STAT QUO INTERVIEW
Stat Quo is the next dude to do the future of the ATL thing. Continuing the tradition of great music coming from the south from the likes of Outkast, Scarface and UGK. He is currently signed to Shady Aftermath but few people know who Stat Quo really is.
What is the meaning behind your name?
The status quo is the average bar that everyone lives by. Stat Quo is the new bar that people should live by.
Tell us about your early years, how did you get to the point you are here today?
To somebody looking at it, they may have thought that we grew up poor, but my mama always provided food. I hustled, did what kids do, running the streets. For the most part, I went to school and played basketball. After graduating from high school, I went to the University of Florida and got my degree in International Business and Economics. When I graduated, I did a demo and turned it in to Def Jam South. I was on my way to Law School, but Scarface heard my demo and told me I should be rapping. When your idol tells you that you have the talent, that’s a sign from God.
How long ago was this?
I graduated from school in 2000, so it was the summer of 2000.
Who are some of you inspirations growing up?
Dr. Dre, the whole NWA movement, 8 Ball and MJG, and the whole Suave House. Local artists like Kilo and Outkast and what they did by giving the city love. Also Tupac for his message.
How has your style has evolved from your demo to your later material?
I have a better understanding of making a song, it’s not just rhyming to a beat. There are a lot of people that rap, everybody can rap, but not a lot of people can make a song. To make a song, is to tell a story, create something for the listener where it becomes part of everyday life. It dictates your emotions. That’s what a great songwriter does and it’s my goal to become a great songwriter.
That’s a good point so what is your growth as an artist?
Being comfortable with myself, my voice and my presence. Period. Then finding that niche. Most people, when they first start rapping, emulate somebody. That influence is so heavy that they sound exactly like somebody else. But with me, it was a situation where I actually influenced myself. I found myself when the record came out and there was no denying that it’s me on the record. I don’t sound like nobody and that’s what every artist that raps needs to go for. When a Snoop Dog record comes out everybody know it’s Snoop. You feel me.
What track of yours are you most proud?
I got a song called Look at My Life from my up coming album. I’m most proud of that one cause I talk about my life in general as far as abuse from my father, him being absent, him trying to murder me, one of my boys getting murdered, it’s just talking about a lot of things that are personal to me. That’s probably what I’m most proud of cause it’s so close to me. It’s me putting my life on a piece of paper. I know a lot of artists say every song is their favorite but that’s bullshit cause there are always one or two songs that represent an artist to the fullest.
Have you ever said anything that just shocked you?
No, not really, cause through God, I feel that I’m capable of anything. This is what I’m supposed to be doing, so I’m not stepping out of my box or anything. If I play basketball and I’m good at basketball, I’m not going to play baseball. You know what I’m saying. I know this is what I’m here to do. I got a message, anytime I do a verse, or music, it doesn’t surprise me because I’m doing what god wants me to do.
Switching gears what are the best hot spots in Atlanta?
See, there are different things for whatever you’re into. There is so much to do. Me myself, I’m at the strip club most of the time. If you wanna see your girls get naked, then;
Monday - Magic City, one of the tightest strip clubs, back in the day, it used to be the Gentlemens Club, but now that the Gentlemens Club has unfortunately closed down, now you got Magic City.
Tuesday - Strokers
Wednesday - Body Tap
Thursday - Goosebumps
Friday - Blue Flame
Have the selection of girls changed now that you are signed to Shady Aftermath?
Ain’t nothing new for me, cause I have been poppin’ game since I was a little playa. I have been on top of my game. You know what though, I’m more selective right now cause I realize there are a lot of people that want to take advantage of what I got going on and what I am trying to do. My focus is music and I stay gridin.
A lot has been made about the South lacking lyricists, what are your thoughts on this?
Aww, manye it’s a beautiful thing. Southern music in general is just now getting it’s due and I still think that we haven’t got the respect as innovators and lyricists. Although we are getting the national attention now, only certain aspects are getting attention. You have a lot of different artists coming out with stuff.
Because of what it is manye, a lot of the music that is poppin right now is fun, it’s just there to have a good time with. On the real, the hooks that we do on our records are so phenomenal, people get caught up in that and don’t hear what is being said. What I bring to the table people are going to respect. Period. There won’t even be one question. We are all one people, we all bleed one blood. Regardless where you from, if you can rap, you can rap. If you can’t rap, you can’t. “The South has something to say” like Outkast said in 1996 at The Source Awards. Outkast, Scarface, 8 Ball and MJG, Pimp C be holding it down. From a national standpoint, with the exception of Outkast, those guys have been overlooked for what they have done as lyricists and innovators. You see other artist getting crowned king for doing what we have been doing.
What is your role in the Aftermath Camp?
Me and some other people are just creating records; it’s a beautiful thang. Mainly right now, we are working on my thang.
Is it harder to write for someone else?
Most people have been through similar things. So you talk, have a conversation, and bring their life into the rap. It’s like reading a book by somebody and doing a paper on it. Talk to somebody and you all vibe and create something.
Would you write for just anybody though?
I’m grinding right now so I would write for anybody. I have just been blessed to be around the people I’m around. In my opinion, Dr. Dre is the greatest producer in the history of music. He did Supersonic for JJ Fad. He does things like that people would never know. Not to mention NWA, The Chronic, Death Row and Eminem.
So how did you hook up with Dre?
I did an underground mix cd and handed it out in Buckhead, a section of Atlanta. What I would do was go out and hand out these cds for free to people after clubs. I gave it to some girl, who ended up giving it to Mel Man. I happened to be coming out to California cause I was working with a female group called Isis, on Arista records. When I came out, I hooked up with Mel Man who took me to meet Dre, and from then on it’s been gravy.
How long ago was that?
June 2003.
Why were handing out CD’s?
There is an area in Atlanta called Buckhead that’s got crazy traffic on Saturday nights. Me and my homies would fill book bags with cds and walk up and down the street and give it away for free. I pressed up about 6000 and just handed them out on the streets. A lot of people press up cds and sell them, but I wanted to give a gift back to Atlanta, the city where I have been all my life. The city has given me so much and I am gonna keep doing that.
What were your first impressions of Dre?
Down to earth and humble man. He’s not like, “I’m Dre, you’re nothing.” I think… matter of fact…I know he is the greatest. He has proved it but he is so humble. He was a great person to be around in the time I have spent with him. I have learnt so much just as an artist and as a human being. He probably doesn’t know how much he has taught me in that time.
You signed to Aftermath, knowing that a lot of artist who sign there either get released or never come out on Aftermath?
A lot of times, once an artist gets a record deal, they are done working. All they have to do is make records. When you get a deal, you have to work harder. No one knows you but your label so you have to go out, fight the same fight, and still promote yourself. Look at 50 cent, he still promoted himself. He made everybody else’s job easier. He created his own buzz and fan base. It’s not up to the label to do that anymore. Rapping is a job you have to get out and grind in. A lot of people see the videos, but on the real, it’s a lot of sleeping on floors, not sleeping at all, not seeing your family, not brushing your teeth or taking a shower and a lot of hard work. It’s a lot of not maintaining your relationships because you gone. It’s a lot of hard fucking work. Don’t let all that bling bling shit fool you. A lot of muthafuckas forget that and get mad when they don’t amount to shit. It’s a job. Some people think it’s glamorous, but there is a lot of shit you do that you don’t want to do, but you have to because it’s your job.
Can you talk a bit about the album?
It doesn’t have a date yet. I’m trying to create one of the greatest albums of all time. Something kids can look back on years to come and say, “that is my favorite album of all time. If I was stuck on an island, I want me some water, a walkman, and that Stat Quo CD.” That’s what I’m trying to do, not trying to make an album that is cool for the day.
Any last words?
I’m trying to do something we can all be proud of as people. Bring something fresh and new, entertain, and educate.
EL FIN
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