Tag: El-P Interview

Categories
Interviews

MVRemix Interviews archive

6th Sense Interview (2007)


112 Interview (2003)


880 South Interview (2006)


24K Interview (2003)


7L (7L & Esoteric) Interview (2004)


2XL Interview (2007)

A.D.O.R. Interview (2005)


Aesop Rock Interview (2002)


Aesop Rock Interview (2006)


Akrobatik Interview (1999)


Al Green Interview (2005)


Alchemist Interview (2006)


Alias Interview (2001)


Amerie Interview (2005)

aMinus Interview (2006)


Amplafire Interview (2005)


Andre Emerson Interview (2005)


Annie Interview (2006)


Anthony Hamilton Interview (2003)


Anthony Hamilton Interview (2005)


Anti-Flag Interview (2005)


Apartment Interview (2005)


Apathy Interview (2000)

Apathy Interview (2002)


Apathy Interview (2006)


Apathy Interview (2006) 2


Approach Interview (2005)


April Maiya Interview (2007)


Asheru Interview (2001)


Asheru Interview (2004)


Asheru Interview (2005)


Astronautalis Interview (2006)

A-Trak Interview (2006)


A-Trak Interview (2006) 2


Avant Interview (2005)


Awar Interview (2005)


The Away Team Interview (2005)


AZ Interview (2004)


AZ Interview (2005)


AZ Interview (2006)

Baatin Interview (2003)


Baby Blak Interview (2003)


DJ Babu Interview (2006)


Bathgate Interview (2007)


Beat Assailant Interview (2004)(1)


Beat Assailant Interview (2004)(2)


Da Beatminerz Interview (2004)


Beatmonstas Interview (2005)


Benefit Interview (2002)

Beenda Weeda Interview (2006)


Beenie Man Interview (2006)


B.G. Interview (2005)


Big Boi Interview (2005)


Big Noyd Interview (2005)


Big Noyd Interview (2003)


Big Pooh Interview (2005)


Big Shug Interview (2007)


Big Tigger Interview (1999)

Big Tone Interview (2005)


Big Tone Interview (2005)


Big Rich Interview (2006)


Billy Cook Interview (2007)


Binkis Recs Interview (2004)


Birdapres Interview (2001)


Bizzy Bone Interview (2004)


Bizzy Bone Interview (2005)


Black Milk Interview (2007)

Black Moon Interview (2004)


Blackalicious Interview (2004)


Black Rob Interview (2000)


Black Rob Interview (2005)


The Black Spoons Interview (2005)


Blueprint Interview (1999)


Blueprint Interview (2003)


Blue Scholars Interview (2007)


Blue Sky Black Death Interview (07)

Bobbito Interview (2000)


Bobbito Interview (2001)


Bobby Frazitta Interview (2004)(1)


Bobby Frazitta Interview (2004)(2)


Bobby Frazitta Interview (2006)


Bone Crusher Interview (2006)


Boom Bap Project Interview (2005)


Boot Camp Clik Interview (2006)


Boots Riley Interview (2007)

Booty Brown Interview (2005)


Boss Playas Interview (2006)


Bow Wow Interview (2006)


BP Interview (2004)


Braille Interview (1999)


Brand Nubian Interview (2004)


Brassmunk Interview (2003)


MC Breed Interview (2007)


Brooke Valentine Interview (2005)

Brooklyn Interview (2002)


Brother Ali Interview (2003)


Brother J X-Clan Interview (2006)


Bubba Sparxxx Interview (2005)


Bubba Sparxxx Interview (2006)


Buck 65 Interview (2003)


Buck 65 Interview (2004)


Buck 65 Interview (2005)


Buckshot Interview (BCC) Interview (2005)

Bumblebeez 81 Interview (2004)


Bumpy Knuckles Interview (2003)


Bun B Interview (UGK) Interview (2005)


Bushwick Bill Interview (2005)

Cage Interview (2000)


Camille Interview (2005)


Cam’Ron Interview (2000)


Capital D Interview (2000)

Capone Interview (CNN) Interview (2005)


Cap-One Interview (2000)


Cappadonna Interview (2003)


Cassidy Interview (2004)


Casual Interview (Hiero) Interview (2005)


Casual Interview (Hiero)2(2005)


Cee-Lo Interview (2005)


Celph Titled Interview (1999)


Celph Titled Interview (2002)

Cesar Comanche Interview (2005)


Cesar Comanche Interview (2005)


Chali 2na Interview (2004)


Chali 2na Interview (2006)


Chamillionaire Interview (2005)


Chamillionaire Interview (2005)2


Chante Moore Interview (2006)


The Chapter Interview (2005)


The Charms Interview (2006)

Cherrywine Interview (2003)


Chief Kamachi Interview (2005)


Choppa Interview (2006)


Chopper Interview (2005)


DJ Chris Lawrence Interview (2004)


Chromeo Interview (2007)


Chuck D Interview (1998)


Ciara Interview (2004)


Ciara Interview (2006)

Ciph Barker Interview (2005)


Cipha Sounds Interview (2005)


Classified Interview (1999)


Classified Interview (2003)


Classified Interview (2006)


The Clipse Interview (2006)


Clinton Sparks Interview (2005)


DJ Clue Interview (2007)


Cold Cut Interview (2006)

Common Interview (2005)


Common Interview (2005) – 2


Common Interview (2003)


The Cornerstone Interview (2007)


Consequence Interview (2004)


Controller 7 Interview (2001)


Copperpot Interview (2005)


Copywrite Interview (2000)


Copywrite Interview (2001)

Cormega Interview (2005)


Cormega Interview (2004)


Cormega Interview (2003)


The Coup Interview (2006)


The Coup Interview (2007)


C-Rayz Walz Interview (2003)


C-Rayz Walz Interview (2005)


DJ Craze Interview (2003)


Crime Mob Interview (2007)

Cruna Interview (2005)


Crystal Method Interview (2005)


Crystal Method Interview (2006)


CunninLynguists Interview (2004)


Cymarshall Law Interview (2007)

D4L Interview (2005)


Dälek Interview (2005)


Danity Kane Interview (2007)

Darien Brockington Interview (2006)


Dave Hollister Interview (2006)


Daz Dillinger Interview (2003)


Daz Dillinger Interview (2005)


Daz Dillinger Interview (2006)


Daz Dillinger Interview (2006) 2


Dead Prez/Outlawz ’06


Dead Prez/Outlawz 2


Deep Thinkers Interview (2005)

Deeskee Interview (2001)


Defari Interview (2002)


Defari Interview (2005)


Defari Interview (2005) – Interview (2)


Defari Interview (2006)


Del Interview (2003)


Del Interview (2006)


Del Interview (2006) 2


De La Soul Interview (2004)

Digiki Interview (2007)


Diktator Interview (2004)


Dilated Peoples Interview (2004)


Dilated Peoples Interview (2006)


Diplo Interview (2006)


The Dirty Crew Interview (2005)


Dirty Needlez Interview (2005)


Distrakt Interview (2007)


D.K. Interview (2006)

DL Incognito Interview (2003)


DMC Interview (2007)


D. One Interview (2005)


D. One Interview (2006)


Do or Die Interview (2005)


Drag-On Interview (2004)


Dreddy Kruger Interview (2005)


Dropkick Murphys Interview (2005)


Dru Down Interview (2007)

Dru Hepkins Interview (2007)


D-Sisive Interview (1999)


DutchMassive Interview (2000)


Dwele Interview (2003)


Dwele Interview (2005)


Ms. Dynamite Interview (2003)

East Side Boyz Interview (2004)


Eclipse 427 Interview (2000)

Edan Interview (2005)


Edgar Allen Floe Interview (2005)


Edgar Allen Floe Interview (2) Interview (05)


Edo G Interview (2000)


Edo G Interview (2004)


Edo G Interview (2004) – Interview (2)


Edru Interview (2006)


El Da Sensei Interview (2002)


El-P Interview (2007)

Electric President Interview (2006)


Electric Six Interview (2006)


Elephant Man Interview (2007)


Elisabeth Withers Interview (2007)


Elzhi Interview (2002)


Elzhi Interview (2004)


Elzhi Interview (2005)


Elzhi Interview (2005) 2


Emily Haines Interview (Metric) ’05

Emily King Interview (2006)


Encore Interview (2001)


Encore Interview (2003)


Epic Interview (2001)


EQuiKnockZ Interview (2006)


E-Sik Interview (2006)


Esoteric Interview (1999)


Evidence Interview (2004)


Eyedea Interview (2003)

Fenaxiz Interview (2006)


Field Mob Interview (2006)


Field Mob Interview (2005)


Field Mob Interview (2005) 2


Field Mob Interview (2002)


Five Deez Interview (2003)


Floyd The Locsmif Interview (2006)


Foreign Legion Interview (2004)

Foretaste Interview (2006)


Freddie Foxxx Interview (2006)


Freekey Zekey Interview (2006)


Freestyle Interview (2000)


Freestyle Interview (2005)


DJ Fresh Interview (2007)

Gabriel Teodoros Interview (2006)


Geniuser Interview (2006)

Ghostface Killah Interview (2006)


Ghostface Killah Interview (2006) 2


Gift of Gab Interview (2004)


Ginuwine Interview (2005)


Girl Talk Interview (2006)


Glass Joe Interview (2004)


Goapele Interview (2004)


Goodie Mob Interview (2004)


Grafh Interview (2004)

Grafh Interview (2005)


Grand Agent Interview (2003)


Greenhouse Effect Interview (2005)


Mr. Greenweedz Interview (2005)


Mr. Greenweedz Interview (2005) 2


G.Riot Interview (2005)


Guerilla Black Interview (2004)


Gucci Mane Interview (2005)


Guru Interview (Gangstarr) Interview (2003)

Guru Interview (Gangstarr) Interview (2005)

Hangar 18 Interview (2006)


Hawd Interview (2001)


Hasan Salaam Interview (2005)


Headkrak Interview (1998)


Heather Hunter Interview (2005)


Hell Razah Interview (2005)


Hell Razah Interview (2007)

Hezekiah Interview (2006)


High & Mighty Interview (2005)


Hi-Tek Interview (2007)


Horrorpops Interview (2005)


Hot Karl Interview (2005)


Hot Karl Interview (2005) 2


Hot Rod Interview (2006)


Hot Rod Interview (2006) 2

Howling Diablos Interview (2005)

I-20 Interview (2004)


Imani Interview (2005)


Infamous Mobb Interview (2004)


Infinito Interview (2004)


Infinito Interview (2005)


Insight Interview (2004)


Inspectah Deck ’04

Inspectah Deck ’04 – 2


Iomos Marad Interview (2003)

J5 Interview (2002)


The Jacka Interview (2005)


Jae Millz Interview (2005)


Jahah Interview (2004)


Jair Dynast Interview (2006)


Jakki Interview (2000)

James Shaw Interview (Metric) ’05


Jaykin Interview (2007)


Jazze Pha Interview (2005)


DJ Jazzy Jeff Interview (2007)


Jaz-O Interview (2002)


Jedi Mind Tricks Interview (2003)


Jeff Spec Interview (2002)


Jen The Pen Interview (2006)


Jem Interview (1) Interview (2004)

Jem Interview (2) Interview (2004)


Jeru The Damaja Interview (2004)


J. Greede Interview (2005)


Jim Jones Interview (2004)


Jim Jones Interview (2005)


Jin Interview (2004)


Jin Interview (2005)


J.J. Brown Interview (2000)


J.J. Brown Interview (2002)

J-Live Interview (2001)


J-Live Interview (2005)


Joe Budden Interview (2003)


Joe Budden Interview (2006)


Joe Scudda Interview (2006)


Johnta Austin Interview (2006)


Jordan River Banks Interview (2005)


Josh Martinez Interview (2005)


Josh Martinez Interview (2006)

Journalist Interview (2002)


Mr. J. Medeiros Interview (2007)


J.R. Interview (2005)


J. Rawls Interview (2003)


J.R. Writer Interview (2005)


Juelz Santana Interview (2005)


Juggaknots Interview (2006)


Juicy J Interview (2005)


J.U.I.C.E. Interview (2004)

Jully Black Interview (2007)


J-Zone Interview (2000)


J-Zone Interview (2002)


J-Zone Interview (2003)


J-Zone Interview (2004)


J-Zone Interview (2006)

Kardinal Offishall Interview (2000)


Katchphraze Interview (2003)

Kaze Interview (2005)


Keith Murray Interview (2007)


Kenny Lattimore Interview (2006)


Kev Brown Interview (2006)


Khia Interview (2006)


Khrysis Interview (2006)


Killah Priest Interview (2003) – 1


Killah Priest Interview (2003) – 2


Killah Priest Interview (2005)

Killer Mike Interview (2005)


Konkrete Interview (2005)


Kool G Rap Interview (2003)


Kool Keith Interview (2000)


Kool Keith Interview (2004)


K-Os Interview (2005)


K-Os Interview (2007)


Krumbsnatcha Interview (2002)


DJ Krush Interview (2004) – 1

DJ Krush Interview (2004) – 2


Kutmasta Kurt Interview (2004)


Kutmasta Kurt Interview (2005)


Kyprios Interview (2004)

Lady B Interview (2006)


LadybirRdS Interview (2007)


Lady Sovereign Interview (2006)


Lady Sovereign Interview (2006) 2

Langdon Auger Interview (2003)


Language Arts Crew Interview (06)


Last Emperor Interview (2002)


Last Emperor Interview (2003) – Interview (1)


Last Emperor Interview (2003) – Interview (2)


Lavender Pill Mob Interview (2006)


Lawless Element Interview (2005)


Lawless Element – 2 Interview (05)


Layzie Bone Interview (2005)

Leela James Interview (2005)


L.E.G.A.C.Y. Interview (2005)


Lem Interview (2005)


Lenny Diko Interview (2006)


Mr. Lif Interview (2000)


Mr. Lif Interview (2006)


Lil’ Flip Interview (2004)


Lil’ Flip Interview (2005)


Lil’ Scrappy Interview (2006)

Little Brother Interview (2003)


Little Brother Interview (2006)


Littles Interview (2005)


Lloyd Banks Interview (2006)


DJ Logic Interview (2006)


The Longshots Interview (2005)


Louis Logic Interview (2000)


Louis Logic Interview (2001)


Louis Logic Interview (2003)

Luckyiam.PSC Interview (2003)


Lupe Fiasco Interview (2006)


Lupe Fiasco Interview (2006) 2


LV Interview (2006)


Lyfe Interview (2004)


Lyfe Jennings Interview (2006)


Lyrics Born Interview (2003)


Lyrics Born Interview (2004)

Mack 10 Interview (2005)


Majik Most Interview (2005)


Makeba Mooncycle ’99


Marcos Hernandez Interview (2005)


Mass MC Interview (2000)


Masta Killa Interview (2003)


Masta Killa Interview (2006)


Masterminds Interview (2000)


DJ Mathematics Interview (2003)

DJ Mathematics Interview (’03)(2)


DJ Mathematics Interview (2007)


Maylay Sparks Interview (2004)


Mcenroe Interview (2001)


Mcenroe Interview (2003)


M. Beat Manifesto Interview (2005)


Memphis Bleek Interview (2005)


MF Doom Interview (2002)


Michael Franti Interview (2005)

Michele – Destiny’s Child


Middle Men Interview (2005)


Midi Mafia Interview (2006)


Midwest City Interview (2006)


Mila J Interview (2006)


Mixmaster Mike Interview (1998)


Mobb Deep Interview (2001)


Mobb Deep Interview (2004)


Mobb Deep Interview (2006)

Mod – Black Marvel ’05


Mojoe Interview (2006)


Moka Only Interview (2000)


Moka Only Interview (2003)


Motion Man Interview (2006)


Mountain Brothers ’99


Move.meant Interview (2005)


Murs Interview (2003)


Myron Mayhem Interview (2005)

Mystik Journeymen ’03

Na’Sha Interview (2005)


Naledge Interview (2006)


Nas Interview (2005)


Necro Interview (2005)


Needlz Interview (2005)


Network Reps Interview (2000)


Ne-Yo Interview (2005)

Ne-Yo Interview (2005) 2


Nicolay Interview (2006)


Nottz Interview (2005)


Northstar Interview (2004)


Numskull Interview (Luniz) Interview (2007)

O Interview (2007)


Obie Trice Interview (2005)


Obie Trice Interview (2006)

O.C. Interview (2005)


O.C. Interview (2006)


O.C. Interview (2006) 2


The O’Jays Interview (2004)


Oktober Interview (2004)


Omarion Interview (2005)


Omarion Interview (2007)


One Be Lo Interview (2005)


One Be Lo Interview (2005) Interview (2)

One Chance Interview (2006)


Opio Interview (2005)


O.U.O. Interview (2005)


Outerspace Interview (2004)


OUTTHERE Interview (2005)

The Pack Interview (2007)


PackFM Interview (2001)


PackFM Interview (2005)

PackFM Interview (2006)


Paradigm Interview (2002)


Patrick Wolf Interview (2007)


MC Paul Barman Interview (2000)


MC Paul Barman Interview (2005)


Paul Wall Interview (2006)


P.B.M. Interview (2005)


P. Butter Wolf Interview (1999)


Pedestrian Interview (2001)

The Pharcyde Interview (2005)


The Pharcyde Interview (2005)2


The Pharcyde Interview (2006)


Phife Dawg Interview (2000)


Phoebe One Interview (2005)


Phonte – L. Brother Interview (2005)


Pigeon John Interview (2005)


Pigeon John Interview (2006)


Pigeon John Interview (2006) 2

DJ Piklz Interview (2005)


Pip Skid Interview (2001)


Planet Asia Interview (2000)


Planet Asia Interview (2006)


Play N Skillz Interview (2005)


PMD Interview (2003)


P.O.S. Interview (2006)


Potluck Interview (2004)


DJ Premier Interview (2005)

Prevail Interview (2006)


Prime Interview (2002)


Prince Paul Interview (2005)


Prince Paul Interview (2006)


Prince Po Interview (2005)


Prodigal Sunn Interview (2005)


Prodigy Interview (Mobb Deep) ’06


Proe Interview (2005)


Professor Ecks Interview (2005)

Professor Ecks Interview (2006)


Project Pat Interview (2006)


Propaganda Interview (2005)


Psapp Interview (2006)


Pumpkinhead Interview (2003)


P.U.T.S. Interview (2002)


P.U.T.S. Interview (2006)

Rack Lo Interview (2002)

Raydar Ellis Interview (2006)


Raekwon Interview (2006)


Raheem DeVaughn Interview (’05)


Raheem DeVaughn ’05-2


Raheem DeVaughn ’05-3


Raheem DeVaughn ’06


Raphael Saadiq Interview (2002)


R.A. Rugged Man Interview (2004)


R.A. Rugged Man Interview (2005)

Reef Lost Cauze Interview (2005)


Restiform Bodies Interview (2002)


Rhymefest Interview (2005)


Rhymefest Interview (2006)


Rhymefest Interview (2006) 2


Rhymefest Interview (2006) 3


Rhymefest Interview (2006) 4


Rick Ross Interview (2006)


Rick Whispers Interview (2005)

Mr. Rictor Interview (2002)


Rin Interview (2006)


Rip Interview (2005)


Rise Against Interview (2005)


Rodan Interview (2002)


Royce Interview (2006)


Royce 5’9 Interview (2001)


Royce 5’9 Interview (2002)


Royce 5’9 Interview (2004) – Interview (1)

Royce 5’9 Interview (2004) – Interview (2)


Royce 5’9 Interview (2004) – Interview (3)


Royksopp Interview (2003)


Russell Simmons Interview (2005)


Ryan Toby Interview (2006)

S1 & Illmind Interview (2005)


Sadat X Interview (2007)

Sage Francis Interview (2002)


Saigon Interview (2006)


SAMIX Interview (2005)


SANG Interview (2005)


S.A. Smash Interview (2004)


Saturday Looks Interview (2006)


Saul Williams Interview (2004)


Sayre Interview (2007)


Scar Interview (2005)

Science Fiction Interview (2003)


Science Fiction Interview (2004)


Scram Jones Interview (2004)


Sebastien Schuller Interview (2007)


Serengeti Interview (2005)


Serj Tankian Interview (2007)


Session Interview (2005)


Seth Dubin Interview (2005)


Severed Heads Interview (2006)

Sev Statik Interview (2005)


Shareefa Interview (2006)


Shareefa Interview (2006) 2


Sharissa Interview (2002)


Sharissa Interview (2005)


Shawnna Interview (2006)


Sheek Louch Interview (2005)


Sheek Louch Interview (2005) 2


Sheist Bub Interview (2005)

Single Minded Pros ’04


Sixtoo Interview (1999)


Sketch Interview (2004)


Sketch Bros Interview (2005)


Skip Martin Interview (2006)


Skyzoo Interview (2006)


Sleepy Brown Interview (2006)


Slim Thug Interview (2004)


Slim Thug Interview (2005)

Slim Thug Interview (2005)2


Slug Interview (2002)


Slug Interview (2005)


Slum Village Interview (2004)


Smif N Wessun Interview (2007)


Sneakersuite Interview (2006)


Sol Uprising Interview (2004)


Soopafly Interview (2002)


Soso Interview (2002)

Soulive Interview (2007)


Soulstice Interview (2004)


Soulstice Interview (2005)


Soul Plasma Interview (2005)


Soul Supreme Interview (2005)


Sound Providers Interview (2004)


Speech Interview (2005)


Spencer Davis Interview (2006)


Splash Interview (2005)

Spooks Interview (2004)


Steel Chump Interview (2003)


Steele Interview (2007)


Sticky Fingaz Interview (2003)


Storm Interview (S.K.K.) Interview (1998)


Strange Fruit Project 06


Styles P Interview (LOX) Interview (2005)


Subtitle Interview (2005)


Supernatural Interview (2003)

Supernatural Interview (2006)


Sweatshop Union Interview (2003)


Swollen Members Interview (2006)

Talib Kweli Interview (2002)


Talib Kweli Interview (2004)


Talib Kweli Interview (2006)


Talib Kweli Interview (2006) 2


Tame One Interview (2003)

Teargas + Plateglass ’04


DJ Tee Reckz Interview (2005)


Termanology Interview (2006)


Test Shot Starfish Interview (2005)


Thicke Interview (2003)


Think In Gangsta Interview (2005)


Three 6 Mafia Interview (2005)


Three 6 Mafia Interview (2006)


Thun Interview (2005)

T.I. Interview (2004)


Timbo King Interview (2000)


Time Interview (2005)


Tonedeff Interview (2002)


Tonedeff Interview (2005)


Tony Hussle Interview (2005)


Tony Touch Interview (2005)


Tony Yayo Interview (2005)


Topp Boom Interview (2006)

Toshi Interview (2004)


T-Pain Interview (2005)


T-Pain Interview (2005) 2


Trae Interview (A.B.N.)(2006)


Tragedy Khadafi Interview (2003)


Trillville Interview (2005)


Triple Seis Interview (2004)


Tumi & Volume Interview (2006)

Twista Interview (2007)


Ty Fyffe Interview (2005)


Tyrone Interview (2005)

U-God Interview (1999)


Ugly Duckling Interview (2003)


Usual Suspecs Interview (2003)

Vanessa Diaz Interview (2006)

Van Hunt Interview (2004)


Vast Aire Interview (2004)


Verbal Kent Interview (2004)


VG Skillz Interview (2004)


Vinnie Paz Interview (2006)


Visual Interview (2006)

The Watson Twins Interview (2006)


W. Ellington Felton Interview (2006)

Wee Bee Foolish Interview (2001)


Wendy Day Interview (2006)


Why? Interview (2005)


Willie D Interview (2005)


Woo Interview (2005)


Wordsworth Interview (2004)


Wordsworth Interview (2004)(2)


Wyclef Jean Interview (2004)

Xxxchange Interview (2006)

Yara Interview (2005)


Ying Yang Twins Interview (2005)


Youngbloodz Interview (2003)


Young Buck Interview (2006)


Young Gunz Interview (2005)


Young Jeezy Interview (2005)


Young RJ Interview (2005)

Yukmouth Interview (2004)

Zaakir Interview (Jurassic 5)(2006)


Zion I Interview (2003)


Zion I Interview (2005)


DJ Z-Trip Interview (2005)


Zuluboy Interview (2006)

Categories
El-P Interviews

El-P Interview

by Josh Potter

Having just returned from the first segment of his world tour supporting I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead, before departing for the European stretch, and after what he described as more interviews in one month than Elvis had done in his entire life, El-P was kind enough to talk about live hip hop, the hype-machine, and Paula Zahn.

MVRemix: How you feeling? I know you were sick last night.

El-P: Yeah. I’ve been running around like a maniac.

MVRemix: You still out in LA?

El-P: No, no. I just got back last night. MVRemix: Is this part of the tour or what?

El-P: Yeah, it’s the tour. Doing shows – it’s getting serious, you know. We just did six shows, then we go to Europe and then I come back to finish up the tour in the States, so, yeah, it’s officially on.

MVRemix: How’s the live thing working out?

El-P: It’s great. Incredible. Every show’s been sold out. We’ve taken our whole vibe and presentation way above and beyond what I ever thought was possible.

MVRemix: So the material’s been translating well to the stage?

El-P: It certainly does.

MVRemix: Tell me a little bit about your band.

El-P: It’s great. We’ve got an amazing lighting director, sound man. He does a bunch of projection work. The shit’s ill, man.

MVRemix: This album’s so conceptual in nature. How are you approaching the whole live set-up? Track by track, or are you trying to do the whole album straight-up?

El-P: Well, you know, you pick and choose — what you think are good performance songs. We’re not doing the entire record, but a lot of the record. At this point it’s really cool because I don’t have to do a bunch of old songs from other records. And, I think the way we’re approaching the live show — the theatricality of it — we can just do the new material and get out there with it. You know, it’s definitely a work in progress, but I guarantee it’s unlike any other hip hop show out there.

MVRemix: It’s cool that you’re taking on this whole world tour right now. Do you feel like the live hip hop thing is lacking in general?

El-P: Yeah. I’m trying to destroy that whole idea. Absolutely. I think the problem is people don’t take their shit seriously in hip hop. People don’t have any sense of theatricality. People don’t invest their money into the show. See, in the rock world they say, hey, let’s take all of our money from this show and invest it into the next show.

MVRemix: Right.

El-P: To me, it makes so much sense. And so basically, that’s what I’m doing. You know, people don’t want to invest in the presentation — don’t want to take a sound guy, don’t want to take a lighting guy. You know, and I think most people do get a little bit more this way, rather than seeing the same shit. You know, you go, you see a few people on stage, there’s no lighting, there’s no anything, there’s no drama, there’s no costumes… [laughs]

MVRemix: Just a DJ and an MC…

El-P: And then you go to see a fucking rock show and there’s an intensity.

MVRemix: Pyrotechnics and shit…

El-P: It’s just the premise of a hip hop show, and I can’t really say it’s wrong. Most guys are just standing there rapping, and that’s cool and everything, but there are people out there doing much, much crazier shit, so, you know, if you’re trying to compete, you’re losing.

MVRemix: I’m bringing to mind the Mars Volta here. Are you bringing any of those guys, or any of your guests, on stage for this tour?

El-P: Well, no no. The Mars Volta tour put the idea in my head. I mean, when I started hanging out with them and seeing their shows, I was being like ‘Holy shit! How the fuck…’ I mean, the lighting alone… And they were like, ‘we spend every dime on these shows.’ And it made so much sense, because, you know, we’re trying to go somewhere here, but in the hip hop mentality, the indie hip hop mentality everyone’s trying to pinch their pennies so hard, and to me I’m like, look, let me put the fucking money into something that’s gonna step it up a little bit, even if it’s just a little bit.

MVRemix: Yeah.

El-P: If those motherfuckers could just buy a few fucking strobe lights… Anyway, I could talk about it forever, but that’s what I want to do — step it up a notch. You know, it’s a different type of show.

MVRemix: I’ve heard you talk in the past about the whole ‘visceral’ element of music, in terms of your approach to song writing and beat creation, and it seems to play into the live aspect too. Does that sound about right?

El-P: I want to play the music that I can actually lose my god damn mind on stage with. There are only two things in this whole music industry that are actually fun: making records and performing them. The rest is bullshit. I can’t spend two years working on a record and then just come out under some hot white lights. [Laughs] That’s not happening.

MVRemix: Is it nice to get away from your second life of managing the label, for a little while at least?

El-P: Um, yeah, you know, it’s definitely nice. And it’s weird. I’m not, like, use to being self-centered. I’ve forgotten what it feels like to actually, sort of, focus on myself. It’s hard for me, like shit. Even the amount of interviews I do. I mean, it’s like, I’ve probably done more interviews than Elvis has ever done (laughing), like, in the last month. It’s pretty cool. I’m just not use to it. My life in the past five years has been so much more about the cats I care about, helping them get their careers off the ground.

MVRemix: Right.

El-P: But I will say that, yeah. It’s nice mostly because I have a piece of art that I’m excited about. And I also feel like, when my records come out, I get to kind of be the prototype of the working ambitions I believe in.

MVRemix: People had been talking about this album for months before it came out. I mean, the hype-machine was huge. How do you think that’s affected the way you’ve approached it? It’s such a personal album, but at the same time you’re forced to be out in the open so much. How does that affect the way you approach the material?

El-P: It doesn’t affect the way I approach the material. The material is created in a vacuum, whether or not people like it. All you can do is make music that you’re proud of, and put everything you have into it. And when you’re done with that bitch, you can put it out, and know in your heart that you used everything you had at the time. Whether or not people like your shit or hate your shit, that’s really not the point. So, it doesn’t change me at all. But am I happy? Of course I’m happy that people are responding to the record the way they are.

MVRemix: Hey, did you see that Paula Zahn thing about a month ago? It was a special called “Hip Hop: Art or Poison?”

El-P: [Laughs] No. I mean this is nothing new. It’s a question that’s been asked ever since white culture found itself faced with black culture. It’s really about fear, like, who the fuck cares if someone’s asking the question of whether or not hip hop is poison? It’s the fact they used that phrase that shows they don’t know what they’re talking about? The question is, why is everyone so shocked that people are fucking reacting right now. I mean, you can only put out one million fucking cocaine booty-rap songs before someone says something about it. And, I hate to say the typical thing — like, what everyone already thinks I think anyway — but I like MC’s, I like rap music, mainstream, underground, fuck — if you’re nasty you’re nasty. So let’s stop pretending that this shit is dope. As far as I’m concerned, the only people who should be doing drug rap music are the Clipse.

MVRemix: Ok.

El-P: And why, you ask? But you didn’t ask. Because they’re dope MC’s. And they’ve got dope beats. And they’re better than everyone else at it. So, why doesn’t everyone else just go find another style? And people in the mainstream are reacting to this shit because they agree. Intellectually you can see that, of course, it’s kind of wack. And it does have a certain effect that people don’t like. But, that being said, they’re wrong. They’re wrong. They’re only seeing one aspect of it. I think we’re at this point where club music and club culture can again stand up and define what it means to be involved in this. And frankly, they’re going to have to. Once again we’re being asked to explain to everybody in the world who’s looking down through the most distorted lens, “Why exactly is it that we’re supposed to take you seriously? Why exactly is it that this is a positive thing?” And if we can’t answer that question and we can’t look people in the eye, then it’s only our fucking fault.

Original Article