What do you think is the key to the violence in Chicago that makes it such a problem?
It starts in the home. We have to be better fathers and mothers. Our families are disenfranchised. The home is the foundation. Not to say that even with a stable home a child won’t still become a victim of the streets, but a strong household provides a bit of protection and options. Our babies are forced to be men before they are afforded the luxury of being a child.
What do you think can be done about it?
I’m not exactly sure. But I do know, as I said before, it starts in the home. I don’t know if there’s a key or one adjustment we can make, but more so a mentality we have to defeat. The mentality of violence, the pimp mentality, the gangster mentality. We have to rewire our entire thinking. Our entire community. We live in a very ‘right now’ society, our children suffer, the next generation are in societal debt due to our lack of thinking beyond the next “come up” or “lick”.
What has the reaction to the EP been from Chicago natives who were around during those times?
They love it. I’ve received tons of texts and calls from some of the OGs who are thankful I’m paying homage. Most of my music has a socially conscious thread so the older cats get it. They honor the fact that I keep the positive traditions of my community alive through my music. It’s humbling because I admire anyone from our community who made it through the 80s.
What’s your next project?
Film. I’m stepping away from music for a sec to focus on acting. I was just in a short film that premiered at SXSW called Melville. It’s about a former rapper named Marcus who is dealing with the fact he has cancer. He wonders through his day distracted and quiet, acting out at strangers, withdrawn from his wife, and unable to sleep. He ultimately picks the microphone back up to deal with his emotions.