G&D: Fonk with an 'O', Part 2

Thursday, 11 October 2007 01:00

G&D: Georgia Anne Muldrow and Dudley Perkins

We continue with Dudley Perkins as he speaks on his next few projects, his relationship with Stonesthrow, and his favorite emcee at the moment...

The last time we talked, you went in at the critics. You want to go deeper into that?
Dudley Perkins: Yeah. Criticism is a form of hate. They judge creative people. They break it all down and smash it. I've seen them put down positive music and hype the negative up.

How did the theories and concepts of 2012 come into your music?
D: I had heard about 2012 a few times and decided to study up on it. It made me think what if the Mayans are correct? I kept studying and I noticed that a lot of things ring true.

A few fans wanted to know what books you read.
D: Aw man...(laughs). Living Buddha/Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh, The Book of the Books by Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, books on Gandhi...things like that.

I noticed that there was a bit of a change in your music. It seems like you were a bit more laid-back and carefree in your Illmindmuzik/Andsoitisaid days but then you got more serious with your messages when A Lil' Light came around.
D: I was tired of playing games. If you look back I was always speaking the truth but it wasn't as direct as it is now. A Lil' Light was a raw record and I figured I'd be real with it. God was there.

Will you be working with Kankick again?
D: I would love to work with him again. We just have different schedules right now. It'll happen again. I already got new tracks with Oh No and Madlib.

Which was your best album in your opinion?
D: Well, like I said...I drop albums like they drop messages on message boards. Andsoitisaid is my favorite, though. It was blueprinted and it got me labeled. Just look at the flow and the concepts on the album. I'm your full-bodied emcee. Back in the days I sang on the hooks. Just look at the flow and concepts of the album, man. It all came from God. I'm from the streets; I'd seen dead homies. I was against all that. I know the deal. I know I talk a lot of crazy...

Could you tell me about the Interplanetary Peace Talks DVD?
D: It's about an hour and a half. It shows who I actually am before they slam me or box me into something. This ain't no comedy. I do music while others are robotic. I stay to the left. It's something I choose to do. We go about being different. When someone does that, that's a Declaime/Dudley Perkins.

So what's the difference between Declaime/Dudley Perkins?
D: Ain't no difference. We both fonky. I know it sounds egotistical but I fill up record store racks. There's a message always and to most people, it's not an everyday thing. Georgia finished up about 4 or 5 releases and she's got more. She ain't done yet. It's not just about quantity; it's all about quality music. We got hits. You could ask all the funk pioneers and everyone who’s on the one. Ask the real ones. We are all one and we give it to you on the one. This is my life and if anyone has something to say, I'd rather debate face to face. I'm in Las Vegas. I've been talking about this for awhile. I used my time wisely. I weed out the weak.

Could you tell me more about your label?
D: I got Illmindmuzik and Georgia has ePistrophik Peach Sounds. We've got about 4 or 5 distribution deals. Eagle Nebula, Some Othaship, Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith...I'm turning up the steam. We're going to start this movement. Every song is about God. They thought I was playing. Madlib knows about this.

Speaking of Madlib, are you going to work with him again?
D: Of course, we're family. He's the king. Stones Throw is his label. It should be called Madlib's Stones Throw. Him and Oh No.

Anything else you want to say?
D: Yeah. Don't hate, create. You wanna get records out? Do it, cause I'm gonna do me. I fought for the country. It's G&D: The Message Uni Versa. Come see me about separatism. If you got problems we could do whatever. We could be peaceful or do something crazy. We turn the other cheek but we'll give you an elbow.

You said you fought for the country?
D: Yeah. Desert Storm. I went into the military because I wanted to do something with myself. I didn't kill anybody or anything like that but I've seen some things. Some bad things.

Why do you think you fall under so much criticism?
D: Because I'm fonky! I speak for the Divine. Poet past the weak. Georgia says I speak for the people. Life's been a blessing. Rest in peace to Dilla. It was great hanging with him. He had family and all but him and Madlib were tight...like brothers....you know who I listen to right now?

Who's that?
D: Immortal Technique. Someone handed me a CD of his overseas. Someone needs to give that guy a Grammy! I'm down with his messages. He's rough with his but that needs to be done. As far as beats, I got money on Georgia. The G&D album is only the first part of it. 10 songs and 10 skits. It's good music.
Have you heard the few songs on Some Othaship?

Nah.
D: It's serious. Check out Endure...Georgia has beats that'll kick Dre's ass! The phone calls for her are crazy. Look who we're working with: Madlib, Oh No, Kankick, Black Milk, Flying Lotus, Exile...man...I'm working on something called Funkmonster. We're smashing shit. It's crazy. I've seen them talk about Medaphoar too. I'll say this; Medaphoar'll beat you in rapping and if it comes to something crazy, he'll beat you up. Look at where we come from. The people from Stones Throw are scared of us. They know my past...my crip alias, D-Loc.

Heh, I wasn't even going to bring up Stones Throw...
D: I dare them to say something. They were scared of me. You know how people stutter or look at you a certain way when they think you're around? That's how it was with me. I hate how they're doing Dilla's music. If they was real with what is his, they'd at least put out instrumentals instead of having him rap about some of the very things that helped ruin his health. I remember when he died, they passed out drinks with his name on the cup and they were making money offa that! Dilla and Doom were Madlib's heroes and Wolf is capitalizing off of it. I ain't stupid. They took his music and are doing whatever with it. They only care about money and putting that stuff up their nose. They never knew how to promote records until now. You step on rocks, you deteriorate. That's happened to every label. When I die my family is taking my music. There is a difference between conscious and spiritual rappers. Anyone can be conscious but are you spiritual? I don't hide from anything. I got nothing to hide. I know I'm gonna die one day so I speak to God and do music in the meantime. Oh, and don't let the G&D fool you. I was gonna put it D&G but then I thought ladies go first. Don't let the ampersand fool you. It's God. Women are creators. This isn't common sense. This is extreme sense like the white boys who do them tricks on bikes. Third eye all in it. When you go left, people look at you. My thing is be afraid. God made a way for me. I'm stress free except for current events. There's nothing but animal crackers. Stop vampiring. Don't hate, create!