Building off our First Listen column, which premieres new music in the form of a short interview with the featured artist, we introduce our RH Premiere column, providing a look at new music videos and the story behind them. We will kick this off with the King of Riverdale, Mic Terror, and his new video for “Chief Sampson”. Originally recorded as a buzz song, “Chief Sampson” has taken on a life of its own, becoming a fan favorite in Mic’s catalog. “It’s actually a much stronger record than I originally thought it was when I made it. People definitely f**k with it”, Mic explained.
The video release sets the table for Mic Terror’s latest project, a conceptual album entitled Riverdale: The Musical. It is produced entirely by Sizwe, and takes listeners on a journey through a day in the life of one of Chicago’s top emcees. The album will be released for free on Christmas day, and features Gzus Piece as well as Macie Stewart of Kids These Days. As Mic says in the interview below, it is just the beginning.
Read on to hear Mic’s account of the significance of “Chief Sampson” as it relates to him now and in his future, as well as details on Mic’s many upcoming projects.
Watch: Mic Terror – Chief Sampson (Dir. by Trilogy)
RubyHornet: When did you record “Chief Sampson” what was the vibe in the studio after first take etc… and what was the main inspiration behind the recording of the song?
Mic Terror: Um, that was actually a month ago and I was high as hell. I was high when I heard the beat, high when I wrote to it the next day, and high when I recorded it the day after that.
RubyHornet: Who shot the visuals? What was your role in the process, did you have a vision for the video or just let him do his thing with it?
Mic Terror: This cat Trilogy. I just told him to shoot the life. I’m finna live, just shoot that s**t.
RubyHornet: Why is “Chief Sampson” so relatable to your life? What about “Chief Sampson” is so much Mic Terror?
Mic Terror: It’s really just letting my thoughts out. Letting people know what’s on my mind. It says a lot about my personality. Some of it is political, some is just about pussy, some is all over the place, but it still makes sense. It’s just who I am.
RubyHornet: What does “Chief Sampson” mean to you now in December 2011 and where will it stand among all Mic Terror tracks in 2 years?
Mic Terror: It’s actually a much stronger record than I originally thought it was when I made it. People definitely f**k with it. I’m going to send it off to radio and see what it do. And I got WAY more colder things than that coming in the future. You know I’m sitting on a catalog right now. Bout to start releasing it on everyone, starting off with this Riverdale The Musical joint on X-mas day. Treated Crew album, working on that. That’s coming in January. I’m dropping something else on ya’ll Sex & Violence. Then I’m going to drop something else on ya”ll that’s top secret, not going to be able to tell you who I’m working with on that s**t. But it’s a collaboration between and another producer.