If you ask anyone what the hottest single in the streets of Miami is right now, 9 times out of 10 they’ll say BallGreezy’s “Shone.” While the term has recently received some controversy based on its slang use for “akshone” or action after the club, BallGreezy says the word has a different meaning to him. What’s going on with you at the moment? We’re pushing the “Shone” record and we’re following up with “I’m the Shit” featuring Brisco. I got the mixtape coming out. I’m trying to finish that before Memorial week. We got Bigga Rankin hosting the mixtape. It’s called Before the Deal ‘cause I don’t have a deal yet. Are you looking for a deal? I’m surprised someone hasn’t scooped you up yet with all the play the song is getting. Iconz did the music so they’re negotiating it. They just trying to get a better position for me so I guess that’s why it’s taking so long. We have that “I’m the Shit” picking up too. That’s more money. Last year Bloodline was a pretty big movie for the folks of Miami. Do you plan to pursue acting further? If it comes down to it. It ain’t no thing. Do you think acting plays a part in being a musician or do you believe it’s two different worlds? It’s different. Acting is more emotions. All you’re doing on the mic is speaking. With acting you gotta use body language and all that. How long were you putting out music before things really take off? I’ve been taking it serious for five years now. I bullshitted for ten years and took five years seriously. Was being a rapper always on your agenda? Or did you plan to head in another direction? Nah, I had another direction. This just came around from the people I be around. I used to be in the studio so much and I never rapped or anything. One day I got on a song with somebody and they told me I needed to take it serious. Where did the name BallGreezy come from?
It was BallGrum at first. As I got older it changed. My niggas gave me that name. I’m so swift with whatever I’m doing. I’m so greasy with it they called me BallGreezy. I just ran with that. I know “shone” is a term that originated in Miami and so it’s probably accepted in the city by most people, but do any of your fans ever get offended by its meaning? Yeah, but shone has different meanings to it. I’m there to correct that. A “shone” is a good girl that parties hard. In other words in the hood, a shone is a girl who be wilin’ but that’s not the meaning, really. It’s a good girl that parties hard. It’s just something they were saying down here and I stamped it. What part of Miami are you from? I’m from Lil Haiti. Tell me about the mixtape. We’re going to get it to you one at a time. BallGreezy’s gonna rep for Miami. I already got five songs in the streets and they banging. Every bootlegger I run into got one of my songs. I guess that’s how we’re going to put the mixtape together. What are your plans for Memorial Day? I’m trying to kick it all through the strip. I’ll probably hit Mansion, Sobe, all the big spots. You’re gonna see Greezy and the street team. You’ll see Greezy everywhere Memorial Weekend. Have you promoted outside of the city at all? The song just started taking off everywhere else. We’re working on that now, trying to put a promo tour together. We’ll be hitting up little small towns in Florida. So when the people meet you for the first time, maybe in Miami or one of those other cities, what type of dude are you? BallGreezy’s a cool nigga. That’s a good nigga. I’ma be out there snapping pictures with the people, getting it in with my people. Holla at me when ya see me. Website: Myspace.com/Officialballgreezymyspace Words: Ms. Rivercity & Tanya James Photo: 954 Magazine
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