Where'd you get the name Side Effect from

It's just a name I made up when I was younger because at the time, everybody was MC this or MC that, so I wanted to come up with something original that stood out. So I came up with Side Effect and I just never changed it. It has no deep significant meaning behind it, it's just a name. Sometimes I refer to myself as Woods in my songs as a aka, because that's my real last name.

"Dirt Hustlin" is a much more mature album from top to bottom. How did your state of mind differ from the days of "The Rocking Chair Theory" and "Underground Concoction" to the recording of the new album?

With Rocking Chair Theory and Underground Concoction, I feel I was more of a punchline rapper and I was still getting comfortable with myself as an emcee. I was still focusing on shock value at the time because I think I was still heavily influenced by Eminem. The Rocking Chair Theory album was more of a collection of songs that Stress and I recorded together from the time we met each other up to the present. On Dirt Hustlin' I feel I'm a little older and wiser, so that comes out in my lyrics, and I have a better idea of what kind of beats I sound best over. Dirt Hustlin' also has various producers on it which I think adds alot of color to it.

Did you try shopping "Dirt Hustlin" around to labels before opting to DIY? And how was the process of building an album from the ground up? Did you have any outside help? And will Whitmore Skillz be doing anything in the future?

I didn't try to shop Dirt Hustlin' to any labels because I was so anxious to have some new material out, and I didn't want to have to wait on anybody else. Putting the album together myself was a very tedious process because I got all the artwork, mastering, and manufacturing done myself. It was time consuming, but I feel it was definitely worth it in the end. The only outside help I had was from the producers contributing and helping mix their beats and my friend Deesha taking the pictures for me, I did the rest. I'm not sure if I will use the name Whitmore Skillz as a means to put out my music again. It's basically the name of my publishing. If I don't have an avenue to put my music out with anyone else, at least I know I can always do it myself through Whitmore Skillz Music.

If a major got in touch about signing you but they tell you they would have the ultimate say in the artistic direction would you;
A) Say fuck you and hang up.
B) For how much?
C) Be polite and tell them no.

I'd probably check it out and see what they had to offer and weigh my options. Ultimately I'd be interested in a distribution deal, or some type of 50/50 deal, not a straight up artist deal. I would also want to retain rights to my masters, so if that's not possible I'll just stay independent.

Will you be doing anything with Krush Unit in the future?

Yes, my next album will be coming out on Krush Unit if everything goes according to plan, so lookout for that.

What are some of Side Effect's musical guilty pleasures

I listen to alot of hip hop and old school soul and R&B, that's basically all I listen to on a daily. But I can appreciate all kinds of music. Right now I'm into, Brother Ali, Ghostface, Jeezy, Nas, Masta Ace, J Dilla, Ed OG, IceCube, Jay Z, Jadakiss, Beanie Sigel, Little Brother, Murs. On the R&B side I like some Earth, Wind and Fire, Marvin Gay, Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Teena Marie, Teddy Pendergrass, the O'jays, Frankie Beverly and Maze....just classic shit.

Which comes first, the beat or rhymes?

Usually the beat, I never write without beats. When I first started rapping I could write without beats, but not anymore. I can jot down a couple lines here and there while listening to another rap song, but never a whole verse. When I get beat Cd's, I usually vibe to them for a couple days before ideas start coming. I'm a piece artist, meaning I usually just piece lines together that I've been collecting on scraps of paper. I rarely write something from scratch, it usually contains lines I've already written weeks before, but just couldn't place at the time.

Since a lot of kids tend to neglect the classics, give the younger audience a history lesson; what are some artist and albums you suggest kids should check out?

Some good gems are:
Public Enemy--It Takes a Nation of Millions
IceCube--Amerikkkas Most Wanted
Big Daddy Kane--Long Live the Kane
Boogie Down Productions--Criminal Minded
Eric B. & Rakim--Paid in Full
Slick Rick--The Great Adventures of Slick Rick
NWA--Straight Outta Compton
Kool G. Rap & DJ Polo--Road to the Riches
There's plenty more but that should be a good place to start.

When did you realize you wanted to make a name for yourself in the hip hop community

Actually it's been a dream of mine ever since I was about 13 or 14. I was doing my thing in Philly in the early 90's with my group II Scandalous. But in 2003 is when I can honestly say I've been putting all my effort in as far as releasing albums and performing and having people take notice to my work. I think the internet has played a big part in helping me get my name out their, because now I can reach people I never could of in the early 90's.

Would you say the Philly hip hop scene is united or divided? And what are some homegrown artists that people need to put their ears out for?

There is a little unification here and there but not much. It's not as strong as it is in the south. It's very cliquish here. You rarely see the more traditional hip hop artists running in the same circles as the street/DVD artists and vice versa. I don't know if it has to do with artists not feeling what the other is rapping about or what. I try to listen to everybody from all over whether they're talking about guns and drugs, or DJing and breaking. It's all hip hop, just different interpretations and I respect it for what it is. I don't like all of it though.
Some cats you need to check out for that I like are Viro the Virus, Thee Phantom, Jake Lefco, CAEN Project, Reef, Adam 12, M.Ski, SubHoodz, there's so many talented cats in this area that I can't name them all.

I was just listening to the Status Flo:2 Mixtape and I remembered how banging the Cauze and Effect-"Mission Statement" track was. I know by now you and Reef are probably fed up with hearing this question but I must ask, will the world ever have the pleasure of hearing that album?

Hopefully one day. Reef and I haven't talked about it in a long time. I'm not sure if he still wants to do it or not, but I'm still down. I know he's busy working on his next album, and I'm working on mine. I think it would be hotter if we wait a little longer where we both have bigger fanbases, that way alot more people will want to hear it and it can be more successful.

Where can philly people purchase "Dirt Hustlin" (Cue Records, Armando Records,etc,.) at?

They can purchase "Dirt Hustlin" online at www.sideeffectonline.com , www.myspace.com/sideeffect88 , www.cdbaby.com , www.ughh.com , or you can download the album on www.itunes.com . If you don't do the whole online thing you can buy it at "Side Effect's Mobile Record Store" which is located in the trunk of my car, so just holler at me.

Thanks for doing the interview Side, if you have any parting words, plugs, or words of wisdom to drop, please do so.

Word, I'd like to thank God for all his blessings. I'd like to thank Siczine.com for the interview, I appreciate the opportunity. If you haven't already, please cop my album "Dirt Hustlin", it's some real god hip hop! And look out for a new album coming from me soon that's gonna be a monster. Also look out for the new Subhoodz album dropping this March, and the debut Solid Ground album dropping soon after. Watch out for www.krushunit.com in 2007 yall!!! Peace