LOKI interview; actor, musician & more..

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LOKI has been around for a while. A member of the infamous DMS Crew, you might recognize him from Madball, Danny Diablo or Skarhead videos. Or from his acting roles in Hancock, My Name Is Earl, Criminal Minds. Now it’s time to bring his own solo (music) project to the front of the line. We talk with Loki about the acting industry, living a more healthy lifestyle and his upcoming music with Sick Jacken, Jaysaun amongst others…

Cover photo by: Photo by: Jammi Sloane York.

What up Loki, please introduce yourself..
Wazzup y’all! My name is Loki, big ups to The Wild Styles..!

You just released your new (and first) single “Can’t Stop Winning” featuring Lord Willin’. Why did you choose this particular song and artist feat?
Yeah man, it’s a real trip! I’ve always been that dude on the sidelines of music. Beating down dudes that fucked with the bands [I was down with] to be honest.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4033″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”large” img_link_large=”yes”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]For a long time now people have been asking when I was going to do a musical project. The problem has always been that I’m really particular with what I want to do and the only cats I ever fucked with musically were in established, world touring bands and because of that it was difficult to start anything that could possibly have a future.

In terms of why I picked to jump off with this song.. My brotha Freddy Madball recently told me that I was in a good position in terms of doing a project that is diversely different than what most of our set is doing for the main fact that once established, your audience tends to want to pigeonhole you into a particular genre. Whether it’s metal, harcore, oi, hip hop etc. I guess I really took that to heart. I’m a bipolar whack job with a.d.d. and I think people will see that in the music I’m doing, which is all over the place.

The problem has always been that I’m really particular with what I want to do and the only cats I ever fucked with musically were in established, world touring bands and because of that it was difficult to start anything that could possibly have a future.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Lord Willin’ is a really dope underground artist and I really love how he flows. I couldn’t see anyone else doing that part on it like he did. He killed it! Without any fanbase, touring, label pushing, etc, that song got 11 thousand hits in it’s first week alone. Pretty cool.

[section label=”DMS Crew” anchor=”loki-dmscrew”]

You’re part of the infamous DMS crew. How and when did you first meet the fellas?
No idea what you’re talking about. I’m assuming you all remember that movie “Fight Club” with Brad Pitt and Ed Norton? Well.. Please refer to the 1st and 2nd rule of Fight Club!

DMS started out as a skinhead crew in the 80’s, the 90’s brought a musical element through hardcore bands such as Madball, DMIZE, Son Of Skam, Crown Of Thornz. In the 00’s, around the time prominent member Lord Ezec aka Danny Diablo moved to LA, it seems to have expanded to include hip hop acts such as Danny Diablo, Slaine, The Shotblockers, Jaysaun and now yourself.. Can you talk about this progression, did you guys have a goal in mind, like to build a collective like Soul Assassins?
Me and him (Ezec) moved to Los Angeles in 2005. Our goal was simple, to establish a foothold in the music and film industry and to spread our gospel so to speak.

Living with Ezec was complete hell. Night after night that guy would have me drinking, doing coke with artists and strippers, fighting anyone that disrespected us or our friends, and banging more broads than I can remember. Hell, girls still come up to me out here saying things like.. “OMG! Loki! How are you? I had the best time with you and Ezec!” and I’m like “That’s nice to hear, now who the fuck are you?”. Damn, who am I kidding, that shit was mad fun back then![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row bg_type=”image” bg_grad=”background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, left bottom, color-stop(0%, #FBFBFB), color-stop(50%, #E3E3E3), color-stop(100%, #C2C2C2));background: -moz-linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);background: -webkit-linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);background: -o-linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);background: -ms-linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);background: linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);” parallax_style=”vcpb-default” bg_image_new=”3944″ bg_image_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_image_size=”contain” bg_img_attach=”fixed” parallax_sense=”30″ bg_override=”ex-full” css=”.vc_custom_1408362710521{background-image: url(http://www.thewildstyles.com/wp-content/uploads/loki-dms-diablo-cuz.jpg?id=4030) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1405001974922{padding-right: 60px !important;padding-left: 60px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1404941073762{padding-top: 350px !important;}”]

Night after night that guy [Lord Ezec] would have me drinking, doing coke with artists and strippers, fighting anyone that disrespected us or our friends, and banging more broads than I can remember. Damn, who am I kidding, that shit was mad fun back then!

[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]JTNDc3BhbiUyMHN0eWxlJTNEJTIyY29sb3IlM0ElMjAlMjNmZmZmZmYlM0IlMjIlM0VMb3JkJTIwRXplYyUyMCUyOERhbm55JTIwRGlhYmxvJTI5JTJDJTIwTG9raSUyQyUyMEN1eiUyMEpvZSUyMCUyOEJsYWNrJTIwTiUyMEJsdWUlMjkuJTIwUGhvdG8lMjBieSUzQSUyMEphbW1pJTIwU2xvYW5lJTIwWW9yay4lM0MlMkZzcGFuJTNF[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]So it’s safe to say you’ve been around the hardcore scene for a long time. Yet you never played in any bands right?
Actually, from ’95 till ’98 I sung for a hardcore band based out of New Brunswick, NJ called Circle Of Violence. We only played the East Coast though. NY, NJ, Baltimore and Washington.

You also used to run a tattoo shop called “Sinister Ink”?
Yes I did. I sold my studios to pursue my dreams out here in LA. Also, as owner of the sole shops in my perspective areas, I found myself constantly takings steps to ensure I was the only shark in my pond, if you get my drift..[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4034″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”yes” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]Do you have any other songs ready, if so, anybody else we know featured on it? Producers, songtitles..
I have two more songs in the works right now that I co-wrote the music for with my good friend J-Dog from the band HU. One of them is called “Out of My Mind”. These tracks will be featuring Sick Jacken (The Psycho Realm), Sean Price (Boot Camp Clik), Ill Bill (La Coka Nostra), Vinnie Paz (Jedi Mind Tricks) and Jaysaun (Special Teamz).

Like you said, “Out Of My Mind” featuring Sick Jacken, Ill Bill, Jaysaun will be out in a few weeks… Those are some pretty big names man, how did you get them on your track, and what was it like recording amongst these legends @ The Psycho Realm compound?
How did I get them on my track. Well that was easy…. I hit a button on my phone and was like “Yo brotha, I got a verse on this track I’m doing that you’d be perfect for” haha. These guys are all real life friends of mine outside of music. It just so happens that all of them are incredibly gifted MC’s and I’m very honored that they agreed to be a part of this. The song came out fucking amazing. And yes, working with these proper villains of such a high skill set totally inspires me to step up my game! I truly believe that the audience will see a natural progression in future releases.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text][section label=”Hollywood” anchor=”loki-hollywood”]

So far we’ve been focusing on the music side of things, but your main gig for years has been acting & producing right? You’ve had roles in Criminal Minds, Hancock, My Name Is Earl..
Yup! The Criminal Mids episode I was on was really fun too! That was the first episode that Joe Mantegna not only starred in, but also directed. I’ve always been a huge fan of the Godfather movies. When I finished my part in the scene, Joe said “Ok guys, I know we usually don’t do this during shooting but how about giving a hand (applause) to Loki, he did a great job!”. That just totally blew my mind! I was all like “Ok, Joey Zasa from The Godfather Part 2 just said I did a great job.. no big deal!”, haha. But in all seriousness, that’s definitely one of those moments I’ll never forget. The first real acting gig I ever got though, was when I got booked on a commercial that we shot in Milan Italy for the Nintendo Gameboy.

When I finished my part in the scene, Joe said “Ok guys, I know we usually don’t do this during shooting but how about giving a hand (applause) to Loki, he did a great job!”. That just totally blew my mind! I was all like “Ok, Joey Zasa from The Godfather Part 2 just said I did a great job.. no big deal!”, haha.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4035″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”large” img_link_large=”yes”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]I also worked on a show called Ironside, which was a remake of a popular TV show from the 60’s / 70’s starring Raymond Burr. The remake starred Blair Underwood who was awesome to work with! Before this show, I hadn’t ridden any motorized bike in about 20 years (used to ride Vespa’s and Lambretta’s as a kid). The show got one of the stunt riders from show Sons Of Anarchy to teach me how to ride a Harley and look like a seasoned rider. Unfortunately the show got cancelled due to low ratings here in the States. But I’m still getting rather significant residual checks for that particular episode’s foreign usage, so that’s cool with me!

Scene from “Ironside”, source: IMDB.

Is it difficult to get into the industry?
Extremely! I definitely wouldn’t recommend this profession (acting) to anyone. It will make you question everything about yourself. I’ve had to make a lot of sacrifices over the years to pursue this career. I look at a lot of my close friends and family that have stable jobs, raising families, etc, and I’m envious of them. Happy for them as well for I believe they are truly blessed..

What do you mean when you say [ people will ] question everything about themselves? Do you regret investing so much time and energy focusing on this career & do you feel it paid off in the end?
When I said “It will make you question everything about yourself”, what I meant by that, and of course I can only from my own experience is; I cleary remember being a kid and living on the streets and always striving to get ahead so I’d never have to experience wondering where my next meal or roof over my head would come from. So I built a succesfull business and opened up a chain of tattoo studios. A year after I moved to cali I sold my shops and a few investments that I shouldn’t have. It basically blew my nest egg and I had to start all over again.

If you ask anyone in the business they’ll tell you the rejection rate for actors auditioning is extremely high as compared to other careers. It comes with the territory, but that’s also why every year thousands of people with hopes of being the next Zack Efron or Brad Pitt that moved out to LA find themselves on a bus back to bumfuck, Iowa with all their hopes and dreams shattered. Which I actually love because well…, less competition! Haha.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4036″ border_color=”grey” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”large” img_link_large=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]I don’t regret my current occupation and the pursuit of my dreams at all. To me it has nothing to with being seen. I could care less about that. I really like digging into a character, finding out (or creating a reason) as to what makes them tick. Their motivation, desires, etc. As weird as it may sound, I’ve found a form of therapy on it. So yes, it has definitely paid off in the form of finding happiness in what I do.

I don’t regret my current occupation and the pursuit of my dreams at all. To me it has nothing to with being seen. I could care less about that. I really like digging into a character, finding out (or creating a reason) as to what makes them tick.

Do you feel like you’re being typecasted due to your look?
It’s funny you should mention that. Yeah I don’t know why, but I never get roles like catholic priest, president of the united states, chief commisioner, etc. You think I maybe should talk to my agent about that?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4037″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”yes” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”large”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”4038″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”yes” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”large”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text][section label=”Lifestyle changes and sobriety” anchor=”loki-lifestyle”]

You recently posted a picture on your FB with an AA token.., I’ve also noticed you became a vegetarian.. Those two combined seem like a pretty radical change of lifestyle.
True, true. I never worked a program before. As of this writing I have 45 days of sobriety. Again, just tyring to undo all those years that Ezec ruined my life (just kidding).

I guess it’s because of this that I find I have become a lot more focused lately. Mentally, spiritually and physically. I’m not a vegetarin, pescetarian now for a year and five months now. It’s similar, but with the exception that I still eat fish & shellfish. Within that time I’ve noticed radical changes. I don’t look bloated, my skin is much better, I don’t need as much sleep as I used to, I never get constipated and I can fuck like nobody’s business!

My main inspirations for making these changes were the words of advice of two dear friends of mine; John Joseph (of the Cro-Mags) and the NYC graffiti artist Skid One DMS.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row bg_type=”image” bg_grad=”background: -webkit-gradient(linear, left top, left bottom, color-stop(0%, #FBFBFB), color-stop(50%, #E3E3E3), color-stop(100%, #C2C2C2));background: -moz-linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);background: -webkit-linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);background: -o-linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);background: -ms-linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);background: linear-gradient(top,#FBFBFB 0%,#E3E3E3 50%,#C2C2C2 100%);” parallax_style=”vcpb-default” bg_image_new=”3944″ bg_image_repeat=”no-repeat” bg_image_size=”contain” bg_img_attach=”fixed” parallax_sense=”30″ bg_override=”ex-full” css=”.vc_custom_1408362876896{background-image: url(http://www.thewildstyles.com/wp-content/uploads/loki-dms-01.jpg?id=4039) !important;background-position: center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: cover !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2/3″ css=”.vc_custom_1405001974922{padding-right: 60px !important;padding-left: 60px !important;}”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1405003453303{padding-top: 250px !important;padding-bottom: 250px !important;}”]

I guess it’s because of this [lifestyle change] that I find I have become a lot more focused lately. Mentally, spiritually and physically. [..] I’ve noticed radical changes. I don’t look bloated, my skin is much better, I don’t need as much sleep as I used to, I never get constipated and I can fuck like nobody’s business!

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text][section label=”Ballbustaz” anchor=”loki-ballbustaz”]

You created Ballbustaz TV, which did two great episodes, featuring interviews with graf legends like Risky and Seen, as well as conversations with musicians like Travis Barker of Blink 182, Toby Morse of H2O..
One thing about my circle of friends is that we always try to promote each other in all positive things we do. This is kinda my way of doing that you could say.

Coming up with the name was easy. It’s just what we do when we’re around each other. The only problem with this is every now and then an outsider will see this and not understand that there is years and years of friendship behind it. They try to do it and it just comes out as disrespect. The next thing you know they’re lying on the ground semi unconscious saying to themselves “What the fuck just happened!?”. I believe Skam Dust said it best “We’re ballbustaz till the day we all die!!”.

The only problem with this is every now and then an outsider will see this and not understand that there is years and years of friendship behind it. They try to do it and it just comes out as disrespect. The next thing you know they’re lying on the ground semi unconscious saying to themselves “What the fuck just happened!?”. I believe Skam Dust said it best “We’re ballbustaz till the day we all die!!”.

There will be another episode soon. Getting the video for “Out Of My Mind” together has been my priority as of late though…[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4040″ alignment=”center” border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”yes” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”large”][vc_column_text][section label=”Conclusion” anchor=”loki-outro”]

Are you gonna be focusing more on the music now?
Acting is my passion and will remain my priority. I’ll do music as long as Im having fun with it.

In closing I’d just to like to say: be on the lookout for new music from Ill Roc Records. Show support to these two amazing streetwear clothing companies: Pitchfork and Casa De Roc. And a strong shout out to all my ‘3 Letter Kings’ worldwide. Love you guys, peace! I’m out.

FACEBOOK: www.FaceBook.com/LokiTheChosenOne
INSTAGRAM: @LokiTheChosenOne[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]