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KRS-One: When two people are on the block and one of them say “fuck that, I will bust my guns nigga…” What he’s actually saying is “I will take it to the max and beyond.” He’s telling you that’s the level of where he will go. You can take it literally like he’ll do some stupid shit in broad daylight like go outside and bust his gun or you can take it figuratively and use your head and be like “Ooooh, I get what he’s saying.”

TSS: How’d the “Robot” concept come about?

KRS-One: That was actually Buck’s idea.

TSS: Were you watching videos or listening to the radio getting fed up to what you were seeing and hearing in terms of representing Hip-Hop?

Buckshot: Yeah I basically said to myself that it was something that everybody felt, but nobody wanted to say it. It got so bad to the point that some guys didn’t want to do it [Auto-Tune] but they did it because they felt it was the only way to get back into the limelight. And to me, there’s nothing more disrespectful than seeing someone you respect for so long for being original turn around and start to rhyme (or sing) on Auto-Tune because they feel like a guy from the 7o’s coming back in a polyester suit looking totally out of fashion. They’re saying to themselves “this is what we gotta do.” And it’s really not the truth because what people admire is your originality.

TSS: The video “Robot” is one of great creativity as well as entertainment. Does it bother you that there’s no “Rap City” to play it?

“Robot” just played on BET’s 106 & Park as a new video of the day. “The Deal” has interviewed myself and Buckshot about the album. They may be covering Buckshot the day the album comes out for a day in the life segment. The video was in rotation at MTV, VH1 Soul, Music Choice. The actual problem becomes are enough people watching network today VS what they may discover online via youtube, myspace or these network’s websites. Then take this a step further and understand when the programming is running. BET’s “The Deal” broadcasts at 2 a.m. EST. That is a tough task to ask fans to stay up if they can’t afford DVR cable systems to record what may be their favorite video show.

I’m not bothered by the lack of “Rap City” so long as the Hip-Hop Community finds ways to evaluate where our content we’re making can live. My “Hip Hop Lives” video has been viewed over 1 million times on youtube. “Robot” is approaching 200,000 views in a couple of months. That to me is something to be proud of.

TSS: But can the more lyrically inclined Hip-Hop that ya’ll are branding survive without direct support from radio or TV?

Buckshot: We’re already there. Quiet as kept, there’s not even nobody around. Peep it: the industry is GONE! What people used to know as the industry is know longer around. It’s finished! We no longer need TV or commercial radio to promote or sell anything. And I mean anything. At the end of the day, the shit is like a ghost town. And there’s a few people left that want you to believe that it’s still operative. Because they will play the chef. They will play the bookstore owner. They’ll bring you into the town and then turn around and be the muthafuckin’ hotel owner trying to rent you a room!

That old system has collapsed! We don’t get advances like that anymore. We don’t sign artists that much anymore. We don’t buy commercial space, time or magazine ads the way we used to. So if you still got your mind in the way it used to be, that’s gonna be too bad for you…

KRS-One: Yes. It may take more work but if your product is accessible and is quality, the people will migrate towards it eventually. We may not attract the insto-fan who is purchasing the project because he or she heard the single a thousand times on radio, but I still sell out thousand person venues from fans coming to see me rock that stage and it’s rarely advertised on the radio. People are aware that Buckshot and I perform with passion and put on an enjoyable show. They will research these things and spend their money, most times more money than album may cost, to come see us rock.

If you’re in NYC on September 15th when Survival Skills is in stores, I suggest you come down to SOBs to watch myself and Buckshot perform the album with our special invited guests. Even RADIO HIMSELF, DJ FUNK MASTER FLEX will be spinning!!! Why is he there if his own station has yet to offer more support? I guess he made his mind up that the record is worthy.

TSS: Great points. So all things considered, you’re in it for the long haul Buck?

Buckshot: I’m definitely in it for the long haul because eventually my mind frame is aimed at creating more business and more opportunities.

TSS: Naturally you’re a veteran in the game but even Kris out ranks you. Was there any teaching involved in the recording process?

Buckshot: Yeah, teaching by the way of action. He didn’t sit down and say “Buck do this, Buck do that,” but just by watching and listening to him, I got a good feel for the direction in which we were taking the album. So it definitely was a learning experience.

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TSS: Being a headstrong representer for the culture, do you think people expect you to say something outlandish Kris?

KRS-One: I think the press may try and push buttons looking for a certain response which is fine. I understand I’m the teacher and these things are expected. I don’t appreciate when my words are misinterpreted though. I can represent the culture through my actions such as promoting non-violence and making music that I know is staying in tune with what my fans expect.

TSS: I know you feel Hip-Hop has no age boundaries Kris but do you ever feel like you’re talkin’ to a brick wall with some of your lyrical content? More specifically, the children who prefer dance tunes.

KRS-One: Hip-Hop is an ever evolving genre. I am not mad at whatever lane a fan may choose to be in. I just hope that the gatekeepers that control what is heavily promoted to the masses can be open-minded in advertising all formats of Hip-Hop. We as the culture can make the difference though by requesting music such as KRS-One & Buckshot on your local radio stations or visiting BET.COM to vote for our “Robot” video at 106 & Park. The material and information is there, but it’s on you to do your research and decide what artists you want to support. I hope that myself and Buckshot do enough on that mic to earn your respect.

KRS-One & Buckshot’s Survival Skills features production and appearances from Mary J. Blige, 9th Wonder, Talib Kweli, Black Milk, Melanie Fiona, Nottz & many more. It will be released in stores September 15th, 2009 courtesy of Duck Down Records. For more information on the product and purchasing locations, visit www.duckdown.com as well as www.myspace.com/krsoneandbuckshot.

And be sure to pick up your tickets for their FREE live performance in Philly.

Previously Posted — KRS-One & Buckshot – “Robot” Video