Doug G – Q&A Interview

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

I’ve always been addicted to music. Growing up in New York I was introduced to a lot of different kinds of music, including the classic New York Hip Hop. That was really the first kind of rap I heard aside from my dad playing classic rock throughout the house. My step father was the one who got me into Erik B. and Rakim and A Tribe Called Quest and it’s hard not to fall in love with that stuff, that was music. I’ve been making Hip Hop since i was 15 years old. That form of writing always made sense to me.

What influences you in making Hip Hop?

Aside from all the old school Hip Hop that inspires me to be honest to my craft and just talk about whatever is on my mind, just every day experiences and situations influences me. Anything from a conversation with somebody to just sitting in my car at a traffic light thinking and looking around at what’s going on.

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

I think the music I make comes from a personal space, but I think others can relate to it because you don’t hear a lot of that in rap anymore. It’s starting to come back though and being your honest self instead of just riding with a gimmick. Also, I would say it’s pretty diverse, there can be a song that I write that’s punchline after punchline, and the next can be about struggling through life.

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

The coolest collaboration was with Diabolic from Viper Records. Madbeast, which was my old group. We did a song with him on our record that was pretty brutal it was like Hip Hop meets Metal. I would honestly like to collaborate with anybody who has something to say in their music and not just what they think is selling or what they think people want them to say.

Your definition of “Underground Hip Hop”?

To me, the definition is just stay true. Be true to yourself and be honest. The point of this culture is to move people with your words. Whether it’s deep or just having fun. Be true to yourself!

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

And who would you like to work with? DJ Premier will always be my number 1 influence. His production hits you hard and it’s catchy. Pete Rock and Q Tip are the reasons I wanted to bring that soul/jazz influence in my music., as well as Statik Selektah. He’s my main influence right now, his production is so crisp and old school soul and jazz influenced. And Kanye West’s sample work is flawless. I produce my own music, and I also work with other up and coming producers. To name a few, James Green (Mastermind Alliance) Cee Zhure, and Mr. Temmtation.

Any current or future projects you are promoting?

Right now, I’m just working on promoting”The Rising Son’ and hoping people recognize that! I’m going to start recording a follow-up to that soon and most of it is written. Also, I’m going to be working with another up and comer Bearded Legend who brings a fresh new sound to the table.

Can you give us a brief description of the creative process of The Rising Son? Also/ tell us a little bit about the concept and idea behind your Album/Mixtape Cover Art.

This album took me about a year and a half altogether. I usually write cooped up in my room like a hobbit, and write and produce for hours. Then when I get into the studio, my friend and engineer Will Harris will suggest some tweaks to make it better. I’m a big fan of horror movies and vintage looking artwork, so I wanted the album cover to look like an old school horror movie poster meets an old jazz album cover. Jesse Lambert of Arch Angel Studios is the man who made it happen and made it look great.

Where can we find your music and info?

You can find my music on Bandcamp at www.dougygthemc.bandcamp.com and on Soundcloud at www.Soundcloud.com/dougygthemc. Also on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/dougygthemc. Feel free to talk to me any time!

Any shout outs?

First of all shout out to you guys for conducting this and showing love to my music! I would like to shout out the man behind the boards and the man who made this album sound better than it ever could have; Will Harris, Bearded Legend, James Green, Cee Zhure, Jesse Lambert, my family and friends obviously, and everybody and anybody supporting real Hip Hop! Thanks ya’ll!