Bishop Lamont:
Just work and more work, man. We finally started DETOX and just trying to make it one of the greatest albums ever. Plus we’re working on my album, The Reformation.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Tell us a little about your childhood, and where you grew up.

Bishop Lamont:
I was born in Inglewood, moved to South Central, from there to Buena Park, Moreno valley then Compton, and finally Carson. Growing up I was just the regular fuck up, man… getting drunk, ditching school, free styling and just having fun, ha-ha.

Aftermathmusic.com:
So were times tough growing up in Carson, California?

Bishop Lamont:
It was no tougher than anywhere else in the world, you know? The usual things that a young man goes through.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Since the times of NWA and Ice Tee L.A. has become notorious for having real life “gang wars” as well as controversial music that narrates that lifestyle. Do these things still have a major impact in that part of California?

Bishop Lamont:
That’s going to go on forever, but it’s not the focal point of West Coast Hip Hop.

Aftermathmusic.com:
At what age did you start rapping?

Bishop Lamont:
Thirteen

Aftermathmusic.com:
Who were your biggest influences that helped you pursue Hip Hop music?

Bishop Lamont:
Ah man there’s too many! Too Short, Rakim, NWA, Stetsa-sonics, Poor Righteous Teachers, King-tee, X-Clan, Public Enemy, The roots, MC Lyte, Big Daddy Kane, MC Eiht, DJ Quik, Above The Law, The Dogg Pound, Warren G, Threat, D.O.C, Rass Kass, Artifacts, Redman, Boogie Monsters, Camp Low, Digable Planets, Gang Starr, Snoop, Kurupt, Rage, Nas, Biggie, Big L, The lost Boyz, Jay-z, Organized Konfusion, Krs-one, Das Efx, Special Ed, Black Moon, Smif-n-wessin, the whole boot camp click, Lords of the underground, The bush Ba-bees, The Pharcyde, The Alkaholiks, Kardinal official, Choclair, just the whole t-dot- o movement, Black milk, Ohno, Roc-c, Madlib, the whole o-x, Tahlib Kweli, Mos Def, Souls of mischief , Wu-tang, E-40, Jeru The Damaga, Tupac, Slum Village, Naughty By Nature, Treklife, Busta Rhymes, De La Soul, Kwame, Kmd, Epmd, Kam, Keith Murray, The Umc’s, Common, The Fugees, the Outsiderz, Queen Latifah, Lin-q, Bahamadia, Royce da 5’9, Digital underground, A Tribe Called Quest… you name it! Ha-ha

Aftermathmusic.com:
A few years ago you would have people say that the West coast Hip Hop scene was no longer in its prime. How do you respond to this type of statement?

Bishop Lamont:
From the outside looking in it would seem that way from a commercial point of view. But on the underground scene, there were so many cats taken Hip Hop music to another level, and still are.

Aftermathmusic.com:
There was a West coast peace summit held not too long ago that helped reunite The Dogg Pound and such. Do you feel that this summit will play a hopeful role in uniting the West coast?

Bishop Lamont:
It was great for MC’s who have a past history with each other to squash their beefs, but all the new cats don’t have any beef. We all know each other so we’re doing it like the South, feel me?

Aftermathmusic.com:
Your label-mate The Game is one of Hip Hop’s hottest new stars, and has released one of last year’s best albums: “The Documentary”. How do you feel about The Game’s recent role in putting the West back on the map?

Bishop Lamont:
Totally! It was very important bringing the mainstream attention back over here. Hate It or love it, you can’t deny what he did with his debut. In a sense, he was like the Trojan horse for us cats… opening doors for us cats.

Aftermathmusic.com:
You are now signed to Hip Hop’s reigning label, Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment. A label that includes stars like Eminem, Busta Rhymes, Eve, 50 Cent, The Game along with new comers Stat Quo and G.A.G.E. How does it feel to be a part of such a successful and strong family?

Bishop Lamont:
It’s a blessing, man! With so many legendary dudes, I’m like what can I do that hasn’t been done? How can I leave my mark?

Aftermathmusic.com:
What was the process of you signing with Dre? How did it happen?

Bishop Lamont:
It’s like a fucking movie, man ha-ha. I had my mix-tape “Who I Gotta Kill to Get a Record Deal” and my boy Floyd got the tape to Kanye West and Common. Kanye loved it and Common gave me his blessings so they tried to hook it up with Kanye. Game was doing the video for “Dreams” so my boy Glasses helped get me and my boy DJ Rampage on to the video shoot, but it turns out Kanye cancelled and didn’t show. I’m burnt from being down there for like eight hours, demo in pocket, and now no Kanye. Next thing I know who’s stepping out of a trailer but the good doc himself. I’m thinking like, fuck it I got to make all the risks we took to get in here and time count. So I ask my boy Delaney to introduce me to Dre. Delaney goes above beyond and says to Dre this is Bishop Lamont the next big thing coming out the west, I’m like damn that’s a lot on it, but fuck it, ha-ha-ha. Dre gives me the once over and says u got some hot shit? I’m like I think it’s hot. He asks for a CD. I had given my last new CD of material to Delaney. Without blinking Delaney gives Dre the CD I had given him. Dre looked at me and said he was going to blast it in his car right away on his way home to “wifey”. I was like yeah right, he’ll probably throw it out the window, ha-ha… but sure enough he was on power 106 a few weeks later for his birthday saying he was interested in working with me.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Dr. Dre is known throughout the world to be a perfectionist. That often requires more hard work than artists can expect. Is the chemistry you both share in the studio what you envisioned?

Bishop Lamont:
Yes & No… actually, it’s even better than I imagined. See he’s a perfectionist and so am I, we’re both sickos, man. It’s about grooving ‘till its right, whether it’s one take or 2 million takes, and having fun. We’re studio rats, man.

Aftermathmusic.com:
For most, it’s a dream come true to be signed with Hip Hop’s greatest producer. Especially for someone like yourself who comes from the West and seeing what Dre accomplished with music giants such as Snoop Dogg and Eminem. Do you feel a lot of pressure to live up to the expectations of being Dre’s protégé?

Bishop Lamont:
Nope. It’s simply the expectations I place on myself.

Aftermathmusic.com:
What can you tell us about some possible mix-tapes you would like people to hear? Anything fans can expect before your album drops?

Bishop Lamont:
We got “Return of the Purple Tape” hosted by Raekwon & RZA coming up. It’ll have that ’92-’93 sound; you know… that raw dirty shit. It’s just a matter of every ones schedule! We got “Yellow Hot & Steamy (Pissing on the Industry)” with Glasses Malone & Mykestro, and we’re basically going to be pissing on the industry, ha-ha. And off course I’m putting out “Who I got to Kill to get a Record Deal, vol. 2”.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Who are some of the artists you would really like to work with in the near future? There are many hungry fans who would love to see a Bishop Lamont & Eminem track.

Bishop Lamont:
Me too! Ha-ha… hopefully because I’ve always been a big fan of Em. Aside from Dre, Warren G. & Busta… I’d like to work with Jonathan from Korn. He’s a beast so we definitely going to get some shit done. Mike Shinoda, Chris Martin from ‘Cold Play’, Bilal, Andre 3000, A lot of new artists and producers like Jake one, RJ Rice from the slum, Lt Moe, Thayod, Karnov, Diverse from Carson, Chevy Jones, Mike Anthony, Bokey, Indef, Reality, Blaq-thoven, Jelly roll, Da Riffs, and my boy J wells, The White Stripes… man its so many cats… especially on the alternative side.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Fans are eagerly anticipating your Aftermath debut. What can you tell us about your album, and how it’s coming along?

Bishop Lamont:
Be patient because it’ll be well worth the wait because we’re doing DETOX and my album simultaneously. It’s like fine wine; ha-ha… it’s going to be crazy! It’s about rebellion, revolution, the positive and negative things in life and organized chaos.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Dr. Dre’s final solo album ‘DETOX’ is easily one of the most anticipated albums of the decade. Have you been fortunate enough to record any vocals for that project?

Bishop Lamont:
Yeah we’ve been working on the intro Record and a few other joints for Dre. We’re just getting started.

Aftermathmusic.com:
How is ‘DETOX’ coming along? Has Dre let you hear some of what he’s done, or is it heavily guarded under lock and key?

Bishop Lamont:
It’s heavily guarded, but at the same time he’ll play some beats for me that he has ideas for. But it’s like area 51 over there, ha-ha.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Members of the Aftermath/Interscope staff have previously expressed the possibility of a big Aftermath tour after ‘DETOX’ is finally released. Perhaps something even bigger than the acclaimed “Up In Smoke Tour”. If it happens, how excited would you be to participate and perform in front of so many screaming fans?

Bishop Lamont:
That pretty self-explanatory… it would be the biggest honor.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Will you be appearing on any of your other label-mates upcoming LPs?

Bishop Lamont:
Besides DETOX? Who knows? Time will tell.

Aftermathmusic.com:
What kind of message do you hope to deliver through your music in the future?

Bishop Lamont:
Give people the truth on both sides of the fence and just have fun with it.

Aftermathmusic.com:
What’s the atmosphere like at Aftermath? Such as hanging out with your label-mates in and out of the studio?

Bishop Lamont:
For the most part I really don’t see the other cats except for Dre, Busta and Stat. See me and Stat go to the gym and the sand dunes a lot, so I see a lot of him and I got Busta on the pull-ups, ha-ha. I’m going to get Dre on the pull-ups, too… watch.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Is there anything you would like to say to the fans reading this interview?

Bishop Lamont:
I appreciate all the love, just look forward to great things and keep supporting Aftermath, and any mutahfuckas out there signed or unsigned making some real ill original hip hop shit! Just have fun with it because it’s just going to keep getting better and better!

Bishop, we thank you again for your time. We hope to keep in touch with you and we anticipate your forthcoming musical story. Greetings to the Shady/Aftermath family from www.Aftermathmusic.com!