Business
A Warrior and a Gentleman
For someone who proudly proclaims not wanting to “Act My
Age” on track 10 of his chart-topping record Switched On, Madchild certainly offered up a lot of wisdom as he
chatted with CULTURE about
For someone who proudly proclaims not wanting to “Act My
Age” on track 10 of his chart-topping record Switched On, Madchild certainly offered up a lot of wisdom as he
chatted with CULTURE about life and
the music business. Don’t let the hard machismo appearance fool you; this MC is
introspective, kind-hearted, and yeah . . . a lyrical badass. From the early
glory days of Canadian hip-hop group Swollen Members, to the dark days of
severe opiate addiction, and now onto the present day of sold out tours,
chart-topping solo albums and new accolades, leading into a beyond bright
future, Madchild is a solid artist, a solid man and a musical force to be
reckoned with.
You’ve had many ups
and downs in life, but what was your highest career point, and if you don’t
mind sharing, what was your lowest?
Well, my high point was definitely with Swollen Members from
2002 to 2006 we were sort of an anomaly in Canada, we were very mainstream,
going platinum over and over again, playing festivals all the time, so that was
an incredible experience. Because of that success, let’s just say I chose the
wrong lifestyle and got too involved in partying, and that was my biggest
downfall.
Switched On has been a huge success, and you have another new
release, “SuperBeast” coming up, correct?
That’s right, yeah. I have a new record that just came out,
it’s the #1 rap album in Canada and it’s the #18 rap album in America, called Switched On, so I’m out promoting that
right now. I’m super happy with how it’s doing.
You are currently out
on the road on the Shockfest tour with Insane Clown Posse. Give us a little
insight to what the tour life is like.
This is a great tour. I’m getting in front of a lot of new
fans, and I’m super surprised by how many people already know who I am. They’ve
really embraced me. I guess it’s from playing at the Gathering of the Juggalos.
And tour life is just part of today’s music business. If you want to be an
artist and you don’t like touring, you better go do something else. If you
don’t love touring, you’re gonna hate life. I choose to love it, you know what
I mean? I get to go out and perform every night in front of people who are
embracing what I do, in a very saturated world where a lot of people are trying
to be artists. So I consider myself very fortunate. I look at each show and
each interview as an opportunity.
What are your
thoughts on medical cannabis, as well as legalization? Did your past struggle
with addiction shape your views?
Well, that’s a good question. I think marijuana is great for
people it helps, and I think that if it’s calming and therapeutic and healthy
for you, that is great. I can see the absolute good in it.
You are such an open
book, more so than most other artists. Is there a downside to that?
The only downside is that I am constantly reflecting and
reminding myself of what happened, so maybe at this point I should be leaving
that stuff completely behind. But I also think it’s a good thing; so I make
sure to stay on the right path. I still think about the past a little too much
because I’m constantly talking about it. But it’s a responsibility, right?
Every show, people come up and say how my experience got them off drugs, or on
a better path. So that is the most important thing out of it all.
