- Fri, 2005-06-24 01:16
Having delivered his brand of demented comic relief meets sicko lyrical brilliance on D12’s SoundScan-topping releases Devil’s Night (2001) and D12 World (2004), Bizarre is once again poised to p-off the status quo with Hannicap Circus, his solo debut on Redhead Records/ Arsenal Entertainment/Sanctuary Urban. But Bizarre maintains there’s a more conceptual meaning behind the madness.
The self-described “eccentric family man,” who now calls Atlanta home, says he wanted to use Hannicap Circus to show there’s another side to his wildman persona.
I Like Music caught up with the big guy in his London hotel room to see how he’s jolly well getting along.
“I Like Music because… it’s spiritually healing, physically, mentally; it can take away whatever is wrong off your mind and help you get through that.” Bizarre, D12
ILM: So tell us about Hannicap Circus and the meaning behind it?
Bizarre: I came up with the title because I really felt like most musicians that I’ve been around are fucking weird. I know I have my little weird ways, so I consider myself a special artist. I’m a guy that chews paper, wears a shower cap in public, pops Vicodin pills and goes fishing. There’s not a lot of entertainment out there…everything is so hardcore, shoot ‘em up bang bang. I’m here to lighten up the hip-hop game.
ILM: Do you think that’s important, so it’s not just pure gangsta?
Bizarre: Yeah definitely. I’m just trying to show the lighter side with my music, y’know and turn the noise down a little, instead of just being hardcore.
For Bizarre, hip-hop remains a vital fix for the wide-eyed ‘80s kid who worshiped rap royalty EMPD and KRS-One. Raised by his mother in a strict but loving Jehovah’s Witness household, young Rufus spent most of his early childhood shuttling back and forth from Texas to Detroit. By age 10, writing rhymes had become an obsession. Talent shows were an outlet well suited for the quirky, imaginative kid from Detroit’s 7 Mile. However, at 18, an independent Bizarre moved out of the religious constraints of home to follow his dream of a recording deal.
What followed is hip-hop history: The life-altering, early ‘90s meeting with Motown freestyle king Proof and a lyrical white kid named Eminem; the daily struggles to be heard in a city not known for having a burgeoning hip-hop scene; the legendary rap battles for rhyme supremacy at the now iconic Hip Hop Shop.
Bizarre: I met them at the hip hop shop back in '94, where we all used to hang out, and the rest is history.
ILM: So, your new single, Rockstar is out on Monday. We like it; it’s funky and makes you want to dance. Can you give us your own personal description of it?
Bizarre: Rockstar is a fun song; basically it’s a fly-back to my band, as the last time people saw me I socked Marshell and took over the band, so Rockstar is like saying "this is my life after the band, now I’m a Rockstar."
ILM: Of all the tracks on Hannicap Circus, which one did you have the most fun recording?
Bizarre: All of ‘em, all of ‘em was fun. I had fun making the album over a real short period of time, so it was real fun.
ILM: So, you’re heading out on the Anger Management 3 Tour with 50 Cent, G-Unit, Eminem and Lil’ Jon & the East Side Boyz. What’s your favourite D12 track to play live?
Bizarre: Probably Loyalty, and 40 Oz.
ILM: What’s your favourite live experience as a punter going to see bands?
Bizarre: I go to see other hip hop artists. I went to see Nelly a couple of days ago, which was great.
ILM: With D12 you’ve been topping the charts for the past three years, 8 million albums sold, Purple Pills, How Come, My Band, it’s all good! Can you tell me a story about one of the best or funniest moments over that time – a highlight?
Bizarre: There’s been a lot of funny moments. I think probably the first time we went to Amserdam; they taped it all, got it on DVD – All Access Europe, that was probably one of our funniest moments. You’ll have to buy the DVD to see why.
ILM: Please can you describe the D12 process of making such awesome hip hop music? And also how that differs from making your own music?
Bizarre: The D12 process is thate we get a beat, somebody hears it, and we come up with the concept and the hook, and whoever gets on it gets on it and whoever don’t like it, don’t get on it. My process of making music is, I get a beat it, I like it, I get on it. (Laughs).
ILM: You’ve got more control on this album than with some big corporate label, have you enjoyed making the album?
Bizarre: Yeah! I got a lot more control. I edited my whole album, I picked out my own video director, I got the marketing plan together, I got way more control than if I was on a Jive or Interscope or something like that. It’s more flexible.
ILM: You’ve been spitting rhymes for some time (since you were 10) and released Attack Of The Weirdos EP in '98. What have you learned about the music industry since then, and has your love for hip hop grown and grown?
Bizarre: Yeah you got to have love to keep it down. I just learned to just make sure you take care of business and don’t let your manager or lawyer do everything for you; make sure you get cc’d on everything that’s going on in the business, y’know – don’t be a dummy.
ILM: You followed your dream, have been through some tough patches and losses, but you’ve done it, you are successful – what would you say to people about following their goals and taking the step to just do it?
Bizarre: I would say follow your dreams, don’t give up, don’t put yourself in the situation where you have to quit or stop, you know what I’m saying? Even though you might have to struggle, it’s all worth it in the end. So just keep going.
ILM: A best kept secret on d12world.com says that you love to kiss pets and collecting tire irons and shower caps. What are your pets?
Bizarre: I have two Pomeranians. (Editor’s note – Queen Victoria and Mozart also owned Pomeranians, as do The Osbournes).
ILM: So many shower caps, but what do you sing in the shower?
Bizarre I don’t take showers, I take baths.
ILM: Best thing about each of your band members (Eminem, Kon Artis, Swift, Kuniva and Proof). Worst thing/habit?
Bizarre: We all get along, we just give each other space so we don’t really bother each other and we’re not irritated by each other’s habits.
ILM: You like fishing. Is that carp fishing or sea fishing? My boyfriend is currently carp fishing in France.
Bizarre: All kinds of fishing. My record is 49lb.
ILM: You’re a daddy and a hubby. They must be real proud of you and when you go home after touring it must be such an incredible feeling. Tell me a bit about coming home?
Bizarre: Well being home is watching a little TV. No, it’s cool being home. I’m on the road so much all the time. A lot of the shit on Hannicap Circus was made for weed smokers. But when I’m not rapping, I’m in Atlanta or Michigan fishing with my homeboys. I try to stay as normal as possible to keep myself grounded around my family. When D12 goes on tour it’s so wild. I like to go home and take the trash out to remind myself who I am.
ILM: Can you describe your favourite place on earth?
Bizarre: I like Australia, I like the beaches and the fans, and it’s a good place to fish. Australia’s cool.
Hannicap Circus is out June 27th, preceded by Rockstar. The album is produced by D12’s Kon Artist (50 Cent P.I.M.P), Hi Tek, Erick Sermon and Raphael Saadiq, it features appearances from Outkast’s Big Boi, Dead Prez and D12 including Eminem. Catch Bizarre and the boys on the Anger Management Tour this summer.
