Our people: The Music Man

Carl Wesley moved to Clovis from Long Beach, Calif., about five years ago because he wanted to escape the rough inner city life he dealt with growing up. He also wanted to help his grandfather, Alton Spillman, who was experiencing health problems. Wesley grew up around rap stars such as Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg and Warren G. He is the cousin of rapper Goldie Loc, who was once a member of Tha Eastsidaz with Snoop Dogg and Tray Deee, and who now lives in Clovis. Wesley goes by the rap name "Kavi West," has worked a variety of customer service jobs in Clovis and is currently working on his first solo album.

Benna Sayyed: CMI staff photo

Kavi West checks out the main studio console at the Johnny Mulhair Recording Studio Thursday and reminisces on the time he recorded at the studio.

How was it growing up in Long Beach?

I experienced a lot back at home. I saw a lot of things growing up as a kid that the average kid shouldn't see. I've lost friends to gang fights, drive-by shootings in my neighborhood. People judged you by what colors you was wearing. Police officers judged you because of the neighborhood you were from and because you were a young black man. One day I was waiting at the corner for my friend to meet me after school. He didn't make it one day. When I made it to school I found out that one of my friends got shot down over some Air Jordans. It was a racial thing too.

What got you into music?

For as long as I can remember, I've always been fascinated by music. I remember when I was 4 years old playing with my grandfather's records. I was a big fan of Run DMC. I saw him and Jam Master Jay on the turn tables scratching everything. I thought that was cool so I used to grab my grandfather's records. I would scratch them up and he would get mad but it got to the point he would just give me that scratched up record and I just started doing my thing.

What music projects have you put so far?

I completed my first project when I was 16. I was with a group called the Assassin Clic. We produced an album called Ransome. We used all original beats and did 10 songs. The album was on lyrical level. I've done four solo mixtapes. Right now I'm working on my first solo album called 4th Degree Burn. I've written 13 songs so far. I going to make 40 songs before I decide what I'm going to out on the album. I'll choose the best 15 tracks.

What got you into hip-hop?

I was watching this movie called "Krush Groove." It had Sheila E., the Fat Boys, Curtis Blow, Run DMC, all the pioneers of hip-hop. I used to be in the mirror trying to act like them. I tried break dancing and pop locking. When Eazy-E came around in 1989 and 1990, I really got into him. He grew up on the same block where my grandmother lived on the east side of Compton. Just knowing that fascinated me.

Tell me about your experience growing up around rap stars such as Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg and Warren G.

My uncle Junior used to hang around Snoop before Snoop was who he is now. I remember sometimes when my uncle would babysit me he would take me with him to Kings Park in Long Beach. I remember seeing Snoop, my cousin Goldie Loc, Warren G, Nate Dogg and all them before they became rap artists. They used to beat box and freestyle. Till this day I still feel like Snoop is the king of freestyling.

Tell me about meeting Tupac Shakur at the age of 10.

My uncle Fats was a friend and a business associate of Tupac's. I rode with my uncle when he picked up Tupac from the airport after he was released from San Quentin. Pac would talk with so much power. Every word that came out of his mouth was like a statement. He was working in the album All Eyes on Me. Tupac saw I was going astray and advised me to stay on the right path.

How has being a father changed your life?

To be honest, when I didn't have kids, I really didn't care about too much. I was caught up in the streets getting into trouble. If it wasn't for my kids I don't know where I would be right now. I know that it's not about me anymore. It's about my babies so I had to change. I don't want anything negative to affect my family. My babies keep me going.

• Name: Carl D. Wesley "Kavi West"
• Age: 29
• Hometown: Long Beach, Calif.
• Children: Daijha, Jayna, Samya, Devonn and Carl

— Compiled by CMI staff writer Benna Sayyed