Eligh and Amp live

Throughout their shared history in the Bay-Area Hip Hop scene, Eligh and Amp Live both have long resumes and experience in the music industry. As a founding member of Zion I, Amp Live has been producing since the 1990’s. Eligh likewise was an active member of the scene, working with Living Legends and his partner in crime, the Grouch. It comes as no surprise then that the two have finally linked for an LP in the form of the just released, Therapy at 3.

As the two continue to work as established artists, Amp Live says that “you have to move with the moment,” something that has pushed both to evolve. “I also think that I’m just getting good at what I do. I’m just hitting a stride,” Eligh says. It is no wonder then that Therapy At 3 is “a road map to my [Eligh] soul.” With the release of the LP last week, each artist can add another notch to their belt, but neither shows any sign of slowing down. In the following interview hear how the two approached their latest project, their continued growth as artists and in everyday life, as well as their views on the emergence of a new set of West Coast artists.

RubyHornet: First off, what did you guys know of each other, coming from Zion I and Living Legends, and how did you guys manage to link up?

Amp Live: Zion I and Living Legends family have known each other awhile from being in the Bay Area music scene together.  We started working with the grouch in the late 90’s and I started hearing about Eligh from G & E.  I always thought he was ill, so the past few years it has been in the back of my mind to link with him.

Eligh: Our crews have been around each other for a long time. I personally always liked Zion I’s music, so when Grouch made a couple albums as “Zion I and the Grouch”, it wasn’t a shock to me. In the same respect, Amp has produced a couple songs I’ve been on, so when the conversation arose to make a project together, I was excited, but it made perfect sense…

RubyHornet: What was it like working outside of Zion I, Living Legends, and Grouch & Eligh? What part of your experiences from those groups did you bring to this latest project?

Amp Live: It was cool.  Every artist I work with I learn something from and grow as a producer. I think at this point I have had enough experience from making Zion I, Zion I & the Grouch, and my own projects to figure the process out. This is my first actual album like this.

Eligh: Well, I always enjoy collaboration, especially with someone I’ve never worked with in person before, so that made everything a challenge, and brand new, which is great. As far as what I brought from my other group experiences, just my open mind, and willingness to bend or experiment to fit Amps vision as well as mine.

RubyHornet: Eligh, back in 2003 in an interview with Thrasher Magazine you were asked about drugs and expressed that you felt “If you use drugs without pushing yourself into the dirt- in other words, doing it everyday and every time you get a chance then f**k it, do drugs. Drugs are bad, but only as bad as the people that use ’em.” After struggling with an addiction, how has this sentiment changed?

Eligh: That statement was made by a scared kid in denial, a kid looking for excuses to not give a f**k, looking for ways to beat himself down, and kill himself without knowing why. Of course my sentiments have changed. I just celebrated 6 years clean from ALL substances. But getting clean was just the beginning. I want to be happy all the way, content, comfortable in my own skin, and truly not give a f**k-with love-about what anyone else thinks of me. That’s not easy! But I keep pushing to change, to let go of old patterns, old ways of seeing myself, and reaching out to those who need my help. A far cry from the kid who made that comment in 2003.

RubyHornet: In the trailer for Therapy at 3 you said that “I didn’t want any concepts or box that we’re [you and Amp Live] trying to fit this into” and that free form element eventually evolved into the concept of therapy through writing. Has the process of creating Therapy At 3 helped you to discover new things about yourself?

Eligh: Mannn, you have no idea. This album is very special. It is my message to self, and to anyone who identifies.  It covers everything I’m going through RIGHT NOW, months after it was written, recorded, mastered and made ready to put out. Sometimes I don’t truly hear what I write till some time after. It trips me the f**k out to be honest, because I swear, this album is a road map to my soul, searching to move up to the next level.. The universe heard me, because I’m in that process as we speak.

RubyHornet: In the single “Tattoo Song” Eligh you rap that the tattoos help “transfer my inner pain to my outer frame.” Does the album function similarly for you two, airing out your inner struggles and putting them out there for your fans to hear? There’s a definite vibe of self-healing and therapy in those lyrics.

Eligh: See the last question… haha… That’s a big yes.

RubyHornet: Eligh, what was it like moving away from producing for yourself, as you did on Grey Crow, to working exclusively with someone elses production?

Eligh: It was awesome. I got to just concentrate on writing. His production is so good, it made it easy for me to be inspired. His production brought different styles out of me. It was the right combination at the right time.

RubyHornet: Both of you guys have been staples on the West Coast for over a decade. It used to be Jurassic 5, Hieroglyphics, Dilated Peoples, Soul Assassins and a few others, but now there is a new crop of artists emerging very strongly, as well as those artists branching off in new ways and reconnecting with audiences. Do you see it as a changing of the guard at all, or at least a new relationship?

Eligh: I don’t see it as a changing of the guard, no. Because no one will do what those artists do, not any where near the same. I love to hear new artists killin’ it. I also think that I’m just getting good at what I do. I’m just hitting a stride. And I got a bit of a baby face, so I might be around here for a long time. You never know, I might hit that platinum mark at 52. Haa… I wont stop.

Amp Live: Yes I definitely see it changing.  Even though there are still members of those groups you listed still very active in the West Coast music scene… there are a lot of new faces that are making big splashes and becoming artists that will be here to stay.  Things always evolve and change.  That doesn’t mean you only have one chance to get shine, but you have to move with the moment.

RubyHornet: While Therapy At 3 just arrived, what are some other projects that we can expect from you guys in the near future?

Eligh: I see a new G&E album. I see a new Living Legends album, and I see a new instrumental album. Until then, go get some Therapy!

Amp Live: I am working on a new Zion I album and also on a Amp Live Jazz Album for next year.