Words By: Jason Hortillas

When you hear the name Freddie Foxxx, most people would honestly admit that’s not a cat to be fucked with. With the frame of a linebacker and the growl of a pit-bull on the mic, his persona is reciprocated with intimidated yet undivided attention. Two decades deep in the game,  the emcee also known as Bumpy Knuckles has worked with everyone from Kool G. Rap to De La Soul and even WWE wrestler John Cena.  But his strongest guest spot on Gangstarr’s “The Militia,” solidified what hardcore truly is .  I got a chance to build with the legend and discuss his thoughts on the underground,  his feud with Rakim and finally dropping his unreleased debut.

After almost a decade why release Crazy Like A Foxxx and what led you to work with Fat Beats Records on this particular project?

I was getting requests. I have never had issues with Fat Beats and they had reliable distribution. If you want ‘94 Bumpy Knuckles this is for you. 

Speaking of your alias, what’s the difference between Freddie Foxxx and Bumpy Knuckles? 

I would say that Bumpy Knuckles is the more aggressive alter-ego but both are one in the same. 

You’re work has been called “underground.” What are you’re thoughts on that label and how do people portray your sound? 

It is what it is – the (underground) sound identifies us from others. I feel like it’s a badge of honor. I don’t have a problem with the title – it’s a blessing of being labeled as a legitimate emcee. Underground equals substance. People expect my sound to always be a remake to “The Militia.” I can spit in different tones and energies. I don’t want to reinvent the wheel. But I only mess with artists that I can identify with. I don’t need to bootleg. If I want to work with someone to get a Pete Rock sound, I go directly to Pete Rock. 

I can understand you steering away from the imitators but are you feeling any new artists out right now? 

Not really. I like individual records more than artists. I miss lyricists. I miss the imagery. It’s still artwork but consistencies don’t exist anymore in albums like Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On or Jay-Z’s Reasonable Doubt. I’ve been here. I’ve been around long enough to know what consistency is. 

So update me on the status on your alleged beef with Rakim? 

Me and dude is all right. I got respect for him but I read something that I didn’t approve. I said my peace on “The King is Down.” Rakim is a dope emcee. I never said he was wack but I felt his work after Eric B. wasn’t that good. I felt in my heart that when they split, it wasn’t the same like all groups when they break up. He never responded but bottom line if he does, I will make my presence known.  

Besides the re-release of Crazy Like A Foxxx, what else you working on?

I got an album with KRS-One called Royalty Check. It took two to three days to finish and he led the way. I’m also working on a new Stop The Violence album with him. I got I also got my Music From The Man series with different producers like Dj Premier, Pete Rock, Dj Scratch(EPMD), Oddisee, King Karnov, Kev Brown, Clark Kent, and Alchemist to name a few. I’ve also been producing for DMC. Before I forget, I got my Krupt Mob Motorcycle Club where I make music for the motorcycle scene too.