50 Cent sits down with Angie Martinez to talk about his new movie, his album and relationships. He also talks about his relationship with Dr. Dre and Eminem, his verse on the Pusha mixtape, Chelsea Handler, Drake getting robbed at the Grammy’s and just how Hip Hop is overlooked in general plus more.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Lil Wayne stops by Hot 97 yesterday to talk with Angie Martinez to talk about life after prison mainly not being able to smoke or drink. He says he hasn’t heard Drake or Nicki Minaj’s albums yet. He also talks about Mack giving his beat away to Nicki and him finding out while he was in jail.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Lil Wayne calls up DJ Drama (his first post-jail interview.) to talk about the Carter IV single called 6’7? which Mack Maine described as Amilli on Steroids.

Rick Ross is gearing up to build his empire, he confirmed in the Source which he is on his cover of for Man Of The Year. He spoke on signing Wale, Meek Millz and Jah Cure.

“I look for next year to be an even bigger year,” Ross said a couple of weeks back in New York, fresh from his source cover shoot. “We just brought Jah Cure to the team. That’s one of the biggest reggae superstars in the game. We just did a deal with that. Look for that first quarter. I’m talking to artist out of Philly that I think is the future of Philly. Meek Millz, I’m talking to him right now about Maybach Music. As well as I’m talking to Wale.”

The Miami Mayor says Wale impresses him with not just his music acumen, but with his grind as well.

“Wale is a hustler. I feel he’s one record away from being the next nigga,” The Husky Don forecasted. “He’s just a naturally fly nigga. Slick talking nigga. That’s right up my alley. I just think that comradery, riding with Rozay, it’ll mean that much more. I feel he’s one record away. As well as Meek Millz.”

Should the signings go through, Ross says he’s definitely going to be helping both MCs with the musical direction on their upcoming LPs. He “most definitely” wants to be hands on.

Drake joined YN on The Morning Show on Shade 45 to talk about the Thank Me Later Reviews, laying off the R&B and rapping more on Take Care, his friendship with J. Cole, The Grammy’s, Lil Wayne, Kanye West removing him from the final version of “All Of The Lights” and working with Q-Ttip.

Once called “the most hated man in hip-hop,” Soulja Boy, real name DeAndre Way, has proven himself as quite a force to be reckoned with. Whether you love him or hate him, numbers don’t lie, and Soulja’s (as he constantly reminds us in his music) are quite impressive. Starting from scratch in 2004, Soulja generated his own hype by posting his songs and videos across the web, and soon enough was offered a deal by Interscope. These days, the rapper-producer has been in the studio with everyone from Kanye to Bieber, and his career, which many predicted would be short-lived, shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Alex Chapman sat down with the creator of the legendary “Crank That” (yes, I said legendary), where they talked his humble beginnings, his love for donks, and his new album, The DeAndre Way.

Props to Alex Chapman.

Nicki Says:

[Kim] just really jumped out the window. You gotta be really careful when you pick fights…I think people get me mistaken with a real Barbie. They forget where I’m from. And if I have to [respond], I can and I will. Don’t play with me. It’s one of those moments when you say, ‘Don’t play with me.

I respect you, I love you, I’ve said it in every interview time and time again. And if that’s not good enough [for] you, mama, that’s something deep-rooted in you. You need to get your — something is bothering you inside. That’s your insecurity bothering you. It’s not Nicki Minaj, it would’ve been any girl that started poppin’. She picked a fight with Foxy, then she picked a fight with Eve, then she picked a fight with Remy, then it was Mrs. Wallace, then it was Nicki Minaj! Everytime you in the news, it’s because you gettin’ at somebody! Where is your music? …When I see your name on Billboard, that’s when I’ll respond to you.

Now was the perfect time to do it, because she’s about to tear things up with Pink Friday which is fire. The review is coming tomorrow…

To hear the full interview check it out on TheAngieMartinezShow.com

Banks appeared on Angie’s show earlier today to discuss his first Summer Jam appearance since 2004 (back when “On Fire” was out,) “Beamer, Benz & Bentley” and the beat, as well as the new song he just put out with Lloyd, from Hunger For More 2.

Angie then asks him about 50’s drastic weight loss, how he achieved it, collaborating with an ex-Murder Inc. artist, and the fact the single originally leaked from his e-mail.

They discuss the Summer Jam performance, the pressures of live shows vs. live radio, and “freestyling” on the air.

T.I. sits down with Funkmaster Flex to speak on a little bit of everything which included tricking out old schools, jail time, Tip’s eventual comeback show and the line about him from “A Star Is Born”. He also says he’s dropping a joint with Keri Hilson today.

T.I. Interview with Funkmaster Flex Part 1

T.I. Interview with Funkmaster Flex Part 2

Roc Nation’s J.Cole called up Shade 45 last week to speak with DJ Whoo Kid and XXL’s Vanessa Satten and Rob Markman about his budding career, love from fans, the XXL Freshmen cover feature and working with Jay-Z.

What has J.Cole learned from Jay-Z?  Are white kids really more into Hip Hop music these days? How is J.Cole dealing with newfound fame?  What did he learn in college about dealing with people like Whoo Kid? Has he been ghostwriting yet? Is he really related to Jay-Z? Is he deliberately trying to out-do rappers on their own tracks when he collaborates?

Find out in this RadioPlanet.tv exclusive!

Source:RadioPlanet TV

Beanie Sigel touches on allot of different and how he’s been explaining everything that has been going on for years through his music, even breaks down some of the lyrics.

Beanie Sigel and 50 Cent chop it up on Power 99, Beanie Sigel is coming to G-Unit?

Why do they all do that? The more you deny the more nosy people get, not that it’s anyone’s business but Ciara is a good look.

50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, and Tony Yayo were on Angie Martinez show on Hot 97. They talk about Eminem, Jay-Z, Before I Self Destruct, Thisis50 fest and more.

“Jay-Z is the coolest punk in hip-hop”

(11:45) I’m sick of myself. Seriously, I gotta shut down after this. I never been on radio or TV this much in my life. I’m sick of myself.

(9:30) [Angie: Where you at with those guys?] Yeah, I speak to Chris often. Freeway as well. I spoke to Beans when his grandma passed, we had a conversation. I don’t speak to Peedi at all, cuz he’s a psycho. [Angie: Jeez, that's harsh.] What? [Angie: That's not harsh?] No, he’s a psycho. That’s what I truly believe. Not trying to be funny or anything.

(14:20) My man OG [Juan], when we talked about Vol. 3, he told me “Man, I HATE that album.” This is my brother. Then I said, “You like ‘So Ghetto’?” He’s was like “Yeah.” “Big Pimpin? Yeah.” After seven, he’s like “Yeah, but that album was terrible.” He liked 7 records out of 14 and said it was terrible. Anybody else has three records, they’re phenomal. I have to have 14 for 14, or it’s terrible. Not even just a good album, it’s terrible. “I hate, hate, hate that album.”

(17:40) I read that you went to go see Shyne and nobody’s asked you about that.
Not true. A lie, gossip, whatever you wanna call it.

(0:25) I can’t freestyle anymore. I’m done. [Angie: Backpackers are gonna have a field day with you.] Finished. Back when I was nice.. [Laughs.]

(8:10) [After Angie plugs ThisIs50 Fest] Nobody invited me there, I’ll take a check. Somebody get at me.

Quotes to cleanup:

I’ll be honest. I almost took Reminder off at the last second.

Are there any subliminals? Nah, never… Couple landmines. Still check for other people’s subliminals? I stopped listening to records in that way.

Do you ever miss Damon? Rocafella was beautiful in its original state. That’s my answer.

On sale Sept 8th 2009, anyone planning on Copping it?

“My favorite line on the song, though, is when Wayne says, ‘Life is such a roller coaster and then it drops/ but what should I scream for, this is my theme park.’ That right there, word-play-wise, that’s my favorite. But everybody does their thing. Kanye does Kanye. Eminem raps in a way where nobody might have heard him rap in a long time and says some things that are great for his fans to hear. I’m just proud to even be on the record. People are telling me they like my verse. I’m just happy I held my own.”
…
So that record [potentially with Andre 3000 and Sade] is something important to me. Obviously [I'm gonna work with] Wayne. I’m out here really trying to get something special with Justin. Hovito [Jay-Z], we might need to get him. The track on this album was a real catchy joint. But people wanna hear us rap together. That’s one of my goals, to have that track with me and Jay. Maybe don’t even have a hook, maybe. Have just like you haven’t heard him in a minute, just going bars for bars. That might be something you’ll hear on the album.”

We got to work a couple nights, actually, we did a few joints and from what I hear we’re going back in to try and get some more stuff done.

Jay has been one of the most special people to me in this game. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the nights me and Jay had in the studio, and the things he’ll tell me and just the way he embraced me. It’s one of the best feelings in my life. Jay is one of those guys that you can say, ‘I look up to this guy,’ or ‘I like this guy’s music.’ I wanted to be Jay. That’s what they say about the best artists. To be a great rapper, men gotta wanna be you and women gotta wanna … you know.

I wanna be myself, but for me to say, ‘If I couldn’t be me, I wanted to be that man’ — that’s huge. … To have that man in my life and to be able to interact with him and talk to him and, best of all, work with him — there’s not a real sentence I can say to describe it. Hopefully Jay and Drake are as powerful as Drake and Wayne. I hope people see that union and it comes up more than once in the future.

via MTV

Swizz Beatz talks about the Ruff Ryders coming back together on Jadakiss’ “Who’s Real” remix. He also touches base on his art show coming soon, “Kasseem Dean presents, The Wildest Dreams.”

During his time in Atlanta, Wiz Khalifa sits down with Josh Cubas for a Fab5Ent.com exclusive interview at Wish Boutique. The young rapper speaks on several topics including his mixtape with Curren$y and his thoughts on rap’s new generation.

He previews “We Run The City”, & talks about Chris Brown and The Game, He responds to The Game diss by saying, “Tell Groupie to get over it”.

Drake speaks on Rihanna, working with Pharrell in Miami (see photo above), the album, he also threw little G at Angie that caught her a little off guard, lol. During the WPGC phonecall ( around the 2:55 mark) he reveals that he will announce the big secret of which label he’s signed to in about 5 days.

Angie Martinez Phoner

WPGC Phoner

Slaughterhouse, they went had a little interview with DJ Envy and they also dropped a 40 bar A Capella freestyle. It’s diet Pepsi compared to the Shade 45 freestyle they did yesterday though.

Interview and Freestyle

Just the Freestyle

Download:Interview and Freestyle

Download:Just The Freestyle

50 cent is crazy yow, he’s actually quite entertaining when he’s like this, he should be this way more often.

The Slaughterhouse stop by Shade 45 for a interview and also laid down a freestyle….

Jay-Z speaks on leavng Def Jam(00:30), D.O.A. (2:00), DJ Webstar catching feelings on Twitter (2:53), his motivation (3:35), Barack Obama (4:40), NBA (5:33), Rihanna (6:33), Nets coming to Brooklyn (7:15), Jay-Z’s Top 5 all time (8:11), lack of female MC’s(8:30).

Jay-Z’s Top 5 MCs:
Notorios BIG
Tupac Shakur
Scarface
Eminem
Andre 3000

Damn no Nas?

Credits: WGCI & HitHipHop

Summer Jam round up, I’m not going to make a whole bunch off posts about Summer Jam, this is my consolidation post about the whole event. This was the first time I think Summer Jam didn’t sell out but given out current state it’s not too surprising. There is also a Jay-Z interview that went down earlier today where he speaks on the Summer Jam among other things.

Jay-Z Interview with Angie Martinez

Credits:Village Slum (Balck and White Pics)

Credits:Exclusive Access (Color Pics)

Credits:RealtalkNY (Videos)

“Expect great music. That’s all I ever want them to expect from me,” Wayne told us after the MTV Movie Awards. “I wanted to grow and show my growth as well,” he added. “It’s a difference from when you go in a room and come out and you’re better and everyone says, ‘How did you do that?’ So with this album, I wanted everyone to see my growing pains.”
…
“It’s almost like where Outkast was when they made Aquemini,” he continued. “It’s still a rap album, but was it really a rap album compared to all the other rap albums at that time? Andre Benjamin was evolving artistically to where he’s at now — Wayne is doing the same thing, and he’s not afraid to show you his growth. It’s one thing we respect about him, and we feel it’s something that everybody else should respect about him … he shows no fear. To put himself out there, you’re watching someone as they progress in their career.”

Rebirth is slated for release August 18.

With its mix of singing and rapping, Drake’s buzz-building mixtape So Far Gone has drawn comparisons to Kanye West’s latest effort 808s & Heartbreak. For his part, Drake said the Chicago lyricist had a huge impact on his music and even described ‘Ye as “the most influential person” in shaping the young rapper’s sound.

“Before I ever got the chance to meet him, Kanye West shaped a lot of what I do, as far as music goes,” Drake told MTV News on Tuesday night before his show at S.O.B.’s. “We always, always, always took the time to listen to Kanye’s music and appreciate it beyond. We searched the samples and we find out where his inspiration came from, because he has one of the best ears in music, period. He knows how to recognize great music that’s not his. He knows how to utilize great sounds and great music. So before I met him, I had the utmost respect for Kanye West. I’d even go as far as to say he’s the most influential person as far as a musician that I’d ever had in my life.”

Drake said he and ‘Ye initially met in Hawaii, where West has been working on music recently. The interaction was brief at first, but now the two are expected to collaborate on Drake’s upcoming debut album. ‘Ye attended Drake’s New York show this week, and one of West’s managers, Gee Roberson, acts as a co-manger for Drake.

Over the weekend, West returned the accolades in a post on his blog, saying that one of Drizzy’s lines on Young Money’s “Every Girl” is the rhyme of the year.

“Drake said, ‘Do you like girls like I do?? Les-bi-honest!!!!!’ Best line of the year so far!” West wrote in all caps.

As an upstart, Drake said the comment was hilarious and flattering. “I feel like it’s funny, because that’s something he might have said,” Drake said about the line. “[But] it’s an honor that he’s even looking at me as somewhat of an equal, somewhat of a peer. I think he’s one of the greatest to ever do it.”

Source:MTV News

“I have a lot to prove – to myself and people, period. I released this mixtape and it’s kinda like: ‘Now you really have to release an album. That’s what artist’s do.’ “Can excitement last from May or June all the way till the end of this year? ’Cause that’s when the album’s going to come out,” he says. “How do I maintain that excitement?”

Full Interview: Much Music

See this is the problem with labels, they are always dragging there asses and I have no idea what having a buzz is and how it’s maintained. Buzz is something when you loose it you rarely get it back. Were going to need a So Far Gone part 2 if the album is dropping next year.

Drake hits up Hot 97’s Peter Rosenberg and Cipha Sounds to clear up the Rihanna make out rumors.

Pull your skirt up Nick Cannon, Eminem use to break Mariah’s back homie way before you came in the picture.

Previously:Nick Cannon Disses Eminem and Calls Him Slim Lamey

Hoopz talks with Big Tigger about what really happened – and gives her advice to other ladies on how to avoid falling into the same trap.

Source:WPGC

Source: MTV

It’s about damn time Banks went independent because Interscope is a joke at the moment in time, remember Flex going in on them a few weeks back.

“The best way to describe the Rebirth record is that it’s a Lil Wayne record,” Cool’s partner Dre said. “It’s where Lil Wayne is right now in his life and career — he’s expressing himself musically. ‘Prom Queen’ came out and that’s a rock record and so everybody is like, ‘He’s putting out a rock album and he’s on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.’ Yeah, there’s some rock records on there, but there’s also some records where he’s rapping. It’s a Lil Wayne album. It’s what you expect from Lil Wayne, where he’s at creatively.

“It’s almost like where Outkast was when they made Aquemini,” he continued. “It’s still a rap album, but was it really a rap album compared to all the other rap albums at that time? André Benjamin was evolving artistically to where he’s at now — Wayne is doing the same thing, and he’s not afraid to show you his growth. It’s one thing we respect about him, and we feel it’s something that everybody else should respect about him … hes shows no fear. To put himself out there, you’re watching someone as they progress in their career.

“He paid his dues, he put out a million mixtapes and he put out classic albums … Rebirth is going to be another classic album,” he added.

Cool & Dre were inspired to take a new musical direction with Wayne after seeing his rock rendition of “Got Money” on “Saturday Night Live.”

“His intensity was like [being at] a rock concert,” Cool said of the performance. “He had a band behind him. It inspired me and Dre to do a lot of intensity-driven records.”

“Anthemic records,” Dre echoed. “We wanted to create music for him that could stand beside his performance, which is tough. The way he was performing, I can only compare him to Freddie Mercury or Jim Morrison, guys that put it all out onstage. We felt like, ‘Yo, we feel we could provide you with music that could stand alongside what you do as a performer onstage.’ He was like, ‘Yo, get me some stuff.’ ”

And the two friends have been feeding Weezy ever since. That’s Dre singing on “Hot Revolver,” a record that could possibly have been Rebirth’s first single if it had not been leaked — although without any promotion, the song charted on iTunes and the Billboard Hot 100. Cool & Dre did not know exactly what other songs of theirs Weezy would be using, but they had a good idea — however, Cash Money wants to keep the titles of the newly recorded material under wraps.

Source MTV News

I love to know were those commenters are now that was saying Drake wouldn’t cut it when I posted his joint back in late 2006, hmmm I should be a A&R I swear got ear for talent. I guess this is his first on air radio because there is an interview with him and Angela Yee from about 2 years but that was over the phone.

Could be the next big thing…..

“I feel like it’s much more soulful, it’s much more sophisticated,” Ross said. “To be considered one of the best, you gotta compete. That’s what I feel like I’m doing. I feel like I’m competing for the throne. I feel like the fans and the people can see my hunger. They could see my growth. They could know I’m not satisfied with just two #1 albums and selling 2 million records, or whatever I sold. I want more.”

Source: MTV

Yeah Lil Wayne holds that throne right now and there is no way I can see Ross acceding to that level, anyone out there support Ricky’s imagination?

It’s the 2 second video so you just have to wait.

There are you fuckers happy now? I didn’t call him Officer, anyways I just got the album and I can’t front the shit is well done, production rivals Kanye’s Graduation album. Yeah I’m not even bullshitting. The album features the usual suspects, Fat Joe, Khaled, T-Pain, Lil Wayne and pretty much the whole Florida. Kanye is on too plus a bunch more. The rhymes are nothing special it’s what we’re all use to by now, the fraudulent king pin drug raps that resembles the life of the real Ricky Ross. None the less his flow has improved since Trilla and his delivery is about a 7 out of 10.

I’ll give an official review once the album drops…now go ahead and call me bias shit faces.

That gif is classic….

50 Cent did an interview with KING magazine and dished the goods on his business world.

People are struggling to make money in the music industry. Do you have a lot of investments outside of entertainment?
Absolutely. I make more money away from music than I do off of music—well, I was. Shit is terrible right now. Look at the economy in general. General Motors and Chrysler are looking for a bailout. It’s going to be a financial issue if they don’t succeed, though. If they don’t receive the assistance, they will go bankrupt in the next couple of years.

Isn’t it sort of like what happens to rappers when they don’t produce what the market wants?
That too. In this climate, it’s not just them. Every time you open the newspaper you see another business or establishment you thought was credible in trouble, like Circuit City filing for bankruptcy. The United States is the place to do business
. So if it’s bad here, where do you go? We’re the feeding ground. All those Asian countries—Thailand, Taiwan, China—they’re manufacturing things to sell here. How long do [regular people] have to survive before we recover? We may lose our middle class. If you have $20,000 in stocks invested in different areas, a home that you actually want to live in and [a] car, that’s middle class. So those people, if you had stocks in GM like I had, [they are in trouble]. My [broker] from Goldman Sachs just got laid off. [If] the guy you got assisting you [with financial] decisions is having issues, then you really got to look into it, right?

Who has the best model for staying relevant to fans?
Puffy has the best model for staying relevant, because [he does it] without a song. He’s been able to maintain an interest and stay in a space to executive produce television and film projects, and stay relevant to hip-hop culture. What was the last record that made you feel like, ‘Oh, my God, Puffy is on fire’? You don’t need it. That’s what makes his business model exciting to me. There are only three of us to look at: Jay, [me] and Puff. [We have] three totally different situations. We’ve just been a part of hip-hop culture. That’s the similarity. I still think they’ll be relevant. I just think they’re like the fire hydrant: You can’t move those guys out of the street. I think they’ll [still] be the guys you need to connect with [to] get a shot.

So where will your brand be in the future?
Well, I believe that I will have a stronger position as we move forward. What I have on my side is age. [Laughs] See, in the next five years they’ll be 45 and 44 years old. And I’ll just be close to where they are now.

Catch the full interview over at KING

I’m just curious, does anybody know of anything Ricky has done for his community? Last time I check 50 Cent’s G-Unity  foundation donates millions yearly and he even opened community park in Southside. But y’all don’t care about that your still gonna say I’m hating on the lieutenant.

I can’t listen this guy for 36 minutes so y’all tell me how it went.

Like I care……

Did she really just ask 50 Cent to freestyle?

Sidebar, that Affro Samurai video game is worth a pick up too.

New mixtape from Drake titled So Far Gone, features his partner in crime Lil Wayne and Trey Songz as well as features from Lloyd and Omarion and much more. Listen and download this mixtape now and give us your feedback.

This mixtape has been updated with 2 extra bonus tracks which are included in the So Far Gone re-released as a album.

Listen and Download:Drake – So Far Gone Mixtape

So it seems that Foxy Brown has decided to come to her boo boo’s rescue.

The G-Unit leader has upset rapper Foxy Brown, who was briefly mentioned in the ballooning war of words with Miami heavy weight Rick Ross.

Foxy Brown says she is granting 50 Cent 24 hours to retract the line where she is briefly mentioned on “Try Me.”

On 50 Cent’s diss track, he says, “The cop f**ked a fox.” The line, although scant, refers to a brief, personal relationship Rick Ross and Brown had. It also refers to Ross’ past as a correctional officer.

Foxy Brown’s camp issued a statement that proclaims that she has no involvement in the conflict between the two rap titans.

In a statement to AllHipHop.com, Brown’s representative stated, “Foxy is giving that n***a 24 hour [period] to retract that statement or she’s going handle [him] Brooklyn Style.”

Ironically, after 50 Cent wrote the initial song, Rick Ross gave 50 Cent 48 hours to offer a more substantial response. 50 Cent returned with a number of insulting videos, including cartoons and a taped shopping spree with the mother of Ross’ child.

Currently, Brown is working on her new album Black Roses, which is expected to be in stores this summer.

Rumors swirled that Foxy Brown and Rick Ross were to be married, but those proved to be false.

Source:AHH

24 hours or what?

Also check out his new music video for his single I Run

So I understand what the fans are saying,” Cam told XXL executive editor Vanessa Satten, who penned the article. “And it’s kinda messed up. But what you gotta realize is that things can always be fixed behind the scenes. But once a problem gets public, it’s kind of unfixable.”

Causes for problems with Jim Jones:
“The two things that you could say it was is: The come to my house and try to start a fake beef between me and [Jim],” Cam explained. “And the kinda like siding with 50 when me and him is in the dead middle of beefing or whatever.”-Marvin Brandon

Will Cam go at Jimmy in a record? Is he going to start up again with 50 Cent giving him more fuel for his album? Not not to mention Tru Life punching him in the face, will he address that? It’s going to be interesting to see what the next few months in Hip Hop are going to be like,

Heard Cam been hitting that Gym too….

Although I wasn’t really allowed to listen to music like Trina’s (since I was only 14), I remember ‘dubbing’ their single off of someone’s tape and reciting it in the mirror as I got ready for school. I remember vividly imitating her style by wearing black spandex, cute summer tops, and rocking the small twist with the weave ponytail to school. Obviously, I wasn’t as fabulous as she was but I began to learn the meaning of what a ‘Bad Bitch’ was. Everywhere I went that summer, all I heard was Trina’s verse being blasted throughout Belle Isle (in Detroit). It was like women had been liberated. It was like a rite of passage to be yelling Trina’s verse to the top of their lungs, no matter how disturbing her verse seemed to be to parents alike. With that one verse alone, Trina landed a record deal with Slip-N-Slide Records. This would completely change the life of a woman who danced to pay tuition. Two years later, she was educating the world by demanding that we all acknowledged her as being the ‘Baddest Bitch’ with her debut album. Since then, men and women alike have been completely mesmerized by the southern beauty. For ten years straight, she’s been every guy’s fantasy and personal pin up girl. Whereas women felt like she’s been a spokesperson representing it for all the women who’s been in love, been hurt, been alone, felt sexy, felt horny, and most of all disappointed with the qualities of a man in the most inappropriate times. In spite of what people’s perceptions of her is as they reflect upon her music, Trina is very much so the average, well rounded, woman. She’s has a college degree and a real estate license. She enjoys cooking. She has fragrance entitled “Diamond Princess”. She also has a foundation geared towards young women called the Diamond Doll Foundation. Like most women, she’s had her share of ups and downs when it comes to love; the only difference is Trina’s has been in the public eye. She’s even had her share of cat fights with other females in the music business. However, what Trina has realized is that all of that (the good and the bad) is all a part of being a successful, black woman in a male dominated business. Recently, Trina and I had the opportunity to sit down to discuss what all of her success has meant to her, from the rich and the famous lifestyle to her highly publicized relationship with rapper Lil’ Wayne. Here’s what the ‘Baddest Bitch’ in the game had to say.

Lexilex: What was it like to work with Keyshia Cole on your single, ‘I Got a Thing for You’?

Trina: It was a great experience. I know her. I’ve known her for a while. It was just like hanging out and having one of my girls around. She’s very professional. We joked, had a great time, and laughed. We talked. It was a real girly type of environment. She’s a beautiful person. It was definitely an honor to get her on this album. We’ve been talking about it for a while but to make it actually come true was a great thing.

Lexilex: Of course, I have to ask you about Wayne. Are the rumors about the tattoo true?

Trina: (laughs as if she’s blushing) I mean, I don’t know what the rumors are and all that… (laughs again) that’s crazy. I don’t know. You know what; you’ll just have to look at the picture. I didn’t hear any rumors or hear anything new so I don’t know. (more laughter as she slightly elevates her voice to making a point) I totally just went all around that question! I just have to laugh (more laughs).

Lexilex: You know what, I totally respect your decision to not talk about it. It’s cool. It’s interesting though because I read a lot of celebrity gossip, and there is always somebody out here talking about your relationships. How does it make you feel when women like Karrine Steffans (and others) comment on your relationship with Wayne?

Trina: I really don’t – I don’t really entertain that. It’s not a major issue or factor to me. It’s irrelevant to the fact that the only person that can speak about my relationship is both I and that person. For someone else to do that, how can you talk about someone else’s relationship and it had no involvement with you. It makes no sense not whatsoever. It doesn’t really bother me.

Lexilex: I saw the video on YouTube when you were performing and the Single Again remix was playing like ‘whatever’ (in a girly way) during his verse. When you first heard the verse Wayne recorded for the Single Again remix, how did it make you feel? Is it reflective of your relationship or was it just you two being creative?

Trina: Actually, that’s just a part of my show. It’s really not ‘yeah whatever’. It’s mostly like, ‘yeah I hear you talking.’ I’m smiling, I’m laughing, and it’s not even a reflective conversation about both of our verses. It’s just a part of us working together – you know, he’s a great artist and I was really honored to have him apart of that. In the part of the show, it’s real spontaneous because a lot of people didn’t even know he was on the remix. When that part comes out, it’s like “Wow”. It’s like all a part of being an artist. We’re working together. It’s a part of what we do. It’s just how it is.

Lexilex: What’s going on with the Diamond Doll Foundation? Are you still working on that?

Trina: Yes, I actually am. I’m doing the second annual event this year. I’m really excited about that. I’m excited to see all of the new activities that we’re planning out and all of the new girls. It’s a fun day; nothing too serious. It’s just a lot of open conversation about life as young girls growing, education and career wise, teen pregnancy, and abuse. There are so many topics of things that girls have to face growing up. I’m just excited this time around to see what’s new and to see what everyone has going on in their lives. I want to see how many people have excelled. I’m interested in hearing their stories, you know, just being able to have a good time with some girls and being able to open up and have fun.

Lexilex: I respect you for doing that as well. At the same time…One can easily say ‘Trina has a potty mouth’ due to some of the topics discussed in your music from sex, relationships, to everyday living. Do you feel like your music justifies your personality or is it just creative writing for you?

Trina: I think music is just a definition of being creative. The things that I talk about in music are a reflection of everyday life. Everything that I’ve talked about has been in someone’s life and their entertaining that. Rather they like to admit it or not, to each its own. It’s just about being real. I’m a realist. I don’t live in a fake world; I live in a real world. I deal with real life issues like any other woman. I don’t feel any different. I don’t speak for anybody else. Through experience, life, and every day obstacles and what comes my way, that’s what I address myself when I’m in the studio making music. If I want to have fun, being sexy, being raw, grimy, romantic, loved, partying – whatever I am in the mood for, that’s what I bring out in the studio. It’s just music. It changes every day. As a person, you change every day. With me traveling, performing, and meeting people all over the world, being in this industry, I’ve been in a lot of situations where I’ve lost a lot of people on the way. There are so many different things that happen in your life, so to me, those are the things that I speak about. I don’t, I’m not a person, who shoots guns or promotes violence. That’s not my M.O. I don’t talk about those things. I talk about the things that is relative to me and that is relative to a lot of things that I see going on around me. It’s a lot of things that I see from being in and out of town, on the road, the things that I see in different arenas, clubs, whatever. Whatever the case may be its reality.

Lexilex: While getting back to the music and being a female in a male dominated industry, how does it make you feel when other chicks try to step to another chick and tare her down?

Trina: I think, to me, its wack. That’s my personal opinion of it. I just feel like we as women, we gotta be strong. Regardless to if you’re in the industry or a regular person with a 9 to 5 job. It comes with egos. It comes with jealousy. It comes with envy. It comes with somebody having something to say. You hear more chicks knocking down another chick then you would hear another dude knocking down another dude. It’s just the way it is. That’s the way society makes it. I just feel like you know, do you and handle your business. Take control of whatever it is that you’re doing and pave the way for yourself; make a name for yourself. Spend that energy elsewhere instead of trying to talk down about somebody else because you’re so busy trying to do what you’re trying to do.

Like most that are born into impoverished neighborhoods filled with crime, poverty, and desperation itching at their finger tips, serving time is a part of life. This couldn’t be truer for Atlanta’s own ALFAMEGA. After growing up in the first housing project in the United States of America, ALFAMEGA was familiar with the justice system by nine years old. While seeing first hand that you’re born with the odds stacked against you, he also learned that if he wanted something he had to go out to get it. That’s exactly what he did, too. Even if it was something as simple as stealing a box of Twinkies, if he wanted it, he went for it. After being inspired by the early culture of Hip-Hop in the mid-1980s, ALFAMEGA realized that he too could be fly like LL COOL J, Kool Moe Dee, and Run DMC. Unfortunately, the road to riches wasn’t as glamorous as it seemed as he was forced to serve time in the penitentiary. Recently, Lexilex had the opportunity to catch up with Grand Hustle’s own ALFAMEGA to discuss how influential his jail time was for him. Here’s what he had to say:

Lexilex: What’s going on? I am so glad to see that you have a sense of humor because when I see you out and about at industry events in Atlanta, you always look like you’re going to punch somebody in the nose!

ALFAMEGA: (laughs) People always get it twisted. I just said that. When I’m by myself, I be looking and watching people. I watch their reactions.

Lexilex: You know, I saw you at Bloodraw’s DJ music appreciation party. I was going to speak to you then but I was afraid that you were going to pistol whip me just for looking at you so I kept it moving. (laughs)

ALFAMEGA: Pistol whip you? Oh my, God! Good Lord! (laughs) That’s another charge! Nah, ask your people about me. We took some pictures at the Ozone awards. They know I’m cool.

Lexilex: What’s been going on with you, lately?

ALFAMEGA: Aye man, I am on my grind. You know, I gotta get it. I have eight children.

Lexilex: Wow! Okay!

ALFAMEGA: Yeah, that’s what they all say, Woooooow! (laughs)

Lexilex: Tell me about your project, I Am ALFAMEGA.

ALFAMEGA: I have the album coming out October 14^th on Grand Hustle Records/ Capitol Records. It’s called, I Am ALFAMEGA. It’s business as usual. “Uh huh” is the name of my first single. It’s produced by Nitti and it figures Tip. It’s on my MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/alphamega) so tell a friend to tell a friend to tell a friend that ALFAMEGA is back at it again.

Lexilex: Okay, let’s talk about your past for a second. While in prison, you’ve managed to keep track exactly of the time – 7 years, 4 days, 5 hours, 32 minutes and 16 long ass seconds – that you were in jail. What was that experience like for you?

ALFAMEGA: It was hell. It was really living hell. It made me strong. It made me who I am today. I wouldn’t change anything about it because I took the negative and make it into something positive.

Lexilex: During that time you wrote 1700 songs, had them registered and copy written. Are any of those songs on this album?

ALFAMEGA: Yes ma’am I did. The most touching song that’s going to be on this album is called “Imagine.” It starts out as a letter that turns into a poem that ends up in a song. I wrote it when I was in a housing unit up in prison. It’s called the ‘hole,’ ‘shoe’, ‘block’, whatever you want to call it. It’s giving eyes to people who have never been in that situation before to know what it is really like. When you hear it, you’re going to be like ‘damn!’ you’re going to feel like you’re there. I am giving you not just my side of it but anyone who is incarcerated side to it. That’s why I call it “Imagine.” People used to ask me why I was so angry when I would call home, ‘why are you so angry? Why you always in fights? Why are you always in the hole?’ and all I can say was ‘can you imagine what I am going through?

Lexilex: What did you actually go to jail for?

ALFAMEGA: I went to jail for being a knucklehead. I broke the law. I was J-walking on a Tuesday night. (burst into laughter)

Lexilex: You’re so silly!

ALFAMEGA: But you’re laughing though. Now, you can tell everyone that ALFAMEGA is a cool dude. If you ever see me fighting then it’s because someone has really done something to me.

Lexilex: Being that you’re from the first housing projects ever, do you feel like that experience has shaped you into the artist that you are today?

ALFAMEGA: It helped shaped me not only as an artist, but as a human. Being that I am from Techwood – big shot out to Techwood – I am from 118 Pine Street apartment number 4. (laughs)

Lexilex: Now let me ask you something. Today, we see more and more studio created and glamorized thugs in this business. How do you feel about those types of lifestyles that people, such as yourself, actually come from?

ALFAMEGA: I really can’t blame them. Everybody wants to be something that they’re not. Growing up, I wanted to be Captain America. I was little though. Then I got older and I wanted to be like LL Cool J. I couldn’t be like him but I could dress like him. Then I got a little older and I wanted him to be like me. It’s all about if the person is comfortable with themselves. For someone to want to be like someone else then they might not be so comfortable with themselves because they have that influence coming in from somewhere else. You have to also blame the powers that be too.

Lexilex: How did you and T.I. become friends?

ALFAMEGA: That’s my potna, that’s like my brother. We come from the same side of town. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t think anybody can question what I say. I don’t mean that in a negative way either. We knew some of the same people. Some of the same people that groomed him, I grew up with them. When I was with Universal Records, Block – shout out to Block Entertainment, hooked it up where I could do a song with Tip. It was a mutual understanding though because I was the only dude that had a song with Tip and Lil Flip together. This was at a time when they were beefing. When I got out of my deal with Universal, Tip found out I was a free agent. He shook my hand. We didn’t sign any contracts. He just said, ‘Welcome to Grand Hustle.’ He said, ‘I am the King, and you are the muscle.’ He said that people needed to hear my story.

Lexilex: Now, you once had a record deal with Universal Records. The album was shelved due to creative differences. What was that experience like? Where any of the (1700) songs on that album?

ALFAMEGA: The songs that I wrote weren’t even on the album. I went and did all new songs. It was frustrating because I wanted to come out but it was a blessing in disguise. I always look at things differently. I can get mad or upset. Then when I get by myself I think. You have to understand I was in an environment where I had to think. I thought about it and saw that it was something up with that deal but I didn’t let it stop me. Just because one person doesn’t sign me in six months doesn’t mean that someone else will not sign me.

Lexilex: Now that you’ve been with Grand Hustle for a while, what do you hope to gain out of this experience? What do you hope to achieve with this project?

ALFAMEGA: I want the people to know I am human. My thing is to bring reality back to music. I don’t mean reality in a negative way. I just mean it’s cool to party, it’s cool to floss and bust head, but when they cut the lights on and scream last call for alcohol, you have to come back down to reality. You have to go home. You have to pay bills. You have to go to work. Another thing, I want to show dudes how to be grown men; instead of being grown males. Just because you’re of a certain age doesn’t mean you’re an adult.

Lexilex: Do you have any features on the album besides T.I.? Or unique productions?

ALFAMEGA: Yeah, I have a song with 8Ball, MJG, Bun B, a hook with Pimp C. B.G., Jeezy, the Outlaws. I’m waiting for Lil’ Kim to give me an intro for this song called, “Never Be Me”. It’s crazy because the people who are like you within the media come to the studio, get to know me, listen to my music and they compare me a lot to Biggie and Pac. They say I’m a combination of the two. We all share the same sign, Geminis.

Lexilex: How does that feel to be compared to the two greatest rap legends of all time?

ALFAMEGA: At first, I was like aye man, don’t do that to me. Then I say, aye man it must be something. It was meant to be. God don’t make mistakes. He put me in a position to put those thoughts in the media’s head. Therefore it must be something he meant for it to happen.

Lexilex: So the next time you’re back at home in the “A” I can come and check you out.

ALFAMEGA: Yeah, call me.

Lexilex: Aside from this album, what’s next for you?

ALFAMEGA: I just did a movie called, Make It Rain. It’s produced by Snoop and Daz Dilligener. I have the star role.

Lexilex: Oh really?

ALFAMEGA: Oh really! Yeah, ya boy is coming on up in the world. I’m like the Jeffersons.

Lexilex: So we’re going to see some facial expressions instead of the mean mug all the time?

ALFAMEGA: You’re going to see some of everything. You might even see a scene that is going to make you call me at two in the morning! (laughs)

Lexilex: I have to be honest with you Khia; I don’t want you to think that I’m attacking you.

Khia: Well you should know that you can never attack me.

Lexilex: Well I just wanted to say that because I think that I have misjudged you… However, I wanted to do this interview with you because after seeing you on Ms. Rap Supreme, I felt that I had been misjudging you. I’ll tell you why. Although you’ve been doing your thing for a while now, it seems like the press never pick up on you in a story unless it’s controversial. Therefore, my question to you is do you feel like people are always misjudging you?

Khia: That’s definitely what’s it’s been. It’s backfiring, even if it is going both ways in the form of a love-hate relationship, either way it is still promotion. Thank you for asking me though because drama sells.

Lexilex: Do you think that people deserve to see the more laid back, professional Khia more so than the labeled ‘shit starter’ Khia, like I’m seeing today?

Khia: You know what though; the real people know the difference. I can’t continue to talk to deaf ears. You understand it or you don’t – of course, the media is going to build you up to tare you down. I’m comfortable with where I am. I’m promoting myself, my music, and it’s all independent. My fan base, that is within the south, know the difference, because they will definitely make you out to looking like something that you are not.

Lexilex: Before the reality show, you’re known for saying that the controversy is free promotion for you. Even though they aired the episode where you were disqualified last night, have you seen an increase or decrease in your credibility?

Khia: Oh girl, it helped increased it. That was the best promotion I ever had. I had so much fun and it did exactly what it was supposed to do. Everybody is talking about Khia. It helped increased it for my fans who wanted to see me for the people who haven’t seen me and for those who have wondered where I was. They had the opportunity to see me. For me to be able to perform “Respect Me”, the ring tones sales have gone up tremendously, people are going to pick up the “You’re My Girl” album. There are so many messages that go beyond the “My Neck My Back”. I’ve touched so many people who have had issues with their mom and have lost their mom, and wanted to go pick up the album. There are a lot of people who are robots. They listen to the media to tell them who’s hot and whatnot. That has been in the blind. I called them ‘delayed’. For the people who have been wondering where I’ve been, it’s like ‘there she goes.’ For those who thought I was dead, it was like ‘she’s risen’. For those who thought all I had was “My Neck, My Back” it’s like ‘no, this is her third album, and sixth mix tape.’ It didn’t do anything but increased my sells, fans, and was a great marketing tool for Nasti Muzik. I love every minute of it.

Lexilex: You’ve stated that you have two beautiful children, for those who might wonder, do you feel as though you’re setting a good example for our children?

Khia: Yes! Oh yes. I teach them to be strong and not to take NO shit. It doesn’t matter what you look like, if you’re different –if you’re Punkie Brewster or the outcast – don’t let other girls or boys judge you or make you feel bad like you ain’t beautiful or cute. If they need to be chastised, chastise them because I will. Sometimes we have to treat our children how to fight. Not everybody raise their children wrong. There are some children who love Khia. They know when to bleep it out and what’s for them to listen to and what’s not for them to listen to. What I represent is strength, and they respect that.

Lexilex: Now, I have to give you mad props. You’ve been facilitating a lot of things within your career for yourself – a lot of things that most people don’t know about. Tell us why people who might have had the same perceptions of you should respect you, or at least, look at you differently from what their reading on the MySpace blogs?

Khia: A lot of people are just now catching up to me like, ‘oh I get it’. Let them catch up to what’s going on now because this has been going on since 2002. I use MySpace and every avenue that I can to promote myself which is why I’ve been around so long without the use of a machine and team to do it. With all the hate, negativity, whatever it’s the streets that love me and keeping me a float. For me to write a blog, after all of the websites and media have picked and chosen their stories without me being involved, it was like me saying, ‘here fans this is the real’. I’m sure that they would rather here it from me than from them. Now, they’re looking forward to it. Everything that they try to use against me, I use for me.

Lexilex: Now, Khia, I have to be honest. I wouldn’t be a journalist if I didn’t ask you this. What’s the story with you and Lil’ Wayne?

Khia: ooh! (sounding as if I hit a touchy subject) Everybody (chopped speech) – that’s my baby. Make sure you get The Carter 3! I don’t really talk about my personal life as far as my kids and other things are concerned. Everybody knows what’s up, much love. I’m his #1 fan.

Lexilex: You can answer this yes or no – is the song ‘Lollypop’ about you?

Khia: Yes.

Lexilex: Okay, I just wanted to ask because I thought I’ve picked up on that but didn’t want to conclude the wrong assumptions…moving along, why did you feel the need to buy Trina’s album and critique it in your MySpace blog?

Khia: She put a diss record out on me. Why put out a diss record – I was like why is this girl talking about me… I went to get the album to see if it was on there and it wasn’t. She was circulating the diss record as false promo for the album. I bought all of her albums – go buy mines. Out of all of them, this one was weak. Therefore, I was like instead of me doing another diss record –since you can rewind the first one since hers didn’t get any better – let me just do a review of her album. You can do the same for mines because I’m not in the business to write diss records. Trina put hers out first, and I made mines. I said what I said about her because she put hers out first, so I put out ‘Hit Her Up’ then she put out another… I was just like ‘you know what, I am a musician, I’m an artist, I don’t write diss records. It’s like buy the album. I did it and then I did the review instead of the diss record. She didn’t deserve the first diss record that I did because really it wasn’t for her, it was for the dude who did the ghost writing for her, that I know, so tell him to come up from behind that pen. All my facts are straight…. All you want to talk about is my dreads and my titties – which are lovely. We done heard it before so is that all ya’ll can say?

Lexilex: What’s up with you and Wendy Williams?

Khia: She is a Trina fan because they have a lot in common… trifling! She hated by giving me a lot of free promotion in the Hip-Hop Weekly and on her radio show. My fans are my biggest supporters. Anything that they want to know, they will let me know or ask about it. Here I come like ‘what’s going on?’ (sounding like she’s clueless – pretty hilarious) and they’ve taped Wendy going off on me in the Hip-Hop weekly, etc. I’m like why is Wendy attacking me when I’ve been on her show plenty of times. It was all love. One of them undercover haters – if I’m for you I’m for you. Don’t try to smile in my face like everything is cool and try to use me. Then behind my back, you want to hate. The same thing with Janet. Let me know so that I’ll know that I don’t have to do you, and I don’t have to deal with you. I took the blog out on Wendy because it was more like ‘Wendy, I thought me and you was cool’ so I had to check Wendy in the blog!

Lexilex: Would you like to clarify what happened between you and Janet?

Khia: I felt disrespected because I’m a realist. I’m a Janet fan, much love to her. When it came time to do the video, and the promo, she hated. I don’t really do features because I don’t respect women as artist. I do my own music. For that reason, a lot of people go and get collaborations because they want to use other people fan base to help sell their records. I felt like that’s what she did. She called me, it was all love. When I got to the studio, she acted like she was fan talking about how she loved the song, ‘My Neck, My Back’. She wanted me to be on her album. I write the song, she loves it. I went to the video shoot, she loves it. Everything is Khia, Khia, Khia – everything is great. When the video aired, I had been edited out. I was on the TV, which was not the way the video was originally shot. Which means to me that in my face, everything was all good but behind my back, she was hating. It was like ‘oh no, this is my video, it’s on the song, I’m Janet Jackson, and that’s it.’ Well if she respected me as an artist, it would have been like ‘Well Khia, I respect what you doing, you’re an independent artist, I want to help you. I called you to be on my record, I want you to be in my video.’ That let me know she was hating. It’s more so like I’ve used you, I got what I needed, BYE. Even though I got my money – don’t get me wrong – if I knew she felt like that then I wouldn’t have done it because it’s not about the money.

Lexilex: Why did you decide to do the reality show?

Khia: To promote myself with my new album about to drop. I’ve already made up my mind that I wanted to go and promote myself. From a business stand point, why would I go on there with a bunch of amateurs who haven’t done anything? The judges haven’t done anything. How can they critique me? In my mind, it was use this time like promote your music. Nobody else got it. It was like ‘Oh, why is Khia on there?’ and it’s like because the show was on VH1. VH1 goes into millions of households. I’m going on here to promote my music and myself. Everybody was like ‘oh she already made it’. No, I never signed a contract. I never had a major deal. That made me eligible to be on the show. Just because ya’ll put me up there with some of the big dogs, that comes from straight street grinding.

Lexilex: Have you resolved your issues with Ms. Cherry?

Khia: No, she’s just young and ignorant. It’s like ‘do something’. Everybody knows that I’m not a one-hit wonder. She’s from the south, she knows. If she was from New York, I could say, oh well you don’t know any better but she does. She was putting on for the TV and I checked her. She simmered down, she knows better.

Lexilex: What inspired you to write a book of poetry? Again, the average person doesn’t get this perception of you so what would make them want to go and buy your book.

Khia: Now with the blogs and my first book, ‘Gangster Love’, it’s like seeing that people are like she CAN be a creative writer. It’s like duh! I’m a writer, I don’t just write music, I write stories, plays, all that. I’m a writer. Now it’s like everybody is like ‘okay… okay…’ but to my fans it’s still entertainment. Everything is going to be juicy because it’s me. I can sell anything to them because it is me and they respect me. Some people get it and some people don’t but that’s what I do.

Lexilex: Let’s talk about this album, what can the fans expect? The cover is hot!

Khia: I know I’ve made it back to Africa. This album is going to seal the deal with the music composer, producer, and artist. It’s not just all Hip-Hop and rap. I created melodies, bridges, blinds, and harmonies. It’s anymore hooks like it was before. It’s music… not just a bunch of metaphors put together.

Lexilex: With your single, ‘Be Your Lady’ was that energy put into that? I love that record.

Khia: Yes, yes, yes…

Lexilex: Any features on the album?

Khia: No.

Lexilex: What is something you’re looking forward to the most with this album?

Khia: Touring with my band. I have a band with this album so to be able to do young and old folks – it’s exciting. I am thirty years old. With the live music with the Hip-Hop and blend, it’s a new level. I’m in a new category all by myself.

Lexilex: Any lasting comments – maybe to those who misunderstood you?

Khia: It’s not too many real people anymore. You have leaders and you have followers. You have kings, queens, and you have peasants. The people who recognize who the real is, and for those who are easily persuaded by the powers whatever that may be, I don’t need to accept them. I don’t need them to understand me, for those who do, that are what’s up. I’m trying to lead my hood, the youth, uplift my company, and make it through the struggle. I dedicate my projects to the fans. I do all kinds of shout-outs and inserts to the fans. They are excited to see if their name made it. I used some of their skits so they’re waiting to hear that. My relationship with my fans are deep. A lot of artist don’t take time to see what’s up with their fans and I do. Everything I have is because of them, so Nasti Muzik 08 is for the fans.

Lexilex: What would you say to the women who are out here wanting to make it but is doing it the wrong way since you’ve done it your way by yourself?

Khia: Love yourself hoe, which is the name of my book. You can’t be out here doing different things with different people and don’t think that they do not want something else in return. Do things for yourself. You have to chase your dreams and make them happen for yourself. You can’t trust people. People have secret motives. You have to definitely take control of your own situation and know that hard work does pay off. Work hard. I enjoy being independent and being in control of me and being the boss of me. You’ll reap more blessings like that.

Lexilex: Well Khia, thank you very much for speaking with me. I really appreciate it, and good luck with everything.

Khia: Yes, thank you… I’ll being checking out the website.

Less than five years ago, Shawty Lo wasn’t even a rapper. Now, he’s the BET’s Rookie of the Year recipient. However prior to releasing his debut album Units in the City, Carlos Walker was facing many different challenges. While facing twenty to forty years of jail time and battling diabetes, Shawty Lo realized there has got to be something else better in life. He began to invest his money into D4L Records, where he would be the CEO. However, shortly after his return from his one year sentence, he began to try his luck at being an official rapper. He recorded his song “I’m the Man” which gained a lot of attention from media and fans all over the nation. And of course, his “beef” with T.I. has helped gain him a lot of exposure as well. Recently, I got a chance to finally sit down with Shawty Lo to talk about what really happened at the Dirty Awards, how the beef with T.I. started, and to see how his life has been since finding out he is a diabetic.

Lexilex: What’s up, Shawty Lo? What’s going on? You’re a busy man to catch up with. I’ve been trying to talk to you since last December. What’s been going on?

Shawty Lo: I’ve just been out here grinding and working hard.

Lexilex: Now, you know I have to ask you. What in the world happened at the Dirty Awards? I thought the conflict had been resolved.

Shawty Lo: It’s really unfortunate that it happened. I regret that it happened. Things just totally got out of hand. I want it to be over cause it’s really nothing to be beefing over. It’s not even worth it.

Lexilex: How did the “beef” with T.I. even start in the first place?

Shawty Lo: It started a while ago around 2006. I had asked him if he wanted to get on a track that I had with me. He told me he would do it. After a minute, I asked his people what was up. They told me he wasn’t doing it. I was like alright, cool. I guess he heard the song “King.” Next thing I know, he releases a song called “Big Shit Popping” where he disses me. “I was king and the niggas started laughing at him, same sucka niggas want the king on the track with them.” Then, I did “Dun Done it All.” After that time, he caught his case, and I fell off with it. At that time, my music was getting a lot of attention so I just let it go. , I never said his name and he never said my name. But when he got out of jail, he went on the radio station saying my name and it went from there. I never mentioned his name on my album once.

Lexilex: Now you’re originally from Atlanta, and Bankhead representative. Do you feel as though T.I. help paved the way for rappers such as yourself that’s from Atlanta and who represent Bankhead as well?

Shawty Lo: I never said that he didn’t put Bankhead on the map because he has. He’s just not from Bankhead.

Lexilex: Let’s talk about D4L for a minute. You guys had major success with your hits “Laffy Taffy” and “Betcha can’t do it like me”. Will we ever hear another record from D4L? Or, is everyone just doing their own thing?

Shawty Lo: You know what I don’t know. People wanted to make it seem like Fabo was the group and he wasn’t the group by himself. He’s supposed to be working on a solo album, now.

Lexilex: Do you feel like songs such as “Laffy Taffy” hurt your street credibility?

Shawty Lo: Nah, I don’t because I wasn’t a rapper then. I was still in prison when I called home and they told me they had a hit. Initially, I was on some CEO type of stuff. I wasn’t trying to be a rapper. They did the record “Betcha Can’t Do It Like Me”. When I first heard it, I was like ‘ya’ll crazy talking about some Laffy Taffy,’ but it was a hit. It wasn’t until 2005 early 2006 when I did the song “I’m the man” and I just kept going from there. The people wanted to hear more music from me. I came home (from prison) that I actually started trying to make something positive out of something negative. I wasn’t trying to go back to the streets.

Lexilex: A few months ago, you won BET’s Rookie of the Year award. How did that make you feel?

Shawty Lo: That made me feel really good that people were acknowledging me for my music and the hard work I’ve put in. It was an honor.

Lexilex: You’re known and seen all around Atlanta. Do you find yourself being bombarded with people asking you to check out their music? Or asking for help with trying to get a deal? What do you do?

Shawty Lo: I just try to keep it real with them. I try to give them pointers on how to be successful. I tell them they have to work hard to get that hit record. You’ve got to have that hit single that people want to hear. You have to get the streets behind you first.

Lexilex: Who are other artists in the game that you respect? Who do you listen to?

Shawty Lo: My number one favorite artist is Jay-Z. My second is Lil’ Wayne.

Lexilex: You’re a known diabetic, which is a prevalent disease in our community. You have participated in the American Diabetes Association walk. Do you ever see yourself doing public service announcements to bring awareness to it?

Shawty Lo: You know, by me really being from the hood I have to take some speech classes because I don’t want to half step with it, I take this seriously. But I am working on my public speaking skills now. I am launching a diabetes health network so that I can help other people struggling with the illness. We are also working on doing a lot more within the community and at homeless shelters. I’ve done huge community days in Bankhead with free haircuts and face paintings for kids. I’ve given away groceries for those who are diabetic. I do a lot but I don’t do it for publicity. A lot of what I do goes unnoticed and that’s fine with me, as long as I’m helping somebody.

Lexilex: What’s next for Shawty Lo? You’re like the new remix king. Is there a new album coming soon?

Shawty Lo: Right now, I’m working on my book and a movie. And both are going to be about my life. It’s going to be called Carlos. I’m going to break it down year by year and let the people know everything. I am in the beginning stages but I hope to have it out by the time the album drops. Right now, the album is scheduled to drop around March 24^th, but that’s not for certain yet. I have a new mix tape out I’m the Man 2K9 with DJ Scream. I have my group Costra Nostra. I have my artists Mook B and Stuntman. I’m just working on a lot of things.

Lexilex: I’ve heard a few new tracks, are those songs from the new mix tape or album?

Shawty Lo: Which ones did you hear?

Lexilex: The one with Trey Songs and Lil’ Wayne.

Shawty Lo: That’s from the album, it’s called “Supplier”.

Lexilex: Will Shawty Lo ever have an official YouTube channel? You seem to have a lot of videos on the internet.

Shawty Lo: You know what? I’ve never really thought about it.

Lexilex: Where can your fans check you out?

Shawty Lo: myspace.com/therealshawtyLO

Lexilex: Any lasting comments?

Shawty Lo: Thanks to everybody who’s supported me. I really appreciate it.

Eminem interview with Angela Yee and Kay Slay at his book release party last night. He confirms that the title of his next album will be Relapse and claims that it’s coming out by the end of this year.

Eminem Shade45 Interview Pt 1

Eminem Shade45 Interview Pt 2

Download: Eminem Shade45 Interview Pt 1, Eminem Shade45 Interview Pt 2

Yes more Jim Jones fuckery, as if his last little tirade wasn’t even he’s back at it again.

Now that you and Cam aren’t really on good terms, is there regret on your part that you went to bat for Cam and got into a beef with Nas?
Nah. F*ck Nas. I don’t give a f*ck about Nas. He’s a rapper that just lost his pizazz. When I was in high school, he was the sh*t. He was the n*gg* that got us hype. “New York State Of Mind,” Illmatic, and all of that.

Is there any possibility of a reconciliation?
What kind of reconciliation? I was never cool with him. I seen Nas a few months ago in L.A with Dame. We was staying in this hotel right above the Ferrari Dealership. Dame seen him and was talking to him. I was laying back on a couch laughing. He didn’t know what to do. I was looking dead at him. [Laughs]. And then Dame was like, “You know Jim?” He started [stammering], “Ah? Ah?” Dame is just burnt out. He not thinking about none of that frivolous [beef] sh*t. Me neither for the most part. Nas was never on my level ever. Ever.

Full Interview: Rhapsody

C’mon Jimmy…SMH, headline gangsters……..anything to stay in the headlines huh?

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Roc-A-Fella artist Memphis Bleek was recently interviewed  by Jabari Johnson where he talks about how he is flexing his own business skills, outside of what his mentor Jay-Z has done for him. The rapper talks about what he has been doing since his last album was out in ’05, titled 534

“What I’ve been doing now is building my empire, my imprint. My Get Low thing…Roc-A-Fella for life,” Bleek said. “Even though Roc-A-Fella’s in the blood, [Jay] gave me the opportunity to step out and make Get Low Records for my own company—and really get all the proceeds, make all the money from my projects. And I don’t think nobody right now, nobody’s boss would let them do that in the position I’m in and still be on stage with them touring.”

He also spoke about how he didn’t want to tail on Jay-Z with his whole Live Nation deal so he could become his own boss.

“The whole thing came about when I spoke to Hov, he’s moving everything off of Def Jam and about to start off his Roc Nation thing,” Bleek continued. “My idea was like, ‘Cool, you leaving Def Jam, let me get the opportunity to experience life on my own, for a minute. Let me branch out. This’ll be the best time for me to step out that shadow.”

Related:Memphis Bleek Talks About His Relationship with Jay-Z

So finally the fat boy mans up and show us he has some gonads left, as if we cared that you use to be a CO in the first place, what we cared about was you not having any integrity to at least admit it when you are confronted with evidence, no matter how high up you get life will always provide proof to show that you are still human – words to live by.

Say Officer Ross

“Yes. It’s me.” He also added, “I never tried to hide my past. I put my name inside my cds. My company has my SS#. I could’ve put a company name… I done been up and I done been down and that’s what makes me what I am. I never ratted on a nigga. I never prosecuted a nigga. I never locked up a nigga, that’s first and foremost. I always felt that me being the nigga that I am, I never owed a nigga an explanation… When I’m making my music and I’m talking about blow, it’s because I did it. When I say that I’m rich off cocaine, it’s because i did it. Those are the street principals that apply.”

Okay so now you’ve admitted it but still you couldn’t tell the truth and nothing but the truth huh? So now your saying you never denied it, did any body else read that or am I just tripping? So this video we had posted up of you denying it and I quote “na that’s not true” is just a figment of our imagination, just for that I’m not lifting that officer title until new years. Man these rappers are some characters man, Hip Hop is like a Soap Opera that we can’t stop watching.

More on this officer Ross check the Rick Ross Exposed archives.

Source:DefSounds

It’s Like I’m The Only One Awake In This World Of Dreams – Omar West

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Not in the loop go here: Joe Budden vs Royce The 5’9

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“Tha Carter IV is nice,” he said about his next in-store LP, “but you need to be looking for Dedication 3. Me and DJ Drama are going back at it. Gangsta Grillz. I’m showcasing my whole clique — the Young Money family. And three months after that, I got 30 more [songs], and we’re gonna give them away for free — as I always do — on my Web site.”

Source: MTV

As long as Wayne lays off the auto-tune and doesn’t oversaturate himself I can fux with him….

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50 Cent and Robert De Niro speak on there upcoming movie “Righteous Kill”, check is out and give us your feedback.

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He says he hasn’t heard a wack A Millie freestyle yet. Says Lil Mama and Jay’s versions are his favorites.

He didn’t know “Dr. Carter” was on the album. Says the beat was originally for Jay-Z.

He says he thinks Jay Electronica is nice and would be willing to work with him.

Calls out Eminem, says he wants to do a song with him.

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