Pacman knew from the jump that music was where he needed to be. Growing up on the streets of Crenshaw and Slauson under Nipsey Hussle’s All Money In record label, the 27-year-old rapper shows promise in his latest My Section 3 EP. The end of a three-part series following the everyday evolution of the artist’s life in the streets. We got to sit with Pacman at the legendary Pacific Dining Car in Los Angeles, where Denzel takes the rookie to meet the big guys in Training Day. Jazz music plays in the background during our short interview and we all feel a little out of place in this fancy restaurant. However, the Hispanic hospitality from the waiters along with their famous baseball steak eases the tension between us and the regular guests. Listen to the full interview here.
So how did you start getting into music?
One of my homeboys, it’s a little raw but I was at my mom’s house I was like 18 years old and my homeboy BH he from All Money In, he end up coming to my house asked me him to do a favor. What I did for him he was like we need to do a song about it. I’m like no, I’m strictly in the field in the streets, I’m not doing no music. Somehow, cuz got me to his house, he had a studio set up in his room, and we ended up doing a record. Then once I heard myself playback, I’m like awh this shit sound hard. The next day, I go to the guitar center and buy all the cheapest equipment I can afford. With all that equipment I did like 10 mixtapes by myself inside my room, I recorded myself picked the beats and everything. That’s how I got started, then I got sprung so that was something a nigga wanted to do.
So when did you decide to take it seriously? Just off the back or was there a moment that you thought this is where it’s at?
It was off the back I took it serious, once I heard myself playback I was like alright this is where it’s at.
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What were some of the things that inspired you to keep making music?
Cause I seen what it could bring, cause I was watching Nip, he been on before the rap and I ain’t even think about it like that. As far as like watching TV all these rappers have these big cars, jewelry, and everything. I’m like a nigga broke but if I do some music I’m ’bout to get that
You rep your hood a lot in your music, how does that impact your songs or use it as a leverage of making music?
I think it’s more so being true to myself. I mean I ain’t did nothing else, that’s the only story I got. Being in the hood every day for the 20 something years that I’ve been here I can’t rap about going out the country. I know about Crenshaw and Slauson and being shot at, shooting at niggas and shit like that. I think the best music comes from experiences, that’s what makes sense for me.
We saw your video and thought it was a dope track. Why did you choose “For Da City” of My Section 2 to make a video for?
When I put it on Apple, that’s the one that had a star next to it. So the fans were fuckin with this one more than any of em so I thought lets given that video.
So you have My Section, My Section 2 and My Section 3 what is that based off of, why did you title them that?
For the My Section series, the first one I did six songs, so I’m like alright, let’s keep that going. I’m thinking every My Section will be six songs. The first one I did was Optimistic, I did two of those. Those are like 12 songs. I had to learn that it was quality and not quantity. I put out a gang of music but I ain’t got the right mix or the right beats. But now I’m working with a team right now that help me get it together.
What can fans expect from My Section 3?
Pretty much the same thing, what I do. At the time I rap about what I wanna do so if you hear like any tape I put out I’m going through that at the moment. It ain’t ever gonna be no old music, I went through this shit like two weeks ago.
Where you always with All Money In? When did that happen?
After my second mixtape, you know I’m from the hood and Nips from the hood so you know. Not saying it’s like that but they seen it growing so I was the perfect match for it. Everybody in the team is focused. I used to watch him as a kid, selling CDs out his Caddilac.
Do you have anything else planned other than the EP, maybe some new videos coming out?
Yeah we shooting two videos for My Section 3. I’m working with better directors so I can have a storyline instead of just putting a camera there. From now on we’ll have a storyline for every video. Then after My Section 3, were gonna put out all singles.
Will My Section 3 be the end of a trilogy with those EP’s?
For now yeah, gonna try something different. Try new things.
You can get PacMan Da GunMan’s My Section 3 is available everywhere now. Check out his latest video For Da City on his YouTube and keep an eye out for more work to come. As an artist under the All Money In label, Pacman’s work ethic is highly consistent.
For more information:
PacMan Da GunMan
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