Dr. Dre and the artists he has introduced the world to have always had a knack for writing about the kind of subjects most people repent for on Sundays. Who knew that all along he was really looking for someone to strike the perfect balance between Saturday night hedonism and Sunday morning holiness? As one of the few emcees to brag about the joy of spreading the gospel and being on the receiving end of fellatio in the same bar, Bishop Lamont is the rare artist who can sometimes even make “the good doctor” uncomfortable.

After years of patiently waiting behind 50 Cent, Eminem, Busta Rhymes and Eve on the Aftermath roster, it seemed like it would take a miracle in order for Bishop's debut to see the light of day. But the last year has seen the Carson, California native use a series of album-quality mixtapes to create renewed anticipation for both his own debut album and Dr. Dre's long-awaited swan song, Detox. While taking a rare break from recording what was presumably material for one of or both of the aforementioned albums, Bishop showcased the kind of humor and blunt honesty which allows him to blur the line between the recording booth and the confessional booth. Do you believe?

HipHopDX: Alright, we won’t start off with a million Detox questions. How about explaining what’s behind you’re crew WARDOGGZ. That stands for We Are Ready to Die in Order to Glorify God to Zion, right?
Bishop Lamont: Yeah, it’s just for the gospel man. It’s a lot of different cats from different walks of life that believe in doing something right for their people and for the most high. It’s like the good Illuminati.

DX: As a listener it’s kind of crazy to hear you say that and then throw in that Pope Mobile mixtape [click to listen] and hear you say “I spit that good book and still get my dick sucked” on “Street Theology.”
BL: [Laughs.] Can’t go wrong that way.

DX: Is it just a shock value thing?
BL: What, that line?

DX: Not just that line but the whole tape. You started it off with that joke from Paul Mooney…
BL: Yeah, man. Bless Paul Mooney for that. I saw that shit and I was like, “That’s perfect for the Pope Mobile.” It’s crazy how synergy works, but it is what it is. I don’t even try for the shock value though. What people seem to be shocked by is what people do everyday behind closed doors. It’s just that it’s said in front of people. You only get one life to live. What else would you want to be besides real?

DX: Is it hard trying to do that and introduce people who have been listening to disposable music to an album that may potentially include Fiona Apple and Dave Matthews?
BL: Uh…no. It’s just about setting it sonically right as far as production. When something’s fresh, it’s fresh. You can’t fight that. As far as the knowledge or whatever message I’m trying to get across, some will get it and some won’t. That’s just the way the world is. It’s not a difficult task at all. It’s just people wanting to listen and the music always moves people. Even deaf motherfuckers will move once they feel the vibrations.

DX: Do you feel the industry makes you have to trick people into getting your message?
BL: I think either approach works. People always talk about being in the right place at the right time. Sometimes it has to be dead serious. Other times, it’s kind of tense, so let’s break the ice with a joke about it. You have to parallel both of those lines. That’s just how I like to do it.

At the end of the day, life is a journey, and you’re gonna have up’s and down’s along with good and bad. Embrace it all because it’s there for a reason. There are things for you to learn and experience. Without those you wouldn’t appreciate the great times like this. I’ve been poor all my life, so to now have these blessings and be able to do these things, you know I appreciate it like a motherfucker. I’ve run my mouth all my life, as you can see right now. The fact that people actually want to hear me run my mouth now is priceless. I want to really say something that matters and inspires so I can put that good energy out. That’s what it’s all about.

God is a comedian. I was doing construction work like, “Fuck school.” Imagine…people are listening to me. [Laughs] I just try to give people what you feel they need. When we were coming up, we had dope emcees and it felt like they were talking to us. And they were, they just didn’t know it. They gave us shit to make us move if we didn’t get that from our parents, friends or just life period. You just have to pay it forward.

DX: It’s interesting to hear you say that, because people always associate Dre with so-called Gangsta Rap. But there have always been songs like “Express Yourself,” “The Day The Niggaz Took Over” and “The Message” in his catalogue.
BL: Yeah, and with me, I can do it across the board. I’m not the N.W.A. nigga, I’m not 50 Cent [click to read] and I’m not Game [click to read]. I’m me. Dre told me, “I always wanted to sign somebody like you. I just never could leverage it in a way where it could work for this label and the rest of the world.” I’m just me, and I give you everything. Continued on page 2 »