5 Questions with: The Mighty Underdogs

B Fresh Photography

Headnodic, Gift Of Gab, Lateef The Truthspeaker

Bay Area rap trio The Mighty Underdogs were in town last week at the Cabooze and we got to kick it with them (Gift Of Gab, Lateef The Truth Speaker & Headnodic) before they shoved off for another tour stop to promote their new Def Jux album, Droppin' Science Fiction. We present to you: 5 Questions with the Mighties.

GN: On your new album, Droppin' Science Fiction, you have a song called "Laughing At You," clownin' on whack rappers and lame dudes. When was a time you were the one being laughed at?

Gift of Gab: (Laughs) How do I say this and save face? I got laughed at while on tour somewhere in the Midwest. Not knowing my mic was out, I ran out on stage forcefully like I was Superman about to take over the whole crowd and the mic was off. It was embarrassing and only a couple of people chuckled.

Headnodic: During the filming of the "Science Fiction" video, (which is coming out soon) I was asked by the director to run for my life in front of the green screen. About 50 people were hanging around and apparently I run like a sissy. He told me to tone it down, and bring it down from a 10 to a 7, more like a 6 1/2. Everyone quietly chuckled. It was embarrassing but fun nonetheless.

GN: The Bay Area is known for some pretty breezy rap. Who would you consider the most chilled out group member?

Headnodic: I would say I am the most pleasant. No, no. I can't take all the pleasant points. But really, we are all really chill folks. I would say (Gift Of) Gab is probably the chillest.

Gift of Gab: Well, I think that Headnodic is the most level-headed of the group. He is a real chill dude.

GN: Over the years of collaborating, what has been the most memorable moment in the studio?

Gift of Gab: I would have to say being in the studio with George Clinton recording for The Craft and Gil Scott-Heron for Blazing Arrow.

Headnodic: The earlier session where the most memorable. We would blow through 5 joints in one days. It was quick and fun.

GN: You often tell stories in your music, what you have called 'Slick Rick style.' Tell us a story.

Headnodic: The story of being thrown into an Australian immigration prison: Myself and The Crown City Rockers flew 16 hours to Australia with the wrong work visas. The next flight out was a few days from then, so they had to put us in prison with a bunch of people with a whole mess of stories. Exiles from the Middle East, possible terrorists. Some were sweet, some were scary. Oh, and there's a story about my friend Scott getting drunk and pissing on my drum set, but that story is for another day.

GN: When is the next Latryx album coming out?

Lateef the Truthspeaker: Ask Tom (Lyrics Born).