Big Mike Q & A

Way back in 1991, a group by the name of the Convicts released their debut self-titled album on Rap-A-Lot records. The group consisted of two members; Big Mike BKA the Peter Man and Mr. 3-2. From there, Big Mike would join Scarface and Bushwick Bill as a member of the Geto Boys in 1993. 

Since that time, Big Mike would go on to release his classic debut album Something Serious amongst many others. He is a true, well-respected veteran in the game and is he is still going strong. I was very excited to get the opportunity to speak with him.

I got the chance to speak to Big Mike over the phone and he was very humble and gracious the whole time. 

This was conducted over the phone 1/2014

DPG = Me
BM = Big Mike

Enjoy!

DP:How did you hook-up with Mr. 3-2?

BM: We met through the Rap-A-Lot label.

DP: What made you guys record the song Illegal Aliens?

BM: The concepts for the album were from both the artists as well as the label. The motivation for the song was just frustration and the feeling that blacks were being treated as 3^rd class citizens.

DP: On the song No Nuts No Glory, you made a reference to SnoopDogg. I always wondered if you guys knew each other. When did you first meet him?

BM: I moved to LA back in 1991-1992 and actually shared an apartment with Snoop.  Back then they were working on the Deep Cover soundtrack.

DP: The song Six Feet Deep is a really great song. I even remember hearing it on the radio out here in LA when it first came out back in 1993? Also, StraightGangstaism  re-united Mr. 3-2 and yourself. That beat is hard.

DP: Is there a reason you and Bushwick Bill were left off of the Bring It On song? 

BM: I can’t  speak for Bushwick, but I didn’t get on the track because I didn’t feel the track. I didn’t want to get on if I didn’t feel 100% about it. Plus the label need space to put out all the other rappers on the label.

DP: You joined the Geto Boys because Willie D had left the group. Were and are you cool with him? 

BM: I don't have any issues with Willie D. We've always been cool, but we just don’t necessarily hang out with each other. I never tried to replace Willie in the group. I just wanted to bring my own style to the group. I decided not to get on the next Geto Boys album because I was doing well with my debut solo album.

DP: Your debut album Something Serious is great. My favorite track is World of Mine. I would play that one over and over. Also, on Smoke Em& Choke Em, I would later realize that Snoop was referring to you from the Chronic album.

DP: I want to move onto Death Row. I’ve read in a few places that Suge Knight was trying to sign either you or the Convicts. Can you shed some light on that whole situation?

BM: I moved out to LA with 3-2 and was doing some stuff with the Death Row label. Then I got the call from Rap-A-Lot saying that they wanted me to be a part of the Geto Boys album. It was a no brainer. NWA was the group out in the West and Geto Boys were the group in the South. I wanted to be a part of something that represented where I’m from so that’s why I left and went back to the South.

DP: I also wanted to ask you about something most people won’t know about. On Big Mello’s second album (WeGoneFunkWichaMind), he made a reference to you that surprised me since you guys were on the same label. It was on a song titled No Hidin Place. The line went “And tonight I’ma have to drop Big Mike I’ve been cool with the bitch, but he want to act shife.” He said you tried to steal his song.

DP: Do you know what he was referring to? Were you cool with Big Mello? Can you tell me anything about this situation if there was one at all?

BM: Big Mello and I were like brothers. He used to play me music off his albums. The song you’re referring to, I really never heard. I only listened to some of the tracks from that album. One time we were riding around and we heard this line from a song talking about the Southside. Creative minds think alike. So I used the sample for a song. I ended up going out on tour and  wasn’t around when he put that out. When I got back people were talking and we talked it out. It was all just a misunderstanding and we squashed it. You know, even blood brothers get into it from time to time, but Mello was my guy. RIP! I never got a chance to release that song.

DP: A lot of people may not know that you and Mr. 3-2 were featured on South Central Cartel's album N Gatz We Truss back in 1994 and Murder Squad’s Murder Squad Nationwide album in 1995. How did you connect with the SCC?

BM: Funny story about that. I was in the studio at the time and I got locked in. I was like damn! I decided to just keep making music and figured that I would just sleep there and somebody would come through in the morning. The phone rang and it was Havoc from the SCC. We talked and ended up linking up from there. Prodeje and SCC are my people. I still keep in contact with him from time to time.

DP: Did you know Seagram Miller? He was another of my favorite artists that passed away too early? Are there any memories of him that you’d like to share?

BM: Yes, I knew Seagram RIP. I bought my first Chevy from him. I have a story that I’ll share you. We were in a club back in Houston. This dude kept bumping into me and eventually spilled his drink on me. So I had to handle my business. I look over and see this dude running over with a bar stool and it was Seagram.  He had my back and we took care of business!

DP: Are you still in contact with Mr. 3-2? You guys seem to work well with each other. Any chance of a new Convicts album?

BM: Yes, I’m still in constant contact with 3-2. That’s my brother. I still go to his mom’s house. Right now we aren’t recording anything together, just working on our own separate endeavors. But, I wouldn’t rule anything out in the future. It has to feel right or I won’t do it. I don’t just want to put music out that I’m not 100% into.

DP: I also read somewhere that you and Six-2 were possibly collaborating on an album. Is there any truth to that?

BM: Yes, we were recording an album, but there was a 3^rd party involved that didn’t see it all the way through. We are still plan on making that happen.

DP: There was an album put out called Serious as can Be? Was that put out with your permission.

BM: No, it wasn’t. What happened was I upload my music into the studio and some 3^rd party stole it from out the studio. You can tell that music wasn’t even mixed and sounded like a demo tape. I still got some people working on getting all that legal stuff squared away. I ended up putting all that music out for free on a mixtape.

DP: Are you happy with your career in music?

BM: Very much so! Anytime you get to do what you love and have a passion for, it’s a blessing.

DP: Is there an artist current or past, that you’d still like to work with? How about a producer?

BM: I have to think about that. Curtis Mayfield. As far as hip hop artists, KRS-One, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane. I’m a fan of hip hop music.

DP: Do you have any new music coming out or anything else you’d like to promote?

BM: My new album Fast Boy Music. Don’t get it twisted. This is a Big Mike album! This isn’t a compilation album. I just have some really talented guys that I’m trying to put on. Hopefully they can gain recognition in the near future.

DP: I’d like to say thank you very much for taking some time to answer my questions. You’re definitely a legend in my eyes and one of the OGs of rap music. 

Follow Big Mike on Twitter @IAmBigMike1

Go Grab his newest album Fast Boy Music 

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More Q & A sessions to come!
Thanks for reading!

dpgmarine