Hip-hop artist Mad Max has more to brag about than starting an event-producing company, becoming the general manager of the Downtown Hookah Lounge, and releasing three -- soon to be four -- albums, one of them produced by Mark Kendall of Great White.He's got respect!"I got homies in prison that recite my rhymes like verses out of the bible; I got kids that listen to what I'm sayin' because they know it's real; and you can tell by the sincerity in my voice when I deliver each rhyme that this isn't a fuckin' game for me -- I've already won!" writes Mad Max in an e-mail interview. "Music has saved my life and that is my biggest accomplishment."Mad Max survived a life "growing up in foster homes, spending years behind bars, losing many friends to drugs/violence/suicide and a sister to an OxyContin overdose." It was one day, while under "maximum security, 23-hour lock-down", that he decided music would be his "new drug of choice.""The euphoria I feel when I'm rockin' a stage is by far superior to any drug I've ever done and trust me I've done them all, A LOT," he says. "That's why I got a microphone tattooed on my neck, because this is who I am, music is my life and without it, I wouldn't be here."He's been rapping for 14 years, and now, after two groups and three CDs, he's preparing to release his first solo album called "Love Life." Find out more about it in the following Q&A.How would you describe your upcoming album? With collaborations like Royal Bliss, Busta Rhymes, Tech N9ne, the '80s band Great White and all of the guitar and vocal tracks I laid down myself on it, it's definitely not your typical rap CD. It could definitely be classified as a hip-hop/rock album. This album is my life in a nutshell. The good, bad, ugly and everything in between. I've got real, life-struggle tracks, raw tracks, fun tracks, club tracks. I have a lot to say and I'm hoping with the musical diversity there is something on there for everyone.This is the most important album of my life, the CD all of my fans have been waiting for and the album that will define who Mad Max really is!Where'd you get the name, Mad Max? My birth name is Max; I used to go by Maximillion aka Maxem ILL. My homie Rha Genetix nicknamed me Mack-A-Mill and my other friend Big Sinje started calling me MAD MAX, not cuz I'm pissed -- mad with the skill, kind of like a scientist. LOL.What are your thoughts on the local hip-hop scene? Utah is a melting pot for artists that has yet to be discovered in the hip-hop region. A lot of people say it's not where you're from, it's where you're at. I say, it's not where you're from, it's not where you're at, it's who you are! Of course we have our haters out here but that's everywhere. I'm proud to be from Utah, born and raised, and hip-hop is definitely NOT dead in my neck of the hood.You also run a promoting company, correct? Yes, it's called Step One Events. It's an event company that my business partner and friend David Adams and I started to elevate Utah's music scene to that of many other large cities around the world and put Utah on the map as a place of many talented local musical artists.Where are your favorite local hangouts? Actually, I just happen to be a restaurant connoisseur. Eat at these places all located in Salt Lake City! Coachmans, Asian Isle, Eggs in The City, Blue Plate Diner, Bombay House, Esther's, Joni's, Red Iguana, Pat's BBQ and Salt Lake Pizza & Pasta just to name a few. The Downtown Hookah Lounge is a dope spot whether your wearing a suit or rockin' a plain white tee. I love the Gallivan Center. Be sure to check out their Twilight Concert Series every Thursday in July. Urban Lounge is also a great place to check out live bands for the 21-and-over crowd.What don't our readers know about you? I'm a big country fan! Good music is good music regardless of the genre so I listen to a little bit of everything.-Amanda Chamberlain (INthisweek.com)
