Music

The Hiphop Tip

Wherever you stand on his place in the music industry, Sir Mix-A-Lot is old-school Seattle. The 40-year-old rapper/producer was one of the first to make a name for himself from the Northwest, and he says proudly, "When hiphop was born, I was there and saw it grow."

We're sitting in his modest southeast King County home, one that's unadorned with fancy flower gardens or lavish hoop courts--he lives the understated lifestyle that his music projects. "There're major minuses to being a player. Part of me getting out of [that lifestyle] is that I have to cleanse myself and this [music] is how I go about doing it," he tells me, adding of most rap stars, "Keeping it real nowadays means being as fake as possible."

As we talk, he's loading a mix for one of his artists, Out of Sight, who comes into the studio as we're listening to his song. Unlike many of the lead vocalists for rock-hybrid groups--who ride the nuts of rap as a token crossover move--Out of Sight is a grown b-boy with a true appreciation for hiphop culture. He just chooses to take a harder, more guitar-heavy approach to expressing himself, which Mix-A-Lot believes people will really embrace.

Our conversation moves from Out of Sight's music to the general state of the music industry, including the intrusion of the evil Clear Channel-type conglomerates. While to some the reach of large corporations is something to fight, Mix-A-Lot, who independently released a new record in 2003 called Daddy's Home, has a more optimistic approach, one that also embraces new tactics. "What's great about America is the ability to change, and rather than destroying something, why not make something with the resources that we all have and compete," he says. "We have to find another avenue, another way to release records."

He also notes the importance of staying involved in hiphop culture, "but don't suck dick," he adds. "I was comfortable being hated on [after the backlash against his 1992 hit, "Baby Got Back"], even though I didn't understand it at the time. I came back to earth on my own."

When talking about staying true to himself in the face of critics, Mix-A-Lot reflects, "Part of getting respect is standing up for yourself, and being humble. I think once people started getting to know the real me, the animosity that I had in the town died down."

Mix-A-Lot is very optimistic about the next generation in hiphop, and he's willing to help impart to them the knowledge he's learned over the years. "I think Seattle needs a CEO [of hiphop]," he says. "Jonathan Moore, who is one of my heroes, told me that I just need to make my presence felt more in the community, even if I run into a confrontation or two. I learned not to hate the town, but rather deal with the individuals who made me want to hate it. I have so much more knowledge on the business than I had back then."

Sir Mix-a-Lot performs at a benefit for the Vera Project with United State of Electronica and Kisskisskiss at the Showbox Tues March 16, 7 pm, $5.

hiphop@thestranger.com

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