We recorded the album at Zesto Q’s Studio in Downtown Chicago over the course six sessions over the last 10 months. It was a very fun family feel as we shared food, stories and got to build. It felt like when I was younger going to the studio with my friends just having fun and seeing where we can take it.

I have known Cache 22 and DJ Real one since the late 90s Cache was a Dj, promoter, producer. We would record every now and then and I would perform at his loft spot. He had a Marketing company that Dj Real One and I were a part of. We worked Stonesthrow, Def Jux, and other indie labels of that time. Servicing records and doing store promotions. Also Cache started a label called Headknock Records and Put out my first solo Vinyl The “Man of the People EP, Recently he found a box of them in storage so it was only right we add them to this release (you should get you one).

Later Real one and I would both work for Power 92’s street team, Nintendo, and other promo gigs. we both were into Polo and collecting Hip Hop artifacts. I would host, perform, or Judge MC events he would Dj at. We all had our own college radio shows and would visit each other stations upon new release.

Over the last few years Cache and Real would hit me up separately to check out beats and talk about collabing on songs.. But last year was the right moment in our careers to start the conversation of putting together an album. I had a few favorite beats already in mind from what they sent me before like “Even Tom got shot” and “Uber from O’Hare”.

The rest of the production they sent blind with no producer credits and just beat names; some of those names actually became themes and titles. They said “we listened to your catalog and picked beats we felt would complement what you do.” I picked 8 or 9 from that folder of beats and crafted Mookie on the southside.

The theme of this album is based on my painting and sculptures series “Mookie on the the Southside” That details life on the southside of Chicago from my perspective. So everything from the places we hung out, the historical moments, the political climate, and of course the people, scenes. and the climate from the 90’s to now. You can visit the virtual gallery here www.pugsatomz.com/portfolio (copy paste in browser if link is not clickable).

Thank you to all the artist that collaborated on this body of work. Shawn Dippington, Mr Misfit, J Arthur, Katrina Black Stone, Hexsagon and our stellar engineer Zesto Q. You all did ya thang, Salute!!

So turn the music up and take a ride to the southside with your tour guide Pugs Atomz.