For the past decade, unique and refreshingly quirky Illinois hip-hop wordsmith Serenegeti has been quietly amassing a large body of work (about sixteen albums worth) via a string of solo albums matched by an equally impressive series of collaboration projects with such other artists as Polyphonic and Hi-Fidel - not to mention a slew of memorable cameo appearances in verses on other emcee's albums. Clearly rarely idle this prolific Mid West artist recently found time to relocate west to Cali. He now calls Los Angeles home and for his just released latest (and perhaps most accessible to date) album,  Family & Friends released on CD and vinyl, he reconnected with the Cali based Anticon label through whom he also released the 2009 Polyphonic collab Terradactyl. He also recorded parts of it in Oakland, CA in Why? front-man Yoni Wolf's home studio.  The new album's other producer, Advance Base (otherwise known as Casiotone for the Painfully Alone) also has a knack for bringing out only the very best in this left-of-center lyricist. The result is Serengeti's best (and one of 2011's best hip-hop) albums to date.

For Family & Friends Serengeti delivers more of his trademark engaging stories (his albums are like books with the songs been character-driven chapters - this one an 11 chapter collection of short stories) delivered in a stream-of-consciousness sounding flow. As usual you know it's Serengeti the moment he opens his mouth and you hear his distinctive voice followed by these  lyrically rich, deep tales of complex characters - all personas (part fiction, part reality) that he adapts so convincingly that you are sure he is talking in first person, and from first hand experience.

Serengeti is not your average rapper. On one project, that was dedicated to the actor Brian Dennehy, he assumed the persona of (recurring character) Kenny - a middle aged, mustachioed sports fan whose favorite actor was Dennehy.  Recently I caught up with the LA based, Chicago transplant, born David Cohn, to talk with him about Kenny and these other identities he assumes, the therapeutic role the songs he writes play in his life, the recurring theme of drugs in his music, working with the new album's producers, and to ask him if Brian Dennehy ever contacted him directly.


Amoeblog: What are the differences between working with Polyphonic and with Yoni Wolf and Advance Base?

Serengeti:  Polyphonic's shit is mad dense, making it a challenge, which can be good, hes a master of soudscapes.  Dont Give Up [the duo's 2006 collaboration album] was easier as it was the first record we attempted. The Terradactyl was more difficult as shit was extremely hectic for me personally as it always seems to be. Working  with Yoni and Owen (Advance Base) was very easy, and fun, more like basic rap stuff in the approach.  I'd be going over Owen's house and we'd do tunes. The first day we did "Flutes" "PMDD" and "Kenny vs Spring" which was released on 7 inch.  Easy peasy; really good dude who makes music right up my alley. 

He had a line years ago that I first heard that made me love him forever: "Then I come back to you...unshaved unslept and sorry" - something so sad about that. I loved it! I flew out to Yoni's crib in Oakland and stayed for six days and did the five tunes from scratch.   I'd sing him the hook or something and we would go from there.  We saw about six movies in those six days and ate macrobiotic [food] and listened to The Infamous and Love Supreme every night. It was great. I had the time of my life.  I was excited to work with those fellas.


Amoeblog:  "PMDD" has some sick -production that reminds me of mid 70's Eno - as does "Flutes" to a lesser degree. Great songs both all around.

Serengeti  Advance Base did "Flutes" and "PMDD."  I read some shit where some cat was talking about the "PMDD" as yet another song about falling for a drug addict. It's not. It seems obvious, it's about falling in love with a woman from a PMDD commercial, i saw the ad and thought of it....i loved it   "Flutes" is a banger, the horns in the chorus weren't there initially. He sent me the email with the tune later and I said "Yes, my man."


Amoeblog:  I know that traditionally your stories are you putting yourself in the first person of your characters but they all sound so real and convincing. So are you just a damn good story teller meets actor who can submerge himself in these roles or do these first person raps in music also represent parts of you too?

Serengeti  I've always had characters in my head and it's easy to see and feel as them. That's my unfortunate thing. The shit is always running through my head, damn.  The stories are some of me and a whole lot of fiction and shit I hear out and about and such.  Been trying to take me out of songs [bit] it's hard though as it can be therapeutic. Once I fix myself I'll be able to finally rap normal like people want. 


Amoeblog:  Heroin and other drugs seem to be a non stop recurring theme - like in the excellent "Long Ears" story of doing H with pops and in one of your older albums you talked in detail about "Meth." And you mention doing DMT on "A.R.P." So do you come across drugs or people doing drugs a lot in your life?

Serengeti:  Drug people have always been in my life, "Long Ears" was thought about from my friend's sister who was about to graduate from college and gets a call from her long lost father of 16 years on finals week. Thanks dad, I'm busy now It's sort of like that last verse in "Cats In The Cradle".   Dope hits a little close on "Meth." It was this character "Derek" slime-bag sort of guy, it was all jokes but not too funny in retrospect  "make..my...meth.." is how that line of thinking started, like dude has all these people hooked and making his meth for him. What a guy! I had no idea what DMT was until my last job at this psychoactive seeds and plant company. I found out a lot about the that world of mimosa purple pink, datura and henbane seeds and kratom.   Never tried the shit as i was too scary to drink my own piss and trip for 72 hours! I used to smoke hella weed as a youth, cant do it now as the paranoia is awful.


Amoeblog: Your rhyme flow often sounds like a stream of consciousness style. Is that how you write it? As in a non linear fashion? Or how do you describe your approach to writing?

Serengeti:  I try to keep it that way. That's how I write the shit now.  I describe my approach to writing as something that i get a kick out of. I edit though so it's not just anything.  Again once I get my brain together I'll be able to stop this or become more basic.


Amoeblog: What inspired you to write that entertainingly funny "California" song?

Serengeti:   The Karate Kid moved from Jersey to Cali and became a karate champion.  I'm from the middle of the country.  Some people think "if I can just get to Cali everything will be a okay."  You can be a new person. I did. Thats why I'm out here now.  "Young man go West" - Horace Greeley - "you can only run so far...before you end up in the same bar"  That's what the song is about.   My bud Paul Matian did a video for it.  I cant wait for it to be released.   "I dont have to pretend....everything's going so well.... one of ten acts....at a venue called hell..."  - my favorite line I did, ever.


Amoeblog: Because of the song "UFC" assume you are an Ultimate Fighting Championship fan, and not doubt other sports too?

Serengeti: Big sports guy: boxing being my favorite.  I love MMA too.  Some of those UFC events get a million ppv buys that over 100 million bucks,. They're alright.   I can rarely find a person to talk MMA or boxing with, so I read online.

Amoeblog:  By the way did Brian Dennehy ever catch up with you to comment on the album dedicated to him? And what is Tha Grimmm Teachaaz re-release that Anticon is putting out?

Serengeti: Haven't talked to Dennehy, i doubt he knows it exist.  Some fellow on YouTube wrote "why is this song called "Dennehy" when Brian is from Conneticuit"   Man, it's Kenny's favorite actor...it's not that complicated.  I was always thinking why is this 48 year old dude in Kenny rapping?   Fidel and I were doing the Friday Night album and he mentioned doing a throwback joint. We wrote our verses when I went into the booth and did mine. Kenny just came out as KDZ Kenny 1990's self to explain why he rapped.  It all made sense. Now i have the Kenny Dennis reason.  We did a whole album as Tha Teachaz that should be out soon on tape on Anticon and on wax on Legendary Entertainment in Canada.   it was so much fun a whole universe past and present.  Back then KDZ hated Shack because of the Tevin Campbell incident when Tha Teachaz and Tevin and Shaq were playing the Jive showcase and shaq mentioned something about KDZ' stash, he never let it go. [Note the character Kenny Dennis is aka KDZ - aka Serengeti]


Amoeblog: You've worked with a lot of different artists over the past several years. What were some of your personal faves? And who are some of the artists you would really like to work with in the future?

Serengeti:  I loved working with Advance Base and Yoni, DJ Koufi and the PMDF and Jel and Odd Nosdam.  trimm, Breakfast Fellows and Will.   People I'd love to work with? I guess everyone would say DOOM and so would I.   i love Cool Calm Pete's shit, we actually were on a song together with tone tank, hopefully it comes out.  i also would love to do a track with Bjork and Thom Yorke, Geechi Suede and Breezly Bruin and many others.


Amoeblog:  Thanks for your time Serengeti.  Any last words, and what can we expect from you next?

Serengeti: I have some stuff in the works that I'm going to keep under my hat.  Family & Friends is just out. I hope you enjoy it.  It should be on the road soon.  Nosdam and Jel shit soon and other shit.  Then I'm going to stop for hopefully some time so I don't go super crazy!