I had the privilege of speaking over the phone with MC Search of 3rd bass and Ego trips: The White Rapper Show. The White Rapper Show is one of the most successful shows currently on television it debuted with 2.4 milllion viewers in it’s first week, making it the most watched new series in VH1 history. In addition also making MC Serch a household name again and the topic of many discussion’s in hip hop communities across the globe. Along with a hit television show MC Search is releasing a new album dropping March 6th. Available exclusively through digital download the album titled “M.any Y.oung L.ives A.go The 1994 Sessions”. I spoke with MC Serch on his perspective of the fileshareing dilema that plagues the industry today, the current state of the music business, having a hit show and how “wanna be” White Rappers view one of the original White rappers.

Scheme: What up Serch?

MC Search: What up Fam!

Scheme: Longtime fan and observer. I knew that you have been around for along
time but I did not know how long. I was reading Ego trips and I saw that you actually contributed a list of early hip hop clubs that were poppin.

MC Search: That’s a great book! I recommend that everyone have a copy of that book, at least anyone who considers themselves doing anything in hip hop. It was a great time for hip hop in New York and the east-coast. The clubs and the dj’s were great. Seeing DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince live @ Union Square was incredible. It was just a Great time.

Scheme: On the song “Handle It” you state that you reside in the “Land Of Lakes”.
I did not know you were in Michigan in 94?

MC Search: I wasn’t living here at the time. I was working on the soundtrack to the film Zebra Head with Oliver Stone. On my downtime I recorded a few tracks for the album. I officially moved to the D(Detroit) in 2002 to work for WJLB.

Scheme: How did the show come about, did you pitch it?

“There is an underground movement of pro-White rappers who don’t like black people. Can you imagine that? that’s like being a member of the Klu Klux Klan and you hate White People.”

MC Search: No! Ego trip did a series of specials for VH1, and one of those was based on the premise of White people trying to get respect in the industry dominated by Black talent. Based on my relationship with the good people over at Ego Trip, they asked me to host it. Originally I said no because the pilot shooting fell on the Jewish holiday, they rescheduled, I did it, and the rest is history.

Scheme: What kind of feedback are you getting from the show?

MC Search: Good! Ninety-nine percent are from people who really love the show. I find it interesting how many angry White rappers there are. There is an underground movement of pro-White rappers who don’t like black people. Can you imagine that? that’s like being a member of the Klu Klux Klan and you hate White People. I get messages everyday from white people, “wanna be” rappers expressing anger towards me. I figure if they take the time out to express themselves by writing me. I owe it to write back, and I always take the time to write back.

Scheme: Did you have any fears going into making the show?

“There has been a handful of people that have felt that the show was no good, but I feel like any show that has GrandMaster Caz and GrandMaster Flash, and takes people to see the birthplace, and teaches people the origins of hip hop has to be good.”

MC Search: There was a little intrepidation. I was concerned a little, but I know the team at Ego Trip and I just trusted my team and the guys that are around me.

Scheme: Do you think the show is helping or hurting hip hop?

MC Search: There has been a handful of people that have felt that the show was no good, but I feel like any show that has GrandMaster Caz and GrandMaster Flash, and takes people to see the birthplace, and teaches people the origins of hip hop has to be good. It’s in the top 10 cable shows in VH1 history. I’m looking forward to season two.

Scheme: Are there any featured artist?

MC Search: No featured artist, just rough songs and demo’s. The whole album was recorded in 94 except 3 songs. 3rd bass recorded 3 songs in 2000. I wanted to include those in this set to let 3rd Bass fans hear what they were going to get from the reunion album. So there’s 3 songs with 3rd Bass.

“Russell didn’t really understand the direction of the album, but he’s the same guy that said, “Nas was too New York.”, said, “he sounded too much like Kool G Rap and would not sell.”

Scheme: What is your motivation and expectations for this album?

MC Search: No expectations, I just hope people enjoy it. I hope people go back to 94 and compare it to the albums that were out back then to see how it would have measured up.

Scheme: What was the original plan for this album, and why is it just now coming out?

“A whole generation of hip hop lovers 30 years and up that do not want to hear, “throw some D’s on this bitch.”

MC Search: I was just putting together idea’s for Russell to hear where I wanted to go with the album. Russell didn’t really understand the direction of the album, but he’s the same guy that said, “Nas was too New York.”, said, “he sounded too much like Kool G Rap and would not sell.”, He didn’t like the O.C. album when I brought it to him. Tracy Waples was the A&R at the time, her and I didn’t hear the same things. So I executive produced both of those projects, and now I’m coming with this one March 6th. M.any Y.oung L.ives A.go The 1994 Sessions.

Scheme: Who did you work with on the album as far as production is concerned?

MC Search: Me, DJ Eclispe and DJ Riz. You see, I thought I had lost the tapes, I did’nt know what happened to them. When I found the reels and I listened to them, I was like this is not wack. I think there are like tens of thousands, not millions, but thousands of people that will appreciate this. Me and 9th Wonder were talking about this and he stressed to me that he thought there was a whole generation of hip hop listeners that are being forgotten about. A whole generation of hip hop lovers 30 years and up that do not want to hear, “throw some D’s on this bitch.”

Scheme: What do you think about records like Throw some d’s on it, do you consider that hip hop?

MC Search: Throw some D’s on this bitch?! naah!.. That’s a rap record. I don’t consider it hip hop.

Scheme: What do you feel about the current state of the Music business?

MC Search: It’s not good.

Scheme: It’s clear that you are embracing the digital age, whats your take on this issue of illegal downloading thats plaguing the industry?

MC Search: Your never gonna stop people from listening to music. Just like when we were shorties we made our tapes and burned our cd’s, you just have to make music that people are gonna want to embrace.

Scheme: Is there ever gonna be a vinyl (limited Edition) release of the Album or a 12″?

MC Search: I don’t have anything planned at this time. Maybe later.

Scheme: Whats next for MC Search?

MC Search: Just trying get Serchlitemusic.com blasted off. Providing an outlet for independent artist to get distribution. Working with 9th Wonder on some things. Jumpin off a legends of hip hop tour featuring Chubb Rock, Special Ed,Yo Yo and Mc Lyte, and Of course the album drops March 6th on digital outlets worldwide.