AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
WITH WU-TANG'S OWN- LA THE DARKMAN...
As with most WU-TANG CLAN projects, news of an
upcoming LA THE DARKMAN album creates anticipation
throughout the Hip Hop community! With the success
and acclaim from his debut "Heist of the Century"
album, critics are expecting nothing but the best WU
material from his sophomore LP titled- "DARKMAN II".
It's been about 5 years since his debut album dropped.
However, with incredible tracks on ODB's, GZA,
INSPECTAH DECK, SUNZ OF MAN, V-ICE, ICP, and several
other rappers albums...he's remained a serious
contender in the rap industry. I was recently able to
conduct this exclusive interview with LA THE DARKMAN.
In it he speaks on such topics as- the New album
"DARKMAN II", Collaborations, his movie projects, his
arrival into the WU-TANG CLAN, old Label beefs, video
games, and more. Enjoy!
HODGE- Welcome LA! First things first. I hear that
your new album “DARKMAN II” is due out soon. Any
official release date yet?
LA the DARKMAN- I drop a radio single at the end of
march two songs "what I like" & "gunz don't kill" then
my LP should be done around may or June, I'm still
recording!
HODGE- In your opinion, how’s this album shaping up
compared to your critically acclaimed debut album-
“Heist of the Century”?
LA the DARKMAN- This LP is amazing, I mean its crazy
if you like the heist your gonna love D2.
HODGE- Can you confirm the guest appearances we can
expect to hear on the upcoming album?
LA the DARKMAN- I have Method Man, Chico DeBarge,
RZA,& Ghost. I want to display a lot of me!
HODGE- I was first exposed to your mic talents on DJ
MUGGS(CYPRESS HILLS DJ) “Soul Assassins” vol. 1 album
back in 97. I heard rumors that you were supposed to
drop your debut album shortly after but their was some
sort of beef with your label Big Beat records. It
wasn’t until about a year and a half later that the
album was officially released on a new label. Was
that official release of “Heist of the Century” the
same album that was supposed to be released on Big
Beat Records? Or did they hold some tracks hostage?
LA the DARKMAN- Yeah Big Beat/Atlantic didn't know
how to market raw hip hop so I got my own label. I
started with a partner called "supreme team" and got
more money and put it out myself. They held a couple
tracks a first but I got em back so I'm independent
and its all good!
HODGE- Rumor has it that your initial introduction to
the WU-TANG CLAN started back in 1994 when you
impressed METHOD MAN in a studio freestyle. Any truth
to this?
LA the DARKMAN- yes its all true me & Mef were in the
studio together & he asked me to rhyme, I spit hard
he said lets keep em I was always around the clan but
in the streets, after that they pulled me into the
music!
HODGE- How long have you been writing raps?
LA the DARKMAN- I been writing rhymes for like ten
yrs I'm 23yrs old I been writing since 13 or 14!
HODGE- About a year ago I picked up a DVD called-
“HIP-HOP THE COLLECTION”. It’s basically some rap
songs played with a bunch of psychedelic shapes and
colors shifting to the beat. You’re featured on 2
tracks. One of the songs(“UNBREAKABLE”) that features
yourself and V-ICE, was actually made into a anime
style video. It also contains a video(shapes &
colors) of the song “INSANE KILLAS” featuring INSANE
CLOWN POSSE, V-ICE, and Yourself. Now I’ve personally
showed this DVD to Rob and he had no clue it was ever
put out. Were you aware that a company put this out,
or was it actually made illegally? 
LA the DARKMAN- No I didn't know about that dvd I
would like to see it!
HODGE- Speaking of V-ICE, you appeared on 3 tracks on
his last album “Bi-Polar”. To the surprise of many
critics eager to diss Rob all over again…the album was
incredible! His next album is in production now.
Will you be doing more collaboration tracks for it as
well?
LA the DARKMAN- Me and v-ice are very cool, I wrote
his lyrics on a couple songs, that's my homie so we'll
polly again!
HODGE- I once read that you were interested in
producing your own movie. If so, is that project
still in the works?
LA the DARKMAN- Yeah I got the movie being wrote
right now. I acted in two movies also. "da hip hop
witch project" with myself- Eminem, Ja Rule, Mobb
Deep, Busta Rhymes. I played a main role. And another
movie called "colors of rage" with me & Redman. Both
movies are at blockbuster video & hollywood video, but
my movie I'm making is about my life true story its
gone be banging we putting it together!
HODGE- WU fans speculate on an unreleased track
titled “Young Thugz” featuring MASTA KILLA and
Yourself. Is this track authentic, or just a net
rumor?
LA the DARKMAN- Yeah I did a track with Masta but I
think he's gone keep it for his LP!
HODGE- You’ve appeared on collaboration tracks with
such musicians as- ODB, MOBB DEEP, DAVINA, GHOSTFACE
KILLAH, V-ICE, INSANE CLOWN POSSE, RAEKWON, U-GOD,
INSPECTAH DECK, GZA, RZA, MASTA KILLA, DJ
MUGGS(CYPRESS HILL), KILLA ARMY, SUNZ OF MAN, and many
more. What other artists would you put on a
collaboration wish list?
LA the DARKMAN- I got Method Man, Chico DeBarge,RZA &
Ghost so far. Ima have a couple more guest in the
works but I want the LP to be a lot of DARKMAN!
HODGE- I hear you’re an avid video game fan. What
games have put your PS2 to use lately?
LA the DARKMAN- I love playing vice city, max payne
2, madden 2004 & NBA live 2004!
HODGE- When your new album- “DARKMAN II” drops, will
you be touring as well? If so, will it be a full
scale city-to-city tour…or just select areas?
LA the DARKMAN- Yea I going to set up a tour right
after I finish recording D2 going every where!
HODGE- What’s spinning in your stereo these days?
LA the DARKMAN- I'm listening to ICE CUBE’s first lp,
BIGGIES second lp, WU-TANGS second lp, NAS first lp,
JAY-s first lp, & MOBB DEEP’s murder mizik!
HODGE- I wanna thank you for taking this time out to
do the interview man. If your new album is anything
like the last one… then you got another WU-TANG
classic on your hands!!!
LA the DARKMAN- Thank you HODGE. My new LP is crazy
banging I think ima put the real feel back in music.
If they liked the Heist, they're going to love
“DARKMAN 2”!
HODGE- Alright before we bounce, any last words for
your fans reading this?
LA the DARKMAN- I'm one of the best MC's & ima prove
it to the world, peace!
--laa
www.lathedarkman.com
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