August Feature: Kato Interview

For the first official interview for FOUR®, I met with upcoming Atlanta Hip Hop producer, Kato(@katohiphop) via twitter for a one on one and to discuss is current project , T.I.M.E and other upcoming projects. During this interview twitter followers were able to listen to this new album available for free dowload at katodaily.com. T.I.M.E features productions for Above Ave., Mike Petrone, Dumbfoundead, Lil’ Scrappy, Mic Masters, Mojo Swagger and more.

TWITTER INTERVIEW AUG. 8. 2009

mushiikloth- @KatoHipHop hey man!

KatoHipHop - @mushiiklothhellloooo, just finished mixing down this track for my man konsept…

mushiikloth- You finished up a track by konsept.? so is this for his project or yours?

KatoHipHop – both hopefully. all the new tracks im working on have a chance to get on the next T.I.M.E. mixtape.

mushiikloth- oh cool, so T.I.M.E that stands for…

THIS IS MY EVERYTHING, Produced By Kato

“THIS IS MY EVERYTHING.
music keeps my soul pumping.
same goes for all the good ppl around
me that i work with. - Kato”

mushiikloth– This is My Everything, why that title, what made you listen to your work and say you know this is it

KatoHipHop – its a perfect description of why i wake up every morning and what i grind day-to-day for.

mushiikloth- So in atlanta, are ppl respecting this cause the album is definitely a showing of your different styles

KatoHipHop – ATL has been nothing but good to me. ive met soo many cool ppl here and theres so much opportunity… i love it.

mushiikloth– thats excellent, so producing, I know you started as a rapper, but what or when did you realize, okay this is production is where its at

is there still an option to come out as an artist too?

KatoHipHop – i actually made my first beat before i wrote my first rhyme. i enjoy both, but somewhere along the line i realized production was my baby.

mushiikloth– and i guess after that everything just fell in place.

KatoHipHop – i think i will always have a rapper monster inside of me though, lol.

mushiikloth- oh lol well thats the persona of a rapper, well suppose to be..would you consider ur flow battle or just style fused

KatoHipHop – im NOT a battle rapper. lol. its just not my thing. i need to take time to construct my rhymes and flow.

mushiikloth- lol right before you get a batch of angry rappers drawling lines, yah son!

now who are ur influences?

KatoHipHop – as far as producers… dj premier, j dilla, dr. dre, dj toomp, black milk, just to name a few.

mushiikloth– I realized Toomp was a good Southern rep for beats

KatoHipHop – , yeah i cant think of a song toomp has produced that i dont like. i recently saw him at the Blue Flame Lounge. speechless.

mushiikloth- Now lets talk about the album, it features are a pretty eclectic group, i know most have beats but how do u work with the artists?

KatoHipHop – i do what any good producer does with an artist. i like to be IN the studio, making music WITH the artist. its a combined effort.

dont get me wrong tho. ive done long distance b4, so sometimes it isnt possible, but i still do my best via email and phone.

mushiikloth– riiight no fast serve lol could I ask your tools, what’s ur weapon of choice?

KatoHipHop – REASON 4.0, CUBASE SX3, M-AUDIO AXIOM 25. thats it, nice and simple.

mushiikloth– now one of the FOUR® favorites [is] Everybody Hating, By Grady sorta like that neo-classic Atlanta sound, what was the energy for that?

KatoHipHop – word! what up to the homie @gradythegreat!! i immediately heard grady on this track w/o intentionally making it for him.

i gave him a call the next day and he loved it so we knocked it out for the mixtape.

mushiikloth– Another fav is track 10, by A’Leus – I Got. That song is hilarious he’s got some funny verses but the beat is another ex. of being able to hear the clever the lyricist.

KatoHipHop – yeah and if u actually listen close, u’ll hear me doing the adlibs in the hook for that song

mushiikloth– Ooh, Okay. Yeah Its hard to not talk about all the tracks cause they all are so different its hard to say one is better than another

KatoHipHop – haha yeah. i try not to limit myself! i like messin with different styles and sounds. just gotta make sure it bangs.

mushiikloth- by the way I’d love to see a video for track 11, by Dumbfoundead – Rapper-O’s

KatoHipHop - out of all the tracks, i think Rapper-O’s has gotten special attention. ppl really love that one. shoutout to @dumbfoundead!

mushiikloth– now ur studio, on location or off

KatoHipHop - ON! [location] got my own studio here at the crib. SO convenient to have if i need to lay down an idea.

mushiikloth- oh dope! so whats the nickname(s) I know you got [them]

KatoHipHop – i did in middle school, lol. ppl just call me KATO now. i dont even think a lot of ppl know my real name!!

thats right ppl… do ur research and find out who kato REALLY is….

mushiikloth– and does your studio have a nickname too?

KatoHipHop – “kato’s studio” count as a nickname?

mushiikloth– yes kato’s studio count lol

now this chick Adrift Da Belle is fire, i know its hard for female emcees due to the asthetic factor but more from the two of u?

KatoHipHop – shoutout to @adriftdabelle!! and YES im definitely going to knock out another record with adrift real soon….

mushiikloth– so, T.I.M.E is out, any back tracks ppl can listen to or purchase to get a history of you

KatoHipHop – my last mixtape (2008), Ears & Voices is on itunes, cdbaby, amazon, etc. if u REALLY wanna dig deep.. 2006 Kato EP.

* you can get all these albums at http://katodaily.com and http://myspace.com/katohiphop*

mushiikloth– what the next project from you & would you be mad at a deal, esp with the state of music?

KatoHipHop – im not concerned with getting a deal right now. im busy being an independent hustler and the payoff is greater.

im currently working with mike petrone on his full-length LP. beginning stages but its gonna be fire. T.I.M.E. vol 2 in works..

also got big projects outside of music in the works as well. hint: street wear.

mushiikloth- oh wow can’t wait! great to see your expanding, can’t wait for your upcoming Mike Petrone project

were just about done and I want to thank you for your time [NO PUN]. one last question

now the obvious, your Asian, Korean right? Its sorta old 2 be surprised but, when ppl found out it was u, what was the reaction?

KatoHipHop – yezzir! reppin koreans across the world. asians in hip-hop is still a fairly new concept so i think its kinda hard to swallow

but its becoming more common so hopefully ull see more faces like mine in music.

mushiikloth– thanks for spending some time with mushii kloth & FOUR®

KatoHipHop – thanks so much for the support @fourideals!

******* End of Interview *******

You can find the latest music, news and more at the following sites.

Kato Official Site | Myspace | Twitter