HHN Live.com writer, Todd Davis, recently spoke with legendary West Coast rapper/producer, Soopafly, about his group Dubb Union, and what the future has in store for them...take a look.

Dubb Union is a mega-popular West Coast based rhyme outfit, whose three members; renowned producer/rapper Soopafly {Priest Brooks}, Damani {Damani Washington}, and Bad Lucc {Terence Harden}, all hail from various nearby Los Angeles cities; Long Beach, Inglewood, and Watts respectively. Formerly known as Westurn Union, and after spending years plugging away at respectable solo careers, the trio decided to finally come together to form a super-group, wisely realizing that there is definitely strength in numbers…

Todd Davis: Is it Dubb Union or Westurn Union? And, am I the only one confused here? Over time, I’ve heard both names used for the group…

Soopafly: It’s both! We had to change the name on paper ‘cause of the obvious liking to the little money exchange business or whatever. You know, Western Union? So, like Damani said, they had $300 million more dollars than we did. So, they won the case. But, of course, when I speak the name, it’ll always be Westurn Union!

TD: Now being that you all had already been doing your own solo things beforehand, how did the three of you even come together to form this collective?

SF: I been fuccin' with Damani for awhile, since (Dr. Dre’s) ‘The Next Episode’ video. He brought Lucc around a couple years later. They had formed Westurn Union already. I was liking they sound and hustle, so I asked to join. There it was!

TD:What led you all to your current inking with Snoop Dogg’s label, Doggystyle, through Koch Records?

SF: I guess me. I told Dogg ‘bout the group. He already knew and liked Damani on some player shit. Lucc fit right with the lyrics, and it was a go from there.

TD: How did the name Dubb Union originally come about?

SF: Derives from Westurn Union, the Dubb meaning the West -- Dubbs Up!

TD: What do each of you actually bring to the table creatively that gives Dubb Union your cohesive sound?

SF: Damani brings that personality and swag. Lucc brings the griminess and street edge that we need to get across to street niggas. I bring that Magic Johnson game! Make sure everything is running smoove, and getting the ‘rock’ [metaphor for a basketball] to the nigga that’s hot!

TD: So, do you all usually write collectively or as individuals?

SF: We write together and separately. (It) depends on the time and situation. I get my inspiration from the streets, the clubs, and my kids.

TD: Production-wise, who all got down with you all on the album?

SF: We worked with THX, Hi-Tek, Warryn Campbell, Nomins, BJ, Traci Nelson, Dion, Kurupt, Daz and Snoop.

TD: Do you have any particular favorite track(s) on the record?

SF: The whole album is my favorite track! At different times, each song was my favorite. Our special guests were just close musical family and friends. We want the world to hear us! Not us with him or her, just us!

TD: What do you feel has been the key to your success in entertainment?

SF: The main thing that will sustain us is the fact that we all know that out of everything we know how to do, bottom-line is we do this the best! I don’t sell drugs better than I do music. I can pimp a bitch pretty damn good, but still not better than I can make music, Feel me? So, a smart nigga gonna stick with his forte’. And, I got two niggaz who feel the same way.

TD: What makes you all different from other groups that are out there?

SF: First of all, we from the West! That always sets us apart, good or bad! Second is our sound.

TD: What are some of your other future goals and plans? Maybe even completely away from this music…

SF: I personally love coaching Little League Football, and just dealing with inner city kids who ain’t got (it) like my kids do. Anything else would still be in music. I like directing music, mixing music, finding music -- Shit, I’m gonna find something to do!

TD: On a more serious note, are you content with what’s been going on in Hip-Hop? More specifically, what about West Coast rap, or the lack thereof?

SF: I’m good with the state of Hip-Hop today. Not too thrilled about how the West gets treated within Hip-Hop. But, then again, I can understand why the industry is scared to fucc with us. A lot of real things happened when we had the torch, and basically it was just too real. Bad things happened, along with a West Coast bully who damn near scared everybody in the business back then, with exception to a few. Let’s keep Hip-Hop safe they say. And, what better way to stay safe than excluding the niggaz who made it unsafe, Feel me?

TD: With that being said, what about what’s been happening in this business with all the leaked music, bootlegs, and illegal downloads?

SF: Ridiculous! And then, the same mufuccas downloading shit for free got the nerve to comment on a nigga’s performance! I don’t consider down-loaders my fans anyway, so I’m quick to say, “Fucc ‘Em!”

TD: You talked about your love for coaching kids, but what other non-music industry related hobbies do you enjoy?

SF: Coaching football, making beats, working on whoever else I feel should be out besides us. I’m a team player.

TD: You’ve also been in this industry a very long time, so what’s been your greatest achievement to date?

SF: Working with (Dr.) Dre on ‘Natural Born Killaz,’ my first time ever in a studio, (Tha Dogg Pound’s) the Dogg Food record, Tupac All Eyez On Me album, and getting off Death Row!

TD: Now that this Westurn Union/Dubb Union album is finally out there, what else do you all have in store for the coming months?

SF: Working on album two, then focus on individuals, (and) then get crackin’ on album three. Myself, I’m gonna take some time out and work on some R&B. Been talking to LaToiya Williams, and we getting back in motion.

TD: Do you have any message for the readers of HHN Live Dot Com?

SF: SUPPORT THE WEST!

http://www.myspace.com/westurnunion