MVRemix: For those that are now hearing about you for the first time, tell us about yourself.
Lix dot Kong: Well, my name is Lix dot Kong a.k.a Lix dot Kizzy. I was born in New Orleans, LA. I was raised in the same town as the legendary Quincy Jones; Bremerton, Washington. And I ran the streets of Seattle, Washington. I grew up around Black Panthers, and Crip Gang Members which gave me my respect and love for the streets. I also started doing music at an early age. I grew up listening to all sorts of Jazz and R and B, which eventually led me to Hip Hop music. My favorite rappers growing up were LL Cool J, Ice Cube, NWA, Snoop and The Dogg Pound, Outkast , and DJ Quik. Then came, Tupac, Biggie, Bone Thugs n Harmony, Brotha Lynch Hung. I love east coast and west coast Hip Hop. But, I respect South too. I got mad respect for Lil Wayne, Juvenile, BG, Soulja Slim, C- Murda, and Master P. They are all from my hometown of New Orleans and I grew up listening to their music. A lot of people don't know that I love politics. I follow all the presidential debates, and I even watched the State of Union address. I'm also a law student, which is a passion of mine. If you're gonna do hip hop music (or any kind of music) you gotta know your rights.
MVRemix: How did the name Lix dot Kong arise?
Lix dot Kong: Lix dot Kong is a name that best describes my trek through the different levels of Hip Hop. If you know the movie King Kong, he finally wound up in New York City, where he created quite a stir for the local citizens. Being targeted by the government, and castrated by the media. I have traveled from Bremerton to California, finally winding up in New York for the last 6 years creating a huge buzz for myself in the New York market. The government is always targeting us as musicians, and black men, especially in the case of Sean Bell. So, I feel like I'm no different than those who are being targeted everyday in the streets. First people knew me as only Lix, but I became Kong once I finally understood the inner workings of this Hip Hop industry. My management team has reached out to most of the labels in New York, and have been turned away, Like Jay-Z once was. Now, I plan to cause trouble in New York until people respect me as one of the best rappers alive. I am already respected in other parts of the world around. Why not here? I added the "dot" because as we all know "dot" connects people to the internet. Without that dot you’re nothing on the internet. People I know and Myspace fans always tell me i got this internet marketing game on lock, so in essence Lix dot Kong can also stand for the King of the internet.... [laughs]
MVRemix: How important do you feel networking is?
Lix dot Kong: I feel like without networking, you're not going to make it in any area of life. Hip Hop is 90% networking. Of course you have to have the talent to make it. But, some artist feel that have one hit is good too. The kind of network you have directly determines the level of success you will have. If you don't have a network, please put the music down for a few months, and build up your network. I am quiet at times, especially when I’m in social settings in New York, but I have learned over time, that people respect confidence. So, I learned to be confident and make sure that I have something to bring to the table when I meet new people for business.
MVRemix: As a producer, who has influenced you?
Lix dot Kong: There are a lot of powerful producers in Hip Hop. Dr. Dre has definitely been one of my favorites over the years. The main thing producers have to realize is that their craft shouldn't stop after they make a beat. They should know how to push the records just as much as the artist. Some producers just want to make a fast buck. But then, they wonder why their music doesn't go very far. Promote the artist you sell your beats to. Timbaland is a great producer, and he has a great networking ability. That is why him and Pharrell [Williams] are two of the best producers on the planet. I also respect Mannie Fresh, Just Blaze, 9th Wonder, Chops, Nitty, and Polow the Don. Phonk Beta, DJ Quik, Dirty West from Profound Productions, and Daz Dillinger are some of my favorites. There production still influences my music to this day.
MVRemix: How does growing up in Seattle and living in New York shape your attitude towards music, art and culture in general?
Lix dot Kong: Seattle taught me to be more creative within myself when doing music. Seattle is the alternative capitol of the world. Home to Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Kobain, Nirvana, Sir- Mix- A-Lot, and Bruce Lee. These artists have reached levels in life some artist never will. They set the bar for how I look at music and life in general. Seattle has a vibe and culture unlike anywhere else I've lived. The gang culture in Seattle is always portrayed as a negative thing by the media. But, I should be looked at as art. Sure there is alot of violence involved. But so is there in the US government. But, as a culture the G culture in Seattle raised me, and I hope to make it more positive in the media's eyes. New York is a melting pot of different ideas. New York has definitely raised me from a boy to a man. I love Newark, NJ and New York for opening my eyes to new ways of thinking, from DVD's of people like Malachi York. I have friends from different nationalities, from East Indian, Dominican, Puerto Rican, Haitian, Jewish, to Trinidadian. I learn a lot from each culture. We are all mankind.
MVRemix: How did you hook up with Snoop Dogg and Tha Dogg Pound?
Lix dot Kong: I hooked up with Snoop Dogg and The Dogg Pound through a contest they were having on Allhiphop.com. Daz Dillinger was looking for new artists for his record label, and I was picked to be a finalist in the DPGC Idol contest. After the contest, me and the finalist were picked to form a group called DP Next Generation. We traveled to a few states together and shot some video footage, but we didn't have much of a budget to pursue a serious movement. I met up with Daz, and Kurupt at BET Rap City in 2006. My dad was visiting from Seattle at the time so I brought him along. I chopped it up with them for a while, and then I never really heard back from them on any plans to further my career with the Dogg Pound Movement. I had always wanted to be a part of the Dogg Pound since 1995, so I am patiently waiting to collab with them on some real music. I teamed up with a DJ from France named DJ Suarez, who works alongside Snoop Dogg and JT the Bigga Figga's camp. So, we were able to secure production from Snoop Dogg, for my single F Pac n Dogg Pound. The song is getting worldwide radio airplay, from Italy, to Germany, and a few places in between. I've been in the same building with Snoop Dogg on two occasions, but I haven't met him in person.
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