A lot of people may recognize you as the new host of Rap City, but what’s your background as a DJ? I got started in radio back in 1994 at a radio station in Tampa called WMMF. It’s a 7,000 watt community station. I had a weekly show there called The Underground Railroad. Back before cats were able to download their favorite songs, it was the only place you could get hip-hop music in Tampa on the regular. From there I went to WTMP in 1997, and a few years later I went to WLLD. I started doing mixtapes, and I was Angie Martinez’ tour DJ and EA Sports’ DJ. About a year ago, I started doing guest hosting for Rap City and BET as a whole. At the beginning of this year, I was blessed with the opportunity to become the new host of Rap City. What was the audition process like? It was God’s plan because I didn’t really have an audition. I didn’t submit a tape or anything. I got a call asking if I was available to host Rap City. What do you think appealed to them about you? I really can’t comment on what went into the decision-making process. I never really got into it with them. It was a great opportunity, so I took it. I’m assuming that what I brought to the table must have gone over well, because I’m now the host of Rap City. What’s the most difficult part of making that transition from radio to TV? I’ve gotta be aware that if I decide to go out the night before a taping, that’s gonna affect the way I look. When you do radio, it doesn’t matter what you do the night before as long as you get up in time for your show. You could be completely trashed and wearing a pair of slippers and a t-shirt and nobody will know the difference. With TV, if you party hard the night before, people will know when they see that show.
Speaking of partying hard, I heard you were a little tipsy after Justo’s Mixtape Awards. A good time was had by all. There was a comment Tigger made in our BCR issue stating that you need to “step your game up.” Do you have a response to that? I’ve got nothing but respect and admiration for Tigger as a host of Rap City and I think he’s done a huge amount. Is it hard to fill someone else’s shoes, coming into a show and replacing a host who was well-liked? I think people are resistant to change. Tigger definitely had his challenges coming in after the hosts before him who were also well-liked, so it’s always going to be a transitional period. What are you enjoying the most about this new experience? Again, I’m in a very fortunate set of circumstances. I’m thankful for it every day. It’s not every day that somebody becomes a new host of a show like Rap City. I’m proud to rep my area in Florida; I’m happy to do anything that keeps me involved with hip-hop and allows me to contribute. Do you feel a responsibility to rep Tampa? I think that because of some people who’ve come out of that area before, there might be some expectations and people are worried that I’m gonna forget about Tampa. Nah, every day of my DJ career has been because of Tampa, and there’s nothing else I could do right now
but hold it down. There’s always the joke that Tampa is the home of one-hit wonders. What do you think it’s gonna take to put Tampa on the map? I think it’s still gonna take time, but there’s a lot of talent in the area. I think Tom G is gonna have a great career. I’ve had a chance to sit and talk with the CEO of his label, Neg, and I think he’s going in a good direction. There’s my man Ski with 24-1 Records, I think that with Rated R’s new project and his new group the Eve’nin Ridahz, they’re gonna be making a lot of noise. My man Sonny Crack and Ovados have been grinding for a long time. With the right set of circumstances, they’ll be able to get out there. Sonny’s a monster with the beats, so in the near future you’ll be hearing his production on other artists’ albums. Have you been traveling a lot lately? We on the road real steady, but Tampa’s my home, man. Tampa’s the spot that I love. I love Florida. It’s a lot bigger than South Beach, and people need to come experience spots like Tampa and Orlando and Jacksonville. Don’t underestimate the power of those cities when it comes to breaking an artist or having a good time. But yeah, I’m stayin’ on the road. As quick as somebody comes up, they could go down even quicker. But this has been 11 years in the making, so it’s not to say that I came up quick, but to say that I understand the importance of reaching out to the smaller markets. That’s my preference, actually, because it means more when you get there. They don’t get attention from some of their other favorite artists, so when you go into a smaller market, they really got love for you. I’m working on a mixtape and got some other business ventures, but I don’t wanna put it out there too early to jinx the process. Mad Linx has always been a grinder. Why does BET treat OZONE so badly every year at Spring Bling? Mad Linx didn’t treat any media badly, so I can’t speak for anybody but me. Anything else you want to plug? Rap City Monday through Friday 4-6 PM. Cats can always check out what’s going on at www. madlinx.com. Thanks to the Central Florida area in particular, and shouts to OZONE Magazine for holdin’ it down. - Julia Beverly
OZONE MAY 2005
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