TRUE: You used to be heavy into the street/gang life, what made you change your focus to do music?
WL: So many things were going on that made me focus on the music instead of getting back into the streets. Being in the streets and gang banging came so easily, so the hard part was the transition to music. Just wanting to tell my story and do great things for my family and others is what made me focus on the music much more than anything.
TRUE: You ended up graduating from college after you did some jail time, did you find it hard not to go back to the life that you were living? What kept you motivated to keep it positive?
WL: I can’t say that it was easy because that’s one of the hardest obstacles I had to face being released from prison and not returning to the streets and my old behavior. A lot came from surrounding myself with the people that were no good for me, not an easy thing when that’s all you know. I can honestly thank WB for helping me not go back to jail. Also, I came home from almost a decade of being incarcerated and seen the same people I grew up with doing the same exact thing they were doing when I was locked away, so I didn’t see anything positive or beneficial from being around them. I had to change my company.
TRUE: What is the difference in the making of your projects “Locomotive” 1, 2, and 3? Was it pretty much the same formula that you had when you went into the studio?
WL: The formula for “Locomotive 1 & 2” was pretty much easy, everything I speak on I had lived in the past or the present, so the process for recording those projects pretty much came easily. I don’t have a problem writing so that was never an issue. With “Locomotive 3”, the process was pretty much the same, but I have grown so much within the past year that recording had become a longer process because I began to actually take more pride in my music. “Locomotive 1 & 2” I just recorded the music and that’s it. I never listened to it after I recorded it. I left everything in the hands of my engineer (Dan The Man) but with “Locomotive 3” I was more hands on and perfected each and every track we selected for the tape.
TRUE: How did you end up hooking up with Young Jeezy and CTE? What was it like touring with them on the TM101 and TM 103 tours?
WL: Long story short, I ended up meeting Jeezy through twitter, we ended up meeting up on sum real nigga shit and we connected. He began coming to NY a lot and we ended up building a bond then it transferred over to the music. Touring with Jeezy was fun. I definitely learned a lot, grew musically, and was schooled on the business. He asked me to go on tour with him and it was a pretty dope experience for me.
TRUE: Do you still see some of your homies from when you were heavy in the gang life? What do they say to you? What do you tell them?
WL: Yes I am still close to my homies that are considered my “REAL” homies. Things have changed and so have people but those I consider my “real” homies are my family so we still talk and chill. We still talk but it’s rare that we chill like we used to because I’m always working, but I haven’t forgottn about them. I want to bring them into what I am doing as I strengthen my brand. Opening the doors for others has always been a goal of mine.
TRUE: What has been your most memorable experience as a rapper? What is your biggest accomplishment?
WL: My most memorable experience was when Jeezy flew me out to Miami before TM103 dropped and we rode around in the phantom all night building on music. I took so much from that conversation that sticks with me til this day. Also, when the TM101 tour started in NY and he had me on stage with him, that was dope as well. I haven’t accomplished my biggest accomplishment as of yet, but as of now my biggest accomplishment has been being apart of CTE WORLD and being apart of the album we recorded.
TRUE: How much of a say so does Jeezy have in the music that you make? Or does he just give you the freedom to create what you want?
WL: He doesn’t have much to say. Meaning he values and respects what I do cause that’s what garnered his attention, so why would he want me to change that? He gives me freedom to be myself but constantly helps me grow in order to perfect my craft.
TRUE: What do you enjoy more, being the the studio creating the music or performing on stage? Why one over the other?
WL: Thats a hard question because I love being in the studio creating the music, that process is dope, but I also like being on stage performing the music in front of people that enjoy my music.
TRUE: Tell us 3 things about yourself that you have never told anyone
WL: I am very humble and grateful. I love my daughter, nephews, nieces, Nush Cookie, Nivey & Addy. I also enjoy laughing and being silly.
TRUE: What fans think of as the popular sound is always changing in hip hop, Where do you see hip hop going within the next 5 years?
WL: Hip-hop changes so much that you really never know what’s the new thing in-style. (laughs) I think that hip-hop will return back to street music, just my opinion.
TRUE: Who are some artists that you are listening to right now?
WL: A little bit of everything; Push!, Kendrick Lamar, Game, Jeezy, Freddie Gibbs, Jigg, Crill Gates & G Malone. A few others as well.
TRUE: What projects do you have coming up for this year?
WL: Locomotive 3 is coming out this year, also, “Blue Steel- .38 Special”, A book, a documentary, “BruiseCrew Album” wit Push! and a few other things that I have planned for the year.
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