We managed to catch up with West Coast legend Defari for a quick interview where we discussed his new album “Street Music,” Likwit Junkies and his plans for the future.
Defari: What’s up man?
JD: Hey, how’s it going?
Defari: Alright.
JD: OK, so most people already know you as a classic west coast MC, but those that don’t know, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got started?
Defari: Well, urm, I linked up with E-Swift in ’95, we did my inaugural single which is called “Big Up” and myself and Beanie B created a label called ABB Records and I put out a song called “Bionic” and after that we followed that up with Dilated Peoples first single “Third Degree” and long story short, I went on to sign with Tommy Boy Records and put out my first album called “Focus Daily” in ’99 and since then I’ve had another album, or project even and a group album with DJ Babu called the “L.J.’s”? The Likwit Junkies and I’ve got my third solo album called “Street Music,” which is the bang album.
JD: Yeah, street music came out last week didn’t it?
Defari: Yeah it just came out.
JD: Do you want to tell us a bit about the album?
Defari: Yeah, basically from my many travels abroad and throughout the states I was always asking my fans what they felt my best effort was and they overwhelmingly said “Focus Daily”, so with “Street Music” I took it back to “Focus Daily,” but I just turned it up times 50, you know?
JD: Yeah.
Defari: And I got production from Alchemist, Evidence, Mike City, Eastwood, DJ Babu and Superstar Quamallah and I got guest features from B-Real of Cypress Hill, err, Dilated Peoples, a singer by the name of Noel Skaggs Puffy from Channel Wiles and some other locals like Boo Kapone, Threats, J-Ro from Tha Liks and the album is just custom built for car stereos that are super, that’s what the album is built for.
JD: Do you think it is your best album to date?
Defari: Yeah, I do, but it’s really what the fans think, you know?
JD: Did you have a hard time choosing the final track list because I heard you have been recording songs non-stop for the album?
Defari: Yeah, well, between Likwit Junkies and “Street Music” I had recorded like maybe around 60 songs or something, close to 65 songs. The songs that I picked for “Street Music,” they had to fit a certain mood. They really had to feel like Street to me, so some songs didn’t make it, obviously some of the songs that I had recorded.
JD: Would you put those out on another album or a mixtape?
Defari: I have put some of them on the “Larger Than Life” mixtape that I have out right now.
JD: So which track is your favourite from the album and why?
Defari: Urrm, I really don’t have a favourite man, you know? It varies, I like em’ all really man, but probably my top five would have to be “People Trip,” “The Bizness,” I like “We’ve Been Doin’ This,” errm “Either Dead or in Jail” and the Alchemist joint to “Make My Own.” None of them are…I don’t really have a favourite, you know, they’re all my children you know.
JD: Have you shot any videos for the album yet?
Defari: Nah, not yet, but we’re about to, I’m about to shoot a couple of videos.
JD: You mentioned the Likwit Junkies earlier, have you got any plans to do another album?
Defari: Do I have any new songs for the new album? We just started working on it really.
JD: Will it be out this year or next?
Defari: Realistically, it’s gonna be out next year, with all the releases that ABB has.
JD: You recently performed at Rock The Bells in the US with Dilated Peoples, how was that?
Defari: Ah man, in front of 3,000 people man, it was off the chain.
JD: Is that one of your favourite venues?
Defari: At Rock the Bells? Yeah definitely, that’s a great venue man, its one of those venues in Southern California, I love it when I do that.
JD: Are you on tour at the moment promoting the album?
Defari: Well, I’m spot dating right now, yeah, I’m like on tour out here in LA right, you know. I did a show, we just had a release party, did a few in-stores, just running round like a chicken with his head cut off.
JD: You got any plans to come back over to Europe soon?
Defari: Yeah definitely, most definitely, real soon in fact, next month or in October. I’ve been to the UK a few times.
JD: A lot of people are going to be familiar with you work with Xzibit and your appearance on Dre's "2001." Is there any chance we might see you making a guest appearance on "Detox" when it finally comes out or even Xzibit's new album?
Defari: I honestly don’t know, there’s no telling.
JD: It would be good to see you on them.
Defari: Most definitely, it would be good to see me on them, especially on Dre’s album.
JD: Yeah, heheh. So who are you listening to in music at the moment?
Defari: Well today I have been listening to that Cam’ron album “Killa Season” and that new Alchemist mixtape, when I was driving home I was listening to the Ice Cube album.
JD: Coo, you got any last word or comments?
Defari: Yeah I just want to tell everyone out there, thanks very much for supporting Defari, whether you’re a new fan or a loyal fan and erm the name of the album is “Street Music” and its really the business so you know, it’s a must have in your collection if you love real Hip-Hop and you love the sonic value of next level music, cos my album is custom built for super stereo systems. I encourage everybody to go get the CD.
