Every city and area has their staples and leaders in their music scene. These are people who help to uplift and to expand the art in their areas. They are the ones who are out pushing music, creating new trends, and setting the example for all the artists that come after them. That is the perfect description for Phat Ass Records artist Cheto. You would be hard pressed to speak with someone who really follows 509 Hip Hop and have them not know who Cheto is. From energetic stage presence, real life experiences told in his music, to being able to rock the crowd DJ’ing events Cheto has helped to set the standard of what being a artist in this area is all about.
Cheto’s latest release “Hood Harmony” follows those trend setting standards giving the audiences the mix of West Coast rhythms with the real life lyrics that people have come to expect from this Moses Lake emcee. One of the stand out tracks on the album is “55 Bars” where Cheto delivers lyrical real life music over melodic strings and driving drums. The album is filled with stand out tracks including “Life” and “Hood Harmony” that give the audience a glimpse of the mind of Cheto while at the same time being lyrical and catchy. On 9/11 Cheto gets laces a track with political commentary that influences and inspires others to be more involved and educated on what is really going on in the world. To me the stand out track on the album is Vital Signs that almost paints a movie of a young mans life and growing up through the hardships they endure.
All and All “Hood Harmony” is a must have for any fan of Hip Hop and a great next step for the emcee. We caught up Cheto and asked him a few questions about Hip Hop, The Album, Influences, and Whats Next:
The Shanty: You’ve been a staple in 509 Hip Hop for awhile. How did you get into the art?
Cheto: I was always at after hours parties playing music. Started DJing a little and there was always a freestyle circle. A few homies talked me into jumping in and spitting. Been at it since. That was back in 96 recorded 1st track withe homie scooby in “97”
The Shanty: What lead you to decide to pt out the new album “Hood Harmony”
Cheto: Hood Harmony was my 1st solo project. I got done about a year or so ago, but just recently got the inserts in and packaged
The Shanty: The album has a very honest “real life” feel to it. Did you do that intentionally or is that kind of how you always write
Cheto: That;s just how I write. We got a motto ” Realm people making real music” and I stick by it. I will never run out of material writing about life’s experiences.
The Shanty: The song “9/11” has a very political feel. What led you to want to write a song tackling these issues
Cheto: 9/11 was actually written and recorded on July 4th night back in “06” with my lil cuz. The track was inspired by the holiday itself and the fact that 9/11 was still fairly fresh on the mind
The Shanty: “Vital Signs” is a great song. It takes us on a deep journey thorugh a young mans life. What was the inspiration for this track. Did it come from personal experiences
Cheto: Vital Signs is 90% personal experience. i had to add a little to keep the story going. This was one of the tracks that took me next to nothing to write. Once I started it was a wrap.
The Shanty: What is your favorite song on the album
Cheto: Favorite track on the album huh…. I’d have to say “55 Bars” probably. It was crazy to record having 3 pieces of paper taped together, lol. I recorded it in the morning of new years day “08” or “09”, somewhere in there, still buzzed from the night before.
The Shanty: How did Phatass Records come about
Cheto: Phatass Records was started by the homie Thick Rick, Surreal and myself back in “02”, and now it’s bigger than me, Jdown, and Think. A group of friends with the same goals!! Getting PAID!!! It’s a Phat Ass Family
The Shanty: What are your inspirations in music and who are you listening to now
Cheto: Life itself is a major influence. I grew up bumpin Bone, Nate Dogg, Snoop, PAC, Celly Cell, CBO, Lynch, Xrided. Bone and Nate Dogg def influenced the whole harmony and spitting I do. I was listening to the Gonito L.P shits dope!! That new Twisted Insane “Root Of All Evil” is hella tight. Other ten that I havne’t been keeping up on the industry music. I’ve been slapping that Shanty Radio. All local ish, some Firing Squad, Dead Poets, Verbal Ammunition, C.Ray, Dead Rabbits, young Dom, MD 20/20 there is way to many to list, all that WA music
The Shanty: What is next for Cheto and Phatass Records as a whole
Cheto: What’s next for myself and Phatass Records. Bigger and better things. Stay hard at work, keep grinding, all for for 2k12! Were gonna hit a 6 state 2 month long tour in April with the Firing Squad, NM, AZ, CA OR, MT, ID and then WA to finish. It’s game time!!
For more information on Cheto and Phatass Records check out
http://facebook.com/Cheto509
cheto509@live.com
Moses Phatass Lake on Facebook
