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L.S. - New York State of Mind Print E-mail
Written by FD4PREZ   
February 20, 2008
L.S., who up until a few months ago was best known for taking a bullet in a New York night club involving Jin, talks with us about his most controversial move to date: his song "Still a Chink"

l_c0d47efe76271bff163ba08aa2740eb0.jpgAZNRaps - What up L.S., the last time we heard from you was when you dropped "Still a Chink" featuring like five other rappers.  How you been doing since then?

L.S. - I'm good, man. Really just getting things in my personal life in order and making sure my fam is good. I've overcome alot of adversity in the last few years, and I'm just looking forward to continuing on with my music career.

AZNRaps - You know, that song had a more aggressive message from all the artists on there.  What made you feel like you had to put that song together?

L.S. - The original track had a more gangster feel to it and it was only me on it, but as I listened to the song and what I was trying to get across as being “Still a Chink”, I realized that I can make a more political statement with it where I can bring up stereotypes amongst other things, and I can bring other artists along with me that feel the same way. You see I’ve been all about “The Movement” since day one and seeing us rise to the top, unlike other artists who only talk about it but are only bout themselves. I felt I had to put a song like this out there to unite us. It’s like I said at the end of my verse “We either Rise Together or we’re all gonna fall down”. Everyone did their thing on this track and really stuck to the topic and I’m proud of that. I’m glad that we can all come together on this one.

AZNRaps - You can say that the term "chink" in the song is used with a negative assumption like how the "N" word is used in alot of rap songs.  Is that what you meant to do?  What's your thoughts on the whole meaning behind the term "chink" in your own words.

L.S. - For as far back as I could remember I’ve been called a chink by ignorant people.

The word “Chink” has always been used to degrade, and discriminate us and I used to fight the first person that called me it.

The word “Chink” has always been used to degrade, and discriminate us and I used to fight the first person that called me it. I’m sure whether your Chinese, Korean, Viet, etc as long as you looked Asian, you’ve been called a chink before. I take great pride in being Chinese-American. My Grandfather came here in the 1920’s and was drafted into the U.S. Army to fight in WWII and my Father fought for the U.S. Army in Vietnam, so I’m as much as an American as the ones that were calling me a chink. In this song I’m not trying to say its ok for us to call each other that, I’m trying to tell the ones that let that word bother them to look past that word, have pride in who you are, and keep doing what their doing. You see we could be a rapper, an actor, a doctor a lawyer, whatever the case, I’m everything they wanted to be, but in their eyes I’m still a chink… So I’ll be that chink and keep doing what I’m doing, I’ll never let that word hold me down.

AZNRaps - What kind of reaction did you get from the public after putting out that song?

L.S. - Honestly, it's been a lot of mixed feelings towards it. I've had people telling me it was the new "Asian anthem" and some telling me that it is offensive and disrespectful. I just want everyone one to know that it is a song meant to destroy stereotypes and for Asians to be proud of who they are. My fans know who I am and what I represent.

AZNRaps -  Was it the reaction you were looking for?

L.S. - I mean, I definitely knew it was going to have people talking, but my only reason for making the song was the to express the way I feel. People gotta know that this rap thing isn't paying all my bills, and there is no glamour in doing this. My music is 100% a reflection of who I am.

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AZNRaps -  Your best known for taking a bullet for Jin a few yearsback in New York.  Today, how's that relationship between you guys like?

L.S. - Jin’s just been so busy with his career, so we definitely don’t talk much and hang as much anymore but we cool. I'm really just focused on solidifying my spot right now. Matter of fact, I just saw Jin in Chinatown with his family during Chinese New Year. It's nothing but love.  I also want to send my condolences to his uncle who just past away.

AZNRaps - You used to be one of a few Asian cats that were really putting in work out in the East.. now, a few more have popped up like Shogunna and ROOK.  What's your feelings about them, and other artists out there?

L.S. - It's all just a mutual respect thing. Real recognize real; Shogunna is from Queens, Chan from Jersey, and Rook, who's from Chicago, has always kept it real since day one . Once we were  all able to connect, yall  seen and heard what the outcome was... beautiful music. I'm just happy I'm able to work with talented artists and push this thing as far as we can take it. Shout out to everyone on that track.

AZNRaps -  It seems to be off and on with your music...like, you pop out with a new track, and then disappear for a bit, then come back with something new.  Do you have clear goals with your career, yet?  Or are you playing it by ear and seeing what comes along?

L.S. - I'm always writing and working on new material, but also I have to deal with the realities of life. "Cash Rules Everything Around Me". A lot of people also might not know that I've been through my share of shady industry people. I've had managers in the past who've really fucked me financially and musically.

I have a bunch of unreleased material that is just sitting there. I'm just looking for the right channel to distribute it too.

I have a bunch of unreleased material that is just sitting there. I'm just looking for the right channel to distribute it too.

AZNRaps - Is there any track you got coming out that we should be looking out for?

L.S. - I got my first full length mixtape on the way, which is way overdue. It will be a collection of the new and old, so yall can see where I've been in my career already. Big ups to everyone that has helped along the way.  The entire Brother's Keeper movement for holding me down. Yall can watch what I'm about to do next. Thank you for the continued support to all my fans! Shout to FD and Aznraps!

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For more information on L.S., visit his MySpace at: http://www.myspace.com/lsny1





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Comments (1)
1. Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it on 13-05-2008 17:24 - Guest
 
 
You said you a gangster but you neva pop nothin I said you a wankster and you need to stop frontin You never hustle and you ain't got nothin, but your daddy yo. you fuckin snitch ass niggah! next time a niggah pop you, they will sure its a head shot!
 

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