Illuminati 2G

NATSTAR INTERVIEW

Illuminati 2G is here with NatStar how's it going?

Doing good bro. Grindin 24-7 almost! I appreciate you reaching out...

No problem. Tell me a little bit about how you got your start in music and who are some of your musical influences out there.

I got started almost 15-16 years ago rapping, singing and producing at the age of 11. My dad worked for Atlantic Records at the time so he helped plug in a lot of shows, interviews, etc... It was then I knew I wanted to be in this biz. My influences would be Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, the late Michael Jackson, also newcomers like Ryan Leslie and Drake. Those cats are dope!

Your style is very diverse. You can make a club banger and at the same time make a emotional song about your parents. Explain if you can your writing process in doing songs.

Usually I come up with a concept even before I create a track. So sometimes what I may do is think of a concept and create a track around the concept. From there i'll start writing the verses and hook.

I know in the song Momma you talk about your mother and the impact she had in your life before and after her passing. My mother also passed away almost 3 years ago so that song really impacted me alot and I could relate to it. Tell me a little bit about how that song came together.

First I want to say i'm def sorry to hear about that. Believe it or not, that's my third song referencing to my mother's death. I made one when I was 15, then another when I was 22. This song was designed to close the grief chapter in my life involved with my mom's death. Mainly to get out all of my bottled up emotions and just lay it all on a song.

Let's get into your solo work. Do you have any upcoming mixtapes or albums set to drop soon?

I just recently released a mixtape "I Am Legend" on 6-2-09. I'm working on a Christmas album featuring my band "Creative Flow". Looking to release that late November. Also, just grinding hard to build up enough buzz for my album "Change".

What are your thoughts right now on the state of hip hop?

I think it's beautiful. Of course there are some things I don't necessarily care for (i.e., auto-tune, too many dance tracks, songs about nothing) but I think hip-hop now is more diverse than it's ever been. I feel fortunate to be able to build up a buzz on myself in this state of hip-hop.

What are you currently playing in your playlist that you are feeling right now?

Right now, "So Far Gone" mixtape by Drake is in repeat on my Blackberry. When it's not that it's Ryan Leslie's album. Other than that, classic Jay-Z, some Donell Jones, Robin Thicke and even some Kanye...

Do you have any upcoming shows or tour dates?

I'm judging a talent show called "Kennesaw Idol" in Atlanta, GA on Aug 14-15 with Slim from 112 and Mario. Other than that we're putting together an "I Am Legend" college tour for September and October.

What is your website info for people looking to check out your music?

My main site of course is www.natstartheking.com ... a good site to check out ALL of my music including my many remixes would be my imeem page: imeem.com/natstartheking

Appreciate you taking time to do the interview. Do you have any last words or shoutouts?

No doubt, first wanna thank God as always for strength and perserverence. Shout out to my Wife Vee Wess (www.veewess.com), my kids Jada and Skyy (Happy 6th B-Day Jada 7-18-09), Shout out to Rod my partner (Jatis Records), Jay Turner my manager (NV Entertainment), AC Stowe my dad, Fontana Distribution, Universal Music Group, all my DJ's and all my fan's! Last but not least, shout out to ILLUMINATI 2G!