Interview by Scott Bejda
You are from São Paulo, Brazil. What was it like growing up there?
Growing up in São Paulo is living in the middle of chaos. I am from Guaratinguetá – 012 (Paraíba Valley), the most dangerous region of the state of the largest capital in Latin America. Here is the real ghetto, the concrete jungle, sirens, crime, drugs, violence, prostitution, it is like the streets of Compton or Memphis, but in South America, all mixed together. I grew up on the outskirts, in a humble neighborhood called Vila Brasil, here I learned to live and grew up seeing the struggle written on every face. It is a jungle where those who do not become lions become prey. This shaped my vision, my sound and my hunger to win and achieve my goals.
At what age did you start listening to rap and which artists did you like from the beginning?
I started listening to rap when I was about 9 years old, starting with Brazilian groups like Racionais MC’s, Facção Central, Realidade Cruel, Cirurgia Moral, Alibi, Mv Bill, among others, and soon I started listening to N.W.A, 2Pac, Snoop Dogg, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Three 6 Mafia, Tech N9ne, Brotha Lynch Hung, Mc Eiht, Spice 1, among others, these were the ones I got to know.
When did you start recording, how old were you?
I recorded my first song when I was 12 (in 2005). I’ve been singing rap since I was a kid. The song is called “Caminho pra Vitória,” and it exists and is available on all platforms. I recorded this song at home at the time using a karaoke microphone and an 8-channel analog soundboard. There were no music studios in my city, so I had to find my own way from an early age to record and produce my own art. It’s not easy to be an independent artist here. The music market only focuses on pop music and marginalizes rap and hip-hop culture. That’s why I had to learn to do everything on my own, since I was a kid. That’s why I created Área 121 Recordz.
Were there any underground rappers in São Paulo when you were starting out?
There were several, but few with structure. Many real people, but without visibility. The underground here has always been pure, original, but the True Rap that is GANGSTA is marginalized. I saw many talented people sink due to lack of opportunity, and that only made me want to rise even higher, for myself and for them. I would like to highlight the names of the Real Underground Gangsta Rappers from Brazil when I started out, and they were also some of the guys who helped me: Bulldog Fantazma, Alex Street, Heri aka Nil, Bone Six Face, D.F.C – De Frente pro Crime (L.A, Capone, Thug Black), França Ultimo Ato, Cobra Khan, Lord Tagman, R.O Thug (2R Mafia), as well as Vazder (Zaru Beats) among others…
I have known you since you were a child, when you became a member of the Underground Society. Unfortunately, shortly after we met, you served many years in prison. Congratulations on your release. How long were you out?
I was out for 9 years in a Closed Regime, and 4 years in a Semi-Open Regime, totaling 14 years of imprisonment. These were years of struggle, suffering and oppression at the hands of the Police and the Brazilian Prison System, but they also served to shape me. It was not just physical imprisonment, it was mental and spiritual warfare and mainly warfare with the oppressive forces and the tyrannical systems of the State. I came out with a stronger voice, more vision and a greater desire to leave a legacy on the Streets.
How did you survive while you were in prison? What helped you overcome it?
I survived with faith and focus. I wrote lyrics every day, as if my mind was the only free space I had. I read books, studied music, and visualized my return. I never let the system kill my essence. I wrote more than 500 lyrics and read 527 books, not to mention the sacred scriptures of different religions and ideologies. I also had the love and support of my mother, who helped me and visited me there all these years. The support of my family was what helped me overcome it.
When you got back home, did you start recording right away?
Yes, the first week I had access to Rua, I got in touch with you, DJ Lil Sprite and some other brothers from Rua and Rap Game, I recorded Fiaxas, “Ser Kombatente” & “Vida Sofrida” with beats that I got as a gift from Sprite, and even the track “Ser Kombatente” was released on the compilation “FXCK THA WORLD – CD COLLECTORS (2021)” released by UGS4LIFE & MURDER MASTER MUSIC SHOW. Anyway, I didn’t want to waste time, I came back as if I had been released from a cage, hungry for life and the stage, I really believe in what I do.
What are you working on now? Do you have an album or single available or in progress?
I have a lot of projects in the pipeline, I already have some of them in progress, but I haven’t started preparing the album yet. I’m releasing some singles, I have songs in the final stages of production here in the studio and they will soon be available on all platforms. My latest singles were the project Tha Lunatic Killaz (a collective with Lord Tagman & R.O Thug), the single “Psychopat Lunaticz,” the single: “Criminologia” (featuring Bulldog Fantazma) and the single “Street Ridaz” (featuring Tony Muthaphukkng G & Pastor Ton). I’ll probably start thinking about producing an album only next year, I’m taking it one step at a time.
What is the music scene like in São Paulo? Is there a lot of rap there these days?
There is a lot of rap, but most of it nowadays is focused on the commercial trap style here. There are few groups that still maintain the essence of good old GANGSTA and continue to sing in the streets. The Voices of the Ghetto need to be heard — they need more space. I’m here to represent this style, which transmits the weight of reality in each beat and spits truth in the verses. Gangsta 4 Life !!!
Do you perform? If so, what does the audience think of you?
Yes, I do. When I go on stage, it’s an incredible energy. I’ve been participating in some Rap events and Lowrider meetings here in São Paulo. The audience likes to see me sing because they know I’m not a fictional artist, I’m not a character. I sing about my reality and experience on the streets, in crime, in prison, and years of running around for Gangsta Rap and the “Underground Society” (UGS4LIFE). That’s my legacy.
Who do you work with here in the United States and elsewhere?
I have connections with rappers and producers from all over the world. I’ve met a lot of people since 2005. In the United States, I’ve worked with big names in the Underground Devil Shyt, such as Tony Muthaphukkng G, Crucified, Deuce L, Mr. Sinista Productions (R.I.P), Lady Murda, Robert AK-47 (FREE), Krucial Mane, Lil Traviezo (Sureños 13), among others. I’ve also partnered with independent artists from Europe (Germany, France, Portugal), Latin America (Mexico, where I have a lot of friends) and even on the African continent (Angola, Mozambique, people who have always supported me). When the sound is real, it crosses borders.
I know you like Memphis rap. Who are some of your favorite Memphis artists?
First of all, my favorite rapper from Memphis is Gangsta Pat, a reference that made me choose the name Gangzta Krow. My favorite album is Deadly Verse from 95′, after him comes Al Kapone, Three 6 Mafia, Tommy Wright III, Manson Family, Gangsta Blac, Playa G, Dj Zirk, Dj Squeeky, Criminal Mane, Guillotine, Tom Skeemask, Truma Center Killaz, 3 Memphis Kniccas, Children of the Corn, DJ Sound, DJ Spanish Fly, DJ Fela, I like all the Classics. For me Memphis Rap is the true Gangsta Rap, not to discredit the other territories, some of them are as good as Southside (Memphis), such as Westcoast and Midwest, however Memphis Rap (Southside) has its own peculiar characteristic, the rappers were not Artists or as Eazy-E said “Studio Gangstas”, they were real thugs, gangstas trying to be rappers, nowadays you see many rappers trying to be gangsta, and that was what caught my attention the most about the style of this territory, the songs were not made in bourgeois studios, everything was produced in the ghetto, recorded on cassette tapes that were sold on the streets in exchange for tapes from other neighborhoods, and that’s how it spread, I think the way this territory runs is very true and worthy, I see it as a great inspiration for me.
Before we go, do you have any plans for the future?
Yes, I have several projects. As I told you, I have written more than 500 lyrics. I have projects written for entire albums. I just got out of prison, renovated my studio, and am starting to work little by little, releasing some singles and collaborations with other groups and allies. I have just put my catalog on all digital platforms as well. Now everyone can listen to my discography (containing 54 songs, including 2 albums and several singles) on their favorite platforms. I will soon be investing in video clips as well. There is a lot of news coming. And that’s it, Brotha. I would like to thank you first and foremost, and then the entire Murder Dog Magazine team. I am a fan and have been following the magazines and rap compilations you have made since I was a kid. I am a huge fan and it is a great honor for me to be able to collaborate with you. Peace Fam! Keep it Real #UGS4LIFE. Big Shot Out by Gangzta Krow from São Paulo – Brazil.
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