Hannibal Leq

The Multi-Talented Rapper Hannibal Leq, who could be heard all over last week's episode of Jersey Shore, took some time out of his busy schedule to sit down for this short interview:

ST: Where are you from and how has that influenced your music?

HL: Born in Cali, raised in Georgia, grew up in Colorado. Being from so many different areas and dealing with so many different things gave me a bigger bag of music to pull inspiration from.

ST: What did MTV mean to you growing up? What does it mean to you now?

HL: MTV meant a window for me to escape my realities and live through someone else's. I grew up on Yo! MTV Raps. And I always wanted my videos to be played. It means more to me now because now I'm the one whose songs are getting played and heard by the younger me's of this generation. And that is crazy!!

ST: Who are some of your biggest musical influences and why?

HL: My biggest influences in music vary. Anything R&B from the 70's and 80's because of how real and honest they were, all the way to gospel music. I call myself the hood prophet because I'm a spiritual emcee. I use music to seek redemption for my past transgressions.

ST: If you could work with one artist dead or alive, who would it be?

HL: Just like most people that do what I do, I would have to say Tupac. Because Pac was the realest to ever do it. From his cadences, his delivery, to his subject matter, he's the reason I take pride in what I do.

ST: Whether it's song-writing or performing, what helps you get the in "the zone"?

HL: Whether I'm song writing or performing my motivation is the same - my daughter. I do everything I do for her.

ST: If you could be known for only one of your songs, which would you choose and why?

HL: FLYIN HOME!! Because it talks about my struggles in life and what it took to be at where I am now.

++ Interview by: Jaron Lum

++ Follow: @HannibalLeq - Soundtrack.Mtv.Com

The Multi-Talented Rapper Hannibal Leq, who could be heard all over last week's episode of Jersey Shore, took some time out of his busy schedule to sit down for this short interview:

ST: Where are you from and how has that influenced your music?

HL: Born in Cali, raised in Georgia, grew up in Colorado. Being from so many different areas and dealing with so many different things gave me a bigger bag of music to pull inspiration from.

ST: What did MTV mean to you growing up? What does it mean to you now?

HL: MTV meant a window for me to escape my realities and live through someone else's. I grew up on Yo! MTV Raps. And I always wanted my videos to be played. It means more to me now because now I'm the one whose songs are getting played and heard by the younger me's of this generation. And that is crazy!!

ST: Who are some of your biggest musical influences and why?

HL: My biggest influences in music vary. Anything R&B from the 70's and 80's because of how real and honest they were, all the way to gospel music. I call myself the hood prophet because I'm a spiritual emcee. I use music to seek redemption for my past transgressions.

ST: If you could work with one artist dead or alive, who would it be?

HL: Just like most people that do what I do, I would have to say Tupac. Because Pac was the realest to ever do it. From his cadences, his delivery, to his subject matter, he's the reason I take pride in what I do.

ST: Whether it's song-writing or performing, what helps you get the in "the zone"?

HL: Whether I'm song writing or performing my motivation is the same - my daughter. I do everything I do for her.

ST: If you could be known for only one of your songs, which would you choose and why?

HL: FLYIN HOME!! Because it talks about my struggles in life and what it took to be at where I am now.

++ Interview by: Jaron Lum

++ Follow: @HannibalLeq - Soundtrack.Mtv.Com

So Hannibal leq. Something tells me that has something to do with Hannibal Lecter? How you came out with the name and is there a meaning behind it? They use to call me dialeq or leq for short.. so when I use to battle other rappers people would say “damn Leq.. u ate that dude.. your like Hannibal.. Leq” and from that day on i’ve been Hannibal Leq..

How did you get involved in music? I’ve been around music my whole life.. my pops used to sing with an old R&B group back in the day.. and my moms used to sing in church..

What’s your method at the time of writing a song? I really don’t have a method.. I just write what I feel, whenever I feel it, wherever i’m at..

So are you currently working on something new? What are your plans so far for the future? Working on a new mixtape now.. plan to have dj skee host it for me.. get my viral game up.. also I’m still getting placements on a lot of shows right now thanks to my publishing deal with Sony/Hype/Extreme Music [big Russ wut up] In the studio cooking up fire with my producer Lifted…

By reading your Facebook, I noticed you have tour with big names. Who would you say was your favorite? My favorite so far was the homie Nickle 9 [Royce da 5'9]

What’s your favorite track you have recorded so far? My favorite song so far is “Gone” ft. Sam Bruno & Pancho (from The New F-O’s) because it has the most meaning ..

What artists/bands inspire your music? A lot of different music inspires me.. From gospel to r&b

Do you think you are moving on the right direction? Slowly but surely I’m heading in the right direction .. 2012 is our year .. R.L.F.G



Check Out more at: http://www.HannibalLeq.com/ - VentsMagazine.com

The Hype Music project has added another Arizona rapper to its family. Mesa's lyrical linguist Hannibal Leq has joined the MTV and Extreme Music partnership.

The last time we saw Leq he was rocking the microphone alongside The New F-O's MCs Pancho and Lifted in our exclusive video. As a member of The New F-O's, Leq was already involved with Hype, but this new solo deal recognizes the big man's individual skills. On November 25, you'll be able to catch Hannibal Leq live and in full effect as he and rapping quintet, Empire, open up for his Hype music stablemates at The Roxy Lounge in Scottsdale.

The news comes just in time for Leq's birthday, which they'll be celebrating that Friday night.

He's already performed and collaborated with hip-hop heavyweights like, 50-Cent, Method Man and Rick Ross to name a few; and with this new deal, the horizon's looking damn good. On top of all that his solo project, Flyin' Home is set to drop next month under LA-based Kops and Robbers. It's just another case of an Arizona musician doing big things.

[Update: Flyin' Home is being released by Hype Music. Kops and Robbers will be releasing Leq's next project expected out sometime next year.]

Up on the Sun caught up with Hannibal Leq to get the scoop on the latest happenings. Follow the jump for more from our quick email interview...

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?Up on the Sun: How's it going Leq? You got a Birthday Bash coming up so I have to ask the obligatory question: How many years you got under your belt now?

Hannibal Leq: I'm doin' great man. Next Sunday I turn the big 2-5. Again, for the umpteenth time [laughs].

Can you catch us up with what's new?

Got a lot of new stuff poppin' off. The Extreme/hype deal, Angry Mobb Publishing deal, and a deal with Kops and Robbers.

We heard about your addition to the Hype family. Can you talk about what Hype Music means to you? What was your reaction when you got the news?

Being on Hype is a big deal to me. It's a better chance to get my music to bigger regions than I could have normally reached. I was excited when Russ [CEO of Extreme/Hype Music] finally asked me to join the family. I was always family by default, (The New F-O's), but now I'm standing on my own two!

You've performed with some of hip-hop's biggest names, any upcoming collaborations we can look forward to?

No collabs planned just yet, but there is a few tricks up my sleeve.

The year is all but done, what's on the agenda for the upcoming year?

Total domination. That's it - 2012 is the year I start feeding my family. - Phoenix New Times