Mask Covered Faces is the fantastic full-length collaboration between rhyme-duo MCF (G-MILZ & Raw Leaf) and producer Hxly$mxkes. With Hxly$mxkes smoke filled soul samples and hard drum laden sounds acting as the backdrop for the potent street narratives, social commentary and straight-up hard-body bars from G-MILZ & Raw Leaf (who have previous mixtapes under the name Money Comes First as well as solo releases), this a musical match made in heaven.  Though all have names in the Baltimore scene it took some time for them to actually work on music together but now that they have, the results are more than worth the wait.

We caught up with Hxly$mxkes and one half of MCF (G-Milz) and the pair answered Wordplay Magazine’s infamous 10 questions eagerly and in depth. Read this and go check out Mask Covered Faces immediately after for some brilliantly grimy but soulful hip hop.

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

HXLY$MXKES: Growing up, my mom always had different genres of music playing in the house, from soul to classical.  Older cousins introduced me to Hip-Hop in the early 80’s, and 36 Chambers is the album where I fell in love with Hip-Hop.

G-MILZ: It all started around the age of 11 my mother brought me two cassette tapes which was Queen Latifah’s Unity single and Kris Kross Totally Krossed Out album for Christmas. I would tape 92.q jams rap attack radio show every Saturday. They played all hip hop, that’s it. I would say thats when my love for the art sparked.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

HXLY$MXKES: I’m mostly influenced by the artist I grew up listening to & studying. Guys like J-Dilla, Madlib, Alchemist, RZA, DJ Muggs. These are the greats I study and draw inspiration from.

G-MILZ: It)Im a die-hard Wu-Tang fan, the clan would be the number one crew who influenced me. Also Mobb Deep, Kool G Rap, Tupac, Biggie, Nas, Jay-Z, Griselda, Roc Marciano willie the kid the lox just to name a few.  I would love to work with all the artist i named except for big and pac because they are no longer with us.

3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?

HXLY$MXKES: Right now, it’s all about this Mask Covered Faces LP.  But I have been getting a lot of requests lately to do a beat tape. So I definitely plan to deliver one of those for sure.

G-MILZ: Right now me and my brother Raw Leaf are working on our forthcoming album titled Black Diamondz and Pearlz. We also have solo projects were working on as well.  The projects include production from Myself HxlySmxkes, J-Grizz for Beet Boyz music and SOVREN.

4. How would you describe your sound?

HXLY$MXKES: I’d say it’s emotionally gritty, sample based boom bap.  If you’re a fan of the grimy 90’s era of Hip-Hop, my sound would be an updated version of that.

G-MILZ: My sound is a mixture of all the artist that influence me.  Straight forward and straight to the point nothing extra.Just dope beats dope rhymes and relatable concepts.  I try to put reality into my music.

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

HXLY$MXKES: I’d say the creation of the Rufus Buck Project LP.  It was my introduction into the underground Hip-Hop scene and my first fully produced offering.

G-MILZ: My proudest moment as a artist to date would be collaborating with my brothers Raw Leaf and HxlySmxkes to complete this Mask Covered Faces album. I say that to say our beloved brother K.i.D god bless his soul he had a vision to bring us three brothers together to create something special.  I’m honoured to know that we did complete the task at hand it took awhile but we got it done.  You can't force or rush what the most high has planned out for you.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

HXLY$MXKES: My advice would be to be consistent, patient, willing to sacrifice, humble, and never compromise your sound just to fit in with what’s popular.

G-MILZ: My advice for the people and the readers out there who wanna get into the music game.  Would be to stay consistent keep working learn the business and put yourself on. Don’t chase money or a record deal just keep creating art.

8. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

HXLY$MXKES: Artist on my radar include Ja’King the Divine, Mickey Diamonds, Ill Conscience, just to name a few.

G-MILZ: I rock with a female out of Richmond VA her name is Pretty Savage she's a dope artist I like her style.

9. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

HXLY$MXKES: At the moment, my rotation includes Eto x Futurewave – Dead Poets, Willie the Kid x VDon – Blue Notes 2, and MCF x HxlySmxkes – Mask Covered Faces.

G-MILZ: The albums I have in heavy rotation right now on my playlist are Raekwon - Only Built For Cuban Linx,  VDon and Willie The kid - Blue Notes lI, Mobb Deep - Murda Muzik, Roc Marci and Alchemist - The Elephant Mans Bones, Stove God Cook$ - Reasonable Drought and Griselda - WWCD.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

HXLY$MXKES: When I’m not making music, I’m probably digging for vinyls, or I do oil paintings to spark creative ideas.

G-MILZ: I’m a family man so when I'm not creating I like to spend time with my wife and kids. Just relax and chill. I'm a horror flick junkie so you can catch me watching horror flicks when I'm not creating.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

HXLY$MXKES: Top 3 things would be, my drum machine + laptop (of course), hard drive w/samples, and Fiji water.

G-MILZ: I can't live without water or some type of beverage! Good food, good vibes and good weed, those are the three essentials that I can't live without while I'm in the studio.

Words: Gavin Brown