Calicokid – Q&A Interview

Tell us a little about yourself. Where you are from? How long have you been making Hip Hop?

I come from a Hispanic family from Jalisco Mexico.I learned English at the age of 8, I’ve been infatuated with music since I can remember. I am from Santa Ana California,Born & raised. I’ve been making Hip Hop Music for about 8 years, since the age of 17.

What influences you in making Hip Hop?

My core influences are my Family, my Community and daily Life struggles that I go through on a daily basis. It fuels me to continue doing what I’ve been doing regardless if this Music never makes me famous.

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

Well, personally I wouldn’t know how to describe my Music. But if I were to think of a word to describe my Music it would be Rebel Music.
I speak a lot about raising awareness, in a positive and negative way. I make music for people to relate to. To educate our people who life can be beautiful without glamour and money.

What separates me from other Emcees would be the fact that when I write, I put my life up on display. But I do it for people to know where I’m coming from, in hopes they can understand that there is people out there struggling the same way they are and i want to motivate people to better themselves. I spend hours looking at my lyrics trying to figure out a unique cadence and to perfect my rhyme schemes. I practice my lyrics all day when I can.

A lot of Emcee’s nowadays aren’t making Music for the love, or really taking their time to think of meaningful concepts. A lot of Emcee’s tend to be more concerned on earning a dollar, you can never put a price on good quality music. You don’t need a Million dollar Budget to make good quality music, you can have the most expensive equipment and it won’t do you any good if you don’t have the Heart to put out music that will touch people. Bob Marley wasn’t a rich man, he was rich with happiness and that’s what I want.

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

I’ve collaborated with mainly locals like C4mula, Mic Moses, JKing, Phaizrok, InDJnous, Dj Hands One, my label mates Droopy The Don, Teren Generals & Jumpship. I’ve had production done by Loopwholebeats from New York, & Scabbeatz from Tokyo Japan. I’ve gotten the opportunity to have Dj FM from Psycho Realm bless me with Cuts as well as for Dj Kwestion From Jedi Mind Tricks.

Who I would want to work with in the near future if I ever would have the chance, it would Lord Finesse,Brother Ali,O.C. ILL Bill & Evidence from Dilated Peoples. There’s a grip that come to mind, but these people would be ideal to have the chance to sit down with and build some good quality music.

Your definition of “Underground Hip Hop”?

Anyone who is recording gritty and speaking some truth in their music.

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

Production wise, its 9th Wonder, Dj Muggs, MF Doom, Buckwild, & Johnny “J”. 95% of the time I make my own beats and also make all the beats for my label mates.

And who would you like to work with?

I would like the have the chance to work with 9th Wonder, Dj Muggs, & Buckwild. My list goes on and on.

Any current or future projects you are promoting?

Current projects I am promoting are my first Solo Album entitled Intergalactic High and a project I put together with some of my label mates entitled Reflections( a Rhyme Originatorz Collection) both albums are free to download.

Can you give us a brief description of the creative process of INTERGALACTIC HIGH? Also/ what was the idea or concept description about your Album Art Cover.

My creative process is life in general. The cover of my album represents myself missing in the world of Hip Hop music, I showed my kitchen table with certain items you would find in any Latino homes, a bottle of Tapatio, an Avocado, half an Orange and homemade Salsa in a plastic container.

Where can we find your music and info?

You can find my Music on Soundcloud : Calicokid

Youtube: Calicokid/The Immortal Minds

or my Group’s official website theimmortalminds.com all my music and my Label Mates music is free to download. We encourage that strongly.

Any shout outs?

Shout out to my group The Immortal Minds, My label mate and friend Jumpship, everyone who supports me and has helped me through out the years. To all the local Emcees that support my movement I wish you happiness and success. Shout out to all the local Emcees from the Golden State and every State in our Country even Overseas. Keep it real, be humble, be yourself. Much Love and Respect – Calicokid