Interview: Crew54

Straight outta Killeen... Crew54's tearin it up in Austin. We recently got a chance to catch up with them in their busy schedule. Thanks for taking the time... here's what they had to say...

Can you give your fans a quick bio of yourself?

G-Christ: Two cats that love hip hop

mos: We were both working in different areas, at the time I was doing solo work, and G-christ was putting it down with The Texas Immigrants. Crew54 started out as a collaborative effort that has manifested into what it is today.

Which is your latest CD? and how do you think it differs from your previous works?

G-Christ: Middle Road Mixtape. On this one we were more involved with other artists on the scene, and it shows versatility.

mos: Our first effort is Beaters and Babies, that was more of an "we coming, yall better open up them doors," type of thing. Middle Road is a "well we still coming, but we further along, and we got some folks riding shotgun."

What gives you inspiration and how does that transpire into your music?

G-Christ: My inspiration is and has been, knowing that when it's time to move, I won't be moving by myself. We have healthy competition. I know MOS is going to bring it, so I have to step my game up!

mos: I am inspired by the quality of music we end up creating, whether it be soulful, aggressive, trash talking, street music, or political. I know that we are both dedicated to bringing the heat, whether on track or on stage.

Which artists inspire you the most? and why?

G-Christ: Any artists out here, on the grind, trying to bring good music to the people. To name one, the group Little Brother. The drive they have to keep pushing out music the way they do inspires me.

mos: lately its been the small acts that I have noticed start to make a real buzz and name for themselves. I see the moves they are making and compare it with what we are doing and know we are on the right track.

What has kept you from moving to cities with larger markets? Especially since it's only been recently that Houston has blown up.

G-Christ: Truthfully we talk about moving to Austin all the time lol! Right now as long as we can make it these to these big cities to do shows, I'm not worried. We will still have a presence.

mos: If the time comes to move to a bigger city and everything falls in place then we will have to consider it. Neither of us is from Killeen, but right now its home and I like it here. The way we grind, most people either think we are from Austin or San Antonio.

How do you see the scene locally? and where do you see it going?

G-Christ: The local scene right now just needs more support from the people. I understand the drop off, I've seen the shows people don't want to go to, but there are a lot of artist who have great shows and they need support from the fans and other artists. We get a little bit of that the scene will blow up!

mos: You can only get out of anything, especially the local scene, what you put into it. Thats why we stay on the grind, passing out flyers, building with other artist, and interacting. We feel like we have the type of music that can spread globably, but if you cant get love where you live at, how are you posed to go somewhere else and ask them to rep ya?

What is your favorite venue to perform at? and why?

G-Christ: Well, since the black sheep was my favorite, I have to go with EMOS . I know every time we do Emos we are going to kill em, because our style of hip hop is normal there.

mos: I don't what my favorite venue to perform at is, Emos is probably at the top. But I have to say that when we did our song SHINE for the first time at Redrum we blew it up, that will always stay with me.

Can you give us 3 of your most favorite local artists?

G-Christ: Mr. Bavu Blakes, Alpha 20/20 (the boy's in like 3 groups son), and probably Brokebread from Under the Table.

mos: Well he named my list, so I will go with DJ Diamond Tip, Cali Zack, and all the other cats out there really doing it right, sorry for the cliche answer.

What is the best piece of advice that someone in the industry has given you?

G-Christ: Have energy when performing and never sleep on the game, because there is always someone out there just as hungry!

mos: Someone told me to speak to my fans and not at them, once you learn how to connect with the listener then your message will have a more powerful effect.

And a more light-hearted question: Have you seen a correlation between your level of success and quality of hoes?

G-Christ: Nope they just get crazier and have stalker tendencies now lol!

mos: yea G-Christ should redo "Somebodie's Watching Me" and have that play behind him everywhere he goes.

Any parting words?

G-Christ: Check out M7music.com, www.myspace.com/crew54, and go download that Middle Road Mixtape when it hits the page!

mos: Put ya tiddies on the glass