Concrete alabama09 by CONCRETE Magazine

CONCRETE: Who influenced you to start rapping? Frank Elli: I credit Nate B with that. I met him while we were both working on Redstone Arsenal. He asked me was I into rap and then pulled up some of his music on livemixtapes. He took me up to the studio with him a couple of times and then he set up my first session at 100 Percent Entertainment. CONCRETE: What is your lyrical content about? Frank Elli: When I first started I was on some ‘higher learning” type of music. I still am now but it’s just a little dumbed down. I’m very truthful and sometimes I worry about being too truthful. I try to create pictures when I rap, so you can understand where I’m coming from. CONCRETE: How was your performance at Huntsville Black Arts Festival? Frank Elli: It was a good experience. I needed to be more prepared. I went up there on the fly and I hit random DJs up trying to get my music edited. I didn’t want to perform at first and I kept telling myself I wasn’t ready. Then Nate and I talked about it and he said even if I didn’t want to do it that I needed to, if I planned on making that next step to being an artist. That was my first performance. CONCRETE: “Burnin’ Trees” and the new Systematic mixtape, what can we expect? Frank Elli: Great music. I am so proud of the way it is turning out. I wanted “Burnin’ Trees” to be a single on the mixtape but it would be so many legal problems trying to get a clear version. I still want it to be heard, it’s a song where I transitioned from being a rapper to an artist. It’s not just another smoking weed song. The content of the song is about me and a girl. CONCRETE: What do you think about the legalization of marijuana? Frank Elli: It should be legalized. It can be very profitable. When you go out to Cali they have weed in vending machines. It’s so many people being arrested for petty weed charges. I don’t think it’s as dangerous of a substance as people make it out to be. CONCRETE: Anything Else? Frank Elli: The most important thing is fans and support. I can’t go anywhere without fans and support.

4 ............................ Frank Elli 6-7 .............................G-Side 8 .................................Gunja 10 ......... Visual Art: Luke McGlohon 11 .........................Visual Arts 12 ................... Carlos Hawkins 13 ................... Music Reviews 14 ........................Whip Game 16-17 ................ Model: Porsha 18 .......................Bar Reviews 21 ............................ K-Camp 22-23 ..................Model: Tokyo 25 .............................. Billy D 26-27 ............................ Jabo 28-29 ......................RIP Doe B 30 ........................Whip Game Editors: Angela Bradshaw, Rick Bradshaw Graphic Design: Jamal Turner, Jude Boi Ad Executives: Rick Bradshaw Art Director: Rex2-tm Photography- Isaac Ward Staff: Durell Grifﬁn, Coley Roberts, Chandler Hayes, Bennie, Don Publishing Consultant: Bryan Deese

CONCRETE Magazine PO Box 3542, Huntsville, AL 35810 concretealabama@gmail.com 256.542.1150 © CONCRETE Magazine 2014

CONCRETE: Why did G-Side break up? G-Side: We grew up and grew out. We had been doing G-Side since 2004, non stop everyday, we just kinda got tired. The last thing we did was a month in Sweden and that was taxing. Especially when you come home with moderate pay, if we making hundreds of thousands of dollars, no one is complaining about nothing. It gets tight and I think we just needed a break. Even when we had the conversation to let it go, we said we would get back up when we want to if that’s what we feel like doing we’ll do it again. It’s not like we are ﬁghting or when we see each other out there is a problem. No arguments, no curse you out, none of that. I (ST) think that’s why it had to stop because it was going to go to that place and that’s not our personality types. CONCRETE: What solo projects did you all release? ST 2 Lettaz: I’m a rap nerd and studio rat so I’m always recording. I did the Rebel like right as we announced it. We had probably been broken up for about a month or so before we announced it to the public. I was doing the Rebel during that time and I actually went on the last tour by myself. I was recording songs and then going on and performing them that night on stage, it was kinda challenging and fun. That prepared me for the album I dropped the next year, The G. The Growth and Development, in between there I dropped The Prelude to Development a G, I just work. Those did well, the album did good. I’ve been doing a lot of features, did an album with Jackie Chain called Doobie Brothaz Brothaz. It’s done we just haven’t decided how we want to put it out yet. Did an album with Level 8 (producers from Sweden) it included me, Mic Strange, and Norty Hugh. It’ll be released around SXSW 2014, it’s called Gumbo. I was halfway through another solo project when we decided to do G-Side again. CONCRETE: Why did G-Side reunite? G-Side: I blame it on the birthdays (ST). Our birthdays are

ﬁve days a part. We started talking (which we do every year) then the conversation comes up. We called CP and Codie G to get their takes on it, and everyone was like let’s clock back in and get back to work. CONCRETE: New ventures during the break? Yung Clova: I started Lambo Music Group when I came back home from being on the road to help the community. Sitting there listening to the kids say they wanted to do music and fashion, so I tried to think of something I could build to help the community. I got with Nika my cousin who started doing the fashion side of things with the kids, and I got into the music part. I started producing and helping the kids learn how to right and do things like that which started Lambo Music Group. We are working with Bama Starz right now to brand them and get them out there, I think they have everything to take off. I’m more concerned with the fashion side, it’s something I always wanted to do. Get into music and take the money from music and put it into fashion. CONCRETE: Signiﬁcance of G-Side reuniting for Alabama in the industry? G-Side: It took for us to break up to know how many people we really touched and affected. I (Clova) didn’t realize it until I was in the club and people keep talking about what we did for them. That’s pretty deep. That’s the real reason for getting back together it wasn’t for us, we are going to make music regardless. It’s about everyone else. G-Side is way bigger than us it’s a family business, we quit it abruptly and everyone was just like whoa, wait. We had no idea how many people really appreciated the music and the paths we lead. Watching the industry and the way the sounds are now, a lot of people are using sounds that we ushered in. We are gonna try and break that barrier again and usher in a whole new sound. We kinda stumbled on it in the studio just playing around, this album sounds like nothing else. CONCRETE: New album title, G’z to Godz Godz? G-Side: We been playing with that name since we were overseas last year. It was gonna be a three part series. It’s going from being those kids that were just rapping for fun to being gods at what we do. We are creators. This guy (Clova) created a whole style. A lot of the new artist dress now the way he was dressing years ago. We created a sound, scene, and a industry, it’s kinda coming from that perspective. We are sitting up top and surveying the land and giving our point of view from there. It’s like graduating from being a “G”. In the hood you become a “G” at 25, what happens at 25? You become a god, and

when you become a god you go back and tell people what they are doing wrong or you fix the problem. That’s where we feel we are at right now. It also has another meaning, it’s from a G’z mouth to God’s ear, it’s a testimony cause that’s who we are talking to at the end of the day. CONCRETE: Looking to remain independent? G-Side: We haven’t really thought about that. When we got back together there were calls and all of that, but it just really wasn’t what we wanted to do. We’re gonna put this album out independently and if a situation is right and presents itself we will go with it. We are going with the flow now and having fun making music again. CONCRETE: International fan base response? G-Side: We had to prepare ourselves for it. We didn’t just want to throw anything out there cause we knew the buzz was going to be crazy. Codie and CP are control freaks and they don’t let anything go out if it’s not right (timing, song, anything). As long as the music is 100 everyone will be happy. CONCRETE: G-Side in the next three years? ST 2 Lettaz: For me it’s the same as it’s always been, make the great music and touch people with it. We did that and I think we should continue to do that. I heard a metaphor, McDonald has over a billion sold of the same burger so if people are buying that burger, why you gonna switch things up. Yung Clova: I feel the same way. I want to make good music and this time really key in on the things we didn’t the last time in the next three years. Hopefully, we will be able to help a lot of people around here live their dreams, I feel like we are the ones to do that. CONCRETE: Huntsville urban growth beyond G-Side? G-Side: Yes, it’s awesome. From you guys (Concrete) to Sunday nights at Classic Wheels they have performances every week. It’s a venue you can go and hone your skills. That’s something that we didn’t have before. It use to be just the Benchwarmer, now they have “Two Dollar Tuesdays”. You have all the local fashion brands, Prive, Vintage Dollz, Purple Tyrant, Lost Amendment. We watched all this happen. When we first started rapping there was none of that. I respect the modeling game, what Jurian is doing, we watched the city grow from dirt. There is a Huntsville culture now.

CONCRETE: What were your earliest recordings? Gunja: I was thirteen. My grandmother helped me get an eMachine computer, I took everything out a closet, bought some styrofoam for the walls and recorded in the closet. CONCRETE: Why did you part ways with Gas Mask Gang? Gunja: Everyone wasn’t focused. People get a little bit of fame and get big headed. They are my bros we are more than friends, but it was hard for me to venture off from them and go solo. I had to go solo for the better though. CONCRETE: What’s up with your new mixtape? Gunja: Mary Kissie Jane. I met a girl with this weird name (laughs). It’s all my habits, I’m addicted to women, money, and Gunja. My music on the mixtape is totally different. You will hear creativity and excitement. CONCRETE: What other projects do you have coming? Gunja: Identity Theft mixtape coming soon and I have an independent artist tour December 2014. CONCRETE: Helpful childhood punishment? Gunja: My dad would make me copy words and their definitions out of the dictionary when I was in trouble. CONCRETE: Who is your label and or management? Gunja: Kitsentertainment. It’s an independent label. I plan on doing everything solo and taking it as far as possible without a deal. I want the the whole label to rise up off the ground so we can sign other artist.I love my CEO Tyboy Da Street King and I want to thank him. Without him none of this would be possible. He has the same dream I have and puts in more work than he has too. CONCRETE: How do you see the next five years? Gunja: I probably won’t even have to rap anymore. I feel like I’m going to be one of the greatest in five years, that’s how confident I am. I work hard though. CONCRETE: Who are you listening to? Gunja: Rich Homie Quan and Kevin Gates because I can relate to them. CONCRETE: What’s important for people to know about you? Gunja: I don’t really talk a lot. I’m actually kind. People look at me as a trouble child and I’m not. They look at my tattoos and say I’m a thug. I’m actually a nerd, I couldve been a computer tech but I rap. I want people to just see me as me and not anyone else.

CONCRETE: What mediums do you work in? Luke: Anything I can get my hands on. CONCRETE: Why are you an artist? Luke: I wouldn’t call myself an “artist”. I express myself through interacting with my environment. CONCRETE: What inspires you? Luke: At the moment, it’s just the impact I can have on my immediate surroundings. CONCRETE: Can you tell us about your work? Luke: My work is generally impulsive, random, and stream of consciousness inspired. I use a variety of media, I enjoy using bright color. Lately I have been working with paint, marker, and canvas. I grab the attention of the viewer through multiple aspects of one piece. CONCRETE: What are you currently working on? Luke: I am currently developing an enterprise I call: Young Savage Collective. This group will encompass local artists and musicians who share the love of artistic expression, with a little anarchy thrown in the mix. CONCRETE: How did this evolve from your previous work? Luke: Many artists are isolated when creating. YSC will offer the support and inspiration that will help local artists, including myself, develop a synergistic impact on the community. CONCRETE: What does this art scene need most right now? Luke: Why, the Young Savage Collective of course!

Guardian Ranger by Luke McGlohon

Hammerhead by Luke McGlohon

Battle Cat by CH!

Lighthaus by Luke McGlohon

Decatur by CH!

Buried Zephyr 2 by Aaron McDaniel

Buried Zephyr 1 by Aaron McDaniel

CONCRETE: What were your musical beginnings? Hawkins: Self taught, I marched in the band and all of that, I actually read and write music. CONCRETE: 17 years in the streets? Hawkins: I was just doing what I had to do, it wasn’t necessarily a choice. My mom was in the streets and things were “ify” at home. There were no rules and all that time basically got me to here and the person I am today. CONCRETE: What are your interests outside of music? Hawkins: I’d probably be a doctor. I have a passion for helping people as much as I can. CONCRETE: 2012 “Don’t Look Right” hits the radio? Hawkins: I linked with DJ Illie Ill and he was a blessing to me and the rest is history. It caught ﬁre because people actually liked the song and they didn’t even know me. Being categorized as a local artist was hard for them to do, so you actually had more people to like and support it. I went from Home Grown to the Mixshow and then was put in as a power rotation getting played ten times a day and reaching people. CONCRETE: What is your management situation? Hawkins: Street Holocaust has taken me hands on as oppose to Whyt House dealing with a lot of different artist. No, I’m not necessarily with Whyt House but that’s still my heart. CONCRETE: Your new project No Room for Error Error? Hawkins: We are pushing for April Fool’s day. It’s just that, I don’t have time for games or mistakes. You can expect to hear a lot of diversity. People will think I’m talking about the streets, which is true, but from my perspective there is a lot more to the streets beyond drugs and killing people. CONCRETE: How is Alabama’s industry presence? Hawkins: We just lost Doe B, I felt like that was the gateway. We have had others before him but I feel like those cats dropped the ball and you can quote me on that. Alabama really has a music scene and the industry is starting to recognize us, they just aren’t putting people on like they should. CONCRETE: What’s next for you? Hawkins: We are gonna start booking shows soon, and we have a website coming which is carloshawkins.com, of course new music and campaigning the streets basically. CONCRETE: Anything else? Hawkins: As a person people have to understand I’m not perfect. Don’t judge me off of anything other than what you actually know. If you know more good than bad, judge me from the good. As far as musically you cats have got to know I’m gunning and I don’t care who is at the top.

Jabo - Anatomy Of A Street Genius

This CD is Amazing. Jabo hit the ground running. Songs Like Drop feat. Yo Gotti What I’m About Feat. Jadakiss & Slim Thug let me know that Jabo is not afraid to put his BEST foot forward. Even songs like Shooter, Lights Camera Action are good cuts. I can’t ﬁnd a song that I felt shouldn’t have been there. I feel like he should stay independent & not worry about a label deal. I’m sure labels are watching. This is the best CD I’ve heard in a long time.

Fre$h - Garcia Vegas Flow$

This CD got my attention immediately. Fre$h stays right in the lane of Straight South Bang. The Zip & F@ded had my head bobbin. I felt like the CD kinda lost me for a second after the interlude. It seemed like he took the 1st half of the CD to get my attention. Then on songs like Monster,S.O.B, Change U to go deep & more lyrical & personal. I think the CD is Straight, overall he should just go one way or the other. I’m sure on the next CD things will be more consistent.

Mic Strange - Zombieland 2

This CD is on some Dark Mystic Shit. His voice reminds me of Haystak. He has a similar southern ﬂow. G-S#!t was the 1st song to get my attention. I felt like this CD resonates with Huntsville listeners . As in I really have to be from 35810 to understand or feel what he is reppin. This cd’s subject matter didn’t go out of the typical southern topics, but that seems by design. Gas was Nice & of course the UGK inﬂuence was there on Drank & Dro. I feel that Mic Strange can be very successful if he goes outside of his comfort zone & city.

Lil Nardy - Up In Smoke

This Cd starts of super hard Lil Nardy comes out the gate BANGIN on Forever Trill. All the music stays very southern consistent. One of the stand out tracks is Y.H. (Maybe cause he said something about 3-6..I’m from Tennessee) Lil Nardy got that Box Chevy Bang. All Eyez On Me sounds more lyrical than the other songs. He deﬁnitely has a B.I.G. Krit early sound to his music. I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing it just lets me know that there is a market for it. His subject matter is the same topic that most artist talk about (Weed,Hoes, Ridin Clean, & Money). I thought songs like Same Book Different Page were a little to different. Overall the CD is Pretty Good. I’m sure the next one (Smokin & Plottin) will show more Chevy Box Bang.

1988 Chevrolet Caprice on 28â&#x20AC;? SIKs

SAMS SPORTS GRILL 65 m****f****n TVs Yes! you heard right SAMs Sports Grill (339 Seville st in Florence) has a total of 65 TVs ranging from a 100 inch projection to 27 inches above urinals in the bathrooms. In addition to being the Mecca of sports multiview, SAMs has some of the best chicken tenders, wings, and pizzas this side of the Mississippi (though I don’t know which side of the Mississsippi I’m on). The appetizers are cheap and even more during happy hours from 10pm til close and not the usual 3-7 of other bars. They do have drink specials 3-7 including house liquors and wines. The ambiance is everything you’d expect in a sports bar; signed memorbilia on the walls, bartenders and waitresses dressed in referee shirts, and outrageous Iron Bowl arguments that come out of nowhere. SAMs is No smoking and even has a less bar like family friendly side for Sharing sports events with the kiddos. Though they have the occasional live band, SAMs might not be the ideal destination for dancing the night away, but if you want to eat drink and test the limits of your fan hood all while drinking1$ natty lights then this is the heaven! Want more info? Follow SAMs on Facebook: facebook.com/SamsSportsGrillFlorence

SOUL FOOD BAR-STAURANT Think I may have died and gone to bar Heaven. The one gripe if any that I have with a good bar is that you sometimes sacrifice good food. Imagine if you could combine the food of Gladys’ chicken n waffles with the beer selection of “Wish you were beer.” The results would be Champy’s Blues, Brews, and Bird (120 Second street Muscle Shoals, AL) this place is bar by every definition of the word except for the food menu. The food menu, simple but defiant gives you choices like 1,2,3 pieces of some of the crispiest, juiciest, fried chicken accompanied by sides that remind you more of a meat n three than a bar. The pride of Champy’s are the wings that they smoke for hours and drop in the fryer only when ordered. They have 12 different beers on tap and probably another 20 in bottles but don’t get your hopes up on the spirit selection, Champy’s only serves 5 alcoholic drinks including a drink called the WC Handy. Champy’s is also equipped with a free jukebox that pretty much covers any genre music the shoals area is known for. However, the jukebox gets the weekends off and bands from the region keep patrons entertained with country and blues tunes. Champy’s is a multi purpose bar, it can be a family restaurant, an after work stop, and a date night spot all at the same time. If you think your folks’ house is the only place you can get good “chicken and beer” at the same damn time; look up Champy’s next time you’re in North Alabama. You won’t be disappointed. facebook.com/ChampysShoals

Know a good bar that we should visit? Want your bar reviewed by the “Bar Scene Kings” send us an email @ barscenekings@gmail.com

CONCRETE: Where are you from? K Camp: North Side of Atlanta CONCRETE: How did you get teamed up with TJ Chapman? K Camp: We go back some years, Him and my mom are real cool. I was always sending him records and he would be like they cool. But when I was signed my Mom was managing me and she would always go to TJ for advice on deals and shit. Then when the Money Baby record hit he was like I see you, your ready. So thats how we connected. CONCRETE: The “Money Baby” record caught fire fast. How did you go about pushing that record? K Camp: The record was out before it was really out. We had sent it to a DJ Ace in Charlotte for CIAA weekend and he played it for MLK with hood rich, MLK called me on our way back to Atlanta and asked what’s this record you got called “Money Baby”? He said I want it, He was gonna put Drake and Wayne on it at first so I was hype like lets turn up. So we waited and waited but we was itching to put the record out so we just went a head and released it. He was also playing it in a club called Taboo before we released it and people was looking for it but couldn’t find it. I think thats what help make that record buzz so hard. From there it just took off. CONCRETE: What’s your current label situation? K Camp: I’m independent signed to myself 427 music CONCRETE: You have a record with 2 Chainz, “Cut Her Off” how did that come about and when can we expect a visual? K Camp: We just got done wrapping up the video a few weeks ago. I did my part and then 2 Chainz jumped on it and we had to add him to the visual, so we ended up shooting it twice. That should be out in a few weeks. That situation came about cause I was in L.A. writing for Atlantic, and DJ Technique called me and was like “I see you dropped the In Due Time project. I’m proud of you.” He was like, “Tit wants to jump on ‘Cut Her Off’.” I was like, “Man stop bull shiting. Tit talking bout he charge a 100k for feature.” He was like, “I’m dead serious.” Next thing you know I was in the studio with Nipsey Hussle, I checked my email and I had the verse from 2Chainz. I was like, “Oh shit! It’s official put that mufuka out ASAP.” CONCRETE: In Due Time hosted by DJ Drama is out what can the fans be expecting from this project? K Camp: All around good music. I hit a little bit of everything from the ladies, to the struggle, motivation, club shit, ratchet shit a little bit of everything. I hit all lanes so if you don’t like one song you’re going to love something else. I tried to attack every angle, but its an all around good project.

CONCRETE: What’s your name? Tokyo: Julia Lail. CONCRETE: Where are you from? Tokyo: Cincinnati, OH CONCRETE: What are your ties to Alabama? Tokyo: I went to college at Alabama A and M. CONCRETE: Why the name Tokyo? Tokyo: I was in the band at A and M, as a freshman they give you nicknames cause they don’t really care to say your real name. They said I looked a little Oriental so they started calling me orange chicken, then baby Japan. From there Tokyo just stuck. CONCRETE: What was your start in entertainment? Tokyo: I started when I was in Huntsville. I was just doing makeup for different organizations and people, one day I drove to Atlanta and was thinking maybe I can do makeup for a set, but I always wanted to be a model. I did someones makeup and they loved my work but I wasn’t certiﬁed to do makeup but they still wanted to work with me. That being said, they gave me lingerie and told me to put it on. They loved it and I did a promo video. CONCRETE: What major appearances have you had? Tokyo: Showgirlzexclusive.com, a J Cole video, T-Pain “Up and Down” video, and several photo shoots. CONCRETE: Signiﬁcance of January 11, 2013? Tokyo: My cousin who wanted to be a rapper so bad. We were talking about some private things on the phone, and the last words we said to each other was I love you. He was murdered the very next day. January the 11, 2013, Christopher Williams, but he goes by Spaceship Williams. After that something changed. He passed away but it wasn’t like he passed away. His ambitious, drive, and passion transferred to me. It’s my time now, that’s how I felt, when God was talking to me. CONCRETE: What is your workout regime? Tokyo: I hike up to the Hollywood sign a lot. Because where I’m from your only suppose to see the Hollywood sign in the movies, you’re not suppose to be where I am right now and I take great pride in that. I do that almost everyday and I don’t really eat pork anymore, and seldom drink sprite. CONCRETE: Video vixen vs. video model? Tokyo: A video model is what I consider myself. I’m very hard on my craft. I came here for one reason and one reason only, not to have sex, give a strip tease, or kiss your ass. The video vixen will do the strip tease and more just so she will be the main chic in that video.

CONCRETE: The name Different Dreamers? Billy D: A couple of friend’s in the studio making music, we are always creating things and trying to make things different, in a sense while we are dreaming. Me and my friends Fast Life and Tru, we really just came up with the idea to try and be different and make our dreams come true. CONCRETE: What kind of community outreach do you do? Billy D: Being that we are Different Dreamers, since back in the day we have always had a hand in the neighborhood. We’ve set up job ventures, plays, and studio time for the youth. Something to get them out of the negativity of being stuck in the hood, and to look forward to. We also put together a show (fundraiser) for St Jude’s Children’s hospital and raised $2500 dollars for cancer research. CONCRETE: What do you do at The Dinosaur Bar? Billy D: Every Thursday in Harlem, we do a comedy show, and my boy Omar the Comedian hosts. We have different comedians from all over that come to showcase their talent. We have different artists, singers and rappers that open up for the show. We just give people a different outlet to come and show their talent. Not a lot of people get that, so I feel honored to help people get their talent out there. CONCRETE: What entertainment collaborations have you done? Billy D: In the past I wrote a lot of music behind the scenes. I was down with Compound Music, did a little with Jaheem, and I also did some work overseas. I have a little connection with MTV, I did the “Yo Momma” comedy show. People are looking me up now since I’m more out there. CONCRETE: How do you approach comedy? Billy D: I try to keep it honest and relatable. Everyday living, you can just make a joke out of it. I get inspiration from other people’s stories. I have a comedic friend, if you go on Youtube under Omar the Comedian and you can see my work. We did “Dominican Spiderman” and other works on that page. CONCRETE: Positivity in your music? Billy D: I believe in positivity at all times, people shouldn’t be negative as soon as they wake up in the morning. I try to put that in my music in the message. I have a mixtape coming out called “I Ain’t Shit”, it’s a story of a negative situation becoming positive in a sense. I’m putting my all in my music and always push positive energy and emotions. CONCRETE: What’s next? Billy D: Coming out with more merchandise for “Different Dreamers” clothing line. We are about to drop a mixtape, I have a song on itunes called “Perfect Time to Cheat,” you should check that out. Pretty much just working on bettering my craft and the company.

CONCRETE: What’s your name? Jabo: Javan Micah Ishman CONCRETE: Where are you from? Jabo: Birmingham, AL. (westside) CONCRETE: How was growing up in the Ham? Jabo: It was cool just like any other kid growing up in the inner city. You have your drug dealers, killers, and your robbers, but it really boils down to what’s going on inside your household. My grandparents raised me because my mother died when I was in the seventh grade. They pretty much instilled in me right from wrong, I had a lot of freedom as a kid growing up, but I knew right from wrong so I didn’t abuse it. CONCRETE: What were yout early musical influences? Jabo: My Dad always had the latest new equipment and instruments laying around the house. He had his own home studio back in the 80s. I can remember around 1988-89 playing on keyboards and drum machines. It was cool growing up around that stuff and I kind of took it for granted. I had older cousins and uncles that I was around who listened to 8-Ball, MJG, UGK and Spice One. I use to get their tapes and listened to them at a young age. It influenced me to be well rounded in music and I took a liking to it. CONCRETE: Your mom’s battle with Lupus? Jabo: I’m looking at getting into some type of outlook or research program for people with Lupus, to let people be more aware of what Lupus is, what triggers it and how to live with it. I’m tired of seeing people die from it. CONCRETE: What happened when you got shot at 19? Jabo: I had just finished my freshman year at Alabama State, I didn’t go to summer school so I went home to parlay for a little while then go back to school. Someone tried to rob me, they ended up shooting me twice. I was in the hospital for about two weeks and bounced back. That’s what really made me get focused on my music. I have a second chance at life so I need to turn it up to the next level. CONCRETE: What’s up with Anatomy of A Street Genius? Jabo: It’s a whole level up. I have better production, I hooked up with JP Did This 1, D. Will from Houston, Yo Gotti, Jadakiss, Slim Thug, Doe B (RIP to Doe B). We just have some heavy hitters and I put my all into this album. Which I put my all into the last one, but the progression is so much better because I rap everyday. The beats are better and it’s mixed better it’s just a much better project. I’m really proud of it.

CONCRETE: Doe B? Jabo: A week before he passed we were in Selma, he had a show at the skating rink for the kids, then we had something at the club later on and that was the last time I saw him. Unfortunately he passed the very next week. He was a stand up guy. A real genuine person with talent, who broke a lot of doors open for people like myself, Tabius Tate, and just different people that’s in the state (AL) and trying to do something. He was the head honcho and it’s real unfortunate that they took his life like that over jealousy and envy. I just have the utmost respect for him. Like T.I. said, he was only 22 and he carried his self like he was 40. CONCRETE: Current management? Jabo: Complete Game Entertainment that’s the label. Leonard Brooks (LB) that’s my manager. We’ve just been working on the independent grind and looking for that partnership deal. If a major label wants to come a long and enhance what we are doing we are all for it. We are doing all this with our own muscle,relationships, and getting our own spins. CONCRETE: Can you talk about “What I’m About?” Jabo: That’s the single featuring Jadakiss and Slim Thug. I have another record on my album with Slim Thug called “Chuck A 4”, well when I went to Houston we were in the studio and the engineer we were working with , my dude D Will makes beats too. It was my first time meeting D Will and he played me some beats, when he came around to the “Poppa Was a Rolling Stone” sample, I told him I definitely wanted it. His manager said someone else had the beat, you know how that goes. I went back to Alabama and he called me like three weeks later and asked if I still wanted it. When I got it, I definitely wanted Slim Thug on it and Kirko Bangz, but I had a deadline and we weren’t meeting eye to eye. We started searching for people and seeing who would fit the song. My man was like, what about Jadakiss? We shot the record to Jadakiss and he was like hell yeah. He jumped on it ,I flew to New York and we laid it down and made it happen. He is a really cool dude, that was actually the last record I did for my album.

CONCRETE: Alabama in the industry? Jabo: I think we ﬁt but we are kind of like the stepchild that no one really wants to mess with. They know we are here, making noise and have talent, it’s a market that needs to be tapped into. People are scared to take a chance on us. That’s what I want to bring to the forefront, we have people with talent down here that can really make something happen. I think we ﬁt very well. We have a lot of people that bring a lot of different stuff to the table, if we just be ourselves. CONCRETE: One album on a deserted island? Jabo: Nas, Illmatic. Even though it’s like 10 or 11 songs they were all home runs. I’ll just play that over and over, atleast I’d learn something. CONCRETE: What separates you from other rappers? Jabo: I just try to do what I know how to do. That’s be a man in that booth and on the beats. I feel like my beat selection is different from other rappers. My content is different and I went to school and got a degree. Alot of rappers haven’t gone to that level yet, to make their words come across intelligently. I can rap circles around them. CONCRETE: 2013 Grammy Awards attendance? Jabo: It was wonderful. We had the sky booth seats with the free liquor and food. Salute to whoever got me those tickets. The Grammy’s brings a whole different light to music because you get to see people you don’t know. I didn’t know who One Direction was or the Lumineers. The whole audience wa screaming for these people and I had never heard of them in my life. When you go back and do your research you see they have 50 million views on this and 100 million views on that. Stuff I haven’t even tapped into yet. It opens your eyes to all that. CONCRETE: Anything else? Jabo: At the end of the day I gave it my all to give yall my all. I put it all on the line. I go into these different cities and places and do my music and really bust my ass to make it happen and bring Alabama to the forefront. I went hard and tried my best to do everything to put us on the map, that’s about it.

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