Tito Lopez Interview: Hard to the Core

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE RAP GAME?

Well I been rapping since I came out the womb. My first words (or so my mama says) were “wild wild west”, as in the Kool Moe Dee song of the 80’s. In 7th grade, I started a group called the G.P.T. Boys and a label called G.P.T. Entertainment and been rapping wit the same 2 niggas ever since, Nikko and Sincere. I’m just on my solo grind right now, but it’s all a team effort. So G.P.T. is the movement. Stay Tuned!

WHO ARE YOUR INFLUENCES IN THE GAME?
Well to be honest my first and foremost influence is the entire Dungeon Family. As far as the south and rap in general, no other body of rappers have accomplished what they have. I’ve actually spoken to members of the clique that have vouched for me so I feel good. But I’m a product of 90’s hip-hop. The best era ever! I mean from Wu-Tang, Pac, Big, Nas, Jay, Em, Cash Money, No Limit, UGK, Outkast, Goodie Mob etc. It’s all the 90’s. I was born in the 80’s but I embody that real shit from the 90’s, just reincarnated! Remember rhyme and reason? The show? Yea, real shit!

HOW IS THE SOUND FROM DA GULF COMPARED TO THE REST OF MISSISSIPPI?

Well as far as the gulf ain’t much support down here as far as radio play or local artists. I mean I won’t be here much longer, because we embody that slave mentality bullshit and nobody wants to see nobody come up. So I wouldn’t know how the gulf sounds, because nobody plays it. (I.e. JZ 94.5) As far as the rest of MS goes, Jackson gets alotta support but nobody takes a chance on anybody anymore since David Banner didn’t succeed very well. I ain’t David Banner so if u reading, SIGN ME!

YOUR VERY LYRICAL AND THAT’S SOMETHING YOU DON’T SEE OFTEN IN THE SOUTH, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT ALOT
OF SOUTHERN ARTISTS SKIPPING ON THE LYRICS FOR THE GOOD BEAT AND HOOK?

I think it’s a stereotype, like black people loving fried chicken. EVERYBODY does that shit! We didn’t make ‘CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP’. lol “Watch my feet”, “Aunt Jackie”, etc. I mean u got niggas that ain’t even considered ‘dance’ artists that ain’t lyrical. I mean Tony Yayo can’t rap for shit, and Young Dro can! So what’s that say? Man I just got integrity and that shit is lost these days over trying to sell a record. And half these artists never claim to be lyrical dudes anyway, so listen or turn the channel. I respect Soulja boy because he’s just a KID! Let him have his fun!

YOU HAVE A DISS RECORD OUT ON SAIGON OVER THE A MILLIE BEAT, WHAT WAS YOUR MOTIVATION FOR THAT?

Well I put the motivation at the beginning of the record. He had an interview dissing the south in completely unnecessary way. He said we were biting by just rapping period! BLASPHEMY! I AM the south so you dissed me! That’s a shot at people like Outkast and myself who take their craft very seriously. And again, I don’t have a problem with Saigon, I have a problem wit that statement. Jay-z could’ve said that and I would’ve dissed Hov. Lol And I have had personal conversations with Saigon over that record so he has heard it. He told me that he said it just to get people talking about him again. Why take shots at a whole region because your career isn’t where you would like it to be? Why not just keep working or quit? I’m a human being and I deserve respect just like anybody else, so if u give it u get it. If not, I’ll wax your ass on record just like I did him! lol

IF THERE IS ONE ARTIST YOU COULD WORK WITH, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

The beautiful and talented Ms. Keyshia Cole. I think she is the truth and the true heiress to Mary’s throne. We jumped the gun on Ashanti, cuz Keyshia spills her soul on the records like Mary does. But she’s for our generation. Plus, I don’t need any other rapper to validate me. But If I had to pick a rapper, it would be Eminem. But my 1st choice is to work with Keyshia Cole because I love her, she’s gorgeous, and we are engaged…she just doesn’t know it yet! Lol

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE SLUMPING SALES OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?

STOP SIGNING BULLSHIT! You can’t blame the artists because they’re just getting theirs! Blame the executives who hand out the deals like candy. They’re the ones with no integrity! And the records aren’t selling because nobody cares about the ARTIST! You can have 12 singles, but you as an artist are boring! Jeezy is interesting…Rocko is not! No offense, but you have to be original. Wayne is selling because he is weird. When people buy CD’s they wanna feel like they are taking a part of you home. Only a handful of artists are intriguing enough to make somebody spend their paycheck. Get in their minds, and you will sell. Trust me!

YOU HAVE A NEW MIXTAPE OUT, TELL US ABOUT IT AND WHERE CAN WE GET IT?

Man the mixtape is called “Impatienly Waiting” and u can get it right now at www. datpiff. com.

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….Download Mixtape | Provided by DatPiff. com..

Or RAPIDSHARE:

http://rapidshare. com/files/134944157/Tito_Lopez_-_Impatiently_Waiting. rar. html

And it’s just a skilled MC killing beats original and used! The best mixtape out guaranteed!

THE STREETS BEEN WAITING ON AN ALBUM FROM YOU, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST OFFICIAL LP AND DO YA GOT A NAME FOR IT?

I’m working on an EP right now called THA RAW DEAL. It’ll be a 9 or 10 track album that plays out like an underdog story, cuz that’s what I am. It’s called THA RAW DEAL because it’s the most raw I will ever be in my career. I’m hungry right now, and as I grow the talent and integrity will come with me, but I hope the hunger goes away. Literally not figuratively. I guarantee you will like it. Production by Nikko (our in-house producer) and others. Look for some guest spots you might recognize also.

WORD ASSOSIATION-Ima give you some names, tell me the first thing that comes to mind when you see them

Crooked I- I’ve heard I look like him! Lol I don’t know about that, but he’s talented.
Lil Wayne-Man, we’re living in Wayne’s World right now. Love him or hate him
Pimp C- R.I.P.
Bun B- RESPECT
Yukmouth- WHO???
Last but not least, Tito Lopez – FEEL ME
I wanna thank you for your time Tito, any shout outs before we roll?

Shout out to everyone that every supported me, the coffee shop, the whole G.P.T. Entertainment, and shout out to all of the A&R’s sleeping on me right now, cuz you’re missing out!