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Ca$his - Ruling Everything Around Him
Interview by: Serge Fleury
 Lets go on a little history lesson. In 1990, a record company named Interscope was formed. From there, they signed Gerado, a Latin artist who scored a hit called "Rico Suave." Riding the high of that success, they later signed future movie star Mark Walhberg; who back then, went by the name of Marky Mark. After his platinum performance, Interscope Records pushed the envelope a little bit. Aligning themselves with a [nice] guy named Suge Knight, and N.W.A.'s Dr. Dre to create Death Row Records.
As we all know, Death Row went on to be thee most successful and controversial Hip-Hop label in the early to mid 90's. After the fall of Death Row, Dr. Dre created a label fittingly called Aftermath. He soon signed a white guy from Detroit, and his debut album would go on to sell over 4,000,000 copies (not too bad). Then the super lyrical white MC from the "D" went on to birth Shady/Interscope Records, and sign an obscure rapper from Jamaica Queens. Does anyone know what ever happen to that guy?
 Oh yeah, our lyrical Caucasian fellow, the unknown rapper from Jamaica Queens, along with a few other acts from Shady/Interscope, went on to collectively sell over 20,500,000 records in less than ten years. 26 year old Chicago born MC; Ca$his is one of the newest recruits credited for having such an impact on Shady Records within the past year. Often drawing comparisons to the late Proof of D-12, Ca$his opened ears and widened eyes by appearing on six tracks off Eminem's compilation album, "The Re-Up."
Now making his home in Orange County California, Ca$his is included on a roster that boasts some of the best new talent in Hip-Hop. With the release of his first studio album, "The County Hound EP", he plans on blazing his own trail instead of waiting on one to be made for him. With this young lion's hard work ethic and sheer intensity, its pretty much a no brainer why Eminem can relax and kick his feet up. The next generation of Shady Records has arrived, and he's showing no signs of cashing in his chips.
NobodySmiling.com : So how did you first hook up with Shady/Interscope?
Ca$his : Well we sent a demo/mixtape in, then I came in with some solo joints. Then they signed me to a demo deal, then they were like "ok you're ready." So I got signed in November of 2006, a few weeks before the "Re-Up" dropped. Right before we did the video for "You Don't Know", I finally had inked my deal.
NobodySmiling.com : What other projects have you been working on since the release of the "Re-Up" album?
Ca$his : I've been doing songs with Young Buck, I've been working on Eminem's project, like doing some features on there with him. Plus I've been doing stuff with Bobby Creekwater and Stat Quo. I'm on the new Alchemist album too. But right now, the label is making sure they put me with the right people; know what I'm saying. But I'm basically working on my own sh*t, and developing my brother because he's coming out next. So I'm getting myself to the point where I'm on fire, so it can open the lane for him. It ain't just about you, just like when Eminem got in, he went back and got D-12. You always go back and grab somebody. 50 came in, and then he grabbed Banks. There's always somebody after you; that you need to bring in.
NobodySmiling.com : So what are some of the things you learned working alongside the likes of 50 Cent, Eminem, and Dr. Dre?
Ca$his : I learned to never settle with a record, and I learned to always give 100%. Even though I was already doing that, and my work ethic was already at that level. But I've learned more than anything that life is too short, and to always give it your all. Be honest with the fans, because that's what the fans want. This music is your legacy, so if you die, and happened to drop a whack album, that's what people are going to remember you by. So whether its a mixtape or a record, I go 100%, that's what I learned from them.
NobodySmiling.com : What do you think is going to separate you from all the other new artists coming out?
Ca$his : I'm going to bring that sh*t that you've been missing. I'm going bring that sh*t that when you first heard "Ready To Die", you walked away from it saying "that mothaf**ka might be crazy for real", know what I'm saying. You'll be like, "I think something may be wrong with that dude", [smiling] know what I'm saying. You're going to get that feeling from me, just like when n***as was listening to Pac. I'm going to say some sh*t that you can say 10 years from now. I'm not making "hot-for-the-day-records" I don't even listen to the radio.
NobodySmiling.com : I'm not much a radio person either...
Ca$his : Yeah, you know what I'm saying. Because what's hot today, really ain't hot. I just jack whatever beats I like for my mixtapes, but with me, you're going to get the real sh*t. I ain't fixin' to preach to you, and do all that extra sh*t. Hip-Hop is not dead, it lives through Shady Records. I'm part of that, so it lives through me. Eminem is the Don, so saying Hip-Hop is dead, that's like disrespecting him. Its nothing pointed toward Nas, but it is what it is. A lot of people are running along with it, and its not true. There's been a lot of bullsh*t, but there are real some artists out there, and I'm bringing it back.
NobodySmiling.com : Do you feel any pressure to do well immediately since you're signed to such a high profile label?
Ca$his : When my album is due up, I'm sure I'll be like that. But by then, my buzz should be to the point where I'll be good, know what I'm saying. So I'm just going to keep on working hard, keep speaking to the people, keep being humble, keep being myself, and being real. So I don't feel too much pressure, this album is going to be something for the fans, like a Michael Jordan rookie card. Just like when you were watching Jordan at UNC, they were like "damn he fixin' to come to the league and be the sh*t." So I'm definitely about to bring the future of Hip-Hop to you, and I feel that it was ordained by God. I'm a Chicago n***a, and can't nobody change our minds once its made up. I feel like I was born to do this, a lot of rappers say that; but never lived through it. That's when they fold, I'm not going to fold in that situation. I'm not rich, a lot of people think I'm rich, I'm still hustling. But I'm putting myself in position to be rich, and that's all I need.
NobodySmiling.com : What's the worst thing about being in the music business so far?
Ca$his : The worst thing, is the checks be slow as f**k, that's the worst thing. The checks don't come when they're supposed to come, and it tends to throw you off, if you're a hustler. My advice to any aspiring artists is even when you get signed, if you got a job or you got a hustle, keep doing what you're doing. Because it takes forever to get the checks, but right when you get them, they start coming on time. But its like a grind all the time, before you sell these records. Don't think because you got signed, you're getting a million dollars. Because even if you get a million dollar deal, its not all going in cash.
There is so much that has to be done. Like people need to get out of that fantasy world, and understand that this is still a job. You still have to be appreciative of everybody. Like the people that signed you, and the people that work your record. I'm appreciative to everybody, from the whole Shady Staff the Interscope Staff. Because they don't have to do this; this could be somebody else. My sh*t could just be sitting on the desk, and the sh*t can come out with no promotion, and won't nobody know sh*t; and I'll be looking like a f**king clown. Its all about being real, and that's what a lot of these rappers are lacking. I'm going to expose y'all fake ass n***as out there; [goes into a quick rap] "I ain't got sh*t to expose/but to get your ass a bloody nose/or bullet holes in your mothaf**king clothes" and I ain't even got to do it [laughter].
NobodySmiling.com : How deep would you say the talent pool is in Chicago right now?
Ca$his : Chicago is KILLING IT right now!! Its just that we are doing the damn thing, and the gang culture has really sparked. Its like the gang culture has become a fad, if you do your research, you'll see the gang culture started in Chicago. Good things come to those who wait, and Chicago is getting our just due right now. Because you're not only getting it from Twista, Kanye and Lupe with their type of music; you're also getting it from Bump J and you're getting it from me. You're getting the raw and uncut South Side and East Side n***as, and I'm a Chi-Town n***a to the heart.
NobodySmiling.com : Are you worried that your project might not get full attention since the roster on Shady/Interscope is so deep already?
Ca$his : Definitely not; definitely not. I got signed in November and I'm coming out right now, it may take some people years to come out. So I'm not concerned about that, because I'm going to keep doing my best, and that's all I can do. I'm going to let the music speak for itself, and be real. God will bless me with success, because I got a good heart, I just do foul sh*t sometimes. But I got a good heart, and I believe in karma. I believe some of the good things I've done in my life, are coming back to me. But its still not handed to me on a silver platter, I'm still working for it, and that's what makes it cool for me. To be here with you, doing this interview, I'm excited. Because you could be speaking to anyone else, but you're speaking to me, and I appreciate that.
NobodySmiling.com : Oh.. It's all good. So lately a lot of people have been taking shots at the whole Interscope family tree. Do you think they might be jealous of your movement right now?
Ca$his : Anybody taking shots at Interscope is scared, and its probably because they just had a d**k in their mouth last night. Because they want to be us over here, we're killing them in all directions. We got whatever you want, so anyone that wants to take shots at us; it is what it is. We'll let the music speak for itself, know what I'm saying. That's all there is to it, but be careful. Because when you take shots, you have to TAKE SHOTS. So can you handle us sending them back? Are you willing to take it there? That's the question. If you are, then cool. But if not, then shut the f**k up. Because there's going to be problems [smiling].
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