Far East Movement interview with DJ GLEW in Toronto during the G20 Summit. FM talks about the lead girl in the “Like A G6″ music video, the new “Free Wired” album, opening for Lady Gaga and N.E.R.D., collaborating with Lil’ Jon, “Get Him To The Greek”, and much more!

DJ Glew with Far East Movement

[watch mobile video link]

Far East Movement – Like a G6

Also, my newest mixtape “Pandemonium” features Far East Movement’s “Like A G6″.

Download “Pandemonium” (one track version):

http://tinyurl.com/24qcvd4

Download “Pandemonium” (split tracks version):

http://tinyurl.com/2ey6v75

www.fareastmovement.com

www.twitter.com/fareastmovement

www.djglew.com

www.twitter.com/djglew

www.themarqueemedia.com

www.wetbarfridays.com

Kevin Cossom

DJ GLEW: How do you feel about the response to “Hook Vs. Bridge”?

KEVIN COSSOM: It’s definitely been, I don’t want to say unexpected, but you hope that you do good work and people enjoy what you do. It’s definitely been a good response. It’s got me excited for the album. Overall the response has been great. Slightly overwhelming because it’s growing so fast but that’s a good thing.

DJ GLEW: ‘I Get Paper’ with Drake originated from Drake’s hookless song ‘Juice’ produced by Boi 1da. How did this collaboration come about?

KEVIN COSSOM: It was pretty much me coming with an idea for that song [sings melody]. I wanted to use that melody or sample for a while. I had a chorus that I wanted to do which was that chorus [sings chorus]. I had told a few producers see if you can you do something with that. But long story short, I ended up hearing Drake’s version and he beat me to it. I heard the beat and it had the same thing in it but it had no chorus on it. So I wanted to try if the chorus that I always wanted to do would work. I was in the studio f*cking around or whatever and I did it. I put a verse on it and it came out pretty dope. It ended up getting leaked out and it got 120,000 downloads in two days on HotNewHipHop.com and people really like the record. It not an official me and Drake got in the studio. It was just me seeing what I can do and it came out pretty hot. Drake knows about it and they know about it.

DJ GLEW: Your title lists you as a singer, songwriter, producer, and hitmaker. Are you the next The-Dream?

KEVIN COSSOM: [laughs] No, I like to look at myself as Kevin Cossom. I don’t like to set those type of perimeters and say I’m the next The-Dream. But I also know that people need things to kind of compare so they can identify you to know where to put you. But I don’t want them to put me anywhere yet because most times they try to place you in a category and try to keep you there. I feel like there’s a lot of different things I can do with different music styles. Me being signed to Danja and him being so versatile. He’s done things from T.I. to Justin to Duran Duran to Simple Plan. He’s very versatile and I feel the same about my writing style. I definitely admire The-Dream’s success as one of the top sought after writers and also on the artist side. I hope that I will have the same success but I would never say I would be the next The-Dream.

DJ GLEW: Should Akon and T-Pain move aside? Are you the new go to guy for Hip Hop hooks?

KEVIN COSSOM: I think there’s room for everyone to eat. I just do what I do. I’m cool with Akon, T-Pain, and those guys. I actually got a feature on Akon’s new album that’s coming out. Akon and I also collaborated on a new Mary J. record that they just leaked out called ‘What About Tonight’. I don’t think anybody needs to move to the side or anything like that. If they want to or feel that way that’s cool but I feel we all can eat.

DJ GLEW: Name one song that you wrote for someone else and wished you kept for yourself.

KEVIN COSSOM: None really. Maybe some of the choruses or hooks that I written I wished I could’ve stayed on. Like ‘Speedin’ or the joint I did for Rick Ross called ‘Lay Back’. But Robin and R. Kelly did their thing so it was never like me feeling like I could do a better job or anything like that. Sometimes you just get attached to something that you write. Me stepping into the artist phase I definitely wanted to be apart of it as an artist but I recognize it’s part of the game. As a song writer that’s my job and they get the artist to sing it. The biggest thing for me was to make sure I made that transition from just being looked at as a song writer to being looked at as an artist and I think we’re getting there.

DJ GLEW: How has Danja and DJ Khaled been important to your success?

KEVIN COSSOM: They’re very important. Of course I’m signed to N.A.R.S. records which is Danja’s label. He’s extra talented as a musician. I learn a lot of different things from him. We challenge each other. He challenges me as a song writer and musician and I hope I do the same with him as a producer and musician. Like I said before he’s very versatile and talented which is a key strong point. With Khaled, I’m in Miami right now at We The Best which is Khaled’s studio, and it’s family with him, The Runners, and the whole team. One big thing I learned from Khaled is the intro to your record. You have to consider it to be DJ friendly and you want a DJ to be able to bring it back. And it catches the ear from the intro. As a DJ he knows certain things and what DJ’s look for and listen to. He’s also always there for an honest opinion. He’s never just going to be a yes man. He teaches you how to be confident when you speaking. Khaled’s got that.

DJ GLEW: Have you heard DJ Khaled’s Mcdonald’s commercial?

KEVIN COSSOM: [laughs] Yeah, that’s funny as hell! But that’s how he is though all day. A normal conversation with Khaled is that right there. You have to be around it man. It’s definitely cool though. That’s what he does. That McDonald’s commercial is hilarious!

DJ GLEW: Do you have any songs on DJ Khaled’s upcoming album “Victory”?

KEVIN COSSOM: Yeah, as of right now I have one joint on there but we’re trying to see what else. We’re still working. Until we have an actual release date I won’t know how many. But right now I have one joint on there. Actually there’s two songs. We like both of them but it’s a matter of which one. Or we might use two.

DJ GLEW: With Hip Hop heavyweights Rick Ross, Lil’ Jon, Snoop Dogg, Drake, Joe Budden, Plies, and Pusha T on your pre-album, who are you looking to work with for your debut album?

KEVIN COSSOM: I just started thinking about that. I’m in the phase of trying to finish the album right now. I like to just do my thing first and then figure out who would be good for a feature for this record. I feel like as the buzz grows I will be able to grab more people’s attention and it’ll be easier to get whoever. My problem before on the pre-album before this, a year ago, was that we needed features and it’s hard when you’re looked at as the little guy trying to get the top guys to be apart of your project. As you see now we’re doing different things and we’re getting these people apart of the project. As this mixtape grows our relationships will grow with people but we have a few connects and ideas. I don’t want to say too much right now until it’s final. But I’m going to do my end and make sure my sh*t is right then figure out what does this song need in terms of features. But you can definitely expect some features, I don’t know if I’ll have as much as the mixtape, but on the album I want to give as much of me as possible.

DJ GLEW: What will be the name of your debut album and what will be your first single?

KEVIN COSSOM: The first single is ‘Relax’ but we threw it on the mixtape because we wanted to get it out there and get people familiar with it. As far as the name we’re still unsure but we’re looking at a spring 2010 release.

DJ GLEW: Name one song that you are currently writing for another artist and you know it will be a future smash hit.

KEVIN COSSOM: Right now, I’ve been writing for me. But I wrote this joint with my homeboy Pooh Bear for Chris Brown called ‘What I Do’. It’s the number two song on iTunes right now. It just got leaked but it’s the number two song on iTunes in terms of purchased songs. Chris Brown featuring Plies and The Runners produced it. It’s called ‘What I Do’. I think that’s going to be a crazy record!

DJ GLEW: Finish this sentence. Kevin Cossom is the artist to watch for in 2010 because…

KEVIN COSSOM: Because I bring you feel good, clever, and relatable music that is authentic. From my point of view, I just do music because I love to do it and hopefully the consumer likes it as well. So far I’ve been fortunate to get people to like what I’m doing. I don’t really have a pitch of why I’m different or why you should mess with me. I know I write all my music and I’m heavily apart of the creative process. If you like good R&B and if you’ve ever been in a relationship before as far as the album goes there’s tracks based on boy meets girl, when you first meet someone, breaking up and getting back to together, and cheating. I think my concepts are very relatable. I have a passion for it and I hope that comes off when you listen to my music.

Visit Kevin Cossom’s Official Website

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In this month’s latest exclusive Industry Interview feature for THE3XGP.COM, DJ Glew spoke to Brooklyn rapper Fabolous! Earlier this past summer, Faboloso released his fifth studio LP, Loso’s Way – his most compete album to date.  DJ Glew talked to Fab about making MTV ‘s 2009 Hottest MC’s In The Game list, addressing his recent Twitter comments on 50 Cent, working with Ne-Yo on a joint album and much more! Special shouts go out to Jody ‘Cousin’ Laraya and Kevin Ash at Universal Music Canada.

Fabolous

DJ GLEW: How do you feel about placing #8 on MTV’s Hottest MC’s of 2009 list?

FABOLOUS: I’m receptive and I definitely feel like it’s a cool thing.  I really think a lot of people look at the list and it’s a topic of discussion.  There are a lot of mixed reviews about it and talk about some MC’s that shouldn’t make the list and some that should be higher.  I look at it in a accepted way that I even made the list in their eyes and it’s cool.  But at the same time you may ask somebody else and they may say I deserved to be higher on the list.  Before this I wasn’t even on the list and I felt I should’ve been.  So I’m accepting of it and thankful of MTV for including me on the list.

DJ GLEW: What has been your favourite Twitter trending topic?

FABOLOUS: Well the funniest one I made was either #lilmamais or #sorrybowow.

DJ GLEW: Give me an example of the Bow Wow one. Finish this Tweet: #sorrybowwow.

FABOLOUS: #sorrybowwow you can’t retire because your album sold 18,000 records in your first week.  Take your brick like a man.  That was the first one I put out there with him. [laughs]

Fabolous was ranked MTV’s 8th Hottest MC In The Game for 2009

DJ GLEW: You also have the Yung Berg’s head one.  Finish this Tweet: #yungbergshead.

FABOLOUS: Oh ya. Yung Berg. [laughs] Yung Berg’s head is a Hip-Hop pinata, you keep hitting it until the Transformer pops out. [laughs]

DJ GLEW: What is a Twitter funeral? And what other Twitter terms have you invented?

FABOLOUS: A Twitter funeral is when you kill somebody via Twitter and you have to lay their Twitter account to rest.  Usually the person doesn’t comply with it but the people know when you choke them so you have them a Twitter funeral.  When you say T.I.P. that means Twitter In Peace that’s after you kill somebody and you just want to send your condolences.

DJ GLEW: How do you feel about the way Loso’s Way has been received?

FABOLOUS: I feel it has been received well.  A lot of people have looked at it and have sort of broken it and seen me in a different light.  I took a concept and gracefully made it work with what I wanted to say.  But also made good music and also touched on the topic from “Carlito’s Way“.  It got to be the number one record in the country on it’s first week.  That was a great thing to me because at first it was leaked two and a half weeks before it was suppose to drop.  So I was skeptical and not even sure if people would receive it as well or go out and still go get it because of how easy it was to grab a bootleg of it.  It was really anticipated and people wanted to give it a hear.  It’s hard when you want to hear something and really sit back and have to wait two weeks for the real one instead of just downloading it.

DJ GLEW: You have said that you want to work with Eminem.  What type of song would the two of you record?

FABOLOUS: I have no idea I would actually like him to produce it and lead and then I would just follow.  I think Eminem’s topics are a little different than mine in certain senses so I would really like him to come up with the scenario or topic or subject matter that he wants to take it in and I would speak from my lane and he can speak from his lane.

DJ GLEW: On Twitter you said: “Its interesting to c 50 Cent unite wit NY artists when he’s 1 of the reasons NY hip hop became so isolated & crumbled”.  Can you further comment on this Tweet?

FABOLOUS: I think that if you were to ask 50 a couple years ago if you were to do a show with those people he would have said no.  It was interesting to me.  I actually was invited to do the show as well but I had a prior show so I couldn’t make it.  He had these hopes up and he had really isolated himself with G-Unit when he first came out.  He didn’t mix well with other artists and rappers unless it was Eminem, Dr. Dre, Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo, and whoever was affiliated with him.  He use to offer if you wanted to come be with him then you can come be with him and get money but other than that he wouldn’t rock with you.  He hasn’t had many collaborations other than on his songs and this is why I found it interesting and out of no where they put together this show with New York rappers and Hip Hop which is great. But it’s kind of this destroy and rebuild situation.

DJ GLEW: Do you think it’s because of the lack of interest people are showing him now?  Do you think he’s trying to do the DJ Khaled and unity thing?

FABOLOUS: I don’t really think he’s trying to do that. I don’t really know what’s going on in 50′s head of why he actually did it.  But I put it out there for a topic of discussion and people had different perspectives on it.  Some people said it might have been another one of his marketing things or publicity stunts.  Other people said maybe he’s growing up and done beefing with certain people.  I just put it out there for a topic of discussion and I wasn’t taking shots at him.  I think certain people misunderstood in blogs and emails.  Blogs will sort of take it and twist it in another way.  But what I really did was put it out there like how a talk show would sensationalize or put shock value to it.  But it would be something that would have been a conversation in the barbershop.  But that’s what Twitter is, it’s like a big humongous barbershop where everyone puts in what they think.   So that’s what I did when I woke up this morning and I saw something online about it.   It just happened this weekend so I usually just speak about things that are relevant at the time.

DJ GLEW: Who is your favorite R&B artist to collaborate with?

FABOLOUS: Well all-time I would have to say Lil’ Mo.  We have such a great chemistry, she’s also a fun person, cool to work with, and down to earth.  Recently, me and Ne-Yo work pretty well and he’s also a good guy.  There’s also Ryan Leslie because he’s a genius musically.  I pretty much like working with a few people so you can have me going on and on but that’s just a rough bunch.

Fabolous ft. Keri Hilson – Everything, Everyday, Everywhere (2009)

DJ GLEW: What songs have you recorded with Ne-Yo for your joint album? And when’s that project coming out?

FABOLOUS: Actually we’re just putting songs together and trying to compliment the music for it.  We reached out to Ryan Leslie to tie into like a co-executive producer of the project.  We’re trying to put it together but it’s probably not going to come this year maybe like a next year thing.  We’re just trying to bring that Hip-Hop and R&B marriage back and people haven’t done it on a biggest scale.  Some of the biggest songs or radio songs are generated through the marriage of Hip-Hop and R&B.

DJ GLEW: What was the last thing you threw in the bag?

FABOLOUS: Yesterday I went to Barney’s and did a little shopping because there’s a Hip-Hop awards show (2009 BET Hip-Hop Awards) coming up and also there’s a couple videos to do.   I just did a little shopping and kept my eye to what’s out there.  I threw it in the bag but not too much.  I also bought a Louis Vuitton book bag because I thought it was a cool thing.

DJ GLEW: Do you think over sized and overpriced throwback jerseys will ever make a comeback?

FABOLOUS: [laughs] Over sized not really.  Overpriced I don’t know about jerseys.  It’s hard for me to see jerseys coming back because it’s past it’s time and era.  I looked at some of my jerseys before and tried them on and I couldn’t believe I wore them that big but I never use to pay for them and stuff like that.  I think it had it’s time and era but I think it’s over.  I don’t know anything that comes out 20 years ago and comes back so soon.  I think it might be a little time before you see a jersey on somebodies back.

Fabolous ft. The-Dream – Throw It In The Bag (2009)

Meet 21-year old R&B singer Jeremih, the latest exclusive Industry Interview feature for THE3XGP.COM!  Earlier this past summer, Jeremih jumped onto the music scene  releasing his self titled debut album featuring the breakout hit ‘Birthday Sex.’  DJ Glew talked to the Def Jam artist about his early success at radio, who he would pick for an all XXL R&B freshmen cover and much more! Special shouts go out to Diego Vargas at Cornerstone and Phil Jones in assisting for the publishing of this interview.

Jeremih

DJ GLEW: You were on the America’s Most Wanted tour with Lil’ Wayne, Young Jeezy, Drake and Soulja Boy.  How did it feel to be originally selected as the only R&B artist on the tour?  Did the rap dudes pick on you?

JEREMIH: [laughs] No they didn’t.  It’s been all love.  Coming from Chi-Town.  I represented my city on this tour. Most of my songs are not straight R&B.  I wouldn’t classify myself as just an R&B singer.  I attract all types of audiences and shout out to the people that copped the album.  But being on the tour has been great! Hitting the stage first and warming up for all the ladies out there.  And then Wayne came out and definitely kills it right after.

DJ GLEW: Who gets more girls, Hip Hop or R&B artists?

JEREMIH: R&B all day! All day!

DJ GLEW: Your self-titled album has no features. What artists do you want to collaborate in the future?

JEREMIH: I would start off with the roster on this tour.  Wayne, (Young) Jeezy, and Soulja Boy.  I’m all open and that wasn’t even intentional it just happened being the only R&B artist in the studio recording for 2008.  I was just riding on the hooks for the other artists.  But in the future I look forward to working with a lot of big artists out there like Kanye, West),  Keri Hilson and Alicia Keys.

Jeremih – Break Up To Make Up (2009)

DJ GLEW: What type of artist do you want to become?

JEREMIH: I want to be known as a well-rounded artist.  More than an artist when it comes to music.  I’m a producer, composer, writer and I want to establish myself with all the above so people can look past the dude from ‘Birthday Sex’.  I want to brand the Jeremih name and also get into Hollywood films.

DJ GLEW: If XXL had a magazine based on R&B’s Freshmen of 2009 who do you think would make the cover?

JEREMIH: R&B artists coming out right now?  I’m trying to think on the R&B side.  There wasn’t that much coming out but it’s still kind of early.  Well there was me.  New Boyz, but they’re more rap.  Drake, who could be classified as R&B and Hip Hop all in one.  He’s really more on that emo tip I think it’s called.  Dorrough, I’m thinking more of rookies of new rapper that came in.  And Wale.  But there’s no other R&B acts as far as I can think of.

DJ GLEW: Where were you the first time you heard your idol R. Kelly on your song ‘Birthday Sex?’ And what was your reaction?

JEREMIH: I heard it from the plane and when I heard it I just went buck! Well, I heard about it a long time ago and he recorded it back in January.  When I was first told R. Kelly is going on your remix but at that time I wasn’t even signed.  The song wasn’t really anywhere and I didn’t have no label support.  But once I heard it I was just like “wow” having R. Kelly as an R&B singer is like any rapper having Jay-Z on their record.  He’s the king of R&B and he killed it.  He had one of the best remixes of ‘Birthday Sex’.  It really stood out to me and he represented for Chicago.

Jeremih – Imma Star (Everywhere You Are) (2009)

DJ GLEW: What is your favorite “Birthday Sex” parody?

JEREMIH: Yesterday I heard ‘Funeral Sex’ by Lyfe Jennings. I thought that was pretty good.

DJ GLEW: What about ‘Birthday Sucks’ with the Atari?  Have you heard that?

JEREMIH: [laughs] Yeah, I seen that too!

DJ GLEW: What has been the best and worst birthday presents you ever received?

JEREMIH: Well now, I wouldn’t say I’m cursed but for the rest of my life it will be assumed that I have sex on my birthday.  Being Mr. Birthday sex I would say that’s the best birthday present.  But I’ve never really got a bad birthday present.  I’ve never really been the one to unappreciated gifts.

DJ GLEW: You are cousins with Willie from Day26.  At family BBQ’s is there ever a sing off?  Do you guys just belt off your hits and compete?

JEREMIH: [laughs] No, we don’t but every year we have a family talent show.  I was actually never known as the singer.  He was.  But we’re both supportive of each other and our families support us too.

DJ GLEW: What are some bad pronunciations of your name?

JEREMIH: [laughs] Oh wow!  Off the top I’ll tell you already Jere-mya and Jere-mee.  Yeah, that’s my number one pet peeve.  I feel I got my name out there enough but even in my hometown people are calling in the radio station and mispronouncing the name.  They usually blame it on their accents.

Jeremih – Birthday Sex (2009)

Warren G

DJ ASE: What’s new and tell us about your new release.

WARREN G: September 29th The G Files comes out, Raekwon, Travis Barker, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg.   It’s just feel good music. I’m also working on a lot of production and putting artists together.

DJ ASE: What’s feel good music? You say you wanna address real world issues yet not depress people.

WARREN G: I have a song called ‘Hold On’ and basically it’s telling people to hold you head high and no matter what keep goin’ until you reach your goals.  So it’s feel good because it’s uplifting yet it’s addressing the real issues.

Warren G ft. Ray J – Crush (2009)

DJ ASE: What’s your favourite track on the album?

WARREN G: ‘Skate Skate’ is one of my favourites because I like to skate.  There’s no drama, there’s a lotta ladies, just flowin’ and glidin’ across the wood floor, it’s feel good music.

DJ ASE: Who are the new up and coming artists on your album and what are you doing with them?

WARREN G: Black Nick, Bad Luck and Hola.  I’m just given them a shot because they are talented rappers but never got a shot.

Warren G at the 2009 VH1 Hip Hop Honors show

DJ ASE: Can we anticipate any remixes after the album release?  By Akon, T-Pain or any pop artists on the mainstream level to blend it in?

WARREN G: We’re gonna keep it how it is now, but I will be producing some beats for these pop artists and hopefully my production will pop off with them.  I’ve sent out my acapellas out there, so if they wanna remix it go right ahead.

DJ ASE: This is your 7th album right?  What direction are you goin’ into after?  Are you gonna keep making albums, or go into production?  What’s next for Warren G?

WARREN G: I’m really lookin’ for new artists that understands the whole deal like Snoop (Dogg).  I have a lot of great artists but not everyone gets the whole picture.  Now Drake understands how to make a song and understands how to relate to the people and captivate his fans.

DJ ASE: Now you mentioned electro funk. Me being a DJ, I’m noticing that the 120 BPM’s are catching on more than the 90 BPM classic hip-hop. What are your feelings on that?

Warren G performed ‘Regulate’ with Travis Barker and the late DJ AM (07-30-09)

WARREN G: I’ve tried that fast electro style and some people have come to me telling me to do it because that’s what hot right now. But I’m not trying to out do ‘Regulate.’  I’m just making good music that works for me.  Slow or fast, whatever I feel will come out in the music.  I’ve made many records with many big artists, producing and all of that.  We’ve worked with Michael Jackson, Tupac, Redman, Dru Hill, Slick Rick, Doveshack, Indo Smoke, I could go on for days.  You can go on www.discogs.com and you can see all of my work.

DJ ASE: So maybe 1 day we can put all this together on a mixtape and have your boy DJ Ase mix it up?

WARREN G: That would be dope, actually that’s a great idea DJ Ase.  We’ll look into that.

DJ ASE: Any last word before we out?

WARREN G: Big up everyone in Toronto and around the world who supports me and my music, Big up DJ Ase for interviewing me and hopefully I will see you soon in Toronto. I love it out there and all the best to everyone. Go get the album The G Files on September 29, 2009, Peace Out!

Playaz Circle

DJ ASE: What up people my name is DJ ASE and I rep www.the3xgp.com, right now we have Atlanta’s own Playaz Circle in the building what’s up guys how’s everything going ?

PLAYAZ CIRCLE: What’s up what’s Up… Thanks for having us today.

DJ ASE: So tell the people out there listening, who u guys are, where ya’ll are from and how you got started in the rap game?

PLAYAZ CIRCLE: We (Dolla and Tity) grew in south side Atlanta, and got met Ludacris a while back and he signed us to his label DTP/Def Jam. We always hustled hard to get our music on the radio, and after being consistent at that, we got a chance to meet Ludacris, leading up to our record deal. We said from the beginning, that if one of us gets signed, the other would not be left out under no circumstances. We started together and, we got signed together, and we will finish together.

Playaz Circle ft. Bobby Valentino – Can’t Remember (2009)

DJ ASE: Seeing that you have a new album coming out, how important s the DJ when promoting a new album?

PLAYAZ CIRCLE: The DJ is the person who connects the music with the audience, whether it be a radio DJ, mixtape DJ or club DJ. If that DJ is playing our music it only helps us when we approaching other avenues. Bottom line the DJ makes us popular. You have to make connections with DJ’s in your area to be successful.

DJ ASE: What’s the best promotion tool to use when releasing an album, is it the DJ, a video, personal meet and greet?

PLAYAZ CIRCLE: It’s definitely the DJ. The DJ, like I said before is the connection to all other avenues. So if we want to put out a video and approach BET or MTV the DJ pins will only help our credibility by playing the song and creating a following. Is not the video is pretty much useless.

Playaz Circle ft. Ludacris – Yeah We Gettin’ Rich (2009)

DJ ASE: You said your 1st album was a little rushed when released. On this one, you guys had more time. What’s different about the two and how do they compare.

PLAYAZ CIRCLE: Well on the 1st album we had immediate success with the single ‘Duffle Bag Boy’ and the label wanted to put something out ASAP because of the singles success. With the second one we had more time to execute all areas, marketing, putting more work into our singles and really putting our heart and soul into every track.

DJ ASE: You said Lil’ Wayne was one of your fans before you even dropped ‘Duffle Bag Boy” which features him on it. How did you guys connect with Wayne and how did that venture start?

PLAYAZ CIRCLE: We were signed to Universal (that was our 1st deal) and he was a product of Universal records and Tity had a cool relationship with Baby who is Wayne’s mentor/father. Spending time with them in the studio and at the label offices, helped this relationship grow.

Dolla

DJ ASE: What’s you favorite song off the new album?

PLAYAZ CIRCLE: ‘Big Dawg’ with Lil’ Wayne is really a good track, I think it was leaked already on the Internet but there’s a bunch of good music on this album, its hard to call 1 song my favourite.

DJ ASE: Who are some people you worked with on this new album?

PLAYAZ CIRCLE: Jagged Edge, Bobby Valentino, Lil’ Wayne, Cee-Lo Green of Goodie Mob and Ludacris. The album drops end of September so be sure to go get it. It’ll be available everywhere music is sold.

DJ ASE: What are your plans after dropping this album?

PLAYAZ CIRCLE: We gonna get right back to work on our next album, for sure we have some tours locked down, make some visits to our fans and keep grinding to make money and support out families. It’s all work and no play.

Tity Boi

DJ ASE: I hear you guys have a studio/label where you guys live? How much time do you spend in the studio?

PLAYAZ CIRCLE: Duffle Bag Studios is our second home, we always there. We treat out studio like a hotel. Every minute is a work day. We love what were doing, and were getting paid, so we try to maximize that opportunity.

DJ ASE: What would you include in your studio survival guide since you are always in the studio?

PLAYAZ CIRCLE: 50 chicken wings, 1 Sprite, 2 box’s of Cigarellos, an OZ of that Keyshia Cole strong stuff and a bottle of something, and I’d be good for 2-3 days…

Raekwon talks about working with Playaz Circle on the new album Flight 360: The Takeoff

DJ ASE: What was Michael Jackson’s inspiration to you?

PLAYAZ CIRCLE: He broke barriers for black talent. He was the first black person on MTV, he was a saviour to out culture and our people. His lyrics were strong and always made sense, he wasn’t just a dancer and pop singer, but he was a realist as well, and that’s something people don’t always see from Michael Jackson.

DJ ASE: Any last words before we wrap up?

PLAYAZ CIRCLE: Flight 360: The Takeoff releasing September 29th, 2009. Keep it locked On MySpace.com/playazcircle and Twitter.com/playazcircle. Your boy Tity and Dolla signing off.

DJ Teknikz and Playaz Circle – Before The Takeoff

Playaz Circle ft. Lil’ Wayne – Duffle Bag Boy (2007)

K’Jon

RFC: How did you come about your artist name K’Jon? It’s got a unique ring to it.

K’Jon: (Laughs) That’s actually abbreviated for me. It’s short for Hakeem Jonson, so it wasn’t that hard

RFC: Explain how you selected the title of your album I Get Around.

K’Jon: I made a record, like an audio documentary of like what life was like before Universal Republic.  I was independently working On The Ocean and was getting around to the small cities in the Ballroom and Stepping communities performing the record.  And I found myself getting around.  So I said to myself, I’m finally getting around…but I’m not getting on radio.  So it was kind of like a sarcastic type of record, but it was definitely a fond gesture.

RFC: Recently your song ‘on the ocean’ broke the record for making the largest jump to #1 in Nielson BDS-based chart history, besting Alicia Keys ‘Fallen’ in 2001.

K’Jon: That’s crazy. When I got the e-mail blast on that one, I went out and I almost fainted.  It was a blessing.  I just want to continue and keep building the momentum.

RFC: I’ve read that you had thoughts to giving the song ‘On the Ocean’ to a more established artist out there but decided to keep it.  How close were you to shipping this song out to another singer?

K’Jon: It’s so funny, the guy who said not to sell it is sitting right in the building next to me during this interview…How close? It was very close.  I was convinced not to do it.  This is your ticket, this is your key to getting into the game.  I was thinking of selling it but my friend said don’t do it man.  I’m so glad I kept this record.

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RFC: What was it like to shoot with video director Rik Cordero? He’s been to known to shoot primarily with rap artists like Capone-N-Noreaga, Rick Ross, Saigon, Dead Prez just to name a few

K’Jon: We did some research, they gave me a list of video directors and he was the best pick.  And we had a good time in Detroit shooting this video.  The message in this video is about perseverance and just working hard until that ship comes in.  It’s also about putting food on the table, finding your soul mate, a career change.  I think we really conveyed those messages and I really enjoyed working with Rik.

RFC: Some of your early work has been compared to your peers such as Ne-Yo and Robin Thicke, who have both gone on to successful careers.  What it’s like to be mentioned with those caliber type artists?

K’Jon: That’s just the ultimate compliment to be compared to those guys because of their current successes.  And I think the comparisons are made because not only are they artists, but they also write and produce.  And that’s the main comparison.  At the end of the day, everyone’s unique. I’m unique, by my experiences that have come across in my music.  The uniqueness is based on my experiences and what I write about.

RFC: When you are not in the studio recording new music or performing live on stage, what does K’Jon like to do outside the music world?

K’Jon: I like to spend time with my family.  I’m also a movie buff.  I like listening to music. I’m also a huge basketball fan. It’s hard to get all that stuff in when you’re working.  But I try my best to get my ‘daddy time’ with my 2 kids as well.  Definitely I put my kids first.

RFC: What is your song writing process like?

K’Jon: I’m a little weird when it comes to writing songs to be honest with you.  I don’t write them on paper.  Actually when I write a song, I actually drive my car.  I put the music in and take a long drive.  Sometimes I rehearse the verses, that way when I get into the studio, I feel like I’ve already recorded the song in my head.  I know how it should sound, I listen back to it and if that’s not the way it sounds in my head, we’ll record it again. So I’m a little different when it comes to writing songs.

RFC: For those who don’t know, talk about the pressures and struggles of an artist who has built a solid following locally but is trying to get to the next level of recognition on a national level

K’Jon: It’s very difficult.  But perseverance can pay off.  You may have a #1 record on your hands, but you have to work it locally, you have to travel and get that song in other people’s hands.  A lot of new artists I would advise is to take their song to radio.  You have to build your fan base.  You have to start with the mom and pop stores.  You have to start with the local club DJ’s.  You have to start with the local shows. You have to get out and travel…you have to.   Although it’s a blessing for me to be at this level, I did take those same steps I just outlined. And I can only pass advise of what I’ve been through. 

RFC: What did the death of Michael Jackson have on you? Was he an early influence at all growing up?

K’Jon: Everybody wanted to be like Mike, and unfortunately for me. I couldn’t moonwalk (laughs).  His death was a great, terrible loss for the world and it was unfortunate.  He’s been through a lot with the scrutiny in the press for most of his life.  I did watch the memorial and I would have been there if I could have.  I was very touched with his daughter’s words.  He’s gonna be missed.  But as a person, you find out what a humanitarian he was.  You find out all the great stories about him and we indeed lost a great person.

RFC: What does the day of Tuesday, August 4^th mean to you?

K’Jon: Pressure (laughs).  Everyone is preparing me for August 4^th.  I’m a nervous wreck.   It’s a national release for me but you now what? My label is preparing me for the long run.  We feel like we put together a great album.  And I’m not going away tomorrow.  I’ll be here and once people find out what’s on the album and they see the consistency like great songs like ‘On The Ocean’, people are going to come out and support me.  Although I’m nervous, it’s gonna be a fun time. When someone picks up that CD and says ‘Man you did your thing!’ that’s all I want to hear. 

RFC: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

K’Jon: I see myself with a few albums, I see myself being one of the premier entertainers in the world.  You will also see me rise as a producer, a song writer and a guy you can count to make that hit. 

RFC: Right now I’d like to do a little word association with you.   I’ll mention to you some names or words and whatever comes to mind, you can respond back with a short answer that best sums it up ok?

K’Jon WORD ASSOCIATION

John Mayer: Great.

The film, The Pursuit of Happiness: Very touching.

Universal Republic: Family.

Up&Up Records: Family.

The Stepping and Ballroom communities: The people I owe it all today.

Jazmine Sullivan: Such a wonderful talent.

Area code 313: Always and forever my home.

RFC: Before we conclude, are there any shouts or plugs or websites you’d like to give right now?

K’Jon: Definitely you can hit me at www.whoiskjon.com and www.myspace.com/whoiskjon.  I want to say thank you to guys for helping me, as well as Universal Republic and getting my music across the globe

RFC: Alright K’Jon, thank you for taking the time to talk with THE3XGP.COM, we wish you continued success with the new album .

K’Jon: Than you sir.

Raekwon

RFC:  Your upcoming album Only Built For Cuban Linx II, is the sequel to your 1995 classic LP.  Looking back on that album and where you are today, what do you think has changed the most for you since that time period?

Raekwon: I think I’ve grown more as a stronger MC, a stronger artist as far as lyrical content is concerned.  Basically I’ve advanced my skills.  I feel more comfortable with how I rhyme today as far as when I was doing my thing back then.  So obviously I just got mad more stronger and better at making good music you know what I mean?  So that’s what I could really say.  They say they really grow with time…so 10 years up now, it’s like I’m more able to know how to do what to I want to do now, you know?

RFC: Who can we expect to collaborate with you on your new album?

Raekwon: You’re gonna have all kinds of collaborations on this album as far a production wise.  I don’t wanna just put RZA in a situation to where he has to be responsible for the whole project.  As the years fly by, you know brothers have other obligations and shit they have to do.  And I feel like we done put so much work into this that we already know where we wanna go and with me as an individual (for this project).  I already know how to do what I got to do, so I just wanted to put a little twist on it given that this is Cuban Linx II and give other legendary producers the opportunity to come in with they heat.   Because we respect strength and numbers….at the end of the day we just made sure that we came with something that coincide with the first one (Only Built 4 Cuban Linx). And the producers who got down, they understood it and they came in with their historical shit and made it even more illa.  So like I said, this is like incredible right here, to be able to have legends really come to the table and assist you on your robot (referring to his LP).  We made a strong robot…2009 version you know?

Raekwon ft. Method Man & Ghostface Killah – New Wu (2009)

RFC: You’ve been often given the recognition as one of the nicest storytellers in the rap game.  Do you think story telling today is still prevalent in hip-hop, or is it all about ring tone sales and digital downloads?

Raekwon: Well you know the ring tone artists kind of took over in their own little window.  But when it comes to creative shit, that’s when you step into our department, you know what I mean?  It’s like I hear a lot of people say the golden era rappers, they don’t get as much shine as the new commercial artists.  But the golden era rappers are still relevant as far as making that kind of hip-hop.  Like you can’t get that from a lot of these cats now.  So for me, I just stay in my lane and just do the best that I can do and don’t look at it from a commercial point of view.  I look at it from a respect (point of view) as an MC, as somebody that’s coming to the table and bringing authentic hip-hop to the table know what I mean?  That’s my department.   So I’m just gonna stay in my lane and whoever wants to roll with me, is gonna roll with me.  Whoever is looking for a commercial artist it’s like…maybe I’m not that dude for you, you what I mean?  That’s why we called this album, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx because it’s only built for a few people you know what I mean? Everybody is really to hear this real hip-hop shit.  You know I don’t make this album to be an album I consider for radio that’s going to get 10,000 spins a month you know what I mean?  This just a real street album that you can actually say ‘yo hip-hop is still here, period.’

RFC: What’s it like to work with the RZA again? Because on your last solo album back in 2003 (The Lex Diamond Story), he had no production credits at all.

Raekwon: RZA is my brother.  At the end of the day we got so many years of really being in the studio together.  Whatever RZA has done, has done brushed off on me and that’s reciprocated.  We kind of all feed off each other and it feels good to know that when I came back started working with him again, he actually had what I felt was the next level for Cuban Linx II. The formula was so important and he really sat up many nights and really made sure that we got that new sound.  Lots of people know us to come with crazy, ill production and lyrical gun play and just the collaborative efforts that we’ve put on this album.  I really feel that’s where I really need to be at right now.  The thing is, at the end of the day we just wanted to sit back and wanted give y’all niggas a classic.  Something that ya’ll can say ‘yo…damn the production, I never heard a beat like that…I never heard a nigga rhyme like that before’…so like I said, it feels good to be back around my dude doing it again, as well the Clan you know what I mean?  It ain’t just a RZA thing, it’s a Clan effort thing you know what I mean?  I feel like the Clan played their part and we got it in.

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Rock The Bells 2009 Press Conference

RFC: You guys will also be touring together on the upcoming Rock The Bells tour.  What is it about this particular tour that’s brings you back to the forefront?

Raekwon: To me, Rock The Bells tour is basically a platform that allows artists from today, yesterday and tomorrow to really get out there and do their thing for the real fans.  I can literally sit here and say that all the people who come to Rock The Bells, only 20% of them are listening to the radio.  The rest of them, 80% are definitely just starving for real hip-hop and starving for fresh new real hip-hop.  So you know, I look at the Rock The Bells as just one of them kind of tours, where you don’t gotta be a commercial selling artist to be on that tour.  That could kind of fuck around and backfire on you.  Because a lot of them motherfuckers don’t like the commercialness.  We want the hip-hop that has that energy that gives you that feeling, that credibility that an MC deserves.  So I just look at that as a platform for real MC’s to get up there and do they thing.  It ain’t about that commercial success.  It’s about coming with that real shit.

RFC: Are there any artists in this current era of rap that you haven’t had a chance to work with that you would like to collaborate with down the road?

Raekwon: It’s a few I’ll tell you that.  One thing about me is that whether you’re a platinum artist or whether you a new artist, I mean I gotta feel your vibe.  I gotta know that this is something that you really love and you got a passion for it and we’ll work together.  I can’t really just sit here and tell you who I really want to work with because I respect a lot of dudes you know what I mean?  There’s a lot of cats that I didn’t get a chance to work with that you know that I want to work with but you know, time will present itself.  When it’s time, you’ll hear it and that’s that.  But I don’t sit around and say I wanna work with this one or that one.  You know I’ve worked with mad people in the game already, so it’s only a few that I really feel like I can work with that I’m interested.  A lot of shit won’t really stick if I really sit there and point at everybody.  It might be shit…’that’s kind of a weird one right there’…or ‘maybe you might say that sounds interesting, I wanna hear that one,’ you know what I mean?  You always gotta be optimistic about who we deal with and make sure that the chemistry is supposed to work.  It has to work.  It’s not just something where we’ll try anything.  I don’t just like trying anything.

RFC: Earlier in your career, the Internet was nowhere to be found.  Today, it’s as prevalent as ever.  Does the Internet have more pros or cons when it comes to putting out an artist’s music out there on the web?

Raekwon: I think the internet just allows a lot of people to be able to get at you with the quickness, more then actually waiting for your music to come over the radio.  So it’s kind of like a gift and a curse with the Internet.  Right now we dealing with new technology today, so a lot of people you know they download shit.   Maybe they test the waters of what they’re going to purchase know what I mean?  At the end of the day, if you a real fan, it’s like you can download somebody’s music but if you love it you know you gotta have a copy of it in your car.  I just want to make sure people understand to go out there and support artists you know?  We do a lot of work.  We stay in the studio for hours trying to really do our things for y’all, especially for a brother like myself that really really worked hard on this project.  I’m trying to make brothers and sisters go out there and get to them stores and get this album ‘cause I feel like you know it’s worth it.  If it’s worth spending your money…go get it.  If you don’t feel like it’s worth spending your money, download it….do what you got to do.  I can never stop a person from doing whatever they gonna do.  I think a lot of times shit gets downloaded because ‘yo it ain’t worth going to buy.’  Fuck that, know what I mean?  But if it’s worth going to buy and the shit on the album cover that they feel is worth having, as far as going through the album, looking at the pictures, looking at the sleeve, looking at how everything was being done…You know artists gotta start putting a little more time into shit like that.   But you got some artists that don’t really go that far about caring about their shit.  For me, I’m putting shit on the album cover to really make people go out and be like ‘yo I could download it but I need to have that in my classic drawer with all my good shit’,  you know what I mean?

RFC: Here’s a little play on one of your rap names.  When Raekwon is in the kitchen, what can the Chef be caught cooking?

Raekwon: Chef be cooking…crack nigga! (Laughs)

RFC: Wu-Tang Clan put out some phenomenal trend setting records in the 90’s. What is your favorite Wu track of all time?

Raekwon: Na I don’t have one favorite but you know one thing about Wu-Tang, it’s like…you can’t really base our entire music on singles you know what I mean?  We make strong albums.  That’s the difference between us and different artists.  You can catch artists that make good singles but Wu-Tang, we really try to go all the way through the bar to make good albums.   One song may hit you today, and then three days later you might be stuck on another song.  And that’s my thing.  I don’t like to listen to albums that only got one or two good records and then that’s it.  To me that’s not a good album.  And I could sit there and listen to an album and say ‘yo there’s about 8-10 joints on there and a little bit more…that’s worth to buy.’  So we kind of specialize on that side of the table.

RFC: Let’s switch gears and talk about your acting career.  Are you still doing any projects on the side?  You’ve got that look to play a bad guy on TV or the big screen, I think you could still do some serious damage as a villan!

Raekwon: (Laughs) I think you right.  I think I could really sit there and play a character because I’m doing the same thing on wax, you know what I mean?  So as time will prevent itself, you know we got some things on the line with people that wanna work with me in the movie game.  And if everything works out and you know they doing it correctly and I feel like it’s worth it, I’m going for it.  So we’ll talk about that…we’ll let you know.  But there’s a few things on the table, you know what I mean?

Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx was released on Tuesday, August 01, 1995.

RFC: We heard you this year on Jadakiss’ The Last Kiss with Ghostface Killah for the track ‘Cartel Gathering.’  This record was definitely a throwback to New York rap.  What was it like to work with Jada, who’s holding down NYC right now?

Raekwon: No doubt, no doubt.   I’m happy for Jada too.  You know he’s definitely an MC that I could say paved the way for a lot of cats in the game in today to be able to stand up and put their work in.  ‘Kiss is a veteran right now.  He’s paid his dues you know what I mean?  He’s definitely a lyrical swordsman and I’m just glad that people’s respecting him.  He definitely represents the underground kings of today.  So I’m happy for him.

RFC: One of all my time favorite collaborations are the ones you have done with Outkast , including 2008’s ‘Royal Flush‘ for Big Boi’s upcoming Sir Lucious Left Foot album.  Many people will remember what you did on ‘Skew It On The Bar-B’ back in 1998 off their Aquemini LP.  What’s your relationship with them, as you’re one of a very select few in the industry who get to work with the duo?

Raekwon: I mean #1, we all part of that golden era team, back in the 90’s when we was coming up.  And when I worked with Outkast on that first record, that was around the time the South was being ridiculed for not really being out there like that, you know what I mean?  But I was like the very first guy who actually believed in the south cats and really supported them and watched that record pick up in New York.  It’s like…we just have a good friendship.   Like I’ve said, one thing about me, you know we loved all over man…East, West, North, South.  And my thing is, I respect what they do.  They very talented, they’re creative cats and they know how to rhyme, you know what I mean?  So to me its like, when we (Wu-Tang Clan) took off, it kind of opened the door for the South to really get the love that they wanted to get from New York and for New York to respect the south.  And I think that I was the first one to actually bust that cherry open for the South, by doing a song with Outkast.  So I think everything played its part for a good reason, and we still carry that same respect in the south because people don’t forget, you know what I mean?  And that’s why I know I’m big in the South.  One thing about the South is that they don’t fuck with everybody from New York but if they do, they respect certain niggas.  And I happen to be one of them niggas they look up to.  And they didn’t forget when nobody wasn’t checking for them, the Chef was checking for them, you know what I mean?  And that’s a good feeling for me.

RFC: Once this album drops this summer, any chance we will see the Wu-Tang Clan reunite?

Raekwon: Yeah, I mean you know…definitely.  When you hear this album, you gonna know that Wu-Tang is still Wu-Tang.  Because one thing about us, we from a certain grain of hip-hop where we don’t know how to do nothing but – really get lyrical with it you know what I mean?  And I think this time, we found the proper production to really enhance everybody’s skills and shit.   So when you hear it, it’s gonna feel like another Wu album again, you know what I mean?  And that’s how I always felt about the first Cuban Linx, it’s like yo that’s a Wu album.  Regardless of Raekwon’s solo album or everybody is coming into my world, at the end of the day I couldn’t do it alone without the help of my brothers.  So you’re just gonna feel that energy.  And like I said just when people think it’s over, that’s when we come back and fuck your head up again you know what I mean?  And that’s what’s gonna happen this go around.

RFC: You’re one of hip-hop’s most legendary artists of all time.  You’ve been quoted as saying “I’ve put my blood, sweat and tears into making this classic album for my fans.”  Many of your loyal followers will be marking the date down when this album drops.  What does this album mean to you?  15 years deep in the game and a lot of people have come and gone.

Raekwon: You know this album is basically the passion.  When you think of my first solo album, it’s like we was fresh off the streets, you know what I mean?  We didn’t know nothing about the business, all we knew was how to rhyme, MC and take your head off lyrically.  So when I look at it like that, I look at it 15 years later, it kind of like just makes me feel like you know, step back down memory lane and take off all the glitter and gold…and basically just go all in as a real MC.  Where you aren’t worried about if you got your radio record or you worried about if it gonna be played on the air.  It’s like everything is just from the heart, you know what I mean?  It’s just me looking at it like here it is… ‘yo I’m back at square one again with a shot’, you know what I mean?  Like I said, I love real hip-hop, it ain’t so much about the sales, and it’s more about more or less making a strong album and a statement with your record.  And I think that’s what we did, we made a statement again.  We came with another classic that I know for a fact it’s a classic.   Just to have the certain kind of production and the certain kind of people involved with it, it’s a classic already in the making.  How many people you know who could get a J DILLA, a RZA, and a (Dr.) Dre combination, you know what I mean? That’s kind of like…unorthodox.  A lot of people can’t get that (type of production).

Raekwon – Incarcerated Scarfaces (1995)

RFC: Right now I’d like to do a little word association with you.   I’ll mention to you some names or words and whatever comes to mind, you can respond back with a short answer that best sums it up ok?

Raekwon: Alright, do it up.

RAEKWON WORD ASSOCIATION

Lex Diamond: Alter ego gangsta.

Wu-Tang Forever: The opus into a new world order.

Busta Rhymes: Busta “Barack” Obama. Barack Rhymes.

Ice Water Inc.: The Conglomerate.

Mets or Yankees? Yanks.

Staten (We Go Hard): The trilogy to Shaolin.

O.D.B.: A beautiful mind icon.

RFC:  Before we conclude, are there any shouts or plugs or websites you’d like to give right now?

Raekwon: Yeah I just wanna tell all the fans that I love ‘em, sorry for the delay.   You will get your money’s worth and please go out there and cop real hip-hop.  Go the stores and get out there and represent your favorite rappers, it’s worth it.   Spend your money’s worth wisely, trust me over here you’ll be good.  You’ll get every dime worth off what you want.

RFC: Alright Mr. Raekwon, thank you for taking the time to talk with THE3XGP.COM, we wish you continued success when your new album drops.

Raekwon: Thank you sir, likewise man.  Respect.

Slim Thug

RFC: If we can rewind for a minute, originally the lead single for Boss of All Bosses was the DJ Toomp produced cut ‘Theme Song (Hoggs On The Grind)’.  One year later, you’re on a new label with an even hotter heater, ‘I Run.’  You’ve had more success with ‘I Run’ than any other single you’ve pushed at urban and rhythmic radio.  What do you think is the reason for that?

Slim Thug: It’s a hot song for one.  And then number two, I think I’m really with a staff that’s really working, you know what I’m saying?  I tell a lot of people on the road in my interviews that I’ve been doing , I was at Geffen/Interscope which is a big label and they had a lot of problems.   I never believed things were on the same page, and they weren’t really fighting for me.  The initial staff that I signed to had all got fired, from my A&R to the whole staff.  They changed they whole staff at Geffen.   And the new staff, I never got on the same page with them. I tried to do what I could, but we just never got on the same page. I dunno if they just didn’t believe in me as an artist or whatever, but it just never worked. I think that now I am at Koch (Now called E1 Music) , they believe in the music , they actually working and putting it out there and it’s working.  I think that’s the reason why the song has so much success.

RFC: The lead single ‘I Run’ is produced by the ultra talented Jim Jonsin and features a sample from the 1982 hit, ‘I Ran (So Far Away)‘ by the group A Flock Of Seagulls.  How did this come about, did Jim have this beat in mind specifically for you?

Slim Thug: Yeah, I give all credit to Jim Jonsin.  He was at the Ozone Awards in Houston and I told him that I wanted to work with him.  And we went to the studio, he played the beat to me and I loved the beat.  He had a few ideas for me and ran it by me.  We got Yelawolf from Alabama and he sung the hook.   It was then a wrap and I just added a few verses on it as well.   I give all the credit in the world to Jim Jonsin.

Slim Thug – I Run (2009)

RFC: Are you a big video game fan?

Slim Thug: I got all the video games, I play with my sons every once in a while.  I don’t play a whole lot, but I do know that the original track was on Grand Theft Auto IV: Vice City.

RFC: 4 years ago, your debut album Already Platinum had an impressive 129,000 copies sold in first week sales.  It was an incredible body of work but only managed to hit Gold status.  Back then you were on the majors and today you are now running back on the independent scene.  Is there any pressure to prove to those who doubted that you could not succeed at the major’s level?

Slim Thug: Nah it ain’t really nothing like that.   I never get caught up in the try to prove stuff to people.  You know more than anything, I just wanna do me and satisfy the people who got love for me know what I’m saying?  Because I’ve been living pretty good off of them (his core audience) alone even before I had the (record) deal.   I got a huge enough fan base that’s underground to the point where I’m cool you know what I’m saying?  I never was really in search of a deal like that anyways, it just happened by default.  I never really get caught up in all that doubtness, I’m just trying to my music and hopefully the fans who’ve been down with me since day one like it and I gain a few more.

RFC: I’ve heard the new album will be a return to your signature Houston sound that you are so very well known for.  Were you able to secure Pharrell for a record on Boss of All Bosses or is this album going in another direction?

Slim Thug: It’s another direction.  I definitely wanted to work with Pharrell and he wanted to work with me on this.  But he be out of the country so much, we could never get on the same page and get that one record.  We traded a few beats but we couldn’t get that one hit record.  And then when I met him at the Grammy’s, he had one for me and he was like, let’s do it but it was kinda too late.  By then we had to turn in the record to the label.   I will definitely get him on the next album, ‘cause the minute I see him, we gonna do some records together.

RFC: You’ve recorded over 200 songs for this project. What’s the best technique to narrow the song selection process that makes the final track listing on the album?

Slim Thug: Aw man, it’s a lot that goes with it.  Honestly when you’re independent, a lot goes towards the budget.  And number two is the sample issue.  Some of my favorite songs, I couldn’t get the samples cleared.   For example, I had released a record called ‘Fuck You’ and that was my favorite record.  And we couldn’t get the sample cleared because they didn’t want us talking all that shit on their sample.  So that shit comes into effect, the producers, working with different artists (how hard is it going to be to get them cleared from their labels).  I don’t want to get into all that but at the end of the day, I think picked 15 songs that were without a lot of all that (above problems listed).  I’m basing this on one song that I really just loved that I didn’t put on there (the new album).  But all these other records I loved on the album were the ones that I really loved.

Boss Hogg Outlawz – Back By Blockular Demand: Serve & Collect II was released on Tuesday, September 02, 2008.

RFC: If you Wikipedia your name, it says that your crew the Boss Hogg Outlawz name was coined from the television show Dukes of Hazzard.  Are there any TV shows that you watch today that you can’t miss?

Slim Thug: I was just talking to somebody about that.  And I don’t have nothing that I keep in touch with, television wise.  I may see a few episodes here and there, but I don’t have specific TV show that I keep up on the regular like that.  You know what I’m saying?  I don’t really sit down that much.

RFC: We’ve heard 4 songs featuring Akon (‘Please Don’t Do That’), Mannie Fresh (‘Show Me Love’), Smile and most recently the new one with Paul Wall (‘Drop Top’). What’s your next single that you plan to follow up to ‘I Run?’

Slim Thug: I really don’t even know man.  I got a few in mind.  I like to let the people make the decisions more than anything.  Because with me, I have so many records that are honestly… it’s so hard for me to pick what is what.  I like to have my fans pick have their opinion and pick them.

Slim Thug video blogging

RFC: ‘Hip-Hop Saved My Life‘ was penned by Lupe Fiasco with the lyrics being inspired by your rap career.  I’ve heard you’ve said that Lupe took pieces of your hustle and put it into a song. How does it feel to have recognition among your peers in the industry?

Slim Thug: It’s nothing but love man. Lupe, he’s a cool dude.  I’m a fan of his music and for him to reach out do that track based on what I did in the game is real big.  To see somebody else in the music game recognize my hustle and be inspired by it, that’s definitely love.  Shout to Lupe, no doubt.

RFC: Here’s a little trivia for you Mr. Thuggggga. What do Bruce Springsteen, George Steinbrenner, Rick Ross and Slim Thugg all have in common?

Slim Thug: We all bosses! (Laughs)

RFC: Slim, I’ve never been to Houston, in your opinion what’s the best nightclub out there and where’s the best place to get food late night after you hit the club?

Slim Thug: The best club to me is the club downtown, The Office.  I’m in there all the time.  And the best spot to get food at…if you want to get breakfast, there’s Breakfast Klub.  And of course there’s Papa Joes, that’s what it is.

RFC: Today (March 09)  is the anniversary death of The Notorious B.I.G.  Your debut album had a track ‘Ashy To Classy.’  My question is, did Biggie’s music up in the east have an impact to those in the south when he was on top of the game?

Slim Thug: Oh yeah it did definitely, same as the west coast.  Music just influences everybody man.  I definitely listened to Biggie and a lot of other cats from the east coast.  And I was inspired by them from cats like Jay-Z.

RFC: A few months ago we saw you do a video blog in the studio talking about the importance of the Internet and having a strong digital presence, even citing Soulja Boy and Diddy as references.  It seems that back in the day, all you had to do was have a mixtape and the buzz was good.  But to build a heavy buzz now, you’ve got to have a stronger presence with the online community.  What’s your take on that?

Slim Thug: That’s definitely true man.  Actually I was in the studio joking around, I didn’t think it was gonna be put out.  But you definitely gotta have a strong Internet presence because everybody is in tuned with that.  More people look at the Internet for your music video than they do even on TV.  They’d rather have reality shows and all that type of stuff on the music channels.  So the Internet is key to a lot of artists’ success, I definitely think you need that.

Already Platinum was released on Tuesday, July 12, 2005.

RFC: Your first album was titled Already Platinum and now you got the Boss of All Bosses LP coming out March 24.  All of your album title names stand out and speak volumes.  Do you already know what your next album title will be?

Slim Thug: Nooo, I’m thinking about it right now though man.  I was just thinking about that.  Do you got any ideas? (Laughs)

RFC: I have no clue man…But I’m sure any decision you make is gonna be a good one.

Slim Thug: Yeah man. I dunno what it is, but I’ll think of somethin’ real good though.

RFC: What have you done differently with Boss of All Bosses that you didn’t do on Already Platinum?  Because I read an XXL interview last year where you said from a sales point of view, “it’s gonna be the music that’s going to be blamed if [the album] doesn’t do what it’s supposed to do.”

Slim Thug: Yeah.  Because on this album here, I just really did me man and brought it back to my roots .  It ended up being a record where I’m trying to put my city on, be a strong part of the Houston movement and bring back that movement in a strong way.  So I wanted to paint the perfect visual of my city but not just from Swishahouse.   And when I say Swishahouse I mean me, Mike (Jones), Paul Wall and Chamillionaire.  I wanted to work with cats like the S.U.C. (Screwed Up Click) and I wanted to work with legends in the game like UGK, Scarface you know what I’m saying?  You know just anybody who was a big part of the Houston movement, I wanted to get on my record and at the same time I got cats you probably never heard of.  There’s new artists and I love them and I just wanted to paint the perfect picture of Houston as whole. Not just one part of it.

RFC: Right now I’d like to do a little word association with you. I’ll mention to you some names or words and whatever comes to mind, you can respond back with a short answer that best sums it up ok?

Slim Thug: Alright.

Slim Thug Word Association

Boss Hogg Outlawz: That’s my gang.

Still Tippin’: That’s how we roll in Texas.

Interscope/Geffen Records: (Laughs)…The past!

Candy Paint: Gotta have it.

3 Kings: A hood classic.

WrestleMania 25 (In his hometown this year): I’m not in tuned (Laughs). I don’t know nothing about wrestling. I ain’t watch wrestling since I was a kid.  Last wrestler I seen wrestle was Hulk Hogan on some shit!

Mr. Boomtown (Video director for ‘I Run’): He paints the perfect picture of Houston.

www.immahogg.com: The best website in the world.

RFC: Before we conclude, are there any shouts, plugs or websites you’d like to give right now?

Slim Thug: Just the album in stores March 24th, log onto immaghogg.com, myspace.com/slimthug and there it is, just stay down.

RFC: Alright Slim Thug, thank you for taking the time to talk with THE3XGP.COM, we wish you continued success when your new album drops.

Slim Thug: Appreciate it homie.

Slim Thug ft. T.I. & Bun B – 3 Kings (2005)

Jadakiss

RFC: Kiss of Death was a great body of work that was released in 2004, which was the sophomore effort to your solo debut, Kiss Tha Game Goodbye.  Here we are 5 years later, The Last Kiss is on the way on Tuesday, April 07, 2009.  New recording label, new management.  How has the transition been so far?

Jadakiss: It’s been alright, it’s been pretty good.   It’s pretty much been the same thing I’ve been through, just trying to maximize my opportunities with the new label and the new management na mean?  I’m just trying to do everything I did a little bit better than the last time.

Watch Jada’s Cyper performance right herre

RFC: We saw you at the 2008 BET Hip-Hop Awards as in the house announcer which gave the show a great narrative.  And then you handled your business in “The Cypher” segment where you were the cleanup hitter following your Def Jam mates (Ace Hood, Juelz Santana).  Was that fun to do or was it all business?

Jadakiss: It was business and it was fun.  Those ciphers are cool but I didn’t really like the beat, so I had to get up real early in the morning and just sit with it.  Na mean, just vibe out with the beat.  So by the ten, it came all lovely at the end.  As far as doing the voice of the show, it was a new experience which was very fun, a lot of people gave me a lot of love, saying I did good on the show.  It was a good thing.

Jadakiss on set of Letter To B.I.G.

RFC: When you filmed ‘Letter To B.I.G.’, they styled you up top to down, especially with the Coogi sweater which was a trademark look for B.I.G.  Recreating that visual was a great tribute.  My question is, was that an original Coogi sweater?

Jadakiss: Yeah.  Coogi sent that.

RFC: One of the lines that stand outs from that track is “The game has got cheaper, rappers is more commercially successful now But the heart’s a lot weaker” (Letter To B.I.G.).  I don’t think it gets any more sincere than that Jada.

Jadakiss: Yeah.  That’s just how I feel .  Coming in from when I got into the game to where the game is today, is how I feel about it.  That’s just my personal opinion.  I don’t know how true it is, but that’s just how I feel from when I came in till now, na mean?  Others might have they own opinion.

RFC: New York rap.  Do you think the Mecca of hip-hop is where it’s supposed to be at right now?

Jadakiss: Yeah, I think we doing good right now.  We’re coming up strong, and we’re pulling up the rear right now.  We’re about to take that position we want right now where we want to be, na mean?

Jadakiss – Can’t Stop Me (2009)

RFC: The new video ‘Can’t Stop Me’, where was the location of this video shoot, was it filmed on the west coast?

Jadakiss: Yeah, we shot it downtown Cali.

RFC: The opening visual, was that in Korea town?

Jadakiss: Yeah that’s downtown China town.

RFC: There’s a nice visual with that boss man in the pool hall who’s eating those sardines.  Would Jada ever eat that kind of food?

Jadakiss: Na I used to eat sardines, not them yo.  He had some real ones.  I used to eat the ones out of the can (laughs).

RFC: Kiss My Ass – the mixtape is now out which saw you reunite with the evil genius, DJ Green Lantern.  You guys made history with ‘The Champ Is Here‘, which was an anthem embraced by everyone including John Cena.  How did you feel about Cena coining your catchphrase?

Jadakiss: Oh word?  I didn’t even know that!  He be comin’ out saying that?

RFC: Long time, he’s been holding it down.

Jadakiss: The Champ Is Here?

Jadakiss – MTV Mixtape Monday (03-09-09)

RFC: Yeah because he’s always the champ on the show.

Jadakiss: That’s just a good thing.  That was from (Muhammed) Ali.  The actual sample that Green used was Will Smith from Ali (the movie).  But we couldn’t do use that so I re-did the hook.  Whenever a song spreads like that, it’s always a plus.

RFC: Jada, retail sales from this year are down 11.7% compared to same total at this time last year.  It’s a lot harder to sell records these days.  Do you feel with album delays in general that it’s a way to protect the artist or the record label’s investment?

Jadakiss: A record label is always going to protect their investment.  With the sales being down, you gotta find something else to do.  You gotta stay on the road, you gotta get some sponsorships (endorsements), and you gotta do tours.  You gotta try and get yourself into other things.  The music business is just a stepping stone, but it starts with the music.  If you make good music and cater to the fans that like you, then you’ll be all right form there.  You gotta find ways to make money, whether it’s in sales or touring na mean?  If the sales are down, then shows gotta be up.  It all balances itself out.

Jadakiss – Who Run This (2008)

RFC: We’ve seen you in a more active environment, from a viral point of view.  Your presence on the web is letting you reconnect with your core base and in the process, attract new audiences who weren’t brought up on ‘Money, Power, Respect‘ or ’We Gonna Make It.’  It seems like the media machine must pass through the Internet, do you agree?

Jadakiss: Yea, yea yea.  Definitely.  You gotta use the internet.   If you don’t, you lost in the source.  This is what’s poppin’, this is what the little kids do, go home from school and they hittin’ the sites up.  They surfing YouTube and they on everything.  So if you don’t cater to that and put yourself on there, you ain’t gonna be nowhere.  Na mean? You gotta get with the Joneses or get outta here.

Ne-Yo with Jadakiss on set of By My Side

RFC: One of our readers wants to ask how did you come up with your rapping name Jadakiss, how did it originate?

Jadakiss: One of the oldest cats in my hood gave me that name.  He just said it one day.  “I’m chillen out here with Jadakiss.”  I said what? I’mma try that in a rhyme, I just tried it and people started asking who’s that kid Jadakiss?  And I just kept it.

RFC: OK moving onto the next category we have a feature called 5 favorite questions.

Jadakiss 5 ‘Favorite’ Questions

Favorite Biggie track of all time: Who Shot Ya (The Notorious B.I.G., 1994)

Favorite producer to work with: Preemo (DJ Premier)

Favorite drink in the club: Patron.

Favorite New Era cap you ever wore: Blue Yankee fitted.

Favorite Top 5 Dead or Alive: Biggie, Nas, Jay-Z, Andre 3000 and Styles P.

RFC: Right now I’d like to do a little word association with you.  I’ll mention to you some names or words and whatever comes to mind, you can respond back with a short answer that best sums it up ok?

Jadakiss: Alright.

The Lox/D-Block

Jadakiss Word Association

The Lox: Hard.

Hip Hop Sole.com: Future.

Diddy: Business.

Maxwell (Tried to get for The Last Kiss): Down to earth.

Yonkers, New York: The hidden Burough.

Jadakiss – Why (2004)

RFC: Before we conclude, are there any shouts or plugs you’d like to give right now?

Jadakiss: Every website, every magazine, everybody across the world that supports D-Block, Jadakiss, The Lox.  Make sure you get that Last Kiss album one love baby… ‘A-ha!

RFC: Alright Jada, thank you for taking the time to talk with THE3XGP.COM, we wish you continued success when your new album drops.

Jadakiss: No doubt, thanks a lot.

Shonie

RFC: I’ve read that you got your start musically in the church choir.  Can you talk about that?

Shonie: My mother put me in the church choir, she was heavily involved in the church.  It was only right that I had to be in the choir.  I was kind of shy to sing in front of people, so she just put me out there in the open and that’s when everybody started noticing me that I could sing. Her and my brother started getting me in the studio when I was 9.   I started performing at the age of 11 and I think that’s when it really popped off and I wanted to do this.  Once I got the response from the crowd and I kept performing live, they just kept loving the music.  That’s when I started getting into it.

RFC: But then I read that you broke onto the scene in Miami with a mixtape that was hosted by DJ Khaled.  You started as a rapper, is that true or not?

Shonie: (Laughs) I was rapping a long time ago!  That was something that I used to do when I was younger.  I really wanted to be a rapper more than a singer at the time, because I was always shy to sing.  But my manager came to me and said that I should do a straight R&B mixtape.  And I was ok, they tried to find me different DJ’s and they came up with Khaled.  And I didn’t really thank Khaled was gonna get on the mixtape but he definitely called me up and let me know I’m co-signing you Shonie.  So shout out to Khaled for getting on that we put it out there (the mixtape) to get my name out and that’s how I hooked up with Khaled.

RFC: I heard that you recently inked a deal with Def Jam Records to distribute your album.  Congratulations on that big accomplishment.

Shonie: Thank you, thank you, it’s very exciting.  It’s very exciting, I’m very happy to be able to stand in front of L.A. Reid (Def Jam chairman) and everyone, the top writers, the top producers and just to be able to show what I have.  And for him to say that I have something special, that was amazing.  Not a lot of artists get that opportunity and I did, so I’m very blessed.

RFC: You will be joining a roster that is very powerful in the R&B department with artists like Ne-Yo, Rihanna and The-Dream.  How do you think your sound will fit it with L.A. Reid’s direction? Is there any pressure?

Shonie: Um…at times I think about it so hard when I go to sleep and I gotta be on my A game.  ‘Cause now this is like, I’m on the field now!  It’s time to play ball. You know at that time we was grinding on the sidelines, but now we in the game.  So I definitely have to play hard. It’s pressure at times, but I don’t let it get to me.  You know, I just gotta stay focused, stay positive and know that it’s gonna work out.   I definitely have positive people around me, to my head focused and keep me calm.  It takes time but it’s definitely gonna happen.|

RFC: As a new artist, how will you stand out, what do you think is your greatest strength as a female singer?

Shonie: I just have a whole edgy feel. Like I said, I like to put out great, good feeling music, I like to put out music people can relate to.  That’s what makes hit records, when you can relate to that record.  I love it when someone comes up to me and says “you were just not talking about me on that record!”  My album is going to be one of those CD’s that when you get in your car, it stays in the CD player.  Like you can’t take that CD out! Like I said just an edgy feel and that’s how I feel I can stand out because I’m also a writer too and it’s just the whole full package that I can expressed myself and go into different lanes ya know?

RFC: Your current single ‘Can’t Let Go’ featuring Fabolous (produced by Bent) is growing at radio.  Are there any plans to shoot a music video for this track?

Shonie: There is, that’s why I am in the gym! (Laughs) and I am working out very hard because I definitely have to put the face in front of the music.  And everyone’s gonna know who Shonie is.  So it’s definitely a good feeling to know we’re gonna put a video out and I’m working out hard in the gym so it’s gonna be poppin’.   It’s gonna be hot, real sexy video, concepts gonna be hot and everything’s gonna be good.

RFC: So you’re breaking a sweat and you’re laying off the carbs?

Shonie: Yes! (Laughs), I gotta stay with the chicken and greens, fish and greens…I gotta stay with it!

RFC: The title of the song is obviously about a relationship – but can you name 3 things in your purse that Shonie Can’t Let Go of?

Shonie: My lip gloss, my social security and my brush, I’m sorry those are 3 things I can’t let go (laughs).

RFC: You probably have a mean hair game eh?

Shonie: (Laughs) I got to, hair is the most important thing on a female.  If nothing else works, your hair has got to be on point.  I gotta have my brush, your lips always have to be poppin’ and I need my social security cause that’s your life!

Shonie with Pleasure P

RFC: When you are not in the recording studio, what does Shonie like to do?  Where can she be found?

Shonie: I like to go out, I am a very very outgoing person.   I like to go to the beach, the movies, anywhere.  I like to go out on South Beach.  As long as I have good people around me, good friends, we can still be around at the house and still have fun and make a party.  I’m just a very outgoing person.  You can find me anywhere…every and anywhere!|

RFC: So you’re not that shy person behind the mic anymore?

Shonie: Definitely not.  I can be shy at times, but that’s the whole thing with me being humble.  But I can definitely express myself.

RFC: Here’s a random question.  Name 3 songs we can find playing on Shonie’s iPod.

Shonie: ‘Lions, Tigers Bears’ by Jazmine Sullivan, ‘Need U Bad’ by Jazmine Sullivan – those are like the 2 biggest songs to me right now.  Last one is ‘Live Your Life’ by T.I. featuring Rihanna.  The hook in that song is amazing.

RFC: What’s your guilty pleasure that some of our readers might not know about you?

Shonie: (Laughs)…maybe just snacks/junk food I kinda don’t wanna say, I don’t want my manager to know, he might catch me!  So yeah I think it’s the snacks you can catch me on.

RFC: Did you catch any of this year’s Oscars?  What was the last movie you saw?

Shonie: I did.  I watched a little bit of it…I was in the studio, I saw it briefly.  I saw Beyoncé perform on stage.  The last movie that I saw was Lakeview Terrace with Samuel Jackson.   It was an OK movie to me.   I thought it could have been more, but it was good for the most part.

RFC: The title of your debut album is called Passionate…Pieces of Me, coming out later this year.  How did you come up with that album title and what does this project mean to you?

Shonie: It means a lot to me because it started off with me and my manager.  That’s it you know.  And we’ve just been grinding ever since.  You know he’s more than a manager to me, he’s done a lot for me.  He’s done a lot for me what a lot of other manager’s won’t do for their artists, he’s done way more. So for him to put up with me and to be there from the bottom and for us to go spread out and have a big staff team now, we’re just a big happy family.   It just means a lot to me that I have good people around me.  And that I’m constantly making great music and I’m definitely passionate about what I do.  So we all just got together and they came up with the title passionate, what about passionate?  We probably wanted to go for something bigger, something exotic…but I think passionate just describes how we all feel about this.  Because we never stopped about how many bumps or situations we got into, we just never stopped.  And it just showed the passion that we had.

Slip-N-Slide Records celebrates its 15th Anniversary in South Beach at Hotel Victor (December 2008)

RFC: You, Qwote and Camar represent the future of Slip-N-Slide records, which just celebrated their 15th year in the business.  The label has a rich history with established acts like Trick Daddy, Trina, Rick Ross and Plies, how will you guys carry the torch?

Shonie: What I can say about that I know before I got signed I know Ted Lucas (Slip-N-Slide Records founder) he told me he wanted to sign an R&B artist.  He had J-Shin as a male R&B artist but he never had a female R&B singer, he was looking for that special one.  And for him to see the work ethic and everything we were doing, like I said with how the mixtape was put out, he definitely brought me into the family.  And I feel like we’re gonna take it a long way.  Trick Daddy and Trina definitely took it there, when you hear Slip-N-Slide, you think of them.  And I think this year when you think of Slip-N-Slide, you gonna think of Shonie, you’re gonna think of Qwote, you’re gonna think of Camar because it’s a new generation.  And you gotta keep moving on ‘em.

RFC: Right now I’d like to do a little word association with you.  I’ll mention to you some names or words and whatever comes to mind, you can respond back with a short answer that best sums it up.

Shonie Word Association:

Moesha (Brandy Norwood): My favorite R&B singer.

Aaliyah: I miss her so much, she was a wonderful artist.

I Am…Sasha Fierce: (Laughs)…Diva!

James Jackson (Her manager): More than a manager.

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill: I think she’s an icon.

Trina: The baddest bitch.

Ted Lucas (Slip-N-Slides founder): Hard working man.

RFC: Before we conclude, are there any shouts or plugs you’d like to give right now?

Shonie: I would love to give a shout to everyone that’s been supporting the single ‘Can’t Let Go.’   We put that out there and everybody has been responding to it well.  I appreciate everyone that’s going to the MySpace page and leaving comments.  I love the love that I’m getting.  If anybody wanna look for me it’s www.myspace.com/shoniemusic and I’m always writing back to everybody cause I feel the love.  And shout out to 6 Hole Entertainment as well.

RFC: Alright Shonie, thank you for taking the time to talk with THE3XGP.COM, we wish you continued success and best of luck when your new album drops.

Shonie: Thank you so much.

Qwote

RFC: For all the people out there, introduce yourself. Who is Qwote?

Qwote: Qwote is the new pop artist that’s broken into the scene.  I’ve signed with Final Cut/Slip-N-Slide/Jive Records and I’m here to make the ladies right.  I’m real excited about what’s going right now with the whole situation and I’m here to just give my perspective from my point of view.

RFC: How did you come up with your artist name?

Qwote: Actually it was a name given to me as a young kid growing up on the block in New York.  The name was given to me off quoting off of people.  When you blowing up around the block, everybody gets they nicknames so that was mines.  And as I got older and when I got into the music business, I wanted to keep something that was a part of my roots.  I stuck to the name Qwote and gave it a different meaning.   And now the name means to me nothing but the facts, know what I’m saying? The truth.  That’s what I feel like I’m delivering.

RFC: How did you get into this music industry?  Was there one defining moment that made you want to pursue a music career?

Qwote: I would say it was the death of my mother.  My mother died when I was 5 and it took a while for me to really deal with it.  I would say at the age of 12 I decided that I needed some outlet to deal with the pain, so I started writing.  And I loved music my whole life, so I started putting the two together.  And then by 16, I realized I had some kind of talent in my hand and also it helped me a lot.  It was like a therapeutic thing for me you know?  So I just went with it and just developed my craft even better.  I would say the defining moment was when I realized that I had to do something about the situation with my mom’s death.

RFC: Name some of your favorite musical influences growing up.

Qwote: My grandma played so much old school music in the house.  She played a lot of Michael Jackson in the house, I was really into that.  I heard a lot of Marvin Gaye in the house, the Temptations, she played a lot of that.  She played a lot of Al Greene!  You know I just realized that, damn!  She played a lot of Al Greene in the house.  She’s a real big fan of old school music.  As far as me growing up, I liked Usher, I’m a big fan of Lenny Kravitz.  I kinda didn’t stay in one genre of music, I really liked all types of music.  As long as the music sounds good to me, I’m a big fan of it.

RFC: I read that you are of Haitian descent and you’ve spent time in between New York and Miami.  What differences stand out between the two cities and which one do you prefer?

Qwote: The difference between the two to me is really just the weather (laughs).  That’s pretty much just it. I love New York just as much as I love Miami.  They both have roots, they both have precious memories for me you know?  And I wouldn’t trade one over the other. I consider both home.

RFC: How about nightlife? Which one’s better?

Qwote: Well I would probably have to say Miami, although I do love New York’s nightlife.  I do love it.   But I’ve been in Miami for a while…so yeah I’d have to go with Miami.

RFC: Your current single ‘808’ features label mate Plies and production by J.R. Rotem.  Describe how that record came about.

Qwote: Actually I was in L.A. working with J.R. and we were going over a couple of records. J.R. brought the track to me and J.R. thought I would have the perfect sound on it.  So we just started putting that record together and getting everything on point.  And then me and J.R. was discussing who would fit perfectly on the record, and Plies’ name came up.  I thought about it and felt strongly about Plies on that record, he has a very strong delivery.  I’m a big fan of Plies, so it was an honor for him to jump on the record like that for a newcomer like me.

RFC: Name 3 artists that you would to collaborate on a future project.

Qwote: You know I would love to collaborate with Prince.  I dunno how possible that is, but to me nothing is impossible. I would love to collaborate with Prince.  As a matter of fact, I have a record ready for him if he says yes!  Also I’d like to do something with Jay-Z, definitely like to work with Jay on a record.  And Mary J. Blige, I have a record I’d like to do with her.  So yea, a lot of the old school trend setters.

RFC: What can we expect on your debut album, Qwote Un Quote?

Qwote: Definitely up-tempo music that you can vibe to in a club.  Mid-tempo music that you could just lay back, chill and think.  And the ballads that you can really make love to.  I have music that will keep you satisfied in the bedroom and satisfied in thought processes (records that make you think).  I touch topics that most men won’t.   I’m not afraid to go there. I feel if I don’t, then I’m cheating the fans.

RFC: When it comes to your song writing process, do you prefer slow ballads or up-tempo pop songs?

Qwote: It doesn’t matter.  I do good with both actually.  I find that with slow ballads, I can get more deeper into the song, I can express myself more.  And with fast songs, it’s just coming out the mind more.  Slow songs come more out the heart.

Qwote ft. Trina – Don’t Wanna Fight (2008)

RFC: Last year you had a hit record with ‘Don’t Wanna Fight.’  This leads me to this next question.  What’s your whole take on the whole Rihanna/Chris Brown issue?

Qwote: Wow.  That was an unexpected question!   Well I wish them the best, that’s number one.

I wish them the best whatever they do.  I don’t know the whole story, everything is allegedly saying Chris did this to Rihanna and what not.  If that is the case, I just hope that Chris gets some help, and I hope he learned his lesson from it.  I hope things work out for him down the line and I wish nothing bad for both of them.  You know we all make mistakes in life.  It was a pretty bad one, but we all do make mistakes.  Again at the end of the day, I just wish the best for both of them.   And I hope this is something that Chris doesn’t ever do again and that’s the best I can say about that.

RFC: In Qwote’s own words, what’s the right way to treat a lady?

Qwote: The right way to treat a lady?   The right way to treat a lady is basically show her attention, affection, listen to her, communicate with her, laugh with her, love her, make love to her and tell her last but not least that you love her.

RFC: Valentine’s Day was not too long ago, did you something special for your lady?

Qwote: Unfortunately Qwote was working on Valentine’s Day and I don’t have a significant, I don’t have a lady right now.   So what I had to do pretty much was share my love – on stage with all the pretty ladies that came to see me perform.  I had opened up for Plies at Cub Premier, so that was a great show.  I came with a few roses for the ladies, it was a great show.

RFC: You have no reservations about being labeled a pop artist.  For a label like Slip-N-Slide that’s been heavily rap oriented over the years, what do you bring to the table?

Qwote: For one, Slip-N-Slide has never had a pop artist to begin with.  That by itself, is enough said.  Even though I am a pop artist, I also have music where I’m a pop artist that can perform in the hoodest of hood clubs and still go to a cross over crowd.  And it works for me.  I just call myself the new bad boy of pop, period.  And it really works.  I like the fact that I’m not limited to just one genre, crowd wise.  And that to me makes me feel like more people to get to hear my music, to see me perform and connect with.  When you can sing to everybody, that’s pop.  Your songs are just popular to everybody.  That’s what makes it a popular song.

RFC: Qwote Un Quote is the name of your upcoming album.  Is there a release date your label has in mind?

Qwote: We anticipate the album dropping right before school starts, so I would say late summer, 3rd quarter.

RFC: If there’s one last quote you’d like to leave with our readers with, what would it be?

Qwote: I always go by this quote that my grandmother has instilled in me as a kid.  It’s actually from the bible and it’s “do onto others, as they would do onto you.”  I live by that creed man.  Do people right, you’ll receive the same energy back.  That’s my favorite quote and the #1 quote I go by.

RFC: Before we conclude, are there any shouts or plugs you’d like to give right now?

Qwote: Yes I wanna thank THE3XGP.COM first and foremost.   Also wanna give a shout to Final Cut music group, which is my home label.  Slip-N-Slide Records, thank you very much.  Jive Records, the whole family at Jive.  I wanna thank the street team that’s working on my behalf.  I also wanna thank God, because without him, none of this would work out.  I thank my grandmother, my family and of course my fans.  My fans are something else. And my supporters because they are two different groups.

RFC: Alright Qwote, thank you for taking the time to talk with THE3XGP.COM, we wish you continued success and best of luck when your new album drops.

Qwote: Thank you Rick, it’s been a pleasure having this interview with you. And I thank you for allowing me to express myself and let the world know who I am.

B.o.B

RFC: You said on your MySpace that it was DMX’s It’s Dark and Hell It’s Hot album that you studied and learned how to write bars and hooks.  What’s the one song off that album that stands out as your favorite?

B.o.B: The song that I remember the most is “Stop, drop, shut ‘em down open up shop oh, no That’s how Ruff Ryders roll” – Ruff Ryders Anthem (1998). The whole album was hot.  Back then we had bootlegs that were like tapes.  So I taped the whole album. And I used to listen on the tape everyday and flip it over.  So the whole album was what I was listening to.  It showed me how to rap, I put it in bars and wrote ‘em out.  And I followed the lines at the end.  Cause you know intuitively I could line them out “1, 2, 3, 4…1, 2,” know what I mean?  I would line them up and figure out how to rap and I’ve been on my way ever since then.

RFC: You are quoted as “I would never have a regular job, music is my life.” – Let’s just say the music thing didn’t work out, what would B.oB. be doing today?

B.o.B: I’d probably be a chef or an alchemist.

T.I. with B.o.B – 2008 BET Hip-Hop Awards

RFC: You are signed to Jim Jonsins’s Rebel Rock imprint as well as Atlantic/Grand Hustle. Jonsin had a big year in 2008 with smash singles for Lil’ Wayne’s Lollipop and T.I.’s Whatever You Like.  What can we expect from you 2 collaborating in the studio?

B.o.B: Me and him still have a lot more to do.  We’ve done a few tracks on mixtapes.  He’s very busy because of his success, so even for me it’s hard to get into the studio with him. Eventually we’ll get to the studio and get something done where we both will be on the same page that’s gonna be phenomenal.

B.o.B – I’ll Be In The Sky (2009)

RFC: Your new music video ‘I’ll Be In The Sky’ is a unique visual. Who wrote the treatment and directed the clip?

B.o.B: This guy named Gabriel Hart.  He wrote the original treatment and me along with the rest of team B.o.B made some revisions to it but you know it was really hands on for everybody.   It was a very good experience shooting the video, I had lots of fun doing it also at the same time.

RFC: We all now that Atlanta has a rich music history ranging from OutKast to Goodie Mobb, Ciara, Ludacris, T.I. Young Jeezy and more. But talk about the other artists that inspire you such as a Michael Jackson, Björk or a Coldplay?

B.o.B: Oh man, you did some research, ha ha! Björk, let me talk about Björk.  A long, long time ago, my cousin was listening to Björk, and I was like why is he listening to this!?  This is so crazy!   I used to say that for a lot of things. But my brother put me onto Coldplay years ago and I was like…they cool.  And all these artists, it was like the seed was planted.  And then later on I understood…and oh I get it – it’s not crazy.  That’s them and that’s who they are.  They’re unafraid to be that.  So it taught me to do what I wanna do regardless if people look at it like its crazy.  I’m a do it.  You know what I mean?  Just be free.  And if people gravitate towards that who are that free or who wannabe free its whatever.

XXL mag cover – December 2008

RFC: XXL put you on the cover of their freshman class issue and MTV recently named you one of the top MC’s to watch this year. How does it feel that your artistry is catching on with the rest of the music industry?

B.o.B: I feel real accomplished.   I feel like It was inevitable this following since I started.  And it’s the same time I still stayed focused on manifesting what it is that I came to do you know.  Really it’s just an honor, it hasn’t really set in.  You know reality for me changes so much, it hasn’t just set in as solid. Ok this is what I am and this is what I am…I just leave it open and allow things to happen.   There’s so many things like the LRG billboard in Times Square (New York) and things that just happened.  And I’m just allowing them to happen.  I’m just opening it up, letting it flow.

RFC: Your auto-tune video spoof has gotten over 400,000 views on YouTube.  You are a man of many musical trades. (singing, writing, producing). Will we be hearing any Auto-Tune on your upcoming debut album?

B.o.B: If I do, if definitely won’t be all of it.  Sometimes you might need to fix some pitches or somethin’…but I don’t really use it.  Maybe if I’m trying to do background vocals and make it sound likes a choir or if I need to do a lot of vocals I’ll use it.  In terms of the vocal presence in my voice, I’m not using auto-tune.

Charles Hamilton, Asher Roth and B.o.B – Change Gon’ Come (2008)

RFC: Your record with Charles and Hamilton and Asher Roth ‘Change Gon Come’ features a sample from ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’, a 1964 single by R&B singer-songwriter Sam Cooke.  44 years later Brack Obama is the nations 44th President. Describe how you felt when Barack became President.

B.o.B: Wow! I didn’t know that. 44 years later?  Nothing happens by coincidence!  Yeah that’s crazy, I never knew that. ..Barack Obama as president was definitely symbolic.  You know somebody asked me this same question earlier today and it was symbolic because it represents much more than just him becoming the president.  It’s about him presenting himself to the world and the energy that he carries.  And the dates and the numbers…him being the 44th President, winning on November 4th is no coincidence.  Everything is in order and I think synchronicity is definitely becoming known to the masses.  And that things are so fetched in stone as some people would like to think.  Anything is possible.

B.o.B Listening Session @ Big Spenda Studios (02-13-09)

RFC: I’m sure you’ve heard the comparisons by now. Is there any chance we will be hearing you and Andre 3000 on a record together?

B.o.B: Definitely in the future.  It just hasn’t manifested yet.  I’ve been communicating with him on that.  When the time is right and when our permissions permit, it will happen.

RFC: Your debut album The Adverntures of B.o.B. will be released on Atlantic Records later this year. What kind of adventure do you plan to bring to the table in 2009?

B.o.B: 2009 you know I have a lot of unexpected surprises that just keep getting better and better.  It’s going to be a climax that never hits its climax that just keeps building up.  But one day it will explode and blast over everybody.  The adventure will definitely be an adventure.  But what kind of adventure would it be if everybody knew?

RFC: So you want to leave it up to the people find out.

B.o.B: Oh definitely, definitely.

RFC: I read that you were recently featured in The Source’s Microphone Check column for March 2009. A lot of rappers have been profiled in this section and have gone on to big careers.

B.o.B: Yeah I used to look at it and said one day I’m a be here.   And it’s crazy, cause it happened.  It’s crazy how anything is possible and it just takes time…just takes time to manifest. It’s not like something is possible and something isn’t possible…everything is possible.  So it was like me reminding myself saying hey, everything is possible.  Remember you dreamt about this?  Yeah…yeah it happened.

RFC: You are a very talented musician and you play a lot of instruments. Which one is your favorite?

B.o.B: Guitar.  I love ‘em all man…but the guitar, that’s the one.

RFC: Are you performing on your album just the vocals or the instrumentation as well?

B.o.B: Yeah I’m doing the instrumentation.   I’m engineering it as well, you know the whole shebang.

B.o.B. – Generation Lost (2009)

RFC: Did you catch any of this year’s Grammy Awards show?

B.o.B: No I actually didn’t watch it.  I was in a hotel room with no internet access and sitting around playing the guitar really, ha ha.

RFC: In about one year’s time, do you see yourself on that stage?

B.o.B: Definitely.  And eventually winning an award.

RFC: Best New Artist maybe?

B.o.B: Best New Artist and Album of the Year!

RFC: Right now I’d like to do a little word association with you. I’ll mention to you some names or words and whatever comes to mind, you can respond back with a short answer that best sums it up.

B.o.B. Word Association

TJ Chapman: TJ Chapman is that bearded fellow who burns on bud.

Speakerboxxx/The Love Below: The album I actually listened to a few days ago.

B.o.B: Business over bullshit, been one better, or been one before.

RFC: Alright B.o.B., thank you for taking the time to talk with THE3XGP.COM, we wish you continued success and best of luck when your new album drops.

B.o.B: Definitely, much love and success to you also.

Juelz Santana

RFC: It’s been 4 years since you’ve released your last solo album, What The Game’s Been Missing! It seems like the game has been missing you ever since then. How are you doing today Mr. Santana A!?

Juelz Santana: A! I’m doing beautiful, I’m doing great. I’m happy that people been checking for me. You know, people been missing me. People want to know what I’ve been doing and what I’ve been u to. I never really went nowhere like that, I’ve just been doing other things as recording but definitely it’s been a little while since I put my last album out. I’m out of my situation that I was in and was holding me up so right now I’m ready to bite niggas and get on they ass.

The Diplomats – Dipset Anthem (2003)

RFC: You were a prominent member in the Diplomats group…

Juelz Santana: (Interjects) I still am, Diplomats is still what it is, don’t ever get it twisted. It’s just that I’m not doing business with Cam (Cam’ron) no more, that’s the only difference right now. So it’s not that I’m not a Diplomat, Skull Gang is just another entity underneath the umbrella you know what I’m saying? Ya dig. And we always had Skull Gang even if me and Cam still did business, it would have been DipSet/Skull Gang just like it is now.

Juelz Santana Presents…Skull Gang – Takeover (2008)

RFC: And now you are your own boss with your crew the Skull Gang which stands for “Street Kids United by Loyalty and Loot.” What have you learned from being in the DipSet that you can apply to the Skull Gang and take it to the next level?

Juelz Santana: Just that grind, that sense of hard work…putting in that grind work. Know what I’m saying? That’s one thing. You know our following is big because of that. We put in a lot of grind work and we were doing a lot of things that other people weren’t doing. That’s one of the things I definitely want to take and head over to my team. As long as we go hard and we put in that grind work and we do a little bit of things that these people aren’t doing you know, the results will speak for it self.

Skull Gang (ft. Juelz Santana, Rabb, & John Depp) – Don’t Want You Back (2009)

RFC: Skull Gang is releasing a new music video every week for 2 months. That’s like…8 videos man! Were all of them shot by Scenario?

Juelz Santana: Yeah.

RFC: What is the album title and when will it be released?

Juelz Santana: Right now it’s self titled, Skull Gang na mean? It’s the new movement to move wit.

Juelz Santana, Jim Jones & Freekey Zeekey – XXL (March 2009)

RFC: I’m sure by now you’ve answered at least one Cam’ron question for every interview you’ve done in the past couple of years. So let’s get this one out of the way! Cam’ron has finally resurfaced with a new track (‘I Hate My Job’) and will be appearing on the April 2009 cover of XXL, which ironically you, Jim Jones and Freekey Zeekey are currently on this month’s issue. What do you think about Cam’s new song?

Juelz Santana: I wish him the best man. Like I said I just wanted to get out of a bad situation that I was in, which was my business deal ya dig what I’m saying? And I have no reason to hold no hard feelings because at the end of the day Cam gave me my shot to be able to do a lot of these things that I’m doing now. But I like I still say, he took advantage you know what I’m saying? So I had to get out of my business deal. But besides that, I wish him the best and that’s what it is.

Jim Jones & Ron Browz ft. Juelz Santana – Pop Champagne (2008)

RFC: I guess the hottest topic in the hip-hop world right now that everybody is buzzing about is the 50 Cent / Rick Ross beef. What’s your take on this new rivalry?

Juelz Santana: Wow. This is hip-hop. It’s competitive. It’s competition. It’s definitely competitive in a lot of ways. As an artist you just gotta prepare for every and anything know what I’m saying? It’s definitely buzzing you know…50 is doing the things he likes to do (laughs) and you know Rick Ross has got to know how to handle it, he’s gotta know how to deal with it. The game is chess, not checkers. Not everybody is the man, so you just gotta deal with shit as it comes. Hopefully it doesn’t get out of control.

Juelz Santana at the 2008 VH1 Hip-Hop Honors show

RFC: You are one piece of the puzzle on The-Dream’s hot new remix for ‘Rockin’ That Thang.’ What was it like to be part of a Def Jam All-Star collaboration like that? Did you guys record your verses together or individually in the studio?

Juelz Santana: I didn’t know anybody was going to be on the record like that, you know what I’m saying? I only knew that Fab (Fabolous) was going to be on the record. They asked me to be on the record and I just went in. I wasn’t really thinking about of all them other people that were going to be on the record, I just did me, na mean? I just lead the way I do me all the time. And the shit came out hard. Whoa…look at shorty roll…A lot of people say I got the best verse but I don’t want to get on there but hey… (laughs).

Ace Hood, Juelz Santana, Fabolous & Jadakiss – The Cypher Freestyle (2008 BET Hip-Hop Awards)

RFC: It’s no secret that you are one who enjoys a good smoke. As a public figure yourself, how do you feel when you hear a story like Michael Phelps being scrutinized for being photographed with a bong? Is the media too hard on celebrities?

Juelz Santana: Um..I definitely think so. Nigga wanna smoke, he can smoke…he can do whatever he wanna do, he a grown man! At the end of the day you know he wasn’t smoking when he won the gold medals and he wasn’t caught smoking when he was doing the things he was doing to get the medals. So if he’s on his off time and he wants to smoke marijuana…you know people in L.A. even have prescription cards to smoke weed so I definitely don’t think it’s something to get too crazy about Michael Phelps smoking weed. If anything, he made us look good!

RFC: You are one of the top artists who are the forefront of the rap game leading into the next generation. Are there any artists out there that you think is killing hip-hop right now?

Juelz Santana: I think there are a lot of artists that are killing hip-hop. But I don’t want to get into it cause you know that’s gonna start some unnecessary shit, which I don’t really give a fuck. But you know these artists know what they doing. These wack niggas know they wack. Na mean? (laughs). These niggas know they wack, shit like that. There’s a lot of artists that know they ain’t doing they jobs. How would I say it…they ain’t carrying the torch the way it’s supposed to be carried ya dig what I’m saying? A lot of people put in a lot of work for us to able to do the things we do now, to make the kind of money we’re able to make in this game right now. Niggas is just sloppy and lazy. That’s why the Skull Gang movement is here, to show niggas how they supposed to be doing.

Angie Martinez with Juelz Santana at his Notorious screening

RFC: I read that you brought 300 of your friends and family to the screening of the Notorious film last month.

Juelz Santana: Yeah I did that. Some old school Rich Porter shit. Rented out the whole movie theater, bought 15 cases of champagne, I paid for a liquor license just so everybody could be drinking in the movie theater. So I had to pay for a catering license for us to be in there. It was a real good look, family and friends were there, entertainment people were there. Maino came out, Angie Martinez, (DJ) Enuff, a lot of the DJ’s came out, Ebro Darden from Hot 97 (program director)…(DJ) Clue came out. It was an extravaganza, Jim (Jones) was there, Freekey (Zeekey) was there, I was there. If it’s going to be something monumental, I like to do something special as far as renting out the movie theater. That was something different; I like to do things different. That’s something I know peoples will always remember watching the Biggie movie and doing it the way we did was monumental. We’ll always remember that Juelz rented out the movie theater and watched the Biggie movie, who gon forget that? It was great, it was great.

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Juelz Santana remembers The Notorious B.I.G.

RFC: Was the Notorious B.I.G. somebody you looked up to in the rap game while you were on the come up?

Juelz Santana: Hell yeah, hell yeah, Biggie was great also. Biggie was the illest. I fuck with Biggie a whole lot. I think he was a real ahead of his time…I don’t think I knew how far he was ahead of his time until he passed away. And that’s when I embraced that Life After Death album cause that album was immaculate. Like to be a double CD, you know what I mean that album was immaculate. Both CD’s were like a new album, it was a well put together project, the way the songs were structured one after another. That whole project was just ill. I was mad Biggie’s time was cut short. I’m sure he would have accomplished a lot more things and I feel like the rap game would definitely have been different if he was here. A lot of these wack niggas wouldn’t be able to eat, na mean?

Juelz Santana & Lil’ Wayne

RFC: One of my favorite tunes on Lil’ Wayne’s Tha Carter III is the track you and Fabolous guest appeared on for ‘You Ain’t Got Nothin’, produced by The Alchemist. This question is for the mixtape heads. Is there any update on the Lil’ Wayne I Can’t Feel My Face project?

Juelz Santana: Actually that’s not a mixtape no more, that’s going to be an album. So that’s the reason why we’re delaying right now. If it was going to be a mixtape we would put it out, that would be the least of our concerns. Ther’es a lot of politics going on as far the labels and shit like that but we gonna get it done.

Skull Gang frontline

RFC: Let’s talk about sports. Any thoughts on Kobe Bryant dropping 61 points on your New York Knicks?

Juelz Santana: Disrespectful. Kobe gonna come to New York and do that like that? (laughs) That’s what Kobe does, he has 3 rings. Any night he wants to have 60, he’s going to have 60. He’s that type of player that I look at that I’d like to base my rap career as the way he plays that ball. He’s so aggressive, he’s so much of a leader, and he’s so much of a control taker at any given time. People rely on him to get the job done.

RFC: What about LeBron James dropping a 52 point triple-double in the same week?

Juelz Santana: He’s another one, he’s awesome. Disrespectful, but he’s awesome. The Garden (MSG) brings something out of people. The Garden is just exciting man. You never know who’s in the building. I was at that LeBron game, it was a star studded affair. Puffy (Diddy), L.A. Reid, Jay-Z, I was there. All type of actors were there…Whoopi Goldberg was there. It’s Madison Square Garden, niggas wanna show off and these niggas play for keeps when they come to the Garden man. That’s the Mecca, ya dig what I’m saying? Shout to my nigga Tim Thomas, shout to Malik Rose and Nate Robinson, them definitely my niggas right there. Also shout to my niggas Vince Carter, D-Wade (Dwyane Wade), these are my niggas that I fuck with personally.

Juelz Santana – What The Game’s Been Missing! was released on Tuesday, November 22, 2005.

RFC: Your upcoming album, Born To Lose, Built To Win is growing with anticipation. What does this record mean to you?

Juelz Santana: Everything, this is like my Get Rich or Die Tryin’ album that’s what I’m preppin’ up for. I’m gearing up, I’m not trying to rush nothing, I’ve been away for a little while, I didn’t just wanna drop a single and drop an album. I felt like the people deserve more from me and that’s why I’ve been doing the Skull Gang thing, getting ready for The Reagan Era mixtape.

Skull Gang familia

RFC: Is that out yet?

Juelz Santana: No that’s not out yet, but believe you gon know because that’s like an album. I’ve been gone for a while so I got a lot of songs that’s not going to make it on my album, so I’m not gonna put as many freestyles as I usually do on a mixtape. This mixtape is gonna be a lot of songs and a couple of freestyles so I feel like I got an album on the streets ya dig what I’m saying in the meantime in between time. It’s all gearing up…you know we got the Skull Gang compilation project, you know we gon do the Koch thing real quick. It’s a stepping stone for my artists na mean cause like I said Skull Gang…we a movement know what I’m saying? It’s like a label, not just a crew. Just like Diplomats was a crew, we are all individual artists. I got Starr, she’s an R&B singer, Rabb, he from Richmond (Virginia). My man John Deep, he from Queens. UnKasa, na mean he from Harlem. And I got a couple of other artists that I’m putting forth but they have their own situations that they doing, but they underneath the Skull Gang brand cause like I said this is a movement, it’s a lifestyle ya dig what I’m saying? You may see somebody in L.A. repping a Skull Gang shirt because at the end of the day I feel like it’s a movement.

RFC: Once your projects come out, do you have any scheduled tours coming out later this year?

Juelz Santana: Oh hell yeah. I’m gearing up to do all that man. That’s why I just didn’t wanna drop the single and drop an album because you know, it’s like how far does that really take you? I feel like I was definitely running in the same lane that Lil’ Wayne was running in on the come up and I just got stagnated with my little business situation I was in. And I couldn’t put out music exactly the way I wanted to.

RFC: Is your album coming out in the third quarter?

Juelz Santana: Yeah I’m looking for like July, Independence Day week. Let out some fireworks, it’s gonna be a good time.

RFC: Do you have any confirmed guest appearances/producers?

Juelz Santana: I don’t really like to spoil nothing. I worked with a couple of people. I never crowded my album with features. For this it’s going to be one or two peoples, you know definitely (Lil’) Wayne’s going to be on the album. I’m trying to get a song with this girl Colbie Caillat, I dunno have you ever heard of her?

RFC: Oh she’s big in Canada dude…great sound.

Juelz Santana: I love her man. I love her music. I love her album. So I definitely wanna do a song with her.

RFC: Get her on the hook eh?

Juelz Santana: Yup.

RFC: That leads me into my next question. What is Juelz Santana favorite song right now?

Juelz Santana: My favorite song right now? I dunno man…I know we just put out a song for the Skull Gang project, it’s called ‘Rockstarr’ with me, (Lil’) Wayne and my artist Starr, I really like that song you know? Check it out.

Juelz’s bottle service at the Notorious screening

RFC: Your birthday (February 18) is coming up real soon…

Juelz Santana: I’m gonna have a big birthday bash.

RFC: I was gonna plans to celebrate in a big way or keep it on the down low considering these hard economic times?

Juelz Santana: Na, I’m gonna celebrate it big you know? I’m trying to have a big party, I want to give like 500 bottles away or Rosé. It’s gonna be called the Rosé party or something man! I wanna see everybody with a red bottle in they hands and do it real nice.

Jim Jones & Juelz Santana

RFC: Right now I’d like to do a little word association with you. I’ll mention to you some names or words and whatever comes to mind, you can respond back with a short answer that best sums it up.

Juelz Santana Word Association

Byrd Gang: We Fly High, born to fly high.

Barack Obama: Change, history, big. You gotta just put all these commas with those one words. Every single word that’s has a powerful meaning, that’s what that was. Change…that was astronomical.

Eminem: Greatest. He’s that nigga. The only white boy that’s that nigga! Eminem is my favorite rapper. That nigga get it in.

Splash: Splash? That’s me! I splash on ‘em. Splash life we livin’.

Santanuary: Santanuary means get ready na mean? Stay tuned. It’s like free Pay-Per-View, why would you wanna change? Why don’t you go back to regular cable or basic TV? We HD!

Killa Cam: Um…that’s a good one…My Brother.

Louis Vuitton: That’s fly. You just gotta put fly next to Louis. Fly!

RFC: Before we conclude, are there any shouts or plugs or websites you’d like to give right now?

Juelz Santana: Check out that Skull Gang Online, it’s still in construction right now. Check my MySpace page, check out the Skull Gang videos every week on World Star Hip-Hop. We’re also gearing up my own website together so y’all can look for that. The Regan Era mixtape is about to drop real soon. The Skull Gang compilation with Koch is dropping soon. Also at the same time all my artists are gearing up to do their solo deals as well. They are all individual artists, so the whole point is to takeover everything, it is what it is.

Lil’ Wayne, Birdman, Juelz Santana & Jim Jones

RFC: Alright Juelz, thank you for taking the time to talk with THE3XGP.COM, we wish you continued success and best of luck when your new album drops with the rest of your other projects as well.

Juelz Santana: Alright cool, thanks.

Cam’ron ft. Juelz Santana – Oh Boy (2002)

Charlie Hustle

RFC:  Baseball legend Pete Rose earned the nickname “Charlie Hustle” for his unique playing style.  E-40 named his 1999 album, Charlie Hustle: The Blueprint of a Self-Made Millionaire. My first question is, how did you come up with your artist name Charlie Hustle?

Charlie Hustle: Well actually I was in prison in Lewisberg, (Pennsylvania) and everybody always called me Charlie, they didn’t really call me by my rap name.  And people I dunno how exactly they started calling me Charlie Hustle…but that name fit me.  Then I did a little research and looked into it and I knew a little bit about Pete Rose…and Pete Rose was one of the best in the game and they didn’t want to put him in the Hall of Fame and give him the credit he deserved because he was a little crooked.  So me I felt like I  could relate to it because just when I was getting my deal with Atlantic (Records), I caught my federal case and I went away for 6 years on a 8 year charge and I feel they were keeping me out of the game and I’m one of the best too, so it just fit perfect you know?  And plus you know I was a hustler before, you know?  So it all fit and it worked and  I think Charlie Hustle – me was the right name for me.

RFC: What was life like growing up in the borough of Brooklyn, Sunset Park aka Gunset Park?

Charlie Hustle: It was kind of rough, you know?  I mean you know, just like any other hood it was kind of rough, rough real neighborhood, drug infested…gangs, a lot of wars.  You know, my mom O.D. , my dad was out there in the hood too.  So basically it was rough just like everywhere else and I survived through it though.

RFC: You served a 6 year bid in prison.  For those who are reading this interview and have never spent a day in jail, describe the lifestyle you had to deal with and were there any adjustments that you were used to that you had to make while serving your time.

Charlie Hustle: Well a lot of adjustments had to be made because you know everybody in there basically gotta dress the same.  You got 4 sneakers to choose from in the federal penitentiary.  At the end of the day I’m an artist, I always had my little swag and I was used to having fly stuff and I had to give all that up – jewelery and stuff.  Everybody basically got the same spending limit in there so you can’t be no millionaire and none of that shit matters.  They sent me to the penitentiary as a max (prison sentence) so there was a lot of lifers, so I had to get used to being around them and having you know only 6 years to do on 8 years was a big issue.  Everybody knew I was going home, I didn’t lie about my time or nothing, I had to go through some haters especially because I rapped really good and I had something to look forward to and plus I was a tough kid.  I didn’t take nothing from nobody so you know a lifer didn’t like it when a kid who had 5-6 years to do knocked his ass out you know what I’m saying?  So I had a lot of haters and a lot of problems, but I made it through it you know what I’m saying?  I tried to stay positive through it, stay focused and see my future and I’m here…(plugs) Charlie Hustle – Go Hard the single!

RFC:  When did you finish your prison sentence?

Charlie Hustle: Late 2004, almost 4 years ago.

RFC: I’ve read that your early life was brought up in a rough environment filled with drugs and what not.  At what age were you when you realized that you wanted to take this rap thing on a serious level?

Charlie Hustle: I’d say my late teens, you know?  Right before I went in.  Like right when I was landing my (record) deal and I was running around with (Big) Pun and them.

RFC: Who are some of your musical influences in hip-hop that have inspired to get into this rap game?

Charlie Hustle: Basically people like the greats, Biggie Smalls (Notorious B.I.G.), 2Pac (Tupac Shakur), Jay-Z, Big Pun.  Artists like that you know what I mean?  The greats that made a chance and had incredible classic albums.

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Vintage footage of Charlie Hustle and the late Big Pun in 1998.

RFC: I’ve read that you were close with the late great Big Pun.  What did you learn from him and what is your favorite memory you shared with Pun.

Charlie Hustle: You know me and Pun were really friends, you know what I’m saying?  He was like my brother.  He loved rapping with me and I loved rapping with him.  And I was happy to see him make it and be around when it was happening.  But I went to jail right before he started recording his second album, so I was there through the success of the first one with his tours and concerts.  Yeah it was good to see his transition from a lyrical guy and actually making radio records like ‘Still Not A Player‘.  So it was cool to be around that and see that, so yeah Pun meant a lot to me man.

RFC: You connected with DJ Whoo Kid for the mixtape track ‘Promote Me Right’ featuring one of hip-hop’s greatest ever, Busta Rhymes.  How did that joint come together and what did you learn from working on a record with Busta?

Charlie Hustle: Well actually I was with Violator management and me and Busta had probably met two or three times before we bumped heads in the industry.  He wasn’t too aware of me as a rapper.  He was hearing more of my street credibility,  as I had just came home (from prison).  So I had landed a management venture with Violator (home to 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes).  Whoo Kid heard me, he loved my mixtape, Busta Rhymes was at the office, they played my mixtape and he heard my record and loved it.  He wanted to be on the record.  Of course Busta Rhymes is another one of the greats, he jumped on the record and me and him have been cool ever since.  Like we’ve always been cool but then he became a lot cooler and he believed in me, you know?

RFC: What was it like to work with The Runners on that track ‘Get It’ featuring Rick Ross and Kevin Cossom (KC)?

Charlie Hustle: The Runners are incredible, beautiful producers.  Actually they have my second single called ‘My Dear.’  It was great being in the studio with them, the energy was there, the vibe…Mayne (co-producer Jermaine “Mayne Zayne” Jackson) you know, he had bangers and he was playing beautiful music for me and I actually got 2-3 with them.

RFC: It seems like the Runner’s production value has brought some of the hardest street beats in recent memory.

Charlie Hustle: Yes I agree…Definitely incredible producers.

RFC: How did you connect with Miami based independant record label SupaFli Records?

Charlie Hustle: I was in the meeting with this guy for something else for a record that he had with another artist that he needed help to get out in New York.  And he asked about me and I submitted my mix CD and video footage that I had.  A week of two later he called up and offered me a deal.  He basically put me with The Runners and put me in Circle House  Studios and put me around the best.  And if you put the best around the best…you get great.  So he put me around the best producers and I think my album is definitely going to be one of the best albums or if not, the best albums of the year…especially for a new artist.

RFC: Where are you spending most of your time, in New York or in Miami?

Charlie Hustle: I’d say right now because of recording and how well I’m doing on radio in Miami and all the shows I always get, I’m out there a little more (Miami).  I got a place out there where I live and I got a place in New York.

Charlie Hustle with DJ Khaled

RFC: How does it feel to have co-signs from top DJ’s like DJ Khaled, Irie, Camilo and DJ Enuff praising your artistry?

Charlie Hustle: It feels good man, because all of them are #1 DJ’s in their region.  It feels incredible, some of them have multiplatinum albums out, so for them to hear my music and co-sign it feels good.

RFC: Your new single is titled ‘Go Hard’ featuring Rebel.  According to Charlie Hustle, what does it mean to ‘Go Hard?’

Charlie Hustle: Basically everybody has seen that one girl that you just wanna stop in traffic or stop whatever you doing and find a way to get her attention.  And basically ‘Go Hard’ is that, that one girl that you gotta have you know what I’m saying? So I’m going hard for her.

RFC: What type of records can we expect on your upcoming album? Will it have a street edge to it?

Charlie Hustle: The next single definitely has a lot more street edge than ‘Go Hard’ but it has commercial potential as well.  Definitely mainstream, urban mixshows will pick up on it, it’s an incredible record, and it’s different from ‘Go Hard.’  And I have other records on the album like ‘Go Hard’ too.  But right now we gonna try to come back mainstream even more, a little more urban with a rough edge…a little more lyrical skills like the ‘Get It” record featuring Rick Ross but more catchier, single hook and just me.

Charlie Hustle with DJ Enuff

RFC: So you have a lot of different themes on the record which will be based on your life experiences on the come up?

Charlie Hustle: Exactly.  A lot of my records are meaningful, they mean a lot.  It’s a lot to do with what I’ve been through and what I’ve lived through, my story and how I put it.

RFC: Finish this sentence off for me.  If Charlie Hustle wasn’t in the rap game he would be…

Charlie Hustle: Ha ha.  If Charlie Hustle wasn’t in the rap game I’d hopefully be in the real estate game getting rich!  I don’t want to say I’d be in the hood because I’m trying to stay positive and learn from my experiences but don’t get me wrong…I mean at the end of the day, if the rap game wasn’t treating me right and I couldn’t make it in something else…that would be an option, because you know that was Charlie Hustle before.

RFC: What does Charlie Hustle bring to the table in 2009?

Charlie Hustle: Real music. Real hip-hop.  Beautiful music.  What we’ve been missing.

RFC: Any window or time frame when your album will be released?

Charlie Hustle: We’re looking anywhere from  July ’09 to September ’09.

RFC: Before we conclude, are there any shouts or plugs you’d like to give right now?

Charlie Hustle: Shout out SupaFlii, shout out Miami, shout out all the DJ’s that show me love.  Go to most importantly shout out Brooklyn, New York.  New York period.  Shout out to all the fans and supporters.  And shout out to THE3XGP.COM.

RFC: Alright Charlie, thank you for taking the time to talk with THE3XGP.COM, we wish you continued success and best of luck when your debut album drops later this year.

Charlie Hustle: Thanks Rick, thanks for the opportunity.