Posted: Friday – July 31, 2009

In a sea of testosterone, old spice, and crotch grabbing. A woman, a lady, a Femcee can get lost in the midst. Well, luckily we found an artist that refused to be a casualty to the male funk and still go at it like a lady. Let’s meet Queen Kandi Cole.

How are you doing today? This week? This month? This year?

I’m good. This day, week, month, year has been amazing so far! I can’t complain at all…
You are from California. Sunshine, mountains, Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles on Pico….

Ahhhh delicious. How does your home influence your music?

The influence is MAJOR. I was born and raised here so California is definitely a focal point in a lot that I do as an artist. The city, the beach, the people, the cops…yeah, all of that comes out in one way or another in the rhyme. I heart the West Coast!
In your bio it says, “Her parents knew what they were doing by feeding her food for the soul with sounds of James Brown, Parliament Funkadelic coming through one ear and Miles Davis and Charlie Parker coming through the other.”

Which parent was the funk and which parent was the jazz?

My dad was the funk. My mom, the jazz. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

What qualities do you possess that you think qualify you and others to be an emcee?

I feel that I am a complete artist. By complete I mean I hold all the natural elements of what it means to be an emcee. The love, the skill, the performance, the presence, the style. A lot of artists today may have some but not all of what you need because they lack the genuine love for good music and are focused on the dollar that the music can bring them. I always say that if I did this for the money I would have been done a long time ago. It’s not about that. I think great, powerful, timeless music is priceless. And in the same breath that would then make me priceless. When you start making songs for the radio, that’s when you lose.

Michael Jackson passed away… Tell the readers of Area 84/84 Area your thoughts about his passing and the media circus surrounding his death.

I was a HUGE fan of Michael Jackson. His death really struck a cord in me. I woke up the next morning hoping it was all a bad dream. But it wasn’t, it was real. As a kid I can remember staying up to watch his new video premiere TV or watching the making of Thriller for the umpteenth time. He was truly an icon. The media circus can kiss my ***! MJ broke so many records, eliminated racial barriers, raised money for famine in Africa, was the first black man to cover “mainstream” publications such as Rolling Stone, etc… the media is trying its hardest to erase his legacy and replace it with imperfections in his personal life. But the fact is, he did a lot for people, globally. Which is more than I can say for the people writing about him.

Random: Favorite movie?

Good question. I’m actually a movie buff and can’t narrow that down. There’s something like a 7-way tie for first. How about I throw out 3 of those…
Bamboozled, Goodfellas, City of God.

How did you get your start in Hip Hop?

I was born into this. I think around age 5 I can remember following behind my uncle who taught me to “pop” and what not and just becoming a part of the culture without even knowing. The style of dress, the dance, the graf, all of it. I wrote my first rhyme at 9. I did my first show at 16 and I’ve been grinding ever since. This is why I get so upset when I see whack cats get on just because they know someone but have NO talent whatsoever. Shit, that doesn’t even matter anymore these days…they don’t even need it. Get a ghostwriter and they’re set. It pisses me off. But I digress… J

Tell us about your first performance.

My first performance was my senior talent show in HS. LOL. Half of my friends didn’t even kno I rapped. I wrote a song with one of the homies and decided to rock…in front of the whole school. Yeah great idea, Kandi. This was when I found out what the term “stage fright” meant. I was pacing backstage for about 30 minutes nervous as hell, sweating…the whole nine. It was finally my turn to go up and I think I spit 16 bars in about 10 seconds. HAHAHAHA! It was cool tho. By the time I did my second show someone introduced me to “rehearsal” and taught me how to channel that nervous energy and take it out on the mic. I’ve been going hard ever since.

Tell us about your most recent performance.

My most recent show was last night at the Palmer Room in LA. There were a lot of dope cats on the bill; Nocando, Verbs, Intuition, Chris Phillips, Kail, Raven Sorvino and a few more. Really dope lineup so I know I had to bring my A-game. I rocked that ish tho! if I do say so myself. I dig real Hip-Hop shows out here. As soon as my set is done I turn into a fan. There’s so much talent here on the West Coast.

What is The (SIS)TEM? Tell us about this Femcee “Terror Squad”.

The (SIS)TEM. MY SISTAHS!!!! We’re a collective of female emcees, DJs, vocalists, photographers, journalists…you name it. But the visible part of the (SIS)TEM you will see the spittahs. We’re all solo artists who came together to make good music. Right now there’s about 15-20 emcees affiliated and we came together to show the industry that if you’re not going to listen to one of us, you’re going to definitely hear ALL of us. We support each others individual careers and at the same time push the SISTEM movement. We just want everyone to know that all women in Hip-Hop aren’t hating on each other. In fact, if we work together we can get to that same goal faster. There’s no female emcees really doing a lot in the game right now so there’s room for everyone to eat. Some of us as female emcees take ourselves out of the game before we even get started. The SISTEM was formed to combat that BS and put a woman’s touch back into Hip-Hop. Because we can make some DOPE music…and Hip-Hop needs us. SO MUCH that some of these cats done started singing, looking more and more and more feminine, etc…. just put the females on and you wont need to do all the extras. I’m jus sayin.

In your career, what were some lessons you learned that you would like to pass on to future femcees and emcees?

Don’t let anyone change who you are. No one. Hold tight to who you are as an artist. We are creative beings and when we are being limited to a box we can never fully grow, and being an artist is all about growth. Oh, and learn the business. Read a book. One book that I think every emcee needs if they are trying to break in the industry is “All You Need to Know About the Music Business” by Donald Passman. This book has helped me so much and I recommend 100%.

Who is you favorite EmCee?

Is top 5 OK? J Bahamadia, Mos Def, Andre 3000, Lauryn Hill, Ice Cube (no particular order)

Random: Who is your musical guilty pleasure?

Jerk Music. Hyphy Music. I mean, the beats bang, son! I love it when you can just wild out on the dancefloor and not give a damn because the beat makes you do it. Its not the most ‘conscious’ of music. Thus the guilty pleasure. But it still goes hard!

Random: Favorite Top 10 Hip Hop Songs.

Damn, this is hard. Let me see what comes to mind first;
1. Cant Knock the Hustle – Jay-Z
2. All About the Benjamins – Puff (guilty pleasure but I’m not ashamed. Its my ISH!)
3. Bring the Pain – Method
4. Umi Says – Mos Def
5. ANYTHING TRIBE – ATCQ
6. If I Ruled the World – Nas & Lauryn
7. They want EFX – Das EFX
8. Play My Funk – Simple E
9. Goodie Bag – GOODIE MOB
10. Outkast – Elevators
11. Ready or Not – Fugees
12.* ANYTHING ICE CUBE
I feel like im on the spot but any of those tracks would make my top 10. with a little research and time I could come with a more accurate list. But those are definitely up there. I KNOW I’m missing A LOT. But roll with it.

What would you be doing now if not music?

I’ve been in Sales/Marketing for quite some time, so probably that. Commission checks put smiles on my face, but working in corporate amerikka can kick rocks.
Name the top 5 artists you think everyone should listen to to better understand hip-hop.
See question #12

Random: Can you pop ‘n lock?
Yup. See #7

If I was a person that could not and would not allow myself to like hip hop because of negative stereotypes seen. After listening to one of your songs before forever turning away from hip hop, what would you want me to leave with?
I’d actually have them listen to my first album “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Kandi Cole!” it shows a wide range of lyrical ability, beat selection, political joints, dance tracks, and positive energy throughout. After they dedicate at least the one hour before they are completely done with Hip-Hop I think this album will be able to convert them. I am a collection of all emcees I’ve admired before me and I give back to the progression of Hip-Hop in each song that I put out. It’s bigger than you and I. It’s bigger than Hip-Hop. This is history…on wax.

Are you planning on coming down to ATL in the near future?

I have a sister that lives in the ATL and ever since she moved from LA I try to visit her at least once a year. I think that time should be coming up soon actually. Maybe in a couple months or so…check me in August or September.

When you are not working what do you like to do in your free time?

Drink. Yeah, I know. Not cool for the kids. But I do enjoy drinking with friends. Hangin out. Having conversations that step outside the normal boundaries of pop culture and what they WANT us to talk about. I try and read a book or two when I have free time. Which [time] is scarce these days, but that’s a good thing. J

What family members, friends, and close ones comprise your foundation?

My mother, my big sis in ATL, Miki Vale, The (SIS)TEM…they all continue to motivate and support me daily on this journey.

Random: Favorite thing to get from the corner store?

Planters salted peanuts. They’re tasty.

What was the first joint you ever wrote?

Damn, you want me to start digging in the crates, eh? Ummm….the first song I ever wrote and recorded in a studio was called Priceless. I had a real rapid fire flow and was HUNGRY on the mic. Im still hungry but I’ve since found MY voice and how I want to put it down on a track. Man, you’re making me want to pull out the old tapes with these questions. Yes, tapes. That’s how long ago I laced that joint. Haha!

Are there any new projects in store for 2010? 2011? 2020?

I’m releasing WORKS WELL WITH OTHERS an all collab mixtape dropping July 17th. FREE DOWNLOAD. COP THAT!!! …and another mixtape, and then a full length album before the year is up. Im on my grind. Im going to continue making good music until they hear me.

Where can we hear more of your music other than just the sampler on your myspace page?

Youtube.Imeem.Facebook.Myspace,www.KANDICOLE.com.Itunes. or just come out a show and say hello.

Any final words to the readers of Area 84/84 Area?

Thank you. Thank you for shining the spotlight on female emcees who steer clear of the mainstream bull and follow their own journey getting to where they want to be. Thank you to everyone who’s ever enjoyed a Kandi Cole track. If you keep listening, I’ll keep pumping out that real Hip-Hop!
Hip-Hop you the love of my life!!!



www.84area.com

Posted: Friday – July 31, 2009

I had a chance to talk to Big Syke, best known for his work with 2Pac. He opened up in our exclusive interview from how he met 2Pac to his upcoming female lounge gear clothing line, and even him and Pac’s craziest moments.

GW: It’s fair to say you have a lot of followers, and people know a lot about you, but your probably best known for your work with 2Pac?
Big Syke: Oh yeah without a doubt. (laughs)

GW: You pretty much started in 1990, with your group Evil Minded Gangstas?
Big Syke: Yeah, definitely (laughs)

GW: Where are you from?
Big Syke: Inglewood, Inglewood!

GW: Is that where you are residing now?
Big Syke: No, I’m little bit all over the place right now. Still in California, but a little all over the place.

GW: So you started in 1990 with your group, and where did it go from there?
Big Syke: Well after that I ran into Pac. After I had pressed up my album and got my little label going. I met 2Pac and he said he wanted to start this thing called Thug Life. And we went to the studio and did the first song called Thug Life and it was history from there on.

GW: How did you meet 2Pac?
Big Syke: I met him actually through a guy named Surge. Surge’s cousin Wattani was actually 2Pac’s manager at the time. And Surge brought him to the hood, my neighborhood ya know and we hooked up. Surge use to play on my music, so he (2Pac) liked my music so we started hangin’ out and after that we became friends and the next thing ya know we were on tour.

GW: So it all happened pretty fast then it sounds like?
Big Syke: Oh yea for sure, definitely.

GW: [You spent a lot of time touring with him], I read something really interesting saying that you were actually the artist featured most on all of Pac’s songs. So you guys had a really good relationship then?
Big Syke: Oh yea without a doubt. You know it was like a brotha relationship, ya know we argued and fight, but we still make up, ya know.

GW: When you met Pac, did you just dismiss the Evil Minded Gangstas or was that still something you were working on the side?
Big Syke: Well you know it’s crazy because I put my label to the side, I put the Evil Mind to the side, and I started doing the Thug Life tour and all the rest of it just kinda turned into Thug Life, and then it turned into the Outlaws, and here I am today. And that’s just kinda how it went, you know I didn’t plan on putting my label to the side cause I ended up signing with 2Pac, the first label he had Out Tha Gutta, and then after the Thug Life album he went to jail and we did the All Eyez On Me album and after the All Eyez On Me album I was going to be the first guy that was going to be signed to Mackavelli Records.

GW: And then it was around 1996 when your released your first solo album?
Big Syke: Exactly “Be Yo Self”! (Laughs)

GW: “Be Yo Self”
Big Syke: (Laughs) Yeah that was my first album “Be Yo Self’! My first solo project.

GW: You laugh, was that a good time for you or was it crazy?
Big Syke: Well was it was, I mean I still laugh at it till this day because the main thing I see in the music business is people not being my selves. You know when you start pulling off the sheets off some of these rappers, and [you know] they might be so called gangsta thug rappers, but you know they went to private schools and went to college, and you know that don’t really consist of being a real thug. Most of the thugs I know was in the penitentiary or dead. So the ones that are on the streets are still trying to find their way, ya know. So not trying to say you can’t be an educated thug, cause that’s more of what its movin’ into now a days, but ya know it’s just funny how the music business just embraced this whole thug thing and everybody turned into a thug and they don’t even what its really about.

GW: When you released that album it was under your own record label [right]?
Big Syke: Yeah, definitely.

GW: Is that record label still active today?
Big Syke: Oh yeah fo sho, we gotta keep ridin’ on em. It’s call Ridonem Records.

GW: Is that the label your currently under now?
Big Syke: Yeah definitely. I’ve actually been under that label since the Pac thing um, since the demise of the whole Pac thing. And then I just kept pushin’, started back over. Like right now I’m probably on my 6th or 7th solo album. So ya know its just, you gotta find em (laugh) you gotta find em.

GW: What’s the name of your new album?
Big Syke: The name of my new album is “Mr. Incredible” actually I’ve got two albums. One’s already finished called “Mosalini Outlaws” and now I have an album I’m working on with DJ Black and Jamin that’s called “Mr. Incredible”.

GW: When can we expect Mr. Incredible to be released?
Big Syke: Probably around November 2009.

GW: Are you currently touring for your new albums?
Big Syke: Most definitely, I’m on tour right now runnin’ around with WoodPower, that’s my new road dogs right there. WoodPower and Nickle. A young guy from my neighborhood that ya know I thought I’d give an opportunity to, like Pac gave me an opportunity to get out here and just see the world and see what the music business is really about. It’s not just about the studio, you got a lot business that you have to handle and has nothing to do with you writing a rap.

GW: With that said, what kind of advice would you give all the independents, that tend to forgot those important aspects of the music industry?
Big Syke: Well I would tell a person, you gotta look at it, even those its rap and people discard rap as not being business or not being ya know really a job they gotta look at it as being a career like if they was going to be a doctor. Doctors don’t just go in no operating room and cut open a body and start doin’ surgery. First of all if you can find somebody who’s in the business to give you the shots, then you got a person that can lead you through it, if you don’t then you just go pick up a book and read. Ya know when you do run into somebody or hit somebody on their Myspace, ask questions. See the problem is, it’s like when you were in school and you were afraid to raise your hand because you didn’t want to seem dumb now you better ask questions! You better ask questions, all the questions you can come up with ask em. Because that’s the only way your going to get the information that you need to know. I tell all artist’s that your better off starting your own label doing your own thing and let the companies come find you. Because if you look at it, it’s a millon rappers our there and six or seven of them got record deals, so most likely its not going to happen, unless you do what you have to do to make people see you, to make people notice you then you’ll get a record deal!

GW: That’s real, that’s solid advice. I noticed on your Myspace page, (Myspace.com/bigsyke01) that you kind of dabble in other things like film, writing scripts, fashion….
Big Syke: Oh yea, ya know to be a real entrepreneur you gotta diversify, you gotta put money in other places. Its about creating jobs for other people to, ya know being a rapper you got your little clique you drive with but if they don’t have a job then their going to be constantly asking you for money. So you have to create things that make people money. So I got a clothing company for females, well the clothing company I’m kickin’ off with, will be female lounge gear. Most rappers start off with the guy clothing but I decided on women’s clothing, because Syke love the ladies!

GW: Is your clothing line launched or it something that’s still in production?
Big Syke: Actually right now I’m getting all my samples together and I’m going to launch it off 2010, probably late 2009-2010.

GW: Is it going to be in stores or are you going to sale it online?
Big Syke: Well I’m looking to open up a store in Las Vegas, but most likely it will be online first.

GW: And what about your films, and writing scripts? I thought that was really cool.
Big Syke: Yeah, actually I wrote the script in about 2002-2003 and I took me a year to write, and it’s basically a inner city story about a young guy that wanted to change his life. It sounds basic but it’s the details that, ya know that most writers, unless you’ve been in the streets and hustled and that type of stuff can understand, and turn you in that direction. It can be one thing that can spin you off in the worst direction or a good direction, so that’s what the movie is kind of based on. It’s not really based on my life or nuttin, it’s just about a guy that who grew up in L.A. and got caught up in some things that wasn’t really beneficial to him.

GW: Is that something that your going to end up producing and/or directing yourself?
Big Syke: Exactly, that’s my motto, I wanted to be a rapper so how did I become a rapper? I went and spent my money and wrote my rhyme, paid for the studio, paid for producers. Like Jonny J, rest in peace, you know I was doing work with Jonny J before he ever met 2Pac, that guy that produce “How Do You Want It” , “Picture Me Rollin’” most of the songs I was on with Pac, was produced by Jonny J. When you start, and you want to be something you spend your own money, you wanna actress, spend your own money go to school learn your craft, you wanna be a producer, produce! Put up the money, to do the things that you have to do to get the job done. I always say “Get it in the cannon you the man.” Once you get it in the cannon, you can, people take you more seriously then just talkin’. I don’t like people just talkin’ about what their going to do, do it and then tell me about it.

GW: There was something else that I wanted to mention, and I thought it was kind of interesting, I read that one of your old nick names was Lil Pyscho.
Big Syke: (Laughing) You know that was just me as a young guy. Ya know my mom’s and my pa’s are still together. I was raised by good parents that gave me good morals but you know I always tell people, it’s not what goes on inside the house that makes the thugs and the street guys, its what goes on in the streets. So my mom’s been rasin’ me right but my environment, and it was all my choices, it was all my bad decisions, but they made me who I am today. When you out in the streets you do things that you know ain’t right, so it just gradually pulled me into a direction that had me tryin’ to prove myself to people. So Lil’Pyscho was just me runnin around acting crazy, acting stupid. Because the thing about the inner city guys is that we and I don’t mean we anymore, we look up to the guys that actually act the dumbest. You know we look up to guys who go to jail and spend the rest of their life and when they get out its like a party, we throwin’ parties for them. For number one I tell them, you got caught! So you should not be getting no credit for that. So its like we lookin up to guys that don’t really deserve to be looked up to, and that’s what a Lil’ Pyscho is, lookin up to guys that don’t really deserve to be looked up to.

GW: What changed your state of mind? What made you say these guys don’t deserve to be looked up to?
Big Syke: Well it took me until I got older, but it was really my parents, and my moms. I did a year in jail when I was 15 years old, and that was the worst time in my life. Because I realized that my parents are the only people that care about me, my family. My friends didn’t write me, um, I called them and their goin out partin’ and they didn’t take time out to write me a letter, ya know it was just a reality check of who really loves you.

GW: So it was kind of like a kick in the ass, the people that you thought were your friends weren’t.
Big Syke: Exactly. But you get out of jail and you go right back where you came from, and it was like you never left. So you find yourself back in the same things, but like I said the music was the best thing that happened to me but I can actually say if it wasn’t for me making the decisions to get into the music, and to spend my money on the music; I had my so-called best friends telling me you ain’t no rapper, and until this day their like some of my biggest fans. What would you be without a hater, if it wasn’t for the haters, most guys wouldn’t be who they is. It’s the non-believers.

GW: A lot of artist’s use their music as a sort of outlet to get their emotions and thoughts out, is that how it was for you?
Big Syke: Well it was definitely that, but it turned into that later. It started off as me just tryin’ to get out of the situation I was in. I call it the “Elimatenin’ Goin’ To Jail Factor” you gotta get that out of your life (Laughing). That walkin’ in the fence type thing, I didn’t want to go back to jail to hurt my parents, and my family, and the people that love me. Because I know that would hurt them more than it would hurt me, because I can deal with it, but my parents I didn’t want to put them through that can so I had to find something. And that the time you know it was the Eazy-E started his label, then you got the Run DMC’s and the Public Enemies and all these guys comin’ out, and I’m sayin to myself I like that, I like what their sayin’ even though at the time you know NWA, you listen to their music now and its like it was shocking back then but now its like that ain’t nothing, their weren’t really sayin nothing, but it was a big impact. But my thing was the Public Enemy I loved them, how they was talkin’ and then I loved the NWA because I related to on the street type thing and it was just a combination of the two that pulled me into my direction. But I didn’t start off sayin’ I wanna be a poet, that was later when I got with Pac. And when I got with 2Pac he really gave me, he kinda cemented what my mission should be, and it’s not just about me, and its not just about black people, its about human beings. Pac got more love probably for other races then he do for his own race. So it’s not about the race to me, as I grow I learn. I’m doin a tour with Wood Power, their white guys people think would think that they would be skin heads when you look at them, they not ya know. They not, they just white guys that, their white thugs who just as hard as the black guys. And that’s where I’m at now, I feel like my journey is now to get all the races together, and lets move in a direction and lets represent what we represent.

GW: What was the craziest thing that you and 2Pac ever did?
Big Syke: Um, most the stuff I probably can’t say (laughing) ah, oh I got one but I can’t say it (laughing). Let me just say this, we did a lot of things that I knew better, ya feel what I’m sayin. And I promise to you, in this day an age if a rapper tried to do half the stuff we did they not goin’ make it! (laughing) It was just by the blessings of god that we got through some of the things that we got through. I mean it was like, we were fighin’ everywhere we went. And I was always the guy tryin’ to keep the peace, ya know cause when you put your hands on the man it can go anywhere, he could pull out his gun and do what he wanted to do or pull out a knife or whatever or call the police or whatever it may be when your out runnin’ around livin’ this lifestyle, it was like trouble was following us everywhere we went trouble was following us. So it was a lot of things, good things and bad thing that went on.

GW: Was trouble following you because you guys brought it or was it just bad luck?
Big Syke: It was a combination of a lot of things, jealous, it’s a combination of, ok its like this.. That rap that we rap is the thug type rap, street rap so who’s going to come to the shows but the street guys. You attract the crowd that you rap to, your going to get those stragglers on the outside but mostly your going to get those, like I said fresh out of the penitentiary guys, ya know the guys that feel like they don’t really have anything to life for, so when you put all these type of guys in one place your going to constantly run into some situations when they don’t believe you. Because cats wouldn’t believe Pac when he first came out. They wouldn’t believe in that thug life and all that, sometime you had to some them that you were really wit it. And that was basically the foundation of what took him to the top of where he is today.

GW: If 2Pac was still doing his thing today, what would you guys be doing? Would you guys still be working together?
Big Syke: I know definitely we’d be on some solo things, but I would hope that we would still be doing the Thug Life. But right now I imagine if he was here would be the number one campaigner for Obama. You think that the rest of these guys; a lot of these guys jumped on the bandwagon later and I ain’t gonna say no names cause they were going for some other people. But after they seen the momentum that Obama got they start jumpin’ on the bandwagon. Cause nobody ever thought it would happen. It wasn’t black people that put Obama in the White House, and that’s why I say it goes back to this forget the color. They normally say black, brown and white, and there are so many colors under the rainbow and that’s what it was all about to me and that’s what the change is all about. It’s about forgettin about your races, forgettin about your gangs, forgettin about all this other stuff and lets move as human beings in the direction that can only bless and help the future.

GW: There has been a lot said about 2Pac and the Thug Life and what happened with that, and people always have something to say about what they think really went down. Is there anything that you want to say to clear the air about rumors or what certain people have said?
Big Syke: I’m going to say never believe what somebody says about people when they wasn’t there. Because it’s so much talk, even with me and I’ve been accused of things in this business that I know I wouldn’t of did and I know I didn’t do. It’s just crazy about how the media will take something, and especially that guys that were on the outside looking in and swear up and down that they were in the inside of our clique. They write books, ya know they want to write scripts, they want to do all this stuff when in reality you weren’t even a part of what we were doing, but you make it seem like you was.

GW: And you won’t give examples? (Laughing)
Big Syke: I heard a couple of things that is suppose to hit the air waves in a minute about me and I’m just waiting for it to come and I’m gonna bust these cats out! I’m going to be their worst enemy, because I’m going to expose them, because I am who I am. And it’s sad because people use Pac like a McDonalds, he’s just like a Big Mac getting changed around day and night, ya know takin’ the sauce off him, put some mo lettuce put some extra pickles, they did so much to Pac that its ridiculous. So I sit back and I watch especially the guys who was so called around him and most of the guys doin’ that weren’t around fifteen minutes! But they can write three or four books and they can do all this stuff and its like homie you weren’t even around. You have to see that half these cats are just tryin’ to get paid off the big man. And that’s the sad part.

GW: What do you think Pac would have to say about these things that people are putting out there about him?
Big Syke: Ok, I’m going to tell you something this is what I think. I think number one he would be hot and expose the ones that are doing it for the wrong reasons. He became a commodity that anyone could make money, you make a t-shirt with him on it you make money. That part it good because your opening up the a door for a lot of people that eat off him. It’s like Bob Marley or Elvis, people can eat off them for the rest of their life if they keep comin up with stuff, because they know people want to wear 2Pac t-shirts, want to read a 2Pac book. But they don’t have enough information about him. It’s like with Michael Jackson, come on now! It’s just like the storm goin’ on with him. I was watchin’ the news the other day and some lady was like I’m this to Michael, and I’m like you just comin out of the woodwork because the man died and you want to come up and tell your story! Come on man! Come on! What kills me is that people don’t see this. If you have something to say number one give me information that is true and two give me information that will help me if I want to know more about this person. Give me that information not the flaws in him, I don’t want to know all that. Because Michael is a perfect example of how they hate the hell out of you while you’re here and now your gone and everybody in love with you. Sayin’ you weren’t shit, that you ain’t ever gonna make it, that you crazy, you weird. But one thing that I can say is that I was talking to my friend the other day and he was like, Michael was crazy for spending all this money, and I was check this out that was Mike’s life and look he ain’t here now he don’t give a damn now about what he spent, its good he spent all that money! Because who was gonna get it?

GW: It was great talking to you Syke and we can’t wait to hear from you again when your album drops later this year.
Big Syke: Fo sho Part 2 of this interview later!!!

Posted: Thursday – May 28, 2009

As if working for Special Forces in Afghanistan wasn’t enough to deal with, Na’gee still remains one of the top requested artists on the local radio station. “…My music gets requested so much I’m tired of hearing it..”. He refers to his days as “clockwork”. Even with the 12 hour time difference with the United States Na’gee manages to start his day at 2am to, “handle my business back in the states,” such as checking email, Worldstar, and Myspace checks. After showering he resides in his small room to either record a song, edit or map out what he will do next to boost his career.

After the daily morning rotutine he goes to work from about 9am to 7pm “I can’t really get into what I do because I work for the Special Forces” is what he explains when asked about his job. After getting off work and checking his emails and Myspace, everyday around 8 to 8:30 he has a meeting about the next mission that needs to be complete. As his schedule stays about the same all day everyday, he wants to make clear, “First and always remember we always get rocket attacked and it’s crazy cause I’m so use to it I just keep keep it moving and don’t pay it any mind.”
During Na’gee’s busy schedule he still finds time to perform for all of this local fans. “The first show was a last minute thing but I got crazy love! The second show was so crazy they didn’t have enough room to hold eveybody.” Na’gee says about his concerts. Not only can you catch Na’gee on Myspace.com and YouTube (to watch his shows), he’s currently on the top mixtapes on the net such as, Biggy Jiggy and Street Heat. He’s also working on a movie based around his music in the States and in Afghanistan.

Na’gee was also selected as one of GUTTA WORLD’s Top 40 Certified Gutta – Best of the Best Independent Rap artists.

The world is truly a Ghetto, a world that indiscriminately embraces and forsakes all. It builds a handful of heroes and destroys a universe of nobodies. At age 1, this environment is where Grand Scheem and his family began their new lives – migrating from Karachi, Pakistan to a 1 bedroom apartment in Opa Locka, Florida (USA) – a section of the Greater Miami area. Like many 3rd world immigrants, the marketing of America was a picture clip from “Leave it to Beaver”, but white picket fences are far from the reality. The negativity of growing up in lower-middle class America began to affect his household. Dad drinking, cheating on Mom – soon after came the divorce. This is the point when we ask ourselves, “Why is this happening to me?” The confusion of being American AND living in a household that clings to certain cultural values can be overwhelming.

Living life co-dependent on separated parents who refuse to believe that drugs, prostitution, & gun violence are low-income conditions that affect the youth of America, will only make you a stronger hustler. To his parents, the American Dream is having a stable job, because in Pakistan, there are no jobs. To him as an American, a job is being trapped. Acquiring capital and making investments was the ultimate career choice. Following the Jewish blueprint for success proved effective in the years to come. Then came 9/11. This tragedy affected more than just those that couldn’t make it out of the buildings – in fact, it affected the American perspective as a whole. Now the struggle of choosing a side to be on in a Black & White country is no longer the issue – for a taxpayer the Census Bureau fails to acknowledge. Americans who did not know where Wisconsin was, now know about the Middle East – but with a skewed perspective. His plan is to change that perspective.

The birth of Grand Scheem takes place in these Divided States of America. Facing the struggles of being a minority, “home” moved from Pakistan to New York to Florida to Texas to California and back. Scheem witnessed his first car-bombing at age fourteen, an episode he later recalls vividly, “…and the bombers weren’t too intelligent – instead of hitting their target (the police station) they blew up everything on the other side of the street. A man ran out into the street – on flames – and literally burned to death in the middle of the road. About four hours later, the Minister (equivalent to the Mayor) shows up to the scene, gives the family of the victim a briefcase of money, and that was that.”
Even the harsh surroundings of the Middle East couldn’t prepare Grand Scheem for what he would face in America. In Pakistan, “minority” is determined by religion – Grand Scheem was born a Catholic minority in an Islamic republic. In America, he remains a minority in a segregated society, determined by skin color and culture. Having to be searched at airports, being stared at in skyscrapers, being and around constant racial slurs & hate crimes, is the result of constant media misrepresentation. Explains Scheem, “The goal here is not money, but moreso to impact the perspectives of those oblivious to the truth.”

The stereotype of terrorism, though, is only one of many topics Grand Scheem addresses. Getting America and the world familiar with the face you see on television is important – know your enemy before you hate him. “…you even have groups like Green Day, Linkin Park, and Rage Against the Machine that not only see certain issues, but act on them in a major way”, explains Scheem.

Facing the same oppression that many minorities in America continue to battle is why Grand Scheem chooses Hip Hop to speak to those living the struggle. In its purest form, the Black community used Hip Hop to voice their disposition in America. Scheem influences, such as KRS-One, Public Enemy, Ice Cube, Paris, NWA, and Nas used Hip Hop as a line of communication to the people, and so shall Grand Scheem.

Americans have become more socially aware in 2005 – Hip-Hop, and music in general, is reverting back to its ‘realistic’ state of mind. The opportunity to get a million dollars worth of game, shrink-wrapped or online www.scheemofthecentury.com, is finally back – through Grand Scheem.

The Years have gone by and we’re still hearing sort of the same old rap. I mean we’ve gone from our NWA’s to Tupac’s and Biggies. Now we have our 50 cents and Eminem’s. Our Jay-Z’s and Diddy’s. It’s obvious that the time has come for new and young artists to step into the rap game. I’m not talking about the J-kwon’s and Chingy’s. I’m talking about those young cats that are doing their thing on the Underground scene. I recently caught up with and had the opportunity to interview a young new comer, who is one of the many elbowing his way to the forefront. He goes by the name of “J-ROC”, which is self –explanatory he states. “Listen to my music and you’ll see the reason I’m known as ROC.”

GW: So…Where are you from? What small town is it that you’re representing?

JROC: “Well, I’m from a small, country town in South East Georgia, known as DuPont…
Most people call it the WOODYARD..”

GW: So what’s your family like?

JROC: “Country as Hell! I grew up in a house of 4. My mom, my stepdad, my sister, and my stepbrother TEZ. My folks provided as much as they could so I can’t complain. My biological dad wasn’t there but hey, his mf’ing loss!

GW: What exactly is it that got you into the whole rapping thing?

JROC: “Shit, I guess you could say that my stepbrother really is the one that got me interested in rapping. I mean he was always writing and rhyming, and I guess I just sat back and took it all in.”

GW: Who’s better, you or your stepbrother?

JROC: “He really can’t be compared to me! I’m on a whole different level. He’s tight tho’, but not as tight as me.”

GW: I understand that you’ve actually made about 3 underground CDs?

JROC: “Yeah, you might see me without a pen and paper maybe two days out of the week.” The cd’s were low budget cd’s but the hood(s) got the message and they know I “Raise Hell” with a microphone in my hand!

GW: So you’re constantly writing. What exactly is it that you write/rap about?

JROC: “Most rappers talk about their Escalades and Navigators on 24’s or betta, I don’t have all that, not yet anyway.” (He laughs and then goes on to talk about how people usually think of drugs, guns, and gangstaz when it comes to rap music.) “It ain’t all about that. It’s really all about real-life situations. I rap about things that I have experienced or at least have some knowledge of.” It would make no sense for me to rap about ridin’ in truck with 24s, and I don’t have that, feel me?” “I try to be as real as I can. Ain’t no fakin’ or frontin’ova hea.”

GW: What do you think about other rappers that are doing their thing at this moment?

JROC: “Good a$$ question. I ain’t tryna knock nobody for what they doin’ or whateva, coz Shit we just alike as far as trying to get our music heard and stuff. I won’t say any names, but I’m tired of rappers tryna be like other rappers. Now you have to be more specific than that. “What I’m sayin’ is that it ain’t right that folks out there being like the people that sort of put them out there and now they
making money off of it. I aint saying know names but we all know who doing this $#it. I ain’t the only one that feels this way. I’m fasho that there’s plenty otha folks out there that’s thinkin’ the same Shit. Just ain’t real enough to put it out there.”

GW: Well I was just about to ask is there is anything or anyone out right now that you aren’t really feeling that’s in the rap game. Care to share any names?

JROC: “Naw! I’m a soldier for paper, a certified paper chaser and I don’t call out names or talk down unless provoked! Feel me? All I have to say on this issue is that I don’t cater to those that bite off other artist(s). BRING YOUR OWN STYLE! BE REAL!

GW: How do you see hip-hop and yourself? Do you look at it as a career or you know, just a hobby?

JROC: “I definitely don’t look at it as being a hobby. I mean it could go as a hobby, but it’s more serious than that. Rhyming is something I do daily. It takes talent to rap. It’s a blessing that I’m able to do my thang. I definitely see hip-hop as being maybe a career or maybe some type of art.”

GW: Now let’s talk a lil’ music. Your CD, which is currently available at FYE stores, is called “Raising Hell.” What’s up with that? I mean what is it that a 20 year old needs to “raise hell” about?

JROC: “Go get tha’ album and you’ll see.” “On the serious tip, it’s all about me and my life. I’ve gone through so much to actually get to this point! I mean to a point where the world, not just Clinch County (which is where he lives), can hear my music and see what I got to bring to the table. And please believe I’m gone bring it!” “Raising Hell” is all about how hungry I am to get into this rap game. “I’ve been hungry for 20 years now. And until I get fed the way I wanna be fed, I’m gone continue to be hungry. This is like that one chance that you don’t normally get. I feel like I gotta take it and run with it,
ya know?”

GW: Now if fans wanted to listen to your music where would they go?

JROC: “You can check out www.WoodYardEntertainment.com. Whateva’ ya need to know is all up there.” Or you can catch me on Myspace.com/jrocartist, I gets much love on that page!

Now if those aren’t the words of a hungry, young artist, then I don’t know what is. I recently listened to one of his songs from one of the previous albums, and there was a verse that stated, “19 years old, ready to up and go, make some Sh#@ explode.” So maybe it is time for this young cat to rise to fame, and put it down for South Georgia.
If you’re living in South Georgia you should be well aware of what J-ROC is about. If not, maybe you should reread this article, go check out the site, and then go cop the album!

Posted: Thursday – May 28, 2009 @ 12:08 AM

In 2005, a group of musicians, producers, and rappers joined forces to create Organized Grind Entertainment. Organized Grind’s goal is to be the label capable of handling every facet of the “life” of an album, from production to promotion, from artist development to touring. Organized Grind is not your typical record label. Not only do they produce, and release a lot of mainstream music, but Organized Grind also instills a lot of live instrumentation into their music.

In addition to their rappers writing contemporary club, and radio hits, Organized Grind encourages their artists to speak their mind, and not to fear venturing away from the mainstream’s lyrical approach. “Rap and Hip-Hop music was created as a protest music, a music that told a story, and a message that people could relate to,” states Jamin Kendall. Organized Grind Entertainment currently has two R&B singers, two rappers, and one jazz / funk group. They have two producers, (Jamin and D-Black), which have teamed up to create Black/Jamin productions. They also produce beats and whole songs for major and independent artists (for more info visit www.myspace.com/platinumfirm). D-Black has had numerous hits writing and producing including “Wobble Wobble” (Master P, 504 Boyz). They have produced and worked for such people as Dr. Dre, R Kelly, Snoop Dogg, and DJ Quik, to name a few. They are currently open to acquiring new artists, and can be reached at www.myspace.com/organizedgrind. As of July 09, Organized Grind Records is working on three projects.

Rapper Jamin is working on his first solo release scheduled to drop in November of 09. The album features, Snoop Dogg, G Money, E-40, and Big Syke. Saxophone player, Craig Shaw is working on his album The Craig Shaw Quintet. Black/Jamin Productions is producing Big Syke’s (Thug Life, Outlawz) new album, Mr. Incredible (Ride On’ em Records). Organized Grind presents a style that will essentially add to the state of hip hop. How many labels are all about catering to the true meaning of live instrumentation? Bearing this in mind, do know that Organized Grind is the label of the past, present, and future. Currently, Organized Grind is only operating in the western region of the United States, but you can also find Organized Grind on the World Wide Web. Organized Grind will be expanding nationally as potential investors come forth. Jamin states, “We are currently accepting bids from different investment firms.” For those, who feel like music should divert back to its original roots, Organized Grind would be the route to go.

I recently had an opportunity to get Jamin on the phone between studio sessions, and I want to share with you what is going on with Organized Grind.

GUTTA WORLD: What prompted you to start your own record label? 
Jamin Kendall: Really just what we was talkin about. The industry shifted it’s attention from Cali, and at the same time it’s a lot more freedom when you runnin your own shit. It just takes a lot of patience. But I got time, I ain’t trippin that.

GW: How was Organized Grind created?
Jamin: Out of necessity. We all have been involved in the music industry in different aspects, and we all good at what we do, and we all love the grind and the hustle involved. So we just came together, and put all of our talents on the table, and organized all that into a plan, and we executing it now.

GW: Who are the founding members?
Jamin: Myself, Craig Shaw, and D-Black.

GW: How has Organized Grind grown and developed since its beginning? 
Jamin: I’d say we a lot more focused now. We worked through a lot of the things you can’t see is gonna happen in when you start a business, and we more effective at being efficient.  Projects take a lot less time to organize and record. So it’s more time for me to focus on being an artist.

GW: What makes your crew different than any other independent label?
Jamin: Our goals, our music, and our vision. Just listen to our music, and you’ll see what I’m sayin. 

GW: What is your ultimate goal?
Jamin: To leave behind a legacy.

GW: If you had to describe your flow in a few words, what would it be?
Jamin: Well Rounded. I spit what I know and convey what I’ve been through. Nothin mo and fa sho nothing less.

GW: What do you think the advantages are in being independent as to signing major? 
Jamin: Well, like I was saying, unless you’ve already sold a lot of records, the only way a major will sign you is if they can take advantage of you, or if they fear another company will sign you, and they don’t want the competition. Majors sign acts for tax right offs all the time. It’s a lot of albums and acts that get shelved and never put out. But it’s so many young people that’s so eager to get in the business, they don’t stop to think about what might happen. A major label is like a bank, and an artist is a business. If your business is doing well, and has a good track record, the bank will loan you money at a good rate. If you have no record, they’ll fuck you. Same thing in the music business. So with the Internet, and home studios, and all these forms of distribution, it’s best to do your homework, put a plan together, and sell your own product independently until the majors come to you. Just the same way the banks do. Banks don’t care what business you in, if you makin money, they want some, so they fund you in order to gain interest in your business. The majors don’t give a fuck how good your music is. Are you making money?

GW: Have you been offered any major record deals?
Jamin: I have been offered the opportunity for major deals, but turned them down because they wanted to take too much control over my image, and music, and I’d rather go hood platinum, my way, than make millions of dollars for executives basically being their slave. I’m in this game for quality, not quantity.

GW: Would you reach out to another company for distribution or are you all trying to be strictly independent?
Jamin: Fa sho. Cash Rules Everything Around Me, so the mo we makin, as a label, the more opportunity will present itself to actually work along with the major labels, and distributors, instead of for them. That is the eventual goal of Organized Grind Entertainment (to work alongside majors), but everything in due time. If you don’t have patience in this game, you might as well either get out, or sell out. Everything in its due time.

GW: You say you want longevity in the game, how do plan on obtaining that?
Jamin: I ain’t in this game to be the best rapper. That shit is an illusion. You ain’t ever gonna hear me say some shit like that. There’s always gonna be someone that can do things better than the next man. And even then, that’s an opinion. My longevity is gonna come from me being true to my mission and giving people music that they can relate with. Giving them music that is filled with my emotion. Whatever that might be in the moment. Cause shit change constantly and we feel different from day to day. So not all my music gonna be about slangin, or some street shit. I talk about whatever I’m feelin in the moment, just like we was kickin it, drinkin, or smoking. When you put my music on, I want you to feel like we in the same room tradin conversation.

GW: Tell me about www.myspace.com/organizedgrind . Is it a beneficial site for you?
Jamin: Yeah, Myspace is a powerful promotional tool and for the independent artist or label that shit is priceless. If you use it right, it’s like having an online street team. But, it’s like any other promotional tool, if you don’t approach it properly or follow up right with your fans, you gonna fall short. The harder you hustle, the mo you gonna benefit. That’s life. 

GW: Describe your label mates?
Jamin: Balance. Everyone brings something real unique to the table. And that combination work well. We bring something all together new to the rap game, actually the whole industry. And at the same time we bringin something back to the game that has been missin for a while.

GW: How would you describe being in the studio with your crew working on your new album?
Jamin: I Love bein in the studio, and all the cats I work with is extremely talented. It’s like God just blessed us puttin us all together like this. So yeah it’s magic. I couldn’t ask for anything mo.

GW: What is your largest struggle right now?
Jamin: (Laughing) Finding a decent Cognac.

GW: Can you tell me about the upcoming album?  
Jamin: yeah it’s my debut solo album. I have done a few group albums, which has always been a good experience, but having full creative control, is a refreshing feelin. Me and D-Black have been plottin this project for a while now, we finally got all the tracks together. I’m recording 40 tracks, we ain’t decided yet whether it will be a double album or not. But we got some interest from major labels and publishing companies, and I been able to get some features from cats I grew up listening too, so I cant wait to put it out. In the meantime check me out at www.myspace.com/ogjamin.

GW: For kids who don’t live on the west coast, what would be your advice on how they could get their music heard?
Jamin: Be honest with yourself first about your music. If you can’t do it, you can’t do it. The industry is not for everyone. And it’s a lot of jobs in the industry besides being a performer. That’s one bad thing about all these home studios. All of a sudden everyone think they can rap, or produce. After that, my advice is to take your time on your project. Since everyone rappin, or singin, or producing, the market is flooded. So you want your shit to stand out. Don’t be in a rush to drop five albums a year of music that’s just aight. Put out one project that got all heaters on that. Make sure every track is well produced, it’s mixed well and mastered well. Pretend like you runnin a major label. Make sure the artwork is perfect. Don’t be usin no camera phone shots. Work on your strategy for release, meet as many D.J.’s as possible. And get your album pressed on vinyl. Basically do everything you can to make sure your album doesn’t look and sound like you made it at home.

GW: With the exception of a few, why do you think it’s hard for MC’s from CA to get put on? 
Jamin: It’s just industry trends. It’s not lack of talent. In the late eighties and nineties, Cali and the East Coast was hot, and started beefin. Then the south got crunk, and then the mid-west was the shit. Now we got the hyphy movement in the Yay. So Cali startin to come around again. I think Cali artists need to really come together more than they do to build. Especially on the independent level. It’s the grass-roots movements that can shift the trend with the majors, and help more Cali MC’s to get put on.

GW: Where do you see your crew in the next 5 years?
Jamin: Success, Success, Success. Definitely international by then. I want us to be competing with the majors by then. In a sense we are now. But I want all of the majors to be scared enough of us, to want to buy us out.  

GW: How do you plan on giving back to your community?
Jamin: The community invests into us, that’s the only reason we are, and will continue to be successful. That goes for any artist, so not to show your community a return on that investment would be detrimental. We have a lot of plans on giving back to the community, most of which I want to keep out of the press, so we get the least amount of resistance as possible. You know how people get when you try to do something positive. But we plan on giving back just as much if not more to the people that support us. I will say we plan on doing a lot of workshops, financial investments, construction, and youth activities. And every Organized Grind artist plans on being directly involved and very accessible to the public that basically makes us successful. So now you have it, Gutta World is the first to bring you an exclusive interview with Organized Grind’s Jamin Kendall. Be on the look out for Jamin’s debut solo album, and visit him online at www.myspace.com/ogjamin.