Up and Coming Records: The Ladies Room

The following is part 1 of a 2 part King James interview with Up and Coming Records artist EF Hutton.


KJ: First off let me say congratts to you EF on your recording deal and your teaser track "Return of Tha Real", it's starting to create a buzz.

EF: Ah man I appreciate that. It feels so good to finally get the chance to do me.

KJ: So how has the transition been from incarceration to manifestation?

EF: Damn man its a beautiful thing. One minute you're telling people about your dreams and aspirations and the next minute itz going down.

KJ: Speaking of going down what sent you to prison?

EF: Paper chasing. Trying to get this money by all means.

KJ: Was your crime drug related?

EF: Yea man I got caught up on some out of town shyt, parked me for about seven years.

KJ: Seven years is a long time, how does one stay committed?

EF: It wasn't easy man thats for sure. But I think every person reaches a point in their life when they arrive at that fork in the road. Its then you decide really how you want your life to be.

KJ: Did you write while you were on ice?

EF: Oh hell yea. I wrote raps, letters, books, man you name it lol. Writing played a key part in the healing.

KJ: Ok so you're in another state doing seven years, no family, no friends I presume, any visits?

EF: Nada one. But in that was the chance to get to know me. I learned so much about myself during those years, my strengths and weaknesses.

KJ: What was the hardest part in doing the time?

EF: The initial transition. I went from frequent flyer miles to a two man cell. Doing time I learned its not about what you had or did on the streets but rather how you fair as a person.

KJ: I've talked to people who know you well and they all say the same thing "EF is a much humbler person these days".

EF: Without a doubt I learned that with that comes growth. When I first came home my niggaz were trippin off my whole persona. I guess after doing time they thought I was gonna be on some ride or die type shyt. I am but for some totally different reasons.

KJ: So were you misunderstood after coming home?

EF: I feel I was, which brought about frustration. Its like I was preaching to niggaz. I was disappointed to see cats worse off then they were before I went to prison. What was even more disturbing was that they seemed to be cool with how they were. I had to make a decision, life or death, I chose life.

KJ: What does EF Hutton and Up and Coming Records have in common?

EF: Will and determination.

KJ: EF, coming str8 outta Compton do you feel that there is more pressure on you as an artist?

EF: Oh yea but that comes with the territory. I have to expect tough criticism, tough luv as well as haters. Remember I'm coming straight out of prison doing my thing, there are niggaz that have been trying to get put on for years.

KJ: But its not like you're new to this, you've been in the game for awhile.

EF: Yea but niggaz could give a fuck less about all of that, all they see is me showing up, blowing up.

KJ: You sound sorry for your success.

EF: Yea right. I'm about as sorry as Timothy Mcveigh.

KJ: What's the #1 question you're asked these days?

EF: "Do you know Game?"

KJ: Do you?

EF: Not at all. But then again my outlook on things maybe just a tad bit different. I don't feel its about who I know but rather who know me.

The following is part 2 of a 2 part King James interview with Up and Coming Record's artist EF Hutton.


KJ: How does EF Hutton feel about Compton and its place in rap history?

EF: Ah man I absolutely love the fact that Compton played such a key role in the origin of so called "gangsta rap". NWA is legendary, I get excited even to this day just to know that as a youngster I was right there in the mix of that shit.

KJ: Speaking of NWA do you feel Eazy E gets the props he deserves?

EF: Cali niggaz are so critical and its like everybody's looking to boss up and knock the next nigga but on some real shit Eazy E was a fucking genius when it came to "seeing" this rap game. Dude was a visionary and hell no I don't think he gets the props he deserve. But I'll tell you what, until west coast niggaz start reppin and respecting their own, I don't wanna hear nare nigga telling me about New York or down South niggaz and how their eating off our style.

KJ: Its funny you should say that. I read an article not too long ago featuring Lil Eazy E and he was saying the same thing about his dad not getting his propers.

EF: Man its sad in a sense, it just shows how narrow minded we can be out here on this left coast. Every nigga that comes out of New York rep "Biggie" to the fullest, and then you have the son of the pioneer of west coast gangsta rap, scrambling for a record deal.

KJ: The exact same argument could be made about you could it not? I mean you have obviously been in the game for awhile and pretty damn good at what you do. People are starting to wonder how did you go unsigned.

EF: Yea well at some point in time I imagine someone is going to have to answer to that. As for now I'm enjoying my position here at Up and Coming and looking forward to serving you all.

KJ: Tell us a little bit about the album.

EF: The name of the album will be "Return Of Tha Real" and the first single is
"Never Should Have Locked Me Up". Basically you can look forward to that ole school reality rap, where a nigga just grabs the mic and tell it like it is.

KJ: Should we anticipate another F... tha police?

EF: In the wake of big "Tookie" you just might.

KJ: EF how do you feel about the whole Tookie situation? I mean because in the days of old these were the kind of stories that sparked controversial rap songs.

EF: Yea you're right and now its like niggaz have fallen sleep at the wheel. Reality is like a big amino acid pill to some (hard to swallow) but I have a commitment not only to myself but Tookie and all the rest of the Tookie's still on the inside.

KJ: Ok I hear that you have written a book, tell us a little bit about that.

EF: To all my real niggaz not to worry I'm sticking to the G-code. There were just some questions that I basically answered myself over time and put it into book form. I speak on things like my childhood and how we as kids were taught to stay inside the box. I speak on religion, politics, hustling, man I touch on all real shit. Everything I speak on comes from life's experiences, from me to you.

KJ: What is the book's title?

EF: As of now we are still contemplating the title but we will give all of you heads up on the scoop.

KJ: If the book blows up and the album blows up EF you are a rich man. What do you then do with all of the money?

EF: Ensure that no real nigga has to exit the penitentiary broke!


And that concludes this King James interview with Up and Coming Record's artist EF Hutton.