Tash's Rap Life is the first solo offering from Catashtrophe, the most prolific member of the Alkaholiks. The album features Tash's trademark wit and lyricism, with help from his friends like Raekwon, B-Real of Cypress Hill, and Outkast. Here's a little bit of Tash's rap life, in his own words

What was it like working with Raekwon?

Raekwon is just like one of the homies to me. I've known Raekwon since before Wu Tang was big, so it wasn't any different from any of the other homies on the track. Raekwon is one of those people that stays in the studio until the song is done. He don't compromise and say I'm just going to throw something on the track then cut, he stays until he's happy with it. Raekwon is dope, Peace to Raekwon.

The single Rap Life is already so popular, even to the point that MTV is playing your video in rotation. The Alkaholiks never received attention from MTV, how does this make you feel?

It's gravy, I felt that MTV is such a big part of a lot of peoples careers. I think cuz we've been on tour with Blink 182, Korn, Limp Bizkit and all we would have been had attention from MTV. I actually have a little job on MTV now, they're putting together a show in affiliation with Lyricist Lounge. They had a big audition, and out of 130 MC's they chose me, so I'll be a part of the show.

What's your favorite song on the album?

I have to say the jam called "Tash Rules" with LV. I was kind of dabbling in some different sounds on this album, and that song represents that sound I was looking for. That's the furthest stretch, the most that shows me.

My favorite song is "Smokefest", will this be a single or will you have a video for this song?

Well, Outkast being on there, I really see it being a vision in the future. E-Swift made the beat, and my homeboy Phil the Agony who is a dope MC is featured on that song. Phil is in a group called The Barbershop, and we felt like that group stood out the most of all groups we work with. Definitely check for Phil the Agony in the future.

Did you shop your solo project to other labels, or was it an automatic choice to go to Loud?

When I first decided to make a solo album, I pitched it to a number of different labels and I had some offers on the table. But I really wanted to keep it in the family, cuz we were with Loud when it was a computer and a desk. We've built relationships with the people there, so Loud was my first choice and they came correct with the contracts, so that was it.

What are the Alkaholiks up to?

The Alkaholiks are definitely together, working on a new album. E-Swift just went triple platinum with the Everlast song, and J-Ro has been in the lab producing. We hang out everyday, and also do a lot of shows together, the Alkaholiks ain't went nowhere.

How was the experience of doing the solo record in comparison to recording with the Liks?

It was cool, cuz when you're working with a group you have to wait for everyone to come together. On this one, it was like, Big Daddy call the shots! Whatever popped into my head first, I could just use that idea. I also got a chance to work with some people I've really been wanting to work with like Battlecat, Rockweiler, Minnesota, Outkast, and other people. It was a good experience.

Who do you listen to other than your extended family like Dilated Peoples, The Barbershop, Alkaholiks?

I like Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Redman, Method Man, Kurupt, Pharoahe Monch, DMX, Jay Z, anything where the beat is banging I'm loving it.

The Likwit Connection is real big right now, what's up with the extended family?

2000 is going to be a real good year for the Likwit. It's like a snowball, it keeps getting bigger and bigger every year. It took time for us to get this name, and now we have Xzibit coming, King T, Dilated Peoples, The Barbershop. It's a huge year coming up.

What's next for Tash?

Everything is perpetual. I want to be one of those artists who goes out thirty years after he started. I might be rapping for another ten years, then do something else in the industry. I want to create a legacy like Berry Gordy and Quincy Jones, them type of cats. Whatever it is, it will definitely be musically influenced. I'm getting with MTV, I'm doing films like Eastsiders with Snoop Doggy Dogg, and hopefully that will platform into other film and television appearances.

Tell me about the Alkaholiks movie…

We put up the money to do the movie, then we wanted more footage added, so we waited to shoot the rest of the scenes. Now the movie is ready, and we're just searching for a distributor. Definitely look out for the Liks movie this coming year.

Any last words for the fans?

Yeah, please go out and buy my shit. It's 2000 and we're artists who never wanted any one to hand us anything. My whole clique worked their asses off to get to this point, and the only thing that can hold us back now is if the fans don't respond. But the response has been off the hook, the fans are loving it. Peace to all the fans out there, man. Fuck that East Coast, West Coast, shit - that's some bullshit to Tash.