Studio Watch is a segment EVERY Monday on OzoneMag.com. Each week we’ll show you what’s going on behind the scenes at your favorite rapper’s favorite lab. We recently caught up with Black Wall Street affiliate Juice while he was AT GRAND HUSTLE’s studio working on a new record called “The Inauguration.” Here’s the full conversation, but make sure you also catch the video clip online to get a sneak peak of the song: Tell the people what you’re out here working on. It’s your boy Juice, the Breath of the West Coast, Black Wall Street affiliate, HYP Representer. I’m out here in Atlanta, Georgia at Echo Studios holding it down with my man Lil C who produced this record called “The Inauguration.” Tell the people what day it is. Explain what’s going on right now while you’re in the studio. Today the homie Barack Obama is the first Black president. He got sworn into the presidency today. It was a real good look, not just for myself, but for the world in general. The first Black president is very, very monumental. On a day like this, the only thing you can do is wanna be better, bro, and accomplish anything a nigga said you couldn’t do. Straight up homie, I’m ‘bout to be the first artist in Arizona period to bring a platinum plaque to the state and to the city, my nigga. So I’m in here working on the day my man became president. Any details you can share about the album as a whole? The name of the album is The Anticipated. At this particular time I feel that I’m the most anticipated West coast artist since Game. And I’m gonna have the most anticipated West coast classic album since The Documentary. Everybody knows that I was brought into this industry on Game’s back. He brought me up, raised me the right way, showed me how to create a classic album, really take my time picking beats and collaborations. The big homie Amare Stoudemire came to the table, backed me, believed in what I was doing. We partnered up for a label, now my album’s com-
ing out this summer. I’m about to run shit for the next ten years. I read that Amare and Tip were [working with each other] a little bit. So this is where it’s all coming to a head at? Yeah, being in this particular situation, a lot of cats is cool just being artists. At the end of the day I got a son, and I’m in a position to where I wanna leave a legacy as well. So me and the big homie Amare sat down, and he really understood my vision and seen what I was tryin’ to do. He was like, “Look bruh, let’s partner up and create this label. I got a real solid relationship with Tip and Grand Hustle, Hannah, Jason Geter and everybody. Let’s see if we can put our vision with theirs and take it global.” Who else is in the house with you right now? My man Lil C’s produced the [“Inauguration”] record. I got my A&R back there, his name is Lindo. He’s playing double duty – doing beats and trying to get everything online as well. As far as me, I’m working, man, tryin’ to show my city and state what it’s really about to go to different cities and link with other kings and bosses. If I come to the A there’s only a couple of names I could align myself with. If it’s not Big Boi or Dre from Outkast, or Jeezy, then it gotta be Tip. I go to L.A. I see Game and Dre. If I go to New York, of course I gotta holla at my man Fat Joe. Shout out to Joe, [Jim Jones], Juelz – come see me All Star weekend my nigga, I still owe you five bottles, it’s nothing. If I go to Miami, I gotta get with my man Ross. Shout out to Trick Daddy as well. Tell us how much you’re looking forward to AZ getting some shine this year. Most of the time when the NBA comes to a city shit blows up after that. You know, my city’s been bubblin’ for a minute. Shout out to my Arizona Cardinals. AZ’s been bubblin’ for a minute and I think we’re just now starting to get our respect due. The football team just earned they respect. Stat, Steve Nash, and Shaq about to go to the NBA finals and get they respect. I’m ‘bout to bring a platinum plaque to the table and get my respect. Anything else you want to say? Stay logged on to www.Myspace.com/Juice and www.iamjuice.com. The mixtape Position to Power comes out All Star weekend. The album is slated for early summer. // Words by Maurice G. Garland Photo by Daveed OZONE MAG // 19