Today I got the chance to catch up with one of the most talented and
dedicated people I associate with. Pasadena, CA's own, XL Middleton. We
talk about the importance of overseas fans and future plans he has. His music speaks for itself, but lets find out what Angry Asian has to say!
Beads: What's Going On. You want to just take a minute and introduce
yourself.
XL Middleton: Whats good this is Yours Tipsy, XL Middleton aka
Intelligence Wrapped In A Ignorant Package!!!
Beads: One thing that separates you from a lot of artists is the fact
you press up actual albums, even dating back to 2003. What's the
reasoning behind this? More dedication to your music perhaps?
XL Middleton: I like to think of myself as that dude with the LA swagger
and the Bay Area mentality. I've always respected them up North for
going out and getting it instead of waiting around for the major label
deal that might not come. I mean, grinding out the trunk just opens
those doors to that major label money anyway. And for me, it's opened
doors to push my music overseas in Europe and Japan where a lot of
artists don't know how to get their music to. Mixtapes are cool, but if
keep giving you free music, why would you pay for my album when I
finally release it?
Beads: Good points. Now for those who aren't familiar with your music,
how would you describe it?
XL Middleton: To be honest if you asked me this question a year from now I will give you a completely different answer because it's
ever-changing. People know me for that West Coast style but that's not
all I do. I plan to re-invent myself to where I got that West Coast shit
in the fold but I bring my other modes to the table just as much. I
always feel like I've brought a different twist to what people think of as traditional West Coast hip hop. I've tried to add that deep level of lyricism to it, but at the same time a lot of people look at West Coast hip hop as corny, because right now it has so little relevance to the music industry as a whole. We got to accept that it's not 1996 anymore, that means we're not setting the trends right now, we've got to acknowledge what's hot and do it in such a way that it's not just copying other artist's formulas to get rich quick, we've got to create a sound that is distinctly our own, something new.
Beads: See, that's the one thing about you. You can spit over a G Funk
Beat and spit some thought provoking lyrics. What's your approach to
writing?
XL Middleton: See I come from that generation of hip hop when lyricism
was truly appreciated. When Canibus had that huge buzz as the newcomer
to watch out for, the days of Illmatic, Reasonable Doubt, Capital
Punishment. I was never on that 1-2-3 shit, I can't just do a song about
"let's hop in the ride and smoke a blunt" or whatever. If I write a song
it's because I really want to address the topic at hand.
Beads: That's what's up. As a producer, if you could pick any three
artists to produce a whole album for, who would they be?
XL Middleton: I would say Nas, as an artist he's just a personal
favorite of mine so it would be dope for me. Second I would say it's a
tie between Ras Kass and Canibus, because the consensus in the hip hop
world is that they are incredible lyricists who don't pick good beats.
Me personally, I've never had a problem with their beat selections but
like I said, that seems to be the consensus. It would be a challenge for
me because I'd be working not only to create dope music with them but to
help erase that stigma. Beyond that, I would wanna branch out beyond hip
hop. I'd love to produce an album for any of the DeBarges.
Beads: That would be dope. For real. Since were on the topic of beats.
Do you offer any packages for beats? Or do prices range depending on the
beat?
XL Middleton: I was advertising beat packages for a while through my
website but I fell back on that. I'm an artist, I'm a legitimate
producer, I'm not some dude sitting at home trying to make some extra
cash slanging beats through Myspace. My thing is, if you're really
serious about making something happen, we can talk business! But that's
on a case-by-case basis, all these cats with these $20 beat packages are
taking too much of the artistry out of it. I know it's a business but
when you lower your own value that much, it cheapens our craft as a
whole and makes you look like you're just trying to cash out real quick so you can pay this month's rent or whatever.
Beads: Now before we talk about the new album, lets look back a little.
Out of all the albums you've made, which one do you feel best represents
XL Middleton?
XL Middleton: I mean, of course I feel that my new album is the best
representation of XL Middleton, but all of them represent me well, at
least where I was at the time when I made them. When I made the first
"Drunken Evening" album, I was a party animal, if I wasn't in the studio
or on the grind I was out having fun, drinking, doing whatever. Now I'm
married, I'm more laid back, I still party but at the same time I'm
doing my grown man thing. "Barliament Drunkadelic" is going to be my
last album title that carries any reference to alcohol in it!
Beads: Since its been brought up now. Tell us about Barliament
Drunkadelic!
XL Middleton: Well, basically I promise you my best work to date on this
album. Every song has a purpose on the album. There's only a few party
songs, most of the songs are real conceptual. Some of the people that
have heard it so far tell me that it gives them that same feeling they
used to get when they would give that first listen to albums back in the
90's. I created that whole album with the purpose of making good music
in mind. There's no club/radio songs, granted there's a time and place
for that commercial stuff but "Barliament Drunkadelic" was not that time
or place. I went on some hip hop message boards and started a few blogs
asking people what it was they wanted to get out of an album, what qualities they feel that their favorite albums have. If the people
don't like it then it's a wrap, so I took it straight to them to see how I
could make the best record possible.
Beads: I've heard it and trust me, its crazy. Cuz you go from Don't Hate
to Pop Lock Funk and you perfect each type of track. Even though they
are completely different. Do you feel that's one of the things hip hop
is missing? The willingness to experiment with different topics and
styles.
XL Middleton: Yeah, of course. I mean, I understand it because cats are
trying to make money and all that experimental shit carries a lot of
risk because it might not sell. The way I figure it is, right now I'm
not signed to a major so it's the best time to just do whatever I want
with my music. A lot of these dudes are worried about having club
friendly, radio hits and their shit is not even getting spins in the
club or getting played on the radio, so what is the point? Just make
music, good music!
Beads: Typically, in the states every rapper wants to be the king of
their city and states. But as you mentioned earlier, you have a solid
fan base overseas. Can you explain the importance of overseas love a
little bit.
XL Middleton: From what I've seen, the fans over there are very loyal.
If you go for a few years without dropping a new record, they don't
think you fell off, they don't lose faith in you. When I was out in
Japan, DJ's we're coming up to me, giving me mixtapes they had made -
out there they still make mixtapes in the true sense where they just put
together a bunch of songs they have - and they had shit on these
mixtapes I had forgotten about, and in some cases had never even heard
in the first place! Having the support of my fans overseas has been
critical to my success overall.
Beads: Now with all that being said, what's next for XL?
XL Middleton: My goals right now are bigger than they've ever been.
Basically it's time to really get it! Right now we're just working on a
major label situation overseas which could eventually open some doors
over here. But that I'm not gonna speak on too much until it's really
concrete. I'm focusing on production too, I've got some stuff cracking
with some big, huge names that would blow you away if I mentioned them,
but once again it's all a matter of timing. Once shit is official I'll be speaking on it. I'm looking to fuck with more R&B than hip hop as
far as working with other artists. But like I said when things are official
you will hear about it.
Beads: Before we end this, you want to just tell the people they can buy
the album and when it will be available.
XL Middleton: You can get it straight from my website
www.crowncityentertainment.com. But I know a lot of people don't feel
comfortable getting it from artist websites, so it will also be
available through cdbaby.com later this month and further down the line
from other sites like Tower Records and Amazon. But you can buy the CD
or the download this Tuesday, November 13th from
www.crowncityentertainment.com !!!
Beads: I'm sure ill have a few for the east coast as well. For those
interested. Now go ahead and give your shout outs.
XL Middleton: All my folks worldwide, it's too many to name!
"Barliament Drunkadelic" hits Nov. 13th, make sure you get that!
Beads: I appreciate you taking the time out to chop it up and let the
people know what's going on.
[email protected]
[email protected]
dedicated people I associate with. Pasadena, CA's own, XL Middleton. We
talk about the importance of overseas fans and future plans he has. His music speaks for itself, but lets find out what Angry Asian has to say!
Beads: What's Going On. You want to just take a minute and introduce
yourself.
XL Middleton: Whats good this is Yours Tipsy, XL Middleton aka
Intelligence Wrapped In A Ignorant Package!!!
Beads: One thing that separates you from a lot of artists is the fact
you press up actual albums, even dating back to 2003. What's the
reasoning behind this? More dedication to your music perhaps?
XL Middleton: I like to think of myself as that dude with the LA swagger
and the Bay Area mentality. I've always respected them up North for
going out and getting it instead of waiting around for the major label
deal that might not come. I mean, grinding out the trunk just opens
those doors to that major label money anyway. And for me, it's opened
doors to push my music overseas in Europe and Japan where a lot of
artists don't know how to get their music to. Mixtapes are cool, but if
keep giving you free music, why would you pay for my album when I
finally release it?
Beads: Good points. Now for those who aren't familiar with your music,
how would you describe it?
XL Middleton: To be honest if you asked me this question a year from now I will give you a completely different answer because it's
ever-changing. People know me for that West Coast style but that's not
all I do. I plan to re-invent myself to where I got that West Coast shit
in the fold but I bring my other modes to the table just as much. I
always feel like I've brought a different twist to what people think of as traditional West Coast hip hop. I've tried to add that deep level of lyricism to it, but at the same time a lot of people look at West Coast hip hop as corny, because right now it has so little relevance to the music industry as a whole. We got to accept that it's not 1996 anymore, that means we're not setting the trends right now, we've got to acknowledge what's hot and do it in such a way that it's not just copying other artist's formulas to get rich quick, we've got to create a sound that is distinctly our own, something new.
Beads: See, that's the one thing about you. You can spit over a G Funk
Beat and spit some thought provoking lyrics. What's your approach to
writing?
XL Middleton: See I come from that generation of hip hop when lyricism
was truly appreciated. When Canibus had that huge buzz as the newcomer
to watch out for, the days of Illmatic, Reasonable Doubt, Capital
Punishment. I was never on that 1-2-3 shit, I can't just do a song about
"let's hop in the ride and smoke a blunt" or whatever. If I write a song
it's because I really want to address the topic at hand.
Beads: That's what's up. As a producer, if you could pick any three
artists to produce a whole album for, who would they be?
XL Middleton: I would say Nas, as an artist he's just a personal
favorite of mine so it would be dope for me. Second I would say it's a
tie between Ras Kass and Canibus, because the consensus in the hip hop
world is that they are incredible lyricists who don't pick good beats.
Me personally, I've never had a problem with their beat selections but
like I said, that seems to be the consensus. It would be a challenge for
me because I'd be working not only to create dope music with them but to
help erase that stigma. Beyond that, I would wanna branch out beyond hip
hop. I'd love to produce an album for any of the DeBarges.
Beads: That would be dope. For real. Since were on the topic of beats.
Do you offer any packages for beats? Or do prices range depending on the
beat?
XL Middleton: I was advertising beat packages for a while through my
website but I fell back on that. I'm an artist, I'm a legitimate
producer, I'm not some dude sitting at home trying to make some extra
cash slanging beats through Myspace. My thing is, if you're really
serious about making something happen, we can talk business! But that's
on a case-by-case basis, all these cats with these $20 beat packages are
taking too much of the artistry out of it. I know it's a business but
when you lower your own value that much, it cheapens our craft as a
whole and makes you look like you're just trying to cash out real quick so you can pay this month's rent or whatever.
Beads: Now before we talk about the new album, lets look back a little.
Out of all the albums you've made, which one do you feel best represents
XL Middleton?
XL Middleton: I mean, of course I feel that my new album is the best
representation of XL Middleton, but all of them represent me well, at
least where I was at the time when I made them. When I made the first
"Drunken Evening" album, I was a party animal, if I wasn't in the studio
or on the grind I was out having fun, drinking, doing whatever. Now I'm
married, I'm more laid back, I still party but at the same time I'm
doing my grown man thing. "Barliament Drunkadelic" is going to be my
last album title that carries any reference to alcohol in it!
Beads: Since its been brought up now. Tell us about Barliament
Drunkadelic!
XL Middleton: Well, basically I promise you my best work to date on this
album. Every song has a purpose on the album. There's only a few party
songs, most of the songs are real conceptual. Some of the people that
have heard it so far tell me that it gives them that same feeling they
used to get when they would give that first listen to albums back in the
90's. I created that whole album with the purpose of making good music
in mind. There's no club/radio songs, granted there's a time and place
for that commercial stuff but "Barliament Drunkadelic" was not that time
or place. I went on some hip hop message boards and started a few blogs
asking people what it was they wanted to get out of an album, what qualities they feel that their favorite albums have. If the people
don't like it then it's a wrap, so I took it straight to them to see how I
could make the best record possible.
Beads: I've heard it and trust me, its crazy. Cuz you go from Don't Hate
to Pop Lock Funk and you perfect each type of track. Even though they
are completely different. Do you feel that's one of the things hip hop
is missing? The willingness to experiment with different topics and
styles.
XL Middleton: Yeah, of course. I mean, I understand it because cats are
trying to make money and all that experimental shit carries a lot of
risk because it might not sell. The way I figure it is, right now I'm
not signed to a major so it's the best time to just do whatever I want
with my music. A lot of these dudes are worried about having club
friendly, radio hits and their shit is not even getting spins in the
club or getting played on the radio, so what is the point? Just make
music, good music!
Beads: Typically, in the states every rapper wants to be the king of
their city and states. But as you mentioned earlier, you have a solid
fan base overseas. Can you explain the importance of overseas love a
little bit.
XL Middleton: From what I've seen, the fans over there are very loyal.
If you go for a few years without dropping a new record, they don't
think you fell off, they don't lose faith in you. When I was out in
Japan, DJ's we're coming up to me, giving me mixtapes they had made -
out there they still make mixtapes in the true sense where they just put
together a bunch of songs they have - and they had shit on these
mixtapes I had forgotten about, and in some cases had never even heard
in the first place! Having the support of my fans overseas has been
critical to my success overall.
Beads: Now with all that being said, what's next for XL?
XL Middleton: My goals right now are bigger than they've ever been.
Basically it's time to really get it! Right now we're just working on a
major label situation overseas which could eventually open some doors
over here. But that I'm not gonna speak on too much until it's really
concrete. I'm focusing on production too, I've got some stuff cracking
with some big, huge names that would blow you away if I mentioned them,
but once again it's all a matter of timing. Once shit is official I'll be speaking on it. I'm looking to fuck with more R&B than hip hop as
far as working with other artists. But like I said when things are official
you will hear about it.
Beads: Before we end this, you want to just tell the people they can buy
the album and when it will be available.
XL Middleton: You can get it straight from my website
www.crowncityentertainment.com. But I know a lot of people don't feel
comfortable getting it from artist websites, so it will also be
available through cdbaby.com later this month and further down the line
from other sites like Tower Records and Amazon. But you can buy the CD
or the download this Tuesday, November 13th from
www.crowncityentertainment.com !!!
Beads: I'm sure ill have a few for the east coast as well. For those
interested. Now go ahead and give your shout outs.
XL Middleton: All my folks worldwide, it's too many to name!
"Barliament Drunkadelic" hits Nov. 13th, make sure you get that!
Beads: I appreciate you taking the time out to chop it up and let the
people know what's going on.
[email protected]
[email protected]
