— SpacePack

Had the opportunity to catch up with Killer Reese One and DJ Troublemaker, together known as King Fantastic. Read on to find out what the two had to say about L.A., the current state of hip hop and what their plans are for the rest of 2011.

Any inspirations behind your music?

Killer Reese One:    The westside. Gangsta shit.

Troublemaker:    Eating. Los Angeles. Women.

Do you have any particular goals for your music? Personal? Social?

KRO:    I’m trying to drown out the lesser thans, make sure that other products pale in comparison. That way, all we have left is the cream of the crop.

TM:    To continue and maintain a career as a dj/musician/producer. Make girls happy. And, gain the respect of my peers, while leaving a legacy.

Who did you write ‘Why? Where? What?’ about?

KRO:    Everybody.

How did you two get together?

KRO:    An online dating site.

TM:    blackpeoplemeet.com

What was original gameplan for when you two started on Finger Snaps and Gun Claps?

TM:    We met and decided to record one song and see how it went. Then it was three. Then it was 5. Then is was 8. Then it was 10, which became Finger Snaps and Gun Claps. It was this wormhole that led us to where we are now… recording, touring, making videos. As Reese would say, “Doing fly shit.” I’m speaking for Reese now.

KRO:    It’s ok for you to speak for Reese sometimes. Reese don’t mind. Reese ain’t never been about that shit! I’ve been watching “The Other Guys” a lot. Shit was funnier than I thought it would be.

Favorite artists, groups?

KRO:    E40, Andre Nickatina, Devin the Dude, Ice T, Tool, 80′s and 90′s rnb, Trick Daddy, Pastor Troy, The Bird and The Bee, Lovage, Rick James, Bill Withers, Lamb of God, Suicidal Tendencies, Jimi Hendrix, Cuban All Stars… let me know when I should stop. All I do, all damn day, every damn day, is listen to music. It helps me get by, just like weed.

TM:    The Clash, Beastie Boys, Gang of Four, Hall and Oates, Johnny Cash, M83, Milosh, Outkast, Rolling Stones, The-Dream.

Best strand you ever had? And where can I get some?

KRO:    F1 x Gods Gift. They used to have it at “The Farmacy” on Abbott Kinney. Haven’t seen it in a while.

What’s your opinion on the current state of hip hop and rap music? Invasion of the hipsters?

KRO:    Josh, please do the honor….

TM:    Very little “true” hip hop exists, and the majority of rap, and/or people impersonating rappers, is greater (in size) than ever, but exponentially weaker (in talent) than ever. It is a culture commodified by outsiders, who have no culture of their own, who then, in turn, cannibalize themselves.

Favourite thing to do L.A.?

KRO:    I drink, smoke, eat, fight, and fuck at the beach. I avoid going inland as much as possible. I have 3 felonies and one strike, so I avoid shenanigans when I can.

TM:    Drive up PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) past Malibu and kick it at the beach.

When are we going to be hearing new material from you two?

KRO:    D.O.S.

TM:    In the death of summer.

Who’d you like to work with in the future?

KRO:    Jay-Z, Rick Rubin, Cee Lo.

TM:    DJ Quik, Jay-Z, Mark Trombino, Trent Reznor.

Origins of the track ‘On Q’?

TM:    The beat for “On Q” was the first one I made, and an impetus for the sound of the album.

KRO:    Josh’s soul on the beat, and a fun little night, back when I used to party in Hollywood like that. One of my “fuck off a couple stacks” nights. Back when the income was expendable. It’s also my favorite production on the album.

Plans for the rest of 2011?

KRO:    My son’s (Raider Alexander Rivera) first birthday. Oh, and rapping, and touring, and Europe. I got my passport back.

TM:    Make more videos, record more music, and shows, shows, shows.