The polls are now up for the Top Nominees of one of the most anticipated award ceremonies in
Minneapolis/St. Paul history the 2012 Twin Cities Urban Music Awards. Voters shouldn’t be in too much of a hurry to vote for their favorites now because the polls are currently closed. However, voting for the final round will resume from February 24th-March 9th with the actual ceremony taking place on March 23rd 2012 at the EPIC Event Center in Minneapolis. The nominees for each category were posted on the website http://www.twincitiesurbanmusicawards.com/ recently and full details of the event are available on the “The 1st Annual Twin Cities URBAN Music Awards 2012″ Facebook page.

Now here are the Top 7-8 Nominees for the The 1st Annual Twin Cities URBAN Music Awards 2012:

Music Video/Videographer Of The Year:
Recess Kidd Redd “Dranks Up” Ft. Book Money & Avey Quakes – Casey Kruchten KCP
Chantel Winn “No More” – Sharpestmemory
Gaines “Mental” – 13twentythree
Straight Check$ “Drifting Away” – Neo Film Movement
2Tone ft.Crown Vick & Mikke “Tatz & Rackz Remix”‏ – Mick Swag
S. Madison “Fall” Ft The Rxmedy – 13twentythree
Rob-1 Ft. Megan Duncan “Revolution” – morningsidefilms
Trilla “It’s About To Go Down” – Go Hard Tv / Easy Money Tv

Male Rap Artist Of The Year:
Rocky Diamonds
Yung Truth
Rob-1
Gaines
A-Lo
Sick
Chevy Boy
S. Madison

Female Rap Artist Of The Year:
Miss Tress
Laidee P
Sweetz P
Recess Kidd Redd
Desdamona
Lady Vicious
Katana
Nook Chi-Girl

Male R&B Artist Of The Year:
Chrishan
Crisis Fresh
Trilla
Rxmedy
Rico Nevotion
Checkmate
Marquise KingReckless Mason
J Isaac

Female R&B Artist Of The Year:
Chantel Winn
Chantel Sings
Christina Sophia Fisher
Auburn
Margeaux Davis
Paris Benett
Tiffany Carter
Dezire

Song Of The Year:
Rob-1 Ft. Megan Duncan – “Revolution”
Midwest Selects – “Frostbite”
Raemo-P – “O’man”
O.B.F. – “Fresh Like POW”
2Tone ft. Crown Vick & Mikke – “Tatz & Rackz Remix”‏
S. Madison ft The Rxmedy – “Fall”
Trilla – “It’s About To Go Down”
Holli BMS Bangz – “Charlie Sheen”

Album Of The Year:
Verstyle Cho & Kente – From Da Country 2 The City
Book Money – Challenged
King Sandman – Jewelleo’s Story
Sick – Ridin Wit No L’s
Trilla – Soul Of A Man
Absent – Amber Alert
Mike Dreams – Just Waking Up
Chantel Sings – Beautiful Dream

Mixtape Of The Year:
Skip Grandz – Doobie Brothers w/Drew Doe & Peter Parker
Kente – New Jack Of The Twin Cities Vol.2 “The Resurface”
Youngree and JISI – Jump In Sum Ice Vol.1
Young Nuk – Up Up N Away
Ghost‏ – Mr. I don’t Tell
Taylor J – Takeover Vol.1
Crown Vick & Mr. Dee – Stuck Together
T Baby – Maserati Baby

Lyricist Of The Year:
Kashy
Selfish
Kiddricc
St. Paul Slim
Muja Messiah
Mike Dreams
Concept
Toki Wright

Best Group Of The Year:
Midwest Selects
Jaded Rzeign
Take 2
TEAM RNB
OBF- One Big Family
Verstyle Cho & Kente
Pretty Money
The Lawbreakers
Dajo Vu

Grinder Of The Year:
Lady Williams
DJ Laylow
Jay Estate
Ice Dude
Rico Nevotion
DJ Rush
T Bizzy
Book Money

MPLS MVP Of The Year:
Big Wiz
Rico Nevotion
Sick
Chevy Boy
King Sandman
Jay Estate
Ice Dude
Lil Cheiff On Da Trakk

STP MVP Of The Year:
Bishop Swagghop
Fedy
Mista Maeham
St. Paul Slim
Dubb J
HC Da Chemist
Toki Wright
Willie Jamez

Rookie Of The Year:
Swagnificent
12 Gage
Yung Jr6
Kid Stunna
Lorenzo Hampton
D.Eazy
Tay Betta

TC’s Most Slept On:
Big Moe
Jay El
Untamed Youth
Reo Galor
Free Money
BlaccOut
Yung Sippi
Drizzle

TC’s Next To Blow:
Midwest Selects
Chantel Winn
$Bags
Dreezy The Canon
Dunn Deal
Crown Vick
51fitty
Tonytone Montana

Promoter Of The Year:
Indie Artist Circle Management
Lady Erin
So Classy Ent
ATG
Black N White Ent
L.O.T.P.
T.B.M. Ent
Six twelve magazine

Record Label Of The Year:
Long Doe Records
Still Real Records
Blaze 1 Camp Ent
Money Ap Ent
Pledge Empire Records
Guaranteed Ent
Rhymesayers
Velvo Records

Producer Of The Year:
Midwest Melt Down Productionz
T-Mic Beats
CeeSaw
Checkmate
T-Lace
Holli BMS Bangz
Hakeem The Poet
Young Mennace

DJ Of The Year:
DJ Laylow
DJ Clubbanga
DJ Rawskillz
DJ D.Mil
DJ Enferno
DJ Bro Jules
DJ Drumma Boy
DJ Advance

Best Radio Station Of The Year:
Hello Squad Music Group Da Goon Hour
107.5WDEPRadio
Rob G Radio
Kmoj Tite At Nite
IndieHop w/ Sunshine on Hittin Lick Radio
The Session (KFAI)
Kmoj “WEEKEND GROOVE” W/Marciano & Jayestate

Best Graphic Artist Of The Year:
Midwest Melt Down Productionz
Get Bizzie designz
Still Real Records
Gemini Grafix
Phillip Garcia
Hi-Def
13TwentyThree
Pulido GFX

Livest Local Artist Show Of The Year:
Sippizone Supaunit Cbosent Events
T.B.M. Ent Events
Mixtape Monday’s @ T’s Place
1st Round Open Mic Shows
Vibin Open Mic Shows
Tight on Ya Ass IAC
DJ Rush Open Mic Tuesdays
The Knockout Freestyle Emcee Battle

Host Of The Year:
Lady Williams
Young Marciano
Jemika Hayes
Chris Styles
B-Luv
Jay Estate
B Wright
Lisa Moy

Photographer Of The Year:
Go Hard Photography
Harlan Dorman
Hi-Def Photos
13TwentyThree Photography
In House Media
BabiBoo#1 Photo’s
Fella Fellz
KCP612

Model Of The Year:
Casarah Baker
Rocki-B
Nitra
Ashley Tremblay
Diamond MsBabee – TBM Model
Kitty – InUrFace Model
Tru Chase
Nema Dean – ATG Diva

Atmosphere will be going on a week long Welcome To Minnesota tour in February featuring Kill the Vultures, Big Quarters, MaLLy, and BK-One. Tickets are available now for purchase through Ticketmaster. Tickets for the Minneapolis, Duluth, and St. Cloud shows can be purchased at Fifth Element.

2012 Welcome To Minnesota Tour dates:

2.20.12 – Mankato, MN @ Verizon Wireless Center Ballroom

2.21.12 – Bemidji, MN @ Sanford Center Ballroom

2.22.12 – Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue: SOLD OUT

2.23.12 – Duluth, MN @ Clyde Iron Works

2.25.12 – Rochester, MN @ Mayo Civic Center Auditorium

2.26.12 – St. Cloud, MN @ SCSU Atwood Center Ballroom

Somebody, MN feat. Atmosphere, Kill The Vultures, Big Quarters & MaLLy by rhymesayers

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.

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

Public Wake:
Micheal “eyedea” Larsen Memorial
Date: Thursday, October 28, 2010
Public: 7:30-10:00PM
Location: Crowne Plaza St. Paul Riverfront, Minnesota Grand Ballroom
Address: 11 East Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55101

Sending Flowers: If you are interested in sending flowers for the memorial, all deliveries must be made to arrive on Thursday, October 28, 2010. Please make deliveries to arrive prior to 12:00PM CST.

Send to: Crowne Plaza St. Paul Riverfront, Minnesota Grand Ballroom, c/o Micheal Larsen Memorial, 11 East Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55101.

A Celebration of the life of Micheal “eyedea” Larsen
Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Location: First Avenue Mainroom, 701 1st Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Doors: 5:00PM
Ages: All Ages
Donation: $20

Tickets will be on sale: Monday, October 25, 2010 at 5:00PM CST

Tickets will be available at Fifth Element, 2411 Hennepin Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55405. For those of you that are not in the Twin Cities area; a limited amount of tickets will be available online at Etix.com.

There is no guest list. All donations will go to the family of Micheal “eyedea” Larsen.

Quotes:

Dear Son,
Always remember that where ever you go and what ever you do my love will always be with you. I knew before you were born that you were going to affect the world. I didn’t know how or with what gift, but now I do. You have given me the most joy, trouble, happiness, and pain. Now it’s time for the rest of us to step up and be the humans you know we can be. All my love,
-Mom
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Some of you may be here because you know how much his family loves him & how much he loved his family.
Some of you may be here because you met him & he made you a friend.
Some of you may be here because his music touched you.
Mikey was always open minded.
Mikey was always open hearted.
He believes that the person you are matters.
He believes that we should love everyone always.
He believes we should listen with our hearts.
He believes that you should watch the sunset.
We love him, always have & always will…
Thank you all for your thoughts & prayers.
-Grandma and Grandpa

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Mike was the closest friend I ever had. He was as caring as he was brilliant and was a true prodigy. I am honored to have been in his life and to have created with him and help spread his messages. He was a great human being and he will be missed.
-Gregory Keltgen (Dj Abilities)
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I met Mikey when he was 14 and he was so full of energy, but so focused for his age. I have always been amazed at his knowledge and thirst for life being so young. On more than one occasion, I have had to remind myself how young he really was while we were all coming up. He was such a special individual, he mastered everything he touched and wanted to touch everything. He was the most free person I have ever known and he approached life like a scientist, wanting to dissect all of her meanings so he could share them with others. Mikey had an amazing spirit and a truly gifted mind and all of us who were blessed to experience this immediately became better people. This life couldn’t contain my friend and so he’s moved on to his next journey, but I know he’ll forever be in our hearts and minds pushing us to live life to the fullest, be better and be free.
-Brent Sayers (aka Siddiq aka Stress)
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My friend, my brother. I do not know who I would be without your influence in my life. You challenged me without tearing me down. You pushed and encouraged me to be a better person. You had my back even when I didn’t have my own back. Your words, thoughts, and ideas impacted me in ways that I probably haven’t fully realized yet. You made me laugh and cry. You made me look and question. Thank you for everything. I love you Mikey.
-Sean Daley (Slug)
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I traveled many places for the first time with Mikey, and always remember how he would wake up in the van and say, “Man, this looks just like St. Paul.” All those first tours, Mikey was under 21, and the only way I knew it was the “X’s” on his hands each night. He was always older than his age to me. When I moved to Minneapolis to work with Rhymesayers 10 years ago, Mikey had a huge impact on my decision to make that leap of faith. He gave me the courage and a purpose. There were many days away from home that we spent together, and those times have helped define who I am today. He always inspired me, challenged me and made me laugh. Anytime, I’m on the road and drive into Columbus, St. Louis or Pittsburgh, I’m going to think, man, this looks just like St. Paul. I will always remember, always love and always miss Mikey.
-J-Bird
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I never thought that I would become best friends with the person I looked up to the most, but I did. When I first met Mike, he asked me what I was doing with my life and waited with open ears for my response. Although my answer was unclear and although I was unsure, he wasn’t and he made sure that one-day I would see in myself what he could already see in me. I vividly recall his rollercoaster metaphor. He always said, “regardless of what labels you use to define yourself and no matter what you do with your time, you will always experience the same ride.” Micheal had more influence on me as a human being than anyone ever has and I assume ever will. He taught me how to listen to myself and to others. He taught me how to acknowledge my true desires and to face my attempts to escape. He taught me how to express myself. He pushed me, but never too hard; he was a gentle friend. He was never too busy to just be there with me when I needed him. Of all the questions I still have for him and for all the unfinished business we will never get to complete together, I know one thing. I know that he wanted everyone to hear his message and I will make sure that that happens. I love you Mike . May your love live through me.
-Christopher Keller (Kristoff Krane)
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Eyedea – One of the hardest working people I know. From breaking to rapping, playing the piano, guitar or freestyling, it didn’t matter he put his entire soul into it. He taught me a lot about being a musician.
-Felipe Cuauhtli

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I started performing with Eyedea & (DJ) Abilities as their ‘hype-man/back-up vocalist’ in 1997 when we were all still in high school. I was hugely influenced by such talented and passionate artists and even back then I knew that Mikey was special and would leave a lasting impact on music or whatever he decided to do with himself. Mikey always pushed the boundaries of what was accepted as truth and commonplace and was always reaching for something greater. He made everyone around him better because he had such a confidence and charisma about him that it was infectious and impossible to ignore. The only comfort I can take in his passing is knowing that where ever he is now, he’s doing just fine because he never had trouble making friends or finding his own path.

-Alexei “Crescent Moon” Casselle (Kill The Vultures, Roma Di Luna)
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Eyedea was a precious soul. We’re better artists for working with him and better people for knowing him. He added so generously to our lives and his passing leaves an empty space in our hearts. His spirit will forever be entwined in our life changing moments. Thank you, Mikey for sharing your light with us. We love you so very much and your music, insight and laughter will never leave us.

-Brother Ali
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How do you sum up the career and life of a brilliant writer and musician in three sentences. I can do it in one word, Mikey.

-Casey O’Brien (Bassist in “Carbon Carousel” and “Face Candy”)
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Miss you Mikey like I miss being a kid. You’re one of my favorite people ever and I can’t thank you enough. I promise to hold your brave, humble, searching, empathetic, hilarious spirit infront of me and press it back into my chest when it feels empty. Sleep tight brother.

-Jeremy Ylvisaker
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I was always inspired by Mikey’s focus. I always knew he was a true artist, one to be revered. He was constantly pushing boundaries. He was the kind of artist that always made me wonder, what’s he going to come up with next. I will always love and remember Mikey for being my friend. No one made me laugh like he did. I truly enjoyed his presence and I’ll miss him dearly.

-Sab

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Mikey was the 15 year old kid sleeping on my couch at Scribble Jam, slaying mc’s 10 yrs older than him. There was nothing anyone could do. I’ve never met a more supportive mother in my life than Kathy. Kathy is the shit.

-Mr. Dibbs
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Mike was always himself. He taught me how to be more myself. I’ll always remember him.

-Joe Horton
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Micheal is one of the most supportive, encouraging, and positive people I’ve ever met. He is a creative genius who has accomplished so much in his career; but that is all secondary to the fact that he treated people with such kindness and fun energy. He is an optimist, who lived his life being extremely considerate, thoughtful, and generous to those around him. Micheal will continue to be a roll model to me for those reasons.

-Michael Gaughan
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Eyedea was the purest artist I have ever met. An all around amazing human being. Great rapper. And a better friend.

-Murs
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I was able to become good friends with one of my heroes. As the years went by I started to forget him as a famous musician, and grow to love him as my friend. From time to time I was reminded of his impact on the world through him interacting with fans all over the country. A lot of people are going to miss “Eyedea”, one of the most important hip hop musicians ever. I will too. But more than that, I will miss my friend Micheal.

-Michael Stangler
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As only Mikey could, he found a way to burn a candle on three ends. As a friend and as an artist he pushed every boundary he walked, and did not hesitate to show you who he really was underneath his skin. I will sincerely miss him, and would not trade all the riches in the world for all the conversations and experiences I shared with him. Artist and Friend,

-Louis N. LaPierre
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I will always remember laughing constantly whenever he was around. He had a great energy about him that didn’t allow you to take yourself too seriously, ever. If you were spazzing out about something really minor or trivial, he was the kinda dude that wouldn’t really react to it the same way. He might just start laughing or crack a joke to break the tension and make everybody else laugh. Then you would see that you were over-reacting and calm down–without him ever really telling you to calm down. I always admired that quality about him. He never got caught up in the stream, no matter how powerful it was. He always did his own thing.

-Blueprint

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Mikey was an artist in constant transition. If you blinked and missed a moment of brilliance he’d be sure to fill you in on what you missed. Now that he can’t be here to do that we will gladly do it for him. With the heaviest of hearts.

-Sage Francis

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Micheal was sincerely the most inspiring and extraordinary person I have ever met in my life. His fearlessness in expressing himself so authentically in so many different ways has profoundly impacted me as both as an artist and as a person. I will always love you and miss you, Mikey, thank you so much for believing in me.

-Cody Foster (Sadistik)

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Eyedea helped me become a better musician and Micheal Larsen helped me become a better person. He will be missed by family, friends, and fans. The beauty of his life is that many of us are all three.

-Cole Policy
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Mikey was a challenge. To everyone. And to himself. His challenges seemed to bring him great joy and give his life meaning. If challenge is what life is all about, he lived several full lifetimes in the short while he was here. Mikey certainly challenged me and I’m eternally grateful to him for that. He was one of my favorite people in the world and I’ll miss him very much.

-Rich Terfry (Buck 65)
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Lets say you’re standing outside of a bar with a circle of friends having a cigarette before the next band starts. You might be approached by someone who’s been dealt a difficult hand in this life, and they ask you for change. Maybe that day, hard as you usually try, you can’t muster the energy to engage with that person, to be present. To my knowledge, Micheal Larsen never had that day. Maybe he didn’t have change, but he always had an open smile and treated anyone he met, no matter how briefly, like a human being… with as much right to life and basic human respect as he held for himself. I miss you, Mikey. I promise I will carry the fire.

-Michael Lewis
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Micheal Larsen was the best teacher and friend I’ve ever had. He was a living muse. He inspired countless people to become bigger and better individuals. He is the only person I know that has dozens of people who say he is their best friend and those people went on to create beautiful things hoping to make him proud. I am proud to call him a best friend and proud to have created art with him and for him.

-Austin Dufault (Puppy Dogs and Ice Cream)
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In life we are blessed with opportunities to cross paths with individuals whose souls are greater than what the body can contain. From this body is pure inspiration. The motive to do. The sheer will of desire to get from point A to Z, and all points between. We have lost a great body of being, however, what we had and what has always been is an energy that will live forever.

-Will Jenkins

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Eyedea was a brilliant visionary who wore his soul outside of his body and kept his heart on his sleeves at all times. He was on a constant evolutionary quest for truth, justice, love, peace, and the overall existence of life and our roles in it. In the spirit of John Coltrane or Malcolm X he wasn’t afraid to change trajectories mid flight despite what anyone said embracing contradictions and tension like a lost but found soul mate. To him the process and the product was the same, he was creative expression personified. I didn’t always understand him or his vision but I always felt him. He has returned to the essence in a more powerful form helping us think outside of the boxes we place or are placed in front of us. He taught us what freedom really meant and what it looked like in action and for that I am forever grateful.

-Chaka M’Kali (I Self Devine)

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Mikey, thank you for all the help, honesty and insane laughter. I will read every book you told me to. Thank you for the constant inspiration, whether to be the best, or destroy best as a concept. You never stopped progressing. You lived as art. You were a good friend, I miss you.

–Stef Alexander (P.O.S)

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Mikey always struck me as a person that said exactly what he felt like saying in a well thought out way. Be it in the battle scene, on his albums, or in regular conversation. He’s one of the few people I saw start a conversation with a stranger on a plane and talk to them comfortably for hours. He will be extremely missed.

-Toki Wright

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Eyedea was definitely thee MC from the Midwest (other than Juice) who earned our (the West Coast’s) respect for the Midwest indie rap scene thru battling in the underground circuit and shining on countless freestyle sessions heard live on stage, on nationwide radio and in street circles…I witnessed it, having had the pleasure to compete against him in Scribble Jam, watch him slay the HBO Blaze battle, then tour the USA with him on the same bus having freestyle sessions every night with some of the best MCs – his rise was true…his impact on Midwest indie rap was and still is enormous…we all saw him evolve musically from just a dope battle MC to a full fledged heart pouring artist with Abilities at his side; as an artist, i’ll always remember him as having a true passion for exploring the bounds of his creativity; but most of all, as just Mikey – he was a great friend to have, to talk to and chill with, and he always ALWAYS showed mad love, respect & acknowledgment for the Goodlife / Project Blowed family so it’s nothing but eternal love for our friend and brother from another mother…rest well my friend…rest well….

-Abstract Rude

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Anyone who carries leadership qualities always has my utmost respect. I truly feel he was a leader. So many others were so much closer to him to already know this firsthand, but if I could sense it from a distance, it must’ve been so potent to those up-front. In the few days after his passing I can tell what a dent he has left in people’s hearts by the amazing words written to describe his genius ways on & off the mic. I salute you Eyedea.

-Evidence

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I first met Eyedea in 1997 when he came through a radio show I was working at. He was just 15 or 16 then, but already seemed more passionate and creatively curious than most. In the years to come, it was my privilege to call him a friend. Mikey had a great sense of humor, an unshakable confidence in his art, and a mind that was always looking to push forward. He worked unbelievably hard, constantly trying to find new ways of expressing himself in the most honest and spontaneous way possible. I’m so proud to have known him, and I’m heartbroken to have to say goodbye so soon

-BK-One

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You never expect to hear that a friend has passed. Not someone so young, so talented, an artist at heart. I can still hear the enthusiasm in his voice, the passion for what he was doing. He is a true inspiration to anyone struggling to find their own voice, and then speak.

-Skye Rossi

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To be idle is a short road to death, and Mikey was never idle, so it is with great distress to me that my friend is gone. To think of him as a new ancestor, an old friend and a brilliant artist is appropriate, and that is what I’ll do.

-Psalm One

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He was fearless, groundbreaking, hilarious, and a warm…true friend who I had a GREAT respect for. 1 of the people who paved the way so others could do what they do. All love from me to him & K. Can’t say RIP cuz to me he’s still here, just in a higher form.

-Onry Ozzborn

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I hope to one day have the words to properly express just how much Mikey meant to me.  What I can say is whether you met him once or knew him for years…the pain of his loss is deep and the emptiness abundant.  The memories are tender and the effect he had on us all is immeasurable.  I can’t believe such a being even existed. I loved him deeply in life and I live in disbelief he is gone.
-Janessa Rosenfield

First of all, a huge thanks to our friends for coming out to the shows so far on the tour. Besides having a lot of fun with us at the shows, you helped us make quite a bit of noise online and we really appreciate that!

We said we’d wrap up each week with photo slideshows, so here you go! Throughout the course of the tour, check out the Flickr collection on the Rhymesayers Flickr page right here – we add lots of photos daily.

Thanks to all of the support from fans and friends, To All My Friends, Blood Makes the Blade Holy had an incredible first week. Here’s where we hit on the Billboard charts:

#37 Top 200
#4 Rap Overall
#5 Independent
#9 Overall Digital Album

Atmosphere’s To All My Friends Tour featuring Blueprint, Grieves, Budo & DJ Rare Groove

09.08 – Madison, WI @ Orpheum Theatre
09.09 – Milwaukee, WI @ Milwaukee Riverside Theater
09.10 – Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue
09.11 – Covington, KY @ Madison Theater
09.12 – Grand Rapids, MI @ The Intersection
09.15 – Bozeman, MT @ Gallatin Co. Fairgrounds
09.16 – Missoula, MT @ Wilma Theater
09.17 – Missoula, MT @ Wilma Theater
09.18 – Spokane, WA @ The Knitting Factory
09.20 – Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
09.21 – Bend, OR @ Midtown
09.22 – Eugene, OR @ McDonald Theater
09.24 – Chico, CA @ Senator Theater
09.25 – Reno, NV @ Knitting Factory
09.27 – Arcata, CA @ Arcata Center
09.28 – Sacramento, CA @ Sacramento State University
09.29 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Catalyst – SOLD OUT!
10.01 – Las Vegas, NV @ House of Blues
10.02 – Salt Lake City, UT @ In The Venue
10.04 – Rapid City, SD @ Dublin Square
10.05 – Sioux Falls, SD @ Sioux Empire Fair Expo Hall
10.06 – Des Moines, IA @ People’s Court
10.07 – Chicago, IL @ Congress Theater

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