Source Magazine caught up with the DC rapper recently at his “Law 3” listening session to talk about his new project, his movement and more. Check it out
In the inner streets of Washington, DC by the way of Southeast, known rapper Shy Glizzy is ready to blow up and his time is now. With incredible street buzz not only in the nations capital but all over, the young MC has even managed to catch in his crosshairs the attention of record moguls Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles. With the recent release of his new project “Law 3” hosted by DJ Drama, Source Magazine caught up with him in the studio for an exclusive interview.
Check the interview out below.
So starting off, your mixtape is hosted by none other than the “Drama King” DJ Drama. He’s known for hosting a plethora of different artists projects from Lil Wayne to Nipsey Hussle. How did you guys hook up?
Drama came to my city about 2 years ago and called my line and wanted to talk business so I pulled up on him. He told me I was bubblin’ in the streets and Drama got his ears to the streets so anything hot, he wants to be a part of it. Two years ago I wasn’t ready for a ‘Gangsta Grillz” project but now, I’m hotter than ever and feel that I’m ready.
So you being on the come-up especially from the area of DC, what sets you apart from other talents that came from here in recent years? Why do you feel people gravitate towards you?
Everything about me sets me apart from anybody in this area or any area. Also the moves I make is what sets me apart from everybody. I don’t got a big homie getting me features or anything, its no ass kissing on this side. It’s simple, if you mess with us we mess with you. So just focusing on building Glizzy Gang up as a brand is what sets me apart. But at the end of the day, i’m “DC.” This is what was going on back in the day and this hasn’t happened in a long long time. People want to do what I’m doing and it’s too late, I’ve already laid the blueprint down for that. They already know who is at the forefront of the movement.
So its here, Law 3 the mixtape hosted by DJ Drama. What sets this project apart from the others? Especially your critically acclaimed “Young Jefe” tape?
When I made Law 1 and Law 2 I was in the mode. I tell these stories and there is no holding back when I make music. Whatever went on that day and time, you are going to feel the exact way I was feeling at that moment and that is law. The term “Law” is another way of saying the truth and when you listen to the tape you are going to know everything i’m saying is the truth. People are going to come into my movement and my lifestyle and want to be apart of everything i’m doing.
So talk a little bit more about the mode you got in to make Law 3. What was your mindset while creating this project?
I don’t really have a specific mindset when I make projects. Like when I made ‘’Young Jefe”, I was traveling and meeting new people like executives and going through different experiences personally. Only thing I know is this mode and all I ever wanted was this music, so I worked twice as hard when I was creating it.
So speaking of executives, your partnering up with Lyor Cohen and Kevin Liles new label ‘’300’’. How did that even come into fruition?
They all came to my doorstep. They knocked on my door and when I opened it they were there and wanted to have a meeting with me in my living room. They been calling me for awhile, but I never answered because I had so many different situations and didn’t know which one I was going to choose. When I finally made a decision to stay independent, they made a platform where I was still independent, but they had a plan that I can still have my music distributed.
*Shy Glizzy’s Manager interjects*
Can I say something? We talking about Lyor Cohen, Kevin Liles and Todd Moscowitz. They are not coming to Southeast DC. They are not even going to Brooklyn. They came to Southeast to Shy Glizzy’s living room to speak with him. That is truly unprecedented and not something we can just look over. Lyor is one of the biggest in the music business and along with Russell they built Def Jam. If Lyor felt he was worthy to come to Southeast and Kevin Liles took a break from his other artists to see what this kid was doing in DC, it has to mean something.
I agree, they had to see something in Glizzy in order to form a relationship with him. In regards to relationships, my last question revolves around your relationship with John wall. You guys are tight-knit and you even feature him in a video of your titled track “John Wall”. How did that relationship start?
That’s my brother. We hang out on the regular, he even invited me over for thanksgiving. We aint no dudes like “Lets hit John and see if he will do my video.” Adidas paying him millions of dollars, he didn’t have to do my video. He looks at me like a bro and that’s the same way I look at him. If you go up and down my Instagram, you will see that is the only athlete I hang with. I was hanging with John Wall before I made the song. I made that song dedicated to my homie, it wasnt just some song I made up. When you see me popping Ace of Spades in the city, i’m with John Wall.
Drew is playing “Law 3” at ignorant levels all day today. Talk Music with Drew on twitter. – @Drewtheabstract
