Within the ever-changing game of hip-hop it’s important to remain one step ahead of your peers and diversify your hustle. 50 Cent and Jay-Z are known for their business acumen as well as their classic albums. And artists like Lil’ Wayne and Drake are known for their love for touring and unparalleled work ethic.
Pries may still be in college but he’s busy teaching his peers how to hustle. When he’s not in the booth Pries can be found on the boards making beats, doing graphics design work, or even hosting parties. But as quick as Pries is to set a stage he’s more apt at tearing one down. The college kid has already performed multiple times and is quickly building a skill set essential to up and coming rappers.
Pries Final You’re probably wondering? How difficult is it to maintain a full-time job, release new music every week and get a feature on this blog? The young emcee from Chicago is heavy on Youtube, has over 1.5 million views on Myspace and is busy with his burgeoning rap career, despite the rigors of a nine to five. Whether its hopping on and destroying the next and newest internet cipher or answering some hilarious Q&A’s, Siryss is sure to keep the masses entertained. And peep that exclusive freestyle only on http://youngtunna.wordpress.com/. As Siryss would say, "Yezzzzir!"
Need more of your two new favorite rappers? Click here for a time-line including Pries' next show, Siryss' newest cipher and of course the next episode of "You Prolly Wonderin."
While other rappers are quick to flaunt the fake money, rented cars and video hoes in their videos, C. Khid stresses the importance of reality in his music. "I feel like I'm one of today's most talented music artist as far as coming up with concepts and keeping my reality tight."
He stresses that the music one produces must accurately reflect one's lifestyle. "If you haven't experinced or lived the lifestyle your writing about people will never latch on completely to that."
One of his Youtube subscribers jdkidd23, is quick to identify with his refreshing brand of realism. "Ayy i remember when you used to come to my neighborhood. You one of us Meadowood boyz that made it. I like that. Keep it up. Do it for us."
With lyrical content ranging from emotional and monetary lows to unprecedented highs (his "I Want This World" song on Youtube reached over 200,000 views) C. Khid has no qualms with letting listeners know who he truly is, which at times could be a narcissist or a proud promoter of the truth.
KLO: You're based in Los Angeles, California. Are there any artists in that region that have influenced your music? What other artists have helped influence your musical stylings?
WAX: I am not from Los Angeles but I definitely listened to a lot of Los Angeles artists growing up. NWA, The Pharcyde, Cypress Hill, Red Hot Chili Peppers just to name a few. I probably listened to just as much west coast music as east coast music growing up in Maryland. Tons of artsists from many musical genres have influenced me it would be impossible to name them all.
KLO: The internet's impact on the industry is undeniable. You're heavy on Youtube and MySpace, explain how that's helped to further your career.
WAX: Well youtube has been really big for me. It still is crazy to me that you can record something at your house then make it available to the whole world instantly. It's a great outlet for creative people. In my case a good amount of people now are entertained by the stuff I put on there and every day new people discover it for the first time. My manager, who is currently making some really good things happen for me, found me on youtube randomly.
KLO: The internet actually introduced you to EOM the producer of your album "Liquid Courage." Will the two of you continue to work on future projects together?
WAX: Yep. We're working on a new album right now (slowly). I'm really swamped with shit right now and I'm really focusing hard on my youtube page and some collaborations and such, but yeah we're working on an album. No matter where my career goes EOM will be a large part of it. That's my dude!
KLO: You've also worked with producers such as Nottz (Busta Rhymes, Snoop, The Game). Describe the experience working with someone with a resume as extensive as Nottz's
WAX: Nottz is a cool humble dude who happens to be a musical genius. He's laid back and his studio in Norfolk, VA has a very friendly atmosphere to it. I got there and we listened to some of my music, then some of his. The beats he played for me were all incredible and I felt like a kid in a candy store. We knocked out a few tracks and I'm still not exactly sure when they will be released.
KLO: Trying to become a rap star at this day in age is very difficult because of the state of the music industry, economy, and Internet. What were some of the struggles you experienced early on in your career?
WAX: I still struggle. I am late on all my bills and I can never afford to do anything. I am broke as fuck.
KLO: What are your thoughts on the industry right now? What would you recommend to aspiring artists shopping for a deal?
WAX: The industry is changing. Don't rely on the big companies you have absolutely no choice but to build up your own thing. Even if your goal is a major label record deal, in most cases they don't give a fuck unless you're already doing your thing. They want to take a slice of the pie you've already baked. They are not looking to take risks with unproven artists. The best thing to do is not to worry too much about deals and shit. Perfect your craft and use all these tools. The internet is powerful as shit.
KLO: You've also collaborated with artists such as Dumbfounded and Prince EA. Are there any other collaborations we should be checking for in the near future? And who are some of the other young artists you're feeling in the game today?
WAX: I don't really have any collaborations like that lined up right now, most of the collaborations I'm gonna be doing are with producers. I ain't gonna say shit about them until they actually happen haha. I don't get much of a chance to check out new music like I used to....I spend most of my free time working on my own shit. I love Wale's album though and I've heard some hot shit by Jay Electronica. I think Drake is tight too.
Over the course of his rap career the 27-year old emcee has proven few are strong enough to take straight shots of Jin (pun intended). After gaining fame battling on the set of BET's 106 & Park and MTV's Fight Klub Jin has now stepped away from the battle arena. "I need to be focusing my energy elsewhere. Not on battling," Jin explains. The emcee is currently working on a new album as well as film and television projects.
KLO: When did you start battling and what aspect of battling do you enjoy most?
JIN: When I first got into battling, I was about 13-14. By the age of 16-17 is when it became what my whole life revolved around. I think the greatest thing battling can do for an MC is help gain credibility. It's about not just gaining respect from others, but also confirming with oneself you took that step and entered the arena. I like to think of it these days as a chapter of my life that was exciting and I learned lots from the whole experience.
KLO: You’ve been very active within the online community and realized its potential very early on. Your third official CD, I Promise, was sold exclusively through MySpace.com, what enabled you to make the bold move of an online only release at a time, 2006, where the Internet wasn’t nearly as influential as it is now? What are your thoughts on the Internet’s influence on the game now?
JIN: For me, the internet thing kinda happened organically. I remember early on, around the BET 106 and Park days, I'm talking about Youtube wasn't even in the picture yet, everyone was on AOL and using the chatrooms. People saw it on TV... but then it (the battles) made it's rounds on the internet and I naturally just proceeded accordingly with the transition. These days, there's tons of outlets for artists and it's almost at a point where if you have to establish some sort of internet presence to sustain.
KLO: You’ve dealt with major labels, went the indie rout and even started your own label Crafty Plugz, what are your thoughts of the industry right now? What would you recommend to aspiring artists shopping for a deal?
JIN: CraftyPlugz is actually the management company I started out with when I first moved to NY in 2001. Around 2005, when I parted ways with RuffRyders, me and my manager decided to transition CraftyPlugz into a independent label. Around 2007, me and my partner decided it was time to move as well. Since then, I've just been working with my new management, Catch Music. The industry now is like how the industry has always been. Different players, same game. I guess the biggest change is that more and more people are seeing the business model can no longer be run like it was back then. For aspiring artists, the most tangible and practical advice or better yet suggestion I would give them is D.I.Y. (do it yourself). When it's time to evolve to the next level and it was meant to be, so it shall.
KLO: In January 2009, you released a mixtape in Hong Kong called Free Rap Mixtape under Universal Music Group Hong Kong. Are you still signed to that label? And when can we expect the next Jin mixtape/album?
JIN: Actually, the Free Rap Mixtape and what I had going on with Universal were two seperate things. The Free Rap Mixtape is something I did just as a Chinese New Year gift for the fans/people of Hong Kong. It was unique in the fact that it was my first ever mixtape in Cantonese. So it's joints like me rhyming over "Live Your Life" by TI but in Cantonese. Different for me, I must say. As for Universal, how they came into play is, they released my first Cantonese album in Hong Kong in 2008, which is what brought me out there initially. As for new projects, I am focusing on a English and Cantonese album for this year.
KLO: Aside from music you’ve also been featured in movies such as 2 Fast 2 Furious and No Sleep Til Shanghai. Are you still pursuing an acting career or is your focus strictly on music?
JIN: The thing about Hong Kong is that ever since I've been here it's been non-stop in terms of momentum and overall opportunities. Aside from the music projects, I've been able to do film, television, endorsement deals, etc. Stuff I always wanted to do but up until now, never really got the chance to. Which is exactly why Im so grateful/thankful for the Lord's blessings in abundance.
KLO: In October 2009, you were set to battle West Coast Pit champion Dizaster of GrindTime. Despite back and forth videos on WSHH no battle eventuated. There were also rumors of you potentially battling 2-Time WRC winner "Illmaculate." Do you plan on battling these two or any other rappers in the future?
JIN: It's actually quite a simple situation. Diz challenged me. I wanted to challenge Illmac. We were all set to do it.. In the midst of figuring out behind the scenes details between my management and GT, it didn't happen and fell thru. It was during that time that I made the biggest realization. That is, I need to be focusing my energy elsewhere. Not on battling. Not taking anything away from them two or what theyre doing with the league.
KLO: On a lighter note who are your top 5 favorite artist of all time and who are the top 5 up and coming artists you enjoy now?
JIN: Listing a top 5 artists of all time is a tough one. As far as influential.. MJ, LL, Wu Tang, Jay, Nas, Eminem. These days, I listen to quite a variety of stuff. I thank you all for taking the approximately 8-11 minutes to read all of this. God bless.
St. Louis is synonymous in hip-hop circles with rappers like Nelly, Chingy, and the St. Lunatics. While partying, women and bling-bling are the focal points of their lyrical content, St. Louis' newest and hottest emcee rhymes about something a little different. "I love science, religion, politics, and learning in general," Prince EA claims.
KLO: You’re originally from St. Louis, Missouri. How have your origins influenced your music? Are there any St. Louis artists, in particular, that inspired you to pick up the mic?
Prince EA: I have always been a fan of Nelly. "Country Grammar" is one of the best Albums I have ever heard. My music is mostly inspired by East Coast (rap) though or that's the box I'm usually placed in, because it's so different from musicians in St. Louis. But I could never abandon the influence of my hometown.
KLO: Trying to become a rap star at this day in age is very difficult because of the state of the music industry, economy, and Internet. What were some of the struggles you experienced early on in your career?
Prince EA: As far as struggles, there were many. Getting the money to record, especially in a recession. Also, many people close to me doubted me, laughed at me, to the point of really depressing me. I didn't stop though... and I'm still doing it big. Needless to say they're supporting me 100 percent now.
KLO: What are your thoughts on the industry right now? What would you recommend to aspiring artists shopping for a deal? Has the feature in VIBE magazine help bolster your appeal?
Prince EA: The industry is in a bad place right now. Its going through a real transitional stage. I would advise an artist to do their thing independently and not rely on a label. Be self sufficient, labels are dying out as it is. Stay true to yourself and deals will come to you. Being in a nationally recognized magazine (VIBE) that BIG, Tupac and Jay Z have been featured in definitely looks good on a resume.
KLO: The content in your music is very diverse. You touch on things such as history, the Illuminati, women as well as a plethora of other topics. How would you define your content?
Prince EA: My content is me. I stay true to myself. I love science, religion, politics, and learning in general. But I'm a young dude too... so I like women haha. I also have a sense of humor which some of my more hard-nosed fans can't understand. They want me to be angry and talk about conspiracy all the time but I try to explain to them that If you want one-dimensionality... that's not me.
KLO: You are heavy on the Internet, your Youtube channel has a lot of hits, and you collaborate with a lot of popular artists in the online community. What are your thoughts on the Internet’s influence on the game now?
Prince EA: The internet is huge, without the internet I wouldn't be where I am... I can safely say that. The internet has revolutionized the game in ways that are unprecedented. No one could have expected it to change the music industry in the ways it did. Giving out free music in today's climate is a necessity.
KLO: What young artists in the game are you feeling right now? The “Forever Remix” was huge. Any future collaborations of that magnitude we should look out for?
Prince EA: As far as young artists... I'm feeling J Cole, Drake, Wale... a lot of the newer freshman rappers. They seem to have some substance and some lyrical content with them, which is essentially opening the door for me. As far as collaborations, just be on the look out... anything that I do is big. Hopefully me, Presto, Sick Since and Canibus can get an album together this summer and reach the masses with it. "Paranoid Chillin'" is the current title. I think that the project really has the potential to be huge. All of the artists are very talented emcees, and very acute intellects. It has really been a pleasure to work with them.
KLO: Let’s talk about the "BET Cypher" for a minute. Rumor has it that the spot Crown Royyal occupied originally belonged to you, but because some of your content was controversial to other rappers, you were not selected. What exactly went down?
Prince EA: As far as the BET Cypher, that was just a set back that I had to get over. Sometimes failures are blessings in disguise. Crown Royyal is a talented rapper and I don't want to take anything away from him or trivialize his grind. He did his thing. I just think I couldv'e offered something a little more... entertaining.
KLO: Have you begun recording your debut album? Have you decided who will produce, collaborate or mix the album? When should we expect to see the first official Prince EA release on the shelves?
Prince EA: As far as my album, I'm not sure. I working on a mixtape right now and that's my top priority. Ive got a lot of talented producers on it. My boy, Tech Supreme, D Scorchd, who are two talented producers from St. Louis., Zambo, Red Skull, Young K and a few other sick producers will most likely be on my album as well.
KLO: Any last words you'd like to say to the people & What is The "Make SMART Cool" Movement?
Prince EA: Make SMART Cool is a movement that I, Yousef Talib and Ericka Henderson birthed and raised. SMART is an acronym for Sophisticating Millions/Minds and Revolutionizing Thought. We're bring intelligence back to hip hop, but the movement can be applicable to a persons life by just making smart decisions, and being involved in a unified group of like minded people bouncing creative thoughts off each other and spreading knowledge. The movement has really spread nation wide. We've been featured in various newspapers and soon TV. We also have merchandise that you can purchase from the site if you would like to support at www.makesmartcool.com.
