X, I feel like we've known each other forever! I can honestly say that you are very serious and passionate about your craft. For as long as I've known you, you've been making music. When we first met in life camp that was like 2005/2006 & you wowed me with your poetry. Trust me I've been a fan of your music ever since. 

Awe well thank you Joya that means a lot to me, coming from you and those life camp days were fun as hell (he laughs).

Q) Music is definitely poetry, but just the special kind. Are you still doing poetry contests, open mics, and slams?

These days no, not so much. I still write poetry here and there, and do open mics when I want something to be heard. But right now it's more hip hop shows that have taken over at this point in time. However I may start doing slams again the competition is crazy though.

Q) You've dibbled into Fashion I see, with your FCUK SWAGG shirts. Tell me what that means to you and for your brand?

Basically it means do you! Fuck what everybody else is wearing or doing. If it makes you comfortable do it! You don't have to have the $300 belt or $600 shoes; rock jays to look good (even though jays are my shit). People think swag is all about the designer. The clothes don't make you, you make the clothes. So if your aura is right, you can make a $30 outfit look like a million dollars. Fcuk swag is a statement and a lifestyle. Fcuk Swagg urges you to live how u want to live.

  Suicide and depression take people's lives everyday. In one if your songs  "Dreams Money can Buy freestyle" you paint us a clear and vivid picture of your struggle . But suicide didn't take your life; you are still here thank God.  

I lost my god brother to suicide at a young age. He was my best friend, a lot of things I learned from him and a lot of my ways came from him. When you lose somebody close to you it shatters your world and puts you in so much pain. It's not easy to cope with those issues. You go from seeing someone literally everyday of your life, to never seeing them again, I've had moments where I thought not living anymore would just be better for me; but then if I die my dreams die; that piece of me in every person that loves me dies. If I died the promise I made to my god brother to carry on his dream would die too. I have to make it for both of us. God built us to struggle for a reason to build up our character and make us stronger in the long run. Not everyone is so fortunate …

Q) How did you over come? What changed for you? Would you say that overall your in a better place in life then you were before?

I just felt that with all God had given me, and the talents he’s blessed me with TRY and SUCCEED were the only options. My father wasn't into the whole rapping thing but after my first Knick's slam I won a scholarship. He told me has was proud of me and used to brag to his friends like “My sons gonna be a star one day”, a few months after he got sick and passed. I know he believed in me so I'm going to continue to do my thing. I’d say right now my life is good. I have a lot of support from friends, family, and even strangers. Everybody I meet is trying to work with me or help me some how so I cannot complain. Over the course of the next year I'm hoping some big changes occur for the better of course.

I've spotted you with a few celebrities. What was Russell Simmons like? His mouth is so wreck less, sometimes. Hopefully he dropped a few jewels on you.

 Yea I've met a few celebs but I think I was most star struck by him. His aura is incredible, he's just mad cool; like the Obama of hip hop it’s just wild. Russell has done so much for this culture and craft that love, I was just in awe. The first time I met him he showed up to the 08 urban word finals slam and he was standing on the side backstage. When I was finished performing “rapper vs. poet” he was like "that shit was hot, your really dope! Keep doing your thing" so when the “godfather” of hip hop tells you, you’re hot it's like you're whole life is boosted. He's an inspiration to me. I just listened to him speak the few times i met him. He has so much in site on the world around him and life and how you live in general. Russell keeps it 100 for real.

Q) You were selected to go on X FACTOR. That's really amazing X how was that whole experience for you? 

That shit was freaking crazy! So much talent in one building; singers, rappers you name it, Just the creative atmosphere was amazing, But it's so many rounds you have to go through, and judges you have to get past before you even get to see the real judges. You might get a yes the first round and a no the next one. Its not even about talent either! The judges just pick who they feel would be good for the show. I saw amazing singers get turned away and horrible ones get passed through... it's all luck I think really... but overall I would do it again. I had fun and I turnt up (he laughs) I was practicing and some of the guards and fellow artist were like "damn he’s gonna make it to the show" so even though I didn't I know it's people who recognize what I have to offer...maybe next year who knows (he laughs)

Q) What projects are you working on now?

Right now I'm working on my value of X2 project is 90% complete I'm just waiting on a feature or 2 and my cover to finish up and I'm working on getting more videos done for myself as well as shooting and directing for other queens artists with my from the bottom to the tv YouTube series

Q) Well you are quite the ladies man, you've even seduced me a few times with your rhymes ... Is there a star girl in your star boy life?

Maybe ;) he says while smiling … I definitely love the attention from the females it's just this life I'm chasing makes it hard for stable relationships. Sometimes, girls get jealous, the favorite line from any female I've dealt with is the "you have mad groupies" and I'm like I don't have groupies I'm just a lil popular (he laughs). Females are the best fan base though. When your hot or appealing to them low-key, they make you hot to dudes ...

Q) You've been making music since age 9. Do you feel like your time is coming? Are you going for the mainstream spotlight? Are you comfortable as an independent artist?

I definitely feel my time is coming, I know what I have to do to get there. I just have to go that extra mile to get noticed a little more, it just takes that one time for you to be seen or heard and your life is different over night. I’m hoping when this new mix tape drops I get some type of success, I mean I've been getting consistent shows for two years off my first one. This next one is a masterpiece in my eyes; I feel like I'm meant to be a mainstream artist. I love the underground hip hop scene but honestly I'm doing this to be heard all over the world, I want a Grammy and the recognition for my hard work for being a lyricist and making good music. Shit I’m underground now l(he laughs), and as far as deals the big hip hop labels don't nurture artists anymore. They want you after you've already made your hit, it’s now all on the artist to build their self up. If an indie label approached me and wanted to sign me I'd take it because at this stage in hip-hop the majors don't care anymore they just tryna make a dollar. Indies will put their soul into your project because they believe in you and genuinely want you to make it. But if a major label talking ASAP rocky numbers for a deal I'm with it ...3 million ...I'm down!

Q) What is your definition of success?

When paparazzi chase you to your car, or you go perform and people sing your song. But the little successes I enjoy too: people just enjoying my music, listening to what I have to say, or knowing that I'm inspiring someone else to do this music thing. I think every artist gets that feeling of never wanting to stop when others appreciate what they've done.