Willie Da Kid

Willie Da Kid: My father collected records, he used to be a DJ when he was young he always was into hip hop you know always playing records in the crib and the car there was always a bunch of CDs everywhere so I was always around it. My older brother went out and got a record deal, it was a independent situation affiliated with the Wu-Tang Clan he went by LA the Darkman and put a album out called ice of the century that was like ’98-’99. But me watching that whole process from him shopping a deal to touring with the Wu-Tang Clan, to seeing the flyers and tours to the photo shoots and the lifestyle just gave me a vision that I can do it one day. Now there not too many outlets in Michigan to do all this so I moved to Atlanta and made doing music one of my priorities.

Badnews: So now your based out of Atlanta, seeing how much talent and connections there are in Atlanta was it very difficult to get put on?

WDK: Its difficult period no matter where you are, you cant really walk up on this thing. I myself never got put on, that is a misconception about me. I never submitted a demo and was given a record deal. I was friends with Don Cannon and he was friends with [DJ] Drama, and my brother always was coaching and managing so we were al just always together making music as friends with a DJ, doing beats and rapping, we just formed a union and called ourselves The Affiliates and the Gangsta Grillz thing Drama did was the big thing we put out front, so for me I was fortunate to have a group of friends that knew what there doing and gave me a lot of information.

Badnews: Now its hard to get your material in the right hands, but its even more harder to get the right people to like your music how did Drama and company like your music in the beginning?

WDK: Cannon and I always made good music in the beginning and Drama was more interested when we got the whole process laid down, so everyone always had a interest, if they didn’t they wouldn’t have a interest right now.

Badnews: That makes sense. And one way they showed they had an interest was your first single love for money featuring Trey Songz, Gucci Mane and your brother LA on the track. How did that single transition you to where your are now?

WDK: I don’t even know to be honest with you, I think that single was a record that introduced me to a more broad audience, because it was on TV and radio. We also put out a record called 5,000 Ones on Drama’s first album that got similar rotation then a record called feds taking pictures, but love for money was the one that drove it all the way home to reach that broader audience, but for transitioning I just hope I get to use that to catapult to a bigger fan base and more exposure. The music I been putting out recently has not been a continuation from love for money but it did give me a way to get exposed to a new audience.

Bandews: Now it really wasn’t a mainstream hit, but more of a mainstream record. What is more important to you, getting that mainstream record to reach a bigger audience or doing what your doing now and trying to grab more fans through the mix tape circuit?

WDK: I think there both important. I can’t take away from either one. Commercial success is definitely good that should be every artist objective and it is definitely one of my goals but I think, right now at this moment I think it’s just more important for me to just reach out and generate a base of listeners who appreciate what I do. And once I grow commercially they will love what I’m doing now. When your thrown in a position where you have to create a hit you will have to think commercial and that might lose some fans in the process so that’s why I want to gradually grow so I don’t lose a beat, step, fan all that. And I hope I can stay there forever once I get there. When I do make it to mainstream I want it to be because of the formula and tendencies that got me there by sticking close to my music and fans enjoying and supporting it. I don’t want to make a wrong move that my fans or new fans wont like.

Badnews: I don’t want to sound like I’m taking shots, but for example like Common and the Electric Circus album?

WDK: That was the name that came to mind. When I was little he had a video that always came on Rap City called Take it easy. and I went out and got the CD. he’s from Chicago and I’m from Grand rapids, MI that’s like a three hour drive from there. After I bought that CD he always put out good music to me– CLASSIC MUSIC! and he never strayed from the artist he always was. And he still is the same guy he is today. Now Electric Circus album, some people say he took a different direction, but even in all of that I still seen the artist Common for who he was the whole time in his whole career.

Badnews: I agree he will never change. Now you worked with Trey Songz, Gucci Mane and all these current new artists, who do you want to work with that you haven’t worked with yet?

WDK: Just really producers like The Riddler, Havoc, Kanye I just want to work with producers. I like what Scram Jones is doing– Alchemist I want to work with them that would be pretty exciting

Badnews: Ok you will make that happen in the future. Do you have any new projects coming out now?

WDK: You can go on itunes and cop Never A Dull Moment a EP from Me and my homeboy Lee Bannon, its doing really well on the itune charts, then we have the Never a Dull Moment LP coming out soon, were currently negotiating a deal for that right now, I got the new Gangsta Grillz project coming soon with Drama, I’m still in the studio with my boy Hitman and working on some things with The Affiliates Midwest up there La the Darkaman has a album I got involved in that’s real crazy, then another project called Guns and Roses that’s crazy. So I’m just trying to stay active

Badnews: Sounds like a lot is on your plate plenty time to stay busy. Now final question. I’m going to play the hater on the Internet. And I’m going to ask you one question. I got 15 bucks in my pocket in the record store I see your poster on the wall to tell me to cop your mix tape. Why should I go buy your mix tape?

WDK: I think if your a true hip hop fan I will make you feel a way you haven’t felt about hip hop in a long time. Willie Da Kid is different his music is different, it sounds different it reminds you of something different.