For those who may not know you, who are you?
Xilla: I am just some old washed-up music dude. [Laughs] People call me Chris, friends call me "Xilla," which is short for Godxilla.
What is the origin of your name?
Xilla: I was a pro wrestler in a backyard federation and my arch enemy's name was King Kong Calon. I was really good on the mic which lead to a bunch of Godxilla references and it just crossed over to music production from there.
How long have you been known as Godxilla?
Xilla: Since about 2002. I was DJ C-Ya first but every time I would say my name, someone would say, "Who?" No one ever asked me a second time when I said Godxilla so I rode with it.
You're a man of many hats. Please inform us of them.
Xilla: Oh man, well, I am a family man first. Then I am the Associate Dean at Madison Media Institute, a recording engineer, an artist manager, and depending on the day of the week, I might be an artist.
Run us through a typical day of yours.
Xilla: I am up at 5:30am. I address my social media accounts and texts then I'm out the door by 6:30 to make it to school by 6:45. I'm usually out of there at 4, get home, hit the studio and get to bed around 10pm. That's the short version and the weekends are all work, be it promotions or the studio.
Describe your history at Madison Media Institute, bringing us to your current position as Associate Dean.
Xilla: I spent my whole life in recording studios and wanted to grow beyond my zenith, so I went to school. I already had twenty years in the game by the time I enrolled. When I graduated, I was hired to teach. I had been on Logic since it was two years old (the old Emagic joint) so it was no big deal. I went from part-time to full-time, from full-time to lead instructor of the recording department, then to Associate Dean.
I say "Associate Dean" and it's a title, but it's like the MVP award in professional sports. I work in admissions, recording, administration and career services. No one else works in four departments and I do it because I am happy there and truly love what I do.
How has your life changed (for the better) since you enrolled at MMI?
Xilla: Music has been good to me, but there was no more challenge in this market in engineering. I mean, studios can be feast or famine and I went for my Associates Degree and in four years, had my Masters. It's crazy because I never considered it. Now as the Associate Dean, I am learning so much about administration that I will have a skill set so far and beyond what I could have learned by just being in a studio. Learning how to run a business will translate anywhere for me.
You mentioned music producer, describe the ingredients of a Godxilla beat. Do you ever sample other works when creating your music?
Xilla: I try not to sample. I played a 3-valve brass in high school and I excelled at sousaphone and baritone, so I have stronger basslines than most and I have good relative pitch. I also make a lot of drum kits, so the drums that I like to have crack like whips.
What kind of advice would you like to offer to music producers?
Xilla: Treat it like a full-time job and you can expect full-time results. If you touch it once a week, then you're a volunteer so expect to be paid like one.
What kind of advice would you like to offer to audio mixing/mastering engineers?
Xilla: Go sit under someone better than yourself. This will help you advance your craft. Experience and techniques are your allies. If you could develop them on your own then someone wouldn't already sound more advanced than you do.
How many artists have you worked with?
Xilla: Hundreds, couldn't count them.
Are there any notable people that you've worked with that you'd care to mention?
Xilla: I liked Lil' Boosie. He was a great humble talent. Rico Wade of Organized Noize and of course Shorty B. Man, those were the days when I was learning from those two guys.
Your album Regular People Rap was recently released. How would you describe your album?
Xilla: Rhymesayers... Macklemore... these guys have everyday themes, you know? But they have underground roots and identities as a genre. On a street level, no one is making street music with common man themes. I have had it with all of the tough guy, dope dealer, and baller records.
I remember when people made rap records that made you laugh and help explain your situations. No one is doing that and I realized that there is a lane for it. I am alone in my category. So Regular People Rap is the album title, but it is also a brand launch. That's why the album cover is the Wisconsin Food Stamp card. It is to be understood by those who identify it.
How many mixtapes/EPs/albums have you released thus far?
Xilla: I've released eleven of my own through my label Ton Of Soul Records. Two of those broke even and one turned a profit. I've released hundreds for other artists as well.
Is there any advice that you'd care to offer to people who aspire to work in the entertainment industry?
Xilla: Learn Microsoft Excel, Math, and read a lot of books and trade journals.
What kind of advice would you like to offer to an artist who is interested in obtaining a Godxilla beat?
Xilla: RapBeatsForFree.com
What inspires you to create music?
Xilla: My soul. I hear the completed production in my head before I touch a key.
What motivates you?
Xilla: The journey motivates me. When Dorothy finally got to the wizard there was nothing more for her to do but click her heels. It's all about the journey.
As an activist within the Madison hip hop community, what do you feel needs to be accomplished in order to move the scene forward?
Xilla: The locals must be taught how to monetize their talents, which they don't know how to do.
Describe a typical day of yours ten years ago.
Xilla: Wake up. Go to the studio. Work all day. Go home. Sleep. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
Speed Round - (Where one word answers are perfectly acceptable)
What's your favorite dish at your favorite restaurant?
Xilla: Shrimp Cocktail at Red Lobster
What's your favorite drink?
Xilla: Hennessy
Do you watch TV? If so, what's your favorite show?
Xilla: Yes. Transformers Prime Beast Hunters
Do you have a favorite movie?
Xilla: Glory with Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman
What was your favorite cartoon growing up?
Xilla: Voltron: Defender of the Universe
Do you have a favorite comic book character?
Xilla: Nah, I never got into comic books.
If you were a superhero, what would your name and powers be?
Xilla: I would be a Super Saiyan. [Laughs]
Name an album that you're ashamed to admit to owning, liking, and listening to.
Xilla: Britney Spears "Circus," the production was nuts.
What's the first thing you'd do if you had the money?
Xilla: Take a day off.
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Lastly, what's something that many people may not know about you?
Xilla: I am really shy and hate rejection so I never ever approach women.
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To hear more from Godxilla, or his work, you can follow this link to stream his new album. You can also find, follow, and tweet Godxilla on Twitter using the widget below.
Tweets by @Godxilla414
Thank you for your time Godxilla, and thank you to my readers.
-QW
For your enjoyment, here is Godxilla's video for "Coffee," the second single off of his new album Regular People Rap, directed by Champ of Kush Entertainment.
