Entertainment
Life After The Krown
It has been three years since he left Kottonmouth Kings, and although Johnny Richter may have retired his “krown,” he has kept busy writing and recording in his signature stony style. In 2013, he released FreeKing Out, to address the rumors surrounding his departure from the Kings. Now, he is stepping into the spotlight solo with School’s Out (Still Laughing) on Suburban Noize Records and is ready to show his fans who the real Richter is. No gimmicks, no hype. Just him, his lyrics, beats and a mic.
How is your new album different from your previous work?
The new record is called School’s Out (Still Laughing) because it seems like a lot of my career was a bunch of high school childish stuff. That’s why I called it School’s Out, because it’s time to grow up and get on my own two feet. The subtitle, Still Laughing, is because I’m still the same dude who did the Laughing record. I still have that mentality I’ve always had.
What are your thoughts on the legalization movement? Do you know anyone who has benefited from medical cannabis?
Yeah. My brother is a Prop 215 patient. He’s the only person that his doctor has written a script for. I have friends who used it to get off of prescription drugs. It’s a way better alternative. I’ve never really tripped out on weed. I’ve never thought of it as anything that should be illegal. It’s just a natural part of life, just like it should be.
“My brother is a Prop 215 patient. He’s the only person that his doctor has written a script for. I have friends who used it to get off of prescription drugs. It’s a way better alternative. I’ve never really tripped out on weed. I’ve never thought of it as anything that should be illegal. It’s just a natural part of life, just like it should be.”
Do you have a favorite strain?
Up here in Riverside, it’s always been about the Kush strains. From Master Kush, to Bubba, to OG, to the Fire. I don’t get caught up in the names. Everybody is so caught up on the names. It’s gotten kind of commercial like that. When it comes to smoking, I’m definitely more old school—bong hits and joints. Back in the day I used to do six foot, 10-foot bong hits off the top of VW vans and shit like that. Nowadays I just use a little 12-inch tube to do snappers.
You’ve been on both the music scene and the cannabis scene for a long time. Do you have a favorite memory from the last 20 years?
My 20s. Is that a memory? Haha! Life went so fast for 15 years. From 18 to my early to mid-30s, it went by like a blink of an eye. I mean, my whole life has been a favorite memory. I feel blessed to have so many cool memories, like going to Amsterdam for the first time in ’99.
You will always be known for Kottonmouth Kings, but there’s no need to dwell on the past, so what do you want your fans to know about Johnny Richter, the solo artist?
Don’t judge a book by its cover. You gotta look inside. There’s more to it now. This record isn’t just about weed. There’s songs that you’ll enjoy if you’re not a burner. If you do burn, you’ll catch some little things. Kottonmouth got stereotyped as a weed band early on and has kept trying to rewrite a weed song for 20 years. I don’t want to do that.
On the song “Kill It,” you say, “I like to grow, but I love to rap.” Do you find a similarity between the two?
Growing is definitely an art form, just like rapping and song writing. I’ve helped friends out in different situations. I’ve seen every level of it. It’s still an amazing thing to see.
Who are your favorite artists?
I’m a fan of all music. I like songs that actually say something, it has to be more than just a beat. There can be a song that says nothing, but the beat is cool so everybody listens to it. Then there can be a song that says so much, but the beat’s not cool, so people don’t even care. Music is different for everyone, I guess. I’m into the lyrics.
What are your plans for the summer?
We’re doing a Southwest regional tour starting in August. The record comes out July 29, and on August 3 I’ll be hitting the road.
Any last words for your fans?
Get ready, because we’re just getting started. I was gone for a minute, but I’m back. I hope everyone enjoys the new record. There’s a lot more where that came from.
