NOTTZ shows us how to keep it RAW

I got a chance to check out NoTtZ RaW at the his studio the Durte Factory when I was down in VA. His tucked away sanctuary has been the production headquarters for some of some of hip hops greatest including Notorious B.I.G., Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Scarface, Snoop Dogg, and G-Unit.

What does VA mean to you?

HATER'S REALM! PEOPLE DON'T WANNA SEE U MAKE IT GUD HERE,BUT WANNA
BE INVOLVED WHEN U DO!! AIN'T DAT SUM SHIT?

How was it growing up in VA and how do you feel it has impacted who
you are?

I HAD A GUD CHILDHOOD GROW'N UP!! PARENTS GOT ME ANYTHING I WANTED &
NEEDED!! THEY WON'T RICH BUT FAR FROM POOR! MY FATHER DEE JAYED BACK
WHEN I WUZ A KID SO I GOT ALL OF HIS OLD RECORDS! ALL MY BRUTHAZ MADE
BEATS!! THEY GOT OUT OF IT,I STAYED IN IT!!! NOW I'M HERE!!

Explain the feel of the Durte Factory?

REAL HIP HOP COMES OUTTA THIS PLACE!!! MY LAB & HOME AWAY FROM HOME
WHERE I CAN TAKE HOW EVER I'M FEELIN' DAT DAY OUT ON THE KEYBOARDS!!

That wall that you have with all the woman on it is very original,...
what prompted you to do that and what is the wildest response that
you got about it?

WHEN I LIVED WITH MY PARENTS,THAT'S HOW MY ROOM LOOKED!! CEILIN',WALLS
& DOORS WERE COVERED WITH POSTERS!! MINUS THE CHICKS!!! DA STUDIO WALL
STARTED OUT BEING JUST RAP SHIT TIL' I CUT A PICTURE OUTTA MAG!! IT
WUZ A SNOW BALL EFFECT FROM THERE!! THE WHOLE IS COVERED! PEOPLE LUV
MY WALL! IT'S TALKED ABOUT ON THE NET! THEY SEE IT N GET BLOWN AWAY!!

Where do you like to go in the seven cities when it is hang out?

NOWHERE! I'MA LAB RAT!! HANGIN' OUT DON'T MAKE ME MONEY! BESIDES, U
SEE DA SAME PEOPLE! IT ALSO SUBTRACTS DA TROUBLE!

How much has outlook of VA changed for you have traveled so many places?

VA.'S SLOW! WE NEED 2 CATCH UP N STOP HATE'N ON EACH UTHA!! LETZ ALL
COME 2GETHA IN GET DIS MONEY! ITZ NOT AS MUCH HATE N UTHA SPOTS I'VE
TRAVELED 2!

What if any instruments do you play?

KEYBOARDS! 2 A LIMIT 2 WHERE I KNOW WUT I WANT!

When did you know that you were going to be a producer?

WHEN I SEEN MY BRUTHAZ & MANAGER DO IT! SHIT LOOKED SO DOPE 2 ME!!

What was your first peace of equipment that you used for production?

7 SECOND YAMAHA KEYBOARD!

What are some hobbies that you have outside of music?

HOBBIES? NO HOBBIES! FAMILY GUY IF I'M NOT WORKIN'! FAM KEEPS ME GROUNDED!

Where did u get your name from?

MY GRANDMOTHER GAVE ME DA NAME NOTTZ! SHE ALWAYS WOLD ME 2 COMB MY
SHIT! MY HAIR WUZ REAL NOTTY BUT I KEPT A CLEAN EDGE UP (LOL)!! SHE
GAVE ME DAT NAME BEFORE SHE PASSED!!

What is going on with DMP?

WORK'N AS USUAL!

Which one of y our tats is the most important to you, why and where
and by who did you have it done by?

ALL OF THEM ARE!

Who is your favorite producer outside of hiphop?

CURTIS MAYFIELD!!

Drop a jewel for the kid that is trying to make it in the business?

READ MORE BOOKS ON HOW 2 GET IN,STAY IN & PLAY THIS DIRTY GAME CALLED
MUSIC!! GETCHA SMARTS UP ON THE BUSINESS SIDE! ITS MORE BUSINESS THEN
MUSIC!