Huey Mack - Interview

Jarrett - How did you start rapping and who influenced you?

Huey Mack - i honestly dont even remember i always loved music and just picked up a pen one day , id say Kanye, hes probly the most influential musician of the decade in my opinion

Jarrett - What excludes you from the other rappers out there right now

Huey Mack - Alot of things i'd say, I have so many different styles, some days ill go in the stu and put some autotune on and see what i come up with, sometimes i go in and i sing by myself, or sometimes ill just be in the mood to go straight rap, and i feel that alot of people are afraid to do that, because they are afraid people will talk and say they arent a dope mc because they sing or use autotune, but at the end of the day its all about making good music to me not about impressing rap critics.

Jarrett - If you could do a song with any rapper dead or alive who would it be? and why

Huey Mack - thats a tough one, but i'd have to say Kanye, but not the Kanye we see now I'm talking College Dropout ye

Jarrett - Who's your favorite rapper you worked with?

Huey Mack - well Im going to have to say Bow Wow he's really the only big one ive worked with, he coached me alot hes a real cool dude very down to earth

Jarrett - Do you have any upcoming projects?

Huey Mack - Ya two actually Wish Me Luck drops May 9th, that will be my first mixtape, but then in August im dropping one called W.O.R.R.Y (Wrong or right remain yourself) i feel like that will be the one that really impresses people because of the message it brings.

Jarrett - What song do your currently play on repeat all the time?

Huey Mack - G'd Up by Wiz Khalifa, crazy song right there, Wiz is about to do crazy things

Jarrett - Any upcoming shows?

Huey Mack - Ya, May 9th at 123 Pleasant Street in Morgantown,WV mixtape release party

Jarrett - Any shout outs?

Huey Mack - Big Jerm my engineer, producer, dude has helped me so much

Jarrett - Anything else you wanna say?

Huey Mack - DOWNLOAD WISH ME LUCK MAY 9TH lol, follow the twitter @hueymack , or add me on facebook, and thanks it was my pleasure

Jones Andrews - Interview

Diego - What are your expectations for The PRE PreFace? and do you think they will be met?

Jones Andrews - My expectations were to create a diverse project that displays an array of emotions and styles. I wanted to showcase my versatility as a lyricist and a songwriter, while staying true to myself. To answer the second part, I think the expectations will be met. So far many people have heard the "The PRE PreFace" and most of them all like different songs and that was a part of my goal as well. I didn't want to create a project that had one song that everybody was feeling v.s. a project with a little bit of something for everyone.

Diego - Whats your favorite beat that you have rapped over?

Jones Andrews - My favorite beat that I rapped over was Lupe Fiasco's "I'm Beaming" the beat is just so smooth and perfect for telling a story. The track "Still Dreaming" that I did over that instrumental is one of my favorite tracks on the Project.

Diego - what do you think about the hip-hop/rap scene in NC and what does the future have in store for it?

Jones Andrews - The NC hip hop scene is different than most hip hop scenes in my opinion. I feel that more than other region/city there is a more diverse pool of artists here. Its just that most of the artists that are known from here on a small/large scale are the drug dealing/trapping/make it rain type of artists. With that being said I feel that this year and in the years to come the underground and more lyrical NC artists will start to be recognized and get the respect they deserve. I feel that Little Brother and J. Cole are just the beginning of the NC True Emcee Movement.

Diego - What's your favorite songs that people wouldn't think you'd like?

Jones Andrews - I have a lot of those....hmm let's start with My Chemical Romance "I'm Not Okay" & "The Black Parade". Also FloBots "Handlebars" and I listen to a lot of 3OH!3 and Weezer. Also Linkin Park & ColdPlay are in heavy Rotation.

Jarrett - How did you start rapping and who influenced you?

Jones Andrews - I started rapping when I was 11 but I really didn't get serious until about the 10th grade though. I used to write a lot of poetry to help deal with the stress of having to move from NJ to the small town of Roanoke Rapids, NC where I didn't know anyone but my grandmother who stayed next door. Once I got to high school the kids used to have rap battles and freeystle cyphers during lunch and I was curious so I started freestyling and it just came natural and I basically been rapping ever since. Some of my influences include, Jay-Z, Notorious B.I.G, Kanye West, Little Brother, Wu-Tang, Nas, and Lupe Fiasco and I can't leave out Michael Jackson.

Jarrett - What excludes you from the other rappers out there right now

Jones Andrews - I think what makes me different is unlike most artists I don't shy away from the personal issues that I'm dealing with in life, I rather embrace them. I would say that I wear my emotions on my Musical Sleeve...lol. Whether it be rapping about drinking to deal with the stress I'm going through on a day to day basis or to wishing I had a sibling to help deal with my fathers alcoholism when I was younger. It's never a time where I write a line and say nah I can't use that "its too real". I have an anything goes approach to my music because I want my music to be a reflection of me so when I'm no longer living my music will be my biography and not a book someone else wrote.

Jarrett - If you could do a song with any rapper dead or alive who would it be? and why

Jones Andrews - Well if I could do a song with any rapper that is alive right now it would be Lupe Fiasco because I feel he is the best rapper in the game right now. And also one of the most versatile artists as well. Now if I had to choose a rapper that is dead it would be Tupac because dude was so real and held nothing back and I feel that is what I try to do with my music. So I guess my dream collab would be a, Lupe Fiasco, Tupac & Jones Andrews track...wishful thinking...lol

Jarrett - You say your a "Sports Fanatic" what teams do you follow?

Jones Andrew - Yeah I love sports. Originally being from NJ I follow all of the teams in Philly accept for the 76ers. But as I child I used to go to a lot of Eagles and 76ers games. I am a huge Brian Westbrook fan and I just found out the other day that the Eagles released him...smh I lie to you not I almost called the Eagles Front Office and asked for an explantion...lol. My favorite basketball teams are the Mav's & Lakers and my two favorite players are Dirk and Kobe.

Jarrett - Any Shout Outs?

Jones Andrews - Yeah, I gotta send a shout out first to the big homie upstairs, GOD for giving me the ability to make music and waking me up everyday. Also big shouts to all the blogs that show me love, YNotMyDream,HailMegatron.net,TheHipHopEffect.com, itsaraprogo.comKevinNottingham andSentells.Blogspot.com I could go on forever but I'll cut it short and stop there. Last big shouts to my FSM fam, my mother Charlotte Jones, and all my friends and fans who support me through everything.

Jarrett - Anything else you wanna say?

Jones Andrews - Yeah you can follow me attwitter.com/iamJonesAndrewsmyspace.com/JonesAndrewsMusic, WhoIsJonesAndrews.com& you can email me at JonesAndrewsMusic@gmail.com. Also much love to BasXmusic for the interview and feature I really appreciate it.

D.Julien - Interview

Jarrett - How did you start rapping and who influenced you?

D.Juilien - I started rapping when I was 10 years old. That was around the time I started listening to Rap music regularly and understanding the culture more. After I had an understanding, I knew this is what I wanted to do. Biggie was the artist that really influenced me to pursue at the age that I did. Listening to him, seeing his success and knowing that he's from the same borough really inspired me.

Jarrett - You have a show with Wiz Khalifa coming up soon how pumped are you for that?

D.Juilien - I'm always excited for a show. Performing is my second favorite thing to do(first being recording). To have another artist on the bill that I respect is dope. It's my first time in Ohio also. Should be a great show.

Jarrett - What excludes you from other rappers and makes you unique?

D.Juilien - There's only one D.Julien. No one can tell the experiences that I've been through, witnessed, heard & what I want to accomplish like I can. My music is real honest to me and the average person could relate. Nothing is fabricated or exaggerated and I don't curse or use the "N" word in my music. Your grandmother could listen.

Diego - Any upcoming projects?

D.Juilien - Working on my new project right now. I'm about four tracks in. It's really going to separate me from everyone completely. The overall sound is a little different from what people may expect but just stay tuned. If there was any doubt about me before, this project should clear all of that up. No release date as of yet but we'll definitely keep people updated.

Jarrett - How do you feel about the current state of hip-hop?

D.Juilien - Hip-Hop is great state right now. 2009 was a great year for Hip-Hop. It further confirmed that you can be yourself/different and still be successful.

Jarrett - If you could make a track with an rapper dead or alive who would it be?

D.Juilien - One artist I'd definitely want to collaborate with is Pharrell. Track would be insane! I think he's one of the most creative people in all of music today.

Jarrett - What song do your currently play on repeat all the time?

D.Juilien - It's actually not even a rap song. It's "Speed of Sound" by Cold Play. I listen to everything. Anything that inspires me will be listened to. That song just puts me in the right zone and takes me to a place I need to be at to achieve everything I want to.

Jarrett- Any shout outs?

D.Juilien - Shout out to everyone that supports my music. The support is definitely appreciated. Stay tuned, I have a lot of surprises! Trust me. 2010 will be great for not only me but the people that follow me. We're doing it together!

Jarrett- Anything else you wanna say?

D.Juilien - Check out www.djulienmusic.com for all updates & www.twitter.com/djulien . Shout out to you guys for the interview.

Boognights - Interview

Jarrett- What's your expectations for "New Slang"?

Boognights- I think it will do really well when it drops. A lot of dope up and coming artists are on it and I'm grateful to be featured as well. So it will definitely do well. There are a lot of big supporters on the net.

Jarrett- The New Year is fast approaching, what's your resolution?

Boognights- A resolution? I would say to keep growning as a man and a artist. Get my music out there for more ears to hear.

Jarrett- What inspires your creativity? How do you keep the music fresh and never redundant?

Boognights- I really don't know. I let the beat talk to me and tell me what to do and I just write. It's funny but it's true. I just write from the heart. I think that's where the best music comes from. I'm just true to myself.

Jarrett- What got you into rapping?

Boognights- A old friend of mine named Ambush really showed me the essense of rhyming. That's how I feel in love with it. He was a dope artist. It just stuck with me since.

Jarrett- Who are some of the people who inspired you and made you what you are today?

Boognights- There are so many people. As far as in my life it would be my mom, father, sister, brother, and Ambush. Nas, Biggie, Pac, Jay-Z, the whole Wu-Tang. Just to name a few.

Jarrett- How did you get the name "Boognights"?

Boognights- It's funny how I came up with that name. You remember the movie "Boogie Nights"? Well when I was younger in one of my verses I mentioned the character Dirk Diggler. Ever since then I kept making references about the movie. Then I would say boogie all the time. I started calling my self boogie nights and then I finally shortened it and kept it as BOOGNIGHTS. It throws people off now. I think they don't know what to expect from my music lol. But that's cool though.

Jarrett- What excludes you from other rappers and makes you unique?

Boognights- Well first I would say my name lol. I wouldn't really say that I'm different. I just think that I actually found myself as a person and a artist and I'm comfortable with me. That allows me to be myself in my art. A lot of people can't say that now a days.

Jarrett- If you could work with any rapper who would it be and why?

Boognights- I would love to work with Nas. Of course there are many, many other artists on there but he's the first that popped in my head. He's my favorite emcee and growing up I always loved his flow and tried to mimic him lol. I just love his music and I think he would be great to work with.

Jarrett- Whats your favorite track from your upcoming mixtape "New Slang"?

Boognights- I actually haven't heard the other songs yet from the mixtape.

Jarrett- Any shout outs?

Boognights- My whole family and friends. Jumpman crew. A.M.E. And anybody who believes in me and my music.

Jarrett- Anything else you wanna say?

Boognights- Make sure you go and download my free mixtape called The ARTiste. Go to myspace.com/BOOGNIGHTS andTwitter.com/BOOGNIGHTS. Look out for more to come. Much luv and peace.

We would like to say thanks again to Boognights on taking his time out and doing this interview. Much love man and keep doing what your doing cant wait for the mixtape.

Leggy - Interview

1) What got you into rapping?
I got into rapping as a little kid, i watched alot of my family members do this before i even started, and now i feel like its my turn since i learned from all of them.

2) Who are some of the people who inspired you and made you what you are today?
Of course Jay-Z was my main inspiration, but my favorite rappers include Lupe Fiasco, Young Chris, and The
Clipse.

3) What do you bring to hip-hop?
I think i bring refreshment to the rap game, something that true hip-hop fans haven't heard in a while. At the same time I also bring the definition of mainstream, so its pretty much a two-headed coin with me.

4) How do you feel about the current state of hip-hop?
I feel like hip-hop is in dying need of originality, since corporate America is so worried bout keeping things the same so they can make profit of off it. But, I also think that hip-hop is going to handle itself, because whether corporate America likes it or not hip-hop is going back to the origins, because when things get stale in hip-hop it refreshes itself by going the complete opposite direction of what its been doing.

5)What made you write the song "High School Sweetheart"?
I wrote the song "High School Sweetheart" off of true life experiences. Like me and my literally "High School Sweetheart" broke up, and I just wrote the song as I was tryna get over the breakup. So its as authentic as you can get lol.

6) If you could make a track with an rapper dead or alive who would it be?
If I could make a track with a rapper, I would have to select Lupe Fiasco. Cuz everything I hear or see from his is original, I don't know him to have ever bit off of any other rapper in any form, way, or how. And his flow and wordplays rediculous lol.

7) Any new "Projects" you are working on?
In the future, Ya'll can look forward to my debut self-titled album "LEGGY" it's really what the game's been waiting for.

8) Anything ells you wanna say? Shoutout?
I just wanna say good looks to everybody thats showing me love. I got ya'll east coast. And hit me up on myspace.com/leggy786, and make it do wut it do. Jerzey Stand Up!!! RNA "WE IN HERE"!!!

ThreatZ - Interview

1. What got you into becoming a rapper?

Honestly, it all started out as fun in my freshmen year of highschool. It was nothing more of a hobby to me then I started just kept working on it til eventually i touched base and was able to establish myself as an artist then it became more serious with my work ethic and it became something i wanted to do with my life.

2. Who are some of the people who have inspired you to become a rapper and made you who you are today?

Well everyone around me who I involve myself with and artist I personally listen to all the time are the true source of my inspiration. If So everyone can inspire me even the haters.

3. How did you come up with the name ThreatZ?

Well, actually thats a funny story cuz I used to go by another rap name I dare not speak upon and felt it was time for a change so one day as I was walkin home I just thought of the name ThreatZ out of nowhere and from there it just stuck to me, not really sure if it fits me the best but i like it.

4. What excludes you from other rappers and makes you unique?

Well I believe that everyone is unique in their own sense and you know alot of rappers including myself speak deeply about personal issues they deal with in their everyday lives. But, I feel what seperates me from everyone else is my actual struggle because nobody else but me can capture the emotion and instant of time in which I expressed something in song because they never went thru what I did so only I can express it in my own way.

5. Do you feel that your underrated? And if so why is that?

Honestly, I do feel im underrated and I feel it only makes sense that I am seeing as how I'm just a local artist who hasn't blown up yet. I still haven't gained an accepted audience as of yet or a real thorough fanbase for that matter so I gotta keep working on it until I get everyone's attention pointing towards me and even then I will still be underrated so that is always gonna be a given issue because people are entitled to opinions and may think less of me or possibly even think I'm the best that's out there so Me being underrated will always be an issue within itself which I will deal with.

6. How do you feel about the current state of hip hop right now? And do you think the East can grow and be as big as it was with the Biggie days?

Well, I think the current state of hiphop is in high demand for people who are making real dope music and real hiphop for that matter. I mean I can't say hiphop is at its worse because there definitely is alot of great music out there. but, the mainstream side of the industry just focuses more on shit that is dumbed down so all the real music gets pushed to the side of often times ignored but there will be a time again in which it will be the other way around. And I think hiphop has grown way past what it used to be so the only thing we can do is move it on forward and just keep making great music because if you look at it, it's more than just hiphop it's all about making quality music that people wanna hear with substance.

7. One of my favorite tracks from your mixtape The Breaking Point is Rather Unique 2 & Love & Hate, whats your favorite trrack on The Breaking Point and whats the meaning behind the song?

My favorite song off the breaking point has to 'Revolving Infliction' seeing as how it is something real personal to me. I reflected upon alot of things I see in my everyday life and just wrote it all done and I even elaborated upon personal issues in which I deal with so its a track which is real personal to me and I believe no one but me can really understand the true meaning of the song. Though, 'Behind Bars' has that same affect on me 'Revolving Infliction' is definitely my favorite song on there.

8. If you could work with any producer who would it be and why?

I really want to work with Exile because after listening to Below The Heavens its just like that dude really captured every emotion Blu wanted to express with the production on the album. If he can do that with Blu i'm pretty sure if I had the opportunity to work with him he can do the same for me but dudes beats are just utterly amazing.

9. Any upcoming projects your working on?

Well, i'm currently working on my upcoming project titled 'Back to the Drawing Board' so be on the lookout for that. I'm really unsure of when exactly i want to drop it as of yet so I really can't say when its gon drop but hopefully it'll by the end of this year or early 2010. expect alot of dope production on it for a variety of producers and a number amount of features from all kinds of artist on there. Its truly turning out to be my best work yet.

10. Any shout outs?

Well its too many people to shoutout so let me just go on by doing so anyway. Shoutouts to my my homie, my dude and good friend TreaZ, shouts to Nero, Numonics, Mando, Jabee, M. Will, Nefarious!, Amor Jones, QuESt, P.ersonal, Dasanto, Mint, Mike Waxx, D. Julien, Buzz, Dmack, Redline, Hustlegrl, Shake, Meka, Frank Ramz, Elus, Wing Span, Charlie Hilton, Oj Loopz, and anybody else who I missed much love to ya'll.

Check ThreatZ out on. . .

Myspace
Twitter

CompleX - Interview

How did you get into the game?
Well I started rapping when I was like 5 after I saw kriss Kross and Raven Simone doing it I was like "aww man this thing isn't just for adults" and I grew up with and around some of Detroit's most talented lyricist, guys like 40 Da Great and K.Illa, the group I.R.S. just to name a few. K and 40 recognized my talent at a young age and kind of took me under their wing giving me advice and stuff ya know? I was always the lil dude running around trying to prove I was a dope emcee.

Who inspired you?
I would have to say first and foremost my Pops inspired me , he was heavy into music I mean all the funk bands, soul, I'm from Detroit so of course all of the Motown joints got heavy play in our house, and most especially Hip Hop. That kind of made it acceptable to me, the fact that my father listened to everything from the golden era, and I mean everything from EPMD and Krs-One, to NWA, 2pac, and the Geto Boys. I later found out before my Grandma passed in 2006 he used to write music when he was younger so I guess its kind of in my blood. Till this day I dont even think he knows he's the reason i got into music. Another person who inspired me is my homeboy K.Illa, he told me to just be true to myself.

What is your favorite song of yours?
Hmmmmm thats a tough one, my favorite song by me, everything I do is hot (laughs). But umm seriously its between "Chance 2 change em" and "Daddy's Here". I say "Chance 2 change em" cause that was the first song I had completed where everything was true to me and straight from the heart. One night me and my homeboy JJ was listening to T.I.'s "still ain't forgave myself" and I connected with what he was saying. I felt like if I could relate to him then there was someone in the world who could relate to my story, and I went home that night and just let my heart bleed through my pen. The response from people was crazy and inspired me to continue to grow in that direction. And I say the song "Daddy's Here" cause if it were not for my daughter I wouldnt have taken my lyrical talent serious and would probably be dead or in jail right now. That song is a love note to my daughter from my heart, we shot a low budget video for it and had mad fun!!!! Shoutout to Kurt Norris who directed the video.

If you could make a track with an rapper dead or alive who would it be and why?
Aww man thats a tough question too, what rapper would I like to work with dead or alive? Hmmmmm I would have to roll with Big L what up Harlem!!!!!!!!!!! Big L was an amazing lyricist and didnt get the chance to take it to the next level. But the proof is in the pudding, for all you young cats who dont know who he is Google him or check him out on Youtube, the boy was the definition of ill!

How do you feel about the current state of hip hop?
I feel real good about the current state of Hip Hop. Its alot more opportunities for artist these days most especially if you're business minded and you utilize the internet to its fullest capacity. I think people within the industry got spoiled from records going triple and quadruple platinum and everyone is up in arms, but if you look at the musical landscape from the 50's, 60's, 70's and even the 80's artist would pray for a gold record. As far as the dance music, dance was always incorporated into Hip Hop look at Rob Bass "it takes two" EU's "doing the butt" and even artist like Kid N Play. They all made timeless music that when you throw it on at a party it gets bananas!!!! I dont do all the dance instructional music (laughs) but I dont knock it, and that doesnt mean I wouldnt try it, if it was genuinely something I was in to ya dig. I think anything that takes kids off the streets and helps them stay away from negativity is great. And everyone knows right now in this era some of the dopest music is from the up and coming artist cause were so hungry and we have so much to prove to the world.

What do you bring to hip-hop?
I bring that Complex shit to Hip Hop (laughs). No but seriously I bring a fresh point of view to the game. I was watching MTV before they threw Hip Hop into heavy rotation so i grew up listening to everything my father listened to as well as groups like Sum 41, Nirvana (was the shit & still is especially on Rockband & Guitar Hero, laughs) Green Day, & Alanis Morrisette ( Ironic is one of my favorite songs). So I try to incorporate different genres into my music to appeal to a wider audience. Im working on a song right now with this crazy Bryan Adams sample of his song "Run to you" thats going to be crazy!!!! The song is called "This womans life" and its loosely based on someone I know. other than that Im bringing dope lyrics and storytelling to the table. I feel like Detroit artist haven't had the privillege of enjoying the success of the Hip Hop industry on a large scale so were just like New York was in the early days so to speak. Hungry and we have a story to tell.

Any new Projects you working on?
I'm currently working with different artist and producers across Michigan and a few out of town Artists. I'm trying to create a cult following and a buzz( bigger than insects in Texas, laughs) that way no matter what I know I have a fanbase to speak to. I'm also working on my solo debut "Hip Hop since 1986" which I'm trying to craft into a classic and I've been thinking about putting out a mixtape as soon as the buzz grows a lil larger, that way people will have something to look forward to and I'm not just putting out product thats not being heard.

Anything ells you wanna say?
I just wanna say thanks to BasxMusic for taking the time out to holla at me. and oh yeah ITS YA BOY!!!!!!!

Any Shoutouts?
First and foremost I wanna shout out my daughter Mea daddy loves you baby, my fiance Nakea, the 7mile Eastwood Boys, the NBA, all of Michigans music artist who are pursuing their dream, my business partner J.Jackson, L. Change, & my Mom and dad and all my fans. FREE TONE & FREE JJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ps.my mans M Zeezy, Merlin, and you J.