Posted on 05/13/2008
In an age filled with ringtone rappers smugly gloating about how they “can make a mil sayin’ nothing on a track” it’s no wonder so many Hip Hop heads are yearning for what many consider the ‘golden era’ of the ‘90s. Yet, while rap in the 90s did embody a certain spirit and depth that is lost upon numerous artists of today, it is important to continue to move beyond the past in order to progress as a genre. Looking backwards will only make for a stale, stagnant product. As we should all know by now, Hip Hop is not dead; it’s merely in need of a lengthy history lesson in hopes of gaining more respect for its roots, and some direction to guide it in a positive path for the future.

Enter Pacific Division.

Taking a page from the book of Little Brother, Pac Div has found that perfect medium of old-school flavor with new-school appeal; living proof that artists can successfully pay homage to the past without dwelling in it. Managing to make honest tracks without the pretense of materialism and misogyny, the trio [comprised of brothers Like and Mibbs, and their childhood friend BeYoung] have already gotten highly-coveted co-signs from Pharrell, Snoop Dogg, and OKP’s very own ?uestlove, proving that they will be a force to reckon with.

This week, OKP sat down with the Cali natives to talk about what sets them apart from the pack, resuscitating an ailing rap industry and the dismaying verdict of the Sean Bell trial.


OkayPlayer: Like and Mibbs, you guys are brothers, right? How did you end up hooking up with BeYoung? No homo… [Laughs]

Like: [Laughs] Oh man, that phrase has gone way too far; we even got interviewers sayin’ it! But, um, we met in high school and we all played basketball; I was playin’ varsity and BeYoung was a freshman playin’ JV. We just all had good chemistry right from jump. He wasn’t in the actual group ‘til later, after high school, but we’ve known him since high school.

OKP: You know I had to throw in the “No Homo” in that first question because I heard the parody you guys did of Kanye West ‘s “Can’t Tell Me Nothin’” and I was fallin’ outta my seat laughing. Who’s idea was that track?

Like: It was all of ours collectively. We all just kinda do wild shit like that. We’ll hear a song then start scattering some random words that aint got nothin’ to do with the record into it and it turns into something else. I don’t know how someone heard “no homo” in [the vocal sample Kanye used] but the shit worked good. [Laughs]

OKP: You guys have gotten some pretty major co-signs from the likes of Pharrell, Snoop, and ?uestlove, how does it feel to be held in such high regard from these heavy-hitters?

Mibbs: It let’s me know we’re doing the right thing. When you got co-signs as official as those names—people who have made world history in music, people who are on both sides of the fence, both mainstream and underground—it feels good being held in those regards. Hopefully one day we’ll be in the position to find some talent and co-sign them, you know?

OKP: You also were fortunate enough to get a Dilla track before his passing. How did that come about?

Like: That situation was a little different from what outsiders may think. We didn’t actually meet Dilla; we know a mutual friend of his and at the time they were doing business. Our friend thought it would be a good idea for us to record a record over a Dilla beat that he had. [After it was completed] He sent it over to Dilla, but it was unfortunate that during that time he had passed. So he never got to hear the track. We graced it and we got good feedback but he never heard it. I got a painting of Dilla on my wall; he’s like my favorite producer. It was a privilege even though it never got released, which I’m a little mad about.

OKP: I hate to put regions into boxes, but generally speaking you don’t have a stereotypical ‘west coast sound’…do you feel like that causes you to get more or less attention back home?

Like: Definitely more. We’re bringing something completely new that’s not really been exposed to the masses. It’s something only we can do: there’s only one BeYoung, one Mibbs, one Like. It’s us tellin’ our story through the eyes of the people who don’t live the gangta lifestyle or the thug lifestyle, but who go through normal stuff like having to pay bills or go to work so…we just put it out there.

OKP: That’s one of the things I was gonna say: the refreshing thing about your sound is that it’s very “real”. In the Rap industry cats are always talking about “keepin’ it real” but that usually ends us being embellished tales about drugs dealing or gang bangin’…you version seems to be a little more relatable. Do the majority of your songs come from real life experience?

BeYoung: Yeah, the average person isn’t standing on the corner tryin’ to sell drugs to killin’ somebody or shootin’ a gun. Real life is responsibility, and transforming from a kid to a man; that’s real. Some people are scared to talk about that. I guess they may think it’s corny or something, but that’s the real shit. When your lights get cut off [Laughs] OKP: You guys are known for having a very nostalgic yet progressive sound. Who or what are some of your biggest influences?

Like: It’s too many people. When we were younger I would write down all of my influences and it would be pages long. West, South, Midwest…I could name ‘em all day. Tribe, Outkast, Roots of course, Common, Jay, Nas…Eminem even. Dogg Pound, Snoop, Dre, Pac, Slum Village, Camp Lo… BeYoung: My first favorite rapper was Grand Puba. I bought the “Ya Know How It Goes” single for like five bucks or something. That was my first favorite rapper but after that it was AZ, Nas, Sugar Free…

Like: Yea we liked it all…even current stuff like Kanye, Lupe, Lil Wayne is a beast; he’s definitely a rapper’s rapper for sure. I even like Shawty Lo’s song “Dey Know” right now! I hope they don’t bash me for that on OkayPlayer! [Laughs]

OKP: Some people have really been pushing the parameters of what’s even considered Hip Hop. How do you feel about how Hip Hop is evolving right now?

Like: Some people say Hip Hop is dying; and it was until artists took a stand to say we won’t let it stoop any lower. We won’t let the radio programmers turn this culture into trash. You got people like us who push the envelope by taking a stand by doing what we know to be “original” for us and not just conforming to what people expect out of us. That’s what Kanye’s done. That’s what got him as the biggest artist in the universe right now in terms of Hip Hop.

Mibbs: At the end of the day, people who make music from the heart are appreciated. It doesn’t matter where you’re from.

Like: It’s that timeless element that’s missing. A lot of people aren’t making timeless records anymore. They’re turning it into disposable music.

BeYoung: Rappers are getting endorsements like athletes now and that’s contributing to the music being watered-down. People are focused more on business than making actual good records. But truthfully I don’t like the whole “Hip Hop is Dead” statement. It’s like, “who made you the boss to say the whole culture is dead?”. No one can really say that, but to each his own.

OKP: There’s also been a lot of talk about the so-called “hipster movement” or “prep-hop” with the tight jeans, the bright colors…the whole preppy swagger…what do you think about that whole style’s connect-- or disconnect--from the Hip Hop culture?

BeYoung: Do people want me to sit in the house and not bath or not get a haircut or not look presentable? If I like being fresh, let me get fresh. Don’t make a big deal outta it and downplay a nigga just ‘cause he like to get fresh and do what he do.

Like: It’s really about the music anyway. I mean I see it on MySpace—The scarves, the shoes…but that’s Hip Hop. Appreciate it. Embrace it. But it’s really about the music. The outer shell is one thing; but the music is on a larger scale.

Mibbs: Andre300 has been bashed for years for wearing the stuff that he wears but no one can talk about his skills on the mic ‘cause they know.

BeYoung: On blogs I’ve seen people post up a picture of a so-called “hipster rapper” then post their song below. And in the comments I see things like “fuck this! He got on tight jeans!” It’s like, did you listen to the song, or did you just look at the picture? They don’t even give the music a chance. They see the picture and just be like “Fuck him!”

Like: Don’t get it twisted, there are a lot of cats that rely on their image and fashion because of their lack of talent. But when the grass is cut the snakes will show, man. Put ‘em to the test. See if they can rap. See if they can spit 16 bars and hold somebody’s attention. We can spit some bars. We got the co-signs from a lot of people to let you know this is warranted. I don’t wanna make it seem like I’m callin’ niggas out but the history is there. We’re rapper’s rappers. We technical niggas. So on top of niggas havin’ fly ass Air Max’s and fly ass Dunks n’ shit, niggas got fly ass bars too. Niggas know how to make fly songs. And we got fly haircuts, and we get the fly girls [laughs] …and quote me on that!

OKP: [Laughs] I will. Now right now you guys are on an indie label…but with the state of industry affairs right now, are you still trying to get on a major label? Or are you comfortable where you are?

Like: That’s a tough question, man. It all boils down to your own movement. You can’t put it all in a major label’s hands. But you do need major muscle if you’re trying to be major. Independent labels can only go so far.

BeYoung: Most of the success of independent artists is from artists who were already on a major label and already have a lot of shit established. They have money. But for a new artist it’s hard because they need money and connections.

Mibbs: For the artists that choose to go the major route they gotta use the label as muscle; but always move like you independent still. Always move like you’re on your own. Because major label’s are lazy.

OKP: Now, I have to ask…as young black men living in this country. What were your reactions to the Sean Bell Verdict?

BeYoung: I wasn’t surprised.

Like: I think Prodigy’s response—even though he be writin’ in all caps and misspelling words-- was dead on with what my response is [Laughs]. He was saying it’s unfortunate but there are people in government who are controlling this shit. People still think black people are at the bottom of the totem pole. And the decision that was made was the proof of their power.

OKP: So looking in the near future, what’s next for you guys?

Like: We coming out with another mixtape in about a month called Roll Players. We gonna continue to leak songs and videos. A lot of people are still sleepin’ but we about to yank the pillow from under they heads!

- Aliya Ewing