A: Hey Ash, what’s up, how are you and how are things?
AK: I'm good just going day by day. Work is good. Rap creative
inspiration flowing, and stoked to be getting interviewed right now. .thank you
for asking.
A: Great to hear. So my first question to all my interviewees is how
did you first discover Lyrical Assault?
AK: Well in riverside nobody is really into actually being an MC . Yes
the hip hip vibe is Poppin out here but actual MC's? Scarce. I've lived here
all my life and have only been to one party where someone got a cypher circle
going and that person was me lol. I really just wanted to link up with other
rappers and writers to learn and share and vibe with that understand, then I
googled "rapping forum" and found LA and the rest is history.
A: It seems to be the case that most people stumbled across LA by
googling “battle forum” or something alike. And has the site helped to develop
your skills as a writer?
AK: Oh ya. This site has done more than just help me develop, it's had
a key role in moulding me into the MC I am today and I'm still just getting
started. I'm very thankful for LA because it's helped me figure out who I am
and what I love to do not only as an mc but as a person in general and that's a
big deal to me.
A: Now LA is mostly dominated by male members, do you find it difficult
being one of the few female members on the site?
AK: You know yes, at times but to be honest it just makes me work
harder to prove to everyone who thought I wouldn't ever be any good that they
were wrong. And let's be honest no matter what people think there is definitely
some level of a sexist type feel surrounding me on LA but it's cool. I like
being underestimated. It's also a good writing concept. I write about it a lot
in my songs and sometimes it's helpful because I can get the opportunity to use
a wider spectrum of points of view when writing about different topics than a
male mc would.
A: Yeah I see what you mean, embrace that shit. In light of that, how
do you want the male members of the site to see you? And how do you think they
see you?
AK: How do I think I'm viewed? I think it varies with different members
and how long they’ve been around and I think it changes as time goes by. Some
say I don't listen or try but I do, if I didn't I wouldn't have come this far
right? Some don't take me serious. Some people notice my improvement. Some
people don't want to see it and some like to step on it. Some like to help
elevate it. I don't really give a fuck I welcome a hater, but how I want them
to see me? Just like a regular MC that's a girl rather than a girl
"femcee". They’re different and I feel like looking at me as a femcee
automatically puts a stereo typical expectation or judgement in place on what
my work is like as an artist before someone even checks my shit out.
A: Well I’m definitely in the category that notices your improvement.
Now Ash, If you go to the rankings page and look at the All Time rankings, you
will see that 1134 people have entered into battles on Lyrical Assault. You are
ranked number 1133. Does this statistic affect you? How do you find the
inspiration to keep trying?
AK: Well it’s pathetic really in my opinion and it does affect me to be
honest, it's kind of embarrassing but I know I'll be at the top one day I'm not
even tripping. I have to be 10X better than the best to win because that’s the pretence
that always comes with being a girl but I’m not going to blame where I'm at on
that. It's that I'm just not there yet. It just makes it more Difficult. I've
been focusing just on the style and way I use my voice and going with the beat
in terms of audio. It's now time to improve on my writing and I have gradually
gotten better and I plan to continue. It makes me hungry to be better, makes
the fire in my stomach burn... Good motivation.
A: I’ve got to disagree with you there Ash, I don’t think you have to
be 10x better to beat people just because you’re a girl, I think the members on
LA vote for the best battler based purely on content and 99% of the time they
get it right. But I digress. Now would you consider being mentored in battling
if somebody offered their services?
AK: Yes of course. It would take someone who is willing to figure out
with me the way I learn best but yes it would be awesome
A: Hmm, I may have my people contact your people and see what happens. What
would you say to any other females looking to join LA?
AK: I would say square up on the battlefield bitch let's go, cuz I'm queen
around here and your going to have to get used to it lol. I've defeated every
chick that's tried to come on the sight so far and I'm proud of that. Lol
A: If you could think of one thing about yourself that members on LA
probably don’t know, what would it be?
AK: When I was born I was born with a birth defect called a cleft
pallet and had to have corrective surgery that causes me to have a speech
impediment. I had to have special lessons to learn how to talk with it when I was
little.
A: How do you feel about the current Mod setup and the ideas we’re
introducing? What things have you particularly liked or disliked? Anything
you’d like to see in the future?
AK: I think the mods have done an excellent job. I commend you with
hats off. The site was on the brink of extinction closer than it's ever been
before and you guys brought it back to life. So I'm happy with everything and
don't have any other suggestions, I'll leave it to the masters lol. All of LA
owe you guys a thank you. So thank you.
A: Maybe I’ll suggest to Scotty that we be called Masters as opposed to
Moderators. Which members of the LA community do you hold the most respect for?
AK: I have respect for all members that are serious MC’s. Also members
who have held respect for me and my work and have taken me seriously, that has
earned my ultimate respect.
A: And which members of the site can you really not stand?
AK: I'm sorry I don't know if he is even still a member but I fucking
hate Sworded Stylez after he just abandoned boom bap collective after making
all these promises and making a commitment of leadership and then just
disappearing. That fucking pissed me off. Me and djflame will always beef
fucking puta. And chekk that fool bitches about everything and it's annoying as
fuck!
A: Major lolz @ “Puta”. Now I’m gonna ask some quick fire questions now
about the members of LA…
A: Funniest Member?
AK: Nigma
A: Most annoying Member?
AK: Sworded Stylez
A: Favourite Battler?
AK: Law or DTK or Beans
A: Favourite OM Writer?
AK: Stalin or Trizzy
A: Best Battle you’ve seen?
AK: Definitely when you and dtk went at it in the clash for cash final.
Shit was dope.
A: Best OM you’ve seen?
AK: Only for my son. Most beautifully written piece posted on this site
to date
A: Member you’d most like to Battle (that you haven’t already)?
AK: Honestly I don't think there's a member I haven't battled yet lol
A: Member you’d most like to Collaborate with (that you haven’t
already)?
AK: Stalin and Cuba... Jbrenn, Neek... You... Exo... get at me. D von
or mission. Any audio head... Elite... I'm trying to get a couple of collab
tracks out on my second EP The Genesis that I'm working on right now
A: Alright, any members of the site you wanna give a shout out to?
AK: I gotta give a shout to Jbrenn and Triz... levy... Beans and Chain.
Off the top of my head. Oh and where the fuck is Goose, DTK and PB at lol
A: Any OM’s or Audio’s of yours you want to mention for members to
check out?
AK: Peep my Audios:
Smoking Sessions
http://www.lyricalassault.co.uk/forum/smoking-sessions-ak-is-genesis-vol-ii_topic42708_post434759.html?" rel="nofollow - http://www.lyricalassault.co.uk/forum/smoking-sessions-ak-is-genesis-vol-ii_topic42708_post434759.html?
Good Luck.
http://www.lyricalassault.co.uk/forum/good-luck-ep-ii-ak-the-genesis_topic42776_post435709.html?" rel="nofollow - http://www.lyricalassault.co.uk/forum/good-luck-ep-ii-ak-the-genesis_topic42776_post435709.html?
And my EP that is currently posted in the EP section!
http://www.lyricalassault.co.uk/forum/scripted-kaos-vol-i_topic42398_post431727.html?" rel="nofollow - http://www.lyricalassault.co.uk/forum/scripted-kaos-vol-i_topic42398_post431727.html?
And my OM’s:
Iridescent Borealis
http://www.lyricalassault.co.uk/forum/iridescent-borealis_topic42262_post430551.html?" rel="nofollow - http://www.lyricalassault.co.uk/forum/iridescent-borealis_topic42262_post430551.html?
Real Shit
http://www.lyricalassault.co.uk/forum/real-shit_topic42768_post435550.html?" rel="nofollow - http://www.lyricalassault.co.uk/forum/real-shit_topic42768_post435550.html?
A: Anything you wanted to add?
AK: You guys are all wonderful and I wanna thank LA for being like a
second family to me. This site means more to me than you could ever know. And
p.s I do try to use all the feedback I get I don't ignore nobody unless they
are hating, just making that one clear lol
A: Thanks Ashley!
So there you have it folks, the 4th Interview as part of LA
Magazine Interviews conducted by me, Arthur. Until next time, see you soon LA!
Arthur