FREE SLIM FRAIZER
Back Alley
It's about 12:00 in the morning, just after the Southern Hustler Concert, that I am summoned to the Lab of Paul Arnold (engineer/owner of Red Diamond Ent). I am told that the "King of Va" K. Cheek is awaiting my arrival. When I arrive, I hear and feel nothing but the pulsating bass from the beats. As they put the final touches on Va's hottest new single "Sorry", I am sitting there, with my head bobbing, drawn into the powerful lyrics behind each story he's telling. The questions are forming and I am now aware that the answers are going to start flowing just as fast and as furious as his rhymes.
The journey all began back 1999 with Cyd, TMT, Jd and K.Cheek. They started a group called ILL Street. They all ended up going their separate ways, but that was enough to form the foundation that he needed. Cheek ended up joining forces with a group called King Palace. It was Mac and 3 other rappers, but Mac was the one that stood out. MAC and K.Cheek ended up lyrically clicking and have been rapping together ever since." Mac has the Illist flow I've ever heard". (K.Cheek says)" I don’t think there is another rapper out there that can touch him or his flow, well that is, besides me of course. " Cheek jokes "A little while later a girl I used to know introduced me to Slim Frazier( aka Stax) and we had a little friendly competition to see who could hold a freestyle the longest. It went on for about 2 to 3 hours at the least. That’s when I stopped, but him, man he, just kept going, just spitting fire with every rhyme. His drive alone makes him one of my favorite rappers and one of the best freestylers I have ever came across… not to dick ride or nothing (naw just playing) but damn, I'm glad they're on my team.
K. Cheek then started spending more of his time just KOing the mic. "Mac took me to my first studio" Cheek said." I wrote and recorded so much mixtape material, that I ended up donating to other people's projects and mixtapes". His man Syncere told him that he should just do the damn thing and make an album. That's when the fun started for this uniquely talented rapper. "If it wasn’t for him, (Syncere) I would have been just another mixtape rapper". In the beginning, the album was just going to be a demo, but Syncere wouldn’t let him stop. "He kept me on top of my game, then one thing led to another and the next thing they knew the "Finally Here" album was born. The track that stood out the most, what grabs him each time he listenened to the album was Untouchable. "Working with Cyd again was like working from the beginning. " Cyd made the beats so we just flowed with it", When I go back to the Lab again I am definetly going to use more of his beats . I only have to tell him what I am thinking or feeling about a certain song and he just bangs the beat out." The only thing he felt that was missing was his long time friend Catrice Farmer. "I'm a big admirer and fan of hers she definetly knows how to sang."
As the morning bounced on we all had an undeniable craving for pancakes. We would continue our conversation at IHOP. Upon our departure, Cheek so graciously offered to drive everyone there. As we are sitting at the light he tells me that the only thing that you will hear in his five disk changer is "The Miseducation of Lauren Hill (2) The Emancipation of MiMi (3) Black Parade (4) The Come Up (his mix tape) and (5) Curtis Mayfield."Now don't get me wrong, I am really open minded to a lot of music. In my collection right now, I have Alicia Keys, Panic at the Disco, Marvin Gaye and the old Phill Collins (The Genesis joint)." I feel like I have an old soul "and I really don't listen to rap." Cheek states as he makes the turn.' I inspire myself. I'm inspired all the time by my day to day occurrences. What I feel, that's what I write".
As we are sitting waiting for our orders to be filled, I feel the urge to ask him, "The streets have given you the title "King of Va" how do you feel about that?" He turns to me with laughter in his eyes and says "First off I am competitive by nature. I like to compete. Ever since I was young I used to win. I mean used to win at everything, and I still do. I'm not one for losing. I guess the best way to explain it is to define the word King. My definition (of king) is a person who is looked up to, well connected, has chorizema and has unfaulting leadership qualities. That is what it takes to rule, I have all of these and this defines me. If you look at all of the kings throughout history they either have inherited, was thrown into that spot or just plain took over. Think of it this way, if you lie to yourself long enough you eventually start to believe it as your truth, but then again if enough people are saying the same thing about you it just might be true. So whatever I did to get those people to call me king, I might just deserve it, Hell, I have worked my ass off to deserve it. For those reasons coupled with the fact that my hands are licensed he laughs...
THE FINALE'
As the saga comes to a close and our dishes are picked clean, I get to speak with undoubtedly, the most talented engineering genius behind the album. Paul Arnold. (I labeled him a engineering genius because this man has held down the late heavy hitters Pac and Biggie, and has worked with the likes of Christina Aguilera and others like her). What was it like to work with Cheek? "Simply put he says "Cheek is one of the best artist I've had the pleasure of working with...". Even Malcolm Venable from the Virginian-Pilot states that he is "A presence, good energy, highly exceptional". Need I continue? Do you need more? You heard what K. Cheek is about. No one will dispute the facts. Cheek is a Heavy hitter on the Mic, his flow is fast and the beats that he surrounds his music with is downright furious. There is nothing more to be said about this street born "King" He is taking over. With that said..... Nuff Said.....
Written By:
Kay Calhoun
Layout by CoolChaser Background from flickr user
