I love Arizona.
My paternal side of the family is from Tucson and we’d regularly take trips there as kids.
Yep, that’s 7 hours on the I-10E.
Pro Tip: playing “concentration” for 7 hours can levy an unexpected toll on a young psyche.
Years later, when I got around to murdering mics, I connected with a crew of hip hop artists out of Yuma whose passion for the culture created a regional hip hop outpost where some of the biggest names in indie hip hop rolled through to perform. And at the same time, they developed a cohort of talented emcees and producers. One of my favorite is Legal Alien.
The homie could rhyme, sing, produce and operate heavy machinery. Enjoy this Hip Hop Pops.
1. What’s your first hip hop memory?
Two memories come to mind, “Vapors & You got what I nNeed” by Biz Markie in 88-89 on the radio, back when I lived in Watts, Los Angeles CA.
I remember really liking it a lot, as I sang “YOU… YOU GOT WHAT I NEEEED” at the top of my lungs.
The other was the intro to “Prince of Bel-Air” haha. I was always used to listening to Oldies from artist like Mary Wells, Smokey Robinson, The Delfonics, The Isley Brothers and more. This was all because of my older siblings though. That’s what they were listening to in the 80’s, & I didn’t have much control of what was going to be played at home.
2. What was your parents’ relationship with hip hop? Did they think it was cool? Dangerous?
My parents definitely didn’t think it was cool. I remember my dad always yelling out “apagen ese ruidajo” (turn off that loud noise). Specially when Rob Base & DJ EZ rock “It takes two” would come on.
3. What are you kids names? What’s the significance?
My kids names, from oldest to youngest…Isaac Anthony Lopez- age: 14. Our firstborn..”he will laugh, he will rejoice” he was the coolest kid I knew at the time.
Eden Daniella Lopez- age: 7. Delight & paradise. And she really is! She’s hilarious, but at the same time very dramatic.
Hadessa Mia Lopez- age: 4. Named after Queen Esther, her people’s savior! We just spelled it a little different. She’s also a very dope freestyle rapper. No joke!
Navi Grace Lopez- age: 1. Navi translates to prophet “Fundamentally, someone who God reveals his secrets to”. And Grace, well…we all need that everyday
4. Do you have any songs that address the issue of fatherhood?
Not specifically about “fatherhood” but,I wrote a song a few years back called “Prettiest” to a J Dilla beat called, “Life”. The original song features Proof of D12 (rip). This is a song about my daughters Eden & Hadessa.
5. If you could give your kids only one hip hop album, which would it be? Why?
Oh man, this one is tough. Hmmmm…I would say it would have to be between an OutKast album like “Atliens or Aquemini” and Gangstar’s “Moment of truth”. OutKast, because that’s always been my favorite 2 man hip hop group, they have that funky, fresh style that no one can replicate and mad BARS! Gangstar, because it’s OG & I loved the way Guru used hip hop to teach & make minds grow.
7. How do you teach your kids about creativity?
I always tell my kids to draw, paint, write (even though some are just learning) but more importantly, READ! Reading makes you think, it expands your thoughts, it helps you understand better! Whether it’s books, articles or blogs, just read something. (I like audio books lol)
8. Which TV character did you have a crush on growing up?
This one was pretty easy, haha. DJ from Full House was a big influence in my taste in women. She was the main reason why I fell in love with white girls lololololol 9. Big Daddy Kane or Ol Dirty Bastard?I would have to go with BDK, just because he was always lyrical and one of the OG battle rappers. I’ve always loved the battling aspect of hip hop. I got love for ODB as well tho, WUTANG IS FOREVER!
10. Whose your favorite TV dad?
Uncle Phil man…he made me laugh & cry multiple times. He was the man that Will needed on the fresh prince show, that spoke volumes to me growing up. I had an uncle that would show me love like that. Shout out to my Tio Cecilio, my momma’s brother. I haven’t seen him in a minute.
Listen to Legal Alien’s latest release, Old Dog, Young Cats, below. And catch him on the gram, here.
Check out my other Hip Hop Pops interviews with Apakalips, Propaganda, Judah 1, Red Cloud , Elias, Bess Kepp and Shames Worthy.