Artist Spotlight: Typ iLL Interview





Hailing from Long Island, NY, Typ's passion, determination, and perseverance is what has sling shotted this artist into the rap game.

Growing up on golden era rap like Nas, A Tribe Called Quest and Wu-Tang Clan, Typ draws his inspiration from some of the best lyricists to do it. That’s not to say he doesn't also find inspiration from the west coast MC's he discovered during his Los Angeles years.

He dropped his first mixtape "Support Ya Troop" in 2007 and 2013 saw dropping his latest project, "Basic Training" EP.




OK-Tho: 
When did you first get into Hip Hop in general?

Typ iLL:
I can remember seriously getting into hip hop as an early teen.  Its always been a part of me.  I can remember when I was like 7, using an old ass Casio piano with a talkboy recorder and doing my first joint called "rappity rap"...  I think its suppose to drop later this year lol.

OK-Tho: 
Who inspired you to get into rapping and at what age and point of your life?

Typ iLL:
No one in particular inspired me..It was just the feeling I got when I listened to it.  The idea of rhyme schemes...poetry in motion.

OK-Tho: 
How did you come up with your name?

Typ iLL:
Actually...when the phrase Typ- (insert word here) was hot, someone said I was iLL.  People would listen to me freestyle in the lunch room in high school and some cats would say I'm Type iLL..  I later dropped the "E" and here you go.

OK-Tho: 
Were you always known as Typ iLL or did you have other alias names?

Typ iLL:
I had a few names...Kwest..K Swift, because I used to rap real fast.  Also called me Kali because I lived in California for a few years and when I moved back to the island that was my nickname.  My government name is Kristian...so the "K" seemed to fit.

OK-Tho: 
Did a lot of people you know in Long Island at the time get into rapping with you?

Typ iLL:
I know a handful of kids who loved to rap..  Even had a few rhyme crews I rocked with growing up..  But the island can get tough.  I'm pretty sure its tough every though.  I just know a lot of kids couldn't hack the constant disappointments and struggle.  Its tough to live on the island financially.

OK-Tho: 
Describe what it was like trying to get known as an emcee in your city?

Typ iLL:
It wasn't like anything really.  It kind of just happened with some leg work.  I got my name recognized by going to every single barber shop and gas station in my surrounding area and just dropping stacks of CDs off.  




OK-Tho: 
When did you join the Army and where were you stationed?

Typ iLL:
I joined the army in 03 and was stationed in Ft. Carson, Colorado.

OK-Tho: 
Did your fellow officers and squad know about your passion for Hip Hop?

Typ iLL:
I had a few bros in the military who fucked with my music hard body.  I know some dudes who still rock it to this day.  And some of my bros who are over seas right now let me know they rock my shit in the combat zones.  That is the highest privilege i could ever experience.

OK:
Can you explain the differences between Colorado and NY Hip Hop wise? Did you know of any local or unsigned acts out there and if so how would you compare them to cats out in NY?

Typ iLL:
When I think of hip hop acts in Colorado, the only name that stood out was Black Pegasus.  As for the other talent: I really enjoyed the sounds of 2 producers in particular, Boonie Mayfield and Kajmir Royale. They both produced for my first official album in 07 called "Support Ya Troop".  This was a good time for me,  I just came home from my second deployment and went right into the booth.


OK:
Name 5 of your favorite Hip Hop singles of all time?

Typ iLL:
You cant do that to me haha.  I got a grip of songs that hit home.   "1 on 1" by Nas,  "1nce Again" by Tribe.  I even got some favs that hit the top list for me in recent years like "B*tch Don't Kill My Vibe" by Kendrick,  that goes hard.  I'm a fan of good music.

OK:
How did you link up with DJ Mickey Knox and Deep Concepts?

Typ iLL:
Mickey been tracking me down for a few years.  I was always about my solo thing and tried a numerous occasions to do my own thing.  The results were straight but I could only get so far.  I knew I couldn't do this alone.  Even though doing my own thing gives me freedom, you have to realize that it takes a team for anything.  The military reassured me that team work is critical with anything you do...including the music game. Once mickey earned my trust I said lets go.   As for Mr Menza aka Deep Concepts, he came with Mickey into this.  I respected his hustle and it just clicked.

OK:
At what part of your career did you start to get noticed more?

Typ iLL:
Truthfully, I  got noticed more when I decided to learn the game via social media.  The game has come a long way from CDs in the trunk,  so once I stepped my Twitter and email networking, I was able to reach more fans and other people who were willing to work with me.  I have plenty of more learning to do and everyday I would like to reach a new fan.




OK:
 If you could pick any 3 producers to work with, who would they be?

Typ iLL:
3? Where do I start?  I really enjoy the OGs in the game of course..  Premo, Alchemist, 9th Wonder. Man, I already know I'm going to not mention some people on accident.  Just Blaze, Statik... etc..  But some other producers that I've come across in recent years would be Harry Fraud and Kirk Knight.  Big fan of them, I couldn't pick 3.  I also got to give madd love to my dudes Sickness, DJ Concept and all the producers who fucked with my new project coming out across the board.

OK:
So you dropped your "Basic Training" EP last year, what was that experience like creating that project?

Typ iLL:
The experience was exciting and nerve wrecking.   I spent long nights in the studio and dealt with lots of petty bs that I never experienced prior.  I guess that comes with the game and I got a lovely taste of the ups and downs with the process.  Overall I am proud to put out another body of work and I look forward to doing more immediately.

OK:
How long did it take you to make that project?

Typ iLL:
Physically...It took me maybe a month to record.  But with the mixing and beat selection and artwork etc...took me a total of 4 months.  

OK:
Whats your take on the state of Hip Hop, is there anything you praise on and or disagree with?

Typ iLL:
I got plenty I agree and disagree with, that doesn't mean i don't understand why or why not certain things happen.  There's a lot of garbage out there but that goes for anything. I love the new wave of double time rap again and I can sense the lyricism is more dominant in recent years which I can appreciate big time being a golden era head.. But as for the negatives, let me put my foot in the door a little more and learn the ropes before I start bashing shit.  lol

OK:
Are there any up and coming artists that you are feeling nowadays?

Typ iLL:
I'm a Joey Bada$$ fan, Action,  Kendrick, Smoke DZA..   

OK:
Out of all the features you worked with, who would you say was your favorite and why?





Typ iLL:
I've worked with a few artists that I truly enjoyed..  From Termanology to Tragedy to Kool G Rap.  

OK:
Seeing as that Nature is down with Deep Concepts, is there a collab in the future?

Typ iLL:
Nature! He is another fav for me.  He will be featured on one my records that is coming out this year produced by the infamous SNOW GOONS.

OK:
What are your expectations of your music, where are you looking to take your career?

Typ iLL:
I just want to make music, be happy and survive off it.  Any rappers dream.  The level of success will all depend on the times, the work ethic and a little bit of luck. I'm ready for whatever this life gives me and ill be doing this shit for a long time.  Hip Hop means everything to me. 

OK:
Whats next for Typ iLL, what can fans expect in 2014 and beyond?

Typ iLL:
"The Turning Point" will be dropping in July! Its an EP through the Deep Concepts Media family.  They helped me along the way as well as other homeys and fam that believe in Typ iLL.  My fans can expect an onslaught on new material and once this next wave comes, you can expect it to keep coming and keep the fans happy. I plan on much success....  Salute to the whole 3Daps crew and all my veterans, patriots and hip hop heads alike.


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