MadHouse Academy – Q&A Interview

Tell us a little about yourselves. Where are you guys originally from? How long have you been making Hip Hop solo and collectively?

EV: Riko and I linked up back in 2002? ..I believe. We both were already writing music, and recording over beats. Back than, Riko went by the name Relevent. Hearing his tracks back than, you could definitely hear the Canibus/Nas influence. Couple years after he shortened his name from Relevent to Rel. Riko is originally from the 310 Carson/Torrance, CA.

Riko: Ev was into Big L and Pac. You could most definitely hear the Big L influence back then for sure. He was already linked up with a local producer and a couple of artists. Those were the days when it was a lot of writing sessions, spittin’ on hand-held mics, recording raw records. I’ve always known him to rep Buena Park, CA.

EV: When I first met Riko, the bars he was spittin’ at that time stood out, and he was seriously ahead of his time, still is today. As the years passed by, just like most groups we parted ways. But I mean from 2002 till present day Riko and I have bounced in and out of projects together randomly. We’ve teamed up a couple of times throughout the years, so this is definitely not new to us.

Fast forward 2014, Riko and I are grown. Still rappin’ in our 30’s but music is a part of our souls. It’s a war inside and it is also our peace. It’s an outlet we use to escape while being able to express ourselves.

To answer the second question. We’ve always been solo artists, like I said we’ve teamed up on numerous occasions, but collectively as The MadHouse? The academy was born this year. 2014.

What influences you in making Hip Hop as a group?

Riko: The fact that there are not many ill duos in HipHop anymore. We are influenced by the Nas and Az’s, Red and Meths, Jada and Styles.

Describe your music, and what separates you from other MCs?

Riko: Our music is based on the philosophy that lyrics always come first, bars over beats. Making a statement off pure talent alone.

EV: I feel like we are the last of a dying breed. Not too many rappers spit bars out here.

Who have you collaborated with? Who would you like to collab with in the near future?

EV: I’ve mainly collaborated with local artists and producers. I dream of collaborating with Dre or Primo. That would be amazing.

Riko: I’ve collaborated with Bizzy Bone, Niki Flores, Jah-Free, Fingazz.. and many others. Honestly if the producer knows his stuff and the beats are on point, names don’t matter. I just wana make good hip hop music.

Your definition of “Underground Hip Hop”?

Riko: To me I’ve always looked at underground music as the preserved, diamond in the rough hip hop. The seed that gets very little light and tho it grows little on the surface its roots are strong.

EV: Underground hip hop is art that comes from a dark place. But the outcome is bright and soulful. Underground hip hop is competitive, just like a sport. Underground hip hop is for the poetic minds and the creative creatures. Underground hip hop is RAW and unfiltered.

Production wise, who are your influences? Who does your production?

Riko: Production wise we are influenced by the likes of Dj Premier, Just Blaze, 9th Wonder, Dr Dre, etc…

EV: I’ve been messing with the same producers since 2005. Its crazy I’ve seen them grow as producers, and literally our relationship has been through internet. Some of my goto libraries are from producers like Mister KA, Diamondstyle, BlackLight, Shadow, and I also produce as well. Production wise, I’d say my infuences include Will I am, Dre, and Primo.

And who would you like to work with?

Riko: We would like to work with any producer who can lay out the right canvas for our art. Names aren’t really important at this stage of our journey.

Any current or future projects you are promoting?

EV: The current project is the Madhouse “No Vacancy” EP. Honestly I wish I could send UGHHB.com a copy of the full EP right now, but it’s still in the mastering process. We released 2 songs off it just to spread the word, and gain some ears. We are looking to release the full EP in December 2014. No solid date yet. But I’m hope you guys could wait for the release so we could get your feed back. I definitely would send it to UGHHB.com the moment its ready to release.

Can you give us a brief description of the creative process of No Vacancy EP?

Riko: Ev House was in charge of the beat selection, he has a good ear in staying consistent in making sure that every beat compliments the next. He’s linked up with some good indie producers via internet.

EV: These producers I mess with have libraries of all kinds of beats. I literally sift through them looking for beats where the lyrics come out easiest. I believe if the lyrics come out quick and natural….. the artist and that beat are ONE. You the artist have to feel the music fully in order for it to capture the best in you. Make sense?

We focused on each song as if it was our last. Wrote and did test recordings on our voice recorders and sent them back to each other. Finish one, than move onto the next. At the 7th song, we booked studio time and recorded it @ Di Carlo Studios in Rancho Cucamunga, CA.

We wanted to do a project the way we’ve always wanted to do it. Sraight rap, bars, no filter, no trying to be something we’re not. Strictly just, bars, what we grew up on.

The cool thing about the No Vacancy project is half way through it we both auditioned to get on The Cypher Effect. We both made it in the platform and performed for them.

Also/ tell us a little bit about the concept and idea behind your Album Cover Art.

EV: We definitely seperate ourselves from MC’s in our lyrics. Lyrically its a f#ckin MadHouse, and for all you wack emcees there’s No Vacany here. The mask reprisents the horror film references we used in our intro song, “Welcome to the Madhouse”. …. ‘When I appear its like Jase-in ya nightmares’ ….. ‘Hockey team hockey mask’. That record was the first song we worked on and it really set a bar for the whole project.

Where can we find your music and info?

You can always find us at www.madhousehiphop.com/

Any shout outs?

Riko: First and foremost God, our families

EV: Family and friends. Besides music they both keep me sane. Huge shout out to UndergroundHipHopBlog.com for featuring us on your site. We appreciate the love and hope to collaborate so with you guys in the near future. Much love and respect for supporting the culture.