Jay-Z speaks on 45 King & Hard Knock Life

Taken from a Swedish? documentary, Jay-Z and the 45 King speak about the creation of “Hard Knock Life”. There’s a little cameo by Kid Capri as well. This was my first time ever seeing 45 King talk and spin in real life. Very cool interview. In related Jay-Z news, there is a vid of Jay and Bun B doing “Big Pimpin” on his BP3 tour stop in Houston. Pretty Cool. Via NR.
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J. Dilla Stussy Documentary (Part 2)

Part 2 of Stussy’s Dilla Documentary. This part focuses a lot on Dilla’s move to LA and how it changed his sound. I definitely could empathize when Houseshoes mentions that floods make you want to start over and how Detroit sucks the life out of you. Cool thing I learned was the generational connections of musicians from Detroit to LA over the decades. I’ll post Part 3 soon.

Hip-Hop Official – Keys N Krates

The homies from Toronto have made it to Hip-Hop Official. A really good interview from these guys. I’m proud of them! Tune looks sober, Matisse, looks happy, and Flo looks like he shaped up the beard for the interview. They are currently working with a few dope MCs and new remixes that will hopefully come out later this year. In the meantime, get to Canada and watch them wreck shop!

Jay-Z – Esquire Interview

Esquire recently dropped an interview where they profile Jay-Z as the “ultimate cool”.  It seems to me that they were enamored that a Black man can be as cool as Frank Sinatra.  My opinion is that it sounds like an article written by a white person to a want audience who wants to be more “hip” and “street” than the usual Esquire reader. I think its well-written but glamorizes him so much that it borders on exotic and fetish versus praise and applaud.  That’s just me. Read it after the jump and let me know what you think.

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Paul Mooney – Interview w/ Davey D.

One of the great and legendary comedic minds still alive, Paul Mooney, sits down for an interview with the Bay’s own and hip-hop historian, Davey D. Mooney breaks down how he and Richard Pryor discussed the first black president in a sketch 30 years ago. After the jump. Mooney goes in on Tiger Woods. Def wroth watching. Enjoy! Spotted at NR

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Aziz Ansari – Movieweb Interview

If you read KTL, you should know who Aziz Ansari. As a big fan of Human Giant, I always check for Aziz and get excited to see his cameos. He created a classic character for the “Funny People” (You should already know this). Here is an insightful interview he did with Movieweb after the jump (different from the video above). Learn something today, ok?

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Dame Dash speaks on Roc-A-Fella, Dipset, & Jay

Dame takes a moment to give a candid, almost sullen, interview about the dissolution of Roc-A-Fella and the Diplomats & his stance on Jim, Jay, and Beans. Its a real thoughtful interview and you can tell that Dame is still the honest guy he’s always been, just more self-reflective and less angry. I might even say he’s seems more disheartened – like a best friend or parent seeing that their hard work didn’t meet the expectations they hoped for their loved ones. I recommend this video and actually kinda cheering for Dame for taking a look at the big picture of his role in this Roc-A-Fella drama. YN had the vid.

Immortal Technique – RT Interview

I had written off Immortal Technique as a pseudo-radical, uber-militant MC who just wanted to fight the system. I have some of his songs and thought they were lyrically deep but he came off more eager to send out his message than careful to make sure the message was received. HOWEVER, after this interview, he has gained my respect for his calm tenacity to learn, his diligent understanding of sociopolitical structure, and his personal goals with hip-hop and his fight. Plus, he backs it up with his work, not just words. For the 25 Know The Ledge readers out there, if you can recommend some good links or songs to educate me on Immortal Technique, I’m willing to learn. Via Ivan at HHIR.

Stretch Armstrong – Interview w/ Eli Escobar

Turntablelab posted an interview that NY’s Eli Escobar did with Stretch Armstrong a few months ago.  Along with Mr. Magic’s show, Strecth & Bobbito could have had the most strongest influence on hip-hop – in regards to what radio could accomplish for the culture.  He drops some gems about Mobb Deep and other people that visited the show. For those that actually read KTl – all 25 of you (we’re moving up!), there is a audio treat in the form of a link at the end of the interview.

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Stretch Armstrong – Interview w/ Gasface

Stretch Armstrong reminisces in this interview about the creation of the “Stretch and Bobbito Show” that was a platform and pivotal breaking point for many up and coming MCs. Its crazy to hear him talk about how many unsigned people came to his show just to be “put on”. Enjoy. Spotted at NR.