In a full moon lit night, but dark as
hell in the suburbs of Columbus, Mississippi - a figure sits in
the mists of familiar faces. It seems a fitting backdrop for a
young emcee who brings it in the booth, the same way he does it
in the streets. Not being new 2 the Mississippi hip - hop scene,
this quiet but forceful emcee has broken his silence 2 speak with
us on his present and future happenings. We introduce u 2 Reddrumm
( pronounced Red Rum ).
TNP: What up Red, what’s up with
u currently ?
RR: Well, currently we’re workin’
my second solo album, entitled, “Focus.” It was released
April 15, 2003. We’ve moved over 3,000 units in this region,
and we’re grinding for more.
TNP: For those who are familiar with u,
what was the reason for the delay in the release time between
your first album and this one.
RR: It was business and personal, ya know
? After all the things that I went thru on the first one, with
a fucked up CEO/manager, I got kinda frustrated with the game.
Plus, I didn’t just wanna jump back in head first. I had
2 get some people who would back me. People who I could trust.
When I had that back in order, I started back writing, and came
up with about 30 songs. My album is what we chose from those songs.
TNP: Your first album was out on Hit ‘Em
Hard Entertainment, and the new one is on T Boy Records. What’s
the deal ?
RR: T-Boy is all family. My people, literally.
That’s where the trust comes in. We all benefit from this.
As far as Hit Em Hard, I learned 2 pay more attention 2 my business
from that situation. Because this a business, and people ain’t
gonna always do right by u. So u have 2 make sure u know about
the people you’re dealing with, because some niggas can
talk a lot of shit about who they know and what they did, and
try 2 promise u the whole game when they ain’t hittin’
on shit. You gotta watch those kind of kats. That’s like
one reason I’m not with them.
TNP: While u were gone, the GTA (Golden
Triangle Area - NE Mississippi) exploded with artists. What do
u think of em ?
RR: I feel like there’s a lot of
kats in the way. U know ? Taking up space. They ain’t real
with it. They just bullshittin’. Because some of them, all
they wanna do is put their cd out, and have some hoe walk up 2
em and say, “Aren’t u that rapper ?” I guess
the fame is first for them. Me, I’m bout my money. Then
u have those puttin’ bullshit out and the public is eatin’
it up. When u have a cd comin’ out and then another one
right on top of it, from the same camp, and that’s all u
hear, how can u base who’s tight and who’s not off
of that ? It’s getting repetitive.
TNP: Do u think the local scene is doing
enough 2 get NE Mississippi noticed, or even enough 2 go national
with their music ?
RR : Nah, they ain’t doin’
that. Because everybody’s trin’ 2 sound like someone
else. If u listen 2 my cd, “Focus,” you’ll hear
that I’m not tryin’ 2 sound like anybody around here.
When I sat down 2 write, I didn’t listen 2 anyone else,
and the end result is all me.
TNP: How many tracks are on the album ?
RR: 18 including the skits, outtro, and
intro.
TNP: Was it harder writing the 2nd album
without the motivation of your previous camps ?
RR: Nah, that’s when I’m at
my best. I like 2 be by myself a lot, because I can think straight
and I don’t have 2 listen 2 people in this ear and that
one. Just me and the producer. Hell, I had fun with this one.
TNP: Who are some of the people u worked
with on this album ?
RR: Kasjre from Black Water Beats in Augusta,
Georgia (that’s where I recorded it). He produced the whole
album, and is featured on the song, “Fuck That.” Then
u got Janky - Ra, he’s on that “Wrong Yadont.”
Then there’s J Love. He’s the r&b dude on the
album.
TNP: What’s next for u ?
RR: Well, I’m workin’ on my
third album, and that should be out this year (Summer 2004 on
T Boy Records). So go get it !!
TNP: What can u tell us about T Boy Records
?
RR: The CEO’s are T Easy and Lil
Gates. With T Boy, we’re makin’ a way for our family
by putting out good music and helping others in our community
with the blessings that we receive.
TNP: What type of things do u do for the
community ? Lil Gates & T Easy: We buy uniforms for pee wee
teams, free barbeques, and community get togethers.
TNP: will there be any other artists on
T Boy ? T & Gates: NAh, Red is our flagship. He’s the
only one we’re workin’ with now. It’s necessary
for him 2 come out because Mississippi has been overlooked for
so long., with the exception of David Banner. I think we as a
label, and our artist, will do beautiful things. We’re in
it for the long haul. So get that album when u see it.
Contact : 706.627.3607 or
662.425.8982
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