It must be fate that local rapper Kevin Kashis on the minds of local music junkies (e.g. check out Girl Friday’s site for another interview also posted today!) with a much-anticipated show tomorrow night and increased buzz about the burgeoning hip-hop scene in the Cities.

We sat down with him to talk about the Minneapolis hip-hop scene, new and old material and his future album in the works…

Minneapolis is home to Garrison Keillor, Prince and Soul Asylum. What do you think of the Minneapolis hip-hop scene?
I think the Minneapolis hip-hop scene is a little scared, and that I realize is a very general statement. There are tons of great things going on here. The majority of people here really love everyone and it kinda revolves around one thing or one group. I am trying to really do something different. I would like a performance to be made. Rap or music for that matter is all about having a good time. I think sometimes people get lost or forget what they are doing or what they set out to do. Although that being said I do respect what people here are doing and trying to do. It is a musically friendly city with lots of outlets, and lots of talented people.

Where does your material come from?
I work with numerous producers, right now I am mostly working with one
from Minneapolis who will be my DJ on Saturday night named Marvin
Gardens.

Any stuff you’ve been doing for a long time? What’s the newest material you’re working on and what’s cool about it?
I was in a group here in Minneapolis about 6 years ago called The Night Vision. We released a double disc on an independent label. I do not really perform those songs. I do have quite a bit of material both old and new. I think the newest stuff I have been doing is the best I have recorded. I keep getting better. That’s the thing about rap is the more you do it the more you improve. The more songs you do the more you have to cut out and work with. I will record a track and then go back and realize “wow that was a hot line right there, I like that” and then go and use it on another song.

Tell me about Dr. Bossman and the Steeze 2 album.
Dr. Bossman is someone I have been working with for years and years he was also known as Stretch Primo in The Night Vision. This fall he decided to release a mix tape. It was made at first just for us and some of our friends. But you know what they say “the streets where callin.”

Any plans to do an album yourself soon?
I do plan on doing an album. I have recorded a few actually, but I want it to be perfect. I have something like 120 tracks done. The name of the record will be “Direct Deposit”. I am hoping to have a Kevin Kash mix tape out this spring and that will be called “Kash On Demand”. In the meantime you can download songs for free on Kevin Kash Dot Com as well as some of our Big Thangs Mix albums (all for free). You can also order Dr. Bossmans’ “Steeze 2 Please” record.

Kevin Kash takes the stage at First Avenue’s 7th Street Entry Saturday with Conspiracy Clique, Playaz Lounge, Live Wire and DJ Joe Cruse.