MVRemix: Going back to the quote, who don't you like on Jive? Louis Logic:
Oh, haha. Artists? It'd probably be better to ask "Who do you like from Jive?"
MVRemix: Ohhhhhh. Louis Logic:
Because I really don't think they have anybody that's dope. I don't know their current roster, but when I wrote that, in '99. Maybe I was thinking of how Jive used to be - ATCQ, KRS One, and Keith Murray. And, it had become B.B.J. and fuckin', I don't know, whatever jerk-off's are on Jive now. You know who you are! Go to your local music store, punch it into the computer, that little music brain thing. Jive Records, see which retards are signed to that label now. You've got like N'SYNC and shit...
MVRemix: Yeah, but don't they have Britney Spears? Louis Logic:
That's true, at least she has a nice rack. She has a flat tummy, I really dig that on chicks.
MVRemix: Oh, that's beautiful. Louis Logic:
I think so too man, I'm bonkers over that shit. I don't know, I guess I wasn't talking about any particular artist on there. But I had some past dealings with an A&R from there. Maybe that's why I said something like that. He wasn't really bad though, he was a nice guy...that Jive A&R. I just didn't hear much feedback from them after their initial contact, so I was like "Whatever man, you don't have to sign me but I'm better than any jerk-off cat on your label. I think part of emceeing is that you have to think that of yourself otherwise you're not going to go anywhere. Without the proper degree of a cocky attitude, people can see right through you. If you're not trying to be the illest motherfucker to spit, then you shouldn't be spitting. I don't know if we've talked about this before, but that's my traditional diatribe on that subject. If you call yourself an emcee and you're not trying to write the best song ever written every time that you sit down to write. Then you're a pussy. Plain and simple, you're a pussy. That's what your goal should be. It doesn't work, but I'm trying.
MVRemix: So, in your opinion, is a freestyle a freestyle, if it's written? Louis Logic:
No. I don't think so. I don't know who started that whole shit yo, I think it's bullshit. Why can't we just decide what the words are? I think it's a semantics issue to tell you the truth.
MVRemix: Basically, yeah it is. Louis Logic:
It doesn't have anything to do with whether an artist who is listed as doing a freestyle on a mixtape, can freestyle or not. It's just a difference in what people use to describe different ways of flowing. Like, is your definition of a freestyle something that isn't already on a song or something that's spit live, even if it's written or prepared first. If that is then it's not weird that you get Wake Up Show CD's or Clue mixtapes or something that features Nas "freestyling." I've never heard Nas come off the head before. Not to pick on Nas, I'm just saying, whoever. I'm just saying that a lot of people say they're spitting freestyles but what they mean is throwing out random verses that they've written, live over beats. Which is dope to me, I think kids over-estimate the value of being able to come off the top. Because, when you're spitting improv. lyrics, it's fly - if you can really do it well. Actually that's all I used to do, that's what I was known for initially. My stage show sucked, but I could really freestyle after I'd fucked up my songs. That was my initial performance career. I'd have to say that Vinnie from Jedi Mind Tricks, helped me change my thoughts on that subject. I think you should really concentrate on writing because that's what you'll really reap the rewards from in terms of the accolades and applause that people seek. I respect people that can improvise lyrics really, really well. It's just, what is it really good for? You know how many kids I know that could destroy just about anybody when standing on a street corner with freestyles but can't write a real song to save their ass.
MVRemix: That's basically me. Louis Logic:
It's a common affliction dude, I used to have the same problem. And Ikon basically, well, he don't really use that name anymore. Vinnie converted me through several months of arguing back and forth about the importance of freestyles. As I started to release more and more records, I realized he was right. People don't give a shit about that. They'll hold you up to the highest level with your freestyles if you're really ill (your improvised freestyles) but when it comes down to it, if you can't write a good song, they're not gonna buy your record. They're not gonna really support you. And to me, my goal is to get everyone in the world to buy one of my CD's. Not so much for the money's sake as much as I want everybody to listen to it. But shit, I ain't gonna complain if I make a lot of money. With the day job, I don't really have to worry about that. I have a degree and if I want to I can do this for the rest of my life. I don't need to rap. I do that because I want to and I want people to listen to the music then say "That's the greatest thing I've ever heard." That's the idea anyway.
MVRemix: If your material was reviewed badly by a critic, how would you react? Louis Logic:
I usually try to find a blowtorch and some pliers. And, any other tools I could use to inflict bodily harm. Torture tactics, things of that nature, otherwise good old fashioned bribing. I might dig into my social service paycheck. Give a critic $500 and be like "Yo man, my flow is kind of tight on that 'Guilty As Charged' joint, come on..." You know what I mean?
MVRemix: But does it really effect you, or does it not bother you, or...? Louis Logic:
I don't know, I mean, if the fans liked the record [chuckles]. I don't give a fuck what the critics said. To tell you the truth. If the kids are complaining about it and they're like "This sucks." That makes me upset. But if one guy who writes for one mag says "That guy Louis is dick, he doesn't know what he's talking about. His song blows, he can't flow" whatever... I usually don't get mad. I have gotten mad at a critic before, I've had an ongoing debate with one once. And I can't promise that that is altogether over, but I guess, everyone will find out when they see what escapades I pull next. That's all I'm gonna say about that.
MVRemix: What are you currently working on? Louis Logic:
Right now, I'm working on completing The Odd Couple EP, we've got 5 songs recorded. As I said the single will be on its way very soon. It's already test pressed. So, the store copies should be back shortly. I'm working on finishing that, and we'll probably do two more songs - make it like a seven song EP. We're gonna do it in the style of 'Funcrusher' into 'Funcrusher Plus.' We're going to drop a seven song EP and then, relatively after, drop an album that includes that material. With new stuff. I'm also doing an EP for The Brews Brothers, which is Checkmark from Skitzofreniks and Mister Jason on the beats. So, those two things and then the Louis Logic album, but most of the work on that is nearly done.
MVRemix: What about the Demigodz stuff? Louis Logic:
We've finished it.
MVRemix: You have? Louis Logic:
Yeah, the Demigodz EP is done.
MVRemix: I'd heard that it was being worked on a while ago, I guess it's done by now. Louis Logic:
Yeah, it's done dude. Its gotten nailed out and everything. We're just waiting for a release now. And, Apathy really managed to pull everyone together. He managed to get everyone he ever said was in the Demigodz on the record. So, the fans will probably be pretty happy. I saw a lot of people on the Internet talking shit. I don't ever post on stuff, but, I like to read them sometimes. I think they're funny. And, I saw people posting "Who's in the Demigodz now?" "My moms in the Demigodz!" making fun of Apathy because he'd get on there and announce that there's a new member of the Demigodz. Blah blah blah. So, all those nay Sayers are going to be dining on Nike, Adidas and Reebok. Or whatever's their shoe of choice. Because he actually managed to get everybody he said on the record. It's dope, really dope, people are gonna like it because everybody was trying to outshine each other. It'll be the most interesting compilation of styles EP that comes out during that time period. There's so many dope people in the squad that Ap put together. It's coming out on Ill Boogie. I think it's coming out around May. It's seven tracks, of which I think I did three. They mixed it up pretty nicely, there's only a few songs that are just two people, and those ones are Ap and Celph I think. The rest of it is like a strange intermingling of various Indy rappers. I think one jawn I'm on is me, Celph, Ap and L-Fudge, and then I'm on one with just me, Ap and Celph. Plus I'm on the posse cut which has everyone in the Demigodz on it. And it literally has everyone in the Demigodz on it.
>> continued...
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Louis Logic 2000 Interview by Hugo Lunny
Louis Logic 2001 Interview by Hugo Lunny
Louis Logic 2003 Interview by Todd E. Jones
Louis Logic 2008 Interview by Hugo Lunny
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