When it comes to hip-hop you can never be surprised where the next talented MC is going to pop up. Hip-hop has become so universal with such a large reach that for all we know the next Biggie could live in a small town In Montana. Stricklin's case isn’t that extreme but he is from Milwaukee, a state that has never produced a major hip-hop superstar.

Grinding on the scene since the late '80's, Stricklin has seen it all in his career. From being signed to Tommy Boy Records to working with Speech of Arrested Development ,his time in the game has seen it's high points. Most recently Stricklin has become a founding member of the group EMC along with the legendary Masta Ace, Wordsworth, and Punchline.

Sixshot.Com's Jon Michael caught up with Stricklin to discuss working with Masta Ace, being a part of EMC, and why he wants to follow in the steps of Gangstarr.

Sixshot.Com: What's good man?

Stricklin: I’m good man, feel really blessed.

Sixshot.Com: All right, I've spoken to exactly one artist from Milwaukee, this dude Paper Chase Rich, so can you tell me what it's like out there?

Stricklin: Milwaukee is kind of like a melting pot. Geographically, we are right in the middle of everything so we listen to everything you know? West coast, south, east coast. We love it all. We don't have a huge hip-hop scene of our own so we kind of listen to everything.

Sixshot.Com: Was it harder or easier to build a name considering Milwaukee isn't exactly a hotbed for hip-hop?

Stricklin: It's definitely much harder man. There are no major labels here at all. There are no entertainment attorneys or experienced managers you know? So I had to work that much harder to get attention. It definitely took a lot of work to make progress.

Sixshot.Com: Give us some history, how did you get in to the rap game?

Stricklin: Me and like two other cats put out a 12 inch back in the late 80’s which was produced by Speech from Arrested Development who is also from Milwaukee himself. In the early 90’s, I was signed to Speech’s production company and worked with him a lot.  In the mid 90’s, a close friend of mine was killed named T.A. Wiz, so in his honor we started an independent label called Ziwat which is his name spelled backwards. In the late 90’s, I was signed to Tommy Boy Records and put out a couple of records. In 2000, I hooked up with Ace and did a single called “The Booth” which he produced and also did a couple of songs for his Disposable Arts LP.  The rest is what they call “history”.

Sixshot.Com: Who are some of your musical influences?

Stricklin: Wow, that’s a tough question. Um, I guess initially I was influenced by all the records my mom would play when I was a little kid.  Aretha, Bill Withers, Chuck Berry, etc.  Then it moved to the records my older cousins would play like Bootsy, Earth Wind, Cameo, etc.  But I guess the seed was planted when I heard Sugar Hill, Kurtis Blow and those guys. Nowadays I listen to a wide variety of music from Avril Lavigne to old Nirvana to Little Brother to Hall and Oates.  So I’m all over the place. (Laughs)

Sixshot.Com: What is your relationship like with Masta Ace?

Stricklin: Man that’s family right there!  He’s the big brother I never had.  That’s the “big homie”. I learn things from him daily.  I think the biggest thing he has taught me is to always be humble. And he definitely leads by example.

Sixshot.Com: How did the group EMC form?

Stricklin: It kind of came about from people talking on the internet. The rumor started online that we were doing this group.  We did a joint called “4 Brothers” for a Scribble Jam mix tape and the fans ran with the idea of us doing a whole LP.  So we talked about it and made it happen.

Sixshot.Com: You're a real lyrical dude; do you feel that's something that's missing in today's hip-hop?

Stricklin: Thanks man. Um, yeah I think the game needs more lyrical dudes.  It kind of started slipping into that whole ring tone craze and nobody was really focusing on lyrics.  But I think it’s slowly coming back with dudes like Kanye, Joell, and Phonte really putting that emphasis back on being clever with the rhymes.

Sixshot.Com: In every group each artist brings something different to the table. What do you bring to EMC?

Stricklin: I feel I bring that Midwest flavor. Everybody always says I have this twang in my voice. I sound a little different than the other guys so I think that’s what sets me apart.

Sixshot.Com: The Show is insane. Are you happy with the response?

Stricklin: Thank you very much.  I’m so glad you like it. Yeah, I’m very happy with the response so far. It’s still early but the reaction to it so far has been unbelievable.  It’s very humbling. It's fantastic that so many people are supporting.

Sixshot.Com: What are the goals that EMC as a group wants to accomplish?

Stricklin: Well our goal is to set the table for the solo LP's.  Words, Punch, and myself are doing solos so we wanted the EMC LP to be a proper jumpstart to our solo careers.  Also, we wanted to continue to brand M3 as a label that puts out good music. We want the consumer to know when they see that M3 logo that its gonna be quality material behind it. We want to project that Image of high quality music.

Sixshot.Com: Can we expect to see a solo project from you?

Stricklin: Most definitely. I'm in the early stages now of recording it. I have like 5 or 6 songs in the can so I’m on my way and I’m definitely feeling real excited about it.

Sixshot.Com: What is your relationship like with Words and Punch?

Stricklin: Those are my homies man. We talk on the phone or online almost everyday. And what’s cool is a lot of time we are not even talking about music. We are talking about everyday life stuff like things that happen around the house or recipes and stuff.  They are like real brothers to me.

Sixshot.Com: There's definitely a message in the music you make, is that important to you?

Stricklin: I consider that to be very important. When it’s all said and done, you want to in some way leave a mark on this earth with what you did, like your legacy. My music is the perfect way to do that so I take full advantage of that you know?

Sixshot.Com: What projects can we expect to see from you in the future?

Stricklin: I want to do solo LP’s. I definitely want to do another EMC LP. And maybe hook up with a producer and do a two man group thing one day. Get my “Gangstarr” or “Foreign Exchange” on. (Laughs) That's something I would love to do. Hopefully that pops off In the near future.

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

Stricklin: I just want to say thanks to you for being interested in interviewing me in the first place. To the fans, keep supporting that real hip-hop. And when you see EMC is coming to your town, come on out to the show and have some fun with us.  Nuttin' but love to Sixshot.Com.