For those that have been listening to hip-hop as long as I have, the artists and time periods that have influenced my music are pretty obvious. My first album solo album, 1988, was probably the biggest example of this, but even on the Soul Position albums I was exercising my influences. I’ve always paid homage by referencing lines, phrases, and samples that I considered classic. I’ve even went as far as rewriting entire songs (e.g. “No Half-Smokin”). I guess I’m just a huge fan of hip-hop, and will always be.  Hip-hop has influenced my life in a way that no other artform has; taking me places I wouldn’t have gone and showing me things I definitely wouldn’t have seen otherwise.  It’s only right that I pay homage.