ROX-TV sits down with Flint Town’s Chancellor for an exclusive interview about his music and mission
For people that don’t know, Flint Town is one of the toughest cities in America. That is not a brag or a boast, it is a stone-cold fact. In the eighties, I watched the city burn on Devil’s Night. The tradition might have started in Detroit, but Flint Town lit it up, for many years. The crime and murder rate is staggering and there are so many daily shootings, they go unreported. The crime statistics are so bad that the city of Flint actually stopped reporting the official numbers to the FBI in 2016. You know things are tough when the city stops telling people what is going on. Channel 12 news only wants to talk about the fucking weather and Covid.
Lately, the town has been getting shot up more than the O.K. Coral and bodies continue to pile up from lead and bad dope poisoning. When you’re not dealing with the drugs, guns, shootings, and crime….the fucking water is bad. The people in power have allowed the citizens to literally be poisoned by lead tainted water and the run around over that shit, seems to never end. The crazy thing is that with all the money that General Motors had and the political clout, everything that went into making Flint Town “Vehicle City”, the same powers and money simply poisoned the town, took their ball, and went home.
Today the 810 is hurting and it has been for at least forty years, if not longer (at least in my opinion). The gradual GM pull out, left thousands without work and thousands more who made up the infrastructure to support those workers, out in the cold so to speak. At this point, there are only a couple of real ways to escape the poverty and make it out. Those avenues are music, sports, or to get the hustle going.
In a perfect world, I suppose someone could say “there’s always education” and that statement on face value, could be an option. The problem is that all the fucking schools in Flint are closed. The students have no resources to excel and seem to be almost forgotten in this so called “modern America”. Without the proper tools, no one, I don’t care who they are can just be expected to rise without a helping hand. And there are no hands coming to help Flint rise.
In a city where life can be cheap, death can be around any corner, and the best people can hope for is to get some bottled water and food on the plate, the culture and lifestyle is going to have a direct impact on the music being made there. If you listen closely, you can hear the artists warning people and speaking on the truth of the state of things in Flint Town and elsewhere around the country.
{Chancellor: Well said, great synopsis. Flint is one of those city that’s in need of restoration. However, there’s been a significant change over the last 5 years or so. Businesses are popping up all over the place, thanks to U of M, Kettering University formerly GMI, etc. Our music (all genre’s) is the best way to determine the pulse of the city and it’s people.}
The city is the toughest around and the artists who call the 810 home, make some of the toughest music around. With that little back drop being said, lets get into the action with the homie from Flint, none other than the Chancellor.
Thank you for joining ROX-TV tonight, for all the readers tuning in for the first time, can you let them know who the Chancellor is?
I(Chancellor) a senior state or legal official/the head of the governmentam no more than a voice for the people. I’m qualified through and through being a Flint native. Courtesy of the West Side of town. Always and will forever be a member of the legendary group Team Chaos with partner in rhyme @zodisgood
As with all of my guest, I am always intrigued by the artist’s love of the music. Anyone can like music but it is another game all together for the artist who create the songs and music. If you can, how old where you when you first got into music? And what was the song or group that got you keyed into music as a way of life?
My love affair with hip hop started in the 80s. My Father listened to everything from N.W.A. to Big Daddy Kane. He didn’t realize he was grooming me to be a fan too. Initially I was heavily influenced by Midwest gangsta rap. The Dayton Family, Top Authority and the Godfather of Flint, Michigan rap. Legendary M.C. Breed (Rest in power). 1993 is when I officially started rapping but when I started listening to Wu Tang Clan I became more intrigued with becoming an Emcee. Rapper and Emcee are two different things (I’ll answer that at another time) lol
At what point did you decide to go from just being a fan of music, to an actual creator? (that crucial point where everything changed and you started writing your raps)
Well, it was more like a natural transition from being a fan to an artist. My brother started rapping in 91-92 so I learned a lot from him. He taught me how to write songs and from there I went from just rapping my parts after joining him and his group to developing my own songs; honing my own style.
For people joining us tonight that are new to ROX-TV and to your music, what can you tell them about the type of rap that you create?
I went from a rapper, to an Emcee and now an artist. That’s heavy ain’t lol. I have to be inspired nowadays to write a song and actually record that record. Whether it’s Boom Bap, Trap, G Funk, Double Time (Tongue Twist), Emo or a Strip Club Banger. I pride myself in having a diverse catalog.
Coming up in the 810, how has the wild ride of the last couple of decades in Flint Town affected your music personally?
Welp, I was active duty military for ten years. I’ve been all over the continental. U.S. and Overseas so being cultured only enhanced my music. Relocating back to the state of Michigan in 2016; in Flint going on a year only motivates me to crank out that next record to change the hip hop scene and get Flint the respect it deserves once again.
In your opinion, what is the biggest problem with the music industry at the moment? (indie artists not getting a chance to shine or be heard? radio has its own hierarchy and record labels don’t always shoot straight)
The industry as we once known is dead. The game is wide open, I mean the internet killed the major label. Being indie is where it’s at. Hard work; yes; However, if your business is tight you can’t lose. A 360 deal is the only thing these labels can offer. Who the hell wants to give up their merch, show money and not own their master’s? Especially when it’s you that built your fan base. The only shady thing about the business is the artist from your city, who don’t give back. Not monetary but giving an up and coming artist a look. Post their song, throw’em a bone (verse) for free or pull up at a video shoot off love. I don’t see that in my city unless they’re both already on. That’s disgusting.
The Chancellor is a busy guy. Why don’t you tell the ROX-TV readers about some of your latest music drops and where on social media they can either purchase your music or dig on the sounds? (Instagram, Facebook, whatever)
Definitely a busy guy. Music is my night job amongst other business ventures. I still have a day job (career) lol. Right now I’m pushing a single titled #30NUP It’s available on all digital platforms. I have a plethora of music so if you search Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, etc. For Chancellor, 1343 Entertainment (My Company) you wont be disappointed.
My Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Twitch handle is @Chancellor810 My tik tok is spelled out @ChancellorEightOneZero
I may be dropping a record before the weather breaks, just stayed locked in with me on social media. I let the universe dictate. This year I will be dropping an album titled Bald Head Jada Kiss or B.H.J.K. Tracks Jada and Styles and W.H.Y.O.H. were released in 2020. Available on all digital platforms.
What does the future have in store for the Chancellor in 2021 and beyond? (Any big moves or new you want to tease)
Health, Wealth and I will definitely chart Billboard this year.
What do the citizens of Flint Town need right now, to make them whole, and get things going on the right track to a better existence?
Peace, Love and Unity back in the communities.
When the world starts to open back up, does the Chancellor have any plans for some live shows?
Most definitely going to be working on that façade of my career. I’ll still do an open mic or two but I see my bookings coming from overseas primarily in the near future. Hip Hop is world wide and the fans are truly dedicated to the artist’s movement.
I believe in giving artists a platform to tell the world about their music. Please lists the albums and material you have created and have for sale here my man.
Is the Chancellor going it alone these days or do you associate yourself with any other artists in the city? If so who?
A producer by the name of @MemphRaines he produced the record #MiyRepli a boom Bap banger I plan to continue too collab with the homey, he fam. Depends, @Zodisgood is the general for #TeamChaos. If he calls then it’s “go time” lol. Other than that, who knows. We’ll see ,🤟🏾
I’m from the 90’s and I always loved the shout outs. This is your chance to shout out anyone you want for any reason. Who is the Chancellor shouting out tonight?
I want to take the time to shout out you Mike Shepard and ROX- TV for taking the time out to reach out too me for this interview. Keep doing your thang and stay in contact as will I. Blessings to you my “good man” @kidvicious810
I’d like to thank the Chancellor for sitting down with ROX-TV and chopping it up for the readers tonight. We wish Chancellor the very best going forward and 2021 and advised anyone who is unfamiliar with his music, to go check out. I will always give indie artists a place to showcase their talents and it’s even more special when the artists are from Genesee County, Flint Town, and the 810. Support your local artists and support your local scene.
