"I'm reintroducing live, innovative, hip-hop to an industry complacent in its acceptance of mediocrity." ( Phatt al)

A Re-innovator of rhyme that has been gracing toronto and beyond with his expertise since his start in 1988. His first perfomance was with the now disbanded group Three blind mice, and from there the list of collaborations is endless...from Jacksoul, Punjabi by Nature, Len, and The Quartertones etc.... I had a great chance to finally finish this badasss interview with my friend MC extraordinaire Phatt Al.

Tanya: Tell me a bit about yourself?

Phatt Al: Super MC from Arctik Afrikac

Tanya: How long have you been in the music biz?

Phatt Al: 12 years and counting

Tanya: What got you hooked into the music business?

Phatt Al: Always been good with the English lingo – it was either become an MC or an author

Tanya: Where are you from originally?

Phatt Al: Scarberia

Tanya: Who are some of your musical†influences...canadian and abroad?

Phatt Al: Michael Jackson, Prince, Ice Cube, Maestro, and Brian aAdams

Tanya: How is the music industry like in Canada compared to America?

Phatt Al: Weak on the business side. People seem afraid to hustle and tell the truth. The actual art of music has gotten pretty comparable. We’ve gotten better at understanding that ‘American Sound’ – now we just need to develop that ‘Canadian Sound’

Tanya: What do you think of the hip hop music industry?

Phatt Al: It’s on its way out like disco. The innovation that started hip hop has been replaced by lazy corporations. The music and the culture has greatly suffered

Tanya: You have a few other musical side projects, tell us about them?

Phatt Al: I’m involved with a couple other bands:

King Latifah – Old Skool Revivalist Hip Hop Live

God Made Me Funky – Nu-Funk Party starters

Scheme Team – Black Rock Sucker Slayers

Tanya: Why have you chosen to be in various genres of music?

Phatt Al: Because each allows me to express a different side of my musical personality. And at the end of the day I bring everything I learn back to my music and culture.

Tanya: One of your side projects is the band" God made me funky", how did you all meet?

Phatt Al: God Made Me Funky is the nu-funk original party band outta Toronto. We’ve been around for several years – started as a cover band, and became an original project within the last two years. We’re on our second original album, ‘We Can All Be Free’, coming out Oct 10, 2006.

Tanya: Where did you get the name from?

Phatt Al: God Made Me Funky was the name of a Herbie Hancock and the Headhunters tune.

Tanya: The advantages and disadvantages†of having a group, and working solo?

Phatt Al: Working solo you don’t have to answer to anybody about why you want to do this or that, and there’s nobody to baby you with what they want and stuff. But it also means you don’t have anyone to blame or back you up when stuff goes wrong – and that can be very overwhelming.

Tanya: Are there any Canadian artists that you would like to work with?

Phatt Al: I’d definitely like to work with K-os, Classified, and finally do that track with Choclaire. And on the alternative tip, my boy Lukas Rossie (Rock Star Supernova) Sum 41.

Tanya: I hear that on stage y'all, " dress the part? How did that come together?

Phatt Al: When it comes to God Made Me Funky we realized early that we were very different from most of the other ‘Urban’ bands out there. We’re a return to the good time and we like to put on a great show. Part of that has always been using clothes to further the statement. So we wear clothes to accentuate our personalities and stand out from each other (there are like ten of us on stage at the same time).

Tanya: What do you do when your not working, breathing†and living music?

Phatt Al: I call that death. I’m always working on music (or the business behind making music) – it’s put strains on all of my relationships, but nobody ever made it without any sacrifice.

Tanya: To get a bit personal....are you a family man yet??? And why

Phatt Al: No. See previous answer!

Tanya: What pisses you off about the music industry in general and what makes you smile?

Phatt Al: The lack of innovation when it comes to the majors leaves me shaking my head. If you’re a truly dope and different act your screwed if you’re expecting to get put on with a record deal – majors don’t develop talent any more, so you have one shot to do something! But there are exceptions to the rule, when the public surprises me and shows love to an act that was ‘never supposed to make it’ – that makes me smile.

Tanya: When are you going to put together a DVD for either your solo project or the others?

Phatt Al: That’s in the works for next year. There’s so much to the story of PHATT al and all that I’ve been involved with, it’ll be dope.

Tanya: What is it about Ol' skool hip hop that you LOVE???????

Phatt Al: The culture. Hip-Hop on its face used to push for individuality. If you were biting someone’s style you were wack. Today, if you’re different that’s a bad thing. If you don’t give a shit about grills, spinnin’ rims, and that stuff you’re gonna be considered ‘alternative’. But alternative to what. Hip-Hop is supposed to be the alternative!

Tanya: Any last positive words for your fans that are trying to get by in this musical concrete jungle in Canada?

Phatt Al: Be proud of who you are and where you’re from. ‘Cause if you don’t represent Arctik Afrika you will be just another Canadian casualty of following fashion. Onward Tdot Soldiers! BIYAHHH!!!!

†

Tanya: Thanks Al...

Peace

To find out more about this artist go to www.myspace.com/phattal