RECIPROCAL REWARDS

Words: N. Ali Early

While putting his platinum touch on Snoop Dogg’s Ego Trippin’ a year ago, DJ Quik observed an atmosphere that reminded him of a time when the West could do no wrong. Everybody was hungry and virtually unknown. Together, The Lady of Rage, RBX, Dat Nigga Daz, Kurupt, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre spent weeks in the studio, their vision blurred from writing day and night – their stomachs growling from certain hunger. But it was their appetite to succeed that made The Chronic a classic album. It was their greed for success that catapulted Dre from super producer to unadulterated genius.

And it was there all over again. Right before his eyes, Quik saw the same type of unbridled fury unfolding in front of him – like magic. The music was on point, as was the energy and all that was left, was for someone to make the suggestion.

“Snoop set it up like an old school studio session,” Quik discloses, commending his longtime rap cohort for his own genius. “He made the energy the same way it was back then. He triggered it.”

‘It’ eventually materialized in the form of Blaqkout, an insane combination of arguably the West’s best lyricist and producer for a full-length album collaboration.

“Snoop just started being really sharp,” Quik continues. “He just started planting seeds. He planted a seed in us about potentially doing a record and he pretty much let Kurupt know it was in his best interest to stay here and not hit the road.”

A devout Dogg Pound Gangsta, Kurupt is known to travel with Snoop Dogg every year regardless of what may be available to him beyond Snoop’s interests. Ironically, it’s that loyalty and dedication that convinced Big Snoop that he and Quik would kreate a masterpiece together.

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Kurupt Young Gotti takes a moment to promote his and Quik’s new album, The Blaqkout then gives viewers and passersby a freestyle to let us all know he’s still got it… Nuthin’ to it but to do it.

Hard Knock TV caught up with DJ Quik to deliver this insightful interview. In it the legendary producer/rapper talks “bubbles,” which refer to the pockets of success the rap industry has seen since its emergence on the mainstream.

He gives props to the South, Atlanta in particular, revealing that he always felt the city would have its day, discusses his ability to transition and reinvent himself over the years and gangsta rap – or not.

It’s a stigma he’s been trying to change for years and marks 11 years since he himself denounced gangbanging on the “You’z A Ganxta” from the classic album Rhythmalism.

Legendary West Coast vet, Quik (formerly known as “DJ Quik”) recently announced the introduction of Quik’s Groove, a recurring live music series, taking place in Los Angeles, that combines hip-hop and live instrumentation.

Throughout 2009, Quik will be hosting and performing for the series at Los Angeles’ popular Key Club venue, located on the legendary Sunset Strip. (continue reading…)