Lateef

Lateef The Truthspeaker has seen his share of action in Hip Hop music and culture. Fans of the late 90’s and early 2000’s West Coast underground scene will undoubtedly remember Lateef from his work with the movement’s prominent artists such as Blackilicious, Dilated Peoples, and Jurassic 5 as well as the group Latryx, which he formed with Lyrics Born.  His journey in music has been as eventful as it is lasting, seeing Lateef go through creative and personal evolutions maturation.  In November, he will release a solo album, Firewire, which will be followed up by new music with Latryx.  And while the past golden era of the West Coast underground put him on the map, he is not resting on that time’s laurels.  “I’m trying to live in the moment, push myself creatively, and do something new,” he says about his current work, which draws inspiration from sounds such as “Planet Rock” and “Perfect Beat”.

We were able to catch up with Lateef on the verge of his new project. In the interview below, Lateef informs us about the direction of his new album album, gives his views on the direction of the New West, and lets us know that he “still enjoys ripping rappers heads off from time to time.” Check it out below.

RubyHornet: You’ve gone by the name Lateef The Truthspeaker for over a decade now, who were you when you adopted that moniker?

Lateef The Truthspeaker: I was a freshman in college rapping like a madman anywhere and everywhere I possibly could.

RubyHornet: What is your definition of speaking the truth?

Lateef The Truthspeaker: Just being honest about how you see the world from your perspective. Not censoring yourself. Saying what you need to say, sharing your testimony.

RubyHornet: In your lead single for Firewire you say “What’s important is, I’ve learned from the trials, knocked down get up, that’s a fighter.” Have the trials that you’ve experienced as an artist changed what you feel the truth is?

Lateef The Truthspeaker: Definitely. I think a person’s personal truth should- and must- evolve and change as a person grows throughout their life. To a certain extent, how we grow and change defines our truth. Our values and ideas are challenged and tested by the world and get refined with time. And what you want for your life at 30 should NOT be what you wanted at 20…and that should not be what you wanted at 10. There are certain core principles that define a person- and that is what is interesting about following an artist’s progression- is spotting the things that change and the things that stay the same. For example, I still enjoy ripping rappers heads off from time to time.

RubyHornet: Back in 2001 DJ RTC mentioned seeing you with Blackalicious, Dilated Peoples, and Public Enemy in Milwaukee. At the time, indie Hip Hop was thriving and it felt like the L.A. underground scene was at the top of that, what was that period like for you?

Lateef The Truthspeaker: Fantastic. Of course, when you are living through a golden age, you never think of it as such while it’s happening. It was a very good, very healthy time, creatively- both on stage and in songs. Still, I try to honor that time by not attempting to re-live or depend on it. I’m trying to live in the moment, push myself creatively, and do something new.

Lateef The Truth Speaker

RubyHornet: That’s changed no doubt, when did you see the support and/or cause taper off with indie Hip Hop?

Lateef The Truthspeaker: Tough to pinpoint, but I definitely think the period was a victim of it’s own success. A lot of folks went solo and many of the iconic groups within the genre just kinda disappeared.  I think a lot of folks thought the time would last forever and took the time for granted, not really being prolific enough. I’m probably somewhat guilty of that last one.

RubyHornet: As a founding member of Solesides and Quannum you are more that simply an artist in the industry. Do you approve of what’s happening with the “new West” and where do you see it going?

Lateef The Truthspeaker: Firstly- I don’t think it’s my place to approve of anybody’s anything. I have my opinions, but they are just that, and everyone has one.  I don’t think mine is more important than anyone elses. More informed MAYBE, but not more important. As far as what I think…I think it’s interesting. There are also a lot of different sides to it. You got OWGKTA, which I dig, but they are very different artists within the fold- I mean Frank Ocean and Earl Sweatshirt are pretty different artists, but both are dope, not to mention Tyler. Trackademiks and Josie Stingray and the Honor Roll crew are dope young artists.  Some stuff is not my cup of tea, but I find super intriguing, like Lil’ B. Trip is- Lil’ B can spit, but he CHOOSES not to. He has tapped into something his fan base wants…and figured out it’s not “skills” rap.  It’s more about his “message.” I find that fascinating.

RubyHornet: How has the time since then influenced you as an artist and your latest project Firewire?

Lateef The Truthspeaker: I think it just informs my point of view and makes me appreciate the opportunities. It also allows me to see the bigger picture a little more. Creatively, I think it gives me a very deep tool box to pull from when writing a song. But I’m biased.

RubyHornet: “Testimony” definitely blended the lines a bit, drawing on some electronic influences as well as other, would you characterize the album as experimental?

Lateef The Truthspeaker: I’d use the word futuristic, even though “Planet Rock” and “Looking for the Perfect Beat” were probably the two biggest inspirations for the album’s sound. I kinda feel like every album I’ve made- maybe with the exception of Ambush– has been largely experimental in one way or another. The Mighty Underdogs stuff was largely fictional during the era of “keeping it real,” and the Latyrx stuff is STILL probably the most experimental stuff in Hip Hop ever.  Freestyle Fellowship is the only stuff I can think of that is in the same league- and even that is…different, from what Lyrics born and I did. And are doing.

Latryx

RubyHornet: About your new material with Lyrics Born, how is the Latryx “reunion” going? It must feel good to be able to leave something alone for a while, and then come back to it with a renewed outlook.

Lateef The Truthspeaker: It’s been awesome creatively. Of course, revisiting it has been a sobering reminder of how challenging and difficult the project is and was.  The technical difficulty is off the charts and it really takes a lot of time and practice just to finish A SONG. It’s kinda unreal. We kid sometimes about the reason no one else has really picked up where we left off is because it is just so damn HARD.  It’s not like you just write your verse and come to the studio and put it down. Everything from the song concept, to the styles, to the trades- it’s all extremely well thought out with a heavy emphasis on detail and quality control. But the product is magical and very, very unique. I’m happy to be working on it as my next project.

 

Testimony by quannumprojects