(Editors Note: Hex Murda has become a staple in the hip-hop scene. Starting out in the late ’80s with the Almighty Dreadnaughtz, Hex learned the ropes of the rap game. Afterwords, he became the manager of an affiliated rapper to the group known as Guilty Simpson. Over the years Hex has built his brand to be one of the leading voices for detroit hip-hop. His roster now boasts the likes of Black Milk, Danny Brown, and of course Guilty Simpson. Today, his birthday, we speak with Hex on artist development, labels, working within an indy, Random Axe, and much more.)
Al: You said that when you decided to manage Guilty Simpson, it was because you wanted to get into developing artists. Why was that side of the managerial game so interesting to you?
Hex: The nigga Guilty was real raw when I first met him. I don’t know if dog had ever been to a real studio. When I heard his voice, his flow, I knew he could be something special. Plus, I knew this cat, and he wasn’t just rapping that shit because it sounded good.
Al: Lyor Cohen recently said that developing artists is the key to success in the music industry. What are your thoughts on that? Do you think labels know how to develop artists like they used to?
Hex: Mr. Cohen is correct. But most labels don’t take the time to develop artists anymore. They just find some bullshit regional record, usually with a dance attached, give the group a video, then throw them to the dogs. Some singers are different. You didn’t see Alicia Keys or Destiny’s Child till they were ready. Same with singing groups. Like those new little motherfuckers and a few others. Rappers don’t get that kind of TLC. Partly because [labels] all think they know every goddamn thing, partly because the label doesn’t give a fuck.
Al: Getting back to Guilty Simpson, what was it about him that made you feel he could be successful as an artist?
Hex: I just felt like he needed to be heard and I knew that real niggas would relate to the shit he was saying. We just had to get the right music to compliment his vocals.
Al: What made you feel Black Milk could be successful?
Hex: Black Milk produces and rhymes. [Black Milk] can give you any kind of track you need. Plus he’s a middle of the ground cat. He aint rockin’ his “pants on the ground”, and he ain’t gonna wear stretch pants either. Plus, he did shit other rappers always TALK about. He really pushes a Range, rocked big chains with diamonds, and he was dope. He couldn’t be anything but successful.
Al: Duck Down is bringing Guilty, Black Milk, and Sean Price together for the Random Axe album. How important are doing these group albums for indie artists?
Hex: Important as fuck. Even though these guys are like-minded, this project will expose all three guys fans to each other. It also garners interest and curiosity in, not only this LP, but in both the future and previous projects of those three MC’s.
Al: Other then Random Axe, what’s next for the artists on Hex Murda’s roster?
Hex: Black Milk’s “Searching For Sanity” with Melanie Rutherford, Guilty’s last solo lp for StonesThrow, which may be solely produced by Black Milk, and finally getting an official LP out of Danny Brown. I got a few tricks up my sleeve.
Al: What is the one thing that you want people to know about Hex Murda?
Hex: Fuck people. Black Milk “ALBUM OF THE YEAR” in stores NOW!!! Guilty Simpson & Madlib “O.J. Simpson” in stores NOW!!! Random Axe COMING SOON
