THE SMOOTH OPERATOR: Luis "C-Styles" Robles
Age: 23
Hometown: Chicago, currently lives in Brownsville
Roll in local music scene: MC, rapper, lyricist
Upcoming shows: 10 a.m., June 8th, at the Browntown 7th Annual Car Show at the Brownsville Event Center. Includes a performance and a rap battle.
Listen to: For the ladies "Flirt," for hip hop heads "Addiction." Both songs are on www.myspace.com/cstyles01
C-Styles album "Mood...Musik" drops June 24, and the new tracks step up the flirting with female fans. Specifically, the GoLightly-produced track "Flirt." The song has already gotten some club play, and C-Styles says as a result he's seen more love from female fans. But he's far from being a club hit only rapper. The Chicago-born MC still cites Nas as his biggest influence.
Describe your style...
It kind of has changed over the years. But 70 percent of my style is soulful hip hop. Like Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Kanye West. And 25 percent would be the commercial part that I'm experimenting with. Like what Joe Budden did with "Pump It Up" and what he's doing right now. Basically the sound I use with the multi syllables, when I'm not doing it commercially. But even when I'm doing it commercially, just not as much as when I do my underground music. Basically, I'm trying to master being versatile.
Why is music important to you?
It's real important because it's like release therapy. When you're real stressed out, and you had a bad day, you just write it down. Most of my hits have come out of real bad days. Basically, instead of seeing a therapist for $300 or $400 a session, you just write down what you feel at the moment and put it to a beat.
Would you ever date an older woman and why?
I have and I would, because sometimes a guy likes to be taken care of. Just because of the simple fact that they do all the work most of the time. Right now I'm dating a girl that seems like she's older than me, even though she's like six months younger than me. I consider her older than me mature wise.
What's the biggest lie you've ever told a girl?
[laughs] Oh shoot, the biggest lie I've told a girl, one of them would have to be I told her I worked with Puff Daddy, which is bulls--- because even people on Bad Boy [Productions] can't work with puffy. And second of all, I told a girl I really would take care of her. That was like a few years back and I was immature.
Would you ever strip for money?
If I had a better body, probably. Why not? If it's for a good cause, like helping out chubby ladies get their grove on and whatnot.
If you're stuck on a desert island, what three albums do you have with you?
Nas "Illmatic," Biggie "Ready to Die," and I'd have to go with Big Pun "Capital Punishment."
Who's your celebrity crush?
I don't know if she's really a celebrity, more like a porn star. Her name is Raven Riley. She's very big out there. Now days porn stars are celebs. People know who Jenna Jameson is. If she's considered a celebrity, I got to say Raven Riley. If you want to talk about movies, I'd say Jessica Alba. She's pretty nice.
What's the best rumor you've heard about yourself?
That I was actually famous worldwide and everybody knew about me and I was doing collect raps with Bow Wow. Where did that come out of? Even though I would want it to be true, but it's not.
Best song to jam out to?
Best song, if you're into real hip hop, "Conscience Talking." If you're into the club, right now I have a hit called "Flirt." It's got a real fan base to it. I've had a lot of female fans come up to me because of it. I have to give a shout out to GoLightly, did the production on it.
Biggest musical influences?
Nas, who I consider the greatest rapper of all time. Royce Da 59, who's an underground sensation....Lupe Fiasco for his experimental ways....
What three qualities make a girl sexy?
First of all, she has to have a good attitude. Not like the drama type. Her smile. And also, if she could be independent, and not depend on anybody.
Best part about being a musician?
The best part is when you have people saying they were touched by your music and they were inspired by some of the things that you said. And when people come up to you and tell you how good of a lyricist you are.
If you could have any talent other than music what would it be?
I wish I could be a better pitcher. I used to pitch in high school. I wish I could have control of the curve ball or fast ball. Before music I used to be a sucker for sports.
Favorite part of your body?
Right now it'd have to be my shoulders, and part of my arms. Shoulders.
Favorite drink?
Cape cod or white Russian. I usually go for the liquors, I don't go for beer. The reason being I was never into that type of peer pressure. When people were like "oh hey you got to drink beer." Then people force themselves on beer, and they develop a taste for it.
What's the craziest thing you've ever seen at a show?
In a Ludacris concert I was in one time. I saw two chicks making out with each other, and then they started taking their clothes off. And the spot light was on them, and Luda was even watching.
Best pickup line?
I don't think there's a good pick up line out there. We all get rejected sometimes. I don't think there's a good pick up line out there.
