* Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/
* Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/
* Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/
* iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/purple-funk-feat-gigi-spooky-calavera-p-c-mix-single/1353135959
* YouTube: https://youtu.be/YGpHPli9kyk
WHY U DO WHAT U DO: Artist Edition
Loc Da Smoke (aka Tristan Overgaard)
PFSF: How long have u been a Prince Fam?
L: Since 1989, after I heard the Batman soundtrack. I followed his music a bit in to the 90s and then for some reason lost track of it and really just got back into listening to him when I met Michelle in 2008. I'm really glad I did because he was one of the greatest artists to ever walk this earth, without a doubt! It's such a shame he passed too soon. He was such an inspiration in so many ways.
PFSF: What is your creative medium?
L: Writing lyrics, rapping them, recording, mixing and I master all my work as well.
PFSF: How long have u been an MC/writing and producing music?
L: I started writing raps in 1997. I recorded my first song in 1999 and started really taking it somewhere in late 2004; as I was taken under the wing of one of Tupac's former producers and road dawg, DJ King Assassin.
PFSF: What/who inspired u?
L: I grew up bumping Beastie Boys and Fat Boys at the age of 5. At age 8-12, it was Ice-T, 2 Live Crew, Ice Cube and NWA, and as a teen it was 2pac, Thug Life, Snoop Dogg, Public Enemy, Cypress Hill, Dogg Pound, South Central Cartel, Dr. Dre and a few others. I got inspired to rap cuz I can relate to a lot of the struggles being talked about in the lyrics from those artists I grew up listening to. I was raised in a household of people in the street game. The first time I heard Ice https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/purple-funk-feat-gigi-spooky-calavera-p-c-mix-single/1353135959T was when my mom came home and played the song High Rollers from the Power album and she told me to listen to it because it was about what she was and unfortunately the streets took the best of her later on and she passed away when I was 10.
As I got older, writing my raps became a type of therapy for me and it helped me out in my worst days and still does.
PFSF: I'm honored that u wrote a song about PURPLE FUNK SF and that u will be performing it this Sunday at P*ssy Control in Oakland. What inspired u to write it and how did u come to collaborate with DJ Spooky?
L: Well, what inspired me is y'all, the luv I have for Prince's music, everybody in Purple Funk SF, the parties we have, the great atmosphere; it's all love every time. And also as you know, Michelle and I have recently suffered a great loss to our family as our son Devin was born an angel back in April and through our hardest times, y'all have shined light on us, making our days brighter and easier to get through and I love y'all for that. I reached out to Spooky because I think he's a dope DJ and he's got a great singing voice as well.
PFSF: Why do u do what u do?
L: Because it keeps me sane, in this insane world.
I love music, I love writing, I love Hip Hop and I love making my dreams reality.
Dream, believe and achieve is my motto and that is what I do and why as of this year I have opened the doors to my record label for other artists, so I can help others shine as well.
I also want to give a big shout out to you GiGi for hitting me up for this interview. U know Michelle and I got mad love for you and I also want to give a shout out to everybody rockin' with Purple Funk SF. I love y'all and I'll see ya at the next Purple Function!! AAAAOOOOAAAAHHHH!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PFSF: Tristan - I am in tears. Thanks to both u and Michelle for being part of our FAMILIA!
From the moment we met at our beach memorial for Prince last year in June, I knew u guys were special because u had only been part of Purple Funk SF for a short time and u came through with your children to meet a bunch of folks u only knew online for a short time. Our connection was instant and ever since then, u both hit me up for every single event asking if there's anything u can help me with. And, u have helped me with several events!
Losing someone u love as close to u as your child or your parent can rip your heart out (I know this first hand, having lost my dad almost 3 yrs ago) and one can choose to be bitter or one can choose to have a Heart of Love. U and Michelle are truly 2 of the most loving souls I've ever met and I'm blessed to call u my FAMILIA ❤
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
