Ca$h Crop Interview

 

The scene over in Cali is buzzing right now! We caught up with Thizz Latin artist ca$h Crop to talk about how he got into the game, his album releases, how he hooked up with Thizz and much more!

 

Ca$h Crop, tell us about the West Coast scene from an insiders point of view!

 

The west coast scene has a lot of independent artists out here who are doing it big and taking advantage of the diverse culture that the Bay Area offers.

 

 

How did you pick up the mic and why did you get involved in the game?

 I picked up the mic when I was seven, my mom had bought me a kararoke machine which was a way for me to express myself. I have definitely been blessed with a gift, but never mind that, haha. I had a lot of my peers talking about me making an album which inspired me to take my career to the next level, and ever since then I haven’t looked back.

 

 

You’re involved with Thizz Latin aren’t you? Tell us about how that situation happened!

 

Yes I am currently involved with Thizz Latin and it’s an honour to be apart of such a successful movement. During the realese of my second album, Out Here Grinden I was fortunate enough to network with Goldtoes who is the CEO of Thizz Latin. The big homie hit me up and said he liked my music and offered me distribution.

 

 

Was Mac Dre a great inspiration for you? What’s it like being part of his legacy?

 

Mac Dre was a huge inspiration not just to me but to the whole Bay Area. He was a pioneer through creating one of the most successful movements ever. It was a blessing to be able to witness history.

 

 

You’ve just got a new album out this year, tell us about that!

 

The new album is called Out Here Grinden which features a lot of vets from the Northern Cali rap game. This project was intended to give everybody in the camp a chance to get on wax.

 

 

Have you had other projects out before that?

 

Yeah my first album which was called The Harvest was a project that took me almost a year to complete. A lot of hard work was put into this project. You can purchase The Harvest through Itunes. Go cop em both.

 

 

What are you working on at the moment?

 

Currently I’ve been working on my third solo album. This album is going to be HOT. I have also been networking around the Bay Area trying to lock down some spots for shows as well as connect with djs for radio play.

 

 

Where do you want to be in a years time?

 I would like to be at a point were I am financially stable, with the recent decline in music sales due to pirating I hope my fans will support my music by paying for it so I can continue to make dope hits.

 

 

Where can people get in touch with you online?

 

You can reach me at www.myspace.com/bteedrc or you can email our company at Pistolgripproductionsllc@yahoo.com

 

Do you have any shout outs or last words?

 

Thank you to all my fans, keep supporting good music! I also want to thank the team, J-L and Feddy Hustly thank you guys for all your hard work. Finally I would like to thank The Heaviest Interviews for this opportunity to connect and network overseas. Much Luv! – CA$H CROP

Nufsed Interview

Nufsed has been putting in work on the West! We catch up with him to talk about his new album, influences and more!

Nufsed, coming from Lawndale in Cali, who were your influences on the West Coast back in the day?

My influences growing up on the West Coast were DJ Quik, Ice Cube, Warren G, Ahmad, the whole Deathrow camp & Eazy-E. I owned a couple volumes of “Bangin On Wax” Blood & Crip tapes produced by DJ Battlecat, real gangsta neighborhood tales over funky beats seem to be more intriguing as a child then MC Hammer. There would never be an era like the 90’s again in which the majority of West Coast artist went double to triple platinum on there records, toured around the world, controlled the airwaves & award shows out here. It’s a new day, new breed, oh well.
How did you get into the game by the way? What pushed you into music? 

I basically got in the game by releasing an album at Best Buy & iTunes independently with no major lable support also promoting hard on daily basis, from the streets, on the internet heavy, contacting DJ’s worldwide sending free mp3’s, calling up stations, etc. One of the biggest breaks came about late 2007, Los Angeles KDAY 93.5 radio host Tha’ Goodfellas debuted the single “Cali Conference” on there Hate It or Love It segment. A 95 percent overall rating was giving by the listeners who voted on the track. This open many doors and created a strong buzz. What really push me to keep going with this music was recording in industry standard studios with the some of the best artist such as AZ & Suga Free, there positive feedback motivated me and let me know that I was on the right path. I also figured that there was many ways to make money and a living with this career. Watching alot of Soul Train & Yo MTV Raps as a kid pushed me into this music as well. lol
 You’re not traditional West Coast music, you’ve got an East Coast kind of flow, but with a definite West Coast presence. How do you go about making your style so diverse? 

I try to use alot of detailed wordplay & creativity to describe what I vision on a song. Coming up I studied alot of Nas & Big Pun formats, that’s probaly how the East Coast delivery came about. It depends on what type of track it is, a party/club joint the lyrics would be simple, easy for the average person to follow & relate to. A street track would be more complex, deep topics. I put alot of thought when im writting, especially during this debut album. People have said my clear voice is what separates me from other artist also being hispanic from Southern California with an classy/urban image.

 

You’ve got your album with Rick Habana out now, The Prospect. Tell me about how that came about and how the partnership started! 

During my mid-teens Habana will bring me along to feature on some songs that his local rap group was working on at that time, he notice some future potential in my flow. In the summer of 2002, Habana called me up & suggested we put together a 5 song demo, kind of like a Talib Kweli & Hi Tek duo. We started recording from in house to low budget studios, pressing up CD’s and dishing them out, lot’s of trial & error trying to find our sound at first. Since Habana was always busy in production & his quality was perfected, we decided to skip the mixtape route and just work on a album from scratch which gave birth to “The Prospect”. Many long nights, effort & passion was put into this project, real talk! Personally I feel Habana is one of the most talented producers in the game right now, he uses alot of live instruments, keyboard (no digital program computer shit) also has a great background in jazz. ( myspace.com/rickhabana )

You have guests like AZ and Hussein Fatal on there. How did they come about? 

Just networking the right sources but first they had to approve the music we were presenting to them, after that we took care of business. AZ actually became a fan of the single “Cali Conference” he played it back a couple of times during our session in Manhattan New York. I spoke to Fatal over the phone & discussed concepts for the song “Come Up”. It was a classic experience being in the presence of the Brooklyn Don & speaking to 2Pac’s right hand man.

What’s the feedback been like? 

“The Prospect” album has been highly respected from Europe, Japan & of course Cali. Many record stores overseas have been requesting units to be placed on the shelf. People always comment on the clean quality of the entire record, we spent alot of time mixing levels and vocals. DJ’s love the authenic West Coast musical feel of the the tracks featuring 2nd II None & Suga Free. It’s a universal type of sound, everyone who knows good music would enjoy this album.

 

Where can we cop it from? 

Nufsed & Rick Habana – The Prospect is available on iTunes, at your local Best Buy store or you can place an order on bestbuy.com if the album is sold out or not in stock, CD Baby as well.

 

Will there be a Nufsed solo album in the near future? 

Eventually as I grow as an artist gaining knowledge in this unpredictable music biz & practice on mastering my craft everytime I step in the booth.

 

Tell us about who you’ve opened up for in live performances! 

Opened up the event for DJ Quik & special guest Glasses Malone, Kurupt, Daz, Raekwon at the sold out Hollywood Key Club also with Suga Free at Cocoon Gentlemen’s Club. The rest of the performances have been local bar’s, festivals & high schools.

 

Where can we check you out online? 

www.myspace.com/nufsed310

www.facebook.com/nufsed

Do you have any shout outs or last words?

Shout out to all the fans that purchased the album, really appreciate the support. Nufsed & Rick Habana album two is in the works already. Pray, never give up, work hard, surround yourself around positive ambitious people & watch your dreams unfold whether your in low, middle or high class status. If you ever see me in public just holler at yo boy, it’s all luv. GOD BLESS!! -NUFSED- “Times change, values don’t”

C-Dubb Interview

C-Dubb is a real west coast guy who has been making moves on the underground for many years now! We caught up with him to talk about signing with X-Raided, releasing indie albums, the Sac Rap scene and much more!

 

C-Dubb, tell us about where you’re from and how you got into the game!

 

I’m from Sacramento, Cali ..Oak Park to be exact. I started writing raps at age 11. Started making beats and recording at age 15. Always been a fan of music of course. As a kid I didn’t really think of getting in the game, I just wanted to record. But after i started doing that , I wanted people to hear my shit so it all just fell into place to start pressing tapes & cds and push the hell out of it

 

Who is really killing in the Sac-Town rap scene? It’s definitely a buzzing place!

 

There are a lot of cats out here doing good things (and a lot more who just think they are) Names that come to mind off top are T-Nutty, Bueno, Lil Tim, Relly Rel, Young Loc, Brotha Lynch Hung, X-Raided, C-Bo and Hollow Tip!

 

What are the key characteristics of Sac Rap? Are there certain things you have that other area’s don’t?

 

Sac rap used to be all gangsta shit. Nowadays it’s all different types of shit going on. I prefer that sac gutter mobb gangsta shit but I am a real musical dude. I like all types of shit. I can play music by ear (can’t read it though, but give me a minute to hear it and i will be able to play it back on the keys) also, I’m very seasoned and fast on the pen and in the booth. 1 take Jake is the name haha! Also, I have a big catalogue of “real ” releases of quality albums.

 

You’ve released many independent albums, talk us through what releases there have been!

 

KALIFORNIA ( 1997 )

THE STORY OF THE STRUGGLE ( 2000 )

NETWORKIN ( 2002 )

GROUND ZERO (2005)

THE GARBAGE MAN ( 2005 )

BOSS GAME (STREET ALBUM 2005)

SHOCK TREATMENT (2007)

VETERAN STATUS (2008)

PROJECT MOBB (2009)

How have they all been received?

 

They have been received well. Some better then others but then again, it all depends on now hard i push to get it out there. I learn new techniques on how to sell more and market all the time. most of my releases have had no real distribution but i manage to sell thousands every time… its all about hustle

You do collaboration albums as well, with people like Relly Rel. How do you decide who to do a project with?

I want to do projects with people who work fast and are hungry. Prolific cats are always good to work with, everything clicks! Rel is a homie from the neighbourhood that put a couple albums out locally.. i seen him pushing!

Is it right you’ve just signed with legend X-Raided? How did that happen?

Yea I just signed a deal with X-RAIDED ( BLOC*STAR ENT ) My dude Filthy Rich produces for X’s new projects and he mentioned that he should sign me. X told me what really made him decide to sign me was when his daughter and teenage nephews caught wind of me possibly signing, they told X “C-Dubb? You’ve got to sign him!” He said that showed him my name is ringing with the younger crowds.

So what’s the next album to be released by C-Dubb?

 

Actually right before i start working with the Bloc*star team, I just finished an album that will be presented by LIL CONER. The album is called C-DUBB “TRUNK FULL OF DOPE” it’s solid, back to back slaps.. mobb music feat. THE JACKA , JUVENILE , TURF TALK , SHADY NATE , LIL CONER , YOUNG DRU , RELLY REL , YOUNG LOC , WEECH LOK , REZ & MORE

 

Where can we check you out online?

www.myspace.com/eighty8muzik

twitter.com/cdubb916

Or just google me, I’m everywhere ,all over itunes, amazon etc. I’ve also been featured on over 50 albums.

Do you have any last words or shout outs?

Thank you for hooking up the interview and thanks to everyone who supports good music…

 

Cadillac Mike Interview

Cadillac Mike is one of the rising stars of the Bay Area rap scene! We had to catch up with him to talk about his old albums, who he’s working with, his dream collaboration and much more!

 

Cadillac Mike, tell us about where you’re from and how you got in the rap game!

 

I was born in Vallejo California, and at that time I was living in Richmond known as Rich City or Da Dangerous City in itself. At the age of 8 I moved to Concord and kept it moving to Pittsburgh and then to where I reside now in Antioch, CA. I’ve been through the bay and developed my street mentality which kept me on my toes and real.

 

The Bay had an explosion back in 05 with E-40 going Platinum. Did that rub off on the local artists such as yourself?

 

To be honest I see the Bay taking this rap game over! Back in 2005 don’t seem no different to now for the reason the Bay is being slept on! Everyone needs to wake their game up and see this movement at a progressive steady pace ya digg?

 

You’ve worked with some of the biggest names in the Bay scene, San Quinn and Rydah J. Klyde. Who has been the most exciting person to work with and why?

 

Well over the years of really being in this rap shit I don’t look at myself or others as rappers, we are just narrators for the streets, speaking on what’s real. I can’t really choose which artist is the best to work with as I only surround myself around the real, no fiction business, so they’re all equal.

 

Have you had any projects out in the past, and if so where can we get them from?

 

I had a street album that dropped back in 2006 called Hood Rich. That didn’t hit stores because of the fact I wanted to master the streets before I hit nationwide. At the moment I’m currently featured on over 5 albums in stores nationwide. I’m currently working on my first album now which should be dropping nationwide in stores called Rag$ To Riohe$ featuring The Jacka, Rydah J Klyde, Dubee, Beeda Weeda, San Quinn, Seff Tha Gaflla, Levitti, Young Lo$, Shigady of the Crest Creepaz and Geezy of The Fendi Boyz.

 

Are you signed to a label or doing the rap thing independently?

 

I’ve had the chance to sign to many local Bay Area kabels but the money ain’t right so I just keep myself as an affiliate until I see the doller signs I wanna see!

 

Is there a project in the works soon to be released?

 

Rag$ To Riche$ dropping this year at a store near you!

 

Who would be your dream collaboration and why?

 

Lil Wayne, he is killing the game and will be within collaboration in no time!

 

Where do you want to be in a years time? What are some of your goals?

 

Who knows where I will be! When I sign this mill ticket it’s not gonna change my character or where I’ll be, I’m still gonna be the Cadi Mike you see posted up at the bars gigging with 2 cups in my fist!

 

Where can we get in touch with you online?

 

www.myspace.com/cadillacmikemanagement

Do you have any last words or shout outs?

 

Stay motivated and Thizzzzz Iz What It Izzzzz!

DJ Flipcyide Interview

DJ Flipcyide is one of the hardest working DJs in America. We talk to him about his various connects, who he has worked with, how to get in touch with him to work on a mixtape and much more!

DJ Flipcyide, you’re establishing yourself as a top mixtape DJ, how did you get started?

Thanks preciate that. It took mad long years of practice and experience of paying dues and putting in countless hours of mastering my craft of scratching and mixing on the turntables. What real DJ’s do!!! If you a real Hip Hop Mixtape DJ then you got to know how to scratch, mix, and master your joints other wise to me you aint no Hip Hop/Rap Mixtape DJ!!! I first started  with actual real mixtapes on cassettes back in the days when those were the first real mixtapes, and then to CD, and now to internet downloads.  I was able to establish myself by grinding countless hours on the net, streets, show, clubs, and by putting out mixtapes constantly. While everyone else was out partying, chasing skirts or worrying about other bullshit I was “Grinding Hard” day and night and makin my paper. I live for this so it comes easy to me.  

What type of hip hop did you listen to growing up? Tell us about your early influences!

My first rap tape my mom ever got me was a Yo MTV Raps tape. Had the Fat Boys, LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane and Public Enemy on it and some other cats. That shit went real hard for a first tape for me but later also got into Gangstarr, EPMD, Mobb Deep, Eric B and Rakim, Ghetto Boys, Nasty Nas thats before he was Nas, N.W.A., Lin Que, and lots more cant think of right now. I liked anything that came out at that time that was hard from the East, West, or South but those were some of the main vinyl that I was spinning or bumping at that time. My early influences were definetly Dj Premier, Tony Touch and Dj Scratch from EPMD though sickest DJ’s back in the day and still killing it now!!! 

Who have you worked with on the mixtape circuit?

Have worked with and currently working on tapes with:

Paul Wall, Spider Loc (G-Unit/Baymaac), XTACI, and Yung L.A. (Grand Hustle Records), Big Bubb (UGK Records), Crimeboss Luciano(Infamous South), 40.Cal Hammerz(Kool G Rap’s Artist), Two Five (Continental Five), Columbo Black (Baymaac/Flipcyide I.N.C.), Perfecto, Nukleus (Flipcyide I.N.C./Addictz In The Lab), B.I.G. Status (Flipcyide I.N.C.), Shroom and Crippled, Co-Defendants (50/50 Music/Konvict Muzik Group), Lin Que, Sav Killz (All Elements), Cashis (Shady Records), Mike Knox (G-Unit Philly), Strong Arm Steady/Krondon, Raymond Redd and Hot Rod from G-Unit, Elliot Ness (Bad Boy Records), Ty Nitty (Infamous Mobb), Plunder (Infamous South), Infamous South, Blue Raspberry (Wu-Tang Clan Affiliate), Goretex (Formerly from Nonphixion), Guru, Beretta 9 from Kilarmy, Willy Northpole(DTP), Bobby Creekwater, Sam Scarfo and Lonko, and alot more in the works always but I think you all get the idea for now.  

 
How do people get in touch with you to work on a project?

Best ways to reach me are at my myspace at: www.myspace.com/flipcyide or at my email at: flipcyide@gmail.com If the biz is right or I like what I hear and I feel I wanna work with you then I will holla back or give you my phone number. All major artists or labels is automatic.

you can also reach me at:

www.thisis50.com/profile/DjFlipcyide

www.twitter.com/DjFlipcyide

I’m also on facebook, tagged, spiindastreets, and like a million other sites as well but myspace and my email are your best bet since I be on those the most. 

Tell us about how you got involved with the Baymaac camp, and what projects are coming out in the future from that situation?

I got down with them from my dude Columbo Black. I recognized his talent cause in my honest opinion I felt like a lot of muthafuckaz was sleeping on him and that he was the hottest Emcee out of his whole crew. I started working with him and put out his first tape “Blood On My Blade Mixtape Hosted by Perfecto” and he put me on to Spider Loc, DJ Crash, and the rest of Baymaac. After that me and Spider Loc put in work togethor and did “Southwest Influence Mixtape Hosted by Spider Loc” after that Loc and Crash were feeling the tape and asked if I was interested in being a Baymaac/INDASTREETS DJ and the rest is still history in the making from there. My boy Columbo is doing his thang solo with Spider Loc from G-West and the rest of Baymaac fam but also represents for Flipcyide I.N.C. as well, which is my elite team of my artists consisting of: Columbo Black, Nukleus, B.I.G. Status and recently Jooce, nothing but pure raw talent. I am always putting Baymaac artists on any of my mixtapes but for this year and next will be dropping Columbo Black’s new mixtape “Comptons Greatest Wordsmith hosted by Spider Loc” and if me and Loc can get some time togethor again for another one then “Southwest Influence 2″.  

And the same with the Infamous South situation?

Infamous South is my fam on the reals!!! Those dudes are the truth!!! I gots to give it to my boy Crimeboss Luciano for putting a brotha on. We just started working togethor mixtape wise, but I have always had mad luv and respect for Infamous Mobb and Mobb Deep. So I asked them if I could be part of the fam/team and they all took me in and showed mad luv and respect and no doubt its given back in return. Infamous South consists of: Crimeboss Luciano, Plunder, Lotto, Shane Biggs,M.A.D.M.A.N. Aka: Rodney Sage, Bishop Brooks,Cash, Cashmere and myself. I hold it down for my dudez all day everyday no matter where I roll. Me and Crimeboss working on “Baking Soda and Gunpowder” right now, also got one in the works with Plunder and the whole Infamous South as well that I will be presenting and hosting coming soon. Bout to get the logo tatted on my left arm real soon just waiting on my personal tatt dude to handle that. IM3, INFAMOUS SOUTH…LOVE AND LOYALTY!!! 

I’ve heard you’ve just started G Unit South? Tell us more about that!

Yeah I linked up with J. Bettis at G-Unit Headquarters, and some other V.I.P’s over there and worked out a deal with them to start G-Unit South Promotions and be their DJ out in Texas and for the South. So all in all I feel I created G-Unit South along with the help from my dude J. Bettis.

G-Unit be appreciating all I do for them, Tony Yayo just dropped a video shout out for me that you can see on  youtube.com Doing mixtapes with Hot Rod, Mike Knox, and more in the works plus they keep me flooded with all the new hot music, CD’s, etc…so make sure you all check it out at thisis50.com and on my page everyday. I definetly hold it down for G-Unit to the fullest…G-G-G-G-UNIT DIRTY SOUTH!!!! HA HA!!! 

Where do you see yourself in a years time?

Still running the real Hip Hop mixtape game in Texas. Still the Best Mixtape DJ in Texas. Still rolling with G-Unit, Infamous South, Flipcyide I.N.C. and the Addictz In The Lab!!! There aint nothing or nobody to stop me or get in my way. Like I said my grind stay heavy so muthafuckaz shouldnt be suprised with anything that I do or comes out of me. Be on the look out for my world tour coming soon as well with guest appearances!!! 

Where can people get in touch with you on the web?

www.myspace.com/flipcyide

www.thisis50.com/profile/DjFlipcyide

www.facebook.com/flipcyide

or my email: flipcyide@gmail.com only for business (non-business emails will be deleted) 
 

Do you have any shout outs or last words?

Yeah mad luv and shout outs first and foremost to everyone at The Heaviest Interviews for holding me down on this interview, and Big Shout Outs to my fam G-Unit/G-Unit South fam: the big boss 50 Cent, Tony Yayo, J. Bettis, Lloyd Banks, Spider Loc, Hot Rod, Jon Conna – G-Unit South Promoter, and the rest of the G-Unit fam. My Infamous South fam: Crimeboss Luciano, Ty Nitty, Plunder, Lotto, Shane Biggs,M.A.D.M.A.N. Aka: Rodney Sage, Bishop Brooks,Cash, Cashmere, All of Infamous Cartel, Infamous Mobb, Havoc, and Free P Muthafuckaz!!! My Flipcyide I.N.C. fam: Nukleus, Columbo Black, and B.I.G. Status, and my brothas forever Big Nuke and Jon Conna real muthafuckaz that held me down since day one, you all are The Truth!!! Also mad luv to all my fans and supporters I really couldnt do it without you all fo reals, and for my haters or fake ass friends, backstabbers, etc… you aint shit to me. Thats why I dont say your names, cause you nobody’s to me and dont phase me at all. Your hate just makes me that much better, work that much harder and that much more on top of my game where you wish you could be.

6 Ether Da Death Dealer Interview

6 Ether Da Death Dealer is a rapper who has been all over the world1 We talk to him about his travels, how he hooked up with K-Rino and then Thizz Latin, along with much more!

6 Ether Da Death Deala, where are you from and how did you start rapping? 

I was born in New York and lived there until I was 9.  After that I moved to Houston, TX., Germany, Colorado and then back to Texas.  My father was in the military so my family moved around a lot when I was coming up.  I was exposed to rap music when I was 11 or 12 and by the time I was 15 I was already makin home studio demo tapes, doin talent shows, rappin at parties on the block wherever possible. 

You’re a part of South Park Coalition, how did that happen? 

I became part of the South Park Coalition after meeting Dope E. of the Terrorists when I was living in Houston in 2002.  We became friends and started recording together after awhile. Dope E. asked K-Rino (the founder of South Park Coalition) for his approval for me to be an official member of the S.P.C. K-Rino gave his blessing and that’s how it happened.  It’s a big honour for me to be part of such a legendary clique of innovators, creators and originators of rap music. 

Where did your rap name come from? 

My name “6 Ether” comes from the teachings of Right Knowledge.  To put it simply and directly it means a Caucasian or a white man.  9 ether represents a black man due to the amount of melanin in one’s skin.  Da Death Deala rhymes with 6 Ether and that’s what I been dealin in all my life so it fit and stuck.  
 

Let’s talk about Cocaina, what’s that project about and where can we get it? 

Cocaina the album is about cocaine and a lot of different scenarios caused by being involved in the use and sale of it from my personal point of view.  It’s available on iTunes and the Black n Brown Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/blacknbrown). 

What’s the feedback been like so far? 

Da feedback so far has been great!  It was produced by Damen Herrera aka Dame Da Dude aka Dplus, Goldtoes’ cousin.  It is dope lyrically as well as musically.  Put it like this, it’s gangsta. 

It’s out on Thizz Latin, how did you connect with them? 

I signed with Goldtoes Entertainment after meeting Julio “Goldtoes” Sanchez in Houston through a mutual friend and promoter, Dre Black.  Goldtoes liked my music and offered me an opportunity to grow and expand out into the West Coast rap scene as well as what the S.P.C. already had down south and overseas.  Now I rep Thizz Latin and S.P.C. as well. 

Have you had any projects out prior to this? 

I’ve had several projects before this but they are no longer being manufactured.  The project or album “Da Death Deala” produced by Dope E. of the Terrorists is still available special order only.  It was recorded in Houston, TX 2006 and can be ordered by contacting myself at www.myspace.com/6etherdadeathdeala and will cost you $12.50 US or $15 for overseas orders.  There is also a slowed and chopped version available, mixed by DJ Icey Hott of Street Military. 

Where do you hope to be in a years time? 

I hope to be rolling in money within the next few years, but this is a cutthroat business and God only knows what will happen. I can say one thing for sure, that is that I will still be making music.  I’m an O.G. and originator of new styles, the game needs me so I can’t leave. 

Where can we get in touch online? 

You can get in touch with me at www.myspace.com/6etherdadeathdeala 

Do you have any shout outs or last words? 

I would like to give shout outs to all the members of Thizz Latin/Thizz Nation, all the members of the South Park Coalition and to all of my fans and supporters and family.  I can’t do it without yall so any and everything you really do is greatly appreciated.

Noa James Interview

Noa James is a rhyme animal! A lyrical dude repping the West Coast. We catch up with him to talk about his live shows, his past releases and much more!

Noa James, when did you start rapping and why? 

I’ve been rapping since a young age but I really started rapping at 12, this was when Biggie was out and I seen him doin it as a big dude and also my grandfather was into a lot of blues music and that made me really get into music because he was into music. I wanted to be able to show him what I can do and what I can write. I know it’s cliche for a big dude to look up to Biggie but you gotta understand that there isn’t a lot of big rappers out there; as a young big dude your confidence isn’t up and Biggie was a big dude with confidence that went through the roof. My grandfather, Bobby Blue Bland, BBKing and Biggie got me into this music.

You did battle for a time didn’t you? What’s the difference, structurally, between Battling and actually doing songs? 

I started off battling, it was fun destroying MCs but at the end of the day you want to become an artist, a songwriter, an entertainer, a storyteller and at the same time still have that wittiness of a battler. With battling its just punch line and destroying your opponent with songs it more passion and thought behind it, it can be your life story or someone else life story. With battling it can be off the top or prewritten with songs I’m writing an essay about my life.  

You’re from the West Coast, what’s the scene like out there right now? Who’s really killing it? 

I’m in the Inland Empire which is East of Los Angeles, in our scene it’s a little different there’s an east coast feel; I’m originally from Queens. There’s hate everywhere but out here good artist are fans of other good artist and are willing to help each other out if they’re on the same level. The I.E. can be on some super swag jerking type of music or super villain lyrical type of music there’s really no in between. There’s a major underground scene on some Immortal Technique type of feel. First, I’m killing it out here, I’m in a band called The Neighburhood Watch, we’re starting up right now; then you got Stevie Crooks, Ramone Jones, Pheo, Speak, Dre Biggity, and of course Dirty Birdy & all the artist on the 24Seven Habiliments Belly of The Beast Mixtape, you can get it for free at 24SevenHabiliments.com.

Where do you see the scene going in the next few years? 

I see it going to the top, there has already been 3 people from the I.E. that has gotten signed to good deals no bullshit deals I.E. used to be looked down on but now a lot of labels, people from L.A. and up North look at us because our music is not watered down. Finally we are getting recognition. 

Have you had any projects out in the past and where can we cop them from? 

I dropped an EP entitled In Blanka Mode you can get it at BrickToYaFace.com/freedownloads. I’m currently working on an LP entitled Sounds of a Monster which drops Sept 26th

What was the feedback like? 

I got more love then I expected to get, I’m on a lot of website from dubcnn.com to raptalk.net, a couple of blogs and I also got a feature in the local news paper. I really didn’t expect the big response I felt like i did my job.

What are you working on at the moment? 

My Sounds of a Monster LP and getting ready to drop an album with the band I’m in The Neighburhood Watch and a BrickToYaFace.com Mixtape.

You performed with Black Milk didn’t you? He’s doing big things! What was that like and did he give you any feedback on your music? 

That show was crazy, it opened a lot of doors for me. Bishop Lamont told me “You’re a muthafucken beast.” Black Milk told me my stage presence was bananas and I gave out good energy on stage and to keep doing what I’m doing and I’ll make it. 

Where can we check you out online? 

myspace.com/noajamesthebeast

Do you have any shout outs or last words?

Shout out to BrickToYaFace.com, Lesa J. Grafix, my sponsors 24Seven Habiliments & Anenberg, Big shout out to my label Black Cloud Music (Jynxx & Yasin), The Neighburhood Watch (Ramone Jones, Captain, Demar, Tom, Nick, James, DJ C’est la Vie & Phatz tha Great), my grandmother Willie Dell Allen & my grandfather Brezell Allen.

Fitzy Fitz Interview

Fitzy Fitz comes from a small hip hop scene, to put it lightly. We talk to him about that, his projects and how they’ve been received, along with a lot more!

 

Fitzy Fitz, how did you get in the game and why?

 

Basically one day i was sitting down listening to some eminem,
and i just remember saying to myself "i think i could do this"
so, i started writing my own music everyday and eventually i
just started getting better and better. Next minute i was
recording, mixing all my own tracks and releasing them.
for the why part, i think it’s just because I’ve always
loved music so much that I’ve always wanted to
get involved in it.

 

Where are you from, and what’s the hip hop scene like there?

 

I’m from a small place in Ireland called Carrick-on-Suir
in Tipperary.
Hip hop scene? Well I’ll keep it short and sweet...
there isn’t one.

 

You seem to like the story telling raps. Why is this and what do you address in your music?

 

Yeah i really like telling stories in my music, basically
because i want to connect with the people who listen to me.
We live in a fucked up world right now so i try my best
to talk about different topics going on in the
world such as politics, law and a lot more.

 

Who are your major influences in hip hop?

 

Major influences would definitely be Eminem,2Pac,Nas,
50,Wu-Tang Clan and Prodigy from Mobb Deep, people
like that.

 

Have you had any projects out in the past?

 

Of course! I released the Mr.FF mixtape hosted by DJ
Smu not long ago which is available for free
download on a lot of websites, just google
it and you'll find it somewhere.

 

What has the feedback been like?

 

Feedback was REALLY good actually, everybody i talked
to who heard it said they were really impressed so
that made me feel good, knowing that people could
relate to my music.

 

What are you working on currently?

 

I’m working on a few projects right now, I’m working
on Mr.FF Part 2 which is a sequel to the first one.
I’m also working on 2 other projects that are
untitled right now but be on the look out for them.

 

Where do you want to be in a years time?

 

I want to be in a better place than i am now,
preferably in the U.S, a place where i can
promote my music not only on the internet but in
the streets because with the position I’m in right
now i don’t have that. I hope to be making some kind
of money and releasing more music on a regular basis
also

 

Where can we check you out online?

 

you can check out the myspace @
www.myspace.com/fitzyfitzmusic
and hit me up on twitter @
twitter.com/fitzyfitz__ or
@fitzyfitz__

 

Do you have any shout outs or any last words?

 

i just wanna give a huge shoutout to the homie
DJ Smu for helping me out with everything lately,
shoutout to the homie rekon for supporting me when
i need the support, bad luck, sun, village boo
and just everybody who has been helping me to
try and get to the next level
 
i have a lot of projects coming up so make sure
you keep a look out for mr.ff fitzy fitz!!!!........

 

Mikel Ameen Interview

Mikel Ameen is one of the leading battlers on the UK scene. We speak to the man himself about recording, why he got into battling, performing with established acts and the feedback on his first CD!

 

Mikel Ameen, when did you first start rapping and how?

 

I started rapping in primary school when my teacher told us to write poems about our favourite things. But I started taking music seriously when I was 16

 

You’re an established battler right now, but what did you start doing? Battling or recording?

I started recording first since I was 14. I only ever got into battling as a joke to win money. 

You’ve been doing the rounds on the live circuit as well, supporting people like Immortal Technique and Wu-Tang Clan. What’s it like sharing the stage with legends like that?

 

It was a real great experience; it let me know that I can successfully rock a big crowd.  

 

Did any of them hear your music or give you any feedback?

 

Yeah I was talking with the managers of Wu-Tang Clan and he gave me some real good advice; I was just spitting rhymes for him and I also gave him a promo cd. 

 

So what projects have you put out in the past and where can we get them from?

 

My first cd is out now and available. To buy from iTunes and all good digital download sites.  

 

Where they well received?

 

Yeah!! The feed back was great, people love the content, I even had people that never knew me buy the cd because the packaging is one of a kind, and people had never seen it before. 

 

There was a beef with fellow UK rapper Arkaic was there not? Can you elaborate on how that started and is it still going on?

 

Nah man, that’s a fairytale!

 

What project are you working on now?

My next project is a promo cd entitled Fu8ers. This is a free mix cd I will distribute whilst I prepare my album and its singles. It’s going to be BIG!

Also look out for my new single with Dionne Reid, DRUG DEALER which you can hear on the upshot website. 

Where can we get in touch with you online?

 

www.itsupshot.com 

 

Do you have any shout outs or last words?

YEAH BIG UP THE AMEEN DREAM. UPSHOT BABY – FU8ERS.

NO DUMB BUMS WE AIN’T! BO!

 

Jaze Juce

There are some exceptionally talented guys in the battle scene, and we caught up with Jaze Juce to chat about freestyling, battling, recording and whether lyrics are important in hip hop today!

 

Jaze Juce, you’re from the home of hip hop, New York. Is it coming back to the lyrics in rap right now?

 

Honestly, I don’t feel lyrics were ever out of the picture in NY, maybe just out of the spotlight. NY has a deep tradition of hip-hop and that includes raw lyricism. Throughout the 80’s and 90’s Raw MC’s became household names, and that is in recent memory for a lot of NY hip-hop  heads. 
However, when the mainstream rap game shifted away from the potent lyrics and moved more in the direction of commercialized products, dances etc, NY seemed a bit assed out. After all, what  were the Nas’ of the game supposed to do in such a climate? MC’s like Jay-Z and 50 cent obviously changed with the times and made a huge mark for NY, but the market changed so MC’s dedicated to writing sharp rhymes had to find a different table to eat at so to speak.

 

You’ve got people like Slaughterhouse blowing up, real lyrical cats! What’s it like on the underground though? Who’s really killing it out there?

 

NY has really so many people in general it is actually overcrowded with talent. That is hardly the perception of NY in the global hip-hop community, but NY has such variety that almost entirely different worlds all intertwine in one mega-hip-hop community. Nowhere else can you find someone like Arsenol or Head Ice pushing thousands of mixtapes in the streets only 105 miles away from a buzzing movement like The Brown Bag Allstars, something altogether different yet very dope. As far as moving units, being from Yonkers it is glaringly apparent to me that D Block is a force to be reckoned with in the underground.  Slaughterhouse as you mentioned is powerful. The list is to long to even address really.  Nobody is really dominating all across the board. Underground fans have favourites, mixtape  fans have favourites and mainstream fans have favourites. Certain cats have pockets of heavy movement, I don’t think any individual artist or group is what really needs to kill the scene right now, unity is the next big step for NY, not artists. We have a lot of artists here, now let’s work together and co-exist.

 

You’re heavy on the battles. What’s your technique when it comes to freestyling?

 

Free-styling is like debating. You make observations, you listen you look you feel the situation out and just never stop responding. Sometimes ignoring things that are irrelevant is important. Offence can be more important than defence. It really depends on the situation.

Think of words in your head you want to say, think of general ideas and approaches to  situations and keep that approach in your mind and allow the words to formulate and just

follow the sounds. 

 

You also host the things, what’s the importance of a host in a battle in your opinion?

 

A host hypes the live crowd up for the battle. If a host is putting people to sleep, the audience is not going to really pay attention to the battle. Further, a good host can attract people who are not interested in battling into the battle scene because the entertainment value is the hook that baits em in.

 

 

There was the legendary moment back in 07 with the Arkaic/Eurgh battle. After that, have you checked any UK rappers out, and if so what do you think to the scene out here?

 

Truthfully, I am not very educated on the scene out in U.K. At the end of the day a battle is a battle and I have the utmost respect for the U.K. In my opinion, it doesn’t matter where you’re from, it’s what you bring to the table. Going into the 07 battles I had a great deal of respect for Possessed from Rhyme Asylum. Without knowing too many artists off hand who are wrecking shit out there, I would not be surprised at all to discover a multitude of hardcore rappers from U.K. who deserve spotlight.

 

Battle rappers seldom make a successful transition to recording artists, have you had any projects out in the past?

 

I am a recording machine. I have countless tracks/songs and am always open for collaborating with all different creeds colours and nationalities. The most recent work I released was a collaboration mixtape with World Rap Championship partner Frankie Wapps called “This is Only the Beginning.” This mixtape is available for free download online at

www.eqjonez.com/mixtape. 

 

Are you working on any records currently?

 

I am currently working on a number of projects including a fusion hip-hop project, a collaboration mixtape with Complex, another collaboration mixtape with Abstract Vision, and also work regularly with Ova Ya Head Productions, Shake Em Down Music, DJ Dea Arthur and a whole list of others.

 

Where do you want to be this time next year?

 

I would like to be in California smoking some Purple Kush.

 

Where can we check you out online?

 

To follow my music keep in tune with my myspace, my soundclick, my twitter, and my

youtube
www.myspace.com/jazejuce
www.soundclick.com/jazejuce
www.twitter.com/jazejuce
www.youtube.com/jazejuce

 

Do you have any shout outs or last words?

 

Yeah shout outs to the U.K. shout outs to Yonkers, Complex, Abstract Vision, Roosevelt, imaredo, Friday Da 13th, Chuck Black, Uncle Nephew Films. Cortez, Murda Ave Gang. Hollow da Don L.O.M. Frankie Wapps, my man Nick in jail right now. My family my friends my girl. The Whole Beast Coast movement. The Fresh Coast, Lush One. Dizaster, all the hungry artists out there, the established artists who still keep the artform first and foremost. Shout outs to everybody working hard in this economy. Get it how you live it. Shout outs to Theheaviestinterviews. Shout outs to Smoove1 productions. Shake Em Down, Highlight beats. Dj Dea Arthur. Mic Fiend, Omen, Scoop Jackson, Noncentz, shoutouts to the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, Staten, Mt Vernon, New Rochelle, White Plains, upstate, Amazin Crack, Philly, Jersey, Delaware, Detroit, Florida, Chicago, PA, Canada, Australia, shout outs to jumpoff.tv, Sub-Zero, grindtimenow, everybody. It’s everything! If I forgot you, you know you deserve a shout out and i’ll catch you on the flipside. PEACE!