"Reaching for the top" By Darryn Simmons
Montgomery Advertiser While every music act basks in the glow of that first big hit, what invariably follows is a major fear that the hit may be the last.
The threat of being a one-hit wonder tends to loom over the careers of many artists. But J-Bo of rap duo Youngbloodz wants the world to know that he and his partner Sean Paul (not to be confused with the reggae artist of the same name) aren't going out like that.
"This is a do-or-die album for us," J-Bo said about the group's third album, "Ev'rybody Know Me."
The Atlanta duo is coming off the success of their second album, "Drankin' Patnaz," which went gold and firmly established them among the top Atlanta rappers like Ludacris, Lil Jon and the Ying Yang Twins. It had the hot single "Damn!" (with Lil Jon) that made the top 10 on the rap charts and was picked by The Source magazine as the 2004 Single of the Year.
This time around with "Ev'rybody Know Me," the group was able to enjoy the fruits of the previous album's success and work with some of the top producers in the business, including Scott Storch (Lil' Kim), Mannie Fresh (Lil Wayne, Juvenile) and Daz Dillenger (Snoop Dogg, 2pac).
"It's a pleasure (working with those producers)," J-Bo said. "We're fans of all of them and they're fans of the Youngbloodz."
The group also got to dig into their Atlanta roots and hook up with fellow top Atlanta talent like T-Boz of TLC and Kandi Burress, formerly of Xscape.
"T-Boz has been a big sister to us since we signed," J-Bo said. Both Youngbloodz and TLC were initially on LaFace Records; Youngbloodz are now on Jive.
J-Bo hopes this album is the one that really puts the Youngbloodz on the map -- and shows fans and critics alike what they mean to the rap game.
Some forget that the duo first hit the scene in 1999 with their debut album, "Against Da Grain," back when the South was just starting to make its mark on the world of hip-hop with acts like OutKast and the Goodie Mob.
Now the South is going full force, and J-Bo said it's not a surprise.
"We just like to have a good time, and it comes across in our music and people like that," J-Bo said. "You come to Atlanta and you'll see us, Luda, Lil Jon and Jagged Edge in the same club just chillin' in VIP (section)."
J-Bo calls the Atlanta/South sound "stress-free" music.
Everything comes back around -- and J-Bo said that the South is just enjoying the same resurgence that the East Coast and West Coast rap sound have.
The group has gained a lot of knowledge during their long run in the business, which they pass on to the younger artists that are part of their latest ventures, YBZ Records and GMC Productions; they also own a successful Cuban restaurant in Atlanta.
"You've got to handle your business first and foremost," J-Bo said. "That's why guys like T.I. are winning (in this business)."
The first acts on Youngbloodz's new label include artists like GMC (featuring Mr. Mo, formerly of the group Jim Crow) and Ben Hated from Birmingham.
"We're just doing what we can to have longevity in this game -- that's the key," he said. "You've got to be open-minded too."
Recently, the duo made their first move into the world of movies with a cameo appearance in the film "Scary Movie 4."
"It's our first big movie thing," J-Bo said. "We're in there, but if you blink you might miss us."
J-Bo called the chance to be in the film "a blessing" and that it was something of a stretch from the rap game.
"You've really got to become that character and take it into your perspective," he said. "If they want you to cut your hair for the character, what are you going to do? You're going to cut your hair."
J-Bo called acting a hard process but definitely something he'd like to try again.
More info:
WANT TO GO?
What: Youngbloodz in concert
When: Doors open at 9 p.m., show starts at 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday
Where: Rose Supper Club, 954 High St.
Admission: $25 for ladies, $35 for men