Rock-rap supergroup Kottonmouth Kings 11th album dropped this past Tuesday, and their first stop is at Flagstaff’s Orpheum theater. So far KMK have twelve years of touring under their belts and over 2 million records sold. I talked with Kings frontman Daddy X about the new album.

The Lumberjack: Are you on tour?

Kottonmouth Kings: We just got back from Hawaii, but we’re not really touring. There’s scattered dates here and there, going to Tucson and Albuquerque. Then we’re going to the “Smokeout Festival” in LA. It’s this huge event thrown by Cypress Hill and Guerilla Union, hosted by Cheech and Chong and an amazing line-up. Sublime is reuniting with a new singer and Slipknot is headlining.

LJ: Is this going to be your first time in Flag?

KK: Third time. Couple years ago, we were there. We played a couple shows in the Post Office back in the day. So we love Flagstaff, it’s a killer place. We love the mountains and it’s beautiful.

LJ: Tell me a little about your new album Hidden Stash 420. What inspired it?

KK: Hidden Stash is the fourth in a series of b-sides, rarities and remixes. It’s a double disc with DVD and 40 songs. The DVD is called Lost Adventures, which is full of videos and trips to Australia and Japan and some stoner comedy sketches.

LJ: Where do you want your music to reach? What do you want to see changed?

KK: We make music first and foremost and it reaches a wide variety of people. We just make music that we like and whoever it reaches, it reaches. It’s beyond my control. We’ve been doing this for 14 years and continue to make music that we like to make.

LJ: How do you handle or feel about the types of censorship your band faces?

KK: I understand why they have controls like that. Some of our subject matter isn’t appropriate for kids. I see it like a PG or G movie, so I guess we’d be rated R. I believe in the first amendment people and people should be able to express themselves. I personally don’t think a cuss word is that bad. You can’t say (expletive) on the radio but you can show bombs dropped on countries. So when you start to legislate morality you get into some tricky places.

LJ: Are you in favor of marijuana legalization and why?

KK: I personally believe it’s my choice to interact or not with a plant that grows naturally – not a choice governed by a state or a police station. I feel it should be decriminalized, but like anything, if you abuse it will abuse you. It’s a plant with power and the power should be respected

LJ: Are you in favor of any other drugs? Do you think certain (other) drugs are dangerous?

KK: When you look at legalized drugs with pharmaceuticals that probably half the country is hooked on anyway and when alcohol seems to be doing more damage than marijuana, it just seems stupid. Anything natural has it’s worth. If if grows naturally, let it grow and don’t outlaw nature.

LJ: Anything else?

KK: Keep living free and enjoy life.

Kottonmouth Kings will be performing at the Orpheum Friday, Oct. 16. Doors at 7, tickets $25 and all ages. Their next studio album Long Live The Kings will be released April 20th, 2010. Their latest release, Hidden Stash 420 can be found a local record stores.