This is music that is guaranteed to make you hit your back button.

Yes, you heard me, Minneapolis, the North Star state, with deep musical roots, is offering the music industry the long awaited epitome of the Rap/Rock Star. “I have a one album retail deal with Koch Records, I will be in Best Buy, FYE, you know? I got my own bins. I retained all my publishing,” explains the hyper-savvy emcee.

Sota Fats, born Jason Brown grew up in Minneapolis. His single Rock Star Sh*t featuring Dipset’s Jim Jones has a solid budget behind it, a music video produced by Dan Kimmura of Adfx LLC (Minneapolis) and is already getting rotation on both coasts.

“I am the best looking big nigga this side of the Mississippi River !” proclaims Fats from his upcoming album The Perfect Candidate Bricks & Politiks distributed on Copycat/Koch Records, which is packed full of hits for every taste.

However, the road to success included loosing his best friend and the second half of his duo. Famis Franklin was murdered in early 2007 on a blustery cold night. “At first I was driven by the entrepreneurial side of the rap industry. Since Famis got killed the goal is to make our life long goal a reality, we are all Famis now,” whispers the passionate 27-year-old, with a determined glare. “It is no coincidence his name was Famis.”

Fats is definitely both thought provoking and grimy but at the end of the day, he is the man everyone wants to party with. His music reflects his complicated nature and daily struggles as a black man in America. One side of his persona many people will appreciate is his business savvy.

His mother was an astute business woman who insisted her son learn everything there is to know about hustling. Fats naturally grew into a contemporary business man, who often raps about his former life as a notorious street dealer however a lot has changed. Famis was murdered as he lay on his sister’s couch in crime ridden North Minneapolis , the murder is still unsolved, leaving the wound gaping for Fats and his entire crew.

“His murder was a call to action for me. It caused me to step up my game and use this talent for something that will change the way things are.”

With his best friend Famis at his side, Fats and the Weon Records Crew has been busy in their studio since 2002, making over four albums (Nation Business, Radio Mix Vol. 1-1, The Baller Street Journal, Citiology, State Rehab and MN Fats) and being featured on fifty albums. Combined, the crew has sold an estimated ten thousand albums in the upper Midwest.

For more information www.myspace.com/mnfats

–By Kandis Knight

Big Will has made a few changes in his rap career since his Freestyle Friday championship reign on BET’s 106 & Park. He’s moved from St. Louis to New York and now to Atlanta. Big Will has also blazed the mixtape circuit by allowing fans to listen to his music online for free. Now, he is preparing to do a lot more in 2008. Big Will has a new single, “Poster Girl”, he’s with a new label called Fall Back and he’s challenging anyone who wants to battle him. But you better have some money to put up when you step in the ring with him. Here is an emcee that can show the world that St. Louis can rap and he’s carrying the STL Hip Hop scene on his back to do it.

HipHopClub talks to Big Will about his plans for this year, who he’s working with and who he’s not working with and his past championship victory on BET’s 106 & Park Freestyle Friday.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Tell us about your new single “Poster Girl”.

Big Will: It was produced by this up and coming guy by the name of Rafael Andreas, you know what I’m sayin. Basically, it’s catered more towards females because everybody knows from seeing my 106 & Park run and knows my history that I can rhyme. I pretty much got that in the bag with the biggest question about my career is can I actually make music. The masses are going to feel whether or not it’s going to appeal to them. So we went in the lab, we came up with something. I heard the beat off of a beat CD that he gave me and we went to Stankonia Studios and we recorded it. Now it’s sounding like a hit.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: So what have you been up to since your championship victory from Freestyle Fridays on BET?

Big Will: First of all I would like to make reference that this is one of the first interviews that I’ve really talked about it and it’s just a coincidence but this is like going into my 2 years. It’s been 2 years since I did what I did on 106 & Park. So it feels good. It feels like I accomplished something that most people only talk about. But since then I’ve been down here in Atlanta. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs since then. I’ve been through a whole lot. You know I’ve been staying up in New Jersey and New York and now I’m in Atlanta. You know I’ve just been cranking out music like a machine, man. We did a lot of shows. We did the Atlantis Music Conference which was a huge success. We did a couple fashion shows down here. Basically, I’ve just been trying my best to get my BET connections to come up there and fuck with the Midwest region because right now I feel like we’re being ignored. You know Twista had bad sales… I feel like the only thing that they feel like we have to offer right now is Kanye and I’m trying to prove that it’s not true.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: It’s definitely true that the Midwest has a lot to offer. As far as the culture of Hip Hop in the Midwest, how do you feel we stand right now?

Big Will: I feel like we have a lot of people that have been overlooked but if you paid attention the same thing happened to the south. I mean, they had they’re UGK’s, they’ve had a lot of people, they’re Gucci’s and they Three 6 Mafia’s and all that who got overlooked and then all of a sudden it took that one person to get on and then after that the south exploded. So we got our people that has been overlooked and that has been making music for years, especially in St. Louis. You know, you’ve got people like The All-Stars who charted as an independent and still got overlooked, you know what I’m sayin. It’s a lot of people. You’ve got people like back in the day, The Gatekeepers, you know what I’m sayin who had huge success on radio. It never equaled to any exposure from a global standpoint. But it should have. I just feel like history repeats itself and I feel like we’re going to do the same thing that the south has done as we get to where we have to together.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Okay. Speaking of which, as far as St. Louis, do you feel like that there is anybody that’s trying to make a monopoly here? Do you think that’s probably one of the reasons why no one has been able to make it from here?

Big Will: Well you know what? As an artist, it would be easy to say that. It would be easy to let that be the reason but as a man I feel like you can’t blame anybody for your success and lack there of. If you’re not having any success then basically it’s because you didn’t grind hard enough. You know? That’s how I feel about it. Or you weren’t willing to take the chances that the next man was willing to take to make you what that man has become. You know? I mean if anything, I feel like the monopoly is really the DJs. The DJs have the monopoly on the game. But if you look at it, it’s just Hip Hop repeating itself and going in a circle because Hip Hop started with the DJ and it’s going to end with the DJ. You know? So basically it’s all about what the DJs willing to get behind and willing to support. There’s no rapper that has a monopoly on the game because it’s never been a time where nobody could not just get no money. You know what I’m sayin? It’s always been a time where if you grind and work hard, you know, you could get your money. You know? It’s all about the DJs, the DJs have the monopoly on the game.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Okay, that’s real talk right there. And you spoke earlier about ups and downs. In particular one of the trials and tribulations that you’ve been through with the whole change and people that you’ve dealt with in the past. In a recent interview that HipHopClub had with your former partner of Da Slu Cru, Ty, what is your take on some of the statements he’s made as far as your past relationship and everything compared to how it is now?

Big Will: I feel like what he said for the most part was true but I just wanted to basically — a lot of people have been asking me the question and everything like that. We’re not friends. I don’t consider him as a friend. You know? We can’t deny the history that we’ve had together. I look back on it and I feel like it’s a situation that could have made everybody so much money and put so many people at a better standpoint to what they are right now. But I felt like basically there was ego’s and there was people from different camps whispering things in different people’s ears and eventually if you hear lies and stuff so much it starts to sound like the truth. You know? If you see it enough times people are going to start believing that and I feel like it was different people in all of our ears. We wasn’t prepared for the success that we had received. We definitely wasn’t prepared for the success that I received on 106 & Park because I decided to get up and take that trip on my own. And the only person that went with me was my homie Blue. So I feel like I’ve seen a couple different spots where it was certain people from that faction taking credit for what I did. You know what I’m sayin. Luqmon and Odie groomed and prepared me, and Blue made it possible for me to take that trip but at the end of the day, there were no managers allowed in that room while I had to prove myself. And I felt like I put my career on the line doing that because if I would’ve lost that would’ve been it.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Yeah.

Big Will: It just so happened that I made history. If I would’ve lost that would’ve been the end of Big Will. (laughs) You feel me?

St. Louis Ben Grimm: So they helped you out?

Big Will: I mean Luqmon and Odie they groomed me, they showed me everything that I needed to know in terms of being a good battle rapper and a good showman. You know? At the end of the day, like I said, I give Luqmon, Odie and Blue some credit for my success. Because like I said if it wasn’t for Blue it wouldn’t have been possible for me to take the trip. If it wasn’t for Luqmon and Odie I wouldn’t be nearly as good of a battle rapper and a showman as I am right now.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Okay.

Big Will: So I give them their credit where their credit is due. You know? My hat goes off to them. You know? But nobody else can take any credit for what I did because I did that. That’s me.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Looking to the future. What’s coming up with Big Will?

Big Will: Well, I’m getting a lot of love down here in Atlanta. People are really remember me from the show and they show me all kinds of love here. I don’t really want to put anything out there because I don’t want to necessarily spoil anything before it manifests. But I’m going to have a real big ’08. You know? It’s a lot of people in the city that’s still asking when my album is coming out and everything like that. I say to them just be patient and I thank them so much for holding me down the way that they have. I wouldn’t be nothing without St. Louis man. They held me down for who I am and they’re the reason why I can come home and still be who I am.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Cool. Are you still battling?

Big Will: I got an invitation to Fight Klub. I heard my man Holla cleaned the house that night. So we’ll see how that turns out. And for anybody out there who sees what I’m doing and thinks they can battle, if your money is right we can definitely get it in.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: You say if the money is right?

Big Will: Yeah. If anybody wants to battle me, they gotta put some money up.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: (laughs!)

Big Will: We ain’t taking no more free battles, just for the fun. We talking about some money now!

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Is there anything else that you would like the HipHopClub readers to know?

Big Will: Make sure you visit my MySpace page for anybody that wants to support or whatever they want to show me www.myspace.com/bigwillofficial. 2008, Fall Back that’s the label that me and my manager J-Meeks put together and we’re going to have a real big year in 2008. I got my mixtape on my page that people can download for free if they want to hear something from me. But basically everyone should be looking out for Big Will because it’s going to be a big ’08.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Thanks for the interview

Big Will: No problem man, it’s all good. You got my personal numbers. Ain’t too many people in the city that can say that. Straight up so just holla at me.

–By Marrio (St. Louis Ben Grimm) Gardner

Tyrant aka Lil Ty is a prime example of an emcee who bounces back like a ball every time he hits the ground. He’s rocked the streets of the underground hip hop scene across the county including St. Louis and New York City and he released an independent album called “I’m That Nigga” which was deemed a classic but received poor support. Now Lil Ty is working on his sophomore album titled “The Design” with a presidential theme and a lead single called “Choosy Lover”. HipHopClub talks to Tyrant about his new album and single, his opinions on the “New St. Louis” as well as sharing with us his current status with BET’s 106 & Park Freestyle Friday champion Big Will, who was also his friend and other half of their legendary rap duo The Slu Cru.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: What has Lil Ty been up to lately?

Tyrant: Basically man I’ve been sitting here chillin and getting my new album together that I got coming out called “The Design”. I got 12 new tracks on it you know what I’m sayin. Coming real soon in ’08 you know what I’m sayin.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Ok. How difficult is it to get some momentum underneath a new project?

Tyrant: For real it wasn’t that hard at all because it drives me to be heard by everybody. Like my first album I sold 3,000 copies but it wasn’t enough for me. So like this time around it’s going to be a different type of thing and I’ve got a whole other type of market and I’ve got a better idea so it kind of drove me more to make more of myself. You know what I mean?

St. Louis Ben Grimm: So you have a single and a video called “Choosy Lover”. How did you create the concept for that?

Tyrant: First of all my man Thomas Cook, who’s singing on the hook did the beat for “Choosy Lover” then he came up with the hook idea for it. All I had to do was come in and lay it down. He was like, “Ty, I got his nice joint for you!” And we just went in and laid it down. You know what I mean? Simple as that.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Were you happy with the outcomes of your previous projects?

Tyrant: No, not at all. Real talk I feel like a lot of people slept on the first album you know what I’m sayin. But I mean, it happens to the best of us. You know what I mean? It just motivated me to be able to put out something better and work more harder because maybe that wasn’t the album that was going to jump me off. I had to see where I was at to know where I’m going. So I had to take a step back and build up more momentum for this album.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Can you tell us more about the new album “The Design”?

Tyrant: It’s basically like I’m the president of the city and I got a whole other type of vibe that it’s going to be on. Like it’s going to be on the issues of hip hop, it’s got a lot of things that’s going to be on “The Design”. It’s got everything that you need. It’s got your steak, potatoes, your corn everything that you need on it. I got my club banga. I’m going to start off with the song “Choosy Lover” but probably around March, springtime and summertime we got a single coming out called “My Dude”. And it’s going to bang in the clubs it’s going to bang real hard. And after that we’re just going to get on the positive side. It’s just a whole other type of vibe and it’s called “The Design” because I’m showing people how to design something. You feel me?

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Yeah. That’s what’s up. That’s real cool. So do you consider yourself as a part of the “New St. Louis” movement?

Tyrant: Man, real talk I’ve been gone, chillin trying to get me together you know what I’m sayin. That “New St. Louis / Old St. Louis” I mean, like real talk it’s kind of like… it’s real cheesy to me for both sides of the perspective. Because if you want to be realistic, the Old St. Louis is like a thing of ok; I use to listen to the Bulletproof’s, the Sub Zero’s and “The Tricks With a Good Raps” and all that type of stuff. People use to support! People use to support the old St. Louis. But this “New St. Louis”, they don’t even support each other but they want to act like it’s a movement. You know what I mean? And so I don’t think it is a “New St. Louis” and an “Old St. Louis” I think it’s just a St. Louis that don’t stick together anymore. You feel what I’m sayin?

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Yeah (laughs)!

Tyrant: So real talk it’s like me, I’m representing Ty and I’m coming in as the president of the city and trying to squash all these issues. You know what I mean?

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Yeah, you hit the nail right on the head with that one.

Tyrant: (laughs) That’s what it is though. You know?

St. Louis Ben Grimm: So are you at the liberty to talk about the rise and the fall of the empire that you had with Big Will for those HipHopClub readers who don’t know?

Tyrant: I mean like fa real, fa real you know what I’m sayin with me and dude, like I just got through talking to him probably 2 weeks ago. We finally talked for like the first time in about a year. You know what I mean? It was just a whole bunch of things that was a misunderstanding. You know, I wish him the best on what he’s doing and we just sit around and we talk because before anything, it’s rapping or anything. We’ve always been friends since like the sixth grade. So it was always just a thing of misunderstanding. He thought one thing and I, you know what I’m sayin, was going another way. But like, you know what I’m sayin, we cool now and it’s water under the bridge. You should probably be looking for a song from me and Will on this album.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Oh, ok! You’re giving us the exclusive. Letting the cat out of the bag during the interview, huh?

Tyrant: Oh yeah. I’mma let it go. You hear me!

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Does it bother you that people don’t mention you as one of the best emcees in St. Louis?

Tyrant: The people who recognize real music in here, they already know who I am and I can’t say that I’m not considered in that top because everywhere I go even when I’m trying to be noticed and I sit back and people be like this and this and that. So it’s like I’m not saying that I’m not noticed to where I need to be at right now but the streets is talking you know what I’m sayin. I don’t have the most radio play and I don’t have the most spins right now but the streets know that once I get my chance it’s going to be a whole new day in St. Louis. You know you got your haters that don’t even want to give me the props but it’s cool because I’ve been putting in my dues and this time around it ain’t even no asking about it, it’s just going to be taken. So they can congratulate or they can get in line. You know what I’m sayin?

St. Louis Ben Grimm: So is there anything else you want the HipHopClub readers to know?

Tyrant: Just be looking out for the album “The Design” you know it’s going to be coming soon. I promise you it’s a classic, not just a classic… a super classic. It’s coming soon. Lil Ty, the president of the city #1 on everybody’s list after this album you hear me. It won’t be no debate about who the best and this and that. Not even just in this city, just period. I promise you. You hear me?

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Thanks for the interview dude!

Tyrant: Aight, that’s what it do, my dude! B-E-Z!

–By Marrio (St. Louis Ben Grimm) Gardner

Q- Give us some history behind the name NewMC how did that come about?

A- “NEW ONE” was my tag since I was 9 years old, I grew up down the block from “KILS87″ who is the most OG graffitti writer on the south side. He would tell my mom he was baby sitting me and have me out on missions playing look out for him when I was like 10 years old. I paid a grip of dues in the graf scene early but I was never that good. But I kept my tag name and I still sticker bomb.

Q-Give the fans some insight of who Newmc is beyond the artist?

A- Man I would like to tell you theres allot to me but overall I’m just a rapper (LOL) its on my mind about 23 hours of every day. On the side my first love is Basket ball, I was a better MC/promoter than I ever was a hooper though. I’m a giant NBA fan and I still ball at least once a week…. matter of fact I turn 30 Friday and I can still dunk a ball. (LOL) I hope, I’ll have to go make sure Friday morning.

Q-What prompted the solo album?

A- Dillon Parker, the dude who’s been running Interlock wanted me to do it. I think he got drunk with ANT (of Atmosphere) one night and ANT was drunk enough to tell him it was a good idea. (LOL)

Q-Tell the fans what they can expect from this new album?

A- My solo shows a little more me than the music I’ve put out with Kanser & Traditional methods. I wana say its a little more street but not in the way allot of rappers use the word “street”. I’m not that hard of a dude, but I am a south side dude, I’ve seen and felt a good amount of nutty things growing up here, and I try to express that South Minneapolis is a diverse fresh place to live but growing up in it ant always easy. I really hope heads from out of state or outside of the city get a good picture of how I see South Minneapolis the way I tried to paint it.

Q-Are you going to be touring to promote this project?

A- Man I just got back yesterday from a 8 shows threw the Midwest out to Montana. I booked it to start pushing the record, but we got a little backed up and the CDs wont be back till Nov 15th. I’m trying to book more shows right now, but what I and kanser need is to get on a big tour, or just go on the road opening for somebody even a little bigger than us. We’re doing our best grinding on some do it your self mission but a nice hook up right now would be what we need to get to the next level.

Q-Can we expect more projects from Kanser in the future?

A-Kanser has a record on deck completely produced by Big Jess of the Unknown prophets. Its pretty good and real mature. We’ll probably put it out a few months into 2008 behind my solo.

Q-How does it feel to be a pioneer of the MN hip hop scene?

A- (LOL) I’m glad you called me a pioneer, that will make my day. It feels good knowing you had a hand in building the basement of a house that lots of kids are living in. There was a group called the “Abstract Pack” out of St Paul that were popular when I was a kid, sadly one of the members passed away in 1996. His name was SESS and I am going to show a 10 minute video about him and the Abstract Pack at my CD release show. I would like people to check it out. The Pack were Twin cities Pioneers.

Q- Being a pioneer of the scene are you happy with the growth of the scene?

A- Yes we have one of the freshest underground scenes in America.

Q-What would you change about the MN hip hop scene if you could?

A- Man thats a tough one …. some times I feel that the scene is a little to soft, better soft than hater ville. I wish more “street rappers” like Musab, Guardians of balance, Tony bonez & Big Wiz ect sold more records. Sometimes I feel like its easier for me to get a underground following cause my music is a little softer. But those dudes are really the best rappers.

Q- If given the chance to go mainstream would you take it? why or why not?

A- Depending on the situation ….Fuck ya! If I could get into a situation like Kanya West or the Roots that would be the shit! But I never shoot that high, opportunity’s like that are up to God. I will just try to continue to develop my skills as a MC.

Q-Where do you see yourself in five years career wise?

A- Man I don’t know? When I was 16 I had no idea I would be the best I’ve ever been at 29. I will grind and hustle in rap in till it doesn’t pay the bills any more than I hope God will guide me somewhere else. I wouldn’t mind opening my own Hip Hop Club/cafe.

Q-Who are some local and national artists/producers you have worked with?

A- I haven’t worked with anyone huge. I got a couple beats from ANT & Big Jess on my solo album. Also Musab who just signed with Heirogliphics is on my album, witch is kinda cool cause Heiro were my favorrite rappers when I was a teen.

Q- Is there anything else you would like to say?

A- Ya thanks Wizdom and Hiphopclub.biz for the interview and my CD release show is Saturday Nov 17th @the Foundation, all ages 6pm-930pm and its should be dope.

Q-Were can fans get more info about you and your music?

A- http://www.myspace.com/kanser or http://www.myspace.com/newmcsoloreleaseshow

–By Wizdom

Ask DJ Trackstar why you think the sky is blue and he’ll give you the most logical explanation to why it is, plus he’ll break down the mathematics and physics as to how the light scatters to make it happen. The Egon Spangler-esque intellect of DJ Trackstar aka Gabe Moskoff is only a fraction of what makes up the unorthodox disc jockey from Wisconsin. If you took the time to really get to know him, you would find out that he is an innovator, volunteer, business man and an honorable element in hip hop. His catalog consists of Boogie Bang Music which is a 9 volume mixtape series, holding meetings at a college university to teach children the history of hip hop that he squeezes into his full-time DJ schedule and a long list of accolades that he has received for what he’s done in St. Louis hip hop.

This interview shines light on DJ Trackstar to find out more about why he is so influential to the local underground hip hop scene. A lot can be learned from this young DJ who is only beginning to “scratch” the surface. Read on as he talks about his appreciation and insight of hip hop culture, working with Lupe Fiasco, the historic Hi-Pointe Café and his new weekly hip hop dwelling at Blueberry Hill called Integrity.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: How did you come up with your name DJ Trackstar?

DJ Trackstar: I ran track in high school and I was pretty good at it. When I got to college, I needed a DJ name for my radio show and I didn’t have a name yet. I was sitting there, I was sweating it real hard trying to figure out what I’ll call myself because I knew I was going to use it for a long time and I had to get it right the first time and it came to me one day. I use to be a Track star and now I’m trying to be a star playing the tracks or whatever, so that’s how I came up with the name.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: How did you come up with the premise for the Boogie Bang mixtape series?

DJ Trackstar: Well, for real, the inspiration for the name came from the Tef Poe song that was track #1 on the first Boogie Bang and once I named it that, I thought it was a hot name. Everyone liked the name and everyone really liked the way I put together a bunch of local joints along with a bunch of national artists and it was one of the things where it worked well. The people gave me good feedback and I wasn’t done with it so I thought “You know what? Why change the format?” It’s been around for almost 2 years.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: You know I’m already a personal fan of BBM (laughs)!

DJ Trackstar: No doubt. I appreciate you for that.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: What do you look for in an emcee when it comes to putting talent on your mixtapes?

DJ Trackstar: For real, it’s hard to even define it. When I put stuff on the mixtapes, it’s strictly what I want to listen to. It’s straight up what compels me, what songs that I’m hearing and I’m like “I want to hear that again the next day!” you know. I’ll just be sitting there and all of a sudden start singing the chorus to myself or something. It’s like; the music picks me for real. I don’t get people because I want to support this person or whatever, because there are a lot of cats out here that I want to support but they don’t make songs that I’m feeling like that. I’m trying to keep it really real with myself to the point to where the mixtape is what I’m going to be looking back on in 20 years. I want to look back and say, “Ok, that’s what I was feeling back in March of 2006. That’s what I was listening to in July of 07.” I don’t want to be like, “Oh! That’s what was hot in July 07 but I didn’t really like it,” but, I thought it was a nice person who made the song.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: (laughs) I feel you.

DJ Trackstar: As far as local acts go, I usually put on the people that I’m associated with on there but the thing is I’m associated with them because I feel their music. I’m saying, I didn’t grow up here so I don’t have partners that I’ve been going to school with for 15 years. Like Tef Poe and Family Affair and stuff, I’m building relationships with them because I like their music. I’ll let the local acts get on there, I’m open to anything, open to everyone. Every style, every type of rapper. I mean, it’s pretty much gotta be lyrical. I’m open to anything, I’ll always listen to it and if it catches me, even if it’s not what people consider to be my style or whatever that is… if it catches me, I’m using it. Period.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: That’s cool man.

DJ Trackstar: I know that’s a long answer, but I feel like people need to understand how I choose my music because people are always like, “Oh! This song is hot, it’s getting spins!” I couldn’t give a damn. I’m also not going to say, “Oh! It’s not getting spins so I’m not going to mess with it.” If it’s a good song, if it’s a radio hit, cool. If it’s a good song, and no one has ever heard of it besides me, cool, I’m going to use it.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: You recently had Lupe Fiasco host the Boogie Bang Music 7 mixtape. How did that go down?

DJ Trackstar: Well, he did a show up at Webster University and it was one of those lightning strikes type of joints where I happened to know someone who knew someone who was willing to put me in contact with him. For real, I can’t explain it. I asked him and he said yes. It was just that simple. I’d like to say that I did something special to make it happen. I said, “Yo! Would you mind hosting this mixtape for me?” And you know, I came prepared, I had my tape recorder and my scripts printed out on me. I asked him and he said yeah. That’s all it was. Dude was really great, he’s the most super-humble dude. I was really impressed with him. Not just how he dealt with me but how he dealt with people wanting autographs. He was just super-humble and super-respectful to every person that crossed his path. I was really impressed with him being an international star, GQ member of the year and all that and still being so down to earth. He recorded those drops. I have no idea if he’s ever heard of me before or not but he didn’t argue at all. He was just like, “Yeah, no doubt!”

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Do you believe that as a DJ that you are making an impact on hip hop?

DJ Trackstar: I don’t know if I’m making an impact. I believe that I’ve made some sort of impact on the local [St. Louis] scene. I mean I’d like to make an impact on hip hop in general eventually. I think that I’ve created some sort of legacy that will be left behind… an example that other people can follow and other people can see where they could do things. I don’t know how much of an impact that I’ve made in hip hop in general. I wouldn’t really go as far as to say that.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Do you feel that the emcee depreciates the importance of the DJ in hip hop today compared to years past?

DJ Trackstar: As far as visibility, obviously the emcee is way out in the front and the DJ is much, much less of a star, you know. I can’t say that it’s worse to be a DJ at all because as far as the lane I choose to be in, there’s a lot less competition of people trying to be DJs who can do it even on a basic level. Anyone can rap, technically. If you were out and decided to start an emcee career tomorrow, we could do it. But a random rapper can’t say, “Oh, I’m going to be a DJ starting right now.” I mean, you have to learn certain things and you have to buy a bunch of equipment. As far as having a chance to progress as an entity and as an artist, it’s almost better to be a DJ nowadays. As far as the fame and the visibility and the importance that’s seriously placed with the DJ, that’s definitely diminished over the years.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: You recently had a cover story in the Riverfront Times about your involvement with the Center for Recording Arts at Washington University. Could you tell us about your contributions to the program?

DJ Trackstar: Well, the Washington U. thing is actually something that I started. We were just holding meetings at Wash U., it really didn’t have anything to do with the university. We just kind of went in there and jacked some of their space (laughs) because we didn’t have anywhere else to run the program. It was something I started about 3 years ago to teach kids about where hip hop came from and kind of keep the legacy going as far as people understanding the true history behind hip hop and the true meaning behind what it use to mean. Basically to give kids an understanding that; Lil Wayne was not the first rapper. Lil Wayne got his ideas from “blank”, who got his ideas from “blank”, who got his ideas from “blank” you know. All the way down the line, use some perspective because that’s what’s lacking a lot of the time. Then it kind of expands into the more general kids stuff but using hip hop to do so. Throw a little math in there, a little geography, throw some social issues to try to use hip hop as a vehicle because obviously it’s a predominant youth culture in America.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Okay.

DJ Trackstar: What’s real important right now, Finsta and Lifestyle are both giving up their Sundays every week and there is a group of kids we meet with every Sunday. They are both very integral parts of what we do for the C.R.A. and I couldn’t do what I’m doing without them.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: That RFT article was off the chain too. I was really proud to see you on the cover. I was like, “What the hell?!” (laughs)

DJ Trackstar: I was freaked out! I was asking them, “How many copies are you making of this?” they were like, “200,000” and I was like “Oh my God”! That was crazy.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: What do you appreciate about hip hop culture?

DJ Trackstar: I appreciate the way that it tells a story that needs to be told. It really makes it more plain… the situation we’re in here in America, especially racially and economically. It really gives a voice to the poor people and the black people who aren’t given the same privileges as other people are given and don’t have the same opportunities. People look at crime statistics and they just say, “Oh, that’s what it is!” well hip hop kind of brings a why things are the way they are, why people act the way up America really is for real. How racist this country is and really how this country cares about it’s poor people. It just really gives a voice to the oppressed people who wouldn’t otherwise have a voice that would reach outside of their own community. I know personally through hip hop I’ve got involved in not just the C.R.A. but I’m not really involved in learning about the race war that’s going on right now, whether people want to understand it or not. It really gave me an avenue to explore and learn about the America that I didn’t grow up in while in Wisconsin.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: That is a really good insight. Could you tell us more about Integrity at Blueberry Hill?

DJ Trackstar: Integrity kind of came about from the ashes of the Hi-Pointe and The Science, from the end of the reign of it being strictly hip hop at The Halo Bar on Fridays you know, which is my spot. Basically, Halo not being hip hop night anymore, I still wanted to have somewhere to spin hip hop every week and strictly hip hop. I love soul music, I love rock, I love a lot of different types of music but I’m a hip hop DJ. That’s what I do. I missed having a spot where I could plan the set strictly of hip hop and have it go every week. It seems like I’ve been looking for a new home for The Hi-Pointe to fill that void as well and I felt Blueberry Hill would be a great place for it. So I put together a team; I got Finsta from the Hi-Pointe and Tech Productions who’d be my record label, Real Nice Records and we basically put together a plan to do Integrity. We got a beat battle up there which I believe has never been done before in St. Louis. The producers can come in and compete and showcase their beats and at the same time we got the open mic like the Hi-Pointe. We’ve got a performance every week from a different artist and it’s real quality hip hop without all of the industry politics, with no regards of what’s on the radio. It’s where you come and heard stuff that you’ve never heard before and real classic hip hop. We don’t just play what’s new and what’s hot. We play all types of hip hop up there but we definitely keep it on what’s known as the real hip hop.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: You were a major factor as one of the regular DJs at the legendary Hi-Pointe Café every Monday night (R.I.P.). Are there any elements that parallel with the elements of the new Integrity?

DJ Trackstar: Most definitely! For starters you’ve got Finsta who’s obviously the fixture to Hi-Pointe for about 9 years. You got me, I got in late. I was only there for the last year and a half or so, I was spinning most weeks. We still got the open mic freestyle session and we’ve got performances every week. There are a lot of parallels, we have a lot of the same crowd but not all of the same crowd. We’ve got some people who haven’t been participating like they did at the ‘Pointe but that’s cool. They’ll come around if they get off of work on Saturdays or whatever it is (laughs). I wouldn’t say it’s the same as the Hi-Pointe but it definitely has it’s parallels.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Is there anything else that you would like the HipHopClub readers to know?

DJ Trackstar: Listen to hip hop, really listen to it and understand what’s going on and what messages they’re sending to ourselves as adults. If you’re putting out all negative energy, that’s where it’s going to go. A lot of people have quoted this, but Mos Def said, “Where Hip Hop’s going is where we’re going.” And what we’re thinking about is money and getting girls and diamonds and violence, that’s where it’s going to be. If we try to leave the world a better place than it came to us, that’s how it’s going to go and that’s going to be hip hop’s legacy. And plenty of people are criticizing hip hop for it’s concept, you’ve got to look at it in perspective. You’ve got to look at why these songs are happening the way they are and why 50 Cent the biggest star that’s in the world. Blame the record executives that are making these decisions, don’t blame the artist who is just trying to survive in the game that is presented to him. Jimmy Iovine is control of the record industry. He’s got more control over it than most people but without Jimmy Iovine’s blessing there’s no 50 Cent. You can look and see who’s really pulling the strings and don’t get 50 Cent on CNN trying to blast his music. Ask Jim Iovine why he thinks it’s ok to do what he does.

Fore more info check out:  http://www.myspace.com/djtrackstar

–By Marrio (St. Louis Ben Grimm) Gardner

The music is really a logical extension of me, so before I identify as an emcee, I like to keep it thorough with who I am as an individual. I’m an African cat, born and raised, with a passion of seeing me and mines progress through the years. I embrace and articulate struggle but in a more complete sense. For instance you can catch me talking about trying to get a visa and a love for women in the same verse. Balance you know. Artistically, I strife to get things original, fresh and true to the experiences I know. If that doesn’t make a sound backdrop for good music, then I might have to get into doing action flicks or something.

So you were born and raised in Ghana, what brought you to Minnesota?

It’s a globalized world, we all know about and want a piece of that American dream. I grew up in an era in Ghana where everybody wants go out and pursue opportunity and come back with a pot of gold. It’s ingrained in us so viciously. Truth is, the motherland is beautiful, but the opportunity bit is challenging – especially when you’re young and the difficulties in the environment limit your imagination. I came here for school though, cause I got a scholarship, a real good one, so I came here regardless of Prince being the only black person I’d ever heard of from MN. So I guess you could call that the African dream… or maybe the American dream – the African version

Tell us how Ghana and MN cultures influence your music? I think and breathe Ghana. You can’t replace the humbling experience of growing up without all these luxuries of washing machines and paved roads. It keeps me grounded. The Twin Cities has a nice alternative and independent vibe I dig. Truth is, it’s not a mecca for black folk, so you learn to hold your own in a environment not built for you and yours. All these make it more necessary to keep it real and funky in the music.

Who are some artists you looked up to growing up?

I knew a lot reggae and hi-life before Hip-hop caught my ears. So I’m talking about people like Koo Nimo (Ghana), Fela Kuti, Gregory Isaacs, Buju, Jimmy cliff and Lucky Dube. But then of course I love me a lot of R&B (or soul if you want to get specific). Curtis Mayfield, Marvin and as recent as Lauryn Hill and D’angelo. Hip-Hop-wise I was big into the whole BDP movement. KRS and Mad lion was mad influential for me. Naughty by Nature too. I used to have lots of cassettes with recordings of a little bit of everything from Audio Two, slick rick, Tupac , Nas Mc Lyte. I listened to a whole lot more like the brasil 66 and manu dibango’s later on. The kind of stuff in my grandfather’s record collection

You will be dropping your album Manifestations soon, is this your first album?

Yes it is. It’s been a long time coming. I was in a rap crew in high school but nothing ever manifest (no pun intended) material wise. I went on a long hiatus in my college days dabbling in a little this and that. Manifestation is the new birth, my Lazarus moment you can call it

How long have you been making music and how did you get started?

I’ve been writing as far back as I can remember. I was a closet poet until about ’97 when I got up with a crew called Rebel Camp in high school. That’s when I begun to perform my writing. It was terrifying back then, no lie. But it was a necessary beginning to my progress. If you don’t rock the crowd back home nobody could care less if you were quoting scripture or talking about murking two dudes with one bullet. Although there is an ingrained appreciation of poetry and the power and skill of using words. It’s a culture of griots

You do allot of shows around the Twin Cities, What artists have you performed with?

Yeah, its been a blessing having a lot of good-standing artists embrace me. I’ve done shows with I self Devine, Desdamona, Carnage, Sarah White. I did Golden, Prof & Rahzwell, and Big Quarters’ CD releases, the TC Hip-Hop fest at First Ave, and a whole bunch of stuff I don’t wanna bore you with. I feel like I need a membership card at the Fine Line though, I’ve been a part of quite a number of good shows there for a “new” artist.

What can fans expect from one of your shows?

I’m African and we like to dance and party, even at funerals – so there’s that celebratory energy at shows that make you feel good regardless of the depth of what I’m talking about. Also, a lot of funky and soulful energy and that old-school captivating the entire crowd type feel. I perform with two female vocalists as well to keep it melodic and musical.

Tell us about 4 shades the movement?

4shades is a creative collision of me and three young and unbelievably musical producers in the cities. Its consists of O-D, Katrah-Quey, and Gmobeatz. These guys are slept on and growing so rapidly too. Gmobeatz just turned 15 and you wouldn’t believe what you hear from him. I look at art as a collective process so its important to have a team that gets it. its about pushing each other to make honest, original and inspiring music. 4shades is that home team

Are you a completely solo emcee or do you have a crew also?

I’m a soloist but 4Shades is the home team. Its for me what organized noise was to outkast. Its like the lakers with Magic you know. Or more like Brazil in the football (soccer) world. Okay that’s a weak metaphor

What is the hip hop scene like in Ghana and how it differs from the hip hop scene in the US?

Ghanaians like good music, we could give a middle finger about whether its country or Kwaito. Rythmn , melody, & substance is the basis of our musical traditions, once it feels good we run with it. There isn’t the kind of Hip-Hop scene in Ghana that there is in France for instance. There was in the 90’s, its kind in a depression now. A change gon come though.

What is your opinion of the work Akon is doing in Senegal Africa helping out? Could you see your self helping out in Africa if you blew up to that level?

Most definitely, I don’t even need to wait to blow up on the Akon level to make contributions. It starts now. I’m building connections with artists all over the continent and the Diaspora. Strength in numbers. There’s a lot of innovative stuff in the works. I dig what Akon is doing. He’s making popular music but keeps it gully and African when he needs to. He’s in for longevity.

What are the long term goals for your music career?

I really hope to make my people proud without compromising. Making timeless and funky music to inspire some positive thinking and action you know. This gift is divine, and the music is a spiritual thing I don’t take it lightly, even though I have excess amounts of fun doing it

Is there anything else you would like to say to the HipHopClub Readers?

Er… I’m usually not this wordy. And er, cop the record, it has excess amounts of good music for the soul, feet, and your car when you’re cruising the city at night or on a road trip. Shout out to HipHopClub!

Thanks for doing the interview. Where can people find out more about you?

Thanks for the opportunity. We’re working on building www.manifestmc.com so you can check that out real soon. Currently the site redirects to my myspace so they can check out music, thoughts and the whole nine on there. I try to keep a blog current too. Much respect to all and keep shining. Blessings

The music is really a logical extension of me, so before I identify as an emcee, I like to keep it thorough with who I am as an individual. I’m an African cat, born and raised, with a passion of seeing me and mines progress through the years. I embrace and articulate struggle but in a more complete sense. For instance you can catch me talking about trying to get a visa and a love for women in the same verse. Balance you know. Artistically, I strife to get things original, fresh and true to the experiences I know. If that doesn’t make a sound backdrop for good music, then I might have to get into doing action flicks or something.

So you were born and raised in Ghana, what brought you to Minnesota?

It’s a globalized world, we all know about and want a piece of that American dream. I grew up in an era in Ghana where everybody wants go out and pursue opportunity and come back with a pot of gold. It’s ingrained in us so viciously. Truth is, the motherland is beautiful, but the opportunity bit is challenging – especially when you’re young and the difficulties in the environment limit your imagination. I came here for school though, cause I got a scholarship, a real good one, so I came here regardless of Prince being the only black person I’d ever heard of from MN. So I guess you could call that the African dream… or maybe the American dream – the African version

Tell us how Ghana and MN cultures influence your music? I think and breathe Ghana. You can’t replace the humbling experience of growing up without all these luxuries of washing machines and paved roads. It keeps me grounded. The Twin Cities has a nice alternative and independent vibe I dig. Truth is, it’s not a mecca for black folk, so you learn to hold your own in a environment not built for you and yours. All these make it more necessary to keep it real and funky in the music.

Who are some artists you looked up to growing up?

I knew a lot reggae and hi-life before Hip-hop caught my ears. So I’m talking about people like Koo Nimo (Ghana), Fela Kuti, Gregory Isaacs, Buju, Jimmy cliff and Lucky Dube. But then of course I love me a lot of R&B (or soul if you want to get specific). Curtis Mayfield, Marvin and as recent as Lauryn Hill and D’angelo. Hip-Hop-wise I was big into the whole BDP movement. KRS and Mad lion was mad influential for me. Naughty by Nature too. I used to have lots of cassettes with recordings of a little bit of everything from Audio Two, slick rick, Tupac , Nas Mc Lyte. I listened to a whole lot more like the brasil 66 and manu dibango’s later on. The kind of stuff in my grandfather’s record collection

You will be dropping your album Manifestations soon, is this your first album?

Yes it is. It’s been a long time coming. I was in a rap crew in high school but nothing ever manifest (no pun intended) material wise. I went on a long hiatus in my college days dabbling in a little this and that. Manifestation is the new birth, my Lazarus moment you can call it

How long have you been making music and how did you get started? I’ve been writing as far back as I can remember. I was a closet poet until about ’97 when I got up with a crew called Rebel Camp in high school. That’s when I begun to perform my writing. It was terrifying back then, no lie. But it was a necessary beginning to my progress. If you don’t rock the crowd back home nobody could care less if you were quoting scripture or talking about murking two dudes with one bullet. Although there is an ingrained appreciation of poetry and the power and skill of using words. It’s a culture of griots

You do allot of shows around the Twin Cities, What artists have you performed with?

Yeah, its been a blessing having a lot of good-standing artists embrace me. I’ve done shows with I self Devine, Desdamona, Carnage, Sarah White. I did Golden, Prof & Rahzwell, and Big Quarters’ CD releases, the TC Hip-Hop fest at First Ave, and a whole bunch of stuff I don’t wanna bore you with. I feel like I need a membership card at the Fine Line though, I’ve been a part of quite a number of good shows there for a “new” artist.

What can fans expect from one of your shows?

I’m African and we like to dance and party, even at funerals – so there’s that celebratory energy at shows that make you feel good regardless of the depth of what I’m talking about. Also, a lot of funky and soulful energy and that old-school captivating the entire crowd type feel. I perform with two female vocalists as well to keep it melodic and musical.

Are you a completely solo emcee or do you have a crew also?

I’m a soloist but 4Shades is the home team. Its for me what organized noise was to outkast. Its like the lakers with Magic you know. Or more like Brazil in the football (soccer) world. Okay that’s a weak metaphor

Tell us about 4 shades the movement?

4shades is a creative collision of me and three young and unbelievably musical producers in the cities. Its consists of O-D, Katrah-Quey, and Gmobeatz. These guys are slept on and growing so rapidly too. Gmobeatz just turned 15 and you wouldn’t believe what you hear from him. I look at art as a collective process so its important to have a team that gets it. its about pushing each other to make honest, original and inspiring music. 4shades is that home team

What is the hip hop scene like in Ghana and how it differs from the hip hop scene in the US?

Ghanaians like good music, we could give a middle finger about whether its country or Kwaito. Rythmn , melody, & substance is the basis of our musical traditions, once it feels good we run with it. There isn’t the kind of Hip-Hop scene in Ghana that there is in France for instance. There was in the 90’s, its kind in a depression now. A change gon come though.

What is your opinion of the work Akon is doing in Senegal Africa helping out? Could you see your self helping out in Africa if you blew up to that level?

Most definitely, I don’t even need to wait to blow up on the Akon level to make contributions. It starts now. I’m building connections with artists all over the continent and the Diaspora. Strength in numbers. There’s a lot of innovative stuff in the works. I dig what Akon is doing. He’s making popular music but keeps it gully and African when he needs to. He’s in for longevity.

What are the long term goals for your music career?

I really hope to make my people proud without compromising. Making timeless and funky music to inspire some positive thinking and action you know. This gift is divine, and the music is a spiritual thing I don’t take it lightly, even though I have excess amounts of fun doing it

Is there anything else you would like to say to the HipHopClub Readers?

Er… I’m usually not this wordy. And er, cop the record, it has excess amounts of good music for the soul, feet, and your car when you’re cruising the city at night or on a road trip. Shout out to HipHopClub!

Thanks for doing the interview. Where can people find out more about you?

Thanks for the opportunity. We’re working on building www.manifestmc.com so you can check that out real soon. Currently the site redirects to my myspace so they can check out music, thoughts and the whole nine on there. I try to keep a blog current too. Much respect to all and keep shining. Blessings

–By Wizdom

When the Ghetto Poets rock a stage you can feel their energy. Most members of the Ghetto Poets grew up in low income single parent households. The name Ghetto Poet means a talented artist from the ghetto. So when you hear the Ghetto Poets say we’re from the hood, you can believe it and you will feel their struggles in their music.

Ghetto Poets have dropped several mixtapes but to this date have not dropped an album. Ghetto Poets have a major buzz in the twin cities. They got three nominations for Song of The Year “Undeniable”, Best Group and Best Performance at the 1st Annual Twin Cities Hip-Hop Awards 2007. The awards show was a success although the Ghetto Poets didn’t take home any awards they did perform and their performance was explosive. Soon after the awards show the Ghetto Poets were approached by acclaimed producer Traxx from TrackRunnas Productions with a deal to produce an album. The group agreed to work with Traxx and have been in the studio working Traxx ever since. Thes guys are brining a brand new movement to the game. Check out the exclusive interview with the Ghetto Poets.

HHC: How yall doing?

GP: Good

HHC: How many are in your group?

GP: Their is 7 of us. Stradegy, Adolescence, Oke Doke, Pest Kid, Young Jay, Geoff Brizzle, and Rawskills.

HHC: What type of hip hop do you guys make?

GP: We make all kinds of hip-hop we don’t limit our selves

HHC: What sets your group aside from other crews?

GP: We don’t follow trends.

HHC: When will you guys be droppin an album?

GP: In the fall the album will be dropping.

HHC: Tell me how have you guys made a mark in the local hip hop community?

GP: By putting on so many great performances around the city.

HHC: Do you think the major labels are dying out?

GP: Absolutely!!

HHC: Describe a Ghetto Poet performance?

GP: High energy, crowd pleasing!

HHC: What made you guys decide to be rappers?

GP: We like to call ourselves artist because the title rapper puts a limitation on you. It was a forced marriage to become artist we were destined to do this.

HHC: Do you think a large percentage of black youth want to be rappers? Do you think this is good or bad?

GP: Yes, because of the images that are portrayed in videos.
And this is a bad thing cause most of these rappers ain’t living they lyrics.

HHC: What other MN groups/rappers/people in the scene doo you guys work with?

GP: Chris Clay and La Ron besides them nobody yet.

HHC: Is there anything else you guys want to say?

GP: The Ghetto Poets are a serious group you wanna pay attention to in the future!(stradegy)
If you aint rappin to reach people you should’nt do it.(pest kid)
If don’t do music for the love of it don’t do it.(adolescence)
To all the basketball players I grew up with, you know who you are, you suburb gangsters and u myspace bicep thugs calm down before I calm you down!(rawskillz)

HHC: Were can people get more info on your group?

For right now myspace.com/ghettopoets.

–By Wizdom

Forced to deal with the poverty stricken streets of Kansas City’s the south side, Afro was introduced to a hustling, slick talking pimp named Dwayne Nixon, his mother’s new love interest. Introducing Afro to old school music like Curtis Mayfield’s “Pusher Man” from his Super Fly album, Nixon rekindled Afro’s fiery love for music, a love that was smoldered during his parents divorce. “My dad is musical genius.” says Afro. “He can play 17 different instruments. He gave me a genuine love for music that will always be in my soul. When Nixon came around, he introduced me to old school soul and funk. His boy Wayne introduced me to new school rap.

Afro’s hip-hop career began with many freestyle battles and poetry slams. Performing and recording with the likes of Chico from Junior M.A.F.I.A., and Nard from Do or Die, Afro has already started to make his presence in the industry known. Afro says “I love performing. I’ve rocked stages all over the country, and I plan to rock them all over the world.

HHC:How you doing?

A.P.: Everyday I’m hustling Pimpin, you know how it go.

HHC: Tell us what’s the story behind the name?

A.P. : That’s a good one. Well the name was a collaborative thing. I got it from my homies. I’ve always had and afro at some point in my life. And, my homies have always told me I sound like a preacher when I flow. My boy J.Griff can up with the final name as a joke but it just fit. So I held on to it.

HHC: Your from Kansas City Mo. What brought you to MN?

A.P. : I was a soldier in the U.S. Army. Fort Snelling was my last station. Minnesota was something different for me. Once I started finding out that this was a musical town I made my home here.

HHC: In your eyes what is the main difference between MN and Kansas City Mo?

A.P. : How much time you got! The quality of life is much better here. Like ten times better! K.C. is straight hood! In ‘91 the life span of ah black male was 15 years. I mean I was dodgin the dirty cops and gangs all the damn time. So when I got here, It was a totally different world! I didn’t know that black folks were living this well. Don’t get me wrong, there’s hood shit going on in Murderapolis too! But, bullets were like birds chirpin in the morning in KC. Every damn morning! It’s “The Show Me State” for real. I’m thankful to have raised my children here.

HHC: When did you get serious about music and what influenced you?

A.P. : I got pretty serious in about 94. I was living in south Minnie across the street from “Sayers” of Rhyme Sayers and Supa Dave. My little brotha was real coo with the Abstract Pack, R.I.P. to Sess………..so going to their shows really pushed me. That cat Rastar was always my favorite emcee from that crew. I won a few emcee battles. Niggas didn’t get prizes back then. LOL My biggest musical influence is my Mom and Dad, Grand pa and the whole Porter family! People say that if your last name is Porter you should be able to sing. I will say most of the men in my family can blow. My dad plays 17 instruments, so it came natural. My step dad turn me on to P’funk and his home boy Wayne was the first person I heard spit a flow as a kid. The shit was amazing to me! Hip-Hop hadn’t got to K.C. yet. We were still vibin off of Jazz, Gospel, R&B and Blues. Wayne gave me my first hip-hop tape. It was all beat up but had RUN D.M.C. on it. I popped it in my cassette player and it was over from there.

HHC: How has the church shaped you and your music?

A.P.: The church gave me the foundation to build myself as a man. Every man needs a foundation. Being a PK (Preachers Kid) , gospel was the first music I was introduce to, so I’ve been singing in front of folks and directing choir since I was young. I believe Gospel by far has shaped most of the musical genres on the planet. Even Elvis had to learn how to count beats. Gospel taught me rhythm, how to count, and project my voice over 80 people. To sing lead over a choir takes strength for real.

HHC: Describe what “sexy church music” is?

A.P.: It’s a personal description of my personality. Hip-Hop, Gospel rhythms, and Funk music all in one. Since I have a deep love for all these genres I mixed them together. I really didn’t hear anyone else doing what I was doing. So I didn’t know what to label it as I just knew I wanted to be original.

HHC: How many albums do you have out?

A.P.: I have done some things on other projects. I used to be in a group and we put out projects. I’m on a few mix tapes, and I have done a lot of features. “Shake” is officially the first single I put out as Afro-Preachah.

HHC: When is your knew album dropping?

A.P.: 7 A. P. is the title of my new album and it will drop around April/May.

HHC: You were in a rap group once. What made you go solo?

A.P.: Yuh, The name of the group was Third Eyed, with my boy Dirty Brown and Terrell. I finally went solo because I really had to express myself and tell my own story. Not saying I’m the first PK to come into the game to do something. But, there are some things that have gone on in the church that need to be addressed and I don’t want anyone getting blamed for what I do. Either you feel me or you don’t.

HHC: Who is Tripple Sul Entertainment?

More like what is Tripple Sul Entertainment. It is the promotional/execution division of The Entertainment Companies. LLC.

HHC: What is your role in Tripple Sul Entertainment?

A.P. Founder and CEO

HHC: Who are some local and national artist you have worked with?

A.P.: National – Chico Del Vet of Junior Mafia, Nard of Do of Die, V.I.P.

Local – Big C, J.Griff, DBK, Prevos, Prozac, Protégée, Jawbreaker “JB“, Contac, Sandman, Trama, A.K., Tall Mike n Tango Ray, Tony Stiletto anybody I forget charge it to my head not my heart.

HHC: Any further information you would like to share?

A.P.: What a lot of people don’t know about me is that I’m a comic book artist and a airbrush artist. I’ve been drawing since I was five. I served 5 years in the U.S. Army and I’m practitioner of Martial discipline. I’ve been training for 6 years. . Big up to my teacher’s Sifu Damus, Sifu Storm, Master Nathan and the Rwang Foo warriors. I’m looking to do martial films like Jim Kelly some day.

HHC: Where can people see you perform or get more info about you?

A.P.: Right now I have a song call “Gimme Some Room” featuring Protégée produced by T-Fixx, that’s #3 on the radio charts in Belgium . I just featured on a mixed tape with Tony Stiletto releasing this month. I’ll be performing at the Official Tony Stiletto Mixtape release party at 7 Nightclub. Also I’m hosting The Knockout Emcee Battle with Chantel. You can also get up with me at www.afro-preachah.com, www.myspace.com/afropreachah and www.soundhustle.com/afropreachah

–HHC Staff

Tech N9ne, an offbeat rapper from Kansas City has been called “underground”” and “alternative” since he first hit the scene in the late eighties. A far cry from pre-packaged rhymes about girls, money and fly cars, Tech N9ne’s lyrics deal with the emotional and sometimes dark side of life. “You listen to my pain, me as a father, my victories, me almost dying……you hear all my fuck ups,” he says about his songs. It’s not surprising that an honesty such as his has been rejected by the mainstream. But as he suggests somehow modestly, “Wouldn’t the mainstream be wonderful with a bit of Tech N9ne?…I want the rest of the world to hear my story too!”

Tech N9ne, who has been promoting almost non stop is at a mall signing tennis shoes for fans. He seems to enjoy the attention, but at no point does he become full of himself. He’s talkative and a social flirt, but between signing shoes and cracking jokes with his friends, he takes the time to thoughtfully answer my questions. He shows a pure and constant love for his family, “I do this [music] for the love of my children…my kids are my biggest fans.” Along with his family, he points to his local fan base as fundamental in his success, ““You have to rep where you’re from–if you’re not a superstar at home, how you gonna’ blow up?” Tech N9ne seems to understand the local and national hip-hop scene. Being a rapper for so long he exudes a natural understanding of the industry and of his art, “I’m an original b-boy,” Tech asserts about his experience.

One of Tech N9ne’s greatest strengths is his honestly. He shares with his fans very personal experiences and private moments. “Tech N9ne is the instruction book on what not to do. You can learn from me.” He doesn’t mind showing the world his failures and his fears. He calls his new album “schizophrenic…a rollercoaster ride” that serves as a self-reflection as well as a kind of internalized therapy. “This is a long, hard road. I have ‘liberate me’ on my arm” he says, “to remind me, keep on keeping on.” Tech promises that Everready is the most truthful album he has made, with better beats and an all around tighter sound, the album a way to “dig deep inside myself,” he claims.

Tech N9ne doesn’t seem overly concerned with all the drama happening within hip-hop, rather he looks towards the future and senses a change, “I like to see people united–everyone’s starting to get older. It’s happening right before our eyes.” With such an upbeat attitude towards the sometimes chaotic industry, Tech’s love for his art is undeniable, “I have a ball doing what I do!” Although he spends much of his spare time creating, he tries to spend as much time as possible with his children and is always searching for “a female friend.”

Somewhere beyond mainstream, alternative and underground rap Tech N9ne waits to tell his story to the world. It’s just a matter of time before his determination pays off! If it isn’t faith that will provide him continued success, then it must be religion. Everready The Religion manages to put together so many aspects of Tech N9ne’s life and growth as an artist and as a person, it is impossible for listeners to deny the honesty and creativity in his storytelling. Taking every opportunity to succeed, sharing his most personal moments with the world and loving his fans and family everyday, Tech N9ne leaves me with the words he lives by “Celebrate life. You never know when this shit house will go up in flames.”

–By Shirani Jayasuriya

Their studio at the back of the house was at one time an old garage, but has since been remodeled and decked out with all the latest equipment and enough space for ten or so group members, friends, and groupies to hang out. Beer and smokes in hand, they discuss Ruthless’ latest cd “Strawberry.” Mereness and Dirty D of Playaz Lounge Crew experiment with beats in the background. The scene is reminiscent of a high school party with all the bad kids hangin‘‘ out in the garage, only underneath the chatter and chill sessions a lot more is brewing within the five young men who together make up Loonatix Productions.

I sat down with Phatty McGee, Professor Fresh and MC Rentz of Ruthless and Dirty D and Mereness of Playaz Lounge Crew to talk about their craft. With self produced beats, lyrically unique flows, and an energetic performance style, the boys of Loonatix Productions are truly a triple threat. Their style might be categorized as a hybrid of underground hip-hop meets melody “and a pinch of punk…just a pinch,” Phatty McGee jokes gesturing like a gourmet cook who has just added the secret ingredient to his masterpiece meal. “Hype-Hop,” as Mereness calls it, “is all about getting the crowd excited.” The members of Loonatix Productions come from all over Minnesota and bring with them a blend of the sounds they grew up hearing and the creative innovations we are now seeing throughout the hip-hop scene–a combination that has been fan-approved and landed them gigs throughout the Twin Cities.

Ruthless is preparing for their cd release party and the anticipation is killing them……or maybe it’s the promoting. They are their own street team, bookers, promoters and managers. Beyond the help of a few select friends, the group handles all of its business affairs alone. “We are the hardest working indie-label in Minnesota” Phatty McGee asserts with nods of agreement from his team. The group isn’t egotistical, they’re just well aware of the importance of taking their musical passion into their own hands. Although the local scene may be comprised of artists “looking out for themselves” as Dirty D and Mereness agree. The guys of Ruthless and Playaz Lounge Crew are like brothers. They work together on almost every project they do and seek guidance and advice from each other as their ideas grow. If egos do appear, “there’s always somebody else to put you back in line” Phatty McGee explains of his group members.

So what does this group of overworked friends and business men do in their spare time? Upon asking the question they all looked at me like I had lost my mind, then looked at each other hoping someone could think of the last time they did something non-music related. “I’m… an athlete…”” Professor Fresh says breaking the silence and creating a wave of loud laughter between the three of them… “No… I’m not”” he admits with a smirk. They all agree whole heartedly that family and music are the two driving forces in their lives but beyond that they have little time for anything besides jobs and the occasional meal.

Ruthless and Playaz Lounge Crew have performed at nightclubs and bars throughout Minnesota and recently concluded a national tour. With intense beats and strong lyrics, they easily stand out in the crowd. But even the hardest rapper has to give it up for his fans. Whether they’re playing a last minute bar gig or a sold out show, they know the power of their audiences, “You gotta’ find that one person in the crowd and do it just for them” Professor Fresh says of performing. Although they agree that nothing beats large crowds and screaming fans, they never suggest fame is their primary goal. In fact they seem to embrace the underground scene and appreciate the local artists and audiences who keep Minnesota hip-hop fresh. They, just like any hip-hop enthusiasts, have certain expectations when at shows and have been left unfulfilled, “I want to make going to shows fun again…I want it to be exciting.” Dirty D says as he describes the slight head nods he sees when attending concerts and the full out jumping and singing along he would like to see at his own.

Loonatix Productions has managed to bring the excitement back into hip-hop. Their beats and flows force audience members onto the dance floor and reflect a sense of fun-loving carelessness that only the underground can accurately represent. Hype-Hop, Hybrid Hip-Hop, however you chose to label their sound, MC Rentz sums up the goals of their ambitious style best; “I don’t want our music to be heard…I want it to be felt.”

Check out Loonatix Productions and get a hold of their latest CD at www.loonatix.net

–By Shirani Jayasuriya