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DSB: What up S.O.L.O, “Da Pope” can you introduce yourself to our
readers?
S.O.L.O: What up my peoples. I’m known as S.O.L.O. “Da Pope”, my
government name is William and my Muslim name is Ibrahim which is
Abraham in Arabic. It means a man of faith and a father of
righteousness! I hope you all get a true understanding through this
interview to grasp the level I’m on in life and how it applies to music,
my personality, politics, and spirituality.
DSB: Does your name have a meaning?
S.O.L.O: The S=sapient (full of knowledge) O=oath (for being truthful)
L=logic (thinking on a logical level) and the other O=1 is for all-all is
for 1 Establishment! 1 is unity and establishment is an acronym for
every step that a brilliant leader invents should help many elevate in
time. (I know it’s a lot but that’s a mind of great) “Da Pope” is there
because it represents my spirituality and he is a position holder. I am
Muslim but the Pope is to show people that I think outside the box and
consume all!
DSB: How long you been in the game?
S.O.L.O: Not to be modest, I don’t think I’m in the game yet. I think the
game is showing me a little respect but it hasn’t given me my
opportunity to make that official just yet. I feel like I’m right outside of
the door though. My way of thinking keeps that hunger in me and
when I get in the game, it will only be a mere understatement because
of who I am and all that I represent. And when that happens we are
going to refer back to this interview on the second interview to prove my point!
DSB: Let our readers know of you hit single “Bird Walk”, how did come up with the dance?
S.O.L.O: To answer your question Atlanta is all about Atlanta. I couldn’t go to Atlanta rapping Chicago. I had to give them
a dose of their own medicine with my little twist to signify originality. I simply mixed Atlanta dances with a dance from
Cincinnati call the down the way and that created “Bird Walk”! I couldn’t really do the “down the way” that good so I had
to put my twist on that too but what do you know; it came out great. Atlanta like to dance and party so I gave them dance
and party.
DSB: How do folks respond to it?
S.O.L.O: I never had a bad response. Haters are going to hate and the real folks are going to congratulate. You dig? If
someone hates their bad response to my creation only compliments a great response from me. Bird Walk got me here so
the responses to me as an artist have been superb.
DSB: Being from Chicago, “Bird Walk” got that Atlanta twist, what do you consider being your rap style?
S.O.L.O: I title my style as “Downsouth Chicago” or “Southern-Chi” for short! I personally feel like I have a universal style.
My style came from adaptation of all the places I’ve been to and lived actually. I am a real lyricist and I attack on all levels
applying to dance, street, conscious and spiritual music. All of that still to be exposed. I come from a real diverse city and
on top of traveling through different parts of the south, west coast, up north, etc. I can’t help but learn and adapt to other
cultures’ way of living. (As we would say their swag.) Pimp I’m Universal!
DSB: Are you currently working on an album?
S.O.L.O: I’m actually done with the Album. As of now I call it the birth of “SOUTHERN-CHI” but it might change depending
on how I’m feeling when it’s time to make it happen! What I have been doing is just slightly changing a couple of tracks
around to keep up with the new sounds of the market.
DSB: When can we expect that to drop?
S.O.L.O: Right now that’s up in the air because everything is about timing. I won’t make my people wait forever. It’s like a
campaign to me. You have to have all your stakes in place before you run your campaign so what’s on the other side
can connect from where you started. Its 08’ now and I just want my support to be prepared because when I hit them with
what I got its going to be like magic. I only have one chance for what I’m going to do and I have 2 more stakes to place
than the race is on. I’m doing something no other artist is really doing and that is reinventing the will.
DSB: Should we look out for a Chicago sound?
S.O.L.O: We should look out for a twist of all sounds and new creations.
DSB: Other than your music, you have anything else cooking over there?
S.O.L.O: Yep some jerk cat-fish, rice, and biscuits! Lol! No but really I am working towards getting my campaign together
for my people to climb this spiritual mountain with me. We all know that strength is in numbers and its best to create a
situation that is going to apply to all. I live and breathe music and music is a part of my political tool! Somebody has to
be the example for the people. I’m not saying that I want to be a role model, prove something or anything. I believe that it’
s just a part of my calling in life which is to capitalize on the Kingdom. “It is what it is!” Let’s have fun everybody but
prepare ourselves in the process. I mean that in a vague way. Everything is about strategy right now with me. I have a
couple of more things cooking but everything is about timing. That was just an extremely small portion of what I am going
to do. It’s all about politics!
DSB: Are you currently signed to anyone?
S.O.L.O: No I’m not signed to anyone as of now. It would be nice though, but everyone I have seemed to have an
encounter with about contracts doesn’t weigh up to my expectations. I’m not focused on getting a Master P deal or
anything. I just would like to be with some genuine people that know what the hell they are doing and can put their
money where their mouth is. This industry is cutthroat and let’s be real; 95% of these so called labels are not on
anything that takes an artist to the next level. However their intentions are great but these people don’t want to work.
They want to reap the benefits instead of working towards it! As I say timing is everything and I will set the example. I’m
not doing this by myself because it can’t be done like that but I got relationships and I work my ass off. That is what
keeps me on it because I am right around the corner from major success.
DSB: Where can our readers get at you?
S.O.L.O: You can Google SOLO “Da Pope”, download me on lime wire and go to myspace.com/solopope. Be looking
out for much more in this year! You can email me at birdwalk2008@yahoo.com and ladies you can call me at 1-800-527-
YO LOOKING ASS. LOL! I’m kidding about the number but you all can find me. I’m not hard to find.
DSB: Any last words you would like to leave our readers with?
S.O.L.O: Actually I do! Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance so for everyone doing what I do on an
independent level, prepare yourself for everything and apply that to everyday life. What you practice projects your
outcome. What you do now predicts your future. Also, get help because we can’t do this by ourselves. Kill the pride!
Peace and hair grease. Thanks for checking me out and a special thanks to “DaStreetBuzz” for giving me the
opportunity to speak my peace. Thank You to all. YOU DIIIIIIIIGGGGG!