TightEyez: interview and bio of the cambodian rapper from Stockton

Tight-Eyez

On February 1st, 1980 in a refugee camp on the outskirts of Thailand a male child was born. Barely born, and already marked by the world as a descendant of the 'killing fields of Cambodia'. A descendant of a culture scarred by wars, and monstrous acts of inhumanity. This child would later adopt the name 'TightEyez'. TightEyez fled with his family from Thailand to America as many Southeast Asians did in the aftermath of the Vietnam War and the Civil Wars of Cambodia. He arrived in America at a very young age. His family had hopes and dreams of a better life in America without the pain and sufferings of war. What they encountered instead, was pain and suffering of a different kind. The pain of poverty, and the pain of losing one another.

To say that life was hard for TightEyez while growing up would be a gross understatement. TightEyez and three other family members lived in a small house on the Westside of a little town called Stockton, in a neighborhood called Louis Park. This neighborhood is notorious for violent crimes, murders, gangs, and drugs. As young boys growing up in this type of environment, TightEyez and his older brother joined the neighborhood street gangs as a way to survive the violent ghetto streets. Growing up in a poor family TightEyez did whatever was necessary to survive and see another day.

Life was an everyday struggle for them and pain became a close companion. After so many years of living this way they began to accept the cards that life dealt them and even became accustomed to it. His family was a tight knit circle and was always there for each other when times got rough. Even though times were hard his family managed to remain happy until 1994. That year his brother was arrested and incarcerated for murder. His brother was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole at the age of 17. He has a little girl by the name of Erika who is about 10 years old now. TightEyez's mother and step father took good care of his older brother while he was in prison. They tried their best to give him everything he needed and when they couldn't he would understand, that's just how his family was, very understanding towards one another.

With the loss of his brother, the circle collapsed and his family began to break apart. His mother began drinking excessively to deal with the pain of losing her eldest son. TightEyez began spending more and more time on the streets and became increasingly uncontrollable. His step dad, who raised and cared for them since they were very young, was left in the middle. TightEyez tried his best to keep his family together, anyway that he could. However his mother became ill and as time passed on her condition deteriorated. His mother passed away on September 13, 1999 as TightEyez slept next to her. The death of his mother crushed TightEyez and his step father. To this day it still pains him to talk about it. His step dad later moved back to Washington to be closer to his family. TightEyez felt that it was time for him to take care of himself, so he decided not to tag along. His step dad later re-married and had a son of his own. Alone and homeless TightEyez moves from house to house dependant on the kindness of distant family members and close friends who offer him a place to rest his head.

TightEyez currently resides with a close friend and his family. All that TightEyez has left in the world is his little girl who stays with her mother in Alaska. Determined to make a difference TightEyez devotes all his spare time into his music and finding ways to be in his little girl's life. He says he enjoys making music because music is his therapy. It is the only way for him to express his emotions, release his anger, and ease the pain that travels through his heart. His music allows him to deal with his pain and keeps him from going crazy. It's what drives him to strive for a brighter day. TightEyez wants everybody to know that that is what they should be doing too. He says 'Never waste time bullshitting and keep your mind focused on what is really important in each and everyone's life. Life is just too damn precious.'

Interview ::
conducted by
JiZO Jewles

PA: How did you get the name of TightEyez?

TightEyez: I got the name Tighteyez from just being myself...It means that I am Asian. I chose to adopt that name because I felt that I would get more respect from people especially in the music industry. Plain and simple, it represents all of us Asians.

PA: Let’s talk about your music now. Why did you choose rap music? What is rap music to you?

TightEyez: Rap music is a form of expression. It’s more like therapy to me. It helps clean my soul. Plus I love the art. I mean knowing that you can make people dance, cry, laugh, and enjoy themselves because of your own music is a good feeling. I mean learning the art of writing music help me get away from a lot of bad times. That’s why I love music.

PA: You made several songs with Mac-G. How did you meet him?

TightEyez: We met back in 2001. I moved to Fresno to stay with a friend and the first day I was there I met Mac G on top of the stairs where I was staying. We met through a mutual friend. He asked me if I knew how to rap and I was like "a little bit" then I told him to bust something and it was history from there.

PA: I know you must hear that a lot, but you really sound like 2Pac which I think is a super compliment (I am a big fan...) Was he a huge inspiration to your music? What other artists inspired or influenced you?

TightEyez: Tupac to me was one of the brightest artists alive at the time and after his death. You can tell he gave it all to the people and forgot to care for himself. Other artist that I listen to is Too Short, E-40, Biggie, Nas, Jay Z, etc...I mean to me music is music. I listen to Blink 182, Garth Brookes, Gwen Stefani, any music that can make me smile, and laugh, cry or bounce I listen to. So as far as inspiration goes, it’s just music in general. Oh yeah can’t forget about the oldies like the Manhattans...excuse my spelling. That was my momma’s favorite group.

PA: I read your bio and you really went through hell. How are things these days?

TightEyez: Well from then until now I have two daughters now...Jazmene and Jeylene, which are five and four now. I started my own record company called Tighteyez Entertainment. Dropped my first album from my own record company which is the "Now or Never". I’m still kind of living life on the road but this time I’m out making money doing something I love to do and that’s music.

PA: Can you describe your experience as an azn rapper?

TightEyez: I mean it’s fun but real hard to get accepted in this game...but as an artist/individual I seem to get by and around the critics. I mean I haven’t seen main stream yet but as far as the underground scene I’m pretty much respected. Well we do have other Asian rappers that hate but if we don’t work together and make a move then I don’t think any Asian rappers will ever get that respect like we should. Mainstream is right there for the taking but the hating gotta stop. It’s A.P. (Asian Pride) on mines.

PA: Who produces your beats?

TightEyez: I have a team of producers on my team. I have a guy that goes by the alias "Da Beathoven" aka Skilly, Daniel aka Daniel D, and of course myself.



PA: Do you possibly speak fluent Khmer? If yes, have you ever tried rapping in Khmer?

TightEyez: I don’t speak it fluently...I speak ghetto Khmer language...hahah.....I also have Thai, and Chinese in my bloodline. And I recently found out that my great, great, great, grandfather was a full blooded African American man from France or something like that.



PA: You mentioned to me that Tighteyez Entertainment is Opening up for E-40 in Stockton, CA on May 2nd? Is that your own label?

TightEyez: Yes it is. I started the label two years ago and look where I’m at now. The show was just recently cancelled but it’s postponed in the mean while. The city has their issues.



PA: Your album is really highly anticipated by the underground rap community? Any word on when it is gonna hit the shelves?

TightEyez: It’s been out. You can purchase the cd at www.Tighteyez.net check it out.



PA: Are you working on any possible new videos?

TightEyez: Yes we finished another video but it’s still in the editing room. Just stick around and it'll be out shortly.



PA: What stereotypes do you have to go up against being an Asian rapper?

TightEyez: What stereotypes, I’m a human being. We cannot let people get to us in that type of way. It defeats the purpose of being yourself. I mean what are they going to say that I’m a typical Asian Rapper. Hahahahah. Now that’s a good one.



PA: What do you hope to have accomplished ten years from now?

TightEyez: 10,000,000 copies sold. Diamond Plaque, and maybe hopefully win some awards from the music awards but my main goal is to shoot for the Diamond status. Even if I only sold 1,000,000 copies a year add ten years to that, it’s still 10,000,000. They say in order to achieve big things you have to set your goals high. Aim high and you will achieve.



PA: BTW, what is the meaning of the tattoo on your neck?

TightEyez: Well the one on the left is a symbol of strength and the right says R.I.P Ot Tight that’s my mother’s name.

PA: Do you have any specific message you want to say to all of our readers?

TightEyez: Thanks for the support and I’m praying one day I get to tour out there and enjoy the beauty of other peoples culture. Pray for me and I will do the same for you. Thank you.



PA: Thanks TightEyez. Thanks for your time and keep on making that "tite" music.

Killa Team - Cali (New York RMX) featuring Tight Eyez, MacG

To purchase TightEyez latest compilation on CD, please send your payment of 7 U.S dollars and make it payable to Pichet Phim:

Tighteyez Ent.
7317 Excalibur Circle
Stockton, Ca 95210

Music Download:

1. Don't you cry (wma)
2. Gettin High (wma)
3. Hey Ladies (wma)
4. Central Cali (wma)
5. Soopa Sto (wma)

http://www.tighteyez.net/