Q. Whats up, wo where are you from and whats the scene like their?

A. I'm from Richmond, Virginia and its pretty slow here. There are only a few clubs and a small underground hip-hop following. Back in '94 the scene was a little bigger, now I can count on one hand the acts that are doing underground hip-hop here. Richmond is into what the world is into...Hot Boys, DMX, and such. We have goups like Infectuous Organisms, Tribe of Judah, and Jazz Poets Society who still do shows for the hip-hop heads.

Q. So who were some of your influences in Hip Hop back in the day?

A. LL first. I used to try and rhyme just like him. KRS 1, Chubb Rock, Pharoahe Monch and L-Boogie are still among my favorites.

Q. Your album "Word of Mowf" was one of the best underground/independent releases in 1997/98...did the album do well in sales on the indy tip?

A. I guess it did ok, when you consider it was just on-line and word of mouth type promotion. We were limited by money, so we couldn't press up what was needed like wax, tapes, and cds. Sandbox.pair.com is still selling cds consistantly. I think an underground hip-hop release can only generate so much of a following because its not about the radio singles or the club records, just creative music. I used to argue how people would be able to appreciate quality music, and making classic records would shine brighter than one hit. In the record industry it still comes down to sales and profit, so because my CD didn't have a good HIT record, doors didn't open to get people to sit down and listen to it. I've learned that MOST people do not listen, they just want to dance or sing.

Q. You signed to a new label right, can you tell us about that?

A. I was signed with Missy Elliotts Gold Mind Label, but because I wasn't receiving the type of attention I felt I deserved, I asked for a release. I'd rather find another label, or put out records myself than have to wait on her or anybody else to say when it's time for ME.

Q. How has the business changed now that you are/were signed?

A. I got alot of money, bought some equipment for the studio, and it felt good to be living like an artist for a change. Now I use the equipment to produce the SupaFriendz stuff and a new young cat from Richmond named Joe Doja (Dozier). I have an LP worth of music for myself which we are shopping, but if all else fails, we'll put the music on an 804 Flava release.

Q. So whats up with The SupaFriendz?

A. We've been talking about it for a while, but it's finally happening. By this summer there could be a SupaFriendz and or an 804 Flava Compilation LP. 2000 will bring a lot of new music from us.

Q. Who are the artists that make up The SupaFriendz?

A. There's Mad Skillz, Lonnie B., Lil Rock, Shawn Chappelle, Joe Doja, J. West, DJ Marc, and myself.

Q. So tell us about your new album that you have coming out?

A. The LP is finished, I'm just waiting to see where and when it will be released. This CD is some of the same and somewhat different. I'm still conceptual as usual, but there are a few really strong radio/club records. I always want to be good at what I do, and I make music. I hate the fact that htere are so many artist who make the type of records that the kids love and crowd the dance floor, and I don't. When I do a show I see mostly guys headnodding, they do shows...ladies shaking they thangs.

I want to be good at both. Why should the wackest emcees get all the glory? I can make some records like those...records that the masses will like. The bottom like is...I making this LP to fit what I like and what I want. If people feel it they do, if they don't they don't. I can't make CDs for anyone else but me and what I feel.

Q. Did you handle the production for the new album?

A. I'm did a lot of the album.

Q. Aight, any final comments or shout outs?

A. Thanks for the interview. Peace!