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03/10/02 | Knoc-Turn'al
We sat down with the West's latest rising star Knoc-Turn'al and talked about his upcoming debut album, how he hooked up with Dre on the "Chronic 2001", his Past & Future and much more. The interview was conducted in March 2002.

WC2K - So Knoc, How Did It Come About That You Ended Up On Dre's Multiplatinum Album 2001?

Knoc - Ok, so like I met a dude, a CEO by the name of Big D he owns LA Confedential, thats the label that I'm signed to. and um.. the same day he met me he took me to see Dr Dre, and when he took me to see Dr Dre I rapped maybe about four lines to Dr Dre and he stopped me and he was like, "man you dope," he was like, "I give you two thumbs up and a big toe," then after that.. He ended up putting me in the studio we recorded, "Bang Bang" that same day, so the relationship with me and Dre got started.

WC2K - How Long Have You Been Working On Knoc's Landin? And Was There Anything You Wanted To Do On Your Album, But Didn't Have The Time?

Knoc - I think I basicly completed Like 300 songs in 3 years man and these 14 songs.

WC2K - Your Album leaked to The Internet. What Are Your Thoughts On That? And the Internet In General?

Knoc - The internet? I hate the internet they bootleg albums. bootleg going around and they say it's my album but it's not my album. What I mean is, everybody is running around thinking they have a copy of my album and they don't. See cuz it's not an album that everybody has, I ain't finished like the last 4-5 songs on my album till about till like maybe a week or so ago, so that's not my album. Know what I'm sayin'? there is added tracks on there that people don't have, they got a different version of my album.

WC2K - Yeah....Thats Why You Had To Change Your Album. I heard It Had A Great Track Wth Dre And Slip Capone. I Think It Was Called 'Doin The Most'? Is that On there?

Knoc - No, that's what I'm talkin about thats not on there.

WC2K - One Of The Strangest Collabo's Is Hearing Missy Elliott On Your Album... How did That Go Down?

Knoc - The distribution company electra, who we got our diistribution thru. She heard some songs and then she wanted to do some stuff with me, so we just hooked it up like that and thru in a beat that Dre had did for me.

WC2K - Speaking Of The First Single "Knoc" I Gotta Say The Video Is something I've never really seen Anyone Else Do Before, Who Came Up With That Idea?

Knoc - The producer and the guy who edited the video directed the video his name is Jeff Richer and he came up with the idea.

WC2K - Besides The Album Droppin' Soon, What Can We Look Forward To After That? Any Collaborations On Deck?

Knoc - I'm gonna start recording another album in a second. I'm gonna have like, Dre Again, other people, Eminem, Xzibit, Busta Rhymes, Lenny Kravets, Metallica.

WC2K - That's The Future, Now For The Past... Who Were You Listening To On The Radio As A Young Knoc?

Knoc - Um.. I like Rakim, NWA, El Debarge, Rick James, ya know stuff like that Parliament, people like that..

WC2K - Are You Gonna be Featured On Dre's New Album Detox? And Did You Record Anything For That Album Yet?

Knoc - Yeah, yeah we started recording some songs for that.

WC2K - Who Do Yo Feel That's On The Radio Today?

Knoc - Right Now? Busta Rhymes, I like Naz too.

WC2K - How Do You Explain The West Coast's Inferior Exposure And Record Sales Over The Past 4 Years?

Knoc - Um.. I think it's been a slow gradual process, what I think is the West Coast is looking for a new person to come out and actually kinda re-birth the West again. Instead of trying to sound like somebody else, you know what I mean? It just better to go on your own pace and hope the West accepts you. Use a lil' creativity, but Still keep the West Coast sound ya know, the original style of the West Coast, just change it up and do ya thang.

WC2K - What Do You Think The Future Of The West Coast Will Be Like?

Knoc - Hopefully I'll be here, as long as everybody keep continuing to do they job the way they all are then the West Coast should be ok.

WC2K - What Do You See Yourself Doin In 10 Years?

Knoc - Trying to insert my name in this Rap hall of fame so I can become an art icon.

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WC2K - Now About Your Record Label, L.A. Confidential, Anything Ya'll Got Cookin' For 2002??

Knoc - Yeah, we got a LA Confidential compilation album coming out..uuh.. sometime this summer.. we also got Time Bomb from Chronic 2001, that's my label mate and Slip Capone from the Murder Was The Case Soundtrack.

WC2K - Now That You've Blown Up, Who Would You Like To Get In The Studio For A Collaboration?

Knoc - Busta Rhymes.

WC2K - What Do You Think About Beefs In The Rap Game, Alot Of These Beefs Seem To Be Made Up To Sell Records Do You Think That's True?

Knoc - Of course they do, controversy sells, look at Eminem.

WC2K - I've Heard A Few People Compare You To Young Snoop, When He Was Starting Out... What's Your Thoughts On That?

Knoc - I feel like Snoop Dogg is a legend, he's one of the great people who helped found the sound of the West Coast. So as long as they compare me to Sumthin' Being that I'm from the West Coast It's better then comparing me to nuthing and nobody at all. so its actually an honor to be compared to Snoop Dogg.

WC2K - Getting Back To Your Album, Do You Have Any Specific Expectations For The Album, Like Sales Goals, Or Anything?

Knoc - We goin 5 times platinum on this one.

WC2K - Now In The First Part You Talked About Your First Single With missy, What Are Your Plans For The Second Single?

Knoc - Yeah, it's a song called, "Have Fun" and Timberland produced the track.

WC2K - Hittman Is Making A Guest Spot On Your Album, Do You Plan On Returning The Favor On His Album?

Knoc - Yeah, if he need me to be.

WC2K - You Have Lots Of Fans Overseas, Do You Have Any Plans On Doing Concerts Overseas For Your Fans Out There?

Knoc - O yeah, of course, as soon as I can get there, as soon as I finish my promo stuff I'm gonna be up there.

WC2K - Speaking on Performances, How Important To You Is It To Be Out Live In Front Of Your Fans?

Knoc - That's very imperative, that's what you give back to people whose buying your album.

WC2K - With Cube, Dre, Snoop, Eminem All Doing Movies, Are We Gonna See Hollywood Knoc Anytime Soon?

Knoc - Umm.. yeah probably, But I need to focus on my music career first.

WC2K - If You Weren't A Rapper, What Would You Be Doing Right Now With Your Life?

Knoc - Ahh man, that's hard to say, it wouldn't be anything productive.

WC2K - Knoc, What Do You Like To Do In Your Spare Time, Besides Music?

Knoc - Play Play Station, go to the movies (I never get a chance to go tho). Umm. Ya know, just the normal stuff, play Basketball.. Drink.. Smoke...

WC2K - What Advice Would You Give Young Cats Coming Up To Stay Out Of Prison, Since You Yourself Served 4 Years?

Knoc - Ahhh man, just.. whatever it is they think they doin' it ain't worth it, cuz really once you look what's it all for it really for nothing. Then you get ahead in life you realize yeah really didn't do nothing but waste some years of your life doing nothing. My advice would be, rather then waste some years of your life having somebody tell you what to do, just do the right thing instead of being hard headed.

WC2K - What Do You Think The Future Of Hip Hop Will Be Like, And What Does Knoc Bring To The Table That'll Change The Game?

Knoc - I think the future of Hip Hop will be like.. Actually less room for people to come into the game and make and steak a name for themselves. We're having an order rite now where we're changing it around to the next generation of Mc's.. and you know that only comes once every ten years.