ROX-TV’s “Artist 5 Series” is back with an exclusive interview with IDZILLEAGLE
Welcome back to the “Artist 5” series on ROX-TV. Tonight we have a special guest with us from the Murder Mitten. That’s right, none other than the dope artist IDZILLEAGLE. At ROX-TV we celebrate all aspects of the underground industry and that includes the dope artists that create the cover art for our favorite albums as well as the merchandise. Our guest tonight has done some amazing things for people in the industry, and we are happy that he’s taken some time out of his busy schedule to chop it up with the ROX-TV readers tonight. So without further to do…. let’s get to it….
Before we get started IDZILLEAGLE, please let the readers know what area and city your repping tonight?
Southeast MI, Wayne county, Detroit
Obviously, art is an important factor is your life and has allowed you to do some amazing things. Before the “business” side of things took off, can you tell the readers how exactly it was that you got interested in art to begin with? Age?
I was always drawing. Specifically, I remember I was in 1st grade. My biological father was in prison. He would mail letters to me. They had drawings on them. It was then that I remember having my first big epiphany or “aha” moment. I said to myself, “If my Dad can draw like that, then that means I can too.” Practiced ever since.
As you developed your artwork, how long did it take before you were inspired to want to “create” for not only your own enjoyment, but actually creating pieces for others?
The influence of the wicket shit/acid rap had over me. RLP and Psychopathic stood out, they are extremely unique and creative. I’m inspired by creative people. Plus I love dark art and horror too.
I understand that you’ve done work for the Godfather of Acid Rap and the Wicket Shit in Detroit, none other than ESHAM THE UNHOLY. How did that all come about, and can you tell the readers a little bit about what you created for him?
I attended Schoolcraft community college in Livonia, Michigan. There I studied graphic design and motion graphics. It was where I received two associate degrees. I would use Esham’s music when making certain projects. I made an amateur music video to his song devil’s night, and I made a motion graphics animation to the intro song, what is evil, off of his album “kill the fetus”. I went to his “A1 Yola” record release party in Detroit at the I Rock. There I handed him a couple of DVDs which contained some of my college projects. I explained to him what they were and who I was and a few months later he got back with me. it was then that I did my first official graphic design job for somebody and so I did the insert art on his album, “sacrificial lambs”. I also spray painted a giant sacrificial lambs banner for when he went on tour. After that, I have done numerous art projects here and there for him, and also, I’ve done art for Mastermind as well as a whole bunch of other amazing underground artists over the years.
As underground artists became familiar with your work, obviously your network expanded, and other albums and designs were requested and created. Who are some of the artists that you’ve been able to create your amazing graphics for? How did these opportunities come about?
Most opportunities started from me getting up off of my ass and going to shows and networking with people, putting myself out there. I’ve done art for so many people like Daniel Dahmer, Mastamind, Esham, Tre Lb, Skitzo, Teddy Bass, House of Frankenstein, Dice, killaz don’t talk, Mad Butcher, Smokin Joe, Ajax, Brimstone lab, Swing Dee Diablo, HB the Grizzly, Dh Butter, Ess man, Chop Block tv, ROX-TV, Mackdanger, Shock & Dash, JT Blaze, Tommy James, Konspiracy Kamp, D Menace, Bigg D, Cumdaddies, and I apologize I know I’m forgetting a few more too. I’ve also gained clients via making music now too. I do art covers for a lot of my songs and features.
For younger readers out there or anyone interested in getting into the “artwork” side of the game, what is some good advice you can offer to those just starting out? What to do? What not to do?
Always take a deposit before doing any work for cash, unless you are fully confident, you’ll get paid. If you don’t love what you’re doing, it could be easy to get burned out. If you’re only focus is money, this may not be the job for you unless you’re doing big corporate advertising. However that art creation process is very boring. Follow your gut/intuition.
Besides the art side of things, I’ve been told that have been dabbling in the rap game as well. What can you tell the readers about that?
Two and a half years ago on the 17th anniversary of my mother’s death I arrived at the studio with Trey Pound and the power was out. We went somewhere in Detroit and I recorded my first song. So when I first started rapping, I was inspired to do so because I had a message to get out that nobody else touched upon in any genre. And that is the fraud of the entire legal system, right to the core of the issue. I made an album, free on YouTube and bandcamp, (www.unitedchildrenofcreation.bandcamp.com) free, no charge. Art cover for every song and my first feature on that album is Esham’s brother, Dead Boy James Smith. The whole album is the same message told different ways. And then after that the last year-and-a-half, I’ve been making dark rap music and other collabs and features with different types of songs/styles too. And this last 6 months I’ve been making beats as well and learning that. Also, I’ve learned how to record and mix my own vocals. I love creating, whether it be art, music, beats, writing, animation or decoding the matrix.
I was lucky enough to run into you the other day at the studio, while speaking with Tre LB about some upcoming projects. Can you tell the readers what a typical day in the life of IDZILLEAGLE looks like?
My life is ever evolving and ever-changing. But currently, a typical day is my shitty 9-5… lol. Then I spend as much of my free time as possible on people’s art cover requests, my art projects, beat making, songwriting, song recording, you name it. I’m currently learning a new animation program and will be making animations. I’ve already made one music video animation to one of my songs, “pugilistic stance”, on my “Ghost of Detroit Underground” YouTube channel. I have a wife and two kids as well. I’m always busy. I don’t like to take time for granted. Life is short.
Are you currently working on any projects that you’d like to share with the fans? Perhaps some new artwork or other action in the works?
My latest album dropped March 31st 2021, called SinAesthetix, and earlier in March I dropped an album, “87 BPM” ,as well as three or four singles. I’m releasing music under Adhoksaja records with Teddy bass, he produces all of the House of Frankenstein albums with Mastermind. I’m not sure what the future holds but I’m sure more music will be made.
What does the rest of 2021 and beyond look like for you? Are there any artists that you’d like to collab with that are out there right now? Who and Why?
Hard to say specifically who I would like to collab with because the list could go on forever really. There’s so much talent and so many people I’m inspired by. I would like to do something with an underground rapper named Jakprogresso possibly. his craft is dope, I recommend checking his stuff out.
Shout outs. This is the spot for those shout outs to the people that matter to you. Let them fly…….
Thanks to anyone and everyone who has ever supported me in any way. I thank all who’ve inspired me along my path as well. It’s been a crazy ride, this thing called life. Thanx to my real family, the entire Underground scene, not just rap/hip-hop either. Mostly, thanx to God or whatever word spell better suits you. Much love, cheers, and much thanks ROX-TV.
Thanks for speaking with ROX-TV tonight. I appreciate you taking time out of your busy day to speak with us. We hope you come back again soon and let us know how things are going. Until we rap again homie…..
Signing Off,
Mike Shepard
ROX-TV Head Writer
kidvicious810 on IG
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