Before every major (and nearly every minor) hip-hop release, a mixtape will proceed it. The mixtape is a way for the artist to get the fans excited about the work that is set to come out and it also serves as a way to tide them over until it is released. It is a preview, a sign of things to come. Recently, URB caught up with one of the hardest working artists in the game, Planet Asia. The Fresno native has been on his grind for over 15 years. His most recent project, Pain Language, offered fans the opportunity to see him collaborate with one of the most gifted producers in the game (DJ Muggs). Now, Planet Asia is taking that DJ/MC combination even one step further with his upcoming project with the legendary Pete Rock. Planet Rock, which is set to be done in the middle of July, will be supported by a 40 day tour. Asia sums of the magnitude of this project best: “This is the biggest thing since Nas and Premier.” Planet Asia provided URB with a preview of this upcoming project with Pete Rock, his group project (Gold Chain Military), and his views on how feminine and overly exposed the game has become.
URB: I recently came across a video of you talking about having an upcoming project with Pete Rock, and you are calling it Planet Rock. What’s the deal with this man?
Planet Asia: Man it’s crazy. It’s like I am back on that shit. I am back on that producer thing man.
URB: How did this project with Pete Rock even come about?
Planet Asia: I’ve knowing Pete for damn near 10 years now, and it was just an idea that came out of the blue because that sounded like a legendary name right there. You got one of the illest producers and you got one of the illest MCs, and right now, I kind of take hip-hop from a Jazz perspective. Its like, the way I do my projects, I do it for the music more than the bossiness.
URB: How far are you into the project?
Planet Asia: Well I have most of the beats right now, and trust me they are fire. Pete is on a whole other level right now.
URB: He is going to be writing on the record as well, right?
Planet Asia: Oh yeah, he is nice on the Mic. We just started picking the beats.
URB: How would you describe the sound that Pete is bringing?
Planet Asia: Basement but clarity. Still basement but clear. It is straight raw dog man. He let me pick whatever I wanted man. He sent me over 20 tracks, and we will be picking tracks as we go. We will be going on the road starting May first for a couple of weeks.
URB: Is that when you will be transitioning away from Pain Language into Planet Rock?
Planet Asia: Yes.
URB: In terms of guest appearances, will it just be the two of you on Planet Rock or will you have some guests on there as well?
Planet Asia: Oh no, we will have some surprises for you all. I will give you a hint. Another producer is going to rhyme on this album that you wouldn’t expect to get on this album. Two of the most vintage producers are going to be rhyming on the same track over a Pete Rock joint.
URB: This seems like it will be a classic follow up to your Pain Language album.
Planet Asia: Exactly. When you talk about underground labels like Stones Throw, I was at the start of that. When you are talking about making a clothing line popular, I did that. One of the biggest clothing lines in hip-hop, I don’t know how big they are now, but when they were fucking with me, they got popular, I don’t even want to put their name out there. People really need to realize who is who and who is really shifting the culture. People fail to realize that before Cali Agents came out, underground rappers were looking bummy. We came in and cleaned it up, so you could almost blame me for the hipster movement even though I don’t dress like a hipster because we were fresh and you have to credit that to Hieroglyphics too. In a minute man, they are going to have to give me my credit.
URB: Looking at your most recent project, Pain Language, your flow always stands out. When I heard the horns on “Lions In the Forest”, I just imagined you jumping up in the booth and spitting a hot 16. What was reaction when you heard it?
Planet Asia: Oh God, I thought it sounded like a war beat. That beat reminded me of war. That’s why I called it Lions in the forest because there is no lions in the forest. When you see a lion in the forest you better run. I heard that track I was thinking along the lines of “Wrath of Kane” the big Daddy Kane track. I was like this is going to be the second coming of that. I started writing immediately. I can freestyle, but I write all my lyrics. When you write something, you truly mean it.
URB: Muggs had done an album with the Gza, and he had done a project with Sick Jacken. Had you heard those and that’s what made you want to do be a part of the versus series?
Planet Asia: I always wanted to work with Muggs. The first official concert I performed was when was with Cypress Hill when I was 12. I have been rhyming since Bow Wow age. I was even younger; I was even younger. Let me put it like this. I don’t know if you have ever heard of the artist Fashawn. He is only 19 years old. I met him when he was 11 years old, and he was rapping back then. If you didn’t come from a young age a passion for this, it is going to show in the music. Fashawn is a great artist because it is in his heart. He is only 19. Imagine when he gets to my age. He is going to be a fucking monster.
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