Interview With Struggle Da Preacher

Q. You’re the first rapper from Tyumen in Russia, how does that feel and how did that happen?

Actually I’m not the first but one of the first. However I am the first to have collaborated with the majors! If 10 years ago you would tell me i would have a song with the Outlawz i wouldn’t believe it. But i always had big goals and besides that I have my principles that don’t let me go all mainstream or sell myself.

Q. Since becoming an international rapper has there been a growth of hip-hop and rap in Tyumen?

I left Tyumen almost 8 years ago. I can’t say exactly what’s going on there on the rap scene however I’ve noticed that rap and hip hop have changed for the worse globally for the past 6–8 years. And it doesn’t depend on a region.

Q. You’ve worked with several big name rappers without being signed to a major label. How did this come about? How difficult was it for you to make these connections?

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. ( Matthew 7:7)
So I have been doing my best in order to achieve something. I have a clothing line SDP Wear, and i got a design of shirts and hoodies with a quote of mine “OMG — On My Grind, ²⁴⁄₇″. I’m always grinding, that’s the only way you receive something. But yeah having worked with Bizarre D12, Young Noble Outlaw and Yukmouth Luniz means a lot to me for they were my heroes back when I was a teen.

Q. Out of the artist you’ve worked with which has had the biggest influence on you and why?

Hard to say. But i guess Yukmouth and Young Noble. I remember banging that Trilogy CD in 2006 by Thug Lordz, a group of Yukmouth, C‑BO and Spice 1. And I loved every single track on it. It had never happened before with any other CD. But of course Noble is a big influence for he is a part of the legendary Tupac Shakur’s group The Outlawz.

Q. What’s the advantages and disadvantages of being unsigned?

Being unsigned you can’t bank on any one but yourself. You have to be a lyricist, beatmaker, producer, web designer, director, editor etc etc. But that’s when you learn, that’s when you become more skillful and that’s when you can feel how success tastes. But of course being a signed artists releases you from all that stuff. You got any staff member you need for whatever you need.
Q. You’re a co-producer and appeared in the film “Spider Man Death”. What’s the film about?
That’s a story about one’s conscience. What is right, what is wrong? Would be good for you what is good for me? Those kind of questions…

Q. Is film making a dream of yours or something which has naturally come about? Can we expect more films from you?

Most definitely. I got a couple of scripts written. One of them is called Word’s Can’t Describe. A hood drama about loyalty and the way it can ruin you sometimes.
Q. Does the film-making contribute to the production of your music videos or vice-versa?
Well, sort of. I come up with my music videos as if they were small movies. And I’ve been always driven by that. Let’s take my latest videos — All I Got and I Wanna Get It Badly, they are one story divided into two music videos and they have their own characters. I love film-making!

Q. Your project “Ups ‘n’ Downs” has come out. What does ‘Ups ‘n’ Downs” mean and what does the project mean?

Ups’n’Downs is simple our rises and falls. Back in 2008 when i came up with the name for the album I thought it would be a double CD, one would represent Ups and the other Downs. It took me 6 years to come up with it, but I’m glad I took that much time so I was confident that the album is exactly what I want to hear!

Q. What are you looking to do with the project? Videos? Tour?

There are videos for 3 songs from the album are out on VEVO and yes i’d love to make a video for almost every song off the album. In October I’ll be thinking on a tour which would include the US too.

Q. Who are your top 5 rappers?

I don’t have tops or favorites but if you want me to bring you names they would be DMX, Mr. Criminal, The Outlawz, Yukmouth and Styles P or Jadakiss.

Q. What’s next from Struggle Da Preacher?

My Book. The Book Of Experience with lots of quotes and my story. Highly recommended to everyone!