Center Stage: If you weren’t rapping what would you be doing?

LOON: I would be servicing the game. I would be doing something in telecommunications. I have an entrepreneur spirit. I would be trying to lead these dudes. You have to have a product attached to your ass. You can’t just be a rapper. You have to have more to you. You gotta ask those cats…what companies are you involved with, what else are you doing?

Center Stage: Tell us about Boss Up Entertainment and how you are changing the game with the company?

LOON: It’s my record label. I’m not here to ask for anything, I work hard and everyone I surround myself with works hard. Just respect me…I mean, I’m working for everything. I’m not trying to take it but … I will.

Center Stage: With artist on your roster such as the talented Nicole Wray, what does Boss Up Entertainment have in store for music lovers?

LOON: Nicole Wray’s talent speaks for itself. We will definitely have something at the top of the year. Her vocals are strong and she has the ability to do what needs to be done. She’s on my team because it’s not just about me believing in her…she believes in herself.

I have traveled to Senegal, so being in African made me look at things differently. I always knew that you have to have self-confidence. You can’t blame anyone for (your) misfortune. You have to top yourself. So we are not worried about competition. We're trying to outdo ourselves.

Center Stage: That will be hard to do, because you and Wray are definitely talented. There have been some rumors swirling about a few incidents in the streets. What’s going on and what’s the controversy?

LOON: A lot of dudes, they don’t equate shit in the plan. It’s like…what’s going to’ happen when you see me? See, they don’t think about that.

Center Stage: Celebrity status, fame, however you want to call it, changes friendship

LOON: It’s about RESPECT, don’t try to assassinate my character or what I stand for.

Center Stage: The song that’s all over the airwaves now ‘Who Is That’, performed with Akon’s artist T Pain, but there’s another version. What’s behind the two versions of the song?

LOON: T Pain and I got in the story and the song was incredible. Since I’m Independent, we had to go through the process of clearing the song. Oomp Camp said we could use the record. Then the next thing that happens, Oomp Camp leaks the record. I got clearance and they leaked it to the strip clubs. It was a hit. Next thing I know Akon wants his new artist Dolla on the track. This recording wasn’t created by any brilliant minds of y'all. I mean that’s crazy. I’m combating about my work, something I did. I felt like they were trying to play me. They were demanding what they wanted when it was my record. You would think since we have history (Loon has known Akon for years) it wouldn’t have been like that. It could have been handled differently.
Well if they had any faith in their new artist, that wouldn’t have happened like that.


Center Stage: So the days of all artists in videos such as KRS-ONE’s Self Destruction, come to mind. There was solidarity so to speak…do you think those days are over?

LOON: If they don’t try to get that unity back and do things together. Everyone wants to be separate and have beef. Down South artist…you will see everyone in a video reppin’ wherever they from, doing their thing. You don’t see them in snap fights. (Loon refers to the popular Snap Music of the South) We have to put New York back on the map but the only way is for artists to be confident in what they do and stop worrying about the next artist.

Center Stage: How do you feel about artists proclaiming to save New York and bring it back to its glory as Hip-Hop’s Mecca?

LOON: No one person can be the identity for New York. No one can be the savoir of Hip-Hop in New York. There is so much versatility, so no one can really speak on that.

Center Stage: What would you say to the fans that may feel as though you just up and left New York?

LOON: I moved to Atlanta to work with people that were innovators. See, down south they are united.

Center Stage: I’m sure you have heard the constant phrase “Hip-Hop is dead”, is it?

LOON: Of course, Hip-Hop isn’t dead. I mean, I sat back and watched cats capitalize and spark their careers off things I was doing. Everything I learned was appropriate to drive myself. I’m going full steam and their stagnant. That was part of my transition. Down here, (Atlanta) I’m working with artists that have that drive…MUSIC is evolving.

Loon who is often in African countries such as Senegal will be definitely bringing Hip-Hop back where it should be.

www.bossupentertainment.com <http://www.bossupentertainment.com>



Kamah Alicia Scott
Freelance writer
www.kas.mysite.com
"Kima"
Always ask, somebody might say yes
www.myspace.com/urbanbookwriter

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