- Northern Conference Allstars Kenny Mack- My Heat Reigns Supreme Izaya- The Next Mr. D.O.G.- WET Cool Nutz- Harsh Game 4 the People Maniac Lok- I'm Back BHP- Family First GreenLeaf Ent.- Rose City Players Cool Nutz- Speakin Upon A Million Mr. D.O.G.- Ghetto Politics Bullet- We Gets Perved PR Records- Seattle:the Darkside part 2 DBA- DBA BNW- "All or Nothing" Sndtrk. BWR2000- NW Ridin DJ FunkDaddy- Mix Vols. 5-8 DJ Earthquake- Aftershock Mix Plus, several more. Also be looking out for that "I Hate Cool Nutz" coming soon |
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