If You Like Psycho Realm....Big Duke Got The Interview
Latinabeatz recently conducted an exclusive two part interview with one of Los Angeles' most respected underground Hip-Hop emcees, Big Duke of The legendary Psycho Realm. In this first part Duke speaks about when he first heard the devastating news he was going to be paralyzed, If he will ever be able to hit the mic again, and his successfull running of his website and clothing line.
I want to thank you for taking the time to answer this questions for all your fans, first thing everyone wants to know is how you are doing?
Duke:
No problem. I'm doing real good. My vocals are getting stronger. Right now I'm mostly working on getting my business straight with the music and merchandise.
When you got shot back in 1998 it left you paralyzed. What went through your head when you were told the devastating news?
Duke:
Actually, when they told me that I wasn't gonna be able to walk and talk anymore, they had me on so many drugs that it didn't register in my head right away. They tell me that there's a big possibility that I might regain movement someday, but they didn't know when. They don't understand how someone that caught a bullet to the neck and had their main artery severed can still be alive today. There was literally a fountain of blood shooting out of my fucken neck. They also told us that I wouldn't make it past that night, but I'm still here.
What motivated you to keep strong and not let your physical state keep you down? and what advice would you give people in your situation?
Duke:
Family and friends kept me from feeling down when this first happened. When I had the strength and I was able to think clearly, being involved with our music helped keep me occupied and not get stuck thinking about the situation that I'm in. Right now, I'm looking out for my girls and making sure that they're good keeps me strong and motivated to do everything that I'm doing. Our fans and soldiers also keep me strong and focused. I don't have time to feel down and depressed, they won't let me. And I also would never do that to them.
People in my situation should find something to do: a job, write a book, travel, to keep themselves occupied. If they just sit there thinking about their physical condition and get all sad and depressed, they'll start contemplating suicide. I know it's hard but, get over it and keep living life.
What is your perspective on life now that you have a second chance?
Duke:
I have a few regrets. I regret not taking advantage of all the traveling that I did, missed opportunities to see other cities and countries. I always thought that I’d be back. If you get the chance to travel and see the world, do it! Don't sit at the hotel room and getting drunk and high all day.
A lot of fans at the time and to this present day were not only shocked but concerned for your well being, what does their support mean to you? Duke:
Our fans and soldiers are a big part of the reason why I make music. They keep me strong and focused, and motivated to do everything that I'm doing right now.
How does it feel to have hundreds and thousands of dedicated fans aka soldiers from London, South America, Europe, Asia, literally all over the world?
Duke:
It feels good to know that people understand what we say in our music, and that people world-wide can relate to our lyrics. The loyalty that they have for us is almost rare for groups in the industry. Usually, fans seem to follow whatever artists the radio drills into their heads. Our soldiers are down with us since the first time they hear us and stay down with us.
I interviewed your brother Sick Jacken a couple years ago, and he mentioned that he didn't want to continue with another Psycho Realm album without you, but you insisted he put out War Story Book 2. Why was it important for you to have that album come out?
Big Duke and Sick Jacken of the Psycho Realm by Sal Rojas
Duke:
I wanted to put A War Story Book 2 out because we put hard work into it, and because it was the second part to the A War Story Book 1 album. I didn't want the Psycho Realm name to die out like that. I knew that he could handle finishing the rest of the album, which is what he would've expected from me if he went down. I also figured that the album would make our Sick Symphonies label look that much stronger.
One of the most frequently asked questions is if we will ever hear you on a track again or do another album with Sick Jacken, possibly A War Story Book 3, How would you answer that?
Duke:
People keep asking me that, too. I don't like saying that I’ll be rocking the mic again, but if you know the way that I think and the way that I feel about making music, you already know what has to happen. There won’t be a Book 3, everybody's jumping on that war shit. Like I said before, my voice is getting stronger.
Psycho Realm really does have a very faithful and loyal army of fans. I don't think anyone has the dedicated fan base that you guys do, especially without the mainstream promo, What about your music do you think appeals to people so much?
Duke:
People can relate to us because of the mood that our music puts them in. We make mood music. We tailor our lyrics to every track because different tracks give off different vibes. That's why people world-wide can feel our music, even if they don't fully understand the words. Moods are universal.
You run the PsychoRealmOnline.com website, what can psychos find on there?
Duke:
You can find information about everything that Psycho Realm is doing, pictures, videos, music, our forums and online store. The look and content of PsychoRealmOnline.com is being changed as we speak, so check back regularly.
Psycho Realm shirts/sweaters are hugely popular, what sizes do you carry and is there plans to introduce new designs? and for all the lady soldiers, any new gear coming out?
Duke:
We have a lot of new designs coming, especially for our soldadas. We have the Sick Army design coming out this month for our female soldiers. It looks dope. Be on the lookout for it.
What about stickers, car decals, bandanas, flags, posters?
Duke:
All kinds of merchandise is coming. Were coming out with new shirts and accessories every month...
Big Duke and Sick Jacken of the Psycho Realm by Sal Rojas
Lets talk about SickSide Street Music, What is this project about?
Big Duke - Sickside Street Music is a production company that I came up with because I didn’t think that everybody was capable of affording and rocking a Drug Lab track. We set it up to give up-and-coming artists an opportunity to get their hands on a dope track. The main difference is that on a Sickside Street track we add instruments to the track ourselves (Big Duke, Frankie Knuckles), and on a Drug Lab track we hire outside musicians to play over the track. Both styles of production are dope. If you want to get a track from some well respected producers, email me at [email protected] and come out with a BANG.
What is your involvement in the Drug Lab?
Big Duke - I’m one of the producers for the Drug Lab. The other Drug Lab producers are Sick Jacken, Cynic, Crow,DJ FM, and St. Louis. All different styles of production, all sick in their own way.
What other projects do you have in the works?
Big Duke - We’re about to get into Sick Jacken’s Spanish record and a Street Platoon or Cynic solo album. Me personally, I have a couple of projects up my sleeve. One is set to drop around the end of this year, and the other one is a milestone. I might decide to pick the mic up and rock the fuck out of it real soon.
Do you have any plans to work with B-Real again?
Big Duke - Nah, I don’t have any plans to work with B-Real again. I have a gang of respect for him as an artist, and hope that he can come out with another hit record.
Frankie Knuckles and Big Duke Location: LRC Hollywood 2007 Photo: Sal Rojas
What do you think the outcome of Psycho Realm been without your presence?
Big Duke - The Psycho Realm name is alive and stronger than ever. Aside from working on their own projects, Sick Jacken, Cynic, Crow, and DJ FM have worked hard as hell to keep the name out there and in people’s faces while I’ve been in hiatus. Our soldiers are some of the most loyal, if not the most loyal. The S.S. Army isn’t going to die out because one of the Generals goes down. But there is no Psycho Realm without Big Duke and Sick Jacken rocking tracks together, so the Psycho Realm is at a stand still as far as musically, but not for long.
Do you feel your music has had any influence on Hip Hop, especially for Latino emcees?
Big Duke - I can see our influence on a few groups out there, especially in their lyrical content and style of music they choose. I hope that we can influence groups to develop on the business side of the music, too. Street promotion, merchandising, starting and running your own label, all that shit.
Is there any tracks of you that have never been released or heard? or Collabortations with other artists?
Big Duke - I never really wanted to record with any artists outside of the Sick Symphonies camp because I knew that they weren’t on our level of thinking. Every song that we recorded since we started recording the self-titled album we’ve put out, so you’ve heard almost every song I’ve dropped vocals on. We’re working on a full length Unreleased album right now, so there might be a few songs on there that you might not have heard. Stay tuned for that...
When you first started writing, what was some of your influences, like musical or social surroundings?
Big Duke - Some of my early influences were Audio Two, Special Ed, Brand Nubian, Public Enemy, Funkdoobiest, Cypress Hill, EPMD, Gang Starr, NWA, X-Clan, just to name a few. I always wanted to let people know about the corruption, violence, drug abuse, and clashes with authority that we had to deal with in the neighborhood where we were raised.
What is your opinion on the state of Hip-Hop today?
Big Duke - Personally, I think that artists today are scared to be original. It seems like every rap song that I hear nowadays, I’ve heard done by a different artist using the same lyrical content and track. I recently went to a showcase at the LRC (Latin Rap Conference) and 70% of the groups there sounded real similar to each other. I saw some raw talent in a few of those groups, but it looked like they were holding back or something. If they would take the time to really try to be original and different, hip-hop done by artists of Latin descent would be on a whole other level.
You and Sick Jack are considered kings of not only the L.A. Underground but also respectively noted in Hip-Hop, Did you ever think when you first started out that you guys would leave such a huge impact?
Big Duke - It’s an honor for me to be considered kings of the L.A. Underground, but it doesn’t come as a surprise to me. Me, Jacken, and the rest of Sick Symphonies always strive to bring the dopest and most original styles and concepts into every project we get involved with. It just feels good to see that you muthafuckas understand and can relate to what we talk about in our music.
What would you want to do other than music?
Big Duke - I would’ve wanted to be a Firefighter if I wasn’t making music.
With so many emcees out there trying to get their start, what advice do you have for them?
Big Duke - Always try to be the dopest group when you perform at a show. Be original with your lyrics, beats, and flows. Try not to sound like anyone else out there, they’ll get you confused with the other group. Don’t ever put less than 100% into your music- if you half-ass a song, your fans and everybody else will know it. Do a lot of shows, but don’t get played out. When you do a show, rock your three hardest songs and get off the fucken stage. You don’t want to bore the crowd. But the most important thing I can say is rap over dope beats. If you don’t have a dope track, anything you try to rhyme on it is going to be a waste of time. If you need a dope track, you can hit me up at [email protected] and I’ll slang you one. If you know my lyrical style, you can imagine how I get down with the music. The Drug Lab and Sickside Street Music, you got two dope styles to choose from. Let’s make it happen. Stay down... Big Duke of The Psycho Realm
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