PK Poo Taking his game to the next level
http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/articlelive/articles/37007/1/PK-Poo-Taking-his-game-to-the-next-level/Page1.html
Ashley G. Woodson
By Ashley G. Woodson
Published on 02/1/2007
When you watch the creators of the game at the craft, it’s no surprise that a lot of the players hitting the scene are pursuing both the creative and business ends of the industry. PK Poo paid attention—sort of.
Q&A with the New Pittsburgh Courier
When you watch the creators of the game at the craft, it’s no surprise that a lot of the players hitting the scene are pursuing both the creative and business ends of the industry. PK Poo paid attention—sort of.
In his “less-focused” youth, Harlan Tobe Jr. was, shall we say, wayward and paid the price with state-sponsored sabbatical.
Before he reinvented himself as an up-and-coming force in the music industry overseeing his own label, PK “lost time, from being incarcerated for multiple years…due to hustling and struggling to survive.”
After connecting the dots and realizing that the “running game” was not his strong suit (he was, after all, caught and locked up), he directed his energy into the one thing that always felt right.
Recently PK Poo stood still long enough from promoting his new single “Club Hoppin’” featuring Diggla of 904 Click, for a little Q&A with the Courier.
Q: What got you started in hip-hop?
PK: It was a mixture between watching television and seeing people like LL Cool J, Tupac, Method Man, Kriss Kross, Snoop Dogg, Biggie and others perform and watching the older homies that I hung out with spit at parties that made me get interested in hip-hop—more than interested—made me love hip-hop.
Q: We know you’re named after your Pops, but PK Poo?
PK: Well, my dad gave me the nickname Poo when I was real young and it stuck with me until I got older. Then homies in the ’hood started calling me PK because when I used to hustle I always had a PK, “PK” means package. Nowadays that I’m rapping instead of hustling I make CDs which are in a package that you have to open up and listen to. I’m basically giving you the story of my life through music in a PK—that’s what PK Poo means.
Q: How would you describe your style?
PK: I consider my music to be mainstream. The reason I consider it that is because it’s not just about gangsta stuff or conscious hip-hop. It is well rounded. I believe that’s what the mainstream is looking for—an artist that can rap about what goes on in the streets and then can turn around and make a song that your mom or dad will like or that people of any race will like. That’s the kind of music I make. Don’t get me wrong, I’m from the streets so I do often speak about it, but I do it in a way with so much swagger and so hot of a beat that your school teacher will be humming one of my songs during class!!!
Q: You’ve established a label and have a roster of talent; are you really committed to this or is it a means to an end?
PK: Most definitely (I’m) in it for the long haul. I feel this is my destiny and my gift. I won’t stop until I make it and my investor feels the same.
Q: You’re only 24 yet you’ve already got some serious industry hook-ups—how did you do it?
PK: I been spittin’ since I was 12. I didn’t get serious and make my first CD until I was 19; that was “Still on The Digital.” I have already collaborated with national artists. I have a single on our mix tape “New Money Music presents the Burgh’s Finest, Vol. 1.” The song is called “Still Grindin’” and it features hip-hop recording artist Grafh from Blackhand and my boy B-Brixx. Check it out on myspace.com/412pkpoo. Stat Quo from Shady/Aftermath is on our mix tape as well.
Q: How do you handle all the attention?
PK: I handle the attention like the businessman I am. I let people know that I appreciate the support and I keep making hot music!
Q: What would you like to say to wrap this up?
PK: I want everyone to know that I have the talent to get to the top. And hate me or love me, either way I’m gonna keep movin’ and rising to the top. And I will always keep it real to the best of my ability and I will always rep the ’Burgh ’cause the streets of Pittsburgh is what made me.
(To keep up with the latest news on PK Poo’s projects and shows, log on to http://www.myspace.com/412pkpoo.)
In his “less-focused” youth, Harlan Tobe Jr. was, shall we say, wayward and paid the price with state-sponsored sabbatical.
 |
| PK POO |
After connecting the dots and realizing that the “running game” was not his strong suit (he was, after all, caught and locked up), he directed his energy into the one thing that always felt right.
Recently PK Poo stood still long enough from promoting his new single “Club Hoppin’” featuring Diggla of 904 Click, for a little Q&A with the Courier.
Q: What got you started in hip-hop?
PK: It was a mixture between watching television and seeing people like LL Cool J, Tupac, Method Man, Kriss Kross, Snoop Dogg, Biggie and others perform and watching the older homies that I hung out with spit at parties that made me get interested in hip-hop—more than interested—made me love hip-hop.
Q: We know you’re named after your Pops, but PK Poo?
PK: Well, my dad gave me the nickname Poo when I was real young and it stuck with me until I got older. Then homies in the ’hood started calling me PK because when I used to hustle I always had a PK, “PK” means package. Nowadays that I’m rapping instead of hustling I make CDs which are in a package that you have to open up and listen to. I’m basically giving you the story of my life through music in a PK—that’s what PK Poo means.
Q: How would you describe your style?
PK: I consider my music to be mainstream. The reason I consider it that is because it’s not just about gangsta stuff or conscious hip-hop. It is well rounded. I believe that’s what the mainstream is looking for—an artist that can rap about what goes on in the streets and then can turn around and make a song that your mom or dad will like or that people of any race will like. That’s the kind of music I make. Don’t get me wrong, I’m from the streets so I do often speak about it, but I do it in a way with so much swagger and so hot of a beat that your school teacher will be humming one of my songs during class!!!
Q: You’ve established a label and have a roster of talent; are you really committed to this or is it a means to an end?
PK: Most definitely (I’m) in it for the long haul. I feel this is my destiny and my gift. I won’t stop until I make it and my investor feels the same.
Q: You’re only 24 yet you’ve already got some serious industry hook-ups—how did you do it?
PK: I been spittin’ since I was 12. I didn’t get serious and make my first CD until I was 19; that was “Still on The Digital.” I have already collaborated with national artists. I have a single on our mix tape “New Money Music presents the Burgh’s Finest, Vol. 1.” The song is called “Still Grindin’” and it features hip-hop recording artist Grafh from Blackhand and my boy B-Brixx. Check it out on myspace.com/412pkpoo. Stat Quo from Shady/Aftermath is on our mix tape as well.
Q: How do you handle all the attention?
PK: I handle the attention like the businessman I am. I let people know that I appreciate the support and I keep making hot music!
Q: What would you like to say to wrap this up?
PK: I want everyone to know that I have the talent to get to the top. And hate me or love me, either way I’m gonna keep movin’ and rising to the top. And I will always keep it real to the best of my ability and I will always rep the ’Burgh ’cause the streets of Pittsburgh is what made me.
(To keep up with the latest news on PK Poo’s projects and shows, log on to http://www.myspace.com/412pkpoo.)