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Vonnegutt’s Kyle Lucas Talks Big Boi, Upcoming Projects and the Everlasting Impact of Joe Budden
The successes of Kyle Lucas have not come overnight and he’ll be the first to admit it. As not just a solo artist but also the frontman for Alternative Hip-Hop group Vonnegutt, Lucas has had his fair share of ups and downs over the years. Things do however seem to finally be falling into place and with the recent release of his new solo project, It’s Always Sunny In Marietta 2, Lucas has a fresh outlook on the industry and the things he needs to do to conquer it. AllHipHop.com spoke to the Marietta, Georgia native about his most recent offering to the fans, the status of his relationship with Purple Ribbon founder Big Boi, what he’s working on currently and much more. Check out our exclusive interview with Kyle Lucas below: How do you find the time to juggle all the projects you’re a part of and prioritize one over the other? Kyle Lucas: Well honestly from the outside looking in it looks way more hectic and crazier than it really is. You know Vonnegutt just released a project in December so I’ve had some time and while I was touring with the group and recording our album for the past few years I had been doing a track here and there so [It’s Always Sunny In Marietta 2] is just a collection of songs and emotions from the past year and a half. I didn’t just sit down and bang out 17 songs for the project. It was just something I was doing on the side and turned out to be way iller than I thought it would be. So right now that’s kind of been the focus. Congrats by the way on releasing the Vonnegutt album last year. How does it feel to finally have that out in the fans’ hands? Kyle Lucas: Man it’s been incredible because as a band, like four members of a band, that album was everything to us. We spent like four years on it doing different pieces here and there on tour and doing stuff with [Big Boi] and just piecing together that album. Unfortunately it didn’t do well but to us it’s such a milestone because behind the scenes and the amount of struggle that we all went through to get an album out, it’s just a labor of love. The day that it came out was just like a four-year weight off my shoulders. You said it didn’t do that well which I assume means sales wise. How does that affect the process of working on a follow-up to Falling Up the Stairs? Kyle Lucas: I mean to be honest we haven’t really worked on anything new. Two of the guys got other gigs so they can’t tour as much so me and Taylor, the drummer, just started doing my solo stuff and touring on that. So it was never like we broke up or anything, we just financially and emotionally were kind of drained by the time it came out. I know Neil who plays guitar in the group sent me a bunch of demos so when the time comes we’ll be at a better place to release another album. [Falling Up the Stairs] just kind of drained us to get it out there. What about your association with Big Boi’s Purple Ribbon imprint? Is that just a deal that was struck with Vonnegutt or are you signed as a solo artist as well? Kyle Lucas: No I never signed a solo deal with Big Boi, that was just a deal for Vonnegutt, which was a joint venture with Average Joe’s. So the Vonnegutt album only came out under Purple Ribbon/AVJ. I’m kind of just being independent right now. How hands-on was Big Boi during the process of creating that album and what’s your current relationship with him like? Kyle Lucas: Oh yeah he was very hands-on. He told us what he liked and what he didn’t like and he definitely gave his two cents. I haven’t really spoken to him in a couple months to be honest. I know he’s doing his thing, but there is definitely no bad blood. That’s the homie for life and he’s my favorite artist. If I ever need anything he’s got me and vice-versa. Recently you released a new solo project, It’s Always Sunny In Marietta 2. For someone who might just be discovering Kyle Lucas, what would you say is the definitive track that they should be checking for on that? Kyle Lucas: I think musically I’m at my best on that project. I think “Red Wine and Xanax” would be the track because it represents a true story and I’m very big on being super honest and you can tell when you listen to my music that I’m super self-deprecating and super honest. Lyrically, I think “Coffee Break” flow-wise is pretty on-point and then “Worth It,” the song I did with Johnny Craig kind of set off the whole vibe for our project so I’d probably say those three. You can definitely bounce around though too. Specifically on It’s Always Sunny 2 you worked with someone like STS who I am a huge fan of as well as people like Pretty Lights, GLC and Boi-1da. What other collaborations have you done recently that people should get excited for? Kyle Lucas: Man this stuff I’m doing with Johnny Craig… We’re about to light s### up right now with this one. I haven’t really worked with anyone else recently aside from being in the studio with him recently ‘cause that’s my main focus and then I’m probably going to work on a solo EP to sell on iTunes sometime during Warped Tour this summer. That’s dope you like STS though, he’s like my family and homie. I saw him open for Travis Barker and Mix Master Mike a couple years ago in New York and the crowd didn’t really get into him for whatever reason but that was the moment I became a fan […]
DOWNLOAD: Mick Boogie And Hypetrak Team Up To “Represent The Stripes” With Slum Village, Action Bronson And More
(AllHipHop News) DJ Mick Boogie has teamed up with Hypetrak to release an 18-track mixtape titled Represent the Stripes as an homage to Adidas’ #represent campaign and to help build some musical awareness and anticipation for the 2012 Summer Olympic games which begin this Friday (July 27) in London. Represent the Stripes features new music and appearances from the likes of Slum Village, Big Pooh, Action Bronson, Kids These Days, King L, Troy Ave, OnCue, STS, Chip Tha Ripper, and many more. Production on the tape is provided by Chi Duly, Mell and D, Party Supplies, Block, DJ Uneek, Fly Union, , and more. Hypetrak said of the mixtape, “Mick Boogie was so impressed with the upcoming Adidas #represent campaign that he decided to make a mixtape paying homage to it: “Represent The Stripes.” The project ties in the ideals of the Adidas campaign with the patriotism of the Olympics going on this month…hence the double entendre of “Represent The Stripes.” More of an exclusive, awesome compilation than a mixtape, this project features a who’s who of dope new rappers and some legends as well!” Stream and download Represent the Stripes below: http://soundcloud.com/hypetrak-1/sets/mick-boogie-hypetrak-represent
Music Review: Statik Selektah – Population Control
STATIK SELEKTAH’S MC-PACKED PROJECT RELEASES TODAY!