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Thirstin' Howl 2005 Update!
We recently got a chance to catch up with Thirstin Howl III. Check out the interview and get an update on what the Lo-Lifes are up to in 2005...
>> UPDATE INTERVIEW WITH THIRSTIN HOWL III
Its 2005 and Lo has come a long way since days of the originals, how do you feel about what the Lo scene has become today?
THIRSTIN HOWL:
As far as the designs by Ralph Lauren, I heard they came back strong this year for the winter of 2004. Me personally, I been catchin' everything. I really didn't get into stressin' the Lo like that. I stated my business within the 'lo though. I really catch all the classics shits more than just Lo. But, I'm tired of squeezing into those XXL's.
A lot has also changed now with the internet and eBay. How do you feel about people paying G money for a piece these days?
THIRSTIN HOWL:
I feel good about that, cause I'm one of them niggas out there selling those pieces for G money. Throwin' them on eBay auctions 'cause I'm tryin' to get paid for a lot of the classics I got too, you know. There's a lot of shit that I just can't hold onto no more. I gotta just put it in my head that I'm never gonna fit it again. I'm trying to get top price for it. We made Lo the first clothing brand to be worshipped religiously. So I'm gonna keep runnin' with that.
As far as those prices going up, and the people who are coppin' at those prices, do you feel like it's taking away from the originality? You guys shed a lot of blood, sweat, and in the original days, do you feel like anything is taken away in terms of the cultural aspect of Lo?
THIRSTIN HOWL:
Na, na, man. It just adds on, you know. Culture evolves just like everything else. So whatever it evolves into, as long as its still here, that's all that matters.
As opinions of an old school lo-life may vary from those of the newer generation, what would you say is one of your all time favorite pieces or lines that Ralph Lauren has dropped?
THIRSTIN HOWL:
My favorite line was always the Cross Flags (67-88.) That was my favorite logo and favorite line that he did. It still hasn't been matched and he still hasn't come back hard to really outdo that shit. As far as the younger kids, anybody who rocks Lo for what it is, as a fiend or lo-head, respects it the same way, no matter what age they are. I seen new heads be like 15 years old, but they know what the classics are, they know some vintage pieces and they know when to bow down to those items.
What's the deal with you and the Lo-Life Movement? What's in the works for 2005?
THIRSTIN HOWL:
The Lo-Life movie is definitely coming with the soundtrack and all that. We can't really let nothin' out the bag yet, but it's already in the works. I'm talking about a major motion picture. Not no independent film or nothin' like that. We got books that we been advertising. But, we're basically gonna go with the movie. We're tryin' make sure all our situations are covered so that we get paid for all this shit this time. Musically, I just did a Spanish album. I pretty much wrapped it up with the independent shit, so everything's about to go major.
It's real hard to come across real MC's doing their thing nowadays. A lot of this rap shit has been watered down.
THIRSTIN HOWL:
I mean, I think I follow the formats of whatever gotta make a hit song. But, I feel I'm strong with the originality and that's what the game really lacks. I come from every era of hip-hop. I'm not just one era. I got to live through every era and experience all of it. So, I always knew I had to be original. You can't sound like nobody else. I never gave a nigga props for soundin like another motha fucka. That's what happens too much in the game right now. They big niggas up more when they sound like somebody that's out already.
I been noticing that there's a lot of new wave rap cats out that are coming out rockin' Lo on some "I started this shit" mentality. How do you feel about this?
THIRSTIN HOWL:
Like your boy Kanye? I feel like this. You could lie to the press, you could lie to the cameras and the TV. Niggas know, especially hood niggas. Real recognize real and niggas won't sit in front of my face and tell me they started some shit. Niggas died for this shit, niggas died to pave the way for this Lo-Life name and for this culture. You ain't got no choice but to pay homage. Especially when you in the presence of niggas.
In my opinion, I just think it's sad that a lot of these young kids who didn't get a chance to live in a certain era are going to be exposed to these misconceptions. How do you feel about that?
THIRSTIN HOWL:
But, you know, the only opinions that I really value are those people who lived through hip-hop. So, if you live it, you gonna know the truth. All those other people who are brainwashed by what the TV showin' them and the current trends and shit, they really don't matter. Like I said, the ones who live real hip-hop know the truth regardless of what's put out there. All that media shit and that hype, that's only for the people who watch hip-hop on TV, they don't live this shit. A lot of other states and a lot of different countries, they grew up on hip-hop off the TV. New York is the Mecca of hip-hop. We live this shit. When you walk outside of your house, you see that shit in the streets and you feel it in the air. We go to high school, live, and see hip-hop everywhere. A lot of people didn't have that, you know.
I know that your doin' your thing and you gotta get goin, so I'd like to give you the opportunity for any shouts or messages to those who are still rockin' today.
THIRSTIN HOWL:
Just be true to you and what you do. That's basically what I do. I'm true to me, my style, those who are true to me, and my family. I'm a straight Brownsville head and I go by the laws of the street before I follow the laws of this government and all this other bullshit. For this year, 2005, Lo-Lifes gonna make a lot of fuckin' noise. Thirstin' Howl making crazy noise. Trying to dominate the Spanish market, the hood market, anything that got to do with entertainment. We're a fully functional company. I'm working with a lot of people. Look out on the new Tony Touch album, my Reggaeton album, RZA's new joint, a new joint with ODB (rip), Heltah Skeltah, and more.
You can check out the official Lo-Life site by Rafer at http://lousa67.tripod.com/Home.html. Shouts to Thirstin' Howl III and Meylo for this interview...
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