It’s hard to believe that an MC could release classic material, be considered a hip-hop legend, and still not be able to make ends meet. For years Count Bass D has been a driving force in the underground hip-hop scene. His creativity, lyrical prowess, and love for the music have made him a staple on the scene. He plays instruments and is a true musician yet his sales never matched the hype or the acclaim that D receives.

From having his first deal in 1993 with Pete Nice and Bobbito to releasing the classic Pre-Life Crisis, D has steadily fed the fans with the music they fiend for, which is pure, creative hip-hop from the heart. Sixshot.Com caught up with Count Bass D to discuss fans not buying albums, why it’s almost impossible for an indie artist to make a living, and his status as a hip-hop legend. 

Sixshot.Com: Sup man, how's life?

Count Bass D: Life is a little tough for my family and me right now.

Sixshot.Com: So you play instruments and actually got a music scholarship right?

Count Bass D: I play various instruments to varying degrees mainly by ear. I also have a basic working knowledge of music theory. Yes, I received a scholarship to Wyoming Seminary for my high school education in 1987.

Sixshot.Com: You're first deal was in 1993, with Pete Nice and Bobbito, what was that experience like?

Count Bass D: I got my feet wet in what it means to be a recording artist. Pete and Bob had an impressive line up through the companies they had then. Almost 100% of his artists are still working today.

Sixshot.Com: Pre-Life Crisis is considered by many to be a classic, how do you feel about that album today?

Count Bass D: Thank you. I feel I was very immature and the content of Pre-Life Crisis reflects that immaturity to be honest.

Sixshot.Com: You use a lot of live instrumentation in your music, is that a lot harder that just using beats? Do you feel it makes for better music?

Count Bass D: When I fill in my music with instrumentation as opposed to samples, it's like taking the easy way out for me. It's more challenging to sample multiple audio pieces and musically fuse them to fit (e.g. "Jussa Player"). The main thing I have to watch for is the tuning of the instrument verses the pitch of the sample. A lot of fine-tuning has to take place so the common ear can't tell what's added to a sample or what is merely an element of a sample.

Sixshot.Com: You were instrumental in the underground scene in the 1990's. You were releasing music independently. What do you think made people take to it so much?

Count Bass D: I have no idea what made people take to my music. I've always tried to listen to good music and I feel my influences are all great musicians so maybe people just like my interpretation of my influences.

Sixshot.Com: Your fan base is very loyal also, why do you think that is?

Count Bass D: Right now roughly 6% of people who say they are a fan of mine actually help me financially in any way. So I'm not sure if loyal is an accurate word across the board, but I think people feel connected to me because I communicate with them while others do not.

Sixshot.Com: Tell us about the Dwight Spitz album.

Count Bass D: Dwight Spitz was my third release. After Pre-Life Crisis and Art For Sale I started to feel as if I had not presented my full range of styles to the public. Dwight Sptiz was my way of saying, "Don't get it twisted." No label wanted it. Nobody wanted any of the beats. Day-By-Day Entertainment under the general management of D.J. Fisher put out the first run and Metal Face took it to the next level with High Times.

I was essentially compensated by the notoriety that project brought Count Bass D. Everyone chipped in to the cause of a classic record and I'm grateful to everyone who had anything to do with that album.

Sixshot.Com: You tour a lot, you've been overseas, is it more love over there than here in the U.S?

Count Bass D: I don't think there has been a difference in a level of love for my music. People who like my music usually give me a lot of love wherever I go because I give everything I have to give with no hype man or DJ. I want to be the Ninjaman of the circuit , my music currently circulates in.

I'm not interested in gaining new fans because it's hard enough to communicate regularly with the supporters I have and most people just love you today and hate on you the next album anyway. I would rather have my core supporters begin to support my work with their dollar again since they actually still claim to enjoy the music. The beef they have is with the big boys, not cats like me.

Sixshot.Com: You work with MF Doom while most people have never even seen MF Doom, what is he like to work with?

Count Bass D: I have worked with Doom, but under ten times. He is my favorite MC of all time so I've tried to learn when ever I've been around him. For the record, the time I've spent with Doom has been extremely limited and I don't want people to get the impression that I've spent more time with him than I actually have.

Sixshot.Com: How do you feel about hip-hop today?

Count Bass D: I don't feel connected to any cultural phenomenon at this time. I thank God for all the artists who paved the way and their example is what got me to this point. But I feel it's evolved into something that I do not identify with in 2008. There was a time when saying something disparaging about the culture sparked rage inside of me, but rarely do I meet
individuals who have a love for the art form like I did then.

Sixshot.Com: What artists from the mainstream do you feel can hang on the underground lyrically?

Count Bass D: I don't know. I listen to very little current music and am far too ignorant to give a solid answer to that question. You can see my listening habits on my Last.Fm page.

Sixshot.Com: Do you like Fat Beats as a label?

Count Bass D: I am a fully independent recording artist in the tradition of Ani DiFranco and Fugazi. I have a digital distribution deal with IODA Alliance that has been going pretty well. That said, no record company owns any future masters by Count Bass D for the time being, and I thank God for that.

Sixshot.Com: Tell us about Act Your Waist Size.

Count Bass D: Act Your Waist Size is a documentation of my life in my early 30's musically. My mother was about to pass away and my personal life was in ruin. That well of emotion made for a heavy offering and I consider it an honor to pour out so much of myself musically so others can sometimes heal as well.

Sixshot.Com: Why do you feel some artists stay more creative and underground while others aim for commercial success?

Count Bass D: Some can go commercial most cannot. I take my hat off to the Ja Rules, Fat Joes and will.i.ams for what they have been able to do on the other side. If I had the skills to make those kinds of records I would treat my family to what money has to offer us in this world.

Sixshot.Com: Is it hard for an independent underground artist to make a living?

Count Bass D: I want to use the word impossible, but nothing is impossible.

Sixshot.Com: How does it feel that some people would call you a legend in hip-hop?

Count Bass D: There are a lot of legends in this culture that get most of their calls from bill collectors so I feel pretty normal if that's what some people call me.

Sixshot.Com: What do you have coming up that we can check for?

Count Bass D: My 7th album will be called L7. I will also be continuing my Some Music series this year.

Sixshot.Com: Anything you'd like to say to you fans at Sixshot.Com?

Count Bass D: Thank you very much for taking the time to read what I have to say. If you support what I do, I hope I continue to make music that allows you to continue to do so. My music is not for all people and I'm aware of that. No one asked SixShot.com to do this interview on my behalf. I should be applying for a job right now but I do this for musically obsessed people such as myself.