Red Billa, what up dog
?
I don’t know it.
What city are u representin’ ?
I’m from the midwest, Chi Town (Chicago,
Illinois).
On what label do u record?
My own, 30 Weight Gravey Records. I’m
the CEO. I got two albums out. The first album was Leanin. The
second album, the one I’m promoting now, is called Verses
Of Tears. I’m a true emcee that’s for the craft. I’m
just keepin’ it real, keepin’ it hood, just keepin’
it to the streets.
What kind of following do u have in the
Chicago area ?
Well, I’ve got a major buzz at different
record stores. Like Cisco’s Music Room,
Al’s Records.... U know, a lot of the mom and pop stores.
At a lot of the independent radio stations, like HBK.
Have u won any special awards ?
I won the rap artist of the year award
twoyears in a row..... 2004 and 2005 with ASCAP Publishing.
How are your spins looking ? U know, at
radio and in the clubs ?
Awh, no question, djs show me love.
Your current album, Verses Of Tears, tell
us something about it.
Yeah, like I said, this is my second album.
I made it more commercial. More radio friendly. A lot of the raw
underground joints that I made in the past weren’t radio
friendly. I’m tryin’ to reach the masses. So I had
to do that to get some airplay. Just tryin’ to
broaden my horizon. I’m tryin’ to do some stuff that
they can feel in the club a little more. U know, something u can
just ride and listen to.
How long u been doing this ?
I been down bruh.... 10 years.
Who are some of the people who’ve
influenced your sound ?
Common Sense, Crucial Conflict, and Psycho
Drama.
Some underground artist find it difficult
to market and promote themselves and their projects. What are
u doing in the way of marketing and promotion to move your product
and establish your name ?
I got posters all over the Chi (Chicago),
and just keepin’ it street and promotin’ outta the
trunk, man. I’m lettin’ the djs hear my stuff, and
buying magazine ads all over the road. Promoting with u, The New
Power Magazine. No Question ! Especially in “The Dirty.”
I want em to feel me in “The Dirty.”
What are some of your goals that u hope
to achieve in the near future ?
My goal is to get an independent distributon
deal, and to make my record label, 30 Weight Gravey Records, a
household name. As far as being mainstream, and not
just underground.
How far outside of Chicago are u going
with your album ?
I’m going to Sacremento, California
with it, and down into southern California. Of Course “The
Dirty,” Cleveland, and New York. I go to a lot of seminars
and meet A&Rs. I’ll send them some of my product. It’s
a grind, but u gotta love to hustle. There ain’t been a
lot of mainstream artist from Chicago to open it up. U know what
I’m sayin’. Common did. Kanye West did. I’m
just tryin’ to add on to that. Cisco’s Music Room
here in Chicago has me listed at number 9 on the top 10 playlist
for albums here in Chicago. So that’s big.
I’ve been featured in Xplosive Magazine in California. I’m
gettin’ some airplay in Sacremento at KNOZ.
Who’s that artist that would be your
dream collaboration ?
It would have to be Scarface. He’s
the realest in the game. I like how he first came out... Humble.
He stuck with it and he made the masses feel him. Scarface is
one of the hottest, dopest emcees that’s ever been in the
game.
In order to get someone to buy into your
music, how would u describe it to them if it wasn’t possible
for them to hear it ?
I would tell them that I’m a raw
talent emcee and I breath a disease that’s verbal. Anybody
can cuss, talk about sellin’ drugs, hittin’ someone
in the head, or shooting em. To me, that’s not rap. I’m
tryin to put something on cats minds.
Thanx for gettin down with us. We hope
u and everyone else in Chicago will keep ridin’ with us.
Anthony, like I told u bruh, we need u.
The streets need The New Power. I got u in the Chi, bruh. I love
what u guys are doin’ down there. Much love to ya for all
that you’re doin’. Yall holdin’ it down for
all these underground artists.
Contact : (773) 783-5691
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