The Pack Interview
by: Scott Bejda
From Murder Dog vol. 13 #2
How did you start working with Too Short?
Young L: Short heard our CD through Uno’s friends and he liked it. He couldn’t find us for a minute but then he got a hold of us.
Lil B: It has been a blessing that he has found us. We have a legend behind us guiding us in the game. Look how many platinum albums he has! It’s real nice having that kind of support behind you. We are going to attack the game.
Did he sign the group to his label Up All Nite?
Young L: We signed to his production company because we are trying to pursue a major deal so it is a production deal with Short. Right now Jive wants to sign us, so we’ll see what happens.
Is this The Pack’s first project?
Lil B: We got stuff so this by far is not our first project. It is our first project under a major label!
Uno: We got about two street albums and about three mix tapes.
What is the best thing about being with a major and the worst thing about being with a major?
Stunna: The best thing is you get that push because there is a lot of artists out here who don’t get that push. There are a lot of great artists out here who I know if they had the proper push they would get on, but if they don’t have a proper push. The music is not getting to the people that it needs to get to. The best thing is that push but the worst thing is to be under that contract to where you have to do this and that. When you don’t have a major contract you can do what you want and if you are cool with it then you’re cool but with the major labels there is always going to be some one who over sees my music and has to put a stamp of approval on it.
What would you be satisfied with the album doing?
Stunna: Every rapper would want it to sell good and that’s a given but I make music for the people. I just want people to like our music.
How would you describe the style of the group?
Young L: We get hyphy at times, but for the most part we got a real feel good original sound. It’s mostly party music because that’s what we grew up on!
Uno: It’s like a laid back Hyphy, something you can sit back and shake your dreads to. We are very versatile! We can throw some lyrical shit.
Young L: The rapping is mostly laid back. As far as styles though we have all kinds of styles and everybody in the groups stands out in their own way. Each one of us brings something to the table.
Where are you all from?
Young L: Three of us are from Berkeley and one of us is from San Francisco.
Exactly where is Berkeley and what’s it like living there?
Young L: Berkley is next door to Oakland and Albany. It is in The Bay! It’s cool here and we get a lot of love!
Did you come together to make music or were you friends before the music?
Lil B: We were friends and I was making music with “L” for awhile. Once we came together we started making a lot of music. I was only 13 or 14 when we started a few years ago.
Stunna: Me and L skated together. I met Uno and he was cool!
Do you skate on a professional level?
Stunna: No I just do it in my free time but I am good at it. It is just me, and Young L. We stopped for a minute but we got back into it.
How will your record stand out from other acts coming out right now?
Young L: I make all the beats and I make sure they don’t sound like anyone else’s beats and have a real unique sound. You are getting sounds from us that you probably never heard before. Where we come from we don’t spit about the glamour and all of that so you get a different perspective off the lyrics too.
Did you grow up listening to Too Short?
Young L: I grew up listening to him and everybody enjoys listening to him. He has been in Uno’s life more than anybody because his father has known Too Short personally for awhile.
Uno: My dad has known Too Short since 1982-83.
With the lyrical content do ya’ll get nasty like Short?
Young L: We have our moments but we mainly make party music.
I heard you’re planning to name your album after the song “Vans”. What is up with the “Vans” song?
Young L: It’s about how we are rocking these Vans shoes and it caught on real fast. We are getting real good responses especially on myspace.
How old are you?
Uno: I’m 16 years old and in the 11th grade!
What do other kids in school think of ya’ll?
Uno: They are happy for us!
What advice would you have for young artists wanting to get in the game?
Uno: First thing is stay in school and stay humble at all times.
How do you find time for everything?
Lil B: We just keep moving forward. I devoted my whole life to Rap. I have a good feeling that if I can keep making consistent music things will be alright. My goal is to make my mark in the history of Rap.
