INTERVIEW WITH CASANOVA
First off introduce our readers to Casanova
I was born in El Salvador, Central America. I got the name Casanova for my style and my stance from what you can say
were the wrong people around me at the time. The name was always me, so it stuck. I found myself writing after being
around people in the music industry. People like my brother who played drums in a band. He used to take me out to
various shows, and basically introduced me to the game. My mother has a voice, and my poppa plays acoustic guitar,
so music has always been in my blood. If you look in the mirror I am you, because I represent everyone in the ghetto,
and everyone who suffers on a day to day basis. My roots are dirty, but my will is good. I come from a third world
country. I mean basically nothing. I was born on a volcano right in the middle of my country. That's where the house
I was born in is at. My pops sold that already, but we came from nothing. Basically four walls holding us down. My
faith is strong so I know it was all for a reason. I wake up everyday and rise like a soldier, take a hit like a
man, and challenge the opposition. And so I am Casanova, not the ladies type, infact the total opposite. My
demeanor is what makes me who I am, and what connects me to the public. I'm real, the truth, with my own style,
a missionary, a gangsta, and one of the few who will bring "true" focus to the rap game once again. It may be
hard to understand how I can be all of that but you have to understand that I am just a mere human being. I
consider myself different, and so I differ in personality, likes and dislikes. I'll probably say it again during this interview but I am indeed a very bad person (laughs) who tries his hardest to do right. Basically a sinner. And if you are too, feel me, walk with your boy. A listen to anyone of my songs will reveal what I am. I can't hide from that, & I can't really finish introducing myself because I know where I started but I don't know where I end. Everything in between and thereafter, still and will make me who I am. So there you go.
Who have been your biggest influences in your career?
Man your talkin to an eighties baby, I gotta say it's been a long ride. Circa 1990... I been here since around the
time rap was blooming into what it is today. It isn't much today so I'm not mentioning any toy soldiers like 50
Cent or what have you. But I grew up on Biggie, Pac, Jay-Z, Nas, E 40, Snoop Dogg, Shyheim, Az, Damian Marley,
Bounty Killah, Vico C, Tego Calderon, Daddy Yankee, Krs One, Ice T, Jahiem, The Diplomats, Bone Thugs N Harmony,
Raekwon, Lil Wayne, Juvenile, BG, Too Short, Soundsmith Productions, The Runners, Conscript, XV, and all my hood
niggaz that rep the streets all day and write the truth nothing but the truth, no help to them snitches. If it
weren't for these kinds of artists talking to me through a set of speakers when I was young, each four minutes
per song spent could've been me going elsewhere in life. I owe much to all of these cats, so I pave my path
knowing that they laid it down.
To tell you the truth the biggest driving force in my life was my brother who was also a musician, and he will
always remain my number one source of inspiration, guidance, and influence. I don't need to get into details as
to why because I have so many reasons, and anyone who’s lost someone knows what I feel.
You have over 600 songs written, 300 of which have been produced. What drives you to keep the music coming?
Challenging myself is one reason, I'm a perfectionist and I've got a lot to say I write a lot of songs with the normal
3 verse, 16 bars, and 8 bar hook structure all the time. But I like to challenge myself a lot so those that know me know
that I break the rules of the game even more than anyone in your collection of writers.
Half of my 600 song catalogue consists of songs I write that have crazy structures like 48 bar verses, 100 bar songs,
200, or more before I even get to the first hook. I don't see things the way most people do. For those of you that
wonder, I never punch in. That's wack and that's a sign of weakness. I record songs in one take, five minutes flat,
from the first verse to the last verse. That's why studio engineers and producers love me cuz I'm so easy to work with.
I don't have to floss and say I'm the shit, but my game is definitely on point. Like they say where I'm from I spit
that cridak, and no son of mine can step to my sizzler ya know? I've never done a song with anyone and felt
competition either. There is none, and when you think this way you become a machine. That's the thought process I
use everyday. Can't nobody be me man, there ain't nobody like me (laughs). If ever I spit with someone it's cuz I
know they floss game like I do. It ain't nothing for me to shit out 300 bars on an unsuspecting so called "rapper".
I learned to flip money at a younger age, from the o.g's in my area. So I count money as I write my repertoire.
Music = Money, although it's not the number one reason I'm in the game. To quote rapper AZ "my catalogue consists of
a hundred thousand bars," and that's the way I live it. In the end it will mean nothing but prosperity for me, my
people, and your community. When I die I plan to divide the rights to all of my masters and give em to all my people,
family and friends. That's just the way I live, and just the way I am.
I stay up every night writing music for ya'll, and it hurts, cuz I'm not your average rapper. I hurt myself badly when
I write; I get real deep, looking at the scars on my heart and mind. I seek what many hide from, and thus I reign with
vigor. Most of the time I write songs and never erase anything I jot down. It's like it's been written in stone or
something. If I do erase anything it's cuz I'm not in the mood, and that's when I just have to leave it for later time.
But in the end every song is great; I make good music so you'll never hear garbage from me. I have something for everyone
to feel.
Trust me get 600 songs out of your system and you'll know what you’re doing. It almost becomes routine to write a great
song. I aim to write way more than that though, over 2000 or more before I'm gone. I'm not trying to make some record
or what have you, I'm merely a soul with much to say. Ask someone to write a song and they'll take forever, because
they have to "think hard". They mask themselves with what's not real, and never bring out what really means something
to them personally. Ask me to write and I'll just "write", it's like a faucet, the music just pours out. Because my
mental, spiritual, and physical is clear of foreign substances. So you can basically see me for who I am.
It's been a long journey after 600, I started writing when I was 14 at 12am, I remember that day like it was yesterday.
But for now I can just tell you that I won't stop. I have no personal vendetta on myself; I've just got a lot to teach.
I'm the type of man that really cares about rap/hip hop. I may not come off like Common, or Mos Def, but I still care
about other issues that affect my world outside of the hood. There are issues that I need to address and shed light on
such as world hunger, global warming, military conflicts, religion, aids, and the lower minority struggles most of our
people in the ghetto go through. Expect me to get even deeper on my next "untitled" album.
The content in my current album "The Franchise" sheds light on what affects me, and all that aside from what happens
in my hood. I'm a gangsta straight the fuck up, but there is no such problem in analyzing the world. I mean I'm a
sinner, but I still have a heart. Look this is my diagnosis and how I'll break my writing down. While mentioning that
I am a sinner I still aspire to change the globe in my own personal way. Every song I write has a message in it.
Those who listen between the lines, and quit "boppin or shoulda leanin" will learn and hear what I have to say.
I'm a father feeding my sons medicine hidden in an apple, without them even knowing it. The fruits of my labor with
a common solution for the problems at hand. But the point is they don't want to hear the solution. They (the world)
definitely don’t want to hear the solution and make a change. So you’re basically a child with no intention to swallow
a pill that can cure you. So I hide it, and pack it within something you will swallow. I share your pain, I am your pain,
and I live your pain. I live and breathe it everyday trust me. So while you’re listening to one of my gangsta tunes, I
may mention things like the pros and cons of your actions. I have songs like "I Was Wrong", and "Life" that talk about
me being an evil person yet somehow breaking the cycle. In accordance to history and the way it seems to repeat itself,
I want to break the cycle of pain that stains every ghetto in the world. I don't want my kids or your kids to grow up
in the same world I did. So fuck it, I mean play anyone of my songs and listen to all the gangsta shit I say. 80% of
it is gangsta as fuck, but I'm just being real at the same time and telling you my experiences even if they're bad.
I'm not selling you anything. I'm within your grasp, it's your choice whether you want me or not. But don't tell me I'm
totally fuckin up my society and my people. Cuz you can hear my diagnosis within 90% of my songs. So what if I'm a thug?
That doesn't make me an all around ignorant person now does it? If so my rap has no meaning and all 600 songs mean shit.
There's nothing wrong in helping my people. This really isn't about music anymore. So if anything my heart keeps me going
and that is the sole reason why I have such an extensive catalogue.
Then there's the other side to what I do. A side some would take the wrong way if they weren't ready for it. See a lot
of people envy me for what I've become though never say it. Plus there’s the aspect of respect that they have for me.
Like a kingpin and the pigeons that want the same kind of shine. I tell you I can see it in their eyes. Some of the
people I encounter can't even come up to me cuz of the god body. But nigga even John Gotti caught the fire. Ain't no
one in this world untouchable, and thus nothing is unreachable. But bang with the gang and take your chances. Shit I
hold my own. Don't test me. But don't fear what your neighbor does on the count of his accomplishments. You can have
what you want in life too. Effort faggots. Effort. My bad that's just a little something for the haters. Let's move on.
You've done a fair amount of work with Canadian producers and artists, how did this come to be?
Well just like what I rap about on my song "Music Man", I've done my share of traveling since I was 5. I've
been to about half of the States, South America, Cuba, and of course I've been to Canada before. How could you
not when it's right next door?
I love to travel, and I've been to Toronto before. I had the chance to meet and work with such people such as
Y Not, N33nyo, Mack, Ritchie, and a few other producers. The first people I could say I clicked with were
Soundsmith Productions, but not just for their beats, on a friendship level as well. I've done my work with
these cats to the point where we all used to camp out in the studio for days at a time. Eat, sleep, shave,
and even brush our teeth in the building. I could say these are the only people in your country I "Trust" to
the fullest. My music’s been around though, so any other artist/producer that has heard of me knows me from
outside sources. A lot of rappers/producers would just come up to me on a respect level for who I am, the way
I carry myself, and of course my music. So that's led to other collaborations, but I haven't done many collabs
with rappers though, just mainly producers. I don't really like doing collaborations with rappers period, unless
we share a mutual respect for one another. It has nothing to do with artists, I just feel that the best way for
anyone to build themselves is to keep doing solo joints, so I just keep moving. But I always have time to do
songs with the niggaz I grew up with. They're the ones I'll drop anything for and just do shit with. But I'm
always open, I mean if someone has the cash and feels that having me on their track can help promote their
project any further, than I'm all ears.
From what you have experienced, what are your thoughts on the scene in Toronto compared to elsewhere?
Toronto has a lot of talented people, most of which will grow up to be very successful.
Production wise everything is on key, so there is no limit to what can be done for you and your side of the
industry. Just keep your head high and part that ribbon in the sky, go speed the ride, and part it cold with
an alibi. Just make sure you don't get caught up with the law, and you’re cool. Anytime behind bars is wasted
time. I got some niggaz that I break bread with, that are in jail, all the while being so talented. But I guess
that's just the way it is in every city.
I continue to have a lot of connections throughout the entire globe. From El Salvador, England, The Palestine’s,
Israel, Australia, Puerto Rico, L.A., New York, and yes of course even Toronto. I have a lot of business
relationships in Toronto and plan to keep them as firm as they should always be. I always do business with real
people. So keep doing what you do. I haven't heard many rappers but I know that if you have talent than there's
no doubt you'll reign supreme. Just believe in yourself and you can achieve anything.
Why name the album The Franchise?
I'm becoming a household name. What I bring is a brand, something you'll have to pick up and buy all the time.
I feel that those two words best describe my album. Listen to it front to back, and you'll know it's just
something you would need to hear again and again. So that's why I’m a franchise, because you need me. The
title isn't necessarily boasting about me, it's more about the music and what it stands for. This album and
all of my future albums are discs you can listen to on repeat and never get bored of. I grew up listening to
a lot of artists that had me rewinding parts, or having entire albums on repeat. So I learned that when you
make an album you have to give it your all or no dice.
This isn’t about the money man, when it comes to money I'm all good believe that. It's about me, you, and the
music. I want you to try and decipher how I write, why my flow is the way it is, and how in the hell I kick it
for so long at times. That’s what the album brings. So much mystery and the epic stories I've been through since
the beginning.
This is my first commercial album. Since I started rapping I've dropped about 13 street albums, and countless
mixtapes. Really since I was 14 I been doing albums, but they just weren't polished enough to be considered
"commercial". I've been working hard in order to make the perfect product. So this is really my best work.
I mean if someone like me who has so many songs and chooses only about 14 for an album, than it's got to be
great. The album is a jaw dropper; the beats are incredible, hell you even got your own Canadian producers on
there. What more could you want? The whole house is full, it's time to play. I am "The Franchise".
Where can people check for the album or any of your other material?
You can purchase my album at: www.pennitentiary.tk.
That's also my official site where dj's can get free radio cd singles, fans can get wallpapers, the media can get
my press kit, you can buy I Tunes, listen to my music, and more. All of my current work is available for purchase
there, and any cd you buy comes with free shipping. The hot seller right now is my current album "The Franchise",
which is also an enhanced cd with features on it when you pop it in a pc.
Another place you'd want to check out is: www.myspace.com/casanovaonline.
What does the future hold for Casanova?
Possibly merging my independent record company "Pennitentiary Records" with a major, or just taking a recording
contract without the merge. I've turned down 5 major contracts so far. I'm just waiting on the right people to move
with. My aim is Def Jam, Interscope, Atlantic, or any major with a reputable history. Things seem to be going the
right way at those labels. They really view each other as a family, and that's the way I want it to be cuz that's
the way I roll. Anyone I do work with becomes my family, dead on.
"Pennitentiary Records" is my home for now, I move with my click and other fellow artists I'm bringing up. Be ready
for their releases, there’s no way you'll miss them cuz you can't forget a name like that.
I'm also CEO of a media enterprise called "Watts Multimedia", where I oversee video directors, photographers, graphic
designers, various product duplication/manufacturing, web design, software developers, and advertising. I get resumes
everyday, and there’s no end to it. I'm busy 95% of the time, so I guess you could say I plan to fill in the remaining
5%. There's an acting and modeling division I want to create sometime in the future. But I really don't have the time
to fully focus on it now. Everything’s at a baby boomer state, so I can't say I'm Dame Dash or Russell just yet
(laughs), but I am slowly building an empire. Although music will always be my main focus, when that's all said and
done and I'm 30-40 years old I think I'd want to do other interesting things such as building multi million dollar
recording facilities for recording companies that wish to build top notch studios. I really love sound and
technology; it would be a great way to give back to new musicians. The thing I hate hearing is good music done in
the worst of places.
I think I'd stick to having a construction company that only works with majors, but I can't rule out doing some stuff
on the side for the community. I started recording on the worst of equipment when I was 14. I'm very lucky to have had
these talents that paved my way into major professional recording studios since I was around 16, but a lot of younger
artists don't have it this way and still won't when I reach my golden era. I run into artists all the time that want
to do music and can't because they have nowhere to record. I can't exactly keep building everyones careers and piggy
backing them. I've tried to do that in the past and it's just too much work. I'll only welcome real artists in my
camp/circle; they have to be polished and ready to do songs in a fast paced environment. I don't do that three to
six hour recording per song bullshit. If you do that and try to holla at me than get the fuck outta here. None of
that "I've only done some freestylin but haven't had a chance to write yet, but I got pieces that I could put
together" type shit. Your either talented in this game or not. No one with less than 10-20 recorded songs attracts
my attention. That's just the music side of me speaking, but if you have any of the talents I've outlined, than I
don't care if it's your first day. If you’re ill you’re ill, so holla at me.
By the way if you feel you have talents in any of the fields I've mentioned please e-mail: casanovasales@hotmail.com.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Just make sure you go and cop the album "The Franchise" out now! If you don't find it in your local store it's because
it's sellin like cridak, so just cop it online. Get the tees, the hoodies, the rubber bands, the posters, the flyers,
just get it all!
I'd also like to mention that I'm back in the lab working on my next album which should be out early/mid 2007 so look
for that. There isn’t anything sweeter than success, and I'm having a lot of it. But I wouldn't have come this far
without certain people around me. So I'd like to thank you Matt for the interview, the pleasure is mine and I know
we'll follow up on the next album family. Thanks for the continuous support from your site.
I'd also like to thank the following people that helped make my album "The Franchise", and the whole team around me
during the making of it. My manager Roosevelt, Soundsmith Productions, Mestabish, Rock It, Xv, Watts, Snazz, N33ns,
Y Not, Ritchie, Mack, Condeman, Aristo, Fadda, Cuete, Blase Brown, 9Nine Design, GD, Zale, elsalvadorrap.com, Sess
Alvarez, The Runners, Young Ge, LNN, NBC, MTV, Much, Russel Simmons, Dj Drama, Vida Guerra, Vico C, Dj Green Lantern,
Camilo, Saul, Compton, New York, the click in Farrock Queens, Bezztie from Brooklyn, Body Shotts, Code Rezzie, War,
Esau, Sisco, Pat from LBC, Jay keep it up in Miami, all my photographers, graphic designers, my family, and my higher
power. I can't think of anyone else so I'll leave it at that. If I didn't mention anyone I don't care about you and
yours...nah I'm playin I got you, my brain just isn’t scanning every memory and I ain't the type of person to run
this so long. Thanks.
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