Chip Tha Ripper Interview
With the midwest quickly becoming the headquarters for some of the most true to hip-hop artists, there's no wonder why Cleveland holds some of the top contributers to keeping with that characteristic. With DJ Hi-Tek backing him, Chip Tha Ripper is quickly making people recognize the midwest and Cleveland more specifically, as being a force to be reckoned with. With mixtapes becoming more and more prominent and raw to the standards of that back in the day hip hop production, there is no reason why you should be sleeping on Chip. We sat down with Chip to discuss his place in the game and where he's headed in the future (Post his B-Day party at Kent State-video below).
(Click here to listen to Chip's "Can't Stop Me" Mixtape)
Arize: So with your mixtape releases (Money & Can't Stop Me) getting a big buzz in the game, how has the mixtape game changed the sound of hip hop? Was the change for the best you think?
I think the mixtape scene really helps artist who wanna show that all they need is good production & can mix music on a professional level. I think mixtapes have been keeping hip-hop alive single handedly for at least the past 3-4 years.
Arize: Yea it takes out all the middle man stuff (legal, clearances, etc) and skips right to the release of good music. With that said, I'm sure you come across a lot of other artists with their own mixtapes. Who do you listen to thats on the mixtape grind as hard as yourself?
I listen to gucci mane, wayne, kid cudi, kanye, the cool kids, kids in the hall....whatevers hot!
I think the midwest has a style of being down to earth and so well understood by the average person it attracts alot of people. As well as the south, the accent along with topic and structure is what attracts listeners.
Arize: Gotcha. You speak about bitches and hoes alot on your mixtapes. Which do you prefer? Bitches or Hoes? lol
lol Tough one......I perfer da bitches. Hoes might be a lil iffy. lol
Arize: Yea hoes are for everybody so you gotta watch out for those. lol. This brings me to my next question. You're a silly dude and you're not afraid to be yourself on your tracks, especially the funny ass "Tee skit", where you talk about dudes sporting the nightgown tall tee look (which they still do here in ATL lol). Do you think enough artists are staying true to who they really are and really putting themselves out there?
I think the midwest has a style of being down to earth and so well understood by the average person it attracts alot of people. As well as the south, the accent along with topic and structure is what attracts listeners.
Arize: Yea every region has a different ear and sound. Do you see yourself in the future taking big leaps like Kanye did in his last single "Love Lockdown"?
lol Yea I could see myself jumpin outside da box. Its all about who can be the most creative & set the most trends.
Arize: Yea its all about pushing yourself. How did you connect with people like HI-Tek and DJ-EV? These aren't some run-of-the-mill guys ya know?
I linked wit EV before "Bitch I'm From Cleveland" mixtape. It was originally my mixtape but I wanted to display other Cleveland music because of the title. My homeboy Eddie Bauer pluged me wit Hi-Tek. Tek was really feelin the music and just so happen to ask Eddie about me and we start makin music.
Me & Hi-Tek are working on an album right now
Arize: Cool shit...Hows it working with him (Hi-Tek)? What are you looking forward to with your albums production? Will your album tell a story? Be a heavy album? or be a combination of things?
Its really gonna be a display of how life is as i know it, coming from where Im from(Cleveland). If you research all the tracks he did, the man is a genius from tha hood of Cincinnatti!
Arize: Right right... I can't wait to hear what the album is going to sound like. So with that said, while your album is in the works, what else will you be doing in between production? Will you leak a few songs for the audience to hear?
Its a possibillity. Me & Tek gotta wrap about it but its a good chance we will serve an appetizer lol
Yea I belive that Myspce along with all the hip-hop blogs & websites are the backbone in our day in age of hip-hop.
Arize: How big has Myspace and the mixtape game been in you getting your sound out and getting yourself known to the masses?
Yea I belive that Myspce along with all the hip-hop blogs & websites are the backbone in our day in age of hip-hop.
Arize: Yea the game has definitely changed throughout the years to evolve with the generations, but I think its a lot more instant and immediate than it was before, which is good for people that are hungry for new music. And rappers who are hungry to feed the audience
No doubt.
Arize: So, before we get outta here let me get your honest opinion about who you would smash....Sarah Palin or Michelle Obama? lol
I'd go wit Sarah cuz she's trynna do da same to me lol. Obamaaaa yaaalll
Arize: What? Fuck us all over?!
You already know St. Clair wud up!
Arize: Spoken like the true Chip Tha Rip that we've come to love...lol...Midwest Stand Up!
(Click here to listen to Chip's "Can't Stop Me" Mixtape)
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