Diktator

MVRemix: Where were you born and raised?

Diktator: I was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. In the Betty Ford neighborhood, which is one of the messed up ones, but hopefully I can change that in the future. I am hoping this can be one of the first spots I can help bring up if everything goes smoothly. Because there are a lot of things that need to be fixed up around here.

MVRemix: And if you are able to give back to the community, what are some of the things you would want to fix?

Diktator: I would build more recreational centers because there is a lot of youth running around doing the wrong things. And I'm blessed just to have a gift that kept me out of trouble.

MVRemix: What was it like growing up their over the years?

Diktator: Well, I was a football and basketball star over here, so that kept me out of trouble.

MVRemix: What is your first memory of Hip Hop?

Diktator: I used to listen to Ice Cube and West Coast Connection a lot when I was growing up. But now, I look up to Ludacris, who I think is the best rapper out right now. Because he can flip 80 different styles on the same beat, he is so versatile.

MVRemix: How did you first get into rhyming?

Diktator: I started in the third grade when I was six years old. This dude passed a note to me when I was taking this EOC test, so I kind of laughed at it and I passed a little corny rhyme back to him. So we kept going back and forth, and it kept getting more serious, so I went home that day and wrote a whole song in my head. So the next day I went to school and just gave it to him, and that is how it started.

MVRemix: How did you start making a name for yourself in the streets over the years?

Diktator: That happened when I was with this group called the Nu World, which I am no longer a part of. We were one of the hottest groups in Charlotte, but that kind of fell off. But my name started to grow when I was with them, but I eventually went solo.

MVRemix: Who consisted of the group Nu World?

Diktator: We had me, Franchise, T.R. McCoy and Picasso.

MVRemix: Why did you guys fall out?

Diktator: Well, I was the youngest guy in the group, as I was only 14 at the time. And they were like 21 and 23 years old, so I never really had a say in the group. Plus, everybody was real lazy and I was more motivated than all of them. So eventually I went off and did my own thing because I am not going to let anybody hold me back from pursuing my dream.

MVRemix: For those who haven't heard your music, how would you describe your style?

Diktator: Its like a mix of East Coast and Southern Hip Hop. So I think I can hang with anybody, because I got this track with this dude from New Jersey, and it shows how a Southern cat can hang with a guy from the East. Because I know a lot of people up north think that the south can't rap, but that's not true!

MVRemix: And who is the cat you hooked up with from Jersey?

Diktator: His name is Lyfe, he is from Sleepy Eye Entertainment.

MVRemix: Tell us about your debut album Shut It Down.

Diktator: I titled it Shut It Down because there is 21 tracks on it, all of them I produced. I wrote, recorded and mastered everything myself, so I am looking to shut the game down. I believe this is the perfect name for the perfect project. So I am just trying to let everybody know I am in the game and its going to be a problem.

MVRemix: Damn, you produced everything on the album, that’s impressive. But how would you describe your production sound? Are you more into sampling, or a keyboard sound?

Diktator: Well, really, I ain't into sampling because I don't want to pay no royalties, you feel me. (laughter) Because we don't have the money, and that is why I originally got into producing in the first place. So I had to teach myself everything from scratch.

MVRemix: What types of songs and concepts do you have on the album?

Diktator: My first single is called "Quite Acting Up", which is about stuck up girls acting like they are more than they are. So I think fellas and girls can relate to this song, that is why I chose it for my first single.

MVRemix: What label is the album coming out on?

Diktator: Its coming out on my own label, KOC Records, but I am being back by RJ Management and Rick Roberson.

MVRemix: When is the album going to drop?

Diktator: December 20th.

MVRemix: Being 18 years old, you are relatively young in terms of the rap game, so are you cautious of people trying to take advantage of you business wise?

Diktator: Na, because I got my family backing me. So it’s a family thing over here, and everybody I surrounded myself with I trust. I used to hang with a whole bunch of people, but I separated myself from that. So I feel I am a little ahead of my time because over the years I separated myself from other people because I saw right threw them and what they were about.

MVRemix: Being from North Carolina, what do you think of Little Brother and 9th Wonder, who have blown up crazy the past two years?

Diktator: I heard of 9th Wonder, but not Little Brother.

MVRemix: That's the group 9th is in, you gotta check them out, they are crazy.

Diktator: Definitely.

MVRemix: What do you think of Petey Pablo supposedly signing to Death Row?

Diktator: Petey, he's hot man. He really brought a lot of attention to North and South Carolina, but we still need someone else from North Carolina to blow. There is something missing in the game and I feel I am brining that ingredient needed.

MVRemix: I am just going to name two emcees or albums and you tell me which one you think is better. First up, Jay-z or Nas?

Diktator: Nas

MVRemix: Why Nas?

Diktator: Because, I have more respect for Nas. And that Ether just really killed everything (laughter).

MVRemix: Krs-One or Rakim?

Diktator: Rakim, because I think he has made more memorable joints over the years than Krs.

MVRemix: The Chronic or 36 Chambers?

Diktator: The Chronic.

MVRemix: Life After Death or All Eyez On Me?

Diktator: Man, that’s a hard one. I would say All Eyez On Me

MVRemix: What is in your CD player right now?

Diktator: B.G.'s "Life After Cash Money", Ludacris "Red Light District" and the new T.I. album.

MVRemix: What do you think of T.I. calling himself the king of the south?

Diktator: Well, seriously, Scarface should have had that title but T.I. is doing his thing right now. So I really respect that cat.

MVRemix: What do you think of President Bush getting re-elected?

Diktator: Its going to be some trouble for us black folks.

MVRemix: For everybody (laughter)

Diktator: (Laughter) Definitely.

MVRemix: What else do you have going on in the future?

Diktator: Well right now, we are just trying to promote this album and we are also looking at some major deals on the table. But we are trying to take our time right now and eventually things will come our way.

MVRemix: Any last words, shout outs, plugs, things of that nature?

Diktator: I gotta give a shout out to my boy Anthony Mur from Choppa City Records, who is B.G.'s manager, much love to him and B.G. Also, go cop my album at www.ricashay.com