INTERVIEW WITH CHILLAZ
As always, it's time for the introduction. Who is Chillaz?
Chillaz is that young hungry dude from Chester le. Chillaz is the first person in the studio and the last one to leave. Chillaz is a perfectionist,
that always wants to be the best in everything he does. Chillaz is me!
Is there a story behind the name?
Yeah there is. I got the name Chillaz back in 2003. Around that time I was about 13 and a lot of my friends were into the whole dancing thing. I
wasn't into that and would often be found chilling on the block with the older heads or with my peoples but not dancing. And I was graced with
the name Chillaz.
Who or what are some of your biggest influences, either musically or personally?
Man I got a lot. Biggest influence musically would have to be Jay-Z, man! I remember when I first started rapping in like 2005. I wanted to sound,
write, and deliver just like Hov. Now I’ve grown into my own sound and all that but yeah, man, Hov for sure musically.
Personally, I’d have to say the block. Chester le did a lot for me. Growing up at home it was my mother, my two sisters, younger brother and I. So
those dudes on the corner were role models to me. From me singing to 'em for pocket change when I was 7 years old, to them kicking my ass when I was 12,
to hanging with them when I was 15. I learned a lot and personally they played a big part in my life to this date.
You said Chester le did a lot for you, how could a neighborhood do some much for one person?
Exactly what I said is what I mean. Chester did a lot for me. It really showed me that street, rough, and gutter side of life. The hood opened my eyes
to a lot of things I would of never seen growing up anywhere else. It showed me loyalty, hate, violence, death, love, happiness, how to make money, and
how to just be you. I’m not here trying to say death is cool, or violence is good. But it showed me what can happen, and when stuff goes down how to
act and not act. It showed me the hard side of life that most youth are growing up in today. A lot of people can't relate to the problems today in the
ghettos of Toronto because they didn't grow up in the ghetto, they had a perfect life from day one. But I can relate. And for all those things that I
listed and many more, I will always say the block did a lot for me. And if I could change it and do it all over again I wouldn't change nothing!
Some other artists have come out of Chester le as well. Have you adopted anything from the them that you apply to your own music?
Good question, um, yeah you can say that. I really look up to them [Tona and Jaydahmann]. Tona and I haven't really kicked it before to be honest. When Tona was
around I was running about the block playing one man chase. He's an older head. But musically, for sure, Tona is one of the best in the city to do and
I really dig his swag and delivery. He's also very lyrical and I rate that. Jaydahmann is my dude I been seeing that nigga since I was a youth. If I were
to say I’ve adopted anything from him. I'd have to say his hustle. His team and him hustle the hell out of the streets. They really go hard on the music
tip. Jaydahmann is a hustler! He'd drive to your house in a winter storm and bring you his mixtape personally. I really dig his hustle and dedication for sure!
Your mixtape, "Fuck What You Heard," came out nearly a year ago. What inspired the title?
Man a lot of stuff inspired the title. To be honest actually "Fuck What You Heard" is the intro line on the first track I ever recorded called "New
Generation." But what made me say that in 2006 on a song, and then go and use that line to name my first mixtape in 2007 was the disrespect and
unfair chance I was getting from listeners. People were coming down on me hard just because of my age, not taking my message seriously because I
was some 16-17 year old kid rapping about the streets. So it was just like "Fuck what you heard..." Take this in and then you tell me if you
fucking with me or not. You know what I’m saying'?
So, was it out of frustration that made you say "Fuck what you heard?"
Pretty much, man. Like, don't get me wrong, I didn't say "fuck what you heard" because people weren't feeling my work. They’re a lot of people
that loved my tracks. Most of which were recorded with a low quality mic in my friend's basement. But being an artist you want everyone to feel
your music. Everyone's got haters out there, but let's be honest, I’m sure you wished no one hated and everyone loved your work. And when you
hear someone say they're not feeling your stuff it makes you wonder to yourself if you’re doing something wrong. But when most people are feeling
it, and others not giving you a chance because of your age, then going and telling others not to listen because they didn’t. FUCK WHAT YOU HEARD!
Listen to the music and then you be the judge.
What was the overall response to your mixtape?
It was good. The mixtape served its purpose. Like I said, man, I recorded most of those records when I was 16, fresh into the game and people
still love it. I moved about 300 units hand to hand. Printed 5000 flyers and just handed them out, trying to get my name out there anyway I could.
I was getting a lot of love on myspace when we were pushing that mixtape. So yeah the response was most defiantly good!
The main purpose of "Fuck What You Eeard" was to get something out there for my listeners to have. I got caught up in the whole aspect of having
a mixtape out and I wanted one to have something to promote. But, hey, what can I say, now that I look back at it, I don't
think lyrically I was ready to release a mixtape. But, the people loved it, and it really opened a lot of doors for me. So, yeah it served its
purpose! And now when you hear my new material, you can see a lot of growth in me as an artist from my first release until now.
What's the biggest thing you've learned doing hip-hop for over a year now?
I've learned a lot. But the biggest thing would have to be patience. You have to wait for your time! I learned that with my mixtape release.
I don’t think I was ready now that I look back. But it happened and I can't change it. I think I should have waited. And patience plays a
major part when you're doing this music thing. Your time will not come overnight! And that's what I really wanted. Not everyone has their
time to shine overnight and if you think like that, you'll have a very short music career. You've got to give everything its fair amount
of time. And when you do that stuff will start coming to you naturally. People that you didn't think were behind you will be right there
with you. Opportunities that you thought you'd never get will present itself in ways you could have never imagined. Patience is key.
You've got a new project coming out, what can you tell us about that?
I have a new project in the works, but there's no release date right now. It's not completed as of yet. I'm working with a lot of artist from
the city, and I'm trying to put out the best music I possibly can so we're just waiting for the right time. I'd say I'm trying to drop it
late summer or fall, but I’m not sure. All I can tell you is that when I do drop it. The city will not be ready! If all goes as planned,
there's going to be a lot of big things popping. One confirmed track on the new release will be "No Time" featuring J. Robb and produced by Ric
Notes. Y'all can hold that for now and just stay tuned!
Where can people check for your music?
You can hear my music on Champ Radio, the Crackhouse, Off the Tracks, Royalty Radio, MegaCityHipHop.com, Itscancon, element416, HipHopCanada, and
a bunch of other places. I'm just about to release "No Time" to Flow 93.5, so lets pray that all goes well with that and the record is spun on
there. DJ Starting From Scratch got at me about getting his hands on the "No Time" record and we got it to him so you might hear it in the clubs.
I also do the myspace thing so y'all can hit me up on that and check out my stuff. Just check out my music everywhere.
Anything else you'd like to add?
I just want to shout out MegaCityHipHop for the interview! I also want to shout out the block! Them cats know what it is already. Royalty Squad
Ent. is the family right there! I also want to shout out all the people that been helping me from day one y'all know who you are. Shout outs
to anyone in Toronto doing your thing keep up the good work. Look out for my new project I’ll be keep y'all posted! If you have any questions
feel free to hit me up @ www.myspace.com/chillazonline. All DJs if you're looking for exclusives
or MP3's hit up requestchillazmusic@gmail.com. Y'all want to be my friend hit me on the Facebook:
Michael Francis. If you got anything you'd like to ask me personally add Chillaz8905@hotmail.com to your
MSN. Thanks again to MegaCityHipHop and Matt! Let's get it craccin!
Also, tune into Mischievous Sounds Radio every Sunday from 7-8 PM on www.fusionradio.ca. It’s a dancehall
show hosted by myself and my homie Dexnitti.
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