Interviews
Exclusive Interview: Signif Talks Milwaukee Hip Hop, XXL Freshmen List & How She Got Her Name
April 8, 2012
Signif is a dope up-and-coming emcee originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who currently spends most of her time living in New York, and happens to be a female.
When you hear a high pitched, confident delivery over hard, yet soulful beats, that’s Signif. I chopped it up with the emcee about her Embracing Rejection project, how she’s been influenced, and even got her to share a funny story about her struggles when she first started performing.
Exclusive Interview: Blitz The Ambassador Talks Live Show & Next Album
January 29, 2012
Blitz The Ambassador is an emcee currently based out of Brooklyn, NY by way of Accra, Ghana in Africa, using music to spread his story accross the world. He’s graced the stages of a number of countries and continents in the past several months alone, sharing his top notch live show that includes a full band. Earlier in January Blitz came home to New York for a memorable show, and chopped it up with me afterwards about his live performance and future plans.
Exclusive Interview: Obii Say Finds Inspiration In Himself And A Hip Hop Legend
January 16, 2012
Obii Say is one of many bright spots in the emerging hip hop scene in the DMV (DC/Maryland/Viriginia) area. He most recently put out Donuts For The Villagers, an entire project dedicated to the late legendary producer J Dilla, but he’d prefer to have listeners compare, contrast and connect his music to no one else but him.
I recently talked with Obii Say about J Dilla, hip hop in his hometown and more. To check out the conversation, read more.
Exclusive Interview: King Mez Talks Upcoming Debut Album, Self-Producing & More
December 11, 2011
At the Kooley High “David Thompson” release party at The Pour House last night I caught up with performer King Mez to talk about his upcoming debut album, “My Everlasting Zeal,” which is dropping February 2012. Listening to what he has to say you’re going to want to look out for this one.
Exclusive Interview: Brooklyn’s L.A. Is A Born Performer
November 27, 2011
Meet L.A. She’s one of the dopest up-and-coming female emcees out right now, and contrary to what her name might suggest, she represents Brooklyn, New York.
With an inspired delivery that I’ve heard described as possessed, it’s not hard to tell L.A. was born to perform. Check out my conversation with L.A. as we discussed what drives her and her craft.
Big Brother: Rapper TJ Fredette’s Fight To Stay Behind The Mic And Find Inspiration In Jimmer
November 26, 2011
The cliché introduction to this story would be to say how TJ Fredette fights everyday to break free of his identity as the older brother of former college basketball star Jimmer Fredette, as the elder sibling works towards a successful rap career. But that’s just not true.
The truth is that being Jimmer’s older brother helped TJ fight to get through the toughest time of his life to where he is now, just like TJ helped Jimmer reach the stardom he’s enjoyed on the basketball court.
So if you’re wondering who TJ Fredette is. Yes, he’s an emcee. And yes, he’s Jimmer’s brother.
Exclusive Interview: Lyriciss Talks A3C, Upcoming Album & More
October 16, 2011
Lyriciss is one of several dope spitters emerging on the hip hop scene out of the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia area), and he is holding his own among the pack. He’s gearing up to drop his album The Balance, recently showed his skills at the A3C hip hop festival in Atlanta, and he took the time out to talk to me about everything from music and video games, to the moment that’s had the biggest impact on his life.
Peep the interview in its entirety and get a feel for this talented emcee.
Exclusive Interview: Koncept Talks New Album, His Contribution To A Hit Joell Ortiz Record & More
September 29, 2011
Brown Bag All Star emcee Koncept out of Brooklyn, NY has developed a reputation for delivering solid feel good music, and you can say he’s just getting started. Before he releases his debut, 2words The Top caught up with Koncept to discuss what sets this project apart from his others and a lot more.
Wonderful Effect: Jamla Artists On Being A Part of 9th Wonder’s “The Wonder Years”
September 22, 2011
The highly anticipated The Wonder Years album from Grammy award-winning producer 9th Wonder drops September 27, and features legends such as Raekwon, Masta Killa and Erykah Badu. Alongside those mainstays are newer cats like GQ, Rapsody and Big Remo, artists signed to 9th Wonder’s Jamla record label, who are in the beginning stages of making their marks on hip hop history
With the release date of the album just days away, several of those Jamla artists on the project shared with 2words The Top how they feel about being side by side with legends on an album crafted by a man who could be called a legend himself, but to them is just “9th.”
Respect Culture: Exclusive Interview With Rapsody
September 17, 2011
“Respect Culture Over Everything” is the phrase that heads the website of North Carolina rapper Rapsody. That’s why unlike many female MCs that are accused of selling sex, Marlanna Evans sells dope rhymes over dope beats.
Signed to Jamla, the label of Grammy award-winning producer 9th Wonder, with features from hip hop veterans such as Big Daddy Kane, Rah Digga and Jean Grae, it seems the culture respects her back. A little while back I caught up with Rapsody to talk about Twitter, basketball, family and getting props from a former national champion.
Blind Poet: HaLo Breaks Down His Latest Project Track By Track
August 31, 2011
Yesterday Jamla’s own HaLo dropped some new heat in the form of the Blind Poet FreEp. Here HaLo himself gives 2words The Top exclusive insight into each track. After the jump, read as HaLo describes getting a track he believed belonged to one of the biggest superstars in the game, almost losing a whole song, and finding his own sound through this project.
Exclusive Interview: Charlie Smarts Talks “LowBottomMe,” New Kooley High Project & Life On The Internet
July 20, 2011
Before Kooley High’s set at Tammany Hall on Tuesday night I caught up with 1/3 of the MCs in the group, Charlie Smarts, to talk about his latest project, LowBottomMe, his new approach to hip hop, and an upcoming project from Kooley High. Special guest Tab-One of Kooley High even drops in for a second. Head to the whole post for part two.
Do Process: Maya Azucena Works on Her “Cry Love” Album
June 22, 2011
Singer/ songwriter Maya Azucena has traveled the world touring, shared the stage with the likes of rapper Q-Tip and jazz musician Marcus Miller, and as an independent artist, she handles most of the business side of her career on her own. I spent the day in the studio with the songbird as she works on her latest album, titled Cry Love, to answer the question, “Maya, how do you do it?”
