Artist Interview
Name: Abstract Rude
A.K.A.: Ab Rude of Abstract Rude &
Tribe Unique - ATU
Age: 26
Emcee years: 15+ years naturally, 10 years professionally
City: Los Angeles (the part known as South Central)
Label: BattleaxeDiscography: 1994, Project Blowed (Various Artists/Grand Royal); 1996, Underground Fossils (ATU/Basement); 1997, Mood Pieces (ATU/Massmen); 1998, Thynk Taynk (ATU/Massmen); 1999, Haiku De' Tat (Aceyalone, Mikah 9 & Ab Rude/Meanstreet); 2000, Who Framed The A-Team? (Acey & Ab/Meanstreet); 2001, Codename: Scorpion (Ab Rude, Prevail Wonder & Moka Only/Battleaxe); 2002, P.a.i.n.t (ATU/Battleaxe); 2003, Showtyme (ATU/Battleaxe)Website: www.abstractrude.net
Who have you produced for?Y?
Nvee (old school R&B/hip hop female group back in '94), but aside from that I've written songs for many developing artists, and generally produce the hook on most songs I appear on. They call me Captain Hook. But I mainly work under the tuteledge of my longtime producer, Fat Jack.
If you we offered a couple million to put out a pop record would you do it?
If I wrote it and if I dug the record. Funny thing is I think I've written a few unexploited pop records.
What's the biggest common mistake an emcee makes when making music?
The mistake isn't in making the music; it's deciding what to release to the public or not.
Schwarzenegger... for or against?I like his movies... some of 'em.
What do less exposed artists need to know about the music industry?
You still must invest your own money back into your project, and when you're less exposed, you should be dumping every cent back in till you see progress. Then once you see progress, keep working harder. Don't waste time and money either.
If you were to form a line-up for a 2003 Stop the Violence or Self-Destruction record who would you want to star on it?
Well that was the East Coast version so I'd say hmmm, it'd have to be people I could believe wanna stop the violence like KRS One of course, Talib Kweli, Common, Nas, Mos Def, the Roots, Missy, Rah Diggah, Bahamadia, Rakim, Supernatural, Immortal Techniques, Pharoah Monch...cats like that. If it were a 2003 We're All In The Same Gang record it'd be emcees like Jurassic 5, Rakaa, Aceyalone, Medusa, Mikah 9, Del, Ahmad, Ras Kass, myself, Pharcyde, Murs, Awol One, OMD, CVE...heads like that.
If your rhymes were worth their weight in gold what could you buy?
A few gold records would look nice in the collection.
If you could do a remake which would you do?Why?
Several, I can't name one. I'd wanna go back and fix some track is all. Add or fix some vocals. Maybe Fat Jack would wanna fix a snare or mute something different. But hey, no pillars of salt for us-foward.
Do you have a favorite dish?Unagi or Sesamee Seed lightly charboiled Ahi Tuna.
If fans wanted to catch you walking the streets where would they most likely find you?Crenshaw Thursdays or Venice beach weekdaze.
C
an you think of a oneliner that disses "fast and furious" type cars?
"I'm for the old cars-the ones made of something."
What are your plans for 2004?
Tours and more tours. Promote, promote, promote this new SHOWTYME record.