I heard that you are a Dallas Cowboys fan. Do you think they will make it to the playoffs this year? Last season wasn't the best one for them.

Yeah, I been an avid Dallas fan for a while now, but by definition im a Raider. Born and raised, in the TOWN…I don't know about all that from Bay to L.A. and Las Vegas tho feel me. Silver and black is what I know but I do keep a close eye on them Boys. I feel as long as Jason Garrett at the helm we ain't even gonna make the playoffs.

What is the recipe for success in both sport and music? Is there any similarities between them

Simply put the recipe for success is work. Not in the sense of hard work like the old saying but as in work ethic. Work ethics are the measuring stick of any endeavor you intend to have a successful result at. That goes not only for music and sports but as for life in general.

You grew up in Oakland, California - one of the most dangerous city in America. What are your first thoughts when you think of this place?

My first thoughts would be: TOWN BIZNESS, AIN'T NO OTHER PLACE LIKE IT, COKEland Califoolya. THIS IS HOME. One of the most celebrated and beautiful places in America. We got so much history here bruh. The Bay Area. I mean it can get hype in the blink of an eye just like any other city can but we laid back out here. We on a different vibe bruh, we stay doing our own thang. Real official man we always imitated but never duplicated. Yeah, Oaklandish type shit you heard Middle East Oakland on mine Stoopid Murdas.

How has it shaped you? Living in such surroundings seem to be very hard.

Oakland made me who I am today, simple as that. See out here bruh we learn early never be a victim of our surroundings. I know perception is reality to the layman, but everything ain't always what it seems. Check i would say the town like a fresh ripe onion, and how it's funny an got so many layers, and as you did deeper it just gets funkier and funkier... It's like we got a outter shell that nobody can digest, just like the onion. That keep outsiders at arms distance right, but US insider's we find the layer that we feel comfortable functioning in and we stay in that lane an run with it. Everyone gets a lil’ onion in their life, whether they like it raw and uncut. its some folks who won't admit they like it and imitate the taste with a lil’ onion seasoning but can't mistake that onion flavor, just like you can't mistake this Oaklandishness.

So how would you define yourself? Your brother Young Cali told me that you are like a properly trained pitbull - "if you treat the dog right you will never see his violent side unless you need to" - he said. Would you agree with that?

Yeah, my reputation may have proceed itself. That’s my lil’ bruh! For real, from his description thru your voice, you guys got it on the head. I would say that pitbull is an exact analogy. That's a side of me that as I've become more mature I've learned is mostly counterproductive.

Why rap music? What is so special about this music genre that made you think of being a rapper?

There is no wrong in rap music. With so many variations of style and creativity there is no right or wrong way to rap. The musical content is usually an outlook of their experiences, aspirations, dreams, thoughts towards social issues, or expression. I feel that everyone has their own way of self expression and rap is the avenue I chose.

Well, a lot of rap artists whom I had a pleasure to speak with had told me that honesty is the real sense of this music. It's all about being true to yourself and your audience. Do you think you are honest enough in your songs?

Honesty they say huh? Relatively speaking that's true. I can't speak for nobody but myself, but there has to be a balanced mixture of real, reality, and realization, oh and a lil grandiosity. With that being said my songs are a hodgepodge of all those ingredients. My songs are real to the core. Am I that killer i portrayed myself to be on certain songs, of course not. NOT ME PERSONALLY.. The truth in the song is that is someone i personally know and I'm speaking his life over a song because I felt it was relevant to my overall statement of the song. Then there are times that the song is 100% me and my views, or actions. It's people i know that their story needs to be told and I have the credibility and clout to be the one to do it. Tupac wasn't a thugged out killer as his songs portrayed but he was the voice for those who are. As I feel I'm the voice of the streets in my hood, the killers, drug dealers, pimps and prostitutes, users and abusers, all the way to kids who are just looking for a way out.

And what about the violence in rapper's rhymes? They are talking about things we don't like to think about or see around us. And they are doing this in politically incorrect way. Do you control yourself when you write your lyrics? Think of what you should or you shouldn't say?

If the violence is all that most people take from the lyrics, that would be a crowd id call fair weather rap fans. Whether the song is true or false, it's a message on the content. We live in a nation that is one of if not THE overall most violent as a whole. I speak on things I've seen and things ive heard not necessarily what I've done or will do. Funny thing is they catch every curse word and violent imagery in a song from an artist that they have no understanding of respect for his lifestyle or culture, and judge the man. However that same person or people will listen to a conscience rappers work and will remain silent on the issues of social injustices, racial biases, and the inequities of a certain group of people that he is also speaking on. To me people will use anything to manipulate or emphasize or solicit a certain emotion. Gangster rap just makes an easy target.

How would you describe your music? Give me its three strongest points.

First and foremost, I'm from the Bay so I'm versatile, raised under that E40 so it's always game invested and full of linguistics.. My music has no description. I can be conscious like Cole and Kendrick, a Ladies man like Drake, or my Y.G. just might show up. I have fans who don't care for the adversity of my harder songs lyrics, but there kids have the hook to my song "Leanin" (ft TankHead & YoYo Misunderstood) down like we wrote it together. I usually let the tempo and general feel of a beat take me where it wants me to go. I have 5/6 songs that have no curse words, and I have some that will light a fire under your wild side, so to say.

What are your musical inspirations? Artists you often listened to in your teenage years?

Like I said, I grew up strictly Bay Area so there will be: E40, Mac Dre, Messy Marv, Yukmouth, Shady Nate, Stalin, just to name a few. My aspirations are simple. Most do it for the accolades. I'm doing it for ME. That's the only way that I can remain true to who I am versus being someone who just wants to be on the radio. I hear what's selling and who's on top. I'd be lying saying i wouldn't trade places. I never take the easy route. See what I understand that most artists don't is that Migo's are already them, Future has got that FUTURE lane down already so I can't be them. I'm being the best me i can be, the best PAEBAK. That's my biggest aspiration, remain Me. And I think I'm doing well with that.

Tell me about Paebak Muzik Group. When did you decide to create this record label and why did you do it?

PaeBak Muzik Group, is my baby. It's still in its infancy but as we speak it's growing exponentially. I can't get in to the specifics but I will say it's a label that is all about the artist. There is a bigger picture for a record label that has gotten lost in the greed that money brings. They take rappers chew'em up and spit'em out like sunflower seeds. That's not the values here at PBMG. I'd ask any artist who wants to inquire to do so. You never know what PBMG can do for you.

You seem to be proud of being an independent artist. I wonder, what "independence" means to you?

Independent means just that. At the end of the day nobody's dreams of fame, finance and fortune rest on my actions or inactions. I don't have no one critiquing my music for their gain. I don't have to wonder if I'm getting paid right or things that I've heard happen to artist who chose a major label That's a piece of mind that most artist beg for.

So what are your future projects? Things you are working on now? I heard about Murda Boiz...

Well right now I'm pushing a few singles for the rest of the summer, like "Leanin" "Looking 4 PaeBak" and "Mulsanne". That should keep me busy enuff. Heard about Murda Boiz, So it's a leak in the dyke huh.. Well since SOMEONE spilled the beans YOUNG CALI and myself have been back in the lab whipping concoctions to beat your ear drum up. In fact the feedback from "Sluggz Fly" which is a collaborative effort between us and Jacari Caprice is one of the tracks that will be paving the way for that project to blossom.

Now, let's get to some off-beat questions. Can you sing?

Only in the shower! Outside of that I can't carry a note with a bucket. My singing is like a when a wolf beys at the moon.

Can you dance?

Dance? Bro, I used to be able to cut a rug! Now not so much probably throw my back out, slip a disc.

What's your favourite movie?

My favorite movie is Life with Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy. That's the funniest movie ever to me, short of Dumb and Dumber with Jim Carrey.

What's your favourite meal?

I'm a seafood fanatic. Crab, lobster, shrimp - it doesn't matter. Seafood in general.

Do you believe in miracles?

I do believe in miracles. I'm one, I'm being interviewed by one. I'm simplistic it's miracles happening as we speak.

Are you superstitious?

Superstitious as far as Karma, yes. You get what you give. Maybe not today and tomorrow but you usually do.

What makes you happy?

Life in general makes me happy, I'm naturally a happy individual. My daughter BreNae too, being her dad is also one of the happiest parts of my life.

What is your worst fear?

My worst fear is failure. I understand we all fall short of goals and dreams. For me failure is when you quit, and give up the fight, then and only then have you truly failed.

Do you often get angry?

Nah, I don't get angry. I get PaeBak, get it?

Do you often cry?

Crying isn't a skill i possess. I let my music cry for me.

Words you know you should have but you never said?

It's not many I haven't said, I'm very outspoken.

Things you know you should have done but you never did?

Man, I should have stayed in college. Education opens doors.

Are you satisfied with your life?

I'm pleased with my life, very much so. My hustle and grind won't let me say satisfied. It's so much more of this world I've yet to see. Things that I don't even know I'm missing out on. Am I happy with how far I come YES, and I done, NO.

One thing you would like to change about yourself?

How tall I am, or how much taller i should be let's say. Other than that I like me and the skin I'm in.

Do you believe in reincarnation?

Jury still out on that one. I will say that these so called déjà vu moments are a strong selling point towards reincarnation.

Are you afraid of death?

Nah, everyone dies, I'm not afraid of that. I'm afraid of HOW I might die. I'm afraid of not living before I die, feel me.

And if you knew you were going to die soon, what would your last words be?

If I was on my death bed my last words would be:
Letter to friends and to my enemies,
Forgive me of malice, the greed and envy,
Struggles of life and it's simplicity,
I might have lost sight of what mattered to me,
I did what I did and have all i could give,
You were living to die, I was dying to live.

Journalist: Kamil Mrozinski