It’s been over half a decade since Goodie Mob released their last full-featured album Age Against The Machine. It’s been even more time since member Khujo Goodie released a solo project his own.
Longtime fans can rejoice, however as Goodie Mob is set to have a fairly large 2020 collectively as a group and solo project-wise. For Khujo, this includes two separate projects including a compilation album set to drop in November. The first single includes a new single “Wes H Chn,” which pays homage to his earlier albums with the storied Atlanta group.
Speaking with HipHopDX, Khujo talks about the new single, working on two separate projects, Goodie Mob and lending a verse for Gucci Mane’s first project.
HipHopDX: You just dropped your solo single “Wes H Chn” some time ago. Can you talk about the influence behind the track?
Khujo Goodie: We put out our Still Standing album and in the booklet, we had a Slumptionary. It was the definition the slang that we were coming up with during the 90s. So “Wes H Chn” is just one those terms that means “What’s happening” or “How you doing?” A lot people be asking what’s going on with me so I just put it in two sixteen bars. I really wanted to bring some more fun back into the game. Being innovative with new styles and new slang.
HipHopDX: Where does this lead project-wise? Should we expect a body work from you soon?
Khujo Goodie: I think so. I think we need a full-body project. The way people are digesting music these days, I don’t think people are properly chewing the food or music up. I just rather spoon feed em here and there. I’ve been dropping music since last year and this will definitely lead to something in 2020. In November, I’m going to release a compilation called Feed The Lions. It’s basically going to be an independent artist who reached out to me and wanted to know if I would present their music. Artists sent me music and I was blown away by the quality and lyricism. I have two songs on there too. I’ll be releasing songs sporadically. I’m about each one teach one and each one put one on.
HipHopDX: There’s a real generational divide in regards to recording for a body work and recording just to have content. What’s works the best for you recording wise?
Khujo Goodie: Songs that I have, I’ve been taking my time with them and just really thinking about who would compliment my voice on different songs. I just have stuff together that I put a lot thought into and some legendary features. I reached out to them and was really surprised that they got back with as fans Goodie Mob and mine. The process hasn’t changed. It’s like riding a bike. Once you know how to do it, it’s about getting back on the bike to start pedaling.
HipHopDX: How soon should we expect a new Goodie Mob album?
Khujo Goodie: All this is leading up to something special man. Cee-Lo, Sleepy Brown and Big Boi just dropped the “Intention” joint. That’s going to be on Big Boi’s album and Goodie Mob has a song on that album. It’s a catalyst for what we have going on 2020. It’ll fill that gap the fans are looking to get filled. Forgive us for taking our time but when it does come, it’ll be thorough.
HipHopDX: One the most interesting guest features you’ve done was on Gucci Mane’s debut Trap House mixtape on the “Corner Cuttin” joint. There’s always been this idea how much Atlanta’s rap scene is united but, what was your relationship with Guwap around that time?
Khujo Goodie: When I met Gucci Mane, he was a starving independent artist. I really dug the way he was handling things and was honored that he would allow me to put something on that album because that was his first record. I love the changes that he’s made with his life and how he’s gotten his priorities straight. He’s a boss sitting back doing his thing. You have to respect that.
HipHopDX: That “each one teach one each one put one on” idea you mentioned earlier is really why Atlanta has become such a force. How much that is true even when discussing more controversial topics like mumble rap?
Khujo Goodie: At first, we were discriminated against by our own people. People from the north didn’t want to play us or even people from the West Coast. I recognized that from our travels. At the end the day, you have to stick together. That’s something Atlanta is good at and that’s sticking together. They know how hard it was, in the beginning, to get accepted into Hip Hop culture.
You] can’t get mad when someone is innovating in a genre music. Call it mumble rap if you want to, this is just another genre music created by people in the south. Accept it or not, it’s another form music. Understand it or not, it’s a form music. People didn’t understand what Goodie Mob was saying in their music when we were coming out.
People from New York were calling us Bama rappers saying we didn’t know how to read or formulate a song. We got all the hate for being MCs from the south. We were so southern and it took people a while to understand our language. It’s just another genre music and in that dusty coal, you’re going to find a diamond somewhere. This is how you get Migos, Lil Baby or even DaBaby outside the fact that he’s from North Carolina. You gotta respect it.