In this recent Q&A session I had with the comedically honest emcee Dave Gutter, he shares his candid views on hip hop and independent artistry.  In an industry with so many people clamoring for attention, it is refreshing to know that there are still artists who hold on to what matters in an effort to deliver genuine music for the sake of the craft.  Peep his outspoken words of wisdom and a taste of his distinctive musical skills below.

Achickwitbeatz: Who is Dave Gutter?

Dave Gutter: I honestly don't know yet. I like so many things and since a lot of them are completely contradictory to each other it's hard to pinpoint what defines me. Right now what I do know, is Dave Gutter is a member of the Liquor Store rap collective and one half of the Ovastandas. I love music, if its good its good I'll f*** with it. I think Tupac Shakur was most important person in our generation bar none---the way he went about everything is how people should go about everything. When Pac made sh** it was organic so you felt it like live music and that's that sh**.

Achickwitbeatz: When did you discover that you needed music to be a part of your life?

Dave Gutter: It hit me that I need to rap the first time I saw the video for "It Ain't Hard to Tell". It was something about Nas's flow that made me feel like I can do this too. But it when the homie Chancelor called me in like '96 I think, but he just saw the video for Rae's "Ice Cream" and this n*gga said " We can do this sh**." I said "Cool, then it's on" and been on since.

Achickwitbeatz: What can listeners expect from you?

Dave Gutter: All kind of good sh**. That's what I do because that's who I am. I'm banging 808 trunk sh**, but I'm also cool laid back Dilla sh** too. It just depends on how I'm feeling. But it will always be Gutter, because that's just who I am.

Achickwitbeatz: What is the most valuable information you've learned since you became an independent artist?

Dave Gutter: That you gotta do sh** on your own if you want it done on time and the way you want it. F*** a deal, with YouTube and all the sh** out there on the World Wide Internet to get you and your message out there, all you need is a studio to make it in, and that sh** is not expensive at all plus you keep all the money now. So by the time the suits find out about you, all they can do is buy into your movement.

Achickwitbeatz: What are 5 attributes/skills an artist should have to make your top 10 list?

Dave Gutter: 1.  Rap Skillz
                      2. Album Structure
                      3. Consistency across your catalog.
                      4. Relatability
                      5. Being cooler than me, and that's not easy.

Achickwitbeatz: Conversely, what are 5 attributes that would put an artist at the very bottom of your list?

Dave Gutter: 1. Stupid for sake of being stupid.
                      2. Too much of one way n*ggas angers me. Rather you just too damn tough or  
                          you too damn soft.
                      3. A whack fan base. If the wrong person tells about a rapper it's over before it    
                          starts.
                      4. Over 35 but makes music for lil n*ggas.
                      5. Being signed to Cash Money after 2010, I'm just kidding.......Am I?

Achickwitbeatz: What is your primary source of motivation for creation?

Dave Gutter: Sh****ing on n*ggas, straight up I hear some sh** that's out cold and get  
                       motivated, or I just wanna vent some sh** out. Plus I smoke a lot a weed and that  
                       helps too.

Achickwitbeatz: What's next on the horizon for Dave Gutter?

Dave Gutter: Right now I'm working on this Ovastandas EP with Anagram, far as Liquor Store
                      Ashim got a new joint coming out real soon and then we got Esdot working on his  
                      highly anticipated and long overdue debut album. Plus I'm out here connecting up
                      with people so you finna hear me a lot this year. Oh and check out my cooking  
                      show "Cooking with N*ggas".

Achickwitbeatz: How can people connect with you and stay current with what you have in the works?

Dave Gutter: Facebook.com/davidgutter
                      Facebook.com/Ovastandas
                      Facebook.com/TheLiquorStore
                      Twitter.com/davegutter79
                      YouTube.com/davidgutter
                      Therealovastandas@gmail.com
                      Davidgutter@yahoo.com