This is an essay I wrote for a college English 1010 for The Art Institute Online.  Some people thought that I should share it with everyone so here it is.

 

The Rap/Hip Hop genre has multiple styles or sub-genres: BackPack/Conscious, Hyphy, Crunk, Battle, and Snap.  These are not all of the sub-genres within this genre; however, they are some of the most popular.  Realistically, these are probably less than half of all of the sub-genres under the hip hop umbrella.  The next several paragraphs will prove to be very informational and will provide you with some insight to the hip hop nation.  Often time's hip hop is automatically stereotyped as a negative category, people in black communities or troubled white kids music.  This could not be farther from the truth.  Hip hop music, in most songs, tells some kind of story whether it's about the individual's life growing up or experiences in the world today.   

               Some people think hip hop is not music and does not require much talent.  A lot of work goes into producing hip hop, such as, the tempo within the beat, and to the timing of the hook.  One of the most successful hip hop producers is Thomas Crown aka Timbaland.  With one song, he can take an artist from mediocre to well above average in popularity.  Hip hop covers such a diverse amount of topics, which is influenced by the sub-genre it falls in.  These sub-genres have evolved over the past several decades.

               BackPack/Conscious Rap style is an extremely popular style of hip hop in the world today and is known for relaying positive, realistic and uplifting messages.  The lyrics in this sub-genre relay messages in a non-violent way and usually focus on the world around the artist performing the track.  Kanye West is one of the most popular "backpack rappers" in the world today.  He raps about experiences from his life in the past, current issues, and thoughts and opinions on current news-worthy topics.  Several other artists, in this sub-genre are Common, Talib Kweli, and Pharoahe Monche.

               Crunk, which is a very high energy sub-genre, gets people jumping and screaming repetitive verses and hooks throughout the songs.  The lyrics are almost always very simple and catchy.  The term "Crunk" was formed in the mid to late 1990's, and was generated from the words crazy and drunk.  The scene in a Crunk music video is usually somewhat chaotic and fast-paced.  Crunk music contains a club-oriented beat with a lot of drum and base and high pitched sounds.  Lil John & The Eastside Boys are one of the most popular Crunk music artists in the world today.  They paved the road for Crunk music and really put it on the map.  Several other Crunk artists are David Banner, Crime Mob, and Youngbloodz.

The newest hip hop sub-genre was introduced within the last couple of years and is called Hyphy.  Hyphy generated in the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 2000's, and is perceived as the west coast version of Crunk music.  Hyphy does not have a lot of mainstream artists and is mostly listened to on the west coast.  Keak Da Sneak is one of the most popular Hyphy rappers on the west coast.  E-40 delivered his My Ghetto Report Card which became one of the most popular albums in the country in 2006.  Hyphy has a very energetic flow with spirited lyrics and has its own dictionary generated by E-40 and other Hyphy rappers.  This dictionary is full of Bay area slang such as, "get dumb" which means dancing wildly.  Several other Hyphy artists are The Team, Keak Da Sneak, and Mac Dre.

Battle rap is one of the most complex hip hop sub-genres.  Battle rap is extremely competitive and challenging styles under this umbrella.  Battle rappers usually enjoy pointing out the opponent's flaws or weaknesses in order to out duel them in a lyrical war between two artists or group of artists.   Battle rap was introduced, in 1982, by the Kool Moe Dee vs Busy Bee battle where Kool Moe Dee got on stage without warning and proceeded to point out Busy Bee's flaws.  Battle rappers usually create controversy by jokingly out-smarting the other person.  Eminem portrayed the life of a battle rapper in his movie "8 Mile."  In the movie, he shows what life is like in the underground battle world that exists in almost all cities.  Several other battle rap artists are the late Tupac Shakur aka 2 Pac, Notorius B.I.G. aka Biggie, and still battle rapping KRS One.

Snap rap is one of the newest sub-genres.  Snap has a very distinct sound and the beat is usually maintained by the snapping of fingers.  This is another club-based style that has a slower beat and laid back vibe.  These songs can also bring a lot of energy as well.  Snap music was generated in the 2000's and the most popular songs relate to some sort of dance, for example, Dem Franchise Boys with Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It and D4L with Laffy Taffy.   Several other snap rap artists are Ying Yan Twins, Ben Hill, and Mr. Collipark.

Hip hop is such a diverse world and is not only related to a music genre, but a lifestyle.  Hip hop has many sub-genre's and hopefully this explanation will prevent the genre from always carrying a negative stereotype.  Conscious, Hyphy, Crunk, and Snap focus on getting the listeners into the song, while Battle focuses on two artists or group of artists that degrade each other in a competitive way.  Hip hop is not all bad but should be broken down into sub-genres to determine what type of hip hop artist you prefer. 

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Sources:

All Experts.  2006.  About, Inc.  22 Feb. 2008.  http://en.allexperts.com/q/Rap-Hip-Hop-3259/rap-hiphop.htm.

About.com:  Rap/Hip Hop.  March 2005.  The New York Times Company.  22 Feb. 2008.  http://rap.about.com/od/genresstyles/Genres_Styles.htm.

My boi TZA has this posted as a blog on his page!  This a must see video, I would love to hear everyones thoughts on this!

Here is the link in case the video doesn't work:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYqTvRixDkU&eurl=http://www.aomegamusic.com/

So check it, I am bringing back the featured artist and  know it's not restricted to any specific locations.  I have brought back one of the artists I had originally done and he is doing big things.  So check out the interview with Ed E Ruger and show sum luv!

 

B Fitz: So check it Ed E Ruger, you're the first artist that I am doing a follow up interview and featured artist spot on. How are things going?


Ed E Ruger:BETTER THAN EVER MAN! WE'RE STILL MOVIN UNITS W/ "SHOTS FROM THA RUGER" , "RELOADED" IS GETTING ALOT OF PUBLICITY W/ DJ VLAD ,THE WONDERTWINZ,BUN B ,KRUMSNATCHA AND THE WOLVES,HAYSTACK AND A FEW MORE PEOPLE SHOWING UP ON THIS ONE AND WE GOT "THE TOKEN" IN THE WORKS AS WE SPEAK. ALL THAT AND JJ THE JENIUS AND SINSAY MILLION ,THE GUYS WHO HAVE HELPED ME GET EVERYTHING RECORDED AND SOUNDING AS GOOD AS IT DOES,JUST OPENED UP ICONOCLAST STUDIOS.SO RIGHT NOW IT'S LOOKIN BRIGHTER THAN EVER FITZ!


B Fitz: I can't let you out of here with an easy interview today. We have some issues in the hip hop world right now as far as where hip hop stands. The south seems to be running shit, and then we have the whole hip hop is dead theory running around out there. What's your take on the state of hip hop right now?


Ed E Ruger: MAN THAT WAS JUST A PUBLICITY STUNT TO SELL NAS' ALBUM. NOBODY EVER REALLY THOUGHT THAT IT WAS DEAD.  LOOK AT ALL THE MONEY IT'S GENERATING GLOBALLY.I DONT THINK IT'LL EVER DIE HONESTLY.  NOW THE GAME IS REAL DUMB RIGHT NOW AS FAR AS CONTENT BUT THAT IS ALL UP TO THE FANS TO VOICE THEIR OPINIONS ON WHAT STYLE OF HIP HOP THEY WANT TO HEAR.  PERSONALLY I THINK THEY SHOULD BREAK IT UP INTO SEPERATE GENRES OF HIP HOP AND HIP POP.  NOTHING IS WRONG W/ EITHER ONE BUT THEY ARE TOTALLY DIFFERENT AND HAVE DIFFERENT FAN FOLLOWINGS.


B Fitz: With that said, I'm probably one of your biggest fans, where do you see yourself in 5 years?


Ed E Ruger:  I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT MAN. YOU HAVE BEEN HELPING ME OUT QUITE A BIT IN THE LAST YEAR SO I'M A FAN OF YOURS AS WELL.  BUT YOU ALREADY KNEW THAT.  IN FIVE YEARS I HOPE TO SEE MYSELF ON EVERY TV SET IN YOUR HOUSE, EVERY BILL BOARD ON EVERY STREET CORNER AND HIGHWAY, EVERY POSTER IN EVERY RECORD STORE AND ANYWHERE ELSE YOU CAN THINK OF!


B Fitz: Well you know with my space and soundclick and all of these other sites where you can load up your own music, everybody and they brother raps or freestyles or whatever. What makes you different from everybody else?


Ed E Ruger:  QUALITY, ORIGINALITY, PROMOTION, TALENT AND THE FACT THAT I REALLY LOVE WHAT I DO.  ALOT OF THESE CATS WON'T BE RAPPIN' A YEAR FROM NOW THE ONES THAT ARE NEED TO REALLY LEARN THE BUSINESS, THIS IS A LIFESTYLE AND A CAREER. YOU CANT TREAT IT LIKE A HOBBY OR YOU'LL GET NOWHERE.


B Fitz: I feel ya on that one, now I know you lost a good friend and a great artist towards the end of last year, Tre' Stylez, how did that impact you and your career as an artist?


Ed E Ruger: HE WAS REALLY CLOSE TO EVERYONE AROUND HERE, MAINLY JJ MY PRODUCER AND THE ICONOCLAST CREW, WHICH WAS HIS BAND THAT TOURED W/ HIM. WE'RE STILL TRYIN' TO GET JUSTICE AND IT JUST MOTIVATES US TO GO HARDER AND W/ ALOT MORE AGGRESSION.  THE ICONOCLAST CREW NOW BACKS ME UP ON STAGE BUT W/O THE "BAND" IT'S JUST ME, 2 HYPE MEN AND MY DJ AND IF IT HADNT BEEN FOR TRE I WOULD HAVE NEVER MET ANY OF THE GUYS THAT HELP ME OUT NOW. SHOUT OUT TO JJ, STITCHY, SINSAY, SLEEZY, MINCELLO, AND DJ PHILLIE PHRESH.


B Fitz: Our thoughts go out to the community, family and friends of Tre' Stylez!!!  May justice be served!!! 

B Fitz: Now, I know you have a couple of albums out now, Shots from the Ruger was the debut album and now Reloaded! What's the big difference between Shots from the Ruger and Reloaded?


Ed E Ruger: "RELOADED" IS A CONTINUATION OF "SHOTS FROM THA RUGER".  IT'S GOT A COUPLE OF REMIXES OF SONGS FROM "SHOTS FROM THA RUGER", LIKE "THE WEED SONG" AND "OLD MAN", A COUPLE OF CRAZY FREESTYLES OVER BEATS LIKE ICE CUBE'S "WICKED" AND SOME SNEAK PEEKS INTO SOME OF THE FUTURE PROJECTS I'M WORKING ON.  BIG UP TO M.I.C. FOR HOOKING UP THE BUN B AND HAYSTACK SONGS. HE LET YA BOY JUMP ON THE TRACKS W/ HIM SO GOTTA GIVE M.I.C. A SHOUT.  IT'S GOT ALL HE HOTTEST MC'S FROM THE NC AREA ON IT TOO LIKE ILLPO, ETHEMADASSASSIN, CELINSKI, BRANDON D,BARBER Q, L.I.V.E., TY BRU, STITHCY, CHOKE AND MORE. SO MAKE SURE YOU GET THAT "RELOADED" COP THAT!! AND IF YOU DONT HAVE "SHOTS FROM THA RUGER" YOU'RE ONLY HURTIN YOURSELF ...GO GET IT !!


B Fitz: That's what's up homie!  So how would I go about getting copies of both albums? and I believe I saw that you have T-Shirts now too, I'm going to have to get mine!


Ed E Ruger:  YOU CAN GET THEM AT STORES AND ONLINE PRETTY MUCH ANYWHERE, BUT THEY CHARGE OUT THE ASS. SO THE CHEAPEST PLACE TO GET THE ALBUMS, DOWNLOADS, OR T SHIRTS WOULD BE WWW.EDERUGER.COM OR WWW.MYSPACE.COM/EDERUGER ALL CD'S ARE $5 + S&H AND SHIRTS FROM SM - 2XL ARE $10 + S&H WE HAVE TO SPECIAL ORDER ANYTHING LARGER THAN THAT. THEY SOLD FAST!


B Fitz: You have performed with some pretty big names in the hip hop world. What major label artists have you performed with and what did you get from those experiences?


Ed E Ruger:  MAN I LEARN SOMETHING DIFFERENT AT EVERY SHOW.  YOU SEE HOW THESE GUYS INTERACT W/ THE CROWD AND WHAT TYPE OF SONGS THE CROWD REACTS TO.  DIFFERENT CLUBS HAVE DIFFERENT CROWDS AND STYLES OF HIP HOP THEY BOOK.  SO I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY TO ALL THE CROWDS FROM PLAYING SHOWS W/ NAMES LIKE KRS-ONE, THE CLIPSE, YIN YANG TWINZ, BLACK SHEEP, PROJECT PAT, COOLIO, REHAB, WU TANG, CURREN$Y, ETC. AS YOU CAN TELL I'VE PLAYED W/ ALL TYPES OF HIP HOP ACTS FROM SNAP RAP TO BACK PACK AND EJOYED EVERY SECOND OF IT. I'VE LEARNED ALOT BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT IS HOW TO READ WHAT THE CROWD WANTS BEFORE YOU GET ON STAGE AND GIVE THEM THE BEST SHOW POSSIBLE. THESE CONCERTS ARE SOMETHING THEY'LL REMEMBER FOREVER


B Fitz: Any last words, you know how this works. Your chance to promote whatever and send ya shout outs!


Ed E Ruger:  IF YOU NEED BEATS, MIXING, MASTERING, STUDIO TIME OR ENGINEERING HIT ME UP I'LL GET YOU IN TOUCH W/ ICONOCLAST STUDIOS

SHOUT OUT TO NC AND ALL MY SUGAHILL, 9TH FLOOR, ICONOCLAST AND UPSOUTH FAM

SHOUTS TO THE "BOSS" FOR HELPING ME DO BIG THINGS

BIG UP TO MY MAN FITZ AND EVERYBODY IN FLA.

NOW GO BUY SHOTS FROM THE RUGER,RELOADED AND ENUF SHIRTS FOR YOU ,YO MOM AND THE KIDS!!

WWW.MYSPACE.COM/EDERUGER, WWW.EDERUGER.COM GO PLAY MY MUSIC AND GET CHEAP DOWNLOADS!!

"THE NEW BREED OF HIP HOP" IS HERE!!!


B Fitz: Look ya'll if you ain't heard my man's tracks, you need to wake the fuck up and get both CD's. I fully believe that we will be listening to this guy for a long time and you will be bobbing your head to his tracks playing on the local radio station. So get on board now and you will be ahead of the game. For all you A&R's out there, stop sleeping on the Ruger, he's got the heat.

Well I have an interesting and suprisingly productive past couple of weeks.  I am now a writer for an up and coming magazine called Urban Synthesis Radio.  Yes the radio portion of the magazine will be traveling to different cities to do live shows.

I am writing my first article on the White Rapper Show and how no matter what race you are you should be offended.  I am not saying anything else you will have read the article to find out more.  The article will have a little suprise in it so make sure you stay tuned and check it out when it's done.  The expected release date of the magazine, which will be online at first, is July 15th.

If you would like to submit suggestions for an article hit me up and I will see what I can do.  If I do pic your article, I will acknowledge you in the article and mention your my space page if you would like for me too!  I won't do it unless you agree.  I want to make my column in this magazine a way to interact with the readers of the magazine, as we want this to be a very successful project.  I hope to hear from many of you soon and keep in mind this is a hip hop magazine so it must related to hip hop in some way.

I have 4 article topics that I am planning on writing right now but if I receive a better suggestion then I may move it up the priority list.  Again, I want this to be a way for new fans of the magazine to get involved with the magazine.  Once the magazine is up I will post another blog for you to leave your comments about the article and some of the responses will be posted in the next issue of the magazine!

I hope everyone is having a great week and stay tuned for more info!

What's good people?  It's ya boi B Fitz and for this months featured artist I am coming back to Duval County!  Check out this interview with Anonymous and don't forget to show sum luv, so enough with the blah blah bullshit and check out the interview!

B Fitz: Let's get the introduction out of the way, tell everybody who you are homie!

Anon: yes yes it's ya boy Anonymous reppin that New Jack shit.


B Fitz: Now I have been on the local scene in Duval for about a year now, and you are one of the first cats that I had a chance to meet. How has the hip hop game been to you? A lot of people think this is just something that's fun 24/7!


Anon: It really ain't been good at all to tell you the truth. I consider Hip Hop to be like a woman that I love. It's like I'm working my ass off for this bitch and she ain't showin no love back. I'm working on that though we trying to bust through on some regional shit and then take over nationally, and then worldwide and maybe even have some UFOs bumping our shit.


B Fitz: I know that you love to have fun especially on the night of a performance or just out networking at another show, and you are a very approachable person! I have preached this to artists anytime I sit down and talk to them. How much does being approachable play into what you do as an artist?


Anon: Yeah on show nights I'm drinking man. Alot of people can't perform when they drink but it calms my nerves because I'm an anxious dude. Plus, I love the shit so it will probably be the death of me. But yeah I guess it plays into my music because it makes me a little easier to identify with. I show everyone love so people generally have no problem showing it back and if they do they can go fuck their mothers.


B Fitz: How long have you been in the music business?


Anon: Oh, I ain't in the music business yet. I ain't got Diddy on speed dial and I ain't fucked Carmen Electra or Pamela Anderson yet so I ain't in there yet. But I been pursuing my music actively for about 5 years now.


B Fitz: So tell us what you have coming up for us?


Anon: More great music of course. I got unreleased material that is killing the shit these dudes are putting out as singles. I don't wanna give no dates or get too specific but there is definitely some serious shit in the works that's why I ain't been on the scene too much lately but watch and see. Yall dudes that are in the practice of farting and calling it music we about to slap that shit off the airwaves.


B Fitz: The New Jack Collabo's was released in 2006 and it was a compilation of music you had done from 2002-2006! Tell us about that album and why you put together an album over such a long period of time?


Anon: The crazy thing about that album is I didn't plan it like that. That whole album is just music I had laying around that I wasn't doing nothing with so I put my favorite 17 or so tracks on one project. I put from 2002-2006 because I wanted people to see that even my old shit is still hott right now. I work with so many people and I'm constantly doing new songs with everyone and those were piling up so I let them out. I like that album, I still bump it.


B Fitz: Those of us on the scene here in Duval know about your latest collaberation CD with RAW from Rebel Gang, but for everyone else take a minute and shed the light on what you guys have done and are doing!


Anon: Yeah we were doing so many damn shows that were fueled by that album that we took a break from performing to see what we gonna do and where we wanna go next. Like I said I won't get too specific but we have recorded new material and it is CRAZY. I'm not saying we will release an official project again but I'm not saying we won't. Y'all will just have to stand by.


B Fitz: Anything you want to tell the people this is your chance to let them know! Shot outs, promote whatever, or just say whatever!


Anon: Shout out to Raw from Rebel Gang, Raw from No Luv, DJ Mouse, Mase, Dre and the whole North South squad, The Duval Boyz, Just Will, Antag, Venom, Sinario and the whole Rebel Gang, Remo, Traffik, John Doe Productions, PIT, Melvin D, man shit I can keep going but my people know who they are. Oh and Chad Hendricks we want another video sir I need to holla at you.


B Fitz: Thanks to Anon for coming through and spending some time with S & B Fitz Entertainment. If you haven't had the chance to hear any of Anonymous' music go to his page...myspace.com/anonymous904!

 

Look out for an exclusive interview with DJ King Ron in the debut edition of Urban Synthosis Magazine.  Keep ya eyes and hears open people, the next step is a big one!  Holla at cha boi for more info!

 

Samantha and Brian aka B Fitz

S & B Fitz Entertainment

brfitz@comcast.net

904-343-8157

Yo hip hop fans it's ya boi B Fitz and it's just about time for 2007
to get jumpin' so I wanted to end 2006 and start 2007 with a
Jacksonville native!  Some of you may have heard of him or even seen
the wrapped Navigator riding in a hood near you.

B Fitz:  With that said homie, introduce yourself, represent your
city!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Snipe- Won: The name is SNIPE-WON. I rep the southside of Duval.


B Fitz:  That's what the business is, now check it, unfortunately b/c
of this and that I haven't had the chance to sit down with you face to
face yet.  We have talked on the phone a couple of times, but check it
tell us your history with Duval and the move up to Jersey!


Snipe-Won:  I was born in Jersey and moved to Jacksonville when I was
5.  I grew up on the southside of Jax. After high school it was either
going to Atlanta or New York to take my music to the next level and
continue my education in college. NYC is the number one market so I
moved back to Jersey to be close to New York.  I been away for almost 4
years now but I'm always coming back home. Duval is home!


B Fitz:  How long have you been on the hip hop scene, making music?


Snipe-Won:  I been rockin' for a minute now. I first got introduced to
the local Duval Hip Hop scene back when I was like 14. I lied about my
age, battled and won on 92.7 Beat. Also my pops (now C.K.P. business
parter) used to get me into 618 and the VooDoo lounge to spit and
battle on the mic.


B Fitz:  Tell us a little about your style of music and what has
inspired you to make music!


Snipe-Won:  To me, rhyming is a serious craft that's more than just
matching words. It's about rhythm, lyrics, confidence and swagger. All
that plus realness is the medicine I feed myself to be able to make
the music I make. Now, I've always been a hip hop head so the thought
that I could somehow affect this culture is my motivation.


B Fitz:  When can we check you out in Duval next, or am I going to
have to make that happen early next year?


Snipe-Won:  Next year, after May, I'm touring the whole East Coast and
you know I have to hit Duval... so we gonna have to make that happen B
Fitz.


B Fitz:  With 2007 approaching, what are you going to be doing early
next year?  (shows, albums, mixtapes, etc.)


Snipe-Won:  2007 is here now, and I'm staying busy.  Snipe Da Game
Volume 1 was a great success so I'm dropping Volume 2 in April. I'm
also going to hit the road this year after I finish my BA degree in
Graphic Design. By that time I will have the album done and ready to
promote and sell on my tour. We also want to update the website
SNIPE-WON.COM and the myspace.com/SNIPEDAWINNA this year so keep your
eyes on it.


B Fitz:  Well I know that I hope to get you down here the first half
of next year homie!  I got to, as one of your supporters, you have
been there for S & B Fitz Entertainment for a while as well and I
appreciate the support and everything you are doing!  Anything else
you want to say (shot outs, comments, etc.) to the fans and artists
that tune in to the hottest featured artist page around?


Snipe-Won:  Of course, I want to thank you; B Fitz, Duval and everyone
who supports what I'm doing. I left the 904 for one reason only, to
come back with the crown and everythings falling into place. Big ups
to all my grinders out there, all my peoples keeping Hip Hop alive,
and my squad CKP. I got school out the way now it's time to Snipe Da
Motha Fuckin' Game!


B Fitz:  Well you heard it best from Snipe-Won on his grind all the
time!  We are going to be doing it big in 2007 so make sure you keep
ya eyez and earz on S & B Fitz Entertainment in 2007, ladies I got you
don't sleep and stay tuned.  Thanks to Snipe-Won for taking the time
to do the interview homie, I got you, let me know if you need
anything!!!!!

Holla at cha boi!

B Fitz

--
Snipe-Won
Cold Knight Productions
www.snipe-won.com

B Fitz: So it's time to for me to do another first with the featured artist, so let's jump on 95 north to Raleigh and West on I-40 to our next destination. I used run the streets in ya city homie, tell em who you are and the city you rep!


Ed E Ruger: IM ED E. RUGER "THE NEW BREED OF HIP HOP" I'M FROM N.C. THE MELTIN POT OF THE SOUTHEAST


B Fitz: That's what the business is homie, I used to hold Four Season's down back in the day! What's the hip hop scene looking like in the 'boro?


Ed E Ruger: THE SCENE IS REAL STRONG RIGHT NOW ,THERE'S ALOT OF NICE MC'S AROUND HERE.I'M TRYIN TO TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL  AND GO WORLDWIDE. I'M ALREADY NATIONWIDE. RIGHT NOW I'M GETTIN ALOT OF PLAY ACROSS THE NATION INCLUDING THE COLLEGE RADIO CIRCUIT ,XM AND SIRIUS ,BUT I'M TRYIN TO GO GLOBAL. I'M GETTIN PLAY IN JAPAN ,GERMANY,POLAND AND A FEW OTHER COUNTRIES .AS LONG AS THE FANS KEEP SUPPORTING ME AND THE MUSIC I MAKE I'LL BE ALRIGHT


B Fitz: Aight that's what's up, now I know from going in and out of NC's hip hop forum QCHipHop.com that you guys are doing some pretty nice events up that way. Tell us about the first time you got on stage!


Ed E Ruger: IT WAS IN RHYME WARZ ,A BATTLE W/ 16 MC'S A GO TO THE FINALS AND LOST A CLOSE BATTLE. CAME BACK THE NEXT MONTH AND WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP AND REMAINED UNDEFEATED IN BATTLES ACROSS THE SOUTHEAST FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS..


B Fitz: What can we expect to see from Ed E Ruger in the near future albums, mixtapes, shows, etc?

Ed E Ruger:  NOTHING BUT CLASSICS, I GOTTA JOINT W/ KRUMBSNATCHA(GANGSTARR FOUNDATION ,W.O.L.V.E.S.) AND THE W.O.L.V.E.S.GANG ,A JOINT W/ SOUL CITY/ SONY RECORDING ARTIST ALYZE' ELYSE WHO'S LAST 2 SINGLES HAVE BEEN # 2 ON THE BILLBOARD R& B CHARTS AND I GOT A FEW MORE TRICKS UP MY SLEEVE FOR THE NEXT ALBUM. EXPECT BIG THINGS!! WE GOT THE "REMIX TAPE" FOR SHOTS FROM THA RUGER COMING OUT TOO BUT MAKE SURE YOU GO GET "ED E. RUGER :SHOTS FROM THA RUGER" OUT ALL OVER THE COUNTRY NOW !! MY BEAT MAN DOUBLE J THE JENIUS HAS AN ALBUM COMING OUT THIS YEAR FEATURING ALOT OF NICE MC'S FROM THE CAROLINAS AND A FEW BIG GUEST SPOTS ON IT AS WELL. IF YOU NEED BEATS THIS DUDE IS A MONSTER AND HAS 2 BACK TO BACK BEAT BATTLE CHAMPIONSHIP BELTS TO PROVE IT! I'VE ALREADY DONE SHOWS THIS YEAR W/ KRS- 1 ,WU TANG, BUBBA SPARXXX,AND CURREN$Y(CASH MONEY).,AND I'VE GOT SHOWS COMING UP W/ THE CLIPSE, BLACKSHEEP ,AND REHAB. SO, IF YOU'VE NEVER SEEN AN ED E. RUGER SHOW ,IT'S AN EXPERIENCE YOU'LL NEVER FORGET.


B Fitz: I hope you're ready to get in this now so we can learn more about you as an artist. How long have you been in the business? I know you and KRS-1 have a lot in common touch on that as well!


Ed E Ruger: I'VE BEEN LISTENING TO HIP HOP SINCE I TURNED ON THE RADIO. MY SISTER USED TO LISTEN TO WHODINI,RUN DMC,UTFO ,ETC. SO I STARTED EARLY I WAS RHYMING BY 15 AND TURNED INTO A CAREER BY 18. I JUST TRY TO STAY TRUE TO MY CRAFT .IT'S A HUGE COMPLIMENT TO BE COMPARED TO KRS ,I JUST HOPE I CAN MAKE 1/2 THE IMPACT ON THE MUSIC SCENE AS HE HAS


B Fitz: Now I have been in Duval for about 9 years now and have really converted to the dirty south and dope boi sound, tell us about you and type of hip hop you do, and how has hip hop changed your life?


Ed E Ruger: I'M THE NEW BREED OF HIP HOP NOT UP TOP NOT DOWN SOUTH BUT IN THE MIDDLE . THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS ,THROW IN A LIL WEST COAST WAGGER AND YOU GET ME. I'M A PRODUCT OF HIP HOP. IT RAISED ME THRU GOOS AND BAD ,IT'S THE REASON I'M NOT IN JAIL OR DEAD. I LOVE THIS SHIT


B Fitz: I see you have a couple of pretty big performances, name the one show that stands out in your mind and how it went down and who was on stage?


Ed E Ruger:  WE HAD MY ALBUM RELEASE PARTY 6 MONTHS TO THE DAY THAT MY HOMIE AND PARTNER TRE' STYLEZ WAS SHOT AND KILLED. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT HIS UNCLE AND MOM HAD BEEN TO ONE OF OUR SHOWS SINCE HIS DEATH. BY THE END OF THE SET ALL OF OUR CREWS (SUGA HILL ,ICONOCLAST AND 9TH FLOOR) WERE ON STAGE AT THE SAME TIME. IT WAS HUGE STATEMENT AND A VERY SURREAL MOMENT FOR EVERYONE.R.I.P. TRE' STYLEZ "MUSIC IS LIFE" HE TAUGHT ME ALOT ABOUT LIFE IN GENERAL. WE ALL MISS YOU!


B Fitz: When can we expect to see you come down to Duval and showcase ya talents?


Ed E Ruger:I GOT FAM DOWN THERE SO IT'LL BE SOONER THAN YOU THINK 


B Fitz: It's been an honor getting to know you and I hope that everybody takes the opportunity to check you out b/c it's good to know what other people are doing and what's been successful for you in your city! Do you have any advise for some of the younger artists that are just stepping into the game?


Ed E Ruger: JUST STAY ON YOUR GRIND AND STAY AT IT NO MATTER WHAT. YOU GOTTA WORK FOR IT THOUGH NOBODY'S GONNA DO IT FOR YOU. SO YOU GOTTA GO GET IT  !! OH YEAH AND BUY "ED E. RUGER: SHOTS FROM THA RUGER" @ WWW.EDERUGER.COM OR A RECORD STORE NEAR YOU!


B Fitz: I appreciate you taking the time to answer the questions, now it's your turn to do your shot outs and and anything esle you want to tell the people before we end this thing!


Ed E Ruger:  BIG UP TO THE WHOLE SUGA HILL SQUAD(MAC N FLOW,STITCHY, MINCELLO, PHILLIE, SLEAZY), 9TH FLOOR, ICONOCLAST, HEAVY CONTACT, ILLPO, CELINSKI, ETHEMADASSASSIN, METAPHOR, CHOKE, KRUMBSNATCHA, DRAMATIK, KALI, ITCHY, ALYZE' ELYSE, MAXX, AND THE REST OF THE ARTISTS WHO GOT LOVE FOR ME.  THE WONDERT TWINZ, JOINT ONE, ON POINT, UNIFIED REBELLION, SHO SMOOVE, FLAVA LAB, AND ALL THE DJ'S THAT SUPPORT THE MOVEMENT!