Playdough isn't a rookie with the mic. Known for his work with acts like Ill Harmonics and Deepspace5, Doug Krum - aka Playdough - released his debut solo project Lonely Superstar in late 2002, easily making it one of the best hip-hop records in Christian music. We recently had the pleasure of having a brief Q & A session with the lonely superstar...
This interview took place on: 11/7/02.  

Jesus freak Hideout: Why the name "Playdough?"

Playdough: He's the potter and I'm the clay (playdough). I want to be molded into what I was made to be.

JFH: How did you get started as an artist?

Playdough: I started rhyming when I was 12. I just really liked it and it came really easy so I just kept writing and developing everything.

JFH: Who has greatly influenced your sound and who you are as an artist?

Playdough: De la soul, tribe, roots, blackstar, lootpack, sade, Lauryn Hill, Bob Marley. There's a lot of stuff.

JFH: Your new solo album Lonely Superstar is really amazing. You express a lot of your frustration towards trying to make it in Christian hip-hop but you stick to what you believe. That's really awesome. What was your main goal and focus when recording Lonely Superstar. What did you feel you needed to say and do that you couldn't with your previous work?

Playdough: I just wanted to speak on things that I was feeling at the moment. Show who I am and what God's layed on my heart. I can express the same things with my crews, just not the same style.

JFH: How would you say your solo work differs from your previous experience with Ill Harmonics and Deepspace 5?

Playdough: I just had the final word on everything. I played guitar and sang and just wrote about whatever I wanted. Basically there was nobody else to bounce things off of. It was kind of scary, but it was refreshing at the same time.

JFH: What do you think is keeping the Christian hip-hop scene from blowing up and rivaling the secular scene?

Playdough: Support. There are still "Christian" magazines doing articles about "Christian" hip-hop and why the kids shouldn't listen to it. Until it's embraced by radio and youth pastors aren't scared to play it for their kids, it'll still be where it is now.

JFH: Controversial and vulgar rapper Eminem has reinvented hip hop in a lot of ways over the past couple years. How do you feel about his popularity and effect on the genre?

Playdough: I think he's popular because of who he is. So many people are fake and do what it takes to sell records even if it's not who they are. I think that he's not afraid to be real and himself, and that's respectable, which is why I think kids like him. His content isn't the best but his skills are leaps and bounds above anybody doing TRL rap.

JFH: What inspired the honest yet fun "5 Cent Needleheads?"

Playdough: I figured if every other rapper rhymes about their money, I'll rap about not having it. It's just about the struggles I come across doing what I do. I know that God has something for me that's better than money or anything it could buy. So through the frustration of my flesh and wanting to take care of my family, I know God will take care of me.

JFH: At the end of your track "Simple 1," you express your frustration about your experiences with your '91 Ford Escort. What is the story behind "Ode to an Escort?"

Playdough: That car broke down that day and I loved it. I was really mad, so when I finally got home, I just wrote a really long verse to express my frustrations.

JFH: What is your favorite track on Lonely Superstar?

Playdough: I really like "verbal tea." Something about the beat and the way the rhymes just ride the beat.

JFH: Did you have any highlight experiences while recording your new project?

Playdough: Working with the emcees that I did was super fresh. They're all dope and it was really cool to work with them.

JFH: What do you do when you're not busy rocking the mic?

Playdough: Play basketball, video games, walk my dog, and take my wife to the movies. A lot!

JFH: Favorite artists to listen to?

Playdough: That's really hard... probably right now... it's Lauryn Hill. I don't know why, I'm just really feeling her at the moment. It'll be different in a week.

JFH: What has been one of your all-time favorite on-the-road moments?

Playdough: One time the mic flew out of my hand and knocked a kid out in the first row. It was so funny!

JFH: What is your favorite movie?

Playdough: Fist of Legend with Jet Li

JFH: If you could trade your Escort in for any car, what would it be?

Playdough: My Escort is no more. I had to get rid of it after the infamous break down. But I really like the Jeep Liberty.

JFH: I really appreciate your taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer some questions for us. Are there any last comments you'd like to make?

Playdough: No doubt! Thanks for the support! God bless.