INTERVIEW WITH T-WEST
 I guess first thing's first, explain to our readers who T-West is.
T-West is T-West. I'm not a wannabe of the dude down the street, i'm not a groupie of the guy who won the battle that you saw on a DVD last night, I'm T-West. The young black male who has passion for what he does, and hustles to get it. As a rapper, I entertain. Whether it be in the most sad or humourous way. I do me.
Late last year you released Crackle Of Light, what's the response been like so far?
"Crackle Of Light" was exactly what it was named - A Crackle Of Light. The response off of that CD most definitely caught me off guard. Didn't expect it to review the attention and reviews that it did. People who got it from me a year ago are still telling me they love it. People who downloaded it yesterday are sending me e-mails telling me that they're feeling it. People who bought it bootleg (Shout Outs to Rexdale) - are telling me they want a real copy. I feel blessed man. And if they loved "Crackle Of Light" like that - imagine what the new CD is going to bring. Improved: flow, lyrics, production, and a wiser state of mind.
You did most of the production on the CD, how would you describe your sound?
I would be a liar if I told you that my production style is completely original - but my beats do have their own unique flavour. The thing about me is that - I do sample a lot. But I also compose over a lot of my samples. That's what seperates how I flip a sample from a lot of producers out there. Sometimes - people will hear how I flipped a certain sample and be like "Where'd those strings come from? There's no bassline like that in the sample?" - you know what i'm sayin? Listen to my music and you'll understand.
What first got you started rapping?
Two things. I really have a lot to say. I analyze situations heavy, and i'm a smart kid. I understand what's going on around me - and a lot of the times, rapping is the best way for me to convey myself.
2nd, Girls loved it. Girls showed me attention when I did. Girls were doing me "favours" because I was a rapper. Can't complain about that.
Who has been your biggest influence, musically or otherwise?
Too hard to narrow it down to one inspiration. But there's a lot though. From producers like Just Blaze, to corruption in society, to the kid from my block who got straight A's on his report card, everything is an influence if you allow it to be.
Who are you currently feeling from Toronto's scene and elsewhere right now?
From Toronto - there's a lot of sick rappers, I think after the summer will be a better time for me to give an answer. Because I know a lot of people have stuff planned for the summer. But if I had to pick one right now, anybody that knows me knows that i've been recitin' Mayhem's verse from "Hood Is Here Remix" for a hot minute now - so you figure out. And I put JD Era on my single so - yea.
On a broader scale, I'm feelin' a lot of these up and comin' mixtape rappers. There's some potential - they just need the right guidance
June 1st, 2006 is shaping up to be a big day for you. What've you got in store for everyone?
June 1st is day one. Everything that you'll hear about T-West for rest of the year will be based around that Day. My New website will be launched (Designed by Ansari Designs) - My single will be officially released ("My Home" ft. JD Era) - and most important of all, it'll be my 18th birthday.
Even after that, there'll be plenty of performances, interviews, etc... I'm trying to get that retarded buzz by the end of summer. Have everybody knowin' my name.
What advice would you give to other young, aspiring artists?
No matter who you are, keep doin' you. Obviously add the lil' twist here and there to hype up yourself, but never lie too much because that's when mans will start callin' you out.
Don't mistake original as [Insert boring conscious rapper here] - Look at it more as an outlet to define you. Everybody has a different story, and we all have different thoughts - Apply those to your music, make sure the music is hot, hustle like crazy, and you have a very good chance of being labelled as something special.
Where can our readers check for T-West?
As of June 1st, my brand new website will be launched: www.thatkidwest.com
In the summertime, you can find me all over since i'll be performing from in Toronto - and all the way out to Ottawa. Just whereever something hot is being made, you'll find me there.
Also, hopefully FLOW 93.5 FM adds my single into rotation so you will most likely be able to hear me on there, as well as your other local radio stations too. Just call them and request: T-West ft. JD Era - My Home.
Anything else you'd like to add?
At this point, i'd like to thank Megacityhiphop.com for giving me the opportunity to do this interview.
Also, big thanks and shoutouts go to:
Soundresolve Studios, DBD Productions, Customatic Clothing, Street Dreams Promotions, Reka Entertainment, Ansari Designs, and everybody supportin' me (Eazy Munnie waddup!).
And - any websites, clothing lines, radio shows, etc... Looking for T-West exclusives for promotional use, holla at me at: thatkidwest@gmail.com or (416) 579-7380. Use that if you'd like to buy a T-West beat too, or have me feature on one of your songs.
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