[Interview] Erk The Jerk Interviews With Rap Industry

Heard the new album.. it's dope! You got some serious joints on there. This album was a 2 year process, correct? why so long?

it took so long because of the demand. I didnt feel the demand for an "ERK" album was there. I'm not a fan of force feeding the listeners. Had to make sure everything was lined up correctly first.
You gonna be doing any tours, shows to promote the album?

Yes. I'm always Doing club dates and shows. And have plans on doing some tour dates coming this spring.
Collabin' with bay legends Too short and B-legit, how did that go down? Any funny stories that stick out working with either of them (studio time, etc..)?

I had an office upstairs from $hort's studio a few years back and we jut linked up. I remember Watchin him lay his "favorite word" over one of my beats and thinkin "yes" I made it. Haha I had met B-legit a few times and he was always a solid dude. He linked me with Richie Rich and we all did a song. It was crazy growing up listening to them and then to b producing a song was a good learning experience.

You've been building your buzz for a few years now out in the bay.. How has the process been so far developing and building outside of theBay?
The game is almost all Internet now. So it's as hard, but I guess the key is making sure the "fans, bloggers" see your face and know that you have something worth listening too. Being on MTV doesn't hurt either.

At what point did you know that rap was what you wanted to do fulltime? what drew you to it, etc..?
I still don't know. Haha I love it and people have always said "it was my calling". I ran from it for years. Didn't think it was for me, but the more it chased me the slower I ran. Here I am.

You have alot of lanes you're working in (rap, production, singing, producing/directing videos). Which one takes the most of your time? Which one is your passion?

All of them. I love it all. Making music takes all my time. It might take a week to do a song. The directing is fun though. The art is never ending. Something I hope to be able to do after rap is over.

What's the driving force behind you and your music?
My life. Everything i rap is real. No filler. I talk about what I know. No fairytales. So the words come easy. The music tells me what chapter I need to be on and I go from there. It writes itself.

What artist(s) do you want to work with? What artists are you listening to right now?
I've always been a Cee-Lo fan. Devin the dude. I like Currency. A few cats. If If it's inspiring i wanna work. Right now I got me in the deck though, haha. I want to work until people say "I need ERK on my songs".
Hip Hop is kinda in a weird slot right now.. What do you think needs to happen to to get it moving in a positive direction?
We need better music and for fans to support. If the music is timeless it can't go wrong. As far as business goes, we just have to bring value back to it. Quality over quanity.

Any last words?
Nerd's eye view is in stores and Erkthajerk.com is up and Running. Rpmg Imprm and s.o.w. Is all I know