Paper Route Gangstaz
In a time where rappers are attempting to experiment with different styles of music while still keeping their artistry intact, the Alabama-based quartet Paper Route Gangstaz (PRGz) teamed up with Hollertronix producer Diplo for one of 2008’s most eclectic projects in Fear And Loathing In Hunts Vegas. Matching their southern drawl with Diplo’s throwd melodies, the PRGz effectively proved they were a dynamic group that doesn’t have to depend on the typical sounds coming out of the dirty south.
Now signed to E1 Music, the PRGz have a platform to expand their music while still controlling their own destiny. Primed for the release of their new EP Rocket Fuel, the Paper Route Gangstaz gave DXnext the lowdown on the EP, working with Diplo, and why even if their crew split, it’s still all love.
Influences: OutKast [click to read], UGK [click to read], 8Ball [click to read].
The Huntsville Sound: Jhi-Ali says, “Huntsville is like a melting pot. You got people from all over who’ve been influencing this city for a long time. You might not be able to distinguish a Huntsville rapper from another city like Houston or Atlanta. Only way you can tell is by the words, 'cause there are words we only say.”
Family Matters: Mata explains, “We just like brothers from different mothers. I know you hear that all the time, and groups break up, but we loyal to each other. And even if we found we had to go our separate ways, there wouldn’t be no bad blood between nobody. We love each other, man; We’ll ride for each other.”
Writing Without A Paper Trail: Mata states, “There ain’t really no paper involved when we writing. We’re writing, but in our heads. It don’t take no time for us. We get in the studio, get a couple drinks, and we come up with something. And we can run with it all night.”
On Fear And Loathing In Hunts Vegas: Dawgy Baggz claims, “It really was just a project that we put together. It was about two years of work, and we had tracks on there that were older, we had tracks that were newer, it was just a compilation, a showcase of Paper Route Records."
New EP Rocket Fuel: Mata explains, “It’s fuel for the city. The new single is called 'Keyshia Cole.' And everybody is real excited. Our whole team, our whole staff, they all just real excited about pushing this thing off. You already know Mali Boi is on it. He’s our home base producer. Then we got B Franks. He’s the same dude who made the [Yung L.A.] “Ain’t I” beat. We got Zaytoven, Diplo. Big shout out to Diplo. Then we got a couple people on some features. One of em’ is an up-and-coming cat, Mike Posner [click to read]. He’s doing his thing, putting his sound together. He’s real hot right now.” Dawgy Baggz adds, “We just trying to take this to a level to where it’s never been before. That’s what this Rocket gonna do.”
Working With Diplo: Mata says, “He a genius man. I could never put those sounds together and make it come out like that. The way he do it, he got a gift for that shit.” Agreeing, Gunt continues, “At first I was like, ‘I don’t know if this gonna go over well.’ You know what I’m saying? But after a while of just listening to him, it turns out he’s got crazy range; he’s on some differently worldly shit.” Jhi-Ali concludes, “He’s super dope with the music. And I was kinda like vibin’ with it, but also throwed off at times. [Laughs] His sound mesh well with my thought pattern though, it kind of pushed my thought process.”
Signing With E1 Music: Mata explains, “I can verify that. That’s official. That’s the label. The Rocket Fuel EP, that’s Paper Route/E1, formally Koch. Big ups to the whole staff over there. Them dudes make it happen, and they feelin’ the talent and energy that we bring in our songs. It’s just a beautiful feeling right now.”
Why The PRGz Are The Right Choice: Jhi-Ali contends, “Our music is just realism. I think in the game for the most part you have some cats that keep it one hundred. But there’s a lot of shit people do just to sell records. Realism is what we bringing.” Adding Mata says, “We just niggass that ain’t scared to go out the box. And I’m a spiritual person as well. Now I done did a lot of shit and all that, but I still know God’s got a plan for me. So you’ll hear me talk about God. I ain’t even trippin’, cause that’s reality. Ain’t nobody perfect out here. So we put God first, and even though he’s working on us and he’s got things planned for us, all we do is just run with that.”
Final Words: “R.I.P. to Michael Jackson.”
Now signed to E1 Music, the PRGz have a platform to expand their music while still controlling their own destiny. Primed for the release of their new EP Rocket Fuel, the Paper Route Gangstaz gave DXnext the lowdown on the EP, working with Diplo, and why even if their crew split, it’s still all love.
Influences: OutKast [click to read], UGK [click to read], 8Ball [click to read].
The Huntsville Sound: Jhi-Ali says, “Huntsville is like a melting pot. You got people from all over who’ve been influencing this city for a long time. You might not be able to distinguish a Huntsville rapper from another city like Houston or Atlanta. Only way you can tell is by the words, 'cause there are words we only say.”
Family Matters: Mata explains, “We just like brothers from different mothers. I know you hear that all the time, and groups break up, but we loyal to each other. And even if we found we had to go our separate ways, there wouldn’t be no bad blood between nobody. We love each other, man; We’ll ride for each other.”
Writing Without A Paper Trail: Mata states, “There ain’t really no paper involved when we writing. We’re writing, but in our heads. It don’t take no time for us. We get in the studio, get a couple drinks, and we come up with something. And we can run with it all night.”
On Fear And Loathing In Hunts Vegas: Dawgy Baggz claims, “It really was just a project that we put together. It was about two years of work, and we had tracks on there that were older, we had tracks that were newer, it was just a compilation, a showcase of Paper Route Records."
New EP Rocket Fuel: Mata explains, “It’s fuel for the city. The new single is called 'Keyshia Cole.' And everybody is real excited. Our whole team, our whole staff, they all just real excited about pushing this thing off. You already know Mali Boi is on it. He’s our home base producer. Then we got B Franks. He’s the same dude who made the [Yung L.A.] “Ain’t I” beat. We got Zaytoven, Diplo. Big shout out to Diplo. Then we got a couple people on some features. One of em’ is an up-and-coming cat, Mike Posner [click to read]. He’s doing his thing, putting his sound together. He’s real hot right now.” Dawgy Baggz adds, “We just trying to take this to a level to where it’s never been before. That’s what this Rocket gonna do.”
Working With Diplo: Mata says, “He a genius man. I could never put those sounds together and make it come out like that. The way he do it, he got a gift for that shit.” Agreeing, Gunt continues, “At first I was like, ‘I don’t know if this gonna go over well.’ You know what I’m saying? But after a while of just listening to him, it turns out he’s got crazy range; he’s on some differently worldly shit.” Jhi-Ali concludes, “He’s super dope with the music. And I was kinda like vibin’ with it, but also throwed off at times. [Laughs] His sound mesh well with my thought pattern though, it kind of pushed my thought process.”
Signing With E1 Music: Mata explains, “I can verify that. That’s official. That’s the label. The Rocket Fuel EP, that’s Paper Route/E1, formally Koch. Big ups to the whole staff over there. Them dudes make it happen, and they feelin’ the talent and energy that we bring in our songs. It’s just a beautiful feeling right now.”
Why The PRGz Are The Right Choice: Jhi-Ali contends, “Our music is just realism. I think in the game for the most part you have some cats that keep it one hundred. But there’s a lot of shit people do just to sell records. Realism is what we bringing.” Adding Mata says, “We just niggass that ain’t scared to go out the box. And I’m a spiritual person as well. Now I done did a lot of shit and all that, but I still know God’s got a plan for me. So you’ll hear me talk about God. I ain’t even trippin’, cause that’s reality. Ain’t nobody perfect out here. So we put God first, and even though he’s working on us and he’s got things planned for us, all we do is just run with that.”
Final Words: “R.I.P. to Michael Jackson.”
one moment...
Reply To This Comment
Got an account with one of these? Log in here, or just enter your info and leave a comment below.
