Certified Fresh: Problem – First The West, Next The World

Rappers aren’t getting too much credit for their actual lyrics these days. Sure, the rhythms and cadences are more catchy than ever but combining those traits with actual stories to be told in 2013 reveals a deadlier breed of MC. Longtime fans of Problem already know his escalating buzz isn’t a result of anything that’s remotely gimmicky or socially media driven. In such a short time frame, he’s released nine mixtapes (yes, nine) and possesses a sound that’s transcendent in every region afflicted with the Hip-Hop Holy Ghost.

Being independent may be the next cool trend to floss flag in Hip-Hop but the amount of work offset with the lack of actual sleep isn’t for the fainthearted. The Diamond Lane Music Group, which consists of Problem, Bad Lucc and R&B songstress, Casha have banded together for the long haul with the belief that their custom-made package trumps all challengers.

Hip-Hop Wired is all about supporting those who support themselves and Problem a.k.a. Young Chachi is the latest entry in the Certified Fresh Hall Of Fame. All the buzz surrounding the new veteran (more on that in a minute) comes off the heels of his recently released Understand Me EP, whose self-titled single lays it all on the line for those inquiring.

Who: Problem. A rapper who encompasses the best of both worlds as far as rap subgenres are concerned. Rappers with a more stilted or should we say, debilitated flow are usually counted out as just trolling until their jig is up but not only can the Left Coaster bob and weave his nouns and verbs with the best of them, his G-Funk production choices never fail to give any party (or show) a rousing jolt of energy.

Credentials: For better or worse, Hip-Hop has created a foundation for new artists to pay dues. Thankfully Problem’s solo star was able to shine brighter than most so he could reap his own benefits. Starting off as a writer for Snoop Dogg during his Ego Trippin’ days, the West Coast legend gave him his first big look on a track off Malice N Wonderland titled “Upside Down.” From there, other Western all-stars such as Terrace Martin, Game and E-40 began to take notice.

Fun Fact: Problem is likened to Compton but his actually birth place was in Germany. His father was in the service in the 80s and young Jason Martin was born shortly before his family relocated to California.

Continued On The Next Page

—
Photo: Instagram

Hip-Hop Wired: Do you feel like you have a responsibility to be a torchbearer to make “West Coast” music right now?

Problem: Nope! Not at all. I do what I want to do. There’s no rules. [We] making the rules right now. It just so happens that I enjoy making that style of music. I’m not pigeonholed or boxed in musically. Diamond Lane lets me do what I want musically so I take full advantage.

Hip-Hop Wired: There is a noticeable resurgence going on in the West Coast right now. Do you feel like you’re a key part of that conglomerate right now?

Problem: Hell no! I’m with Diamond Lane. I’m with Bad Lucc and Casha. I f**k with TDE and HBK. Period. I’m not the same as everybody else. I’m not dissing them or anything; there’s obviously a lot of successful ones right now. I’m not in for a unity–I’m in for respect. As long as everyone respects everyone, it’s cool with me.

Hip-Hop Wired: So whether you’re grouped in or considered to be on your own, you and Diamond Lane are on the move right now. When was that moment that you realized that you had made exactly?

Problem: You know honestly…I don’t think I reached that moment yet. There’s some lofty goals around here. Listen to this: I just had a big show the other day; a great moment for me personally. Jamming week; the first project we officially are selling dropped; lot of praise for it. I’m on MTV and BET; I’m thankful. And then…I run into someone who works with Justin Timberlake. And I get handed the fade when I realize the depth the success can go [Laughs].

Not taking away from anything we’re doing but this guy gets paid a million dollars a night for shows. He has Bank of America paying for his staff. He’s sold out until August 2014. He’s booked until the middle of 2015. You get what I’m saying? It’s a lot to do! The goals we have around here is to be so huge. We’re trying to bring back the time period of music when it was lucrative. And the music business was better to where Bad Boy, Cash Money, Ruff Ryders, etc. were getting what they deserved. That’s the goal.

Hip-Hop Wired: Fair enough. That being said. Are you never going to put out a free project?

Problem: That’s not up to me. Personally I don’t mind either way. That being said…it’s all about making people respect your brand. If Balenciaga gave out their shoes every week, would you want a pair? Hell no, you wouldn’t. After while, the 15th time would have a rolled around and you would be like, ‘I ain’t going up there!’ So it’s the same with music.

Hip-Hop Wired: The Understand Me EP did break you into the retail conversation but where were you trying to go musically?

Problem: Just a different way of delivering your single and making an event out of it. There’s dudes out here who leak so many singles and just don’t give a sh!t about the hard time of writing, editing, mixing and mastering this sh!t. We gonna make you appreciate what we’re doing over here and if I have to give you seven extra songs, four new ones, then so be it. Musically I’m always trying to prove a point. Whether I’m talking about f*****g or fighting, it don’t matter.

Collectively those records sounded good together and I’m loving the feedback on it. Honestly the newer records that I did on there is setting fans up for the next project.

Hip-Hop Wired: Speaking of people respecting your brand, how did The Separation Tour go?

Problem: Great. On and off the stage. I needed that. Just to be around my dudes; my homies and getting out to experience the road and execute for eight straight days, no breaks was just great. I loved it. I hope n****s get their show game up cuz dammit we getting ours up [Laughs].

I plan on adding all types of explosions and what not to future shows!

Hip-Hop Wired: So with this amount of buzz, that XXL Freshman cover usually comes knocking.

Problem: That’s up to them. But we’re after those Grammy Awards right now. It would dope to be a part of but I can’t allow something like that to make us. If they give me and him [nods at Bad Lucc] the cover we will do it. Freshmens of the year. [Laughs]

Bad Lucc: I think being recognized by your peers is always cool but I’m with him on that. If you put me on the cover with seven other people, what exactly are you saying? I don’t want fans to have to pick amongst people I wouldn’t group myself with to begin with. I understand why Drake and Nicki Minaj didn’t do that one time [in 2009]. The money and the hit records and sold out shows proves that they were different.

I’m a fan of XXL; been a long time subscriber and it’s always good to be recognized but I would love to have our own Diamond Lane cover. Everybody should feel like that though. I remember the labels would not mess with you because you sounded like someone else. So I think it’s a big deal when you have movements like ours or TDE because you don’t see that too much on a larger scale anymore.

Hip-Hop Wired: So you guys have in-house competition amongst yourselves then?

Badd Lucc: That’s my competition right there [nods at Problem]. I’m his. When he’s in the studio doing a verse that’s crazy, I’m sitting there like ‘OK, my verse is wack now.’ Then he can sing the hook and edit the whole thing and then I really think I lost.

But whatever Diamond Lane is pushing towards, I’m all for it. One wins, we all win. Full steam ahead. I’m a Diamond Lane Raider.

Hip-Hop Wired: You were just on 106 & Park. How do you guys feel like the reception is on the East Coast side of things?

Problem: It’s a lot of love out there. I really love recording out there. I always try to go to the studio and zone out.

Learning how to record yourself is a very, VERY important piece to this puzzle too.

Bad Lucc: Yeah, I’m learning all that right now, actually. I didn’t want to learn but I hated even more that I couldn’t make a song when I wanted to record.

Problem: Everything moves so much smoother like that. He has his own key and knows how to cut the track where it needs it. And I mastered it so much, I can walk him through it over the phone too. Those little tricks are exactly how we’re getting to the top.

Essentials