Mai Hiro x Reign. “We Make It Reign” Exhibition. Nakanari. Soujohn. Reign. PPM.

Photography by Cameron Davis.  Makeup by Eliy.  Kandi Renee Smith Model Feature.

So tell us what your interests are…who you be with…things that make you smile…what numbers to dial…

I LOVE LOVE LOVE modeling, shopping (for shoes!), school, traveling, and working with Premium+ Magazine!  Currently, I am looking to sign with a new agency, hopefully get into TV and film this year. Positive, motivational, interesting, fun, sassy things, sexy men, and GREAT shoes make me smile! Follow me MssKandi on Twitter and Facebook!

I’m sure several of our readers are bummed you’re in a relationship, what did the lucky guy do to sweep you off your feet?

(Laughs) The lucky guy, starts and ends every conversation with “Beautiful!” I LOVE THAT!!!  His hustle matches my hustle! I needed someone who understands where I am trying to go…and who is willing to take the ride, no matter how bumpy! Let’s get it baby!!!!

Is his kick game on point? If not, you know I’ma have a bunch of our readers email you…

(Laughs) You already know, his shoe game is on point!  His Fly matches My Fly! I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Sylvia + Alexia + Karissa + Doughnut Shop + Jordans + SBs = Krispy KREAM.

So ladies, thanks for taking time out of your busy schedules to pose in front of the camera and hot lights. When you’re not under the microscope, where can we find you?

Sylvia: Im the owner of a clothing boutique by the name of Fashionista Blvd. You can find me there most of the time and if not, I can be found at any makeup counter.

Alexia: I’m at home! I always appear to be a party girl but I’m the type of girl that likes to relax at home with some movies and popcorn. I love sports too, so I’m either watching some type of game or fight.

Karissa: If im not in front of the camera I am with my fam bam…eating…dancing…causing ruckus!

Dancing, huh? Speaking of which, we heard you’re a go-go dancer, you think a lot of guys get that twisted with stripper? Any misconceptions you’d like to address or correct since you have an open forum?

Karissa: Both men and women get go-go dancing and stripping confused. Yes, we both perform for a crowd, BUT I get paid and recognized for my dancing! No, I don’t just booty dance. I keep all my clothes on at ALL TIMES. I am on a box or stage pumping up the crowd with my “SWEET MOVES!” You’ve got to attract everyone…you have to be sexy, approachable, and can dance to all kinds of music. How lame would it be to see a go-go dancer at a club who can’t dance?!

Right, you’re going to have to show us you’re “SWEET MOVES” someday, what type of music can we catch you listening or dancing to?

Karissa: Everybody! (Laughs) I love music!!

And Sylvia you’re a Dilla fan, no? We think it’s super sexy when a girl is into “real” Hip Hop like that. What’s your fave Dilla track?

Sylvia:  J Dilla was a genius and will always remain the best. He collaborated with so many artists. Basically anything he created was amazing, so, it’s hard for me to just pick a specific track, anything he did was magic. Although, some of my faves are “Remember Me” ft. Bilal, “Got ‘til It’s Gone”, and “So Far To Go” ft. D’angelo & Common.

Okay, now to the other spectrum of “Hip Hop”, Nicki Minaj has been everywhere these days, in XXL she recently talked about not wanting to be looked at as a female rapper in five years, wanting to climb other barriers and put women on a different map. What do you think of Nicki as an artist? How about her fashion sense?

Alexia: Personally, I don’t like Nicki. I’m not a hater, I have a natural respect for ANYBODY making legal money, but her style is nothing new to me. She’s like another Lil’ Kim. As far as her “Fashion Sense,” I think the pink in her hair is ghetto. (Laughs) Overall, she’s a beautiful woman, just not my taste!

So what is your taste, in Men that is… How important is a guy’s confidence/style?

Alexia: The first thing I look at are shoes! You can tell a lot about a guy depending on the shoes he wears. Confidence is everything. If you don’t like yourself then don’t expect me to.

Karissa: It’s very IMPORTANT! I can’t be with a guy who isn’t confident in himself!! Style comes with confidence!

Sylvia: It says a lot about that individual. You want someone who looks good, smells good and is confident. It just makes them much more attractive and just plain sexy.

EA’s NBA LIVE 10 Artist Tournament.  Los Angeles, CA. Game Designer Ryan Santos. Culture. Kicks. Gameplay. It’s in the Game.

Like a pair of Black/Cement Jordan IVs to a sneaker collection, or Scarface to a rapper’s movie collection, gamers in our culture must have two iconic titles in their gaming stock – Madden NFL and NBA Live! While Madden has maintained consistency, popularity, and virtually separated itself from the pack (is there even a pack?) reigning supreme, NBA Live lost its lead in basketball gaming for a few years. However, last year’s Live started gaining favor again, and this year’s game is sure to push it over the top! The gameplay has improved tremendously, while the visuals will absolutely set it apart from other basketball titles. Sneaker aficionados worldwide will definitely appreciate/love the fact that there will be over 500 authentic kicks in this year’s game, including player exclusive colorways. There’s plenty more treats in NBA Live 10 too. Some of those treats are revealed in this sit-down with the game’s visual designer and fellow sneakerhead, Ryan Santos.

Tell us how long you have been involved in the sneaker game/culture? Ever thought you’d be working with Nike, Adidas and the other brands in this capacity for NBA Live?

It started a long time ago – I think with all of us – anyone who’s a basketball fan. I grew up watching Michael Jordan. Being around basketball my whole life, as a kid I always wanted to be like Mike…have his shoes. You know we didn’t have a lot of money growing up. So, my first pair of J’s was the black and cement Jordan IVs. The only reason I got ‘em was because my Dad had a friend that worked at Foot Locker and we bought them. Me and my Dad at the time were the same size, and we had to share the pair. He got to wear the kicks in his (basketball) league, and I would get to wear them for school. Then I had to send them to the Philippines for my cousins out there who really couldn’t afford that stuff. But, you know growing up it was all about loving your sneakers. But, not really being able to have access to it all the time…and just get one pair every year or two. Before getting into the video game industry, I really didn’t have the deep pockets to collect sneakers – it was more about being able to get what I could just to look fresh. You know back in the day we were into B-Boying , doing graffiti, and a lot of my friends were into DJing – just hip-hop culture in general. So sneakers have always been a part of that. But, really getting into the sneaker game, I think it all started when the Jordan IVs got retroed. So, when the IVs got retroed for me I was like, “oh my God that was my first Jordan’s that I had when I was a kid…and they’re re-releasing it?” I was like, “man, I gotta get this shoe, and what is this all about? I didn’t know Jordan re-released old kicks.” For me it started back then! I guess that was what…’99-ish?

Yep! You’re right…

That’s really when it set it off! Then I started getting into going online, looking at eBay. Whenever I traveled, if I was in New York or places like that, I would be hunting for sneakers…that’s all I did. Really, really started getting into the (sneaker) game. Then in around 2002 working on NBA Live 2002 – actually we were developing it in 2001 – one thing I noticed, and I was an artist at the time, was that we had generic shoes in the game. And I was like, “we gotta get the real kicks”. That year, we were only able to secure a deal with Reebok. At the time Reebok was the apparel sponsor of the NBA. So we got Reebok’s kicks in the game. We tried to approach Nike, Adidas, Converse, Brand Jordan. But I think people were really hesitant at that time because they really didn’t see (video) games as a big driver of their marketing. Those were the days where we would have to ask the companies, “hey can we put your stuff in the game?!” Or we would have to pay them. Shortly after that things started to change. In 2003 we got Adidas, 2004 was really the jump off when we got Nike and Brand Jordan.  2004 was the first time I was able to actually go down to (Nike) campus and photograph their shoes. I mean, you could imagine as a sneakerhead – you know, that was like a dream come true. Going in there, meeting the designers, seeing samples…like a year out! Um, seeing stuff that was never made. It was really amazing!

That’s sneakerhead heaven…

Yep! It was heaven man! That was the year we got all the Nikes in the game, Jordans, pretty much every brand. So as a sneakerhead we really built that out. We had unlockable codes; you could go to the Nike website and unlock LeBron’s Zoom Generation I. We had a whole bunch of things that were really revolved around the sneaker culture and basketball culture in general. I would say that was kind of the turning point. Then from there, we kinda never looked back, and that was just part of our basketball game. You know, it was great for me to be a part of that. Every year, right now, I get to go down and shoot these samples, build relationships with these guys and try to do new and innovative things with sneakers in the game.

You touched on it a little earlier, but tell us little bit about the design process and your relationship with all the major sneaker brands. Is it a pick and choose of what you want to integrate, or are you obligated to have an equal representation of footwear and every athlete’s signature line in the game?

We definitely go to the brands and ask them “what are the shoes you guys want to feature this year?” We obviously from a design standpoint say, “we want to cover the major stars, make sure we have their special colorways in the game, and that’s what sets us apart from the competition.” But as a whole, it’s more of a collaborative process. And really more about trying to get out what’s accurate to real life. So we try to align ourselves with the brand’s product plan, and make sure as they release stuff, we release it in our game. Our game is pretty much accurate to what these guys are wearing on the court. As well as some stuff that may go to retail, or may not go to retail. We’ll get player exclusives that may never see the light of day, but you’ll be able to play it in NBA Live 10.

Ryan Santos in the Blue Sapphire Air Jordan I

Pop music you don’t have to be embarrassed about…

Motown, historically, is known for producing some quality talent since Berry Gordy was running things! Now some 40-something years later, the Detroit area is still pushing out incredible talent like family sedans rolling off the production lines at nearby GM and Ford plants. Next up…Mike Posner! It’s rare that you find a 21 year old in tune with himself and his craft. As with most of our interviews, we talked about a variety of topics from fashion-to-religion-to-two valued friendships with Asher Roth and G.O.O.D. Music’s Big Sean. Towards the end of the interview I even found out that Jay-Z and I share a similar philosophy. Oh yea…what would an interview with a current college student be without talk about beer pong? Read along for some insight into the makings of Pop/Soul’s next big star!

How’d you get your start?

I started off with music when I was 9 years old – I played drums! I started off playing percussion in the middle school band. From there I got my parents to buy me a drum set and I used to take private lessons. My boys would come over and like jam on the guitar and bass, and I’d play drums. Then, when I was 13 or 14 I started getting into making beats – I got Fruity Loops and stuff – and I was still taking drum lessons at the time. Then, I ended up quitting those so I can spend time making beats. So, I was producing all that time until a year-and-a-half ago. I was just tired of having all of my ideas have to go through someone else which is a lot of producers’ dilemmas. A lot of the ideas I was having I couldn’t see anybody else singing. I think, at the end of the day, when I started my solo project a year-and-a-half ago was because I was thinking of hooks and songs and beats. I was trying to sell them, but they just didn’t make sense for anybody else but me. It was just me! I started the project and that was a year-and-half ago, so I’ve been singing for a year-and-a-half.

So you never sung before that?

Nah…

So you’ve never had formal training before? You just kinda went in there and got your falsetto on?

Correct man! But that’s the cool thing, is I’m getting so much better at singing, like month by month…it’s wild.

I’d be honest man…I couldn’t tell!

(Laughs) I mean, and that’s the thing about being a producer. I know what it’s supposed to sound like.

For those that don’t know Mike Posner, how would you describe your music? And I know Peter Rosenberg asked you this already…

Well yeah, like the same thing I said to him. It’s Pop music that you don’t have to be embarrassed about. Put it like this…you can have my CD in the car with your boys. Finish hanging out with them, take your girl on a date and my CD can still be in.

So, who were/are some of your influences?

Well, growing up I was blessed to be in an amazingly diverse area. So my music taste really reflects that…

…and where are you from?

I’m from Southfield, MI…which is right outside of Detroit, and it’s one of the most diverse areas in the country. So I was really exposed to really poor people and really rich people on a daily basis; really black people and really white people on a daily basis. Which I think has really played a huge factor into shaping me as a person and as an artist. So to answer your question, growing up I was listening to things like Led Zeppelin, the next day it would be Nas. Then it was Paul Simon, and the next day it was Outkast. You know what I’m sayin’, it was stuff like that. And it really still plays a huge role in the way my music sounds.

Now, the other day we saw your spread with Dr. Romaneli. How’d that shoot come about?

Dan (Mike’s manager) is just friends with him. I don’t know how he got hooked up with him. But, my second-to-last trip to L.A. I went in and met with him and he asked me to model for that shoot and I said, “Fuck yeah!” (Laughs) His shit is dope! Extra, extra dope!

So, do you consider yourself a sneakerhead?

Nahhh not really man, not really! I’m not too crazy with it…

Now you’re sitting in between Wale and Big Sean…

…I’m not anywhere near those two guys at all. They’re sneakerheads, and I’m definitely not! With that being said, I still like to look good, you know what I’m saying? But…sneakers don’t like tell the whole story.

Though you’re not really a sneakerhead, what are your favorite pairs of kicks?

My favorite pair is the (Nike Trainer Dunk Hi) Mitas which I wore on my mixtape cover (DJ Benzi & Don Cannon present: Mike Posner & The Brain Trust – A Matter of Time). But, I had to put ‘em away for a while ‘cause people were starting to think that was my thing. Like, “does he always wear the Mita’s?” I’m like, “NO!” I have way more sneakers than just the Mitas though. I was on the verge of becoming like the “Bart Simpson of Sneakers”. But, I have a couple Jordan Brand fusions that I wear around the house and stuff like that. (Big) Sean was over here the other day like, “Man wouldn’t you just rather have the original ones?” (Laughs)

Polymathix x Nike Air Max Griffey 1 x Lily.  Producto de Florida. 

In an age when describing the Streetwear Industry as ‘oversaturated’ is an understatement, Florida based Polymathix takes its inspiration from the founder’s Latin American roots and his Florida habitat to set the brand apart.  With graphic tees depicting images of harvesting cocaine and M-16s, the message is not meant to glorify violence or the drug trade, but to show how, for many, drug trafficing is the only way for many families to survive in South America and put food on the table.  Polymathix, a product of South America, y un Producto de Florida.

So Ricky, tell us about your background in the industry…

Well, since I was about the age of 12 I knew I wanted to design. Back then, it was like 1997 or ’98 and I was really influenced by Willie Esco.  I always sketched t-shirt designs and shit like that.  It really got serious in 2003 when I got out of high school and started brewing up Polymathix, where it became legit in 2005. I went to college for a couple of years, but found that they really didn’t teach you how to start a brand. So,  I left school; worked at a screen printing company and started researching, traveling and making contacts. Along the way I met two really influential people that mentored me, Krabby Rangoon from St.Alfreds in Chi-town and  Jon Phenom.

“Polymathix” is an interesting name, tell us how you came up with it…

Polymathix stems from the root word “Polymath” which means to be great at several fields. So, I just kind of remixed it and added the “IX” at the end to make it plural, giving it my own definition. “Polymathix- A state of mind in which an individual becomes knowledgeable in several fields in order to take advantage of any opportunity to achieve an end; often with no regard for principles or consequences.”

With Streetwear and Apparel Lines popping up everywhere, why now? What sets Polymathix apart?

I honestly think there couldn’t be a better time for us to come out. There are so many lines coming out and very few are out of Florida. Then again, everyone is doing the same shit. It’s kinda like the whole auto tune shit going down with Hip Hop.  Just stay tuned, some really interesting shit coming in the next couple of months, I’m sure it will definitely set us apart.

Polymathix’s “Harvester” tee.  Coca-Cola? No. Cocaina. Yes.

And the line, what’s your inspiration for the designs?

The line is a jambalaya of ideas and thoughts that live in my head. My main inspiration is my habitat, Florida, and my Latin American culture. I also do it for the people, I like to think of the brand as a militia, that is why we did the marlin with the m-16 barrel, he fights for the people.

What are you trying to accomplish with that?

We’re more than just a clothing/t-shirt line, our goal is to be a brand that just conveys art and passion.  A brand that represents our habitat and unique culture.

When it comes to the ‘net, these ladies run shit.  The H.B.I.C.s of Weekend Warriors, C’est La Vie, and The Lipstick Diaries…let’s get familiar!

“Yo, it gets no better than this…It’s the hottest shit on street…It move like Shania Twain on a Mobb beat…The Solar System stand still, God’s listen…When I speak, the World pay attention…”

-Prodigy,  from the title track and album ”H.N.I.C.”

Let’s meet the ladies…

PREMIUM+ x Polymathix x Wale.  August 2009. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.  100+ Miles and Still Running…

Interview by Rob Graham / Photos by Clint Servantes

On the day he found out his album was being pushed back to October, we sat down with Wale at the Hard Rock Casino & Hotel to chop it up. We talked about the rigors of being an artist, some public misconceptions and perceptions, his early athletic pursuits and of course – the sneaker game. With everything that he’s done – performances around the world, magazine covers and television guest spots- the DMV homie stays on his grizzlie to ensure much success. Even if he isn’t gaining the recognition he should. There aren’t too many artists whose grind can match Mr. Folarin’s. Find out why…plus more.

Do you find it ironic that you’re involved with the Roc, after your career sort of started with Kenny Burns back in D.C., to now, being co-managed by Roc Nation?

I never really put two and two together, the Kenny part of my career, was the Kenny part of my career. You know, the Jay-z, Tata, John Meneilly, and Rich Kleiman, that’s the Roc Nation part of my career. We rise and we still working, ain’t nothing given, ain’t nothing free.

So, on one of your joints on Back to the Feature, you referenced your brain traveling like Yung Berg’s jewelry, and we don’t really see you wearing jewelry like that. You know, like the “typical rapper.”

I got a couple of pieces…

We seen you with the Roc-a-fella chain at Sneaker Pimps L.A.

My thing with jewelry is that when you wear a specific piece too much you’re kind of identified by that. I got a grill, I got all types of stuff, but I don’t wear it all the time. Most of the time, I’ll wear jewelry when I have a plain outfit on, but I don’t wear it to define me. Because your jewelry begins to define you like, “that’s Blahzay Blah, he has the Blahzay chain.” It’s just not my thing, props to everybody who does that, but sometimes I really just want to be about the outfit I wear or the message that I’m trying to put out.

You been on tour for awhile now, what’s the wildest thing that happened to you on tour?

Probably finding my album got pushed back today. But, other than that, the tour bus caught on fire.

Damn.

Yea, we was probably somewhere around Indianapolis.

What sneaker releases are you looking forward to?

The VIIs, well, I got ‘em now, but I was looking forward to those. The Black/Grey ½ Cents. Mainly, I was looking forward to the VII Pack.

The Orlando Magic VIIs?

Oh those, I think those come out next year…actually I don’t know when those come out, I heard that was a rumor.

The joints with the pin stripe on the side? I think those got scrapped…

Yea, I think they scrapped ‘em, I gotta look for those samples somewhere. Honestly though, probably the High Top Louis Vuitton Kanye joints. It would be nice to see the Silver ½ Cents come out, I mean, I have them, but it would be a good shoe for ‘em. I’ll probably buy two pairs.

How important do you think Streetwear and Sneaker Culture is to Hip Hop?

I don’t think they’re co-related. You know, it’s so funny because you might see Dream wear a Supreme hat and you’re like, “you don’t know what you’re wearing.” And, you may see a Yung Joc wearing some Dunks or SBs. When I say “SBs,” I’m only talking about the Golden Era. R.I.P. SB. Hawaii’s was probably the last [good release], the Whatthedunks, for all intensive hypebeast purposes, but ain’t nothing really come out hot after ’07. You know, the stylists come around and they kind of bastardize it a little bit, I understand they’re just doing their job, but some people take it [personally]. If you’ve been in the shoe game you know how it is, like you can’t be putting that shoe on this dude. You know? Niggas slept outside four days for them joints and you’re just going to give it to Yung Joc?

“It’s a Recession…Gas is high, food is high, money’s low,” -Styles P.  Luckily for us, gas and food aren’t the only things that are high, with SP, it’s still ‘Good Times.’

Interview by Rob Graham / Photos by Clint Servantes

With more than a decade in the game, Styles P has seen the music industry evolve into an internet driven phenomenon.  He too, has evolved, although still the Super Gangster, Extraordinary Gentleman, SP the Ghost is now more health conscious with his diet and delving into writing more than just music, with a Fiction Novel.  In a NY minute, we sat down with the Hip Hop vet and spoke about the state of music, food, and what he’s got lined up.

How you feel about the industry right now? With artists selling 100k, now, it seems like that’s the bar for a successful album, almost like going platinum 10 yrs ago…

It’s a recession; the whole World is in trouble. I’m a realistic person, that’s what it is. Gas is high, food’s high, everything’s high, money’s low. You can’t expect everything to be golden.

Speaking of food, it looks like you’re in shape. A couple years ago you did an interview with Angie, after the whole road rage incident. In that interview, you stated how you don’t eat meat no more, you stay away from seafood…

Nah, I eat seafood…I don’t mess with chicken..

You had said something about not messing with fish..

I said I was in trouble because fish had mercury now, and I’m in trouble cause they cloning fish. I mean, during Thanksgiving, I eat the bird. But for me, I just try to stay healthy and do what works for me the best. When I eat meat and chicken I feel slowed down, you know, I already got enough faults. You got to eat right and stay right, but bigger than that, I’m a father..

You want to be around for your kids…

Yea, and you want your kids to be around for their kids, you’ve got to lead by example, especially when you’re the head of the household.

Being you’re an elder statesman in Hip Hop, with the rise of the internet, you still think there’s a need for labels?

A lot of people do a lot on their own because of the day of the computer, but I think it depends on what type of artist you are, what you want to do and how far you inspire to go. And it all depends on whether you’re on the right label with the right people. It’s really hard to say, cause I’m not a new artist from this era, so, I can’t really say yes or no. I see a lot of people do it on the independent scale real big, then I see a lot of people doing it on the major scale real big. When it comes down to it, it depends on how much grind you put in, that weighs on it too.

So you got the Jordan XIIs on, do you consider yourself a sneakerhead?

If anything, I’m a Jordan sneaker fan. You know, Jays. Big shout out to my man Reg, he always holds me down. Definitely a Jordan fan.

So what’s next for Styles P?

Besides the D Block compilation “No Security” (June 2nd), The Lox joint is after that, coming out in Winter. I got a book I’m working on, Mr. Invincible, a fiction joint, Nikki Turner Presents Random House. Tons of crazy stuff.

Styles P x Premium Plus Magazine (PPM) from PREMIUM+ MAGAZINE on Vimeo.

No Way You Can Win

From the streets of Cali-forn-i-a, comes a focused young talent by the name of Roccett. He’s absolutely and definitely 100% his own man. Yea he runs with USDA and Jeezy’s CTE label. Sure he’s recorded bangers with some of your favorite spittas. But, he stands on his own, along with his team of advisers better known as TEAM ROCCETT. Ride with us as we take you through his foundation, his passions and his burgeoning future. By the way – it’s R-O-C-C-E-T-T – b*tch!

So for those that don’t know Roccett talk to us about where you grew up? What was your upbringing like and all that?

Well you know, I’m from the West Coast man; Carson, CA. For those that don’t know I represent the West. You already know I’m down and affiliated with Corporate Thugs Entertainment (CTE), that’s Young Jeezy’s label and I go hard man. I’m just trying to do me and get it in you know?

Tell us a little bit about how you linked with Jeezy and the whole CTE situation?

I mean Jeezy’s my man. We have similar homies in the streets. He seen me a couple times I seen him. He came down to the West Coast, heard some of my music, opened up the music and he was with me on the spot.

So, if you weren’t rapping what else would you be doing?

(Laughs) I don’t know if I could say it over the phone, but it probably wouldn’t be legal…

What do you think about the current state of Hip Hop? Do you think it’s in a good space right now? What would you change about the industry?

I think Hip Hop now is more gimmick. I feel like artists don’t really put their emotions in their music. Not knocking anybody else, or knock the way they get paid. But, to me it’s menstrual. I feel you should make your music off of things you experienced, things you’ve seen, things you’ve gone through in your life. That’s what Hip Hop is to me. Everybody has their own terms and their own reasons, so I respect that. But for me hip-hop is personal.

Yea, I agree! That’s how ‘Pac did it…people would say that ‘Pac wasn’t the most lyrical. But, because of the passion he put in his music…

Right, it was real personal, it was real intimate.

So, that’s kind of the lane you’re looking to fill?

Oh most definitely, you know I feel like all the greats ran through that lane. From Jay-Z to ‘Pac to B.I.G to T.I. to Jeezy to whoever you want to talk about. They’re personal with their music and that’s why everybody has longevity in the music industry.

Every interview we do, we try to determine which artists are sneakerheads being that we’re a sneaker lifestyle mag. So do you consider yourself a sneakerhead; or just a n*gga that’s fly and rocks the dopest shit out?

I mean you know, I’ve been fly all my life. The music ain’t make me fly. If it’s hot and I feel like I can rock it, I’m a make it happen.

What brand of gear do you prefer rocking? Is it Crooks & Castles, Undefeated or the more traditional shit like Roc-a-Wear, LRG, Lexani, Akademiks?

Ah man, let me tell you I got a fresh pair of Nike’s on, a cold pair of Levi’s with a plain white tee on. That’s what I got on right now. It depends on what kind of mood I’m in. Sometimes it calls for a little dressing up. I might throw on a little Louis that I got too. I like to rock my green Nike hoodie with the crazy kicks. I’m really plain, but I know how to make it work. I feel like when you got too much going on…I don’t consider that fly, I consider that crazy. I like to keep it plain and simple, but still have a little flavor to it.

Being that you’re a West Coast dude, are you into Chuck T’s?

Ah, yea. C’mon baby! Chuck T’s…I grew up off of them. Dickies and Chucks…at one time that’s all I ever wore. I would never change my clothes. I would just buy a new pair of Dickies and a new pair of Chuck’s every day.

So I hear you used to play basketball up until you were 16. If you were still getting it in, what kind of player would you consider yourself to be like? LeBron, Kobe, D-Wade or somebody else?

I would consider myself a Chris Paul.

…aight!

Nah mean…I feel like when you’re the point guard, you run the show. It’s almost like the quarterback. You gotta get everybody else going before you get going. That was my goal! At the end of the night I just wanted to win. I felt like with all my friends, they didn’t want to win. But, I feel like me and CP3 got a lot in common. You gotta to tell him I need that one-on-one though. I’ll catch him in New Orleans or something, and we go one-on-one. You feel me? (Laughs)

So, let’s say you were in the league, who would you get a sneaker deal with for your signature Roccett shoe?

I’d have to go with Nike. I feel like if you’re gonna do it, you gotta do it all the way big. They’re the biggest shoe brand…they’re so out there. I wouldn’t want to get under the Jordan Brand; and it’s nothing wrong with Jordan’s. I would just want to create my own name and have my own lane. I feel like when you’re representing somebody else’s, even though you’re representing yourself, you’re still representing them also. So, I just want to represent me and let the world know that I’m my own man.

So some of your jawns give me that classic West Coast, hard body feeling. But you seem pretty versatile as well. So when the public talks about Roccett, what lane are they putting him in?

Let me tell you…I would never let a label, or any individual dictate my lane. They could never do that to me. I’d make independent music before I let that happen. I’m a make my music from my heart. So, when you hear me, and I got a song and I feel it ain’t hitting…I’m a just go hardcore. That’s what mood I’m in at that time in my life. If I make a song for a movie, that’s because of the mood I was in at the time. So when you hear my album, you’re getting an album from all perspectives of life. Everyday you’re still dreaming about something. Some days you wake up and you don’t wanna go to work, but you go. Some days you wanna hang your boss. Some days you like your boss. So, everything’s different and I’m gonna give you a variety of things on my album.

How’s the solo project coming along? When can we expect that?

It’s going crazzzzy! You know, I done worked with almost every major artist in the game. A lot of people! I haven’t had the luxury of working with Dr. Dre and Jay-Z yet. But, as far as the Jeezys, the Fabs, the Rick Rosses and the heavyweights of the game. Those are my guys! But, I don’t wanna give you a lot of features on my album. I need you to learn a little about me. If I got an album full of features I might as well be a DJ. Nah mean? So, I need to give you all of me. The full and uncut Roccett man, and I hope the fans love it.

What about the USDA album, how’s that going? When can we expect that?

It’s going real right now. We’re in the lab working on that. That should be coming out hopefully in the summertime. It’s a lot of variety on there. You got southern artists, west coast artists, and we’re doing our thing. We’re going in!

What producers and artist’s have you worked with already other than the obvious?

Jeezy, Young Buck, Akon…me and Jada supposed to do a record that’ll come out soon. I’m in with the heavyweights a lot man, and I’m glad they like my music. I basically collabed with everybody. But, hopefully Dre and Jay soon though.

What do you think of the new wave of cats coming out of Cali like CurT@!n$, Fly Society, Pac Div, U-N-I, Dom Kennedy, etc.?

I love it! I think it’s beautiful. I think everything needs a “breath of fresh air”. You know everybody loves the OG’s and respect the OGs. But, that’s why they’re OGs. They did this already. Everybody coming out man, I respect them and I wish everybody the best.

Some rappers say they want their first album to be classic like Dre’s Chronic, Nas’ Illmatic and Jay’s Reasonable Doubt. Others say they just want to introduce themselves to the world. How do you want your album received?

It’s gotta be a classic! But, not just my first, my second too…and my third, and then my fourth, and then my fifth. All of them gotta be classics. I’m in it to win! And I’m in it to make to incredible music. I want my fans to love every one of my albums like it’s my last or my first. That’s my goal man. I wanna make incredible music and I want my fans and the world to love it.

So, what’s next for Roccett; touring, mixtapes, movies, blogs, websites?

I’m a be touring with my boy Jeezy, getting around the world, getting it in. I got the Another Day, Another Dollar mixtape with DJ Scream. I got my Chronic 2009 mixtape coming out soon (for the summer). I got my social networking website www.Iamroccett.com. My twitter @Iamroccett; you can Google me, You Tube me. You can hit me on Myspace – myspace.com/roccett. So that’s what I’m doin’. If you’re lookin’ for me it’s R-O-C-C-E-T-T.