Published: Wednesday - March 19, 2008
Words by CZA
Sheek Louch Photo: Koch Records
One could draw an uncanny parallel between the wilds of the Congo and the pulse of the streets by the behavior of its inhabitants. The larger, stronger animals thrive while the smaller, more timid creatures become prey or understand their relationship to their surroundings and beware their rulers. Sheek Louch has fully matured as an artist, and takes hold of his position as a dominant entity with a new album in the wings, a flood of mixtapes already in circulation and an opportunity to stake his territory like never before. Peer close at the master of his concrete jungle; the sometimes furious, but always awe-inspiring Silverback Gorilla.
BallerStatus.com: What's the idea behind Silverback Gorilla?
Sheek Louch: It's a metaphor for me, I feel like I'm one of the fiercest MCs out in this jungle, you know? There are all types of creatures out here in this concrete jungle, man, snakes and everything. The game is like a real life nature channel and I feel I'm one of the best equipped to survive out here. You'll see the silverback sitting over there, all peaceful, but if you mess with him, he'll mess you up. That's what I am right now, the king of the jungle.
BallerStatus.com: How long have you been working on this album?
Sheek Louch: About six months. What happens is I write a lot of songs -- maybe like 35 songs before I even pick twelve. It's a process, one that keeps me busy in the studio all kinds of crazy hours. With all of the mixtapes and spots, it's definitely a process, one I'm built for mind you, but still a process.
BallerStatus.com: Tell us more about who you've got producing and featured on Silverback Gorilla.
Sheek Louch: We're keeping it in-house for the most part -- Vinny Idol, he's amazing. Buckwild and Red Spyda, who produced my single "Good Love" that's out now; that's getting crazy buzz. Dame Grease, Fat Joe and Bun B are going to be on the album, not to mention Unk, Jim Jones and of course D-Block. Every song on the album is monstrous, you know? My lyricism is on a whole new level now, and I remember back when people were like "Sheek Louch? Oh, he's just the third dude in the LOX." Not anymore, I'm going to impress some people with this one.
BallerStatus.com: How is this album going to stack up against what's hot right now?
Sheek Louch: This is one of those albums that you can put in and let rock all the way through and jump to your favorite song 12 times. Nowadays, everyone wants a ringtone record. 12 songs of garbage, in hopes that they can sell ringtones. I blame the labels mostly though; the young dudes just do as their told. I'm hearing about GZA going in on lil homie and I personally don't know GZA, but maybe he's just tired of people getting over. It's a young man's game now, you know? Soulja Boy is snapping and doing his dance, getting his money, but he's still got a long way to go to prove his longevity. Let me get this clear: I'm too old to be making up dances. I can't come up with a dance routine. I rely on my lyrics as a true lyricist. That's it. Ain't nothing to be bitter about.
BallerStatus.com: You tired of talking about the J-Hood situation yet?
Sheek Louch: Nah, that's something people still want to know about, so I don't mind telling them the truth. I love him like a little brother, and rightfully, he's been with us for a long time. We were preparing him, grooming him for the world to know him. We tried to put songs out there for him, work different angles, but it just wasn't working. J was spitting fire, but a lot of the DJs weren't feeling the cuts. [In situations like that], you have to keep grinding. There are a bunch of cats right now that ain't out that have been doing this longer than he has that still won't quit. Look at a Papoose, who's been grinding hard body, he's not complaining about not being out yet. What he should've done was be like, "Yo, my people over there, [D-Block] we tried it, it isn't working, so let me go try something else. I got love for them, but I want to try something else." If he would've done that, everything would've been lovely. Instead, he wants to run around talking about his guns being cocked, f--- D-Block 'cause I'm running with 50 [Cent]. He don't know what 50 saying, he don't know 50 be like, "Come over here and diss Fat Joe and diss D-Block." After all the press dies down about it, you have to back it up with music, right? He's so stupid! Why don't you use that chance right now to make a hit? Why aren't you using the momentum off it to make some progress, instead of getting on DVD are trying to diss us?
BallerStatus.com: What's your personal view of his music?
Sheek Louch: I think that he could go far. I think he's talented; we wouldn't have taken him on otherwise. Do I think he's the best out there? Not at all. He has tremendous potential and could do some big things in the future. He'll do it without us though, he's abandoned and I hate he did things the way he did. We'll never, ever work with him again, but I still wish him well. He and his little knucklehead friends thought it would prove their toughness by doing it that way, but it just shows how immature he is. Stop the tough talk. Please, just stop the tough talk (laughs). We all sit and look at the DVDs and laugh like, "Look at lil J being gangster!" It's like when you were a kid and your little brother comes in trying to run sh-- and you pull off your belt and he runs away. "Get out of here before I go call mommy!" That's how it is with us. Even when it was out that Sheek smacked him, my mom called, asking me why I hit that boy. It's nothing like that.
BallerStatus.com: Can we look forward to another LOX album in the near future?
Sheek Louch: I have to say that I apologize to all the Lox fans for making them wait so long, but rest assured that a new one is on the way. With Kiss going over to Def Jam and all of the individual projects going on right now, it's been tough trying to record on that tip, but it is coming. There will be another Lox album real soon. The funny thing is, when 50 was talking about he could do whatever to Styles' album, push it back and keep it from coming out, we were like, "It's not even about hurting us, it would hurt those that want that LOX music more."
BallerStatus.com: Any last words for your fans?
Sheek Louch: The album is coming soon, Silverback Gorilla, and best believe that you need that in your life. You're going to hear a Sheek that you've never heard before. Monster. That's the only way to describe it.
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