Huey is a talented young St. Louis-born artist best known for his debut chart-topping hit “Pop Lock and Drop It,” which was a top 3 single on the Billboard charts and for being featured on “MTV Jams”, appearances on MTV’s “Cribs” a performance on the finale of “America’s Best Dance Crew” and for becoming a staple on BET’s “106 & Park” countdown for almost two straight months.  The subsequent remix with T-Pain & Bow Wow only solidified “Pop Lock and Drop It” status as a bonafide smash.  Huey’s debut LP, Notebook Paper, (2007 Jive Records) featured production from T-Pain, Mannie Fresh, Jazzy Pha and Stargate and it was a Top 5 Hip-Hop debut on the Billboard charts. 

Grounded on the same streets that produced successes among the likes of Nelly, Chingy and the St. Lunatics, Huey’s approach is a refreshing one. “I’m versatile,” he offers matter of factly. “It’s like whatever the beat tells me to do – it could be relaxed on a cool level to where I’m explaining my feelings for a female. It could be me explaining my feelings for money. It could be dancing in the club, crunk in the club. It’s a bunch of everything that’s going to be on this album.”

After experiencing some delays in securing his release from Jive Records, Huey’s sophomore LP, Redemption (release date 9-14-2010), is finally ready for release and the LP’s lead-single, “Smile and Wave,” f/Dorrough is currently available at iTunes and the track was featured on the AOL Music homepage with 30 million plus uniques.  The LP’s follow-up single, “I Go Crazy,” f/Colby O’Donis will also impact in the immediate future.  Huey’s “Hello To All My Haterz” video premiered on Worldstarhiphop.com in the top slot and has already received millions of views. 
 
Only five years in, Huey has already climbed the rap totem-pole and already speaks like a seasoned veteran. And while outside opinions may sway, he’s clearly been placed in a situation to carry on the musical following of St. Louis – by any means necessary. “Right now, we’re viewed as commercial flat out,” Huey says. “Right now we’re just looked at as a commercial place and it’s not that. We’re not just commercial. It’s gutter in St. Louis and me as a young person, it probably would be hard to believe. That’s why you gotta straight give it to ‘em. It’s a new St. Louis and that’s what I’m about to show err’body.”
 
“Huey’s ‘Redemption’ is party-feel-good, make-you-want-to-dance music and it’s being released just in time to make the summer hit lists,” said Que Records’ CEO Quayshaun. “I am very excited about this joint venture between my label and OMG Media and our distribution deal with EMI. Huey is next in line to impact the music industry.

For more info on Huey go to: http://www.hueyomg.com

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After experiencing a tidal wave of success in the early 1990’s which included two Grammy Awards and platinum record featuring the hit single “Tennessee”, Arrested Development is looking to make a return to the mainstream music scene with their new album entitled Strong.

Lead choreographer and dancer Montsho Eshe sat dawn with HipHopClub to discuss the group’s return, the current state of hip hop, the group’s success overseas and the future of Arrested Development.

 This is the first album from the group in nearly three years. What was the inspiration behind Strong?

We’re musicians at heart, so of course we’re always wanting to record and do more music all the time. We just wanted to get back in the studio and release some new, fresh stuff. Within three years, a lot can happen. We just wanted to get back in the studio and do some new stuff and let our fans know that we’re still here; still making music and we’re still relevant.

Did you hear that demand from the fans, that they wanted a new album?

People always tell us they just want to hear good music and the message. We always definitely want to bring a message with our music, so that’s a definite key element that we always have to bring to our albums and our music…They just want to hear good music and they want to just be supportive of whatever we create, which is a blessing.

In The World is Changing one verse of the lyrics goes:
Now everybody is a clown/Music is so watered down
So many things that are happening now/I’m just frustrated

 The lyrics obviously suggest that music today isn’t what it should be both in regards to both style and substance. How does Arrested Development hope to change the current music situation?

 As artists, we have to stay true to ourselves on a consistent basis, an everyday basis; we know that’s all that we can do. Hopefully because we’re being true to ourselves and putting music out that we feel is feeding people’s spirits in a positive way, it may want our peers or people listening to make a change and say you know what, let me be real about what I’m feeling and whatever the truth is for me, and put it in my music. I feel like we’re definitely going to change people throughout music in just being true to who we are, and putting out music that’s true to us. If we don’t believe it, nobody else will.

 The World is Changing has seen success in Japan, No. 9 on the Japan Pop Charts. Why do you think your band is so successful in Japan?

One thing about Japan, it’s a great place, an amazing culture. They’re really into hooks over there, so they like a lot of melodic things. I think the World is Changing is so melodic, and they’re into melodic music. It’s so funny, because I did a song over there with this Japanese artist and he was so soulful. He really doesn’t speak much English. They’re into a lot of very soulful stuff, and stuff that’s really thought provoking, even with the language barrier surprisingly. They’re into things that make you feel good, they’re a very happy culture to me…It was so amazing, we were in between Lady Gaga and Alicia Keys [on the pop charts], and that was pretty cool.

 The band blew up in 1992 with the album 3 years, 5 months and 2 days. How hard is it to keep it going and keep turning out the hits?

 The thing is, back then we were doing it for fun. We didn’t know that it was going to be as big as it was. We had no idea; we were just doing music and being ourselves. In the beginning, it was a slow process. It came out, it was slow then all of a sudden it just blew up overnight. You do feel that pressure, but I think we felt it more back in 1994 after the first record had been so successful, and then our second record Zingalamaduni went gold. Compared to the first one, of course people would consider that not as successful, but it was still successful because we went gold. We sold 500,000 copies; even today people still talk about that record and buy that record. Now, it’s just about putting out good music. We want to be respected by people like you and our peers, and just know that we’re putting out our records; whether it sells a million copies or two or three copies. We want it to sell of course, but we just want to put out good music really, truthfully…We just try to create good music, period.

When was the decision made to look for a new singer, and how did you find Tasha Larae?

 Speech and her met a church event. He saw her singing [backup] for someone, he liked her voice and her vibe. She auditioned for the group and she’s been with us for two years now.

What’s the future hold in store for Arrested Development? Do you see another album coming out soon or more tours?

We tour all the time. We’re actually doing a Canadian tour, a U.S. tour; also we’re going to Europe and Australia. We’re going to continue to tour and release good music as long as we can and also individually we all do different things. We’re just going to keep doing what we’re doing, being creative people…Not just music. I do choreography; I want to write a book, I’m actually writing a book. Speech just wrote a book, acting. You’re going to see a lot of different things from Arrested Development, a lot of different aspects.

For more information on Arrested Development visit: www.arresteddevelopmentmusic.com

Find them on twitter: www.twitter.com/ArrestedDevlpmt on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/arresteddevelopmentmusic And Face Book: Arrested Development Music

– Article by Max Sanders

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The full length LP features production from beatsmiths Scram Jones, S1, BKS, and Terry Hunter. The 16-track opus also boasts guest appearances from Little Brother, Saigon, Glen Lewis, and fellow Chicago emcee Twone Gabz.

The follow up to his critically acclaimed Blue Collar LP, Rhymefest’s El Che promises to deliver raw lyrics over epic production. Hip Hop lovers should expect to hear an unfiltered Rhymefest, liberated from the corporate suits and oppressive ideas of the prevailing record industry. As dN|Be Entertainment’s flagship artist, the Chicago emcee now has full creative control over his projects. When questioned about his new partnership with dN|Be Entertainment, Rhymefest mentioned “I wanted to be somewhere that not only appreciates artistry, lyricism, and originality, but also serves a greater purpose in Hip Hop and the Black community.”
In anticipation of El Che’s release, dN|Be Entertainment has launched the interactive website ElCheTheMovement.com. Fans can connect with Rhymefest through the website’s blog, videos, streaming music, and social networking links to Facebook and Twitter. Exclusive content concerning the El Che LP will be uploaded daily.

Rhymefest’s tour dates (including Austin’s SXSW) can also be found there. Finally, Rhymefest will be releasing his last pre-album mixtape titled DANGEROUS: 5-18 on ElCheTheMovement.com this spring.

Check out HHC’s previous interview with Rhymefest click here!

Across space and time, the number three has symbolized power, strength and stability. The three types of universe: matter, soul and spirit; three phases of the moon; the three forces of nature earth, sea, and sky. This spring, the power of three will emerge with dynamic fervor when The Black Belt Tour whips across the Midwest.

The call has gone out, from all corners of the Universe and Cyber-verse. The masses are crying out for lyrical Utopia. In order to unite Hip-Hop, North and the South, commercial and indie, three emcees have stepped into the spotlight.  Long-time Hip-Hop purists, Toki Wright, Haziq Ali and Omaur Bliss have come of age, paid dues, joined forces and are equipped to answer the call.

Wright, Rhymesayers “break out” artist of the year, has been support for Brother Ali and Evidence of Dilated Peoples most recently. Wright has also performed at Soundset, Coachella, CMJ, Bumbershoot , Paid Dues, Scribble Jam, and SXSW.  His recent video “Devil’s Advocate” peaked at #3 on MTVMUSIC.com .

Wright will join forces with Tabi Bonney’s right-hand man and business partner, Atlanta’s heavyweight, Haziq Ali, who recently ranked #34 on CMJ’s, much touted, charts. Ali has has honed the skills of the live show, as an artist featured on tours such as; Rock The Bells with 50 Cent, Killer Mike, Kanye West, Dead Prez, and others.

The Black Belt Tour will also reacquaint fans with Omaur Bliss a long-time music industry hustler and Doomtree affiliate.  Bliss has toured and opened for the likes of Doomtree, Ozomatli and Arrested Development.

The Black Belt Tour unleashed will make its way across the Midwest forever carving a crevasse in the way we view North and South rap.

Much like the Chitterling Circuit unites the South, the Black Belt Tour will unite North and South.

“Hopefully, The Black Belt Tour will become an annual Spring tour artists can use to gain access to different regions and audiences,” explains Omaur Bliss.

For full Tour Schedule visit: www.blackbelttour2010.com

Check out HHC’s previous interview with Toki Wright click here!

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The single “I Tried” from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony featuring Akon was the first single from their latest album “Strength & Loyalty” and debuted at number 82 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has so far reached all the way into the top 10. Now, the single is about to be co-branded with a DVD movie of the same name and stars Krayzie Bone, Layzie Bone and Wish Bone set to release on September 25, 2007. The film is a compelling “What If…” story of what their lives could’ve been like if they never caught that bus to L.A.? What if they never got out of Cleveland? What if they took the bus to L.A. but never got to meet Eazy-E?

HipHopClub.biz talks to Krayzie Bone and Wish Bone about their new film and they share with us their feelings about the new album. Bone Thugs also talks to us about working with a new label, laying down a legacy that is everlasting and collaborating with four classic rappers in history that can never be done again.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Could you tell us about your new movie “I Tried”?

Wish Bone: The movie “I Tried” first of all it’s our first real acting debut. We’re the stars of the movie or whatever you wanna call it. The movie is about basically what would’ve happened if we still caught the bus to L.A. but never met Eazy-E, maybe what our lives would’ve went like. That’s where fiction comes in but it’s got a little truth to it as far as us getting to L.A. and how we really went on our mission to become who we are today. “What if” we didn’t meet Eazy -E.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Everybody knows that there would never be a Midwest without Bone Thugs. How does it feel to have such a tremendous legacy in hip hop right now?

Wish Bone: It definitely feels like we’re blessed, you know what I’m sayin? We appreciate the blessing but at the same time we put in a lot of hard work and we never stopped working, ever since Eazy-E let us put our foot in the door. For our work to be appreciated like that it feels real good.

Krayzie Bone: Definitely! Fa’sho.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Your latest album “Strength & Loyalty” debuted at number 2 on the Billboard 200. Does the title of the album have any similarities with the film?

Krayzie Bone: Not really. It’s kind of like a whole different concept of the album. The movie is not like a true story all the way through. It’s like truth mixed with a little fiction so with the album it’s like all the way real.

Wish Bone: The reason we titled the album “Strength & Loyalty” is because we’ve been through a lot to still be in the game. You know, through our ups and downs but we stayed strong, you know what I’m sayin? Through it no matter what. And the loyalty is all about us being loyal to our fans because we know we had those since we came in the game. People love us and love our music, we love each other and we love what we’re blessed to do. So that sums up “Strength & Loyalty”.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Cool, cool. Would you ever consider doing movies again and if so what genre would you prefer?

Wish Bone: Man, we definitely want to get into the acting thing because basically we want to expand ourselves, we ain’t one-sided. We want to expand ourselves and our careers but it really wouldn’t matter what we do. The acting thing is real fun and it’s a good thing to do. So I think any role or position they put us in, I think we can pull it off. So we’re open to any and all roles.

Krayzie Bone: Fa real.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: What is it like to be the only group ever to collaborate with Big Punisher, 2Pac, Eazy-E and Notorius B.I.G. while they were still alive?

Wish Bone: Man, that really speaks for itself because for one it can never be done again. For two, we were very, very blessed to work with each and every one of them. It’s a blessing that we could keep their legacy going and still be current in the game even though those were situations and collabos we did back in the day. Like, when we do shows now, little kids still sing those songs. So, it’s felt and it’s a blessing that we had something to do with that or was a part of it. God bless each and every one of them too.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Krayzie, you got anything to add to that?

Krayzie Bone: Man, just what he said. You know, it’s a blessing that we got to work with those talented artists before they passed away. You know what I’m sayin? It’s just good to know that we were ever to accomplish that in our careers. It’s a blessing.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: How does it feel to finally be with a new label?

Krayzie Bone: Man, it’s cool! You know what I’m sayin? It’s real different than what we was use to. People that’s actually, like pushing the album and doing what’s supposed to be done to make an album like it should. It’s real good to be in that position to where we don’t have to worry about if the albums going to be promoted or if the label is doing the right thing, it’s just crazy.

Wish Bone: And for them to be able to push the buttons for us to work with so many different producers and artists that otherwise wouldn’t touch certain situations because everybody wants to either get paid or it’s business. So for Interscope to machine and be pushing them buttons it’s a blessing for us. We couldn’t wait to expand, working with different producers and artists. It was a real good thing.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Okay, cool. So is there anything else that you would like the HipHopClub readers to know?

Wish Bone: We want them to know that we love each and every one of them. We got to apologize for the intermission between albums, you know it’s all politics. We ain’t mean to be gone that long and have to come back to them like that. But thanks for supporting us for the past 13 years and basically the Bone is back!

St. Louis Ben Grimm: That’s what’s up! I know you got something to say, Krayzie.

Krayzie Bone: Man, we just want to send our love to Swizz Beats. You know what I’m sayin? Everybody else, Full Surface and just like he said we’re back doing our thang man. Don’t count us out the game because we still got a whole lot left in us. A whole lot of hits, platinums. Fa real, you gotta believe that.

–By Marrio (St. Louis Ben Grimm) Gardner

With everything that this New Orleans Third Ward rapper has been through, it is amazing to see him release an album, a book and a DVD all within a year. C-Murder is a TRU example of a man who can overcome adversity and persevere. He carries on his family heritage as being self-reliant by starting his own record label, TRU Records along with a few other companies to add to his groundbreaking empire. C-Murder also has an album that is set to be released on February 2008.

C-Murder tells HipHopClub about his new label, publishing company, non-profit organization, his upcoming album, the current status in New Orleans with the Hurricane Katrina situation and lets his fans know that he hasn’t forgotten about them.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Everybody is talking about your new DVD called “The Movement”. What will fans expect to see on it?

C-Murder: Man, they’re not going to see an ordinary DVD like all these dudes doing and trying to be gangsta and thug and just show, you know, the hood and how tough they are. It’s not about all that. But “The Movement” is about the things that I have been going through personally in my life, I’m going to introduce all of my fans to that, take them inside my world. Then I’m going to introduce you to all of my TRU Records artists and what we got planned for the future and what we got coming up. My TRU Publishing where I’m going to be putting out novels and different other authors that are going to be on the TRU publishing team you know what I’m sayin. I’m introducing them to my new movement that I’m doing, my organization, non-profit called “Help Me Help You”. You know, they’re going to see how the face Katrina still has on New Orleans, our city after two years and some change, you know. And basically you know you’re going to just see me just having fun and I’m hollerin at Mac, you different homies that have been incarcerated and stuff man. Basically just a movement and the progress of TRU Records and myself, ya heard me?

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Now that’s what’s up, man!

C-Murder: Yeah.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Yeah, I can’t wait to see it for real, it dropped on December 11^th right?

C-Murder: Yeah, that’s the day it dropped and I’ve been getting a lot of calls from a lot of people you know. They’re really enjoying it, you know.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: So what’s it like down there in New Orleans because I’m from St. Louis and we’re kind of like the sister city as far as Mardi Gras and everything. What’s the status of New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina?

C-Murder: You know, I mean as far as all of the big major corporations and businesses they’re back on top you know. The Katrina devastated everyone but the ones with the money, they straight right now. You got the hoods, the projects, starting December 15^th everybody living in the projects and came back they ain’t going to have no where to live because they’re boarding them up and tearing them down on the 15^th so there’s a big old hoop-haw down here right now too, ya heard me? They talking about chaining themselves to the fences and not letting them through because rent is so high, people use to paying fifty and seventy dollars a month, no light and no electricity. Now they talking about they gotta live on the streets, you know they’re going to be homeless so I’m sure they’re real aggravated right now. You know, so there’s a lot of that going on in our communities and stuff so we’re just trying to figure it out and take it day by day, bruh.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: … Damn!

C-Murder: Yeah – -

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Your album, “Screaming 4 Vengeance” is due to hit stores next year. Why did you choose that title?

C-Murder: “Screaming 4 Vengeance” man, you know my music that’s my release, that’s my therapy when I get in that booth. I’ve been through a lot man, you know what I’m sayin. And I’m going to show you that pain and that emotion and that aggression through my music and through my lyrics. When you get this album, it’s gonna be like, “Yeah, I feel this dude right chea” bruh! That’s why I named it “Screaming 4 Vengeance” ya heard me?

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Yeah, man. The people’s already gonna feel it. You got a legacy dude. Laid it down for over 10 years.

C-Murder: Yeah. On top man. And I thank my fans and everybody, they’ve always been there for me through thick and thin. But you know, they understand me I’m just like them, you know. I’m in the streets, I’m just that dude. I’m just chillin. Ya heard me? Straight up, I keep it real, I keep it one hundred percent, I ain’t never been out there faking. So I got some loyalty from my fans. And so, that loyalty inspired me to get in that booth and give them what they want and not be tainted by what’s going on in society and Hip Hop with everybody trying to change us, you know what I mean? Our lyrical content and stuff like that, I ain’t having that, ya heard me?

St. Louis Ben Grimm: That’s what it is! Are there any featured artists on the album?

C-Murder: Yeah. All my homeboys that I’ve been hollerin at through thick and thin, they on there. Like Akon, Papoose, Krayzie Bone, Pimp C, my own artists The Cutt Boyz, which is the new group coming out after my album drop, and all of my TRU Records artists, G-Dinero, Verse, Sincere Sosa, Junie B., Tomeka, M-11, J-Lyric you know. Your going to get everybody on there that was down with your boy, and everybody that wasn’t down with me they ain’t on there, straight up.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: (laughs) Okay. So how does it feel to have an album, a DVD and a book released after everything you’ve been through?

C-Murder: It feels good. It just shows everybody that when the odds are against you and you’re down on your bet and at the worst situation at the time of your life you gotta keep pushing ahead man. Stay focused, stay alert and keep on moving, can’t give up. You know what I mean? Because I’m living testimony of that. You know, you gotta stand tall, be strong, be a man, handle your business. Keep doing what you gotta do with it. Doors gonna open for you, you know, you can be back on top, bruh!

St. Louis Ben Grimm: For those people who don’t know, your status is that you’re on house arrest, correct?

C-Murder: Yeah.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: So you’re still able to go to the studio and go out?

C-Murder: You know one thing I got it crucial. I got a studio at my crib. You know what I mean. I can wake up at three in the morning with an idea and go in there and lay it down. Ya heard me? So that’s what I do. Plus I got another studio out chea in New Orleans that I go to and I got a studio in Baton Rouge that I go to whenever. So you know, that’s how it is.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: I’m sure this question is on everybody’s mind. Will we ever see TRU reunited with another album soon?

C-Murder: I don’t know about that, but it ain’t going to be me on it. You know, No Limit doing they’re thing and TRU Records going a whole other way. You know, I’m doing my own thing, so I ain’t going to be on it, I ain’t going to be a part of that one. Ya heard me?

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

C-Murder: Yeah, I want them to know that everything that C-Murder and TRU Records about, it’s going to be official. It’s going to be one hundred percent top quality and the best music coming from our camp that you can possibly get because I’m co-signing it. Ya heard me? So be looking for the new artists coming out and I want to tell my fans that I appreciate them for being there for your boy and your boy ain’t going to let them down. Ya heard me?

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Cool. Any websites too?

C-Murder: Yeah, they can holla at me on trupublishing.com, myspace.com/cmurder and asylumrecords.com. And that’s official.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Thank you for the interview! It’s about time we linked up and did this.

C-Murder: It’s all good man. Holla when you need me again. Ya heard me?

–By Marrio (St. Louis Ben Grimm) Gardner

The certified hip hop mogul named David Banner, from the state of the crooked letters, is a man with an imagination that is as vast as the Cumberland Mountains. Banner is one southern rap pioneer who is not shy when it comes to dropping jewels on the younger hip hop generation and he doesn’t believe the hype of the music industry. His catalog includes four successful rap albums and a fifth one one the way, a producer who will make a beat right in front of you to make sure it’s yours and now he’s branched off into acting and his very own cartoon show.

This is one man who you wouldn’t want to make angry, you won’t like him when he’s angry. Everything that he has been through in the past few years has caused him to hulk out into the beast that he is today from sour rappers to the death of his father, Mr. Zeno Crump Jr. to the piracy craze. HipHopClub sits with David Banner for some serious dialog in one of the most in-depth interviews that can be dug into.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: So what’s new with David Banner?

David Banner: What’s new with David Banner? What’s new is I got this cartoon coming out called “Crook’d Sipp” and that’s wonderful. Got a brand new album, “Greatest Story Ever Told” I got 3 new movies, of course “Black Snake Moan” that’s out on DVD now. I’m doing beats for Snoop, TI’s new album, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and Juelz Santana album, Jim Jones, Chamillionare. Oh man! It’s just a lot man, it’s just a blessing. On the bad side this year I think I didn’t really keep it one hundred fifteen with my fans and these kids because I think that people get the wrong interpretation about us and think that life is great. A few weeks ago my father just died and it’s been really crazy for me because most men don’t have that they can go to talk to and I think that’s one of the problems with the hip hop generation and with young people in general.

We don’t have mentors that can guide us in the right direction and if we do our mentor is broke. So how can they tell us about making money? My father was one of the best firemen in the United States. He had came up with some of the material that people use on attacking big fires. He commanded a lot of people and he knew about leadership, knew about directing peoples lives. That was a really big pro to me because we wasn’t really tight like 2 years ago. So to be out here just totally by yourself making million dollar decisions was just crazy for me.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: So you had your father to lean back on when it came to advice and you could count on him sometimes?

David Banner: Yeah, I could count on him a lot man. My father was an old school country boy. He wasn’t on all that bullshit. He always came at you in a nice way. My father always gave you the direct reality of things. I think he’s a major reason why I’m the man that I am today. You know, well people ask me, “Well, David Banner, well how can you do this? How can you do that?” It’s because of my father.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: So you have your fifth album coming in the near future called, “The Greatest Story Ever Told”. What will fans expect from the album?

David Banner: People can expect a classic album. I’m putting it out on this one. I think that it’s the best rap album out in history hands down. That’s what I can say about it. I’m putting money on that! I’m telling people to take all the albums that people think are classics and put them in front of me and I bet you I’m able to mow one of them albums down! And if I’m able to prove hands down that my album is better than any one of the albums that people considered a classic album, then dammit my albums one too!

St. Louis Ben Grimm: So you’re definitely going to make your niche in hip hop with this one?

David Banner: Awe! A legend! And I really feel like you gotta speak what it is. I’m the shit! You know? I’ve been too nice and too laid back and too humble about this shit. These niggaz is not fading me. It may be somebody that can rap better than me, it may be somebody who can make beats better than me, and maybe 1 or 2 people who got a better performance. I doubt that, but it may be. But if you wanna tally it all up together, then there ain’t no nigga that’s fading me. And you can quote me and put asterisks all around that shit!

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Shit, you got every right to say that in my opinion. With everything that you’ve done! All the movies! You had the opening song on the 2 Fast 2 Furious movie. How many people can say they did something like that?

David Banner: Yeah, man! It’s a blessing man. You know, for me man too many times a lot of people allow their greats go on without feeling like that they’re anything. It’s like Bob Marley died not knowing who he was. John Coltrain… it’s like we always let our people die without really giving them their props man. I’m not going to let that happen to me. A mutha fucka is going to respect what I do. And it’s crazy because people say that they want artists to act this way and act that way and the artists that do shit that they’re supposed to do never get treated right. So, fuck em, let’s go!

Photo by Kandis Knight

St. Louis Ben Grimm: So what’s your opinion on the current state of Southern hip hop?

David Banner: Agh! I don’t care!

St. Louis Ben Grimm: (laughs)

David Banner: People always ask that question. I care about the current state of David Banner. That’s it! And if David Banner does what he’s supposed to do then David Banner will be alright. Fuck hip hop! I could give a shit less.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: That is your answer on the current state of hip hop. So how are you feeling?

David Banner: I feel wonderful my dude! I feel great. Everything that I’ve been through and all the stuff that I’ve had to overcome only made me stronger as a man. I’m gonna be honest with you dude. I’ve been through hell in the last year but that was only God making me stronger and allowing me to realize who my real friends are. Most of these rap niggaz is bitches. They’re not me… they’re not me. You know what I’m saying? I don’t trust them, they’re liars. They don’t stand for what’s right. I just care about me. I don’t care about what nobody else does, what nobody else is saying. As long as they don’t touch me or my money I don’t give a fuck. I really, really, really don’t. I use to be about unity and getting together. Fuck all that! Pay me! Pay fucking me! And then I’mma go back to the hood and take care of my people. Why all the rest of these mutha fuckaz talking about what they’re do? Come see me and see what I do.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: So this is David Banner bringing prominence back to Mississippi, huh?

David Banner: And this is David Banner coming back to him. You know what I’m saying? Like, I am – - I am where I’m from. You know what I’m saying? All of that is cool. We done did that. We done did Katrina. It’s about me now. It’s about me taking care of me and if I’m able to take care of me then I’m able to do for everybody else. If I don’t do for me, it’s over! I ain’t gonna be able to do shit for nobody if I ain’t hot. You know what I’m saying? So if everybody wanna see the good guy win, go buy his record… play his record. Support him in your magazine, support him in your whatsaname. Do the same thing for the good guys that you do for the asshole. People seem to break their necks for assholes!

St. Louis Ben Grimm: (laughs)

David Banner: And you know it’s true!

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Since your acting debut in Black Snake Moan you worked on your own cartoon show. What was that like playing your own cartoon character as opposed to acting in a movie?

David Banner: Aw, man! First of all I’d like to say I’m a big cartoon fan. Like as gangsta as people think I am and know I am and seen me do the shit that I’ve done in the past I’ve always loved cartoons. I’m talking about from Voltron to Powerpuff Girls, all the way through. (laughs) You know what I’m saying how most people loud acting like they don’t be acting The Justice League knowing they love The Teen Titans. Nigga c’mon! I’m a cartoon fanatic homie! Straight up! So for me I just try to stay true to what I love. You know what I’m saying? And it’s easy for me. We performed, we done acting. Actually, doing a cartoon is ten times easier because all you do is get in the booth… it’s talking. You know what I’m saying? So you don’t have the pressure of the cameras, all that kind of stuff. You can be whoever the fuck you wanna be.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Are there any similarities between a cartoon and a movie. Especially playing the main character of a cartoon as opposed to being in a movie, you’re sitting there reading from a page.

David Banner: I think when you’re doing cartoons you’re a little bit more free to be who you want to be because can’t nobody see you. Like, people are so into their image and what people are going to think if they see them play this part or that part. When you play cartoons and when you’re in a cartoon you just do whatever the fuck you want to. Act as silly as you want to, just be you. Whatever it is. You ain’t a gangsta all the time. You ain’t a killer all the time. The softest nigga ain’t soft all the time. You know what I’m saying? So, when you have the opportunity to really touch on all of the stuff that you’ve got inside of you, I think that helps you become a more well rounded person.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: David Banner dropping jewels man!

David Banner: (laughs) Quit it!

St. Louis Ben Grimm: (laughs) You also hooked up with Steven Rifkind for the Loud.com project. Could you tell us more about that and what your involvement was with the website?

David Banner: It’s like… really I wouldn’t. To be honest with you, I’m tired of making other people money and that’s just what I say. I’mma leave it at that.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: You recently received a Visionary Award from the National Black Caucus…

David Banner: Hey! You did yo research, huh son! Gone then! (laughs)

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Man! I’m a hip hop head man. I’m into everything. About the award you got for Hurricane Katrina, what’s the current status of Mississippi since then because I’m sure a lot of people don’t know?

David Banner: I mean, it’s still rough man but you know the one thing that we can all say that was predicted everybody knew that it wasn’t going to be too much different. You know what I’m saying? People don’t give a fuck about poor people man. As much as people preach all that we want a better hip hop, we want a better the earth, mutha fuckaz wanna make money. Until young people realize that it ain’t about hip hop, it ain’t about your talent, it’s about money and everything. It’s all business! That was my problem. I use to believe that the world really wanted to be a better place and people were inheritably good. That is a fucking lie! You have a small amount of people who truly want to do good, but most of them broke. So how in the fuck are you really going to effect change if you broke. So Katrina, all that shit, that’s never going to change until somebody with passion gets in the position of power. It’s never going to change and we need to start realizing that. Fuck hip hop fuck gangsta rap. Fuck singing and rap and everything else dude. If you wanna change stuff, stop begging other people and stop saying what other people should do. You do it! You get off yo ass, make some money and you go do it! Stop talking about David Banner ain’t doing this, Nelly ain’t doing this, T.I. ain’t doing this… you do it!

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Damn!

David Banner: That’s what I’d do! I don’t ask nobody else for shit. I go raise money and do it myself.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: I don’t know what else to say.

David Banner: Just say that “The Greatest Story Ever Told” will be one of the greatest rap albums ever. That’s what you say!

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Okay.

David Banner: And then if you say that now, you will go down in history saying that you predicted it. That’s what you do!

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Yeah! (laughs) So is there anything else that you want the people reading to know?

David Banner: Those people that hate me, I appreciate the hate and I think they should be more vocal about it. And the people that love me do the same. And to those who have loved me and supported me throughout the years that I really, really appreciate it and I also want to say that those people who are out here bootleggin, all this bullshit. Those saying that they love hip hop and downloading and limewiring, don’t be surprised when hip hop is gone because it’s coming. Because of technology, people are having more of an opportunity to become artists? That is not true. What they’re doing is watering down and pissing on the people who are actually having power. The music industry and the world is trying to make it to where there won’t be no more Chris Brown’s, there won’t be no more Nelly’s, there won’t be no more Usher’s. You know what I’m saying? It’s going to be too many people that are going to go buy this little bitty artist and that’s not going to be one concentration of money no where. You understand what I’m saying? So people better watch what the fuck they doing and buy these mutha fuckin records and I don’t have to say that shit because I don’t worry about the other shit. I’m cool. I’m worrying about the next generation of rappers and singers.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: They don’t realize how much it hurts. I’ve heard people say that they buy the bootleg and if they like it then they go buy the album. I think that’s a bunch of bullshit too.

David Banner: You know what I think? I think that we don’t give a fuck. Like we say that people don’t realize it? I think that most people don’t care. America has taught us to be so fucking about us, us, us, now, now, now, now, greedy, greedy, greedy, greedy! You know what I’m saying? We’ll go spend some money on some bullshit, not on something that we really love or something that inadvertently gonna help us. The more of us that get artists in our city, the more attention will be brought to our city.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: So what these people gotta do again, David Banner?

David Banner: (laughs) They gotta go and get “The Greatest Story Ever Told” is what they need to do. They need to support your dude David Banner. And then for real dawg, just spread the word my nigga. If people want the right people to do the right things we gotta support them and build them up. We got to build them up, we have to build them up. If we don’t build good people up we can’t expect them to continue to do good things. I’m not going broke trying to help nobody else no more. I’m not. If I’m not rich, I’m not doing it. If I’m not in a good situation and my life ain’t good, fuck it! And I’m just being honest with you, you can print that. Fuck it! I mean it. And ain’t nobody else gonna say it they just gonna do it. I mean it. I ain’t bullshittin. So if you want to see people do good things support good people. And that’s everybody.

–By Marrio (St. Louis Ben Grimm) Gardner

It’s been a long time coming with The Bronx emcee Durell “Hell Rell” Mohammed, who has been down with The Diplomats since day one. Due to his incarceration, the only way fans of Dipset could hear Hell Rell was through freestyle skits over the phone from jail. After his release from prison in 2004, Hell Rell’s long duration to stardom was prepped by Cam’ron, co-starring him in the movie, “Killa Season” and gave him numerous guest appearances on records with other artists as well as The Diplomats.

Now, Hell Rell has released his debut album called “For The Hell of It” and he sits down with HipHopClub to tell us all about it and let’s us know that he’s here to raise hell on earth.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: How did you meet up with The Diplomats?

Hell Rell: Jim Jones grew up on my block, Weeks Avenue in The Bronx. I always knew Jim, he introduced me to Cam around ’97. When Cam started The Diplomats and got his deal, he pretty much came back and got me so that’s what’s up.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Ok. Being signed with The Diplomats since 2001, do you feel like that it’s worth the wait for your project to be released?

Hell Rell: Yeah I feel like it was worth the wait. You know what I mean, due to the circumstances, being signed to an independent label, it’s kind of like a lot of big records that I’ve got with a lot of artists that I couldn’t get cleared. So I just pretty much came to the streets. The streets looked out for me, they showed me love so I just pretty much just give them good theme music. The hustlers, the pimps, the gangstaz you know when we’re in the midst of action or when they’re coming up with their devious schemes they need some type of music to listen to. Pretty much, I service them.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Ok, that’s what’s up! So, when should fans expect to see your first album, “For The Hell of It”?

Hell Rell: It’s in stores now, “For The Hell of It” is in stores now. It came out September 25^th.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Okay, cool. So how is the album doing? Are there any features on the album?

Hell Rell: Yeah, I got Young Dro from Grand Hustle on there. I got my boy Styles P from D-Block besides The Dipset.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: What has your experience been working with KOCH Records?

Hell Rell: I mean it just pretty much shows me how to be hands-on with my project because KOCH is a distribution company, not a record label. You understand what I’m sayin? So they pretty much want it as a record label and that’s what I commend them for and I give them love but you know, they’re a distribution company and a lot of people come to KOCH with the expectations of them working a project hands-on and working it as opposed to a label. So it pretty much just showed me how to be hands-on with everything. Even from calling up the DJs, playing the records, from studio sessions, everything… everything. Business, paperwork, everything. Hands-on with everything.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: You’re more patented as being a freestyle artist. How did that skill come about?

Hell Rell: Pretty much just standing on the corner waiting to make my sounds man, ya feel me? You know, I’ve been a trap star all my life. So you know, just by me being in the spots and just being bored, no money coming through I just sit there and just come up with raps and I kind of got nice with it. I got nice to the point where I felt I could start a career with it, so you know. That’s what it is.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Do you think that you will become pigeon-holed as a freestyle rapper more than just being an emcee?

Hell Rell: I don’t think I’ve been labeled as a freestyle rapper. At the end of the day, I’ve got a movie in stores like, I’m in Blockbuster. I’ve put a movie out with Cam called “Killa Season” before I even had an album out yet and I’m actually in the process of reading more scripts to major movies. I’m flying out to L.A. for 3 weeks to read some scripts for some directors. So if everything goes good look forward to seeing me in some big movies in ‘08. So to categorize me as a freestyle artist, I pretty much don’t agree with that because I had a movie out. I’m co-starring with Cam in “Killa Season”. You understand what I’m sayin? You can rent that from Blockbuster right now. So I kind of feel like I’m pretty much more seasoned than a new artist.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Ok, that’s what’s up. What do you think people get misconstrued about you the most?

Hell Rell: That I can’t rap.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: What?!

Hell Rell: Man, you’d be surprised man. You know, it’s a little community, like a little club in hip hop, you know what I mean being meek. You know what I mean? Like a little gay crew. I guess they feel like you know, I’m not hot because I look at the publications and I watch T.V. you know. I don’t get the reviews and the love that I feel I deserve. So I guess there’s a little gay community that I’m not accepted in.

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

Hell Rell: Yeah man. Look out for my label, it’s called Top Gunners. I’m the head gunner in charge, Mr. Rugger. Look out for my DVD it’s called “Welcome to Hell” you know what I mean. You guys should be receiving a trailer from my dude so you know look out for that. Basically, pretty much look out for my clothing line “Hell Bound” and my restaurants called “Rugger Rib Shack”. I’m looking for some locations in Jersey so it should be up and running by mid ’08 also.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Don’t forget to stop through St. Louis and Minneapolis to open those restaurants man!

Hell Rell: Definitely! I was just in St. Louis on promo tour! I was up in this strip club, Pink Slip.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: What? That’s the spot right there!

Hell Rell: I know! I know what’s up in there.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: (laughs!) Yeah, that’s what’s up man. So are you coming back through here again?

Hell Rell: Yeah, I actually got a show in December. I’ll be back out there.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Cool. Thanks for the interview man.

–By Marrio (St. Louis Ben Grimm) Gardner

This emcee is one who is brand new to the eyes and ears of the hip hop world but is definitely renowned in the streets of L.A. and the entire West Coast. Hot Dollar, originally born in Mississippi, has been accepted by the West Coast rap scene and has dominated the mixtape world single handedly. Hot has recently dropped a hot single called “Streets On Lock” which is getting major spins and MySpace plays and is catching the ears of some of the most powerful names in Hip Hop today.

We talk with Hot Dollar as he brings us up to speed on what’s going on with hip hop over in L.A. and his blazing single, shares with us his experiences with Jermaine Dupri and Guerilla Black and gives us his assessment on the Kanye West and 50 Cent controversy.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: How does it feel to be the fresh new face out of Cali?

Hot Dollar: It’s truly a blessing. The last new faces that came out of L.A., came from Compton; Guerilla Black and The Game. I’m trying to be the third one. You know what I mean? The third new face to drop something new. Not just for me, but it’s a lot of other artists and I feel like the stronger the artists are on the West the stronger I’ll be. You know? It feels good, it definitely does.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Yeah! Your single “Streets On Lock” is in heavy rotation right now. What inspired you to come up with this record?

Hot Dollar: The version that you’re hearing right now had a Pac sample on it and I was just listening to the Pac sample and it just kind of took me from there, like from everything that you hear on the record. We had to take that sample out due to some sample clearance issues. But at the end of the day, when I do that record in the club I definitely keep that Pac sample running.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: You gotta keep it West Coast with the Pac sample!

Hot Dollar: Yeah. L.A. cats don’t be fuckin with nobody if you fuckin with Pac, unless it’s legit. That’s another thing that made me happy that people accepted it and people accepted me.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: So what is your opinion on the current state of West Coast hip hop?

Hot Dollar: I think right now I think that there are a lot of artists that are doing their thing and trying to brand hip hop as the new place to look at. Like niggaz been up on L.A. and been up on what’s going on in L.A. and the whole different look of it. Like cats right now, we ain’t rockin the white tee shirts and khakis… we’re stylish more or less now. And I think the world abroad doesn’t know that because they don’t see that coming from the West Coast it’s just khakis and tee shirts and I feel like that’s not real. That’s not the reality. It’s like a Superman outfit or something because the cats in the streets ain’t wearing it.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: That’s real talk right there. So you were signed by Jermaine Dupri as his first artist at Island/Def Jam. How did that deal go down?

Hot Dollar: Initially, I was doing records in L.A. and I had the big record, “Streets On Lock” which was on the radio here. He had came to L.A. and he heard it and was like, “Whoa!” It kind of took him by surprise hearing a West Coast artist rap like that over a track. From that point on he had told one of his peoples, “Keep an eye on him, see what he’s got going on.” They ran my B.D.S., ran my MySpace plays, ran the street cred. You know? Cats in the streets really mess with me. It just made him say, “Yo! I gotta get this kid.” At the same time I had a label that was bidding on me trying to get me into a situation. They just came in and outbid them and said fuck what they got going on let’s do it. So I sat down with him and got some insight on what he was really trying to do with my project and I just felt like it was the best place to go.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Working with Jermaine Dupri, what is one of the most important things you’ve learned from him?

Hot Dollar: To really just take the album as an album and not just songs. He has a good ear for not just hit records but for albums and he knows how to put together a classic album. And I think that was what he was trying to do with me, so I think that’s his goal. I think that is something that we will accomplish because the records that he likes is crazy, crazy records.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: A lot of people don’t know this but you’re brothers with Guerilla Black?

Hot Dollar: Yeah.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Will we be hearing any joints featuring the two of you soon?

Hot Dollar: Yeah, fa’sho! I mean that’s my brother. Definitely, we’re going to always keep rockin it out. You know, he’s been cutting a lot of slack and just getting through all the B.S. you know. He wasn’t marketed right with his label, you know. It’s a lot of B.S. but now I think we really got it together and we’re really moving on a whole other page. Like it’s bigger than just one artist, we got Dollar Figure. Dollar Figure is a big movement on the West right now and I think that’s our main thing. Just making sure the West is on top.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Okay. So when should we be expecting an album from Hot Dollar?

Hot Dollar: We should that album probably at the top of next year. Right now, I got some crazy, crazy music but at the end of the day I don’t want to come in the fourth quarter where it’s a slaughter… a slaughterhouse.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Aw, yeah… (laughs!)

Hot Dollar: And then 50 season going on. You know what I mean? Nobody… even Kanye don’t even want to stand in between that. He’s strong enough to stand next to him but… it’s 50 season.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: It’s funny that you mentioned that man, with all the talk going on in the HipHopClub Forums, I mean… you don’t have to answer this if you don’t want to because I know you heard the rumors man, who do you think is going to outsell who?

Hot Dollar: (laughs!) I mean, I’m big fans of both of the artists but I mean just off of the people who support the artists, I gotta say 50 Cent hands down. Like, that dude got people following him. Everybody likes the good guys but everybody is there with the bad guys. It’s a reality.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: So do you think that 50 Cent will really retire if Kanye West outsells him?

Hot Dollar: Hell naw! He just dissed the shit out of Kanye. (laughs!)

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Why do you think people should embrace Hot Dollar?

Hot Dollar: Because I’m the realest to run it. I’m doing me, at the same time I feel like the records that I’m putting out are unmarked, it ain’t like other artists. I got my own reign, I ain’t copying off nobody, I’m not biting nobody, I’m not trying to emulate nobody or be like nobody and my music is crazy hot! So I think as a person, the things that I rap about are the things that I do. And I’m a cool dude, laid back. I’m not a person who tries to “ra ra” and act like I am what I’m not. Like, I am who I am and it is what it is. My music speaks for me. And if you meet me as a person, I’m a humble, laid back dude but if you cross me I will break a hole in your ass.

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

Hot Dollar: Like I said Hot Dollar stands for the last dollar, the last person. I definitely want people to reach out to me and deal with me on a personal level. You can hit me on MySpace, myspace.com/hotdollar and I just really want to build a one-on-one with a lot of fans. So when people go and buy my album they can identify with who’s album they’re buying and who’s that person for real behind the music. You know?

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Thank you for the interview and good luck in everything that you do and I hope to see you on top within the year.

Hot Dollar: Thank you man, I appreciate it dawg. I appreciate it.

–By Marrio (St. Louis Ben Grimm)Gardner

You’ve heard their hot new single “Tat-Tat-Tatted Up” featuring D4L’s Fabo scorching the radio airwaves for months now and we’re sure that a lot of people were not able to put the song with the faces of The Alliance. Remember the old skool days of hip hop when you would hear a new Big Daddy Kane joint or hear Kool Moe Dee and wonder for months how they looked? Then, when you finally see them on their record or cassette tape cover it all comes together. This seems to be the similar approach that Blackout, Skinny, female rapper Bliss and producer Ty-Cutta have taken and they have the radio and ringtone world on lock.

Now signed with NCE (Nothin Comes Easy) Records / Asylum Records, The Alliance is a solidified unit of Atlanta emcees who have bubbled up to become one of hip hop’s successful rap groups. HipHopClub received the opportunity to interview this creative quartet and see what everyone is going crazy about.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Your first single “Tat-Tat-Tatted Up” is receiving a lot of buzz right now. How does it feel to be in the limelight?

Ty-Cutta: It feels stupendous, it feels great. You know, it just feels good, you know what I’m sayin? Whenever you get a lot of people to join something that you created man it feels good. You know? It feels real good.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Okay. That’s what’s up! Fabo is featured on the track. How was it working with someone so energetic?

Ty-Cutta: Fabo man, it was cool you know what I’m sayin? Real cool, that’s our family right there. You know? Him being in the studio you know what I’m sayin? I mean he’s the genius… he’s a genius. A lot of folks don’t know that, that boy can sing and all. You know what I’m sayin? Yeah, it was great.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Will we be seeing an album from The Alliance soon?

Skinny: Yeah, yeah, yeah! September 18th. Yeah! Already! The album is called “Goin Digital” you know what I’m sayin? So look out for that second single “Goin Digital” too you know what I’m sayin? So yeah, September 18th man the album is going to be in stores next month so go and get it! Nomtalkinbout?

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Y’all got any features on the album?

Skinny: Besides Fabo we got another R&B artist from Atlanta, he real artsy. He’s a real good singer. We got them two on the album but besides that everything, in-house production and the reason why we did it like that because we want everybody to really feel the chemistry from The Alliance. Not the chemistry with The Alliance and everybody else. You’re going to get The Alliance on the album, you know what I mean? Straight up, you know what I’m sayin? I’m on every song on every verse, you know what I’m sayin? My boy Blackout, my boy Ty-Cutta he on the track, you know what I’m sayin? My girl Bliss, she on the verses, you know what I’m sayin? Aye, you already know it’s Goin Digital.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: That’s what’s up! Is your single “Tatted Up” making big numbers in the ringtone world?

Skinny: Yeah man. We did about 400,000.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: So Bliss, how does it feel to be the first lady of The Alliance?

Bliss: Oh, it feels real good being the only female in the group. You know I love the men… you know I love the men. So you know, I’m learning new things everyday. Trying to hold my grind, doin thangs.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Yeah! So do you feel like the public will characterize the group as a one hit wonder?

Bliss: Well right now they can characterize what they want to. You know? They got to hear our CD and when they hear our CD go to our MySpace page
www.myspace.com/theallianceatl.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: With the hip hop world currently saturated with negative music, how does it feel to have a positive song that everybody can enjoy?

Bliss: You know it really is a true blessing that we can come up with our own idea and people like what we’re doing and enjoy our music. I mean, that’s the whole point about it. That people can rock with it and they have fun. Now they can go get the album and see what they like or dislike. Go to our MySpace page, hit us up, tell us y’all dislikes, what we need to bring more to the table. That’s what we’re here for, to make good music for the people and everybody else.

St. Louis Ben Grimm: That’s what’s up! So is there anything else that you would like to tell the HipHopClub readers before we conclude this interview?

Bliss: Hit us up on the MySpace www.myspace.com/theallianceatl, go to our myspace 71777 to get them ringtones and that’s about it.

Skinny: Yeah man, September 18th, it’s “Goin Digital” Day, you know what I’m sayin. The album is coming out September 18th so make sure you go get that. Here it is again, text The Alliance to 71777 and get that “Tat-Tat-Tatted Up” ringtone and that “Goin Digital” ringtone. Aye man, that “Goin Digital” poppin off down there yet?

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Yeah, man! Fa’sho!

Skinny: It’s poppin here man! Hey, we appreciate the love man y’all been giving us, you know what I’m sayin? We can’t wait to come down there and do a show, we gonna show y’all how we do it, man you know what I’m sayin? We rep it for real, you know what I’m sayin?

St. Louis Ben Grimm: Yeah, I can’t wait to see y’all. Thanks a lot for giving me the opportunity to do this interview and good luck!

Ty-Cutta: We just gonna bring something new to the table. You’re going to be surprised when you hear the album, you know what I’m sayin? Cuz thangs jammin all the way. We bumpin hard and it’s going down, you know what I’m sayin?

–By Marrio (St. Louis Ben Grimm) Gardner