If this is your first time hearing about Iowa City producer Tack-Fu, then you’re about to embark on musical euphoria. When you take a listen to his latest EP with Canadian producer Mr. Moods called “Mr. Moods Meets Tack-Fu: In Good Hands” you’ll understand what we’re talking about. Tack-Fu has been in the hip hop game for a minute, forming the record label “Tack-Fu Productions” in 1997. Years later he formed an production company called 85 decibel Monks and began licensing his music for television and film. Tack-Fu’s music has been featured on MTV and he is continuing build his empire with his own TV show.

HipHopClub had the opportunity to interview Tack-Fu. He fills us in on his new EP, his latest accomplishments and he’s not letting the incident with his hard drive keep him from doing big things!

HipHopClub: With your new project, how excited are you about “Mister Moods Meets Tack Fu – In Good Hands EP”?

Tack-Fu: I think the release is an excellent addition to the Dusted Wax Kingdom catalog. Heck, I was excited the day I was invited to be on the roster! This is just gravy on the potatoes.

HipHopClub: What can listeners expect to hear when they listen to the “In Good Hands EP”?

Tack-Fu: The project is a great example of what I would call “Nu-Jazz”. What you get is bass line riffs and drum patterns based on a early to mid-90’s hip-hop flavor with a 2010 twist. The jazz influences are straight out’a the Blue Note discography. I did all of the mix downs and sequencing so elements of each style is unmistakably represented, as the tracks keep moving along, they incorporate more and more of each other. Not enough Jazz for the jazz cats, too much jazz for the hip-hop headz. Both fans of each genre are a picky bunch. I understand that fact.

HipHopClub: How did you connect with Mr. Moods to work on the EP?

Tack-Fu: I was drifting along, depressed and out of inspiration… my hard drive crashed, so much work lost, I couldn’t take it. It was early 2009 and I was in a funk. Thank goodness Mr. Moods came across the 85 decibel Monk myspace.com music page. He dug the way I put together tracks with other producers, he referred me to this net label called “Dusted Wax Kingdom”. So I checked it out, downloaded all of the artists on the label I could get my hands on, I really dug Mr. Moods the most. He was dark and heavy…but I knew he would be a good fit with my style. I pitched him the idea of an EP, he bit, and I sent him 12 drum and bass lines from the vault. (stuff that was saved) Once the collaborations started to trickle in over the next few months…all of the inspiration came back. It was like…I was back on the grind…8 hour studio sessions to perfect the mix. Back in the zone!

HipHopClub: Was the internet label Dusted Wax Kingdom responsible for all of the mania with the release of the project?

Tack-Fu: Dusted Wax is responsible. The artists on the label gave me inspiration again. I had to contribute and give the label my best.

HipHopClub: What is your inspiration when it comes to creating music?

Tack-Fu: I listen to Jazz. Some classical, but driving around in my ride? It’s stuck on jazz mode. I get inspiration from other musicians and producers I collaborate with also. They come up with riffs, throw things against the wall to see if it works, then I go back to the lab with their contributions. I call it production juice.

HipHopClub: How are you accepted by the music in the Midwest as a musician being from Iowa?

Tack-Fu: I think the novelty has worn off. I’ve always said it’s not where you are, it’s where you’re at. It means your state of mind. I’m from Iowa City, that’s advantage Tack-Fu! I’m exposed to bit of everything. The Midwest is like a music filter. Besides, I’ve been doing this for quite some time and I’ve achieved a nice amount of success licensing my music for television and film.

HipHopClub: Are there any highlight collaborations within your career?

Tack-Fu: Without a doubt the collaboration with DJ Vadim. That was a slam dunk.

HipHopClub: Can you describe your experience of working with rapper Slug from Atmosphere?

Tack-Fu: I’ve never worked with Slug, but we’ve ran into each other quite a few times at hip-hop conferences, swinging through Iowa City on tour, you know… just being on the scene back in the early to mid-2000’s. There really was a movement going on. Anyway, I threw some ideas out there for a featured guest 16 bars on a track type thing, what do you expect? I’m a producer! But, none of it panned out. But hey, it’s nice to see the level of success the whole Rhyme Sayers crew has achieved. They earned every bit of it.

HipHopClub: You also have a hip hop music video TV show on cable called 85 dB TV. Can you tell us about that?

Tack-Fu: That was therapy for me. I was so down in the dumps about my hard drive crashing and losing all of my material, I didn’t even want to touch any music equipment or recording devices. I plunged head first into a video production. I always wanted to do some sort of “Yo MTV Raps” type thing, except put my twisted humor in the mix and represent the independent movement, the underground vibe. After 16 episodes, I got it all out of my system, and I’m back to music production and working at a public access station covering community events. I get to create all day in both formats!

HipHopClub: Is there anything else that you would like the HipHopClub readers to know?

Tack-Fu: My web site is located at: http://www.tackfu.com. I’m sure you’ll be entertained, or maybe you’ll learn something, who knows.

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Mahogany “Mos Precious” Henderson is a force to be reckoned with in the Midwest hip hop region with all of her credentials. This young, multi-faceted business woman is a promoter, recording artist, HipHopClub affiliate, radio personality and real estate agent. Her company, Mos Precious Promotions has given exposure to hundreds of local artists throughout the United States with traditional and online promo. The accomplishments and superior business acumen of Mos Precious has definitely left a footprint in the St. Louis hip hop scene and soon it will be the entire world. She is also a co-host on MVP Radio, a hip hop radio station on Blog Talk Radio that introduces listeners to new music and features interviews with local talent.

With her fast rising popularity and professional networking skills, this music mogul will soon gain herself an estimated net worth similar to other successful women like Oprah Winfrey, Tyra Banks and Mo’Nique. HipHopClub talks to Mos Precious about what it’s like working with her clients, her radio station as well as her personal endeavors.

HipHopClub: What does MVP stand for and what is the radio station’s mission statement?

Mos Precious: Most Valuable Player Radio: The radio show for the world of entertainment that supports the underground world of music. Giving artists around the world a chance to spread their word one spin at a time.

HipHopClub: How did you get acquainted with the other DJs on MVP Radio?

Mos Precious: Ya_Boi_Doss and I met through my business partner/artist Lena J around Fall 2010 and at the time I was hiring new staff members that could make the show one of the best ever in the world of radio. I met an artist by the name of Vell B at a nice restaurant on Grand in St. Louis, MO to be exact. He was interested in performing on one of our showcases that kicked off September 16th, 2010. After sharing a few conversations, I realized that adding him to the show would be a great decision for both the show and his music career. (I always create ways for artists to expand in music and the world of entertainment).

HipHopClub: How often does the show air?

Mos Precious: MVP Radio airs every week between Mondays and Fridays from 7pm to 9pm central time. On Saturdays sometimes we have special editions with major artists such as Murphy Lee from The St. Lunatics, Raz B formerly of B2K and more. During the week on MVP Radio we have themes such as; Mixtape Mondays, Turnt Up Tuesdays, Slow Jamming Wednesdays, Always Keeping It Real (A.K.I.R.) Thursdays, and our Independent Artists night called Industry Night Fridays. People can listen to our show by going to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/MVPRadio10

HipHopClub: Besides the radio program you own your own promotions company. Can you tell us what that is all about?

Mos Precious: Most Precious Promotions was started in 2008, based in St. Louis, Mo. Founded by Mahogany “Mos Precious” Henderson. This company started with just one person with a big dream. The purpose for MPP is to provide a supportive and ambitious team of experienced promoters, management, and radio personalities to artists, businesses, national and international markets. As well as promote some of the most creative music in the city of St. Louis. MO. This company is just one of the entities I have. Accompanied by an independent recording label called MPP Music Group LLC and Most Precious Dreams Foundations; a non-profit organization that helps dreams and goals of the less fortunate.

HipHopClub: What is it that sets your promotions company apart from the others?

Mos Precious: We are always creating new ways to expose new talents whether it’s online promotions, or street promotions. Outside of hosting, showcases such as “Show Me What You Got Fridays” and Life Under the Scope “Industry Night”, we will be kicking off a series of benefit tours and concerts. In the 1st quarter of 2011, MPP will be the first to ever have an indie benefit tour that will be touring to nine cities. Our purpose is to be everlasting in the entertainment field of many markets such as Texas, California, Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Orlando. One of my main personal company goals is to become the most successful corporation ran by a female, specializing in promotions, media, management, consulting, and marketing, real estate, and songwriting. MPP Music Group LLC is the main company that presents as the umbrella for MVP Radio, Most Precious Promotions, and Non-Profit Organization.

HipHopClub: Who are some of the artists you work with?

Mos Precious: As a recording artist myself, I have worked with many artist such as my group members (GMB/PMP); Priceless Pranksta and Lena J, Kaos, The Prototypes, just to name a few of the MPP Music Group signed artists. I have done songs with Gino Green of HoodHop Music, M.C. The Rich City Boy, 9yne of Cloud 9yne ENT, Calela the Singer and many more. I have done plenty of promotional services for local acts and a few from surrounding areas. By the way you can check out some of MPP recording artist at www.reverbnation.com/label/mpp or http://www.datpiff.com/profile/Mos_PreciousPMP

HipHopClub: So along with your promotions company you said you’re a recording artist. What’s going on with that and who do you work with?

Mos Precious: Well, currently I plan on releasing a mixtape called “Entrance Door” on Dec 31st, 2010. The reasons I chose that date is to get the music scene and fans ready for my album titled “Not Gonna Tell Lies” which is dropping in July 2011. Also, to prepare the world for MPP Music Group and its artists music dominations in Hip Hop, R&B and poetry in the new year. On my first ever recorded album, I am working with TracMajor of the Grammy-winning production team Trackboyz. Some of the affiliations involved with MPP and my projects are M.S.C.E ENT, Willie Lathan of Team 808 who is the producer behind PMP’s hot single “Beast Mode”, and of course the production team by the name of Trillion Billion Dollars Beats; Rodney “Playboi” Davis who successfully produced Lena J hot city banger single called Money Motivated. Just naming a few of my collaborations and productions, I am sure more will come aboard later. By the way we have a video shoot in the New Year for “Beast Mode” and currently up on youtube.com/celena314 is the “Money Motivated” video. Be sure to check it out.

HipHopClub: Where do you see yourself and your empire in the next five years?

Mos Precious: I see myself as artist performing overseas as a crossover, artist and multi-platinum selling records after being a hip hop/jazz MC for over 10 years. As a business owner in the next five years, I see MPP as a brand or household name operating in buildings located in multiple cities.

HipHopClub: Is there anything else that you would like the HipHopClub readers to know?

Mos Precious: I want to be remembered on this journey as the company that gave hope to many and support to millions. I want the readers to know it’s more than music with MPP its community involvements, entrepreneurship, radio internships, and hands-on experiences. If interested in sponsoring, networking, collaborations, consultation, booking services, promotional services, etc., contact mppmusicgroup@gmail.com or Mosprecious on Facebook or @MosPreciousPRo on Twitter. For radio play, interviews, and advertisements contact mvpradio10@gmail.com or MPP Presents…… MVP Radio on Facebook.

For more information on Mos Precious and MPP visit her on Reverbnation at http://www.reverbnation.com/label/mpp

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If you could go to the Thesaurus and look up synonyms for the words Ruka Puff, more than likely you’ll get results like grind, hard worker, animated and perseverance. Chances are you’re not going to find his name in the Thesaurus but that’s the best way to describe Ruka’s talent. The entertainer from St. Louis is known all across the country for his identifiable voice and a hair-raising performance that is beyond compare. From traveling all over the country with his faction The Supreme Team, to his own reality series to working with other artists such as Mack 10, there is no doubt that Ruka Puff is the hardest working man in show biz.

HipHopClub journalist Marrio Gardner had the chance to ask Ruka a few questions so we can all learn about him and what he has going on. Though he didn’t have much to say it goes to show you that along with everything that he has accomplished, his actions speak louder than his words. True fans know that Ruka Puff only speaks his words louder when he’s on the mic.

HipHopClub: I have to be honest here. I have so many questions to ask but you do so much shit, I don’t even know where to begin! You are everywhere man. You truly are the hardest working artist in show business. Every time I go out, I see you everywhere. I don’t even have to be in St. Louis. I can be in one of the 34 Springfield’s in America at a Hip-Hop show and I’ll run into you there. How do you do it man?

Ruka Puff: By the grace of God. He gives me all the power, dedication and will.

HipHopClub: Can you tell us what your group The Supreme Team is all about and who it consists of?

Ruka Puff: We are now the black version of the movie 300 and it’s movement/family/label that’s basically ready to take on the world with only a small group; Bigga Brown, GB44 (free 44) Statik Blakk, Lou Cipha and more.

HipHopClub: You recently had a film series called “Grind or Die”. Can you tell us about that?

Ruka Puff: Grind or Die is basically a hood musical. I call it a ghetto version of High School Musical.

HipHopClub: There’s a buzz online about the joint you did with Toilet Water called “Kiss My Ass”. Can you explain what the song is about?

Ruka Puff: Self explanatory; If I run out of gas and you don’t help, kiss my ass!

HipHopClub: You’re also on tour with Toilet Water. What can fans expect from The Gunz & Rosez tour?

Ruka Puff: Electricity and the greatest show on Earth. Hip Hop mixed with Rock and Funk Gumbo.

HipHopClub: You also did a song and music video with Mack 10 called “Like This”. Can you tell us about how the song spread like wildfire?

Ruka Puff: My big brother Mack put me on the record. We rocked in the West Coast and the rest is history.

HipHopClub: From your old releases like “Escaped: Off The Chains” until now, what have you learned about the music world altogether?

Ruka Puff: Keep good people around you and be out of the box, not in it… no disrespect.

HipHopClub: [laughs] None taken! People often compare you to Bonecrusher. Do you think that the critics have your whole image misconstrued?

Ruka Puff: The only thing that’s the same about us is we are both fat bar-for-bar. He can’t fuck with me [laughs]

HipHopClub: Is there anything else that you would like the HipHopClub readers to know?

Ruka Puff: I will not stop even if God takes me, you will never forget me. My next album, “I’m a Starr 4ever” will be coming soon and Gunz and Rozez on iTunes is available right now. Thank you!

For more on Ruka Puff check out http://www.rukapuff.com and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/rukapuff

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The Georgia-based record label Grand Hustle Records is home to some of the greatest talent such as T.I., B.o.B., Young Dro, Yung L.A., Eightball & MJG as well as a plethora of others. Now, the founder of Grand Hustle, Jason Geter is making room for another new artist by the name of Wil May, who resides in Atlanta but was born in Michigan. Wil May is a rapper and a producer who is the founder of his own trademark called Makeshift. Unlike the artists mentioned before him, Wil May is an artist signed to Grand Hustle showing a cluster of potential with a different sound. This is definitely an artist who will be successful in this game for days to come.

HipHopClub journalist Marrio Gardner had the honor of talking with this fresh new artist about how his entertainment imprint, Makeshift became affiliated with Grand Hustle Records and what he does besides rapping and producing. As well as learn how real this ATL emcee is.

HipHopClub: So you’re signing tits already?

Wil May: [laughs] Yes, I’ve signed some tits already. Without any big fame I’ve already signed some tits. I’d like to sign way more though! There’s definitely room for growth.

HipHopClub: So what exactly was the crux behind your inspiration to create the track, “What You Waiting For”? It’s blazing.

Wil May: Thanks, I appreciate that man. It’s actually a joint that I had that’s actually a couple of years old, it’s on my first project. I just wanted to capture being good at something and applying what you’re good at and making something out of it. So, what you waiting for? Let’s go, let’s get it. Make it happen. You can’t wait until February 31st.

HipHopClub: [laughs] So is there an album in the works?

Wil May: Yes. I’ve actually got a lot of music in the stockpile. I’m trying to release an EP as soon as possible. So as soon as it’s good and mixed it’s going out no matter what.

HipHopClub: Ok. So can you tell us about your imprint, Makeshift and who’s a part of the crew?

Wil May: Makeshift is my crew, my imprint and you live in a world where you can honestly do anything with anything. Like, there’s people who are creating a business online out of nothing then there’s people who are doing it in the real world. Everything starts off makeshift and then it grows. It could be something that makes a shift in culture. And that’s what my company is about. There’s me, I’m the founder of the company. Then I have a few artists, a guy named Dee Bender and another guy named Rome Fortune.

HipHopClub: I’ve heard of Rome Fortune before.

Wil May: Yeah! We also have other projects and collaborations coming out. I am a producer too.

HipHopClub: And speaking of the other things you do besides music, after visiting your website, how did you get into film and photography?

Wil May: I went to college, I went to Emory. I was a film studies major. I’ve always been attracted to writing film. I’ll be directing a video for “What You Waiting For” that will be dropping if not next week then the week after. And I just continue to have a passion and interest in films. Good films. I like Spike Lee’s work in the 90′s, and how black people were depicted in his films. I kind of want to bring that back. And not just about black people but that’s really where it came from.

HipHopClub: Cool. So how did you get affiliated with Grand Hustle?

Wil May: I had a project called “The Frathouse Is Like A Traphouse” and it never dropped. I had scheduled a bunch of dates [laughs] to drop the project but a lot of people in my circle knew about the record and they loved the record. And they used to all bump their advanced copies. And a friend of mine who was a fashion designer who was friends with Jason Geter was like “Yo! You know Wil May?” And then he put me on, and then Geter reached out to me. And then we talked and that’s how it happened.

HipHopClub: Since the flagship of Grand Hustle is going to be away for a while, how will an artist with such a high echelon lyrical prowess such as yours, plan to hold it down for the Dirty South?

Wil May: [laughs] For the Dirty South?

HipHopClub: Yeah! The whole south man.

Wil May: [laughs] I don’t know if I can speak for the whole south man. I don’t know man, but I definitely rep Atlanta. Atlanta is my hometown. I was born in Michigan and I always still rep the Bad Mitten. That’s where I’m from. But I definitely will represent Atlanta the way it has always been represented, with quality and overall just good music and innovative music that people are usually scared to do.

HipHopClub: That was real man, aight. So is there anything else that you would like the HipHopClub readers and Wil May fans to know?

Wil May: “Can’t We Just Get Rich Already!?” Hit me up on Twitter, download “Got To Move”. Make sure you check me out.

HipHopClub: I wanted to take the opportunity to tell you that you have a lot of potential man. You’re going to be real big, real soon.

Wil May: Thanks, man. I can’t do it alone. I need the help of people like yourself, sir. Without you, I’m nothing. Without the fans I’m nothing.

Check out Wil May and keep up to date with his latest projects by going to Twitter on http://www.twitter.com/wilmayMAKESHIFT and visit his official website at http://www.wilmayMAKESHIFT.com, MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/wilmay and also on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/wilmayMAKESHIFT

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