[HipHopSiX]

Whoa Whoa... the murder mitten menace is in the building... we catch up with a cat who's level of output outshines a lot of mainstream artists. Menacide has carved a name for himself in the underground rap world through years of labour and his material is legendary. Also, a heads up; be sure to check out the Arcade and win Menacide's latest album Street Symphony on CD!!!



SiX: OK Menacide, introduce yourself to our readers... where do you hail from and how long have you been in the game for?

Menacide: I'm from Grand Rapids, aka "Gun Rule" Michigan. I've been in the game for 15 and some change, easily. Wuttup HipHopSix! Appreciate the love!

SiX:You've become a champion of the Wicked Underground - the street side loosely related to horrorcore but your music transcends one genre; break down who you influences were in the beginning?

Mostly hip hop dudes, in the beginning, although being from Michigan, I'm obviously inspired by the hustle of dudes like Esham and the "Wicked Shit" pioneers out here. It seems like forever since I checked out anything mainstream - I can't stand half the shit that comes out anymore. It's garbage, to me. But in the beginning, I'd have to say I was heavily inspired by Tupac, Wu Tang, Kokane, Mobb Deep, and just a huge melting pot of some the of great, early shit.

SiX: Now, your album 'Drugz' was what first time you got my attention and I want to talk about that but first off, speak on your catalogue; what should we be peeping from past to present...

• In My World EP (2001)
• Knuckle Up (2003)
• Rare Breed (2003)
• Knuckle Up Ltd. Edition (2004)
• Heavy Hittaz - Spring Training (2004)
• The Drugz LP (2004)
• Heavy Hittaz - Stix 2 Tha 616 (2005)
• Drugz Vinyl (2005)
• Drugz Chopped & Screwed (2005)
• The Prequel (2007)
• Street Symphony (2007)
• Heavy Hittaz - Thirteen Percent (2009)

Countless compilation appearances, spots on other albums, and DVD soundtracks.

__________________________________

I met up with Proof at 54 Sound in Detroit, where all the Eminem, D12 and Obie Trice records were recorded
__________________________________

SiX: Drugz was a massive album and every song knocked hard. You worked with some names on there too, Proof (RIP) being one of em; how did the collab come about?

I met up with Proof at 54 Sound in Detroit, where all the Eminem, D12, and Obie Trice records were recorded. He was finishing up some shit on the "D12 World" album at the time, so we hung out there for a bit, then went over to Sick Notes to bang the song out.

Working with Proof was definitely an inspiration. One of the realest dudes I ever met in this shit. Truly down to earth and humble, and a hilarious cat in the booth, too. R.I.P. Big Proof. Never forgotten.

SiX: Now since Drugz, you've worked with some big artists also - like on Street Symphony too; speak on who you've worked with; break down the who's who..

For Street Symphony, I worked with Cypress Hill, The Dayton Family, Insane Poetry, Mr. Sche, and my homey McNastee a lot. These are all cats I just hand picked and wanted to be on songs. I was fortunate enough to be able to make it all come together the way it did.

__________________________________

I just keep working harder and harder to bring more quality to the product...
__________________________________

SiX: You've been quite vocal about piracy in the past and I believe the CD of Drugz had copy protection built into it.. how do you feel now, with this internet revolution - as an independent artist, how has the internet threatened your livelihood?

I mean, there's no doubt it sucks ass to know that something you work so hard to create is going unappreciated by being up for download somewhere. But I also know that times are hard right now, and that dudes wanna hear their favorite shit, regardless if they can spring for a CD or not. I just keep working harder and harder to bring more quality to the product, while at the same time keeping it affordable, so that the fans get their money's worth.

I can't say that it's threatened my livelihood any. Because once you build a reputation for putting out clean product, and going the distance to please the fans, the word gets out about it. Since there aren't a shitload of artists or labels doing that on the indie circuit, people appreciate the extra effort and tend to support.

SiX: Maybe being involved with the business side also, you're certain to be made aware of the unfair nature of piracy on indy artists.. talk to us a bit about that.. how did you find the day to day of being involved with the likes of your old co. 'So Sick Ent'?

So Sick was the old label I was affiliated with, basically named after my Heavy Hittaz moniker "Sammy SoSick". The people I was involved with at that time turned out to not have my best interests at heart, so I had to clean house and start over. The name "So Sick" will forever be affiliated with me, simply because it's my Double H name. But those people from that era are history - And like always, I emerge standing, and move forward.

__________________________________

I have more mics than I can count or list
__________________________________

SiX: One thing we've been asked to get at you about is your studio setup, we ask all our artists the same question; let us know what tech you rocking.. and wasn't there a video tour of your studio some time back?

Dope question! That's a first for an interview for me. Props on that one, cause I'm a nerdy ass dude when it comes to equipment and tech shit!

My signal chain usually consists of an AT4033 mic, routed to either a Joe Meek compressor, or Pro VLA channel strip, and then straight from there into the Pro Tools interface. I keep the signal as short as possible, and super clean. I'm a fan of Monster Cable's gold interconnect, too.

I don't monitor extremely loud, so I use a simple set of M-Audio Studiophile's. I'm able to hear every detail, since my room is accoustically treated. If I listed all the gear in my lab, this shit could go on all day. But that's basically what I execute for a clean vocal knockout. I use good mic technique and a Stedman metal screen. I have more mics than I can probably count or list accurately, but I like the warmth and depth that comes with using an Audio Technica.

SiX: OK Menacide - fast forward a couple years; you've won a moonman and you're a number one Billboard ranker... who are you hollering at and who's getting turned down on the collab side of things? Who would you like to work with?

Man, honestly, I ain't one of them dudes that you're ever gonna see get a huge ego to the extent that I start tellin' up and comers to "fuck off" if they wanna work with me. Proof was already a platinum recording artist when he chose to work with me in the studio. That's proof positive that he never forgot what it was like to be a hungry artist, and had the heart to work with dudes with grind and ambition. So that one's out of the question.

As far as collabs I'd personally wanna make go down - Not having a moonman has never stopped me from makin' it happen, regardless. I'm an indie dude that's already worked with Cypress Hill, D12, The Dayton Family, and more. I think I've already proven that if I want someone on a record for creative reasons, then it's gonna happen - And that's without a billboard charting spot or a moonman. I'm just a really resourceful dude when it comes to reaching out to people. Always have been.

SiX: Any plans for the future, specific releases, shows or the like, give us the heads up...

Go get that new Heavy Hittaz album "Thirteen Percent" at www.RedrumMedia.com! That's me and my homey McNastee, and the CEO Intrinzik showin' dudes how it's done, for real. 13 tracks of banger material, Silver foil cover, 8 page booklet, and a bonus CD "Underground Hustlin' Volume 8", which features some dope up and comers from the Wicked Underground! All that, and it'll only cost you a ten dollar bill to take it home with a poster. That's the shit I was talkin' about when I mentioned going the extra distance for the fans.

I also wanna tell any underground artists with dope shit to hit up my homey Intrinzik's UGH myspace at: www.myspace.com/undergroundhustlin.

Hit him up to be featured on one of those upcoming compilations. This dude's shit is the most talked about, sought-after, and best circulated promo comps in the nation. If you wanna get featured, hit him up for details!

On a final note: Be on the lookout for the Thirteen Percent store to be opening soon! Lot of dope shit comin' for the fans, from zippo lighters, to shirts, bandanas, the whole audio catalog, and tons more. Check my myspace to stay updated: www.myspace.com/menacide

SiX: Well, Menacide, you've consistently brought us banger after banger and we'd like to give you a nod for that, on that note, any last shoutouts from yourself..?

I appreciate the love, dude. Real rap. Shout out to all the HipHopSix readers! To my parter McNastee, Intrinzik, Crossworm, 13 Amp, and the entire Wicked Underground! Shoutout to Likewize, too, and my DJ, DJ Suckafree!

Be sure to hit up the Arcade: play to win Menacide's album "Street Symphony" - details here.

[wargames]

I fucking love menacide I love the WU anyway but mena is up there with the best of em funny cos i 1st heard of mena through here too lol

[DRAGONE]

good shit. Will make sure to peep this dude material. Monster cables though?????????? OUCH they are expensive

[Embryo]

JUST peeped this dude and his shit is fiya only 2 songs on his myspace tho' found this:
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/defa...&content=music

check out Soldier Anthem fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiya

[RickRock]

this guy is sick. Chek out the soundclick man like embryo says he's killing every track

[Lord Lhus]

no doubt!

[wargames]

Love me some Menaaaaaaaaaa

[Mattydav]

cool

[djdfect]

mena is kiilllaaa

[chinofizan]

Mena is one hell of an entertaining MC. One luv from LRD fam.