G. Battles – Q&A Interview
Bay Area Hip Hop might just have a new hero in their city and we are talking about you. When did you decide to start making Hip Hop? Who influenced you? How did you get the name G. Battles?
I started making Hip Hop when I was 11 years old. My homies and I started freestyling and writing songs when we were kids. We stared a rap group called West Coast Villanz and we never looked back. Shout out to the Villan MOB! I’ve been influenced by all the legends of hip hop, from 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, Dre Dre, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Big Pun, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Scarface, 8 Ball & MJG, OutKast and UGK. I also grew up on Bay Area legends, you know, them Northern Cali hittaz like E40, Too Short, Deliquents, Seagrum, Keak Da Sneak, C-Bo, Rappin’ 4-Tay, Digital Underground, Mac Mall, Mac Dre and Spice 1.
Who are you biggest influences when it comes to Bay area Hip Hop.
I’d say my biggest influence is E-40, I feel like his style was ahead of his time, and it stood the test of time. He grew with the times, but still remained 40 Water. He also showed the GAME how to be independent, like Too Short as well. Both of those guys are monumental in my eyes!
Congrats on the success of your latest album release, “The Dogg Star”. Feel free to break down the creative process of the project. (features, production, etc).
The Dogg Star is me! I’m showing the world that I’m here to stay, more refined and more defined! If you know anything about astrology, then you know about the The Dogg Star. The album was also influenced by Snoop Dogg, prior to recording the album I had the opportunity to do a song with Snoop Dogg and Rappin’ 4-Tay called “Ride With The Rhythm”. I feel as a hip hop artist the blue print was already laid out for the new generation to follow, The Dogg Star is G. Battles keeping that torch lit! The album features are few because I really want to the fans and new listeners to vibe with me. Shout out Lil’ Nate Dogg, Chief Mainy, Bozzle and Aloe Jo’el for their contribution to the record though, they all did the damn thang on their features. I had some producers on there who you will see me working with in the future, all of them are truly artist’s in their own right. Shout out to Chris P. Beats, MD Traxx Beats, Cal 1, IQP AR-15 and my young homie Swisha Beatz!
We really enjoyed your latest video for “The Dogg Star” with the white back drop. Will you be releasing any more videos from your album?
My next video is the next single off The Dogg Star album titled “Only We Know” produced by Swisha Beatz. It should be on World Star Hip Hop in a few days. We shot the video in West Hollywood on 420 actually, we definitely kept it lit! Big ups to Das 1 on 1 TV and Mikel Cole for directing the visuals.
What are your plans for getting your music out of your local city and let it circulate throughout the nation?
My plan is to keep releasing music, and working social media and digital outlets that expose new talent just like UGHHBLOG. I also plan on gigging more, so look out for me on the road in a city near you. The more I build on my brand, the more I will be in demand.
Are you looking forward to working with other artists near you? Or do you try to keep collabs at a minimum.
Off top, anybody that wants to work with me hit me up. In the mean time, expect more from me, because I aint stoppin’.
What is your definition of “underground hip hop”?
Underground Hip Hop is the oil beneath the surface of the earth, it’s the blood in the veins of the culture. The underground keeps Hip Hop alive. Even when an artist transcends, it’s still important to stay in touch with those underground roots.
Where can people find you on the web? Drop all the vital links.
find me here at:
https://www.instagram.com/gbattles/
https://www.facebook.com/gbattlesmusic
http://gbattles.bandcamp.com/
https://twitter.com/g_battles
Lastly, and shout out?
Shout out to everyone who’s supports my music and my endeavors, I am forever loyal to you and I promise you, I wont stop, it don’t stop!
BlakHart, FredaWorld, 4Horse of course.
