Freekey Zekey - Interview

As many of you know this site focuses heavily on the Diplomats so you must understand my excitement when I had the chance to interview Zeke. Freekey was a lot of fun to talk to and was very honest and entertaining. After I gave him my stan disclaimer he told me I could ask him 'anything' and he meant it. I really appreciate the time Zeke took to talk with me, even though he is "working so hard right now it's killing me, but I love doing it." As you will read Zeke is grateful to his loved ones and everyone that stuck besides him. Zeke is a really good guy and I encourage everyone to keep posted on him because he is going to be making some serious moves. JJ: What comes to mind when you think about what Cam'ron said about you on the track "Dip-Set Forever"? The line that goes "Cause when music discouraged my pride/Zeke the only one with courage to ride" Freekey Zekey: I've been with Cam since I had a mustache and a beard, everything Cam says says comes straight from the heart. We've been through everything in life- we're brothers. Cam was with me before I even knew how to pee straight. If it comes from Cam its the truth and everything he says, he means. JJ: What can you tell me about Dipset South? Zeke: Four Days after I got out I got signed and started Dipset South. People noticed my energy and my character. Busta and ODB are characters in that way, people recognize people like that. I didn't take their charisma, I bring my own. History repeats itself and that's me- they saw my character and knew that I could do something. This is four days after getting out of Jail! After getting out of jail for being locked up for distribution of ecstasy in the state of North Carolina it was a good thing. JJ: Well, that was just absurd - I mean the cops getting tipped off and all. But it is what it is. Zeke: You have to do certain things and hit bottom before you can spring board to the top. I have found reason for my fall and that is so I can be at the top, you have to experience it all. I'm a solider-turned-chief. I had so much support in jail. JJ: It must have been nice to see what was happening to the Dipset and know that was going to be there when you got out. Zeke: That's the thing, you don't know. You think you know, but you never do. JJ: That is what happened to ODB, I remember hearing him talk about how no one from Wu Tang came to visit him. Zeke: I know, and that's the WU. When you are in jail you NEED people. You NEED people to bring you food, you NEED people to bring you clothes, you NEED people to bring you money. Juelz, Jimmy and Cam were all there, they went so far to do everything. If you don't have that support it can kill you. JJ: I know, ODB looked to be in rough shape when he got out. I want to ask you a little about your album 'Book of Ezekiel', how far along are you? Zeke: Oh, I'm done. JJ: So is this tracklisting I have real? With "Daddy's Back" and "Hater What You Lookin' At"? Zeke: Yea, "Daddy's Back" has wild curses on it. That track is Cadillac music. Music you can kick your shoes off and roll around with while getting head music. I got some skits on there too. JJ: People are going to be really looking at those skits. Zeke: Nobody expects me to be a rapper. I'm not doing this so I can walk out side with my hat tilted to the side and throw up my Dipset chain. I'm doing this to eat, to feed my son. I speak from my gut. Most rappers these days are talking my car this, my rims this [Zeke went into a great parody rap here]. JJ: What is your favorite Dipset track? I know if I'm walking around and 'Santana's Town' comes on my ipod I walk with a little bit more step, what track does that for you? Zeke: I don't have a personal favorite. Everyone would tell you I'm a groupie. I love everyone, I enjoy at all my peoples music. I like every song that comes on. You hear Duke Da God's new More Than Music? JJ: Yes, tell me about your track on that record. Zeke: That is what I'm talking about right there, I was locked up and Duke delayed the album to get me on there. It was supposed to come out earlier, but he pushed it back to May. That is what Diplomats is though, it is all more than music cause it is. JJ: Now you said I could ask you anything, so what is the real story about the alleged beef between Cam and Jimmy? Was Jimmy really going at Cam? Zeke: Yea he was. Jimmy was going at Cam, but they like siblings. Things get escalated cause we in the eye of the public and people escalate it. It is like if we are rock stars and I start going at you, everyone is going to say that Zeke is going at Justin and make a big deal out of it. JJ: Well it isn't really the same, but thanks. Zeke: Well lets say we are siblings, and we start going at it. People will want to make something of it. But it's all love, we are family. Freekey Zekey on Myspace Diplomats Official Site

Mothers Day Edition - Interview With Nancy Jones (Jimmy's Capo)

I had the chance to speak with Nancy Jones mother of Jim Jones. Nancy is the Chairman /CEO of Nostic Apparel and Jimmy is the President. For more information on Nostic visit their web site, for store locations visit their myspace page. On June 23rd in NYC Juelz Santana and S.A.S. will be preforming for the 4th Annual Santana's Town Fashion show. Not only will the show feature performances but you will be able to check out Nositc and Nancy's Couture line Jonezz. Pick up tickets here. Nancy is a very proud mother and a very nice woman. Today she will be celebrating what she says will be her best Mothers Day yet. With a family business starting and her son Ballin' I don't see why it wouldn't be. JJ: Explain what Nostic is to you? How are you achieving this? Nancy Jones: Nostic is New Revolution of the mind and spirit. How you feel within yourself. JJ: You have a womans couture line too called Jonezz, what exactly is that? Nancy: Jonezz, pronounced Jones is more of a couture line for woman and children. Jonezz is a twist of class, everything is denim. Jonezz is the kind of denim that you can wear to weddings, promos. Everything is denim mixed with many other fabrics. I've been out to the club and seen people not get in because they had denim on and I am dressed in Jonezz and I get right in. JJ: What are you favorite designers, what inspires the fashion? Nancy: I don't look at anyone else. My mother and grandmother inspired me, I was always making clothes. When I was 9 years old I was making outfits for my Barbie Dolls. I graduated from FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) and since I was 9 this is what I wanted to do. JJ: I get a lot of questions about the belts that Jimmy and Juelz wear? People ask where they can find them, is that something included in the Nostic collection? Nancy: That business is going to collide with Nostic, they are not yet a part of the collection but they are in development. Soon you are going to see Jimmy dressed head to toe in Nostic. JJ: I read that Freekey Zekey is going to be rocking Nostic on his new album? Is that true? Nancy: He is! Thats true, we had a photo shoot 2 weeks ago. We have been getting a lot of attention- MIMS called me a few weeks ago looking for a Nostic hoodie that he could wear for a video and Redman called looking for a Nostic hat. JJ: Nostic is all about freedom of expression and spiritual beliefs and dealing with life's everyday obstacles, what do you say to someone who is faced with the obstacles of the financial inability to buy a t-shirt or a hoddie. Nancy: I know for a fact that we will cater to everyone. Prices are going to be higher on signature t-shirts, but we are going to have different types for people that can't afford the signature items. We are not going to forget about anyone. JJ: Is the Nostic perspective in harmony or conflict with an otherwise Christian or Biblical outlook? Nancy: Not a conflict, it is all about how you feel and representing that. People struggle between good and bad, Nositc is for those people. JJ: Since it is Mothers Day weekend, I'm going to have to ask you a few things about your family and yourself as a mother. What was your best Mothers Day that you can remember with Jimmy? Nancy: Everyday is, every day I get to see my children. JJ: My mom says that too, but really what was the best mothers day? I know you have one. Nancy: This one will be really special, we are starting a family business, it is a beautiful time for the family. Good things have happened this year for us. Seven is Jimmy's lucky number and we are in the year '07 and seven is the number of the Lord. We have had a really good year, so this mothers day will be my favorite. JJ: What was the best thing Jimmy has ever given you for Mothers Day? Nancy: I wear it everyday, he got me a ring with all my children's birthstone on it. JJ: How many children do you have? Nancy: Seven, it is like the Brady Bunch. JJ: How many boys and girls? Nancy: Jimmy was the only boy until I got remarried and now he has a step brother. All the sisters work on the clothing line together, it is really a beautiful thing. JJ: So Precious Jones is Jimmy's sister? Nancy: Oh, you know Precious. Yeah she is working on the line. JJ: Jimmy said something on BET that really gave me some insight into his work ethic. When talking about people making it in the industry he said that people need to try as hard as they can and then question themselves if they are really trying as hard as possible. Is this something you used to tell him? Nancy: That is my motto. You have to know struggle to appreciate your accomplishments. If things are handed to you on a silver platter you don't appreciate it. You really have to understand the struggle and never give up. Patience is the key to virtue. JJ: What are you favorite songs of Jimmy's? Nancy: I like "Summer in Miami" and "I'm in Love With A Thug." JJ: What is your favorite record, by another artist? Nancy: The only artist I really love is Jimmy. Although Robin Thick is messed up, in a good way. I'm going to make Jimmy and Robin get together to make a record. JJ: Have you heard "Shooter" with Lil Wayne? Nancy: Oh yea, that track is really messed up. I like Lil Wayne too. My son is so versatile I don't want to see him just raping, I want to see him do everything. I would like to see Jimmy could do a rock song, an R&B song. JJ: I have to ask, and if you don't want to answer this question you don't have to. What is up with Jimmy and Cam'ron. There has been a lot of rumors going around this week do you have any insight onto what is going on? Nancy: Everybody has to realize that people go through ups and downs in a relationship and they most of all need to realize that. Things get blown out of proportion. Jimmy and Cam'ron are always going to be together no matter what, the Diplomats are like a family. JJ: Thank you very much for the interview and I hope you have a happy Mothers Day. Nancy: Thank you for the interview and wish your mom a happy Mothers Day from me as well.

Jus Ske Interview (3/7)

At the beginning of February Jus Ske's album "My Mind is Playing Tricks On Me" made the rounds on the internet. In the increasing crop of mixtapes being available for free download, this isn't one to miss. Make sure you read Jus Ske's bio at his official site if you are not familiar with him or the artists he has worked with. I had the opportunity to speak with Jus Ske amidst some NYC construction and learned quite a bit about the "My Mind is Playing Tricks On Me" album. If you haven't listened to his album there is a link below the interview. JJ: What effect will the DJ Drama/RIAA raid have on mixtapes and on DJ's? Jus Ske: They are crackin down, but there are ways to get around it. They will never stop it, people will find a way around it. It can be done legally, people just need to be careful. But the there is mess with the RIAA and labels, on one hand the label is saying "its cool" and then the RIAA comes after you. JJ: What are you working on now? Jus Ske: I am working on an album with lots of people. I'm trying to get a track with Robin Thicke and Clipse, Kayne, Dangermouse and some more. We are far along in the process, but a far way from it coming out. JJ: Looking back on "My Mind is Playing Tricks On Me" what are you thoughts? Jus Ske: The thing is that I could have done a better job. It was getting late and I was rushed, there are certain songs that didn't fully go together. There were songs I could hear inspired Pharrell and I really wanted to put them together. I give the album an 8/10. People tell me a part sounds wack and I tell them, "I know it sounds fucking wack". I know there are parts that are wack. The thing that sucks is, I could have made it a 10. The ball just started rolling and I had to wrap up stuff. But it could have been a 10. JJ: It is very interesting that you were trying to match the songs up with the songs that inspired Pharrell. Any specific examples or parts that were the most frustrating? Jus Ske: On the track 'An Airbag Saved My Best Friend' I really wanted to have Thom's voice on the chorus with Pharrell, that would have been perfect. JJ: Being in Minnesota, I have to ask what is up with the Spymob (who are from Minnesota). Jus Ske: I'm not sure if they are still on Star Trek, or if Pharrell will take them on the road with N.E.R.D. I do know that they are on good terms with Pharrell. The thing about Pharrell is that he never ends a relationship on bad terms, except for maybe Kelis. I don't know how he does it, but it is all very diplomatic. JJ: Pharrell has to get out that Coldchain record. Jus Ske: I know, he got pushed back with all the problems he has been going through with Jail and stuff. JJ: Thanks for the time, good luck with everything keep me in the loop. Jus Ske: Thanks Jus Ske is going to be a name you are going to hear a lot of now and in the future. He has quite a bit going on including an energy drink, a clothing line called DanÜcht (pronounced thenewshit) as well as his weekly spot every Saturday at the Marquee in NYC. Keep up to date on his myspace as well as his official spot. Make sure you download "My Mind is Playing Tricks on Me" if you haven't.

Interview with Lil B from The Pack

The Pack just released a 7 song EP called 'Skateboards 2 Scrapers ' through Up All Night/Jive Records. The single "Vans" was covered in all corners of the internet and raised controversy after being edited for MTV after their refusal to air the video due to the product placement. Regardless of support the video received, "Vans" was listed as the number 5 song of the year by Rolling Stone. "I'm Shining"(which in my opinion is the best song on the EP) has just been released as the next single. After some initial confusion about the name of this web site I was able to settle in for an interview with Lil B from The Pack (Lil Uno, Young L, and Young $tunna stepped out). I explained where I was from and it some how resulted in Lil B thinking I had some purple haze. The most surprising thing in the interview was that Lil B didn't know about the DJ Drama/Donald Cannon stuff. I was also taken back by Lil B's answer to who he would like to work with if he could work with anyone. JJ: What was your reaction to name change from 'The Wolfpack' to 'The Pack'? Lil B: It's all good there were a lot of groups out there with the name and we had to distinguish ourselves JJ: You know about the wrestlers right Lil B: Oh yea Kevin Nash and those dudes JJ:You didn't name yourselves after them did you? Lil B: Nahh JJ: What producers are you looking for for the LP Lil B: Young L is gonna do the whole thing, Lil Jon, we are hoping to get will.i.am and Jazzie Pha JJ: What guests would you want to get if you could get anyone? Lil B: Weebie, Jeezy, Twista JJ: What do you think of Lil Wayne? Lil B:Wayne is the man, we are gonna get his boy Curren$y on something JJ: What do you think about the DJ Drama/Cannnon stuff? Lil B: Oh we hopefully can get a gangsta grillz JJ:Those dudes are in big trouble, they might go to jail Lil B: What? JJ: Yea, bit RIAA/CIA swat team raid for bootlegging. They don't know what they do and how vital what they do is to rap music Lil B:They went to jail? that is some deep shit. For sure. JJ: I heard some rumors about some distaste for Pharrell, what do you have to say about that? Lil B: Nah, we down with Pharrell. We are good friends. JJ: What do you think of Moss in Oakland? Lil B: I don't know man, I don't know much about that. JJ: Do you follow Bay Area sports? Lil B: I got a few teams I like, but I'm not really into football. JJ: What sports do you watch? Lil B: I don't really watch sports, I stopped a long time ago. JJ: I was talking to a friend in Paris and I told him I would be talking to you today and he wanted me to let you know how much they are feeling hyphy and the pack out there Lil B:Tell him whats up and we are going to try to rock it out there. We would love to get get out to Paris. JJ:Thanks for your time and best of luck to you guys. Lil B: Anytime man, keep me updated and tell me whats good.