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Lil Wyte - Tennessee Titan
Interview by: Serge Fleury
 The South has pretty much been in the driver's seat when the subject of Hip-Hop comes to mind. By now, phrases like; "Hip-Hop isn't dead, it lives in the South" are a little cliché, but is also very true. No matter where you go, you're always going to be reminded of Southern based Hip-Hop. If you think otherwise, then just ask 'Lil Jon. "The King Of Crunk" himself sets pace to celebrate the word "crunk" being inducted as one of the new entries in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary for next year.
 Enter the world of Patrick "Lil Wyte" Lanshaw. This Memphis native, and Three 6 Mafia affiliate is poised on making the success of his brethren rub off on him as well. After his short-lived rap group, SFC (Shelby Forest Clique) sparked the interest Three 6 Mafia, they quickly signed him to a solo deal. He then went on to release "Doubt Me Now" in 2003, and "Phinally Phamous" in 2004. Collectively, both albums sold over 330,000 copies (not bad for minimal promotion).
With his third album, "The One And Only", spearheaded by Juicy J and DJ Paul of Three 6 Mafia (Oscar winners for best original song). Plus appearances on MTV series "Adventures In Hollyhood", 'Lil Wyte is sure to see his name in lights. Now it's only a matter of time before this good 'ole boy gets there.
Nobodysmiling.com : So did you first hook up with Three 6 Mafia?
Lil Wyte : I with an underground group back when I was 17. We had formed an album, and we were selling tapes out of the back of our cars, and in high school. I was selling them out of my locker and sh*t; we were selling them for $5.00 a pop. We was bringing home like $20.00-$30.00 a day off the tapes. Then a few people from the group, took our music up to the local radio station here in Memphis. They gave it to Paul and Juicy, and they called us back the very next day; and they was ready to do some business. They were serious about it, but they were only interested in me. They wanted me to go up to the studio, and see what I could do on a track. So I went down there, and they loved it. Then signed me and I've been putting it down ever since.
Nobodysmiling.com : What's one of the most important things you've learned from them?
Lil Wyte : I would have to say loyalty; I've always had loyalty. If you stay loyal to the people that are trying to help you, then they're going to help you even more in the long run. You just stay loyal to them, but that's not only the though. Paul and Juicy are some smart guys, and I listen to everything they say. Almost everything that comes out their mouth(s), is about business, and its on some real sh*t. Almost anybody can learn from it.
Nobodysmiling.com : How much do you think appearing on their reality show, "Adventures In Hollyhood" help out your own movement?
Lil Wyte : Sh*t! Probably like about "10 x 1,000" you know what I'm saying. [laughing] Probably more like "10 x 1,000,000,000." My fan base has been growing over the years, but when the show came on it was like; "WOW!" It really did a lot. Because everywhere I go now, people are like; "I seen you on that show."
Nobodysmiling.com : Do you ever get worried about first week sales when you release new projects?
Lil Wyte : The first two albums I did worry about it; especially the first album. That's because I had to make a name for myself, and the second album was a little bit easier. But with this album, I'm just going to sit back, relax, and not worry about it. I'm not even going to think about it, until I get that phone call. After that; what ever happens, happens. Plus Paul told me don't ever put a number on nothing. Because either it'll let you down if you don't get it, and if you go passed it; you'll expect that every time.
Nobodysmiling.com : Have you ever felt any backlash for pursuing a career in Hip-Hop? Or has everyone pretty much welcomed you with open arms?
Lil Wyte : I've been pretty much welcomed with open arms by everybody, know what I mean. It's all about how you do your thang. It's not about what you do, its how you do it. I feel like I got my own swagger, and my own style to me. I ain't copying nobody else's style, I'm very unique. So I feel that's helped me out a lot.
Nobodysmiling.com : Why do you think people should invest in "Lil Wyte"?
Lil Wyte : It just good music man. Paul and Juicy gave me some of the hardest beats, and to me, a good Three 6 Mafia beat brings out the best in any rapper. A good beat period. But something about a Three 6 beat; you can just hear the difference.
Nobodysmiling.com : Was there any particular reason why you named your new album "The One And Only"?
Lil Wyte : There was a couple of reasons. One is that there are some people trying to imitate, even though its a form of flattery. But sometimes you gotta remind them and be like; "yo, this is me", "I'm that dude, you ain't that dude." Another thing is that this album only has me on it, no features or anything. Besides Project Pat on three hooks, and Paul and Juicy on like two, but its all me, know what I'm saying. The whole album is just me and I'm real proud of it, I worked real hard on it.
Nobodysmiling.com : A lot of artists have talked about cleaning up their lyrics some. Has that thought ever crossed your mind?
Lil Wyte : Nah, I'm keeping it gutter, I'm keeping it gutter. When people have a gutter sound, and then start cleaning it up; they might lose the gutter people that were with them in the beginning.
Nobodysmiling.com : So what's a typical day in the life of Lil Wyte? Are you pretty much a down to earth person when not performing?
Lil Wyte : Yeah man, I'm super down to earth. I take care of my kids for most of the day. I got a good woman at home, and I make good money. I have a great job, so I can do a lot of chilling. When its time to grind, I go out and do a show or two here and there. But most of the time, I just kick it with my friends and my folks. I'm just a regular dude from Memphis. I like to eat Barbecued food, listen to good music, and I like clean rides.
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