Interview with Verbal Threat

Interview with Verbal Threat

Many duos strive to put out great music in hip hop. That includes Verbal Threat comprises of Kool Sphere & MC Reppond who put out quality music constantly.  They have paid their dues to hip hop by putting out quality music constantly. Their resume speaks for itself from their single “Reality Check” selling five thousand vinyl units in the digital age to being nominated in the 2008 VMA awards.  Intrigued interviews the Queens, NY/Santa Ana California duo hip hop Verbal Threat as they speak about how they got started, their anticipated album “The Golden Era” and their upcoming projects.

1)            Yo, what it is? I got ya on this. Joining me and Intrigued are the rap duo Verbal Threat. What’s good my dudes tell us who is Verbal Threat and how you guys from Queens NY and Santa Ana California respectfully link up and say you know what let’s make this happen?

Verbal Threat: Verbal Threat consists of Kool Sphere & M.C. Reppond. We ended up going to school together and linked up with the same passion for music, especially both being big followers of Gangstarr at the time. Reppond walked by me one day in the cafeteria rhyming out loud a verse from Brand Nubian’s All For One album, and as he walked by, I finished the verse, and we hit it off from there.

2)            When you guys first started rapping and when did you guys take hip hop seriously?

Verbal Threat: In the late 90’s or so, when we started seeing the decline in authentic hip-hop, we felt the need to finally get involved as artists to represent the sound that we grew up loving.

3)            Yall got the anticipated album “The Golden Era”. I know you guys are satisfied with the album. Who we got on the album as far as guest appearances and producers?

Verbal Threat: DJ Premier, Mathematics, Beatminerz, Kool G Rap, Sadat X, Babu from Dilated Beatjunkies, Bronze Nazareth, Reef-Ali, amongst others..

4)            Would any of you guys have done anything different with the album?

Verbal Threat: Not really creatively, we went at recording it 100% in what we believe in. We just would have done things different in relation to getting the album released correctly, which we’re working on doing now.

5)            You got DJ Premier on the album. What is it like working with a hip hop legend like Premier and how his flair of production different from other producers you guys worked with in the past?

Verbal Threat: Like I mentioned earlier, we grew up listening to Gangstarr, and used their music as the blueprint to formulating hip-hop music. Ever since day one, that’s how we felt. When we first met Gangstarr back in the days, we knew eventually we’d get in the studio with them. Working with Premier is nothing less than an honor and a great accomplishment as a whole. We grinded hard to get to the position we’re in, and always a pleasure to work side by side with Premier. His production style far exceeds anyone we’ve ever worked with and plan to do more collaborative efforts in the future.

6)            You got the Reality Check video out which is your first single. It has made a lot of noise across the board, even was nominated for a VMA award in 2008. What was your reaction to it?

Verbal Threat: Very satisfied, we were fortunate to work with a creative team on the video that took our vision of authentic hip-hop and its elements, and incorporate it in a visual mater piece that has stayed relevant over the test of time.

7)            Vinyl has becoming scarce nowadays but you guys sold 5,000 copies of the single on vinyl. That’s definitely an accomplishment since we’re in the digital age of I-Tunes download sales.

Verbal Threat: We’d like to see the game get back to supporting vinyl and back to the roots of this culture. We’ve watched hip-hop go down so many short lived fads that’s detrimental to the culture we’re confident for a positive future.

8)            Your video had more than a million hits on youtube. How important is the Internet especially social networks and youtube in branding your group?

Verbal Threat: Extremely important, the internet is the main source of marketing and promotions these days..

9)            You guys also were the first independent hip hop group to sell out the House of Blues. I know you guys tore it down.

Verbal Threat: That was at the Anaheim California HOBlues show, it was a legendary night that was something special in our career, unforgettable night of raw uncut hip-hop.

10)         Kool Sphere, you also got a solo album out. How is the recording process different on your solo album from the group’s album?

Verbal Threat: More centralized, meaning I’m forced to rely on myself primarily for inspiration and ideas, and the whole creative process I do by myself, staying locked in the studio until I come up with album worthy material to share with the world. I’m 90% finished with my debut solo album “Code of Ethics” …I’m currently in the lab with DJ Premier right now working on our upcoming single to be released sometime this year. Lots of power moves in the making.

11)         What kind of vibe do you guys get from the fans while you’re touring and ripping up shows?

Verbal Threat: We always get a positive thankful vibe from our supporters. That’s the best form of validation for staying true to your music.

12)         Many hip hop duos and groups break up during their careers. What kept you guys working together as a group? 

Verbal Threat: We were down before recording, and our friendship blossomed into a brotherhood that extends thru life, music, and whatever’s clever. Mutual respect is a vital element and always catching each other’s back even if one or the other maybe wrong. You gotta roll with the punches.

13)         What do you think about hip hop right now and is there anything you would like to change about the game?

Verbal Threat: I think we’re done hoping for change, it is what it is, and I believe to be true to yourself and hip-hop, you just need to do you, be you, and if the cards are right, the audience/game will gravitate to your mission. It is what it is…

14)         What does it takes for an upcoming producer or a new artist to get your attention and say I want to work with them?

Verbal Threat: Have an original dope style, and be willing to put in work and accept critiques. We’re more open to producers at this point in time, because we’re always looking for a certain style of beat to capture our essence correctly.

15)         What’s your record label situation looking like and has any offers have been thrown at the table?

Verbal Threat: We’ve been in studio/creative mode and will keep options open on record labels. Nowadays you can pretty much handle yourself what a label can do for you, so depending on the deal anything is possible.

16)         You guys are constantly working; I definitely respect your grind. Are there other projects we have to look out for?

Verbal Threat: Realistically, it looks like Kool Sphere’s “Code of Ethics” will release first, still adding last minute features, so far features DJ Premier, AZ, Tame-1,
Smoothe da Hustler and more to come..
Then we have a Verbal Threat EP in the works as prep for finally releasing The Golden Era, which is always on that boombap authentic hip-hop shit.

17)         If anyone wants to holla at you for music, where should they get at you for that info?

Verbal Threat: OFFICIALKOOLSPHERE.COM
VERBALTHREAT.COM
KOOLSPHERE.BLOGSPOT.COM
FACEBOOK.COM/KOOLSPHERE
FACEBOOK.COM/VERBALTHREAT
of course as well as itunes, amazon.com etc

18)         It is an absolute pleasure interviewing you guys and definitely wishing ya the success. Keep putting out good music.

Verbal Threat: Good lookin out, thx for the check in…