I KNOW THIS HAS PROLLY BEEN POSTED BUT LETTIN THA ONES WHO DIDNT READ IT HAVE A LOOK...BIG UPS TO XPLOSIVE THIS ARTICLE IS A GOOD READ....
Pittsburg... No not Pittsburgh... Pittsburg, California. Read on because you’ve got a lot to learn. In an area that most of the residing artists refer to as straight gutter and grimy, there are a few bright lights and unpolished gems starting to shine through the darkness and the dirt. Musically, Pittsburg is one of the hottest areas in Northern California currently, and seemingly leading the charge is The Jacka of the group Mob Figaz. On the verge of releasing his new album ‘The Jack Artist,’ he currently has three singles in rotation on 106.1 KMEL radio, ‘Get Out There,’ ‘Girls Say,’ and ‘Barney (More Crime).’ His appearance on the new Cormega album ‘Legal Hustle’ will also help spread the Jacka and Mob Figaz sound to a new East Coast fan base.
Tell me about coming together as the Mob Figaz and getting the deal with C-Bo. ‘We was all solo artists. Me and Feddy was a group. Boob James (Husalah), Klyde, AP, and Freak-O had a group called 100% Tha Kind. Freak ended up getting locked up, he was supposed to be in the Mob Figaz too. That was a spur of the moment thing. Bo was fresh out of jail, picked us up. The way that happened was fast paced, straight to the lab. Recorded hella songs, next thing you know we got an album done.’ When asked why we don’t see the Mob Figaz working with C-Bo much anymore, Jacka says Bo is busy with his label & artists in L.A., but they see each other whenever they are in that area. I asked about this, because of rumors that the Figaz & C-Bo had money issues, but Jacka put that to rest. ‘We always was getting paid, before the album came out, getting fat checks. Never living at home, we was on the road for a year. New clothes everyday, socks and shoes, that sh*t costs money. When you get that kind of money, like $20,000 a piece, you gotta save it. We had to f**k money off to figure that out. We thought we were millionaires.’
Jacka was surprised how well his first solo album did because it came out right after 9/11, and nothing was expected to sell. ‘It’s at about 12,000 on soundscan, but I know we sold over 20,000 on our own.’ Jacka also shot a video for the song ‘Hey Girl,’ which he says might be released on a DVD, and to the local video channels after his new album comes out.
‘The Jack Artist,’ he says ‘got Rob Lo and Maki on the beats. Tone Capone did the remix to ‘Hey Girl.’ We don’t have any big outlandish features ‘cause I’m trying to get my boys to shine ‘cause they so raw right now, after this album comes out, they gone be the big feature producers.’ Any features’ ‘Got the Mob Figaz, Dubb 20 on there. It ain’t no big features, I want my boys to shine.’ Jacka says what makes this album different from the first one is that it is appealing to the masses. The first one was just strictly for the streets only. ‘This album I made it for the streets too, but this time I didn’t leave the ladies out.’ The album is done, and should be out early summer.
What’s going on with the Mob Figaz, is everybody still cool’ ‘We always been cool, nobody ever had any problems with each other. We fight, you know, we brothers. We independent, we not major, sometimes you really gotta think about that. We just n**gaz off the streets. If you ain’t talkin’ about no real money, you ain’t gonna hear nothin’ from the Fig’s. We gone continue doin’ what we do to get this loot.’ So is there a new Mob Figaz album coming’ ‘Master P just hooked up with one of our boys from Sacramento, gave him a couple million. He’s tryin’ to do somethin’ with us. I’m just gonna leave that a surprise right now. When it goes down, it’s gone be huge.’
Do you want to say anything about Freak-O’ ‘Yeah that was my boy you know. Everybody loved Freak, he was older than us. He was a fly cat, one of the flyest dudes from Pittsburg. Real cool, sharp, wise, intelligent, spiritual dude.’
About the appeal of his style, Jacka said, ‘I guess I know what people like. I’m a good people person. I get around people and I listen, soak it all up. The beats that I pick, and the flow that I develop, the type of things that I say, it really hits home.’
Husalah of the Mob Figaz proudly represents the El Pueblo housing projects of Pittsburg, California. According to him, there is no need to lay out his track record, if you’re real then you already know. He says his style is the dopest, all in one. ‘Melodies, slow flows. A lot of people when they listen they only hear the melodies, but if you listen to my flows, I spit. I’m dope. I’m the n**ga. N**gaz can’t f**k wit me.’ Of the first Mob Figaz group album, he says it was just them sticking to the classic C-Bo / Awol underground street formula.
Tell me about the ‘Harsh Reality’ solo album, why is it taking so long to come out’ ‘I had got into some sh*t. N**gaz don’t know how to be a man and had my name all in they mouth. Had me mixed up in some ol’ other ass sh*t. I had got locked up, but I’m back official. I ain’t runnin’ from nothin’ no more. It’ll be out soon.’ You have a lot of big features on there too, I remember seeing ads with Kool G Rap, Rich The Factor... ‘A lot of n**gaz I don’t even know if I’mma use ‘em, Yuk, $hort, Cormega, Project Pat, Youngstar too.’ He says the production will be a variety just like on the first Mob Figaz album. When asked how his album differs sound wise from a Mob Figaz release, Husalah says ‘it’s just me myself, I’m dominating the album. It’s gone be more of Husalah, but it’s mob sh*t off top, straight mob music. Real mob music, not that fake ‘106 & Park’ sh*t. I slap n**gaz in they mouth for that kinda sh*t. Get the f**k out my face with that sh*t.’ He says we can expect the album to finally drop in the next couple months. I asked him if there’s a special meaning behind his name, because he says it twice a lot, ‘Hustla... Husallah,’ to which he said it is a long story but did say ‘I’m real religious, I’m a street n**ga, but I’m religious. That got a lot to do with my struggle between wickedness and righteousness. It’s a real inner struggle, that’s what it stands for.’
Jacka and Husalah will also be doing a group album together called ‘Dope Game.’ It will be a collective effort with everybody, but will be a Jack’ & Hus’ album.
‘I started doing music in ‘95 and I was just going by my name Bishop. My first gun was a AP.9 and I just liked that name so I changed it,’ states AP.9 of the Mob Figaz from C-Bo’s house in Las Vegas. I’ve heard many stories about where AP’s from, I asked him to clear that up. (Laughing) ‘I’m from Oakland California man. Straight up, point blank. The whole Bay Area is my home, I’ve lived in Pittsburg, Frisco, but I’m from Oakland. Like 90% of my family is in Richmond. My Mom got killed in front of me when I was 9 and I went to a foster home in Merced. A family took me in for safety reasons. I’m from the world man, the earth is my turf.’
He had just moved to Pittsburg when they got their deal with C-Bo. One day Awol Records had an autograph signing at a store in Pittsburg, ‘we started bustin’ and this boy Bobby G was on our balls, he was like ‘ya’ll hot, Bo gonna get out the pen in a couple weeks. He’s looking for a group.’ Met with Bo, he damn near moved us to his house. That’s our big homie, he put us in the game. We can’t do nothing but respect him. That was everybody in the studio working together, living with Bo, that’s good times right there.’
Throughout his life and musical career, Bishop aka AP.9 has been through all kinds of drama from being shot to going to jail. Do you think that just fuels the fire and gives you more to write about, or do you wish you could get away from it and live your life’ ‘You know I got a daughter so of course I wanna be away from that type of sh*t.’ Everybody talks about being real. ‘It’s a fad, being a thug is a fad. People that know me, know I’m the real deal. F**k all that 50 Cent sh*t, I’m the real.’ How many times have you been shot now’ ‘12!’ On how many different occasions’ ‘Twice. Seven then five.’ When asked about his future, AP says he’s going to continue doing music and he’s just happy to be living. He has seen the age of 29 and says if he never puts out another album, he knows he did it.
AP’s new solo album is called ‘Bodyshots.’ ‘I got Yuk, Outlawz, I did three songs with Bo on there. Frank Styx, he’s from New York. Basically it’s just me and my Mob Figaz man. I got like 3 real Mob Figaz songs with everybody on ‘em. I’m gonna put out a DVD and a CD this time.’ He says he doesn’t know what label this will be released on, but I’m told to look for it in August with production from Rick Rock, Mike Mosley, Rob Lo, J-Knox, and a couple cats from New York.
As we were talking, Freak-O’s death came up and AP had this to say, ‘everybody knows that’s my little brodie. We just buried my brother like three weeks ago. Whoever killed him, they got over on us. It ain’t like they just killed some jerk from the block, some sucka on the street. They killed a factor. Everybody know it was me and him together everyday like Bonnie & Clyde. I got a whole album on him right now and I’m sure somebody else got some music on him. I’mma put his album out and all of it’s going to his daughter Africa. Everything I put out is going to his daughter.’
What’s the deal with the Mob Figaz’ People say you don’t come to Pittsburg anymore. ‘That’s because they don’t see AP.9, AP.9 comes through all the time. You ain’t supposed to see me, I’m not no regular dude.’ So can we expect a new album’ ‘We got a whole album done now, we just ain’t satisfied with it like it could be. It’s dope don’t get me wrong, we just know it could be better.’ He promised me we will see a new Mob Figaz album before the end of the year.
He had a part in 4 compilations, two with his face on it. He has sold over 150 thousand units on all his projects, so if you don't know the name, you will know, Rydah J. Klyde of the Mob Figaz. "The comps sold real well, I'm trying to do another one right now. I'm getting my own label together. I'm working on my next album for Thizz Entertainment called Government Cheese. I have 4 tracks already, no features yet. It’s moving kind of slow, but I take my time when I work. This will be my second LP, my follow up, my sophmore album, I got to come right, no bullsh#t" said Rydah. So how is your album doing’ "The album is still moving. It worked it’s numbers, the Rydah J. Klyde name might have messed people up. They didn't know that was Rydah J. Klyde of the Mob Figaz, because I didn't have the group name nowhere on there. It was the real true fans who knew who that was and went out and picked it up out the gate" replied Rydah. What's up with Pittsburg’ "I seen it, a lot of cats are coming up outta here. Because a lot of this music came after we came with C-Bo in 1999. We sold over 100 thousand on our first album, people are still waiting for the follow up. Not that white album covered self titled Mob Figaz album that Warlock dropped. The real one, we're still working on. We're looking for a major label to put it out. Shot out to Thizz Entertainment, Mac Dre, Kilo, everybody over there. Go get that Treal T.V. and that Fly Gangsta" said Rydah J. Klyde.
After suffering a nearly fatal gunshot to the head, the first question on everybody’s mind is how is your health’ ‘I’m good. Everything’s going alright.’ Everybody has heard the stories of what happened, from the internet, to the streets, can you tell me what really happened’ ‘It wasn’t really my issue. I was with somebody and they had problems. In the wrong place at the wrong time basically, you know how it goes.’ He says this situation hasn’t affected his music at all, it’s still the same and he’s still in motion. After he was released from the hospital, Fed-X went to stay with C-Bo and they completed some new songs.
Originally from Richmond, 24 year old Fed-X came to Pittsburg when he was 12. He says people call him ‘50 States’ because he’s been around everywhere, he’s touched most of the states.
About a long awaited Fed-X solo album he says, ‘it’s coming. It’s basically together, I’m just waitin’ for the right news you know. I’m waiting for the right deal, I’m not trying to jump on anything or put it out myself. I’m not trying to put out a quick independent and not make much money off of it, I’m trying to make it half way major or as major as possible.’ He says he has an album almost done and there are deals in the works for it. Look for it hopefully late summer. ‘I’m just trying to make sure everything goes right.’
What was the deal with the second Mob Figaz album on Warlock’ ‘We had a cool deal goin’ with videos and everything. Something happened at the label, somebody died. So we was callin’ and tryin’ to get the album going, and they just picked up some songs that we had loose and put ‘em on there. We just basically cut our deal off with them. We only submitted about 6 songs, the rest they just picked up, like AP.9 songs he did for Mike Mosley. We were trying to get the album in order, by the time we sent them some songs and the album cover, about a month later they added some more & put an album out.’
‘We working on a new album right now. We got 5 songs done with everybody. We’re just trying to make sure it goes right. We trying to get another good deal going before we put another album out. The lady that was handling all of the business, she died, and they just started going bonkers on us. Other people tried to fill in but it wasn’t going right.’ On the new album expect beats from Rick Rock, Rob Lo, Tone Capone, and a couple from New York, and a feature from singer Allen Anthony of Roc-A-Fella.
As Feddy continues to work on his solo album, which he says will be released before the Mob Figaz album, everybody at Xplosive Magazine would like to wish him the best of luck in a full complete recovery.
There comes a time when a man has to stand on his own and see what he's made of. After 2 solo albums and major parts in a couple compilations, A-Wax is now becoming a CEO of his own label, Pie-Rx Records. I picked up A-Wax to see what his plans were for himself and his label. You have a big release dropping, what is it’ "The Baby Bash & A-Wax- SO QUICK, LIKE A HEIST. It's a compilation of songs Bash did networking with some of his folks in Vallejo and some sh#t that I've been doing. It features Baby Bash, Jay Tee, Young Dru, Kadhafi from the Young D Boyz, South Park Mexican, Richie Rich, Fat Joe and the Terror Squad, Lucciano, Harm and JT the Bigga Figga. It's a real rugged album, for those Baby Bash fans who felt they weren’t really getting a full dose of Bash/Beesh. A lot of people felt that this Universal album was a little more aimed for a different audience than his other music. So this is gonna be good for him. He recorded this material at the same time he was recording his Gold selling album. This is just the songs that didn't go on the album for one reason or another. I also got some Happy P beats on there as well" said A-Wax. So what's next after this big one’ "Next, I got my next solo album on Big Treez Ent. called THUG DELUXE. This album is all produced by Lev Berlak @ The Grill Studios. It will drop towards the second half of the summer. I'm also working on another album with Lev, I ain’t got no title for it yet. I have 6 or 7 songs done right now. Then I got the Telly Mac (of the Gamblaz) & A-Wax album called HITTAZ WITH SPITTAZ. He's riding with Guce and Git Paid right now, so we got the blessing on the name, so everything is all good. And I'm gonna be hooking up with Rydah J. Klyde of the Mob Figaz on some sh#t real soon. It's gonna be a group album. It's still in the works right now, but it's official", explained A-Wax. Why do you feel that Pittsburg rap is growing so rapidly’ "There are some talented cats out here" said Wax. One thing I know is that Pittsburg artists pour their heart into their music, why is your music so full of emotion and heart’ "As far as me, there's more than Pittsburg in me. I'm 100% Pittsburg but now I've been and stayed a lot of places. A lot of muthafu@#as from Pittsburg would not be able to relate to this gang banging sh#t. I've been around this sh#t for a lot of my life, so I'm experienced in that. I'm a little more diverse than some other cats. It's like I got an advantage on that-as far as going out of town in other places. Gang banging is nationwide, as far as Bloods and Crips, but in the Bay Area it never caught on. It's like muthafu@#as look down to that. But now I play both sides of it out here. I fu@k with my independent hustlers and my gangsta muthafu@#as, I can relate to both" said A-Wax. In my opinion, A-Wax has given Pittsburg something to be proud of, against all odds, he will succeed. If you've never bought an A-Wax album, go and pick this new one up, Conceptz & Contradictionz. Don't sleep on this cat, he's what your favorite rapper says he is... real.
In Pittsburg he is the hitmaker, the man with the magic fingers, if you’ve come through here to do any work musically, there’s a good chance you’ve crossed paths with Rob Lo. He came through with Maki and Lil Figga and this is what followed. I brought up the classic material that used to float around the town before the Mob Figaz became the Mob Figaz and the Ghetto Starz the Ghetto Starz etc. Playing the song ‘Summer Nights’ on one of the old low quality cassette tapes that I still have brings smiles and ‘oohs’ from everybody in the room, to which Rob Lo says he has all of the old material and plans to get it digitally remastered from his DATs.
‘The Rob Lo sound is like a odyssey, it’s original. It’s a universal sound, an international sound.’ With 14 years of production experience, 25 year old Rob Lo has laid hits for Yukmouth, Mac Dre, Cormega, B.A. & Keak Da Sneak of 3X Krazy, Too $hort, Christion, Baby from Cash Money, and Jacka. ‘I’m the street king of the beats.’ Speaking of that, what’s it take to get a Rob Lo beat’ ‘From the streets it’s gone cost a thousand, anything else as far as international it’s gone cost a few grand.’ How would you describe the sound coming out of Pittsburg, because you helped mold it’ ‘It’s from the streets, anybody from the streets can relate to it. It’s more like an international mob, where any mob anywhere can feel it, any nationality, it’s straight mob though.’ He calls Pittsburg boiling water, and says we just need to keep adding to it. Rob likes working with Cormega the most, and would like to get with Outkast and bring back their old styles. For those that don’t know, Rob Lo is also a rapper, in fact he was a rapper before he ever touched the keys. He says what sets him apart from other producers that rap is ‘history, being in the streets in the late ‘80’s. I’ve been rappin’ as long as I made beats, before The Mob and all that. Put me in the top 10, in a couple years as far as being an artist, rapping and producing.’
Right now he’s working on a ‘Rob Lo Presents’ producer album which will feature appearances from many of the people he has worked with including Keak Da Sneak, Mac Dre, Cormega, Too $hort, and possibly others. He’s also currently working on his yet untitled solo album. Rob says he’s keeping it strictly mob, but plans to work with Keak Da Sneak & B.A. for sure. He says to expect these projects to drop around the same time in September.
Rob wants to send his condolences to Freak-O’s family, cousins, and real friends. ‘I’mma be hearing his voice as long as I live, probably more than anybody. I’mma always have tracks on that boy digitally, so it’s gone be like he’s right there with me. R.I.P. to all my fallen soldiers. One love for Fed-X makin’ it through.’ He also wanted to big up Maki, and let’s us know to look out for Blahk Operah Muzic. With 5 different tracks of his receiving radio play right now, as he says, it’s a movement. To get in touch with Rob Lo, you can hit his manager P.K. at (925) 382-6925.
Talk about starting out on the wrong foot, the Super Natural Ghetto Starz album titled The SL-UMS hit store shelves September 11, 2001. And at the same time powerhouse Dogday Records (who released this album) moved to Manhattan. They couldn't have gotten out the gate in a worse way. The album, which I feel is one of the best Rap albums I've ever heard came out and got lost in the dust during our nations tragedy. Life hasn't gotten any better for the Ghetto Starz. Uzi has left, Scoob Nitty is in jail for a couple of years, and Freako, aka King was gunned down in L.A. So who do we have left’ None other than Dubb 20. What's going on with Super Natural’ "We're just regrouping right now. I got some hard sh#t in store for them. Lately, I got on Jacka's new album. I'm on AP.9 & Scoob Nitty's album. I'm on Young Will from Selfmade's album. I'm on Bueno's album. And I'm on hella tracks for various new just getting out there cats, just like me 2 years ago. It's nothing to me. If you with it, if you’re tight, I'm feeling you, you’re feeling me, then let's do it" said Dubb 20. Who's in the family now’ As of this minute I'm the last standing Ghetto Star. We lost Freako the King (RIP), he was the General right there. And our second in command Scoob Nitty is behind walls right now, and Uzi, I'm not really gonna speak on him. So I'm the Big Cousin now, since Freako was the General, and I was up under his wing, now I have to come with it. We have a new label for Freako called Project Kings. We still have the Smash Unit, The Youth, and Nutt Briddle. The Smash Unit added a new link out in Richmond. It's 4 of them out there, Young Docks, LB, Lil Dame, and Vicious. The Smash Unit has really stepped the game up, we all have" said Dubb 20. Keep your eyes and ears open for King Freako's album.
Maki is also a rapper/producer or producer/rapper, however you want to say it. He started his career out with a bang, having his first work appear on Jacka’s first solo album. He has also worked with Messy Marv, D-Dre, & rapped on B.A. of 3X Krazy’s solo album ‘Block Report.’ Maki says he is still building his sound, because he is not new at the game but he’s not old either. ‘Of course it’s mob.’ Rob Lo also added, ‘it’s mob, but it’s changing, more melodies and keys. More musical.’ Check for Maki’s production on the new Jacka and D-Dre albums among others.
Tell me about Maki the rapper. ‘I’m from hip hop, that’s all I know, rap/hip hop. It’s like breathing almost. I’ve been rappin’ forever, it’s all I know.’ Why did you have to go into producing before you could come up as a rapper’ ‘I really never looked forward to coming up as a rapper, it’s just like breathing, it’s natural. But learning a craft, learning to produce is learning something. I’m an intellectual kind of person, I like to learn.’ Maki would like to branch out & work in other genres of music like Dancehall, with Junior Kelly specifically. ‘When my craft is good enough to step outside of the boundaries I will.’
Maki makes a very bold statement, saying that every other city in the Bay Area has had it’s chance, and now Pittsburg has the potential to blow up and be the biggest one yet, with Jacka leading the way, and Dubb 20 following close behind. All we can do is wait and see.
He has dropped a group album, hung in with his Super Natural Family, and waited patiently for results. Prince Amir is the name he goes by. His album Crummy World was only the beginning for this member of the Smash Unit. "Right now I'm working on my album called Fatal Reaction. I'm about 6 songs into it. I ain’t got no features on it yet, I might go with Kammurda from Oakland, Messy Marv, and Keak. We lost our General so we're just trying to do this right. We just branched off with 4 more members of the Smash Unit from Richmond. The new Smash Unit album is titled United We Stand, Divided We Fall. It's a double CD with artists like San Quinn on it" said Prince Amir. He also said he's doing some work with JT the Bigga Figga.
Entertaining since he was 7 years old, Knyva is destined to be a star in the rap industry. Blessed with the smooth look, crafty lyrics, and a stable foundation, there's only one thing he needs, someone to recognize his skills and some one to back them up with $$$. "I'm 18 years old now. I'm from Pittsburg, I be in El Pueblo, uptown, back in forth, I'm like concrete, you can find me anywhere. I'm working on the final touches for my solo album Supremecy. I'm also working on my mixtape. It's really more like a compilation, cause it has unreleased cuts that you'll never hear unless you get this album. We got the Outlawz, 3XKrazy, Lil Al. I'm gonna put this out on The Franchyze Talent Group with me and my business partner, Lil Al the Young Gamer" said Knyva. Look out for their group album called Franchyze Players.
For 6 years the Smash Unit has been doing their thing. Three original members, only one has a solo under his belt, Montana Macks, Pittsburg, Cali-Pueblo, CA. ‘I've been on hella comps, I dropped my solo album self titled, Montana Macks; promoted it in Utah, Las Vegas, Sacramento and the Bay Area" said Montana. So what's up with the dreads’ "It's our religion, this is Super (Supernatural). It all goes back to our roots. Back in the days when our grandfathers lived the real (Mandingo) African lifestyle. We decided to bring it back for them. It's our family, Super. But it's like a fad now’ said Montana. What's next for you’ "I got my second album, Project Landlord. It features the Ghetto Starz, Smash Unit, Strip Naked, and Harper Boy. RIP Freako, to the top in 2004!" replied Montana.
What's new Mars’ "Just chillin putting my label together (Mad Insanity Records) and getting my album ready for release. I have an investor in Hollywood and now I'm going to do this on my own. I got released from Black Market Records because I wanted to do my own label thing. I didn't want to give the money to nobody else. Now I'm gonna put this together with some real money. I put together a raw ass album, I got Mastamind, Tech N9ne, Twizted, The Flatliners on there, I got a raw ass lineup of horrorcore, beyond gangsta, some suicidal crazy sh#t. Not to mention the dope ass beats. I got DJ Mark 7, T.C.& The Enhancer, G-Dubb from 2 Sick Music. It's gonna be hard" said Mars. The album called "Some Girls Deserve To Die" is one of the most anticipated albums of its kind.
Mars recently signed Detroit Acid Rap legend Mastamind from the group NATAS for his "Hellboy" EP and Q Strange from the East Coast for three album deal and currently is being distributed by Longrange Distribution out of Detroit, MI. Currently he is talking to Ganxsta NIP and The Flatinerz about signing to Mad Insanity Records for a roster made up of some of the most controversial in the game.
Pittsburg... No not Pittsburgh... Pittsburg, California. Read on because you’ve got a lot to learn. In an area that most of the residing artists refer to as straight gutter and grimy, there are a few bright lights and unpolished gems starting to shine through the darkness and the dirt. Musically, Pittsburg is one of the hottest areas in Northern California currently, and seemingly leading the charge is The Jacka of the group Mob Figaz. On the verge of releasing his new album ‘The Jack Artist,’ he currently has three singles in rotation on 106.1 KMEL radio, ‘Get Out There,’ ‘Girls Say,’ and ‘Barney (More Crime).’ His appearance on the new Cormega album ‘Legal Hustle’ will also help spread the Jacka and Mob Figaz sound to a new East Coast fan base.
Tell me about coming together as the Mob Figaz and getting the deal with C-Bo. ‘We was all solo artists. Me and Feddy was a group. Boob James (Husalah), Klyde, AP, and Freak-O had a group called 100% Tha Kind. Freak ended up getting locked up, he was supposed to be in the Mob Figaz too. That was a spur of the moment thing. Bo was fresh out of jail, picked us up. The way that happened was fast paced, straight to the lab. Recorded hella songs, next thing you know we got an album done.’ When asked why we don’t see the Mob Figaz working with C-Bo much anymore, Jacka says Bo is busy with his label & artists in L.A., but they see each other whenever they are in that area. I asked about this, because of rumors that the Figaz & C-Bo had money issues, but Jacka put that to rest. ‘We always was getting paid, before the album came out, getting fat checks. Never living at home, we was on the road for a year. New clothes everyday, socks and shoes, that sh*t costs money. When you get that kind of money, like $20,000 a piece, you gotta save it. We had to f**k money off to figure that out. We thought we were millionaires.’
Jacka was surprised how well his first solo album did because it came out right after 9/11, and nothing was expected to sell. ‘It’s at about 12,000 on soundscan, but I know we sold over 20,000 on our own.’ Jacka also shot a video for the song ‘Hey Girl,’ which he says might be released on a DVD, and to the local video channels after his new album comes out.
‘The Jack Artist,’ he says ‘got Rob Lo and Maki on the beats. Tone Capone did the remix to ‘Hey Girl.’ We don’t have any big outlandish features ‘cause I’m trying to get my boys to shine ‘cause they so raw right now, after this album comes out, they gone be the big feature producers.’ Any features’ ‘Got the Mob Figaz, Dubb 20 on there. It ain’t no big features, I want my boys to shine.’ Jacka says what makes this album different from the first one is that it is appealing to the masses. The first one was just strictly for the streets only. ‘This album I made it for the streets too, but this time I didn’t leave the ladies out.’ The album is done, and should be out early summer.
What’s going on with the Mob Figaz, is everybody still cool’ ‘We always been cool, nobody ever had any problems with each other. We fight, you know, we brothers. We independent, we not major, sometimes you really gotta think about that. We just n**gaz off the streets. If you ain’t talkin’ about no real money, you ain’t gonna hear nothin’ from the Fig’s. We gone continue doin’ what we do to get this loot.’ So is there a new Mob Figaz album coming’ ‘Master P just hooked up with one of our boys from Sacramento, gave him a couple million. He’s tryin’ to do somethin’ with us. I’m just gonna leave that a surprise right now. When it goes down, it’s gone be huge.’
Do you want to say anything about Freak-O’ ‘Yeah that was my boy you know. Everybody loved Freak, he was older than us. He was a fly cat, one of the flyest dudes from Pittsburg. Real cool, sharp, wise, intelligent, spiritual dude.’
About the appeal of his style, Jacka said, ‘I guess I know what people like. I’m a good people person. I get around people and I listen, soak it all up. The beats that I pick, and the flow that I develop, the type of things that I say, it really hits home.’
Husalah of the Mob Figaz proudly represents the El Pueblo housing projects of Pittsburg, California. According to him, there is no need to lay out his track record, if you’re real then you already know. He says his style is the dopest, all in one. ‘Melodies, slow flows. A lot of people when they listen they only hear the melodies, but if you listen to my flows, I spit. I’m dope. I’m the n**ga. N**gaz can’t f**k wit me.’ Of the first Mob Figaz group album, he says it was just them sticking to the classic C-Bo / Awol underground street formula.
Tell me about the ‘Harsh Reality’ solo album, why is it taking so long to come out’ ‘I had got into some sh*t. N**gaz don’t know how to be a man and had my name all in they mouth. Had me mixed up in some ol’ other ass sh*t. I had got locked up, but I’m back official. I ain’t runnin’ from nothin’ no more. It’ll be out soon.’ You have a lot of big features on there too, I remember seeing ads with Kool G Rap, Rich The Factor... ‘A lot of n**gaz I don’t even know if I’mma use ‘em, Yuk, $hort, Cormega, Project Pat, Youngstar too.’ He says the production will be a variety just like on the first Mob Figaz album. When asked how his album differs sound wise from a Mob Figaz release, Husalah says ‘it’s just me myself, I’m dominating the album. It’s gone be more of Husalah, but it’s mob sh*t off top, straight mob music. Real mob music, not that fake ‘106 & Park’ sh*t. I slap n**gaz in they mouth for that kinda sh*t. Get the f**k out my face with that sh*t.’ He says we can expect the album to finally drop in the next couple months. I asked him if there’s a special meaning behind his name, because he says it twice a lot, ‘Hustla... Husallah,’ to which he said it is a long story but did say ‘I’m real religious, I’m a street n**ga, but I’m religious. That got a lot to do with my struggle between wickedness and righteousness. It’s a real inner struggle, that’s what it stands for.’
Jacka and Husalah will also be doing a group album together called ‘Dope Game.’ It will be a collective effort with everybody, but will be a Jack’ & Hus’ album.
‘I started doing music in ‘95 and I was just going by my name Bishop. My first gun was a AP.9 and I just liked that name so I changed it,’ states AP.9 of the Mob Figaz from C-Bo’s house in Las Vegas. I’ve heard many stories about where AP’s from, I asked him to clear that up. (Laughing) ‘I’m from Oakland California man. Straight up, point blank. The whole Bay Area is my home, I’ve lived in Pittsburg, Frisco, but I’m from Oakland. Like 90% of my family is in Richmond. My Mom got killed in front of me when I was 9 and I went to a foster home in Merced. A family took me in for safety reasons. I’m from the world man, the earth is my turf.’
He had just moved to Pittsburg when they got their deal with C-Bo. One day Awol Records had an autograph signing at a store in Pittsburg, ‘we started bustin’ and this boy Bobby G was on our balls, he was like ‘ya’ll hot, Bo gonna get out the pen in a couple weeks. He’s looking for a group.’ Met with Bo, he damn near moved us to his house. That’s our big homie, he put us in the game. We can’t do nothing but respect him. That was everybody in the studio working together, living with Bo, that’s good times right there.’
Throughout his life and musical career, Bishop aka AP.9 has been through all kinds of drama from being shot to going to jail. Do you think that just fuels the fire and gives you more to write about, or do you wish you could get away from it and live your life’ ‘You know I got a daughter so of course I wanna be away from that type of sh*t.’ Everybody talks about being real. ‘It’s a fad, being a thug is a fad. People that know me, know I’m the real deal. F**k all that 50 Cent sh*t, I’m the real.’ How many times have you been shot now’ ‘12!’ On how many different occasions’ ‘Twice. Seven then five.’ When asked about his future, AP says he’s going to continue doing music and he’s just happy to be living. He has seen the age of 29 and says if he never puts out another album, he knows he did it.
AP’s new solo album is called ‘Bodyshots.’ ‘I got Yuk, Outlawz, I did three songs with Bo on there. Frank Styx, he’s from New York. Basically it’s just me and my Mob Figaz man. I got like 3 real Mob Figaz songs with everybody on ‘em. I’m gonna put out a DVD and a CD this time.’ He says he doesn’t know what label this will be released on, but I’m told to look for it in August with production from Rick Rock, Mike Mosley, Rob Lo, J-Knox, and a couple cats from New York.
As we were talking, Freak-O’s death came up and AP had this to say, ‘everybody knows that’s my little brodie. We just buried my brother like three weeks ago. Whoever killed him, they got over on us. It ain’t like they just killed some jerk from the block, some sucka on the street. They killed a factor. Everybody know it was me and him together everyday like Bonnie & Clyde. I got a whole album on him right now and I’m sure somebody else got some music on him. I’mma put his album out and all of it’s going to his daughter Africa. Everything I put out is going to his daughter.’
What’s the deal with the Mob Figaz’ People say you don’t come to Pittsburg anymore. ‘That’s because they don’t see AP.9, AP.9 comes through all the time. You ain’t supposed to see me, I’m not no regular dude.’ So can we expect a new album’ ‘We got a whole album done now, we just ain’t satisfied with it like it could be. It’s dope don’t get me wrong, we just know it could be better.’ He promised me we will see a new Mob Figaz album before the end of the year.
He had a part in 4 compilations, two with his face on it. He has sold over 150 thousand units on all his projects, so if you don't know the name, you will know, Rydah J. Klyde of the Mob Figaz. "The comps sold real well, I'm trying to do another one right now. I'm getting my own label together. I'm working on my next album for Thizz Entertainment called Government Cheese. I have 4 tracks already, no features yet. It’s moving kind of slow, but I take my time when I work. This will be my second LP, my follow up, my sophmore album, I got to come right, no bullsh#t" said Rydah. So how is your album doing’ "The album is still moving. It worked it’s numbers, the Rydah J. Klyde name might have messed people up. They didn't know that was Rydah J. Klyde of the Mob Figaz, because I didn't have the group name nowhere on there. It was the real true fans who knew who that was and went out and picked it up out the gate" replied Rydah. What's up with Pittsburg’ "I seen it, a lot of cats are coming up outta here. Because a lot of this music came after we came with C-Bo in 1999. We sold over 100 thousand on our first album, people are still waiting for the follow up. Not that white album covered self titled Mob Figaz album that Warlock dropped. The real one, we're still working on. We're looking for a major label to put it out. Shot out to Thizz Entertainment, Mac Dre, Kilo, everybody over there. Go get that Treal T.V. and that Fly Gangsta" said Rydah J. Klyde.
After suffering a nearly fatal gunshot to the head, the first question on everybody’s mind is how is your health’ ‘I’m good. Everything’s going alright.’ Everybody has heard the stories of what happened, from the internet, to the streets, can you tell me what really happened’ ‘It wasn’t really my issue. I was with somebody and they had problems. In the wrong place at the wrong time basically, you know how it goes.’ He says this situation hasn’t affected his music at all, it’s still the same and he’s still in motion. After he was released from the hospital, Fed-X went to stay with C-Bo and they completed some new songs.
Originally from Richmond, 24 year old Fed-X came to Pittsburg when he was 12. He says people call him ‘50 States’ because he’s been around everywhere, he’s touched most of the states.
About a long awaited Fed-X solo album he says, ‘it’s coming. It’s basically together, I’m just waitin’ for the right news you know. I’m waiting for the right deal, I’m not trying to jump on anything or put it out myself. I’m not trying to put out a quick independent and not make much money off of it, I’m trying to make it half way major or as major as possible.’ He says he has an album almost done and there are deals in the works for it. Look for it hopefully late summer. ‘I’m just trying to make sure everything goes right.’
What was the deal with the second Mob Figaz album on Warlock’ ‘We had a cool deal goin’ with videos and everything. Something happened at the label, somebody died. So we was callin’ and tryin’ to get the album going, and they just picked up some songs that we had loose and put ‘em on there. We just basically cut our deal off with them. We only submitted about 6 songs, the rest they just picked up, like AP.9 songs he did for Mike Mosley. We were trying to get the album in order, by the time we sent them some songs and the album cover, about a month later they added some more & put an album out.’
‘We working on a new album right now. We got 5 songs done with everybody. We’re just trying to make sure it goes right. We trying to get another good deal going before we put another album out. The lady that was handling all of the business, she died, and they just started going bonkers on us. Other people tried to fill in but it wasn’t going right.’ On the new album expect beats from Rick Rock, Rob Lo, Tone Capone, and a couple from New York, and a feature from singer Allen Anthony of Roc-A-Fella.
As Feddy continues to work on his solo album, which he says will be released before the Mob Figaz album, everybody at Xplosive Magazine would like to wish him the best of luck in a full complete recovery.
There comes a time when a man has to stand on his own and see what he's made of. After 2 solo albums and major parts in a couple compilations, A-Wax is now becoming a CEO of his own label, Pie-Rx Records. I picked up A-Wax to see what his plans were for himself and his label. You have a big release dropping, what is it’ "The Baby Bash & A-Wax- SO QUICK, LIKE A HEIST. It's a compilation of songs Bash did networking with some of his folks in Vallejo and some sh#t that I've been doing. It features Baby Bash, Jay Tee, Young Dru, Kadhafi from the Young D Boyz, South Park Mexican, Richie Rich, Fat Joe and the Terror Squad, Lucciano, Harm and JT the Bigga Figga. It's a real rugged album, for those Baby Bash fans who felt they weren’t really getting a full dose of Bash/Beesh. A lot of people felt that this Universal album was a little more aimed for a different audience than his other music. So this is gonna be good for him. He recorded this material at the same time he was recording his Gold selling album. This is just the songs that didn't go on the album for one reason or another. I also got some Happy P beats on there as well" said A-Wax. So what's next after this big one’ "Next, I got my next solo album on Big Treez Ent. called THUG DELUXE. This album is all produced by Lev Berlak @ The Grill Studios. It will drop towards the second half of the summer. I'm also working on another album with Lev, I ain’t got no title for it yet. I have 6 or 7 songs done right now. Then I got the Telly Mac (of the Gamblaz) & A-Wax album called HITTAZ WITH SPITTAZ. He's riding with Guce and Git Paid right now, so we got the blessing on the name, so everything is all good. And I'm gonna be hooking up with Rydah J. Klyde of the Mob Figaz on some sh#t real soon. It's gonna be a group album. It's still in the works right now, but it's official", explained A-Wax. Why do you feel that Pittsburg rap is growing so rapidly’ "There are some talented cats out here" said Wax. One thing I know is that Pittsburg artists pour their heart into their music, why is your music so full of emotion and heart’ "As far as me, there's more than Pittsburg in me. I'm 100% Pittsburg but now I've been and stayed a lot of places. A lot of muthafu@#as from Pittsburg would not be able to relate to this gang banging sh#t. I've been around this sh#t for a lot of my life, so I'm experienced in that. I'm a little more diverse than some other cats. It's like I got an advantage on that-as far as going out of town in other places. Gang banging is nationwide, as far as Bloods and Crips, but in the Bay Area it never caught on. It's like muthafu@#as look down to that. But now I play both sides of it out here. I fu@k with my independent hustlers and my gangsta muthafu@#as, I can relate to both" said A-Wax. In my opinion, A-Wax has given Pittsburg something to be proud of, against all odds, he will succeed. If you've never bought an A-Wax album, go and pick this new one up, Conceptz & Contradictionz. Don't sleep on this cat, he's what your favorite rapper says he is... real.
In Pittsburg he is the hitmaker, the man with the magic fingers, if you’ve come through here to do any work musically, there’s a good chance you’ve crossed paths with Rob Lo. He came through with Maki and Lil Figga and this is what followed. I brought up the classic material that used to float around the town before the Mob Figaz became the Mob Figaz and the Ghetto Starz the Ghetto Starz etc. Playing the song ‘Summer Nights’ on one of the old low quality cassette tapes that I still have brings smiles and ‘oohs’ from everybody in the room, to which Rob Lo says he has all of the old material and plans to get it digitally remastered from his DATs.
‘The Rob Lo sound is like a odyssey, it’s original. It’s a universal sound, an international sound.’ With 14 years of production experience, 25 year old Rob Lo has laid hits for Yukmouth, Mac Dre, Cormega, B.A. & Keak Da Sneak of 3X Krazy, Too $hort, Christion, Baby from Cash Money, and Jacka. ‘I’m the street king of the beats.’ Speaking of that, what’s it take to get a Rob Lo beat’ ‘From the streets it’s gone cost a thousand, anything else as far as international it’s gone cost a few grand.’ How would you describe the sound coming out of Pittsburg, because you helped mold it’ ‘It’s from the streets, anybody from the streets can relate to it. It’s more like an international mob, where any mob anywhere can feel it, any nationality, it’s straight mob though.’ He calls Pittsburg boiling water, and says we just need to keep adding to it. Rob likes working with Cormega the most, and would like to get with Outkast and bring back their old styles. For those that don’t know, Rob Lo is also a rapper, in fact he was a rapper before he ever touched the keys. He says what sets him apart from other producers that rap is ‘history, being in the streets in the late ‘80’s. I’ve been rappin’ as long as I made beats, before The Mob and all that. Put me in the top 10, in a couple years as far as being an artist, rapping and producing.’
Right now he’s working on a ‘Rob Lo Presents’ producer album which will feature appearances from many of the people he has worked with including Keak Da Sneak, Mac Dre, Cormega, Too $hort, and possibly others. He’s also currently working on his yet untitled solo album. Rob says he’s keeping it strictly mob, but plans to work with Keak Da Sneak & B.A. for sure. He says to expect these projects to drop around the same time in September.
Rob wants to send his condolences to Freak-O’s family, cousins, and real friends. ‘I’mma be hearing his voice as long as I live, probably more than anybody. I’mma always have tracks on that boy digitally, so it’s gone be like he’s right there with me. R.I.P. to all my fallen soldiers. One love for Fed-X makin’ it through.’ He also wanted to big up Maki, and let’s us know to look out for Blahk Operah Muzic. With 5 different tracks of his receiving radio play right now, as he says, it’s a movement. To get in touch with Rob Lo, you can hit his manager P.K. at (925) 382-6925.
Talk about starting out on the wrong foot, the Super Natural Ghetto Starz album titled The SL-UMS hit store shelves September 11, 2001. And at the same time powerhouse Dogday Records (who released this album) moved to Manhattan. They couldn't have gotten out the gate in a worse way. The album, which I feel is one of the best Rap albums I've ever heard came out and got lost in the dust during our nations tragedy. Life hasn't gotten any better for the Ghetto Starz. Uzi has left, Scoob Nitty is in jail for a couple of years, and Freako, aka King was gunned down in L.A. So who do we have left’ None other than Dubb 20. What's going on with Super Natural’ "We're just regrouping right now. I got some hard sh#t in store for them. Lately, I got on Jacka's new album. I'm on AP.9 & Scoob Nitty's album. I'm on Young Will from Selfmade's album. I'm on Bueno's album. And I'm on hella tracks for various new just getting out there cats, just like me 2 years ago. It's nothing to me. If you with it, if you’re tight, I'm feeling you, you’re feeling me, then let's do it" said Dubb 20. Who's in the family now’ As of this minute I'm the last standing Ghetto Star. We lost Freako the King (RIP), he was the General right there. And our second in command Scoob Nitty is behind walls right now, and Uzi, I'm not really gonna speak on him. So I'm the Big Cousin now, since Freako was the General, and I was up under his wing, now I have to come with it. We have a new label for Freako called Project Kings. We still have the Smash Unit, The Youth, and Nutt Briddle. The Smash Unit added a new link out in Richmond. It's 4 of them out there, Young Docks, LB, Lil Dame, and Vicious. The Smash Unit has really stepped the game up, we all have" said Dubb 20. Keep your eyes and ears open for King Freako's album.
Maki is also a rapper/producer or producer/rapper, however you want to say it. He started his career out with a bang, having his first work appear on Jacka’s first solo album. He has also worked with Messy Marv, D-Dre, & rapped on B.A. of 3X Krazy’s solo album ‘Block Report.’ Maki says he is still building his sound, because he is not new at the game but he’s not old either. ‘Of course it’s mob.’ Rob Lo also added, ‘it’s mob, but it’s changing, more melodies and keys. More musical.’ Check for Maki’s production on the new Jacka and D-Dre albums among others.
Tell me about Maki the rapper. ‘I’m from hip hop, that’s all I know, rap/hip hop. It’s like breathing almost. I’ve been rappin’ forever, it’s all I know.’ Why did you have to go into producing before you could come up as a rapper’ ‘I really never looked forward to coming up as a rapper, it’s just like breathing, it’s natural. But learning a craft, learning to produce is learning something. I’m an intellectual kind of person, I like to learn.’ Maki would like to branch out & work in other genres of music like Dancehall, with Junior Kelly specifically. ‘When my craft is good enough to step outside of the boundaries I will.’
Maki makes a very bold statement, saying that every other city in the Bay Area has had it’s chance, and now Pittsburg has the potential to blow up and be the biggest one yet, with Jacka leading the way, and Dubb 20 following close behind. All we can do is wait and see.
He has dropped a group album, hung in with his Super Natural Family, and waited patiently for results. Prince Amir is the name he goes by. His album Crummy World was only the beginning for this member of the Smash Unit. "Right now I'm working on my album called Fatal Reaction. I'm about 6 songs into it. I ain’t got no features on it yet, I might go with Kammurda from Oakland, Messy Marv, and Keak. We lost our General so we're just trying to do this right. We just branched off with 4 more members of the Smash Unit from Richmond. The new Smash Unit album is titled United We Stand, Divided We Fall. It's a double CD with artists like San Quinn on it" said Prince Amir. He also said he's doing some work with JT the Bigga Figga.
Entertaining since he was 7 years old, Knyva is destined to be a star in the rap industry. Blessed with the smooth look, crafty lyrics, and a stable foundation, there's only one thing he needs, someone to recognize his skills and some one to back them up with $$$. "I'm 18 years old now. I'm from Pittsburg, I be in El Pueblo, uptown, back in forth, I'm like concrete, you can find me anywhere. I'm working on the final touches for my solo album Supremecy. I'm also working on my mixtape. It's really more like a compilation, cause it has unreleased cuts that you'll never hear unless you get this album. We got the Outlawz, 3XKrazy, Lil Al. I'm gonna put this out on The Franchyze Talent Group with me and my business partner, Lil Al the Young Gamer" said Knyva. Look out for their group album called Franchyze Players.
For 6 years the Smash Unit has been doing their thing. Three original members, only one has a solo under his belt, Montana Macks, Pittsburg, Cali-Pueblo, CA. ‘I've been on hella comps, I dropped my solo album self titled, Montana Macks; promoted it in Utah, Las Vegas, Sacramento and the Bay Area" said Montana. So what's up with the dreads’ "It's our religion, this is Super (Supernatural). It all goes back to our roots. Back in the days when our grandfathers lived the real (Mandingo) African lifestyle. We decided to bring it back for them. It's our family, Super. But it's like a fad now’ said Montana. What's next for you’ "I got my second album, Project Landlord. It features the Ghetto Starz, Smash Unit, Strip Naked, and Harper Boy. RIP Freako, to the top in 2004!" replied Montana.
What's new Mars’ "Just chillin putting my label together (Mad Insanity Records) and getting my album ready for release. I have an investor in Hollywood and now I'm going to do this on my own. I got released from Black Market Records because I wanted to do my own label thing. I didn't want to give the money to nobody else. Now I'm gonna put this together with some real money. I put together a raw ass album, I got Mastamind, Tech N9ne, Twizted, The Flatliners on there, I got a raw ass lineup of horrorcore, beyond gangsta, some suicidal crazy sh#t. Not to mention the dope ass beats. I got DJ Mark 7, T.C.& The Enhancer, G-Dubb from 2 Sick Music. It's gonna be hard" said Mars. The album called "Some Girls Deserve To Die" is one of the most anticipated albums of its kind.
Mars recently signed Detroit Acid Rap legend Mastamind from the group NATAS for his "Hellboy" EP and Q Strange from the East Coast for three album deal and currently is being distributed by Longrange Distribution out of Detroit, MI. Currently he is talking to Ganxsta NIP and The Flatinerz about signing to Mad Insanity Records for a roster made up of some of the most controversial in the game.
