HOT OFF THE PRESS! Gabe Walker interviews ML3K!!!
I recently caught up with music sensation ML3K in Nashville during his "It's Pronounced 3 Thousand Tour." ML3K sat down with me just before his show to answer some pressing questions from his increasing fanbase. Because of ML3K's extensive vocabulary, I have included definitions of his words in brackets [ ] to help you better understand his statements.

G: You're halfway through your "It's Pronounced 3 Thousand Tour" - you've been to every major city on the east coast - what's been the highlight of this tour so far?
M: First off Gabe...I'll call you G if that's a'ight [alright] dog [friend]...I just want to give a shout out [greetings] to all my homies [close personal friends] back in may-retta [Marrietta ]. WHAZZZUP?!! [How are you?] A'ight, let me hop to it G...the highlight of the tour so far has been performing my home church in Smyrna GA. There's something about hometown peeps [people] that make the show get crunktified [exciting]. But I must say G, your Cross Crib [church] down in Macdonald's (ML3K mistakenly identified McDonough) was off the chain YO [was really great].

G: The critics are raving about this tour - let me read you some reviews:
"ML3K rocks the house. We've seen groups like The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Eric Clapton and N'SYNC put on shows that don't come close to touching the hype experienced at one of ML3K's concerts...he'll be the next big time hip-hop star." - Dean Krazansky, Chief Editor - Rolling Stone Magazine.

"...I've never seen a crowd more into a star's performance than ML3K's fanbase. He's got more energy than the Energizer Bunny. He's creative - his lyrics are fresh and he can drop some fat beats...ML3K is definitely going to be around for a long time." - Rod Sunster, Entertainment Weekly

How do these comments make you feel?
M: Well, G, it makes me want to throw my arm out in front of my head and bump, cheegee, cheegee, cheegee, bump, bump...bump [at this time, ML3K does some weird dance move with his arm, not to be confused with throwing his hands in the air and waving them like he just doesn't care].

G: You began your career as a competitive dancer in school league competitions...did you ever dream that you'd come this far?
M: Dreams are what keeps things real. I know that sounds whack [crazy], how can dreams be real, but dat's da truf [that's the truth]. E'r [ever] since I was a little 'g' [small child] dancin', beatboxin' [the fine art of making percussion sounds with ones mouth] and laying down phat [really good] rhymes has been my aim in life as a career. I still can't believe it dog.

G: Your 4th cd - "chILLIN" was just released 3 weeks ago and it's been the #1 selling record since it's initial release. You got to work with several new artists on this one - NJOY, Syo Narra, Dyno-mite - How is it working with these artists and what made you choose these artists in particular to work with?
M: Yeah, workin with all these fellas has been a blessing to me. I will say that Dyno-mite has inspired me to step up to the mic with a new level of skill and power. When he rocks the mic, he rocks the mic right.

G: What has made "chILLIN" such a huge success?
M: Ohhh, chILLIN, I have been so honored as a young rapper to have a CD that's makin' it big. You know that God is hookin me up G, don't ya? I don't want to brag but along with Him, my skillz are off the charts. God has blessed my skillz forrizzle [in all truth - for real]. But you know what G - my fans are the reason, they are the one's givin' me the chance by buyin' my album.

G: What's next for ML3K?
M: Well I was planning on doing a Christmas tour but I broke my foot one night at a show in D.C. as I was finishing out a tricky move. I am using this time to work on my rhymes and background tracks. The funny thing is, my bro Marc broke his foot trying to skateboard. I always told him he had no biz [business] trying to skate...but he always laughed at me when I would rap for the family during family night outings at chuck-e-cheeze, so I guess if my success is possible, then maybe Marc will become the next Tony Hawk.

G: At age 18, you won a Grammy for "Best New Artist - Hip Hop". You were up against some great artists - Pettidee, Ice Cold T, Mick E. Dee....how did it feel to win?
M: [ML3K tears up]...felt great, G....it felt great.

G: Your first CD "Rhyme Tyme" was a huge success, particularly in Europe...however, your new CD "chILLIN" really shows some maturity in your creativity and lyrical style. Describe the changes that took place from "Rhyme Tyme" to "chILLIN" - what makes these CD's so different?
M: The main difference is in what I call enerskillology. It's the study of how to make e'rone [everyone] get movin' with my skillz. Needless to say, I have been studying this like a monster. That has brought me to the next level. I will now be looking at what I am calling caucasianrapalityistory, which is a historical look at the reality of the white boy rap movement and its effects on society. I think this will give me inspiration to write more and lay down insane beats that will move the nation.

G: Any closing words for your fans?
M: Stay in school, get involved with your youth ministry, and don't forget......
If you think the world is crazy
don't think you can just be lazy
get your mind out of it and put it in the Word
you know you just have heard
a truth that can move ya
a spirit that will groove ya
so my beats might just behoove ya
to [ML3K begins to beatbox]............show the world your light.

Peace In and Peace Out.