NS: What's up Ill Thoughts. I see you just dropped your new mixtape Ill Thoughts- Presents "zzZZzz" on DatPiff ...tell us about that. Who's featured on it, why did you give it the title "zzZZzz"?
I.T. Well, "zzZZzz" is my first project. I got the idea from attempting to share my music and not much people reacted to it. S from being slept on I wanted to produce something I felt would attract their attention. Waking them up in a sense. It only contains one feature I came across in San Diego. Lyrik and his stone age camp. I just showed him the beat and in about two hrs hit me back up and said he's ready to hit the booth. We did and the single just came out like magic. "zzZZzz" is most definitely a mixtape for lyrical appreciation. Its sole intent was to amaze creativity of rhymes.
NS: What does "Ill Thoughts"stand for ? (and I thought you went by "Illy Thoughts") ? Who is Ill Thoughts and what state/area do you rep?
I.T.: Ill Thoughts I believe was the name I was looking for all along. I went through alot monikers before sticking with this. It basically defines my character, I think alot. A deep thinker, what I think is what I write and people consider it ill. So my thoughts are ill. And Illy was actually a name that I got from you when I was participating in some cyphers earlier this year. And other radio stations and people around said it too so it just caught on. I guess it's become a nickname haha. Ill Thoughts is a just a poet that is seeking God meanwhile trying to build a beautifulk legacy for my family. I hail from and represent San Diego, CA. The soul cal city of sun.
N.S.: I read that you feel "hip-hop is missing"...please go in dept more. Why do you feel this way? Can it be changed?
I.T.: I feel recently there hasn't been much lyricism, the stressing of something beyond typical. Along with that it doesn't seem like cats are sticking to what hip hop was made from. Instead we starting to find trend rappers, dance rappers, swagg rappers, but not many emcees in purity that are concious of complex rhymes and the art of storytelling. But now, the tides are turning and emcees are teaming up to change it. My peace goes to Kendrick, J Cole, Big Sean, Jay Electronica etc. I plan to be apart of this revolution of bringing rhyming back to its essence.
N.S.: Is there a track on your Mixtape that you would consider "your baby"? The track you are most proud of every time you hear it...and why?
I.T.: For me, I enjoy the mixtape as a whole. I don't think I have favorite, but if I had to choose I'd say, "Thinkin Remix.." The original song found on my youtube channel was just a personal song that consisted of random thoughts from two random pages in my notebook. On the remix I wanted 70 bars and rhyme all the way through just to express my heart and what I'm about. Its arguably the most personal track on the tape.
N.S.: " every song and rhyme I construct is a dedication and appreciation to God for the gift of music....music is my heart and my love.The same as god and his son." That's a deep statement to make. I can relate but for the few who can't please elaborate...so that we can get a better understanding of what you mean.
I.T.: Every rhyme, and piece of work I do for the honor of God. As a way to respects for giving me the gift. Its me giving back all that I can the best way I can. I consider rhyming as an expression of my love and appreciation of God for who He is and what He's done for me.
N.S.: You grow up listening to the 90's music...who are some of your inspirations and do you feel this has contributed to your development as an artist?
I.T.: Most definitely, Nas. Illmatic was the first hip hop album I remember bumping as a young kid. Jay-Z, Cannibus, Big Pun, Pac, Ice Cube, Biggie, Raekwon, Scarface, Method Man, Gza, Mos Def, Common, Andre 3000, Eminem. Most of all Rakim.
N.S.: Thanks for the interview. Is there anything you would like to say &/or shout outs? How can people contact you for collabs,features...twitter,facebook?
I.T. I'd like to shoutout my pack, Elevated Company. Plus, check out the EP Cold Summer, soon to drop at the end of the summer. Stay tuned and keep in touch with the music. I'm most active on twitter, follow and hit me up at @thoughtful1904 or my youtube channel, youtube.com/hiphophead1904. And thank you for the oppurtunity.
