From his independent mainstream success, Problem has become quite the talk lately, as he begins releasing new music along with features surfacing on the new Mike Will album, ‘Ransom 2’.
The year 2013 kicked off with a flurry of activity as three Problem mixtapes -- Million Dollar Afro, Ain't Nobody Hotter Than Me, and The Separation -- all landed before July, but the last one featured "Like Whaaat," a street single that grew into a viral hit. The track got an official release when Problem's debut EP, Understand Me, appeared on Diamond Lane before the end of 2013. A third entry in the Mollywood series arrived in 2015.
The Relapse included over 40 tracks across two discs and appearances by Lil Jon, Iamsu!, Omarion, Stoney tha Dealer, and Bad Lucc. Hotels 2: The Master Suite followed in 2016. The mixtape featured Wiz Khalifa, Ty Dolla $ign, Ne-Yo, Snoop Dogg, and Kevin McCall. That same year, Problem issued the Rosecrans EP, a collaborative effort with DJ Quik. In 2017, the MC released the self-produced Chachiville.
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Rueben Wood of SOM Magazine recently caught up with the west coast artist to talk about new music and other projects he has been working on!
So with the West Coast back popping now, have you thought of collaborating with TDE or Kendrick Lamar like that?
Problem: I mean them my folks, and when the time is right then it will present itself, but I actually got songs with all of them, their just on a hard drive and hasn’t been released, and because of the way they do their movement it would have to be done a certain way. But as far as future features from them, I don’t know. I’ve been in a bubble, so I’m trying to grow with all the new music i do, and learn to do new things myself. Also trying to get things right for Bad Lucc, Casha, you know. So just like they move, and I respect the F%^& outta TDE, and we got a Diamond Lane album out right now.
Are you looking for new artist for Diamond Lane?
Problem: I’m always looking to hear new music and looking for that talent, they just have to know its hard work and lot to do to make it. But I’m always trying to shed light on something new.
How do you feel about the current music scene in Southern California?
Problem: I feel like we quiet right now, I don’t feel like its really much else going on, Im speaking on a collective, cause of course Kendrick is doing his thing, and Ty is doing his thing as well. But I feel 5 years ago we were stronger, and I want to see some new energy and new artist that represent all genres and can push the culture forward……