DIRTY SOUTH KID
INTERVIEWED BY: SAVAGE

It's not everyday you come upon a multi-talented artist, where the talents lay far from each other. From an expert air brusher to lyrical MC. I’m here today with Tha’ Dirty South Kid aka Dubble L from Mercedes Texas.

What it do dog?
What it is homie? Just chillin, out here grindin', promotin my new mixtape "Queen City". Making sure I get that respect I deserve ya' feel me?

Yeah I know what you’re saying. How did you come up with the names Dubble L and Tha Dirty South Kid?
Mmmmm.... I’ve come across that question a million times, and then some. And I’ve never come to answer it, haha. Since I came up with my name, I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't let nobody know how I came up with it until I’m signed or livin' it up. Fa' real. It's nothing big, just something that keeps me motivated to grindin'. As for Dirty South Kid, man I’m 5 miles off the Mexico border. It don't get more Southern that that. I'm sure you can take it from there.

You have established yourself very well in the underground mixtape world, but consider yourself “not your typical artist" Why is that?
You see, your typical artist will let a few bills and groupies get to their head, and feel like they've reached their top spot. To me, this shit ain't even about tha' money yet. I'm doin all this mixtape thang to get exposure and make some doors open for me. I promote like no other artist, and with no help. I got nobody donating anything, I have no label, no sponsor, for that, i respect what I’m doing more than anyone else does.

Have you dropped any albums or strictly making that mix tape money?
I haven't even thought about an album until recently. I've been about mixtapes since I started recording. Money isn't what I’m looking for right now at this moment... its exposure and publicity. A chance to prove I can play in tha' big league with the right materials. I give out thousands of mixtapes free... the money's gotta come eventually, know what im talkin' Bout??

You have given away thousands of mix tapes for free. Why?
Exposure, publicity, and door openings. I've always said this, "How can you go want to sell a cd when you haven't shown the streets love by even letting them hear you?"

And where were my free mix tapes man (lol)?
Shit, you weren't even in the picture yet, haha. I give them out, send them out, email them to whoever is interested. Just holla.

Not only do you wreck the mic, but you have also become one of the most demanded people to go to when it comes to airbrushed T-shirts. Tell us some more about that?
Yeah, I started airbrushing about 3 years ago or so. I stand out by far in this airbrushing thang too. I got my own style. I don’t airbrush like any other artist, and they can't do it like me either. I ain't no professional or nothin' like that, but I can go off. Graffiti style, hip hop style, and many other thangs. My lettering and freestyle shirts are what people like paying for.

Where can my readers go see or buy some of your T's?
To see them, just hit up my myspace page. www.myspace.com/dubblel956 . I got many more pictures if necessary. For purchasing, just send me a message, and we can make it happen.

Tight, I see you have collaborated with Carolyn Rodriguez of Dope House records. How did that come about?
Damm, well I heard her on the "When Devils Strike" album and flipped out. I seen her on myspace so I added her quick. She responded to me quick about airbrushing, and I was in shock. Artists never have time to write back, so they act like that. I threw some t's her way, got her number, and things just made us closer by tha' phone calls. We straight now.

Do you two plan on collaborating again?
Hell yeah man, fa' sho. That's not even a doubt. We've already talked about it. Just expect tha' unexpected, because that's how I bring it to ya'.

Who produces your music?
My homeboy Lil' paw produces my music. As for beats, I mess with mix tape beats and some originals off some other homeboys.

Who writes it for you (haha)?
C'mon now, that's a funny question you gonna get a funny answer. Tha' pencil writes my lyrics. You know that. haha

Seems like your always on the grind then?
Shyt in every way possible for me. If it's printing labels, burning cd's, airbrushing, or just out in the streets handin' out mix tapes. Gotta grind if you wanna shine right?

Who is one person you would most like to make music with?
There's a few, but the main one, I’d have to say Lil' Flip. I can't put it in my head what we'd come out with, but i know it'd be straight fire.

How did you start in music and mix tapes?
Filling up spirals with lyrics, and finding a studio to record at. Once I got in the booth, it's just been non stop.

What is your next step as far as the mix tapes?
The mix tapes won't stop. Whatever the future brings I’ll deal with. But they'll keep coming.

For the people that don’t know, what mix tapes have you dropped and who has been featured on them?
I've dropped four solo mix tapes. Before those, i was on about three i believe with an old crew. I also did one with another homeboy about a year and a half ago. I've had local features on those, til' i got in contact with Carolyn. Things are looking way better now. I should be getting some big names in the future.

So that means you’re independent and waiting on a deal?
Yess sirr. Fuck all these little deals around here; I am not buying into that. I rather do my thing solo until I get that big shot.

If there’s a label out there reading this, what website can they hit to contact you and listen to your music?
They can also go onto my myspace. www.myspace.com/dubblel956 Check out airbrushing while they jam my music. haha

What music and artist are popped in your CD changer right now?
It's always my own music, I listen to it to see what i can change, fix, and edit. When I’m cool with what I got, it's Cham, Dope House, Flip, and other Texas artists.

So I wouldn’t find some Garth Brooks playing in your deck right (haha)?
haha. Not that I don't like different music, but naw you won't. Not popped in at least. haha.

Who are your musical influences?
Cham, Flip, and SPM.

Tell me about your experiences and processes recording your mixtapes?
I do everything in my own studio now, so it's all memories I’m making. I've seen and worked with a few artists that spit straight fire. As for the process, I just get in the booth everyday and make something happen. There's never a time set or nothin' like dat when it comes to me. I do things faster than anyone else does.

How do you feel about the Rio Grande Valley and dirty South movement?
Down here in the Valley there's hundreds if not thousands of rappers trying to get heard. As for movement, there isn't much to look for down here. No big labels, producers, or promoters. Tha' South as a whole, mann we doin' the unexpected. From City to city someone's holdin it' down hard.

Is there anything you want to add referring to your music or T's?
If you a doubter, hater, or anyone who just assumes negative thoughts off tha' back, sit ya' ass down and check out my work. You'll change your messed up frame of mind. Fa' real!

Now its time for the Shoutouts. Lay it down.
Much love to Carolyn form Dope House Records. We gonna be doin' somethin' again real soon. You the Savage, Joe Joe, and all the Gettumboi Kamp up in Kingsville through Corpus Christie. All my homeboys out there pushin' my Cd to tha' streets as we speak. Lil Paw for producing all my music. All my fans out there, i can't go on naming because i won't end a list. Ramonveli for holdin' me down when I had absolutely nothin'. And just to all my family and friends holdin' it down for me tha' right way. Gyeahh.

Thank's for the interview and make sure you keep us updated on what’s going on?
You already know what it is homie. I got cha'.

There it is readers. Show Tha’ Dirty South kid some love and check out his websites for mix tapes and all your airbrushing needs. I have some coming my way as well. I was really digging the jams i threw one on my myspace. Check it out my page: www.myspace.com/ccunes.
Until next time.