How did you and Lokey come together?
ex -we met in college in '95. we started chillin' together because we shared similar interests, we both skateboarded, we were both into art and most importantly we dug the same music. We rolled wit' a bunch of other cat's for the same reason's, some were mcee's, some were dj's, most were skaters. eventually we started getting together and kicking freestyles, you know, just fuckin' around for fun. At some point i
bought a shitty Tascam four track, borrowed a mic from this cat down the hall from me, and we started recording random sessions (mostly drunken freestyles). As time went on I got better equipment for making beats and recording vocals. Our skills steadily improved, we started doing shows, met other serious mcees and producers and before long it became a serious part of our future.

lo - When Exile and I first met, we would bug out. Hip Hop still seemed like this dope secret that was just beginning to go pop. There was the whole '93 explosion of artists from Wutang to Black Moon that we both gravitated to. We'd smuggle 40's into the dorms, listen to the music, and just get open. It was like everything that was coming out was as dope or better then the last album you got. It definitely seemed that Hip Hop was poised to take over the world and we were watching history unfold. We met DJ Unknown at school and he would always be getting the new next shit. He would spin records, me and E would freestyle, and before long it got serious.

What's up with the Birthwrite crew?
ex - Birthwrite has existed mostly through live shows. We all come from very different backgrounds and have different styles but it comes together when we rock a stage. I can't promise when, but we'll eventually put out a Birthwrite album, until then you can catch a glimpse of Ref and Shonin on the "Lucid Traveler EP". They also have their own projects in the works, the best way to stay informed is to either peep the website or come check us out when we perform. lo -Birhwrite is family, it consists of Exile, Lokey, Minister of Reference and Shonin Flesh. Ref and Shonin are members from another Providence group called Kindred Minds. That crew had been around for a minute and were well established. We all started chilling, different heads did different things and after a while Birthwrite was born. We actually began recording and the sum of those early tracks became the "sampler" cd. People dug it, and we started doing mad shows around the way. We built a name for ourselves and shifted it up a gear. I owe a lot to Birthwrite, they watched me grow, and in many ways helped shape my identity as an MC.

What's good with Rhode Island Hip Hop?
ex - Rhode Island is like a time bomb set to go off where people least expect. It's crazy how many talented, cool muthafuckers live in this tiny state, and I'm not only talkin' bout hip hop, the overall art scene is off the hook. Sometimes the hip hop scene gets a little too competitive and ego driven for me. Although, I've always been one to keep to myself, you know, locked away in the dungeon buildin' beats and scribbling my thoughts, so it doesn't really bother me much. As far as who I'm feeling, and of course I'm bias, but the cat's in the Birthwrite collective are at the top of my list. The whole scene here in Providence is pretty tight though, much respect to everyone doin' their thing.

lo - Since I wasn't raised here, I can only observe what I've seen and heard but overall its solid. I've been inspired, intimidated and disappointed from whats going on right outside my door. There's definitely a thorough spectrum of styles and flavors crews have been developing which are all dope. Cats 'round here are definitely
original which makes it hard to describe a particular sound that's evolved locally. The Funk Bunker represents lovely from RI and they were mad supportive when we were coming up. Off the bat, Clockworks, Roulette and Sage were local artists that inspired me.

Whats goin on with the Lucid Traveler EP?
ex - The Lucid Traveler EP is our first project off the Mixt-Ape record label. The title pretty much explains what the ep is all about. Each track is part of a journey, a dream sequence which follows no distinct order but is held together by reoccurring themes. It's an interpretation of everything we see in our day to day while
also being an analysis of ourselves and how we exist within it..

lo- Lucid Traveler is a collection of tracks from different time periods. The interesting thing with that EP is that even though the tracks are sort of collaged together, I think they still give the listener a definite idea as to what we are all about. I would say that the mood of Lucid Traveler is pretty chill with an inner tension that is usually felt upon further listening.

Who's been your favorite act to open for?
ex - Damn, it's definitely a toss up. I think I'd have to say the 'Beats For Peace' tour with Pharoahe Monch and Medusa. Both headliners were off the hook and Pharoahe's been one of my favorite mcees since the first Organized Konfusion album. My second favorite show would have to be the 'God Loves Ugly' tour with Atmosphere. The venue was packed, the crowd was crazy live, and the night didn't end for me until after sunrise.

lo- I agree with E on both those shows. They were incredible and whenever I pick up a mic I think of those cats.

Where do you see yourself goin in 5 years?
ex - Loungin' next to a lex with ice on my wrist, what you think. Nahh, for real, I see myself taking what I do as far as I can regardless of any guidelines. Honestly I'm not sure if what I'll be doing in 5 years. I'll still be what people consider hip hop. I've got mad love and respect for the art form, and in a lot of ways it's what raised me, but a large part of that respect requires me to be myself and always push things forward. Cat's can label it whatever they want, to me all music is sacred as long as it's honest. Everything is constantly changing and so I'll change with it. To answer your question truthfully, I have no idea where I'll be tomorrow let alone in 5 years.

lo- In five years I just want to be able to make music full time. I want to build a dope studio, collect vintage equipment, and swim in sound. I want to have the time needed to explore any musical ideas I might have floating upstairs. I want this music to take me around the world not as a tourist but as an ambassador of the culture I've created through music.

What's good in Hip Hop?
ex - Right now I'd say Outkast is at the top of my list. They're the only hip hop group I can think of that's got me ready to buy their new shit the day it drops (The last time I did that was when GZA's first 'Liquid Swords' album and Pharcyde's 'Labcabincalifornia' came out, I think it was '95 or 96'). Over the past 3 or 4 years I've been inspired by Atmosphere, Saul Williams, Aesop Rock, Prince Paul, Dan the Automator, Outkast, AceyAlone, Anti-Pop Consortium, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, and probably a few others I can't think of right now.

lo- As a culture Hip Hop has molded my identity and awakened my consciousness. For that I am very grateful and thus see all Hip Hop as good. Of course there are some disappointing aspects that we all are aware of, but I won't get righteous. In terms of the music, I'm feeling way too many artists to list. However, some top contenders might be GZA, Pharoahe Monch, Atmosphere, Boot Camp Click, Red Man, Canibal Ox and pretty much whatever else Def Jux puts out.

How would you define your style?
ex - Style is always growing and changing. If I were to treat the ep as one stage of its growth, I'd say its overall style is more poetic than rap, more pensive than party.

lo- Beats and lyrics always stem from a feeling, something that hits me. There's so much to explore with music and so many things to say that I just run with whatever I'm channeling. That's how it feels when it's working, like it's just pouring out of me. I used to worry that my style wasn't defined enough and I would try to establish some formulas, but that didn't work out. To me that was leading to stagnation and I realized there was a difference between having formulas and being disciplined when working on music. In the end I would say my style is choppy. My bar structure is pretty asymmetric but the energy gives it a cohesive feel.

What's up with Beats for Peace?
ex - The Beats for Peace show was off the hook. Other than the performances by Pharoahe Monch and Medusa, a lot of important world issues were addressed. I've never been one to involve myself much with politics, to be honest I think it's 99.9% bullshit, and that's partially why I was given the name Exile, but when it comes down to it, there's no escaping the fact that it has an effect on us all. Personally, I don't trust a word the media tells me and since I don't have the time to do the research myself I'm especially grateful when I come across others that have already done it for me. I support the Beats for Peace tour and others like it a hundred percent.

lo-I was honored to perform at the Beats for Peace tour. The people who put that together have a very clear message that I think everyone should be aware of. Many of the issues focused on problems with the present administration and how it's directly affecting communities and families at a grass roots level. The gradual erosion of our rights and liberties and the increasing imbalance of power and wealth are some points I retained. What also stuck in my mind was the outrageous war spending going on when people, especially poor people, are being totally neglected. The war on poverty and ignorance should be the aim, not wars overseas where the motives are muddled and self serving.

Other than Hip Hop, who are you listening to?
ex - I've got all kinds of music in constant rotation. Not including my hip hop collection, at the top of the list are: Jimi Hendrix, Muddy Waters, Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkle, Operation Ivy, Nirvana, Led Zeppelin, Nina Simone, Bob Marley, and Bad Brains.

lo-Besides rap I listen to mad music. Right now, to name a few, I'd say Stevie Wonder, Unwound and the White Stripes. To name some favorites I return to all the time; any roots reggae, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Radio Head and Pink Floyd.