Retired Rapper: Chiff Timz Lets Us In On His Upcoming Album, His Admiration For His Son And More In Exclusive Interview.

Chiff Timz's love for his son could not hide. When asked what role his son plays in his life and in that of his artistic journey, he responds in an appreciative manner. He is thankful for life, he is thankful for his audience and he is thankful to whoever has reached out to him with a helping hand.

But beyond this thankfulness, Chiff Timz attitude, as it concerns his legacy, is what most are familiar with.

It's a force that has remained, helping him stay relevant till this day.

2018 is one year Chiff Timz won't forget in a hurry. 

With the roll-outs of Eh Go Better and Caro, Chiff Timz aptly set himself up for the year's glory. Evident of his atypical run, are artiste of the year plaques on his shelve. 

The year 2019, although far-spent, offers new and exciting opportunities for Chiff Timz to take, and he seems to be doing that.

In an attempt to maintain his 2018 achievements and to exceed them, Chiff Timz released Alpha, his first single for the year 2019. Before Alpha, were other songs (unofficial singles), and after Alpha he released Industry Life.

Alpha met with a welcoming reception from fans, and has led to an expectation— an album.

Retired Rapper is scheduled to drop on November 19, 2019.

Well, The Sleek Buzz  had a one on one with Chiff Timz as he tells us more about the the upcoming album, his son being a source of inspiration and more.

(The Sleek Buzz): Good evening, Chiff. You've have been working on a lot of things— your upcoming album is top of the list—How does this  busy schedule make you feel?

(Chiff Timz): Makes me feel alive. Thankful to God for the opportunity to be alive, the privilege to be useful to the society, this generation and a legacy for the generations to come.
The project is about 19tracks, with  bonus tracks from my 2008-2010 archives, with production and sound engineering credit mostly given to me, with few tracks produced by Dreamcent & Dawig, while Pimpzbeat, Slimkelz & Sound specialist had some Mixing and mastering to their credit.. The songs are a perfect blend of sweet serious, comic, conscious and party tracks that will usher and suit you in your different state(s) of mind.

I think this project will be a surprise to lot of persons who are used to me as a Dancehall/Raggae/afrobeatmoment,
I did mostly Rap but did a few dancehall hooks..
The Album wrote itself as I didn't really plan d songs or took time to compose anything..
I just expressed myself and my mood at the moment, and most part of the album was recorded in two weeks during April this year.
The success of the first single from the Album "Alpha" made me push back the release of the entire project until now, and only last week, I produced, recorded, mixed and mastered four (4) tracks for the album.

The album has guest appearances from so many great artistes from this part, and also using this as a platform to showcase some of the talents out here to the world, even as I'm optimistic the Album will shock the world.
I don't want to blow my own trumpet as I would love to leave my audience to be the Judge of the project, but I make bold to say #The_Retired_Rapper Album will change the narratives in our music scene and with the blessings of God, become a project at the centre of discussions and references.

It sure will! I was privileged to listen to some of the tracks on the project. What would you say were your difficult moments in putting this body of work together?

Nothing really. I didn't really have difficulties except now at this moment, where a deadline has being marked putting pressure on me to wrap up recordings with the featured artistes, reproducing and re-recording a few of the songs that has bit rate error and such wouldn't let the original vocals sync, also trying to complete the mixing/ mastering of all songs and getting the few projects that are with other producers or sound engineers ready to be compiled, uploaded and mass-produced.
The Album is to be released on 09th of November, 2019 at 12:PM on all digital stores and blogs, and a listening party will follow that very evening at Paulmas car wash, Osiri road, by 6pm and the after party will be at Club Bara that very night.

Let's take a trip down memory lane. You're one artist that has stood the test of time. You, having been in the industry since its embryonic stages, are very relevant, even as at now. What's the secret of this longevity?

1. God.
2. I focus on myself in a bid to identify work and improve on my weaknesses to become added strength.
3. I try to maintain focus and determination.
4. I take full responsibility for my results so if I fail I see myself as the cause and when I win, I do same.
5. I respect people and their opinions and I run very far from producing or receiving bad energy.
6. Right from the onset, I look for my own money to put into my art as have been solely responsible for all I have done and achieved in my career, so my dependency and expectancy on anyone is very low.. This has made me feel less disappointed.
7. I don't believe in shortcuts, so I put in work and just believe in the process.

And last year? Let's talk about it. You were invincible last year. The music was great. You won awards. Let's talk about it.

☺.. Yeah last year I had a good run. Won artiste of year from three (3) different award platforms, song of the year from one, Niger Delta next rated nomination from one and producer of the year from another.
I intended to raise the bar by releasing three (3) albums this year (a gospel reggae Album titled "Son of Jah", an afrobeat album titled "Afrobeats from the south" and the #RetiredRapper this year, but had setbacks from the delay and destruction of some of my projects I sent to Lagos for sound engineering, though most of the songs have been recorded already.
Also this year I did three (3) covers and videos that received massive love and attention and even a retweet from Linda Ikeji for one.. Then Alpha was a street take over anthem as even up till now no song has gone viral in such a manner from this state and I really wanted to follow up with a world class video that had a budget of #2.5million but raising the funds became an issue. Also, I had the Alpha mixtape in preparation that was supposed to be a massive street to street mixtape promo but got disappointed by the person who had a partnership agreement with me to power the mixtape..
But I mean we still have two (2) months to go and I still intend to utilize and maximize them very well..

Anything can happen, bro. All it takes na one minute and I can still make that big break into the center stage. I don't sleep on the hustle bruv.

Going by all you've mentioned, this year is still one of your best years. You're doing a great job. 
Back to the upcoming album:  When people hear the phrase 'Retired Rapper', what do you want them to envision?

How can a Rapper they've never heard of be Retired? Is there anything like that? 😂
I just want their brains to start working even from the title..
Because I intend to awaken certain a consciousness through this project so the brain has to be utilised and ready to catch me by my wave..

While they experience a dimension of my artistry and the elements that make me unique.

Speaking of artistry, on an artistic level, what were the criteria you used while making selections of guest acts for the project. According to your post on Facebook, you worked with a lot of acts. What were the factors during selections?

They are people with great musical potentials that I'm already in a way a fan of their music.

I see.. To digress a bit: what do you think of the Bayelsan entertainment industry?

We are in a process to a great future. We should just trust the process.

And the artistes representing the industry? Are they evolving?

Sure.
Positively.
I tell u, there are good times ahead

Can you name your top five artistes?

Have got a lot of artistes I enjoy listening to. So four me it's quite difficult or rather impossible to name Top five (5). I can only but say amongst my Top five (5) Chiff Timz comes first 😂.

You're one artist who is very fussy about the technical aspect of his songs; how well they're produced, what they should sound like. It's even a tougher job when it's a project. How did you go about the technical aspect of the album?

I guess am mastering my art.
Also, due to time constraint I just had to let some few imperfect details slide..

My next projects will be a better version of this one as the working conditions will be better.

In recent times, we've have witnessed the deliberate actions taken by Bayelsans to better the industry. The industry can now boast of smart visuals and productions. What would you say is responsible for this?

We are maturing..
We are mastering our arts.
We are becoming independent in thoughts, autonomous in deeds, and chasing passion/standard rather than immediate gratification.

The positive role you have played and still playing in the industry is commendable. What would you like to be remembered for?


My Legacy will be the consciousness that I will spread through my art.
I'm not particular about money, awards, collaborations, friends, foes, fans, boys, bosses, or mingling with individuals or high personalities in the industry.

At this point I just get comfortable on my island, while I vent my thoughts through my music, spread consciousness, and live life to the fullest in the process.

Speaking of Legacy. You do have a beautiful family: Your son must be an inspiration.

A big One ☺ 🙌🏾 I no, as in, can never fit, fall him hand 😁

Back to the album. This year has been a busy year for Hip hop so far. From singles to collaborations to projects put out, hip hop acts have been dominant. Could there have been a correlation between the active nature of hip hop this year and your decision to partake in the feast?

Lol.. Not really.. Sleekbuzz, believe me, when I say I hardly pay attention or rather swim with the tides...

How it came by, after successfully putting out the audio and video for my Fvck You challenge, Eddieroll sent me a song of his to do a verse, all I could hear in my head was a rap verse. I did the the cover in like thirty (30) minutes and sent it to Edi. I proceeded to even making a video for it, and the commendations for the work was high.. and boom!!! I became the chairman of the feast. And in two weeks after like more than half of the project was produced and recorded.

Before we let you go, where do you see your self in the nearest future?

🤔I'll be where I'm supposed to be, by God's grace somewhere in a status that no iota of mediocrity can be attached to my person... 🙏

Thank you, Chiff Timz, for your time, and all the best with your album.

Thank you and God bless you for having me, Sleekbuzz.