By: Jamie Steinberg
Photo By Frank Vella
Q) Who are some of your musical influences?
A) We had a lot of different musical influences growing up as kids, from Bob Marley to Social D, from The Adolescence to The Beastie Boys and Eazy-E. We really love all different styles of music, and I think that shows in our records.
Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “California Burning.”
A) Our beautiful state of California is in great trouble from the fires to the incompetent people who run it. We created California burning as a message, as an outcry for help for people who seemed to be taking the blunt of it. And I don’t mean the smoking kind. [laughs]
Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?
A) I think it’s just the realness of what’s happening right now. People see it and feel it around them wherever they go, so with the song we wanted to try to give people some hope of a better future and hopefully they are feeling that.
Q) In what ways do your Southern Cali roots play a role in your new EP California Burning?
A) With this new EP and cover artwork, we really tried to tie in and show everyone that Southern California lifestyle that we grew up in. The EP has all the different musical styles that we are known for and the flavor of Southern California all throughout it.
Q) In what ways does this EP go even harder than your previous music?
A) I think this new album is an evolution of everything we’ve done in the past. Our music producer Mike Kumagi is producing his best music ever and the three youngest MC’s are seasoned and writing better songs than ever. You can definitely feel a new power and energy with the new music at the live shows.
Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?
A) We try to keep the writing very free. Each one of us write down ideas and lyrics and then come together and create the best songs we can over music already created or sometimes we create the music on our own from scratch to fit the lyrics.
Q) How much of a hand do you have in the production of your music?
A) We produce all of our music in-house together from start to finish. Always valuing everyone’s opinion and agreeing on every final product.
Q) My favorite tracks on the EP are “Break the Chains” and “Move Along.” Which of the songs on the EP are personal favorites for you?
A) Nice Thank you! It’s hard to say personally for us which one is our favorite because each song kind of resonates differently with each person. Those two songs definitely have a great meaning to us. At the end of the day, we are just very excited and thankful for all of the amazing reactions and comments about the new music.
Q) What songs off your EP are you looking forward to performing live?
A) All of them 🙌 with songs like “Raise Up” and “Break the Chains” being added to the set, the shows have become more intergenic than ever while “California Burning” sets a vibe.
Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to California Burning as a whole – either as an emotion or message?
A) I think personal freedom and the hope for something better. Life can throw so much at us sometimes, people don’t know how to or even if they can move on. We’ve all been there. This EP is proof that you can.
Q) You are currently touring. What can fans expect from a live Kottonmouth Kings performance?
A) High energy banging hip hop beats and ripping punk rock anthems. All covered in cannabis smoke and good vibes.
Q) Where are some of your favorite places to perform and what makes those locations so significant to you?
A) The places with the best sound systems lol we’ve been so blessed to play so many great places all over the world from Red Rocks in Colorado to Amsterdam, from the Hemp Fest to the Smoke Out, from the Canna Fest to the Gathering of the Juggalos. They are all significant and special to us and we are thankful for the opportunities.
Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?
A) Definitely a few of the hip-hop legends that we looked up to growing up like Snoop [Dogg], Ice Cube or Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Or maybe something with one of the newer bands fitting our genre.
Q) You all coined the term “rip-hop.” Who are some current artists of this genre that you’d recommend fans checking out?
A) There is a lot of dope artist today mixing up styles and being free with their art. Artist like Terror Reid, Hotbox or N8 no face. NF to Webby and Ekoh, from The Suicide Boys to Falling in Reverse. We like when an artist keeps it original.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?
A) Thank you guys so much for almost thirty years of loyalty and trust in this music and lifestyle. You guys make the dream come true and we wouldn’t be here after all these years if it wasn’t for you. Thank you again! Please check out California Burning and we will see you at the show!
All Questions Anwered By Judge D