Step Into The World Of Hip Hop. We provide you with exclusive news, features, reviews, mixtapes, and much much more.

“I’ts time for us women to show there’s more to us. We are so much deeper than I’m just going to talk about sex because that’s what sells.”

She’s the first lady of Grand Hustle and this Chocolate Sister wants you to know that she is here to break barriers. Bola “The Black Betty Boop” wants you to know that Grand Hustle is here and she is first in line to battle except she’s going to use her talent and not her body to give you what the game been missing.. A female MC that’s ready to conquer the rap game.

Okay so how would you like to be introduced to the world? As Ms. Black Betty Boop or Bola?

(smiles) well either way. Bola, Ms. Black Betty Boop, First Lady of Grand Hustle… All that Good stuf. lol

Great. Well then, introduce yourself to the world. Where are you from? Where are you repping?

Well I am from Atlanta Georgia, Specifically the east side. Decatur Georgia that’s where I’m repping but I am actually Nigerian. Both of my parents are Nigerian so I have a lot of culture in me. I have been with Grand Hustle before it was even called Grand Hustle. Around 99-2000 we met T.I and we kind took a liking to him. This was before anyone knew him. We saw him performed, we thought he was hot so we approached him. We all clicked and the rest is history.

How old are you? How long have you been in the game?

I am 25 years old and I have been in the game for about a decade. Since I was 15. I am patient and I can see the growth.

How did you become the first lady of Grand Hustle?

That name came along from being the only female around males. I was a tomboy. I been around the guys since I was 15/16 years old and was rapping just like them. But we are making real big moves right now.

Hip-Hop been needing a female MC for a while now. A couple have tried and have gotten meteor success, Not counting the late 90’s-2000 era, but the question is are you what we have been waiting for?

Oh definitely! I am definitely what you have been waiting for and I have been paitiently waiting. Watching my mentor T.I.’s success. I saw him come from nothing but I also saw him take the formula and really have to grind to make it where he is. He wasn’t successful the first time but you know it’s not about how long you’ve been doing this, it’s about when its my time and now is my time. I want to bring something new to it. There are the “Lil Kim’s and all these types of artists  that have already done it. I’ts time for us women to show there’s more to us. We are so much deeper then, I’m just going to talk about sex because that’s what sells. I do music for something much deeper than that. I want people to relate to me and really understand and identify with things that I been through, I feel like that’s going to open more doors for us.

Wow, that actually leads me right to my next question, I realized that your swag is a bit different in the game. It’s not that raunchy over the top sex sell marketing that we have seen before from the other ladies that entered the game before you. There’s sex appeal but it’s not loud, Was that a strategy or is that just you?

That’s me! Like I said I am very serious about what I do and Black Betty Boop is the alter ego I took on. Betty Boop is very appealing to her audience. I am sexy, I mean I’m a woman, you know. but I don’t have to go that route. I am very careful about the visuals that I put out and what I want the world to take from them.

That’s very smart of you. How would you describe your sound?

I would describe it as Best of ALL worlds. I’m very versatille. You know I listened to Salt & Peppa a lot. They are my idols. They were able to talk about everything. They would talk about partying and dancing and the next song they are talking about safe sex. That’s what’s different about me. I’m able to talk about everything. I’m a continue growing and I want my audience to grow with me. But it’s only the beginning.

You’ve mentioned being influenced by salt and pepper Who are some of your other  influences?

I like real rappers and real artist period. I like Tupac, Jay-z, Nas, Eminem. I love all type of artist. The R&B artist I love right now is of course Trey Songz, people like Ne-yo and Dream. These people are able to have the world refering to what they wrote even when they write for a different artist. That’s a talent.

You seem pretty humbled, how are you different from your alter ego Black Betty Boop?

One of the reason I use Betty is to bring me out of my shell. So I use her to not worry about being shy. Bola is shy and calm. Betty is appealing and in your face. Betty is hungry and ready to take over the world.

It’s hard enough being a female MC in the game, but to be a brown skin, chocolate female must come with some trials. Have you faced any prejudism in the industry because you are a darker tone sister in the rap game?

Well You know, I’m ME! The way the world is and what it’s painted to be, it’s expected.  It’s not that I’ve accept it, I’m going to make a difference with that. But, I am Me! If you love me, you love me! If you don’t, you don’t. I’ve always been attracted to people that love me and my color. I have faced prejudice because of my color, but it was indirect, Not on frontstreet. I deal with it, I deal with it EveryDay! But I am willing to overcome that.

How does your parents feel about you being a rapper, especially since they are Nigerian?

My parents are suportive because they know I’m not going to give it up now ,it’s been too long. This is not the route that most Nigerian parents want their children to go but they love me and they know I’m in love with what I do so they can’t help but to support.

What are some of your other talents/skills that you have besides rapping?

Acting. I am looking to vent of into acting once I get my stuff out. I am also a comedian. I love to make people laugh it’s natural.

You been in the game for a while now, and I’m sure you’ve had your share of ups and downs. What keeps you going?

Well, I have to motivate myself a lot. I am my best critic. I am also strong. You know, I have overcome so much that anything anyone throws at me I can take it.

Ok so what you are doing right now. Any mixtapes, Guess appearances?

As far as Guest experiences I was on Young Dro’s album. I have done a lot of mixtapes with T.I. and Dj Drama. we also had a mixtape as a label. I also have a mixtape out right now and it’s called “Just Getting Started” hosted by Dj Burn 1. There’s features with Young Joc, Little Scrappy and Young Dro. It’s out for download at mixtapetorrent.com and I need everyone to support it.

Should we be expecting an album soon?

The album is coming soon. I have a lot of music so I’m trying to put it together the right way with a great markerting team. I don’t want to come out and go backwards. I want to come out the right way but stay tuned.

Do you have any messages you have to your fans and supporters

Feel free to chek me out at www.myspace.com/Bolasmusicpage, feel free to contact me on twitter. www.twitter.com/bolabettyboop. I am addicted to twitter hit me up I am an open and real person I will speak to you. As for artists, stay focused, stay working and don’t let anyone take your creativity away from you. Stay tuned and thank you. 

Coming out of the mean streets of Memphis, Tennessee, this 28-year-old rapper is all work and no play when it comes to his music. After spending much of his early life hustling and fighting for survival in the streets, Big Face Mike decided to get into the rap game. He had been rapping for a while and his friends liked it, but the next step was to take his game from the neighborhood to the city of Memphis itself and hopefully nationwide.

But he didn't want to take his time and play by other people's rules, so he began by forming his own label, called Money In Da Building Entertainment. At this time, has created over 10,000 mixtapes, which are receiving some good positive feedback and respect. His most recent mixtape, “Gangsta As I Wanna Be”, featuring the lead single, “In Da Hood” (produced by Sweat The Track Productions), is currently generating a lot of word of mouth in the streets and online. At the same time, Big Face Mike is staying true to his beginnings, doing it for the streets and, as he has said, doing it mainly for his hometown of Memphis. Even though he is staying true to his city, and is so far working independently, he has said that if with the right numbers he might sign to something but until then, he is doing what he does best. 
 
 

OSHHS: When did you first get into the rap game, and did it come easy for you? 

Big Face Mike: I been rapping 4 some years now; probably every since I was about 12 years old, but getting involved in the rap game I would say about 2 years ago. 

OSHHS: How did you get the name Big Face Mike? 

Big Face Mike: A lot people say I have a big face so u know, u put that with mike and there it is.  Me personally, I prefer to tell u it's because I count big face hundreds but I would b lying. But don't get it twisted; plies ain't the only one counting big face hundreds 

OSHHS: Do you have certain topics or themes that come to mind when you write? 

Big Face Mike: No, its jus whatever comes to mind at the time!  If I'm feeling the track and it reminds me of some gangsta shit, then we rapping about some gangsta shit. Now on the other hand, if I'm feeling the track and I feel it's on some me and your girlfriend shit then we gone be rapping about some me and your girlfriend shit, ya dig? Ha-Ha. 

OSHHS: What was your life like growing up in Memphis? 

Big Face Mike: Memphis is Memphis, “Making easy money pimping hoes is serious,” and it is what it is. I spent my whole life in Memphis, born and raised, so most of my good and bad times happened right here in this city.  I did my fair share of criminal activity that I choose not to dwell on, but my city doesn't have much to offer, so survival is to say the least a muthafucker!!  It's a saying in Memphis that probably everyone in Memphis has heard, “If u can make it in Memphis u can make it anywhere.” 

OSHHS: Tell me what it was like making the mix tape, Gangsta As I Wanna Be. Were there any ups or downs during the process? 

Big Face Mike: Actually it wasn't, because a lot of the material was a few years old and I really considered the music I was doing just a hoppy.  Later people in my hood started asking me did I have something new, when was I dropping, when was I gonna put something out and so on and so forth.  I knew my peers around me was feeling my music as I took it another step and felt that it was my time to find out what my city thought about it, and so there it was, gangsta as I wanna be da mix tape 

OSHHS: Who were your earliest influences? 

Big Face Mike: Dr Dre first and foremost and the ghetto boys early on.  I fell in love with the music they where doing because I felt their struggle and these cats were from the ghetto; the same place I was from and really making things happen.   

OSHHS: Do you have any new projects you're working on that you can share with us?  

Big Face Mike: Yeah I actually working on a part 2 and lyrically I have stepped it way way up! Part one was a lil old but part is all new, so I'm jus hoping the fans love it and support it 

OSHHS: And where can fans check out Big Face Mike? Any Plugs? 

Big Face Mike: GOOGLE ME, I'm all over the Internet ya digg, www.myspace.com/bigfacemike www.twitter.com/bigfacemike, or u can get at me directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

This 26-year-old native of San Francisco is bringing true hip-hop back. With his swag like style and his natural instincts for beats and lyrics, he's making a name for himself. Based on the feedback on his most recent album and the fact that he has opened for Clipse three different times, he must be doing something right.  People are definitely feeling the fresh and unique style he's bringing. J-Billion loves what he does and so will you. Now check out the interview he recently gave us and find out more about who J-Billion really is.  
 
 

OSHHS: How did you come up with the name J-Billion? 

J-Billion: Well I was in L.A. actually for a friends party, and we were all just chillin and they were saying, “Yo dude, what's your name gonna be?” And I thought of like Richie Rich, but that was taken and I also thought of Johnny Quest and all these superhero cartoon character names. And then my boy El-Rock, who is another fellow artist, was like “Dude, 'J- Billionaire, that would be sick.' So I shortened it up to J-Billion which is a play on my initials, which is J.B. 

OSHHS: I checked out your album “The Beautiful Loser” and I really enjoyed it. What was your thought process in making that album? 

J-Billion: The thought process for making the album was just being influenced by all kinds of music. And actually for those that don't know the title behind “The Beautiful Loser” is a group of people in the early 90's who were looked at as outcast and there were a lot of people in contemporary art and music and they were looked upon as outcast but they ended up being famous. And all these people who were looked about as new sense to the community they ended up being these people who are world-renowned now and they were nicknamed the beautiful losers. So I felt like that fit me and kinda how I approach things and how I'm coming from a inner city world looked upon as were not gonna accomplish much but in the end were beautiful losers.  

OSHHS: What was it like making the “The Beautiful Loser?” Did you come across any crossroads? 

J-Billion: It was a pretty smooth process. I have a great production team by the name of Risky Bizness Productions, which is a group of like three close friends who were doing music also, so it started off as gathering beats and the rhymes came kinda easy to me, which is just a god given talent; and very lucky to have. Writing the songs really didn't take long. I would just get a feeling and get a beat and just write to it. I had over 150 songs to choose for the album, but I knew the sounds I wanted and knew the feeling I wanted to convey to the people and looked for beats that expressed that feeling.  
 
 

OSHHS: Do you write all your own lyrics? 

J-Billion: Yea. I write all my own music. I'm definitely a MC's MC. Everything is written by me, hooks, verses, everything. No ghostwriting over here. But I will ghostwrite for somebody if they need help.  
 
 

OSHHS: We have a few favorites on the album, tracks like Haterblockerz, Dope Man Sneakers, and Number 8. Do you have a favorite? 

J-Billion: You like all the hard one's huh? (As he laughs). If I had to pick a favorite track it would be Hate: The New Love or Number 8 as well because everybody knew I was a rapper, but me not knowing if everyone knew I was lyrical. So Number 8 was just to show people I'm not playin and I really do rap. And that song is a good song for the MC's, a lot of play on lyrics.  

OSHHS: When J-Billion isn't working hard on music, what do you do in your spare time? 

J-Billion: When I'm not doing music I'm playing basketball, reading, watching movies and just chillin, or might be at a club somewhere just enjoying life. But I've really been reading a lot I like to read a lot on history nothing really factious.  
 

OSHHS: Who are your influences in music? 

J-Billion: Man. I listen to everything. My dad used to listen to all type's of music. So I listen to everything from reggae, hip-hop, r&b, classical and South American. I listen to it all. But my main influences coming up was like in rap, is was Jay-Z, T.I., Pharrell, Kanye West and I also listen to the older dudes like NWA and Tribe Called Quest. And one of my favorite MC's, and still is to this day, is Grand Poobah. He was nice on the mic. And I used to listen to a lot of r&b like Prince, Tony Toni Tone, and Raphael Saadiq. It's just a huge range.  
 
 

OSHHS: What do you think about the direction of hip-hop and rap today? 

J-Billion: I think that it's taking a turn for the better. It's had its dark day though. I think that the music will improve and is getting better. There's a lot of young artists coming out that are doing a lot of good for the genre. I think lyrics are gonna come back and make music from the soul. And I think people are gonna stop trying to chase a dollar and the fame and make music that reflects a social climate of today and whatever they're really going through.  

OSHHS: Do you have any new projects you're working on now that we can expect in the future?  

J-Billion: Yea. I have a project coming up with REL. He actually one of the host of Distortion 2 Static and he's a great producer. And his beats are bananas. The project, which is called “The Movement”, is gonna be serious. It's like real hip-hop and the beat are real organic like J. Dilla. I just feel like it's real true hip-hop. I also am gonna release like a mash up I did with Raphael Saadiq and me, and I redid the whole Ray Ray cd.  I just got a lot of stuff coming out real soon and keep watching. My life is pretty fun actually. You can check me out though at www.jbillion.com or www.twitter.com/jbillion just hit me up.