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Juice McCain Headlining The Fader Magazine And Vitamin Water Tour In Phoenix, AZ
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Last night we touched down in Phoenix for the third vitaminwater uncapped LIVE event with AZ’s own J...Last night we touched down in Phoenix for the third vitaminwater uncapped LIVE event with AZ’s own Judge, Juice McCain and Trap. Club Red was packed all night and we’re grateful for that. As New Yorkers it pains us a little bit to the say this, but Phoenix y’all earned it: best dressed uncapped crowd yet. You had a Tuesday looking like a Saturday. A few special guests came through that deserve our thanks: first and foremost, Judge’s mom for showing up and showing support. Thank you to 2-Tone Da Supastar for hyping all the artists, to DJ M2, and thanks to Compton Menase for coming through for his track with Juice, a little surprise West Coast influence before next week’s LA show. It’s a close race for favorite moment of the night between Juice’s “I’m single” on-stage serenade to a lucky lady and Trap going over a Dr Dre medley. Good times all around, thanks as always to Heineken for the open bar. Phoenix: we didn’t want to leave.
Read more: http://www.thefader.com/2011/03/31/photos-vitaminwater-uncapped-live-in-phoenix/#ixzz1J7sncwYz
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SoundLab Featured Artist: The Progression Of Juice McCain
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Essince: Has anything really changed stylistically from Juice to Juice McCain? Can fans of Juice on ...Essince: Has anything really changed stylistically from Juice to Juice McCain? Can fans of Juice on “Death Certificate” still vibe with Juice McCain?
Juice and Juice McCain is basically the same individual but Juice McCain is just mature and more musically inclined. Having the opportunity to go on tour with Game and meet other artists gave me a certain motivation to continue to excel and better myself as an emcee and a business man.
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H3 Artist Spotlight: Juice McCain (@IamJuice)
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1. Your "American Me" and AM2 mixtape/album has crazy features from up and coming MC's to Industry L...1. Your "American Me" and AM2 mixtape/album has crazy features from up and coming MC's to Industry Legends. Is there any features missing that you really wanted but is not on the body of work?
Of course. Anthony Hamilton, is one of them. The Cataracts, and I would have to say Fabolous is someone I would certainly like to work with.
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Juice On The Cover Of The Fushion Magazine
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The Experience of the streets. The mind of a hustler. The work ethic of a CEO. The intelligence o...The Experience of the streets. The mind of a hustler. The work ethic of a CEO. The intelligence of a politician. The backing of two moguls in the making. The will to never stop, never quit, never take no for an answer. The voice of a generation.
Q: What are some of the projects you’re currently working on?
Juice: Right now I’m working on “American Me” mixtape/EP I got a Part 1 and a Part 2. It’s a real hot project. Then I’m also getting prepared to hop on this tour it’s called the NBA Live Nation Tour. I’ll be traveling to different cites and get it popping, sell the “Juice” brand…….. as well as Black Wall Street.
Q: How did the name “Juice” come about?
Juice: My grandma use to call me Juice back in the day. I played basketball and that was kind of a big deal; I also use to play football and people would always say “That kid got juice.” When it came down to me starting to brand myself as an artist and rapper, I didn’t want to go for something so left field but using something that didn’t define me for who I was, so the name Juice stuck with me and that’s what you have today.
Q: So why use the name Juice McCain, what’s the story behind that?
Juice: Basically, I’m from a city with its back against the wall; we don’t have a major music scene such as L.A. or New York or Miami or even Texas. Then there’s John McCain, who the senator of our state and he doesn't support my people, so I took it upon myself to be the voice of the city and state. I’ve been branded by the people and they call me Juice McCain because I’m so active in my community and I live by that.
Q: Can you describe in your own words why Arizona is misunderstood by the hip hop industry?
Juice: We have a lot of artist's that are making major buzz here but because we haven’t been looked at by the mainstream in the past they don’t think to recognize us now. But that’s about to change.
Q: Do you feel you have more to prove being from Phoenix?
Juice: Of course; I remember I was in New York at MTV with The Game and he was like this a new kid from Phoenix and niggas was like “Phoenix, What the fuck is in Phoenix” and I took offence to it at first because I was like if you don’t know about it, you got to learn about it and it made me work that much harder. So people can respect my flow, my movement and what I’m about. But I think at this point being branded by The Game in music and having business savvy skills to have a partnership with Amar’e Stoudamire I think that automatically puts me in a different category compared to a ordinary rapper coming from a nowhere ass state. I think people are now taking my music and my city serious so it’s really coming from all corners.
Q: Why do you think Hip Hop down play/over look the West; It goes from Cali to the South to the East?
Juice: I don’t think people witnessed or been here to really give judgment. That’s like any city you haven’t been to down play something you’re not a custom to. For example take Texas but Texans took it among themselves to come together and get their sound heard and that’s the stage we’re currently in. I feel in due time hip hop will start to recognize and give respect where is due.
Q: With two other fellows’ artist signed to labels (Willie North pole signed to DTP and Hot Rod signed to G-Unit) What sets you apart to make a difference to put your city/state on the map?
Juice: For me it’s a number of things; the people I have behind me, the knowledge that I have. I’m a student of the game I’ve set back watched and studied a lot of great artist. The expectation I have for myself is higher than the average artist want to achieve. I make a lot of calculated moves, I’ve had the chance to sit behind The Game and see how he created an album, to see what made it successful what didn’t bring his view to a maximum point. Then I have the opportunity to sit in board meeting with Amar’e and see him make hundred million dollar moves and trades for his company. I really feel I’m in all the right situations and I can’t fail, I take full advantage of everyone and everything around me so that I can create my own path. And this isn’t to take away from Willie or Rod cause true Hot Rod was the first to sign his deal and Willie North Pole was the first to drop an album but I’ll be the first to hang a plaque (believe that)
Q: To clear up and any misunderstanding cause in the past there has been some head butting between yourself and Willie North Pole, is that still going on?
Juice: It is what it is, when you got two artists from the same state and both are trying to up lift it you’re going to have some “friendly” competition. We see each other out and its all good we have that respect for each other.
Q: SO would you say you’re an Arizona artist or a West Coast artist?
Juice: I would say I’m an artist (period). It don’t matter where I’m from or where I am the point is I make good music across the board. I have that glow where I can go anywhere and get the love.
Q: SO which connection came first, The Game or Amar’e?
Juice: The Game situation came first; he was in Phoenix promoting his album. After I found out he was in town I wasn’t taking no for an answer. How Amar’e came about was after I signed to The Game I had created a really big buzz in the city and people started taking a liking to my music. I became really big in the city by flooding the streets with my music and getting out to all the clubs to give people a visual. Amar’e really respected my music and I respected him as a ballplayer and businessmen, so we sat down to came up with the idea about HYPD and get my album ready to be lunched in the right way.
Q: So let me get a clear understanding, are you signed to Black Wall Street or Hypocalypto?
Juice: Both. It’s a joint deal when the album drop I will be under both. They are both power tycoons to have which a lot of artists don’t have, so I’m really blessed.
Q: So where do you go from here as a young artist since you’ve already been on tour with The Game?
Juice: It was really needed for me to go on tour so that I could go out on the road and see the ups and downs, the good and the bad, and basically how to handle myself as an artist away from home so that when I’m ready to go out on my own I will be prepared and ready.
Q: Why is your approach to the industry slow and steady? Why are you not flooding the streets with mixtapes?
Juice: The game changes every day and in order for you to really execute it you need to format it to fit your certain needs to be really successful. I’ve known artist to drop 60 mixtapes and still not known on a national level, so why drop mixtape after mixtape and it only goes so far. When I push myself and brand myself on a national level I understand that it takes more than just an artist putting music together everything must be in a certain order. With the “American Me” campaign people will see a lot more of the structure put into making an album.
Q: What sets you apart from other artist?
Juice: One of the main things that sets me apart from other rappers is my sound is global. Even though I’m from the West I’m not put into a box or afraid to take a risk in those markets because I’m confident about my sound.
Q: So with all the music that’s popular right now, some being one hit wonder dance songs and you being signed to Black Wall Street which is known for gangsta rap; What category would you say you fall in?
Juice: True The Game is known for gangsta rap and I’m a street nigga. Basically I’m that nigga.
Q: So what made Game take the time out to listen to your music, which is clearly not in the same category as his own, over other artist?
Juice: Game said I always reminded him of him just “fresher.” He took the hood route and I took the street route with a fresher sound, but that’s the way I do things, that’s just me. But we still have so many similar traits, which connects us. It’s kind of like Jordan and Kobe. Jordan set the standards but Kobe came and put his own twist to it.
Q: Do you feel that’s hip hop is straying away from its roots and becoming more pop?
Juice: Yes I would defiantly say hip hop has changed. I feel that people look at it more like a fad than for a way of life and for most our culture. Corporate American have for a way to capitalize on it and conform I to something to “their” liking.
Q: What part of the industry would you like to see change or plan on changing?
Juice: The industry use to have principle and structure but now it’s so cut throat you sell one and then it’s a wrap. The companies that I’m involved with are interested in the project as a whole, by bringing stability, respect and discipline back to the business. They will give a budget for a project for all parties involved to reap the benefits not rape them.
Q: So “American Me” was suppose to drop a few weeks ago (on Jan.15th) what’s the hold up; and why is this album so different?
Juice: “American Me” is different because it’s not conformed to mainstream ways it’s all me 100% good music. The reason I pushed it back was because I felt I wanted more vibe to it. Everyone knows the name Juice but not too many people know the man, so I wanted to make sure I had my (see 25:33) because I have some heavy shit.
Q: Okay, let's go into some random questions and delve a little bit more into the mind of Juice. What is your greatest strength? Your greatest weakness?
Juice: My greatest strength is my pride, my will to win. I have more passion and will to succeed than the average artist. My weakness.....well I don't have any. But if I had to say, it would be my trust issues. The industry is so Hollywood and "plastic", that it's hard to trust a lot.
Q: What is a day in the life of Juice?
Juice: I'm up before anybody, and I'm in the gym early. I get back and take a little time for myself and get my day planned out. I contact my manager, hop on the phone and internet, my publicist and label. The I start off my day very calculated, very cool but I'm a very hard worker. I don't accept mediocrity. I want to be an over achiever. Even to be given a little time and space. I want to do what the next person can't be. And that is the most completely perfectly successful man possible. I will always raise my standards and push my limits until I'm there.
Q: Any more words before you go?
Juice: Fushion Magazine, I appreciate you. Make sure you check out your boy Juice, The New Face of America. American Me coming soon, and check me on IamJuice.com and on Twitter and MySpace.
Here is the link to the full article:
http://shrinkify.com/1ogf
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Juice: The Savior of the West Coast
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24: What up Juice, how you been? How’s everything?
Juice: Everything’s good family just out h...24: What up Juice, how you been? How’s everything?
Juice: Everything’s good family just out here working on the album "The Anticipated" coming soon. Everybody knows I just did the "Position of Power" Mixtape which is killing the streets right now. I’m in Atlanta just trying to put the finishing touches and finish creating a monster album so I can get ready and launch it to the world.
24: So I am aware you just got off tour, how was that experience for you?
Juice: Tour was great you know what I'm saying, opening up for the big homie Game, tapping into a whole different fan base and market. It’s kind of getting me and my team prepared for when we launch off on our own and we have to handle business.
24: Tell me about the "Position of Power" Mixtape you recently released with Don Canon. What message were you trying to send to the fans and the industry?
Juice: "Position of Power" was a real real solid look everybody been giving me a lot positive feedback. Basically the message or view I was going for was….. Everybody comes into the game with somebody trying to help them out or try and give them their particular shot or lane. At this point it was time for me to create my own lane. People always compare me to Game you know, you and Game sound alike, this and that. At this particular point I ain't the Memphis Bleek type of guy I ain't gone feel cool or comfortable just sitting back and eating off his success. I had to step out with my team and the people I deal with to really solidify and get the respect for what I do just like Game get his respect, yah dig.
24: Is it true you just recently signed to NBA superstar Amare Stoudemire?
Juice: Yeah man that was a power move within itself. I was running threw the city you know rocking shows, dropping mixtapes,creating a real good buzz and a demand on the West. Due the fact Amare plays for the city where I'm from we sat down and did some real big business. I told him my blue print and idea for a label and it went on from there. Now we own a company called Hypocalypto Records HYP. Amare is a good Business man with a lot of things going on, when the opportunity came about I decided to get my nigguhs that needed work that really get it in and give them jobs. Everything is going good and were getting things in play.
24: How do you feel about the current state of West Coast Hiphop music?
Juice: Really people got to stop comparing artistd from the West to the early 80’s you can’t compare everyone to N.W.A or classify everyone to just Bloods and Crips even though the West Coast is where all that originated. This is a new movement filled with new blood. This is a new day and a new season, all new movement. I think artists like myself, Xo, Rockett, JayRock, Nipsey Hussle are all creating a new lane where people are going to respect West Coast music.
24: When it’s all said and done what do you want to be remembered for the most?
Juice: I want to be respected and remembered as a great artist you know, be aligned with the greats like Nas, Jayz, and Ice Cube.
24: Is there anything you don’t like or not feeling in today’s music industry?
Juice: Real talk I love music some of the music its just not quality music though. What I mean is that a lot of the labels are dictating what the artist feels, I am not going to make music for no white guy that is sitting behind a desk. I'm going to make music for the peoples I fucks with and the people that like real music. I make music and think of it for the longevity not just for the instant success.
24: If you had to say two words that define you what would they be?
Juice: IM NICE
24: What’s next for Juice?
Juice: Well I just released the tape and I'm also finishing up the Album "The Anticipation". I am also planning to release a special edition of the "Position of Power". I'm also getting ready to release my new single next month as well as part 2 of the mixtape and get into acting.
24: Any last words for the people and the fans out there in the world and on 24hourhiphop.com
Juice: Yeah make sure you log on to www.IAMJUICE.com and get a copy of the new cd "Position of Power" as well as check out www.myspace.com/juice my Album is coming soon stay tuned to that Juice.
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Juice: DJ Booth.net Interview
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DJ Booth: What’s goin’ on, everybody? It’s your boy “Z,” doin’ it real big, and joining me inside ...DJ Booth: What’s goin’ on, everybody? It’s your boy “Z,” doin’ it real big, and joining me inside the DJ Booth is an emcee from Phoenix, Arizona who at NBA All-Star weekend [this] month will finally be in a Position of Power. Please welcome for a second time, a man with a new situation, a new outlook, and a hunger that rivals the fattest kids in America: my man Juice – how you doin’?
Juice: I’m good. How are you, Z?
DJ Booth: I’m wonderful, thank you so much for asking. Your Cardinals are in the Super Bowl.
Juice: Let me tell you something; I said this 12 months ago, and I think you were the first person I told this to: I said, “Homie, my state is on the bubble.” You’ve got myself, Juice, the Arizona crown-holder in the flesh, you’ve got my Phoenix Suns holdin’ it down with Amar’e Stoudemire, and, of course, right now I’m gonna say it again, live and direct, for the world to know, my Arizona Cardinals sittin’ in the Super Bowl.
DJ Booth: Why couldn’t the Cardinals have done a better job of gettin’ to the Super Bowl the year that it was held in Arizona, though? Wouldn’t that have made more sense?
Juice: I feel that, but everything’s positioning, baby – there’s a reason, know what I mean? Everything is timing and everything is positioning.
DJ Booth: I couldn’t agree with you more. Last time we spoke, you joined me inside the Booth for an interview, I asked you how you were able to breathe so easy in an industry that’s really full of high stress, and you said, thanks to KBS, which we all now know is “Kobe Bryant syndrome,” no matter what comes your way, no matter what you’re doin’, you’re always gonna drop 81 points a game. So, almost a year later, do you still suffer from KBS, and, if so, what are some of the side effects that everyone should be on the lookout for?
Juice: Let me tell you something – I said it, and I’ll say it again: I suffer from the Kobe Bryant syndrome. No matter what I do, or what I’m about, I always do it to the fullest and the max. I’m all about continuous progress, homie. If you were to speak to me today, and I was in the same situation that I was 12 months ago, that [would mean] I wasn’t doin’ my motherf*ckin’ job. Like I said, everyone knows that the game furnished me with the skills and the armor and the mental ability musically to create a classic album and mixtape, but I’ve also got a label situation dealin’ with Amar’e Stoudemire called HYP, which I do have an ownership stake in, which will be helpin’ push my album as well. Bein’ a new artist standin’ by one of the legends in the game, [The Game], and also bein’ backed by NBA superstar and business mogul Amar’e Stoudemire, it just tells you that I do Kobe Bryant sh*t, and I ball.
DJ Booth: [laughs] A lot of artists would be like, “Well, he’s already got Game’s backing; let him just be patient,” but obviously a situation presented itself. Explain what the case was and why you decided to make the move.
Juice: I wanted to put myself in a position where I could really show my true talent. Every artist strives for ownership, every artist strives for success, and every artist strives for creative control. When Game put me in that position and I watched him do Doctor’s Advocate and helped him do L.A.X., and once he stamped me and was like, “Young boy, I think that you’re ready to do what you need to do,” I thought it was my duty and my obligation to add more to my foundation, know what I mean?
DJ Booth: Absolutely.
Juice: A lot of artists and a lot of people do this five years down the line, when they’re on their sixth record. I’m not like that artist, I’m way different; I’m doin’ mine straight from the gate. It’s just like the Kobe Bryant Syndrome – you know, you go from high school to the league, and that’s what I did: I went straight from high school to the league, went from zero to a hundred, and I’m gonna do it well.
DJ Booth: Juice, when we talked last, we discussed the concerns about comin’ up under The Game, ‘cause when you come up under a well-established artist, sometimes you don’t get your shine on. You said, “Absolutely.” Now, knowing the comparisons that were made between the two of you – regionally, you’re both from the West Coast, people said that your vocal tone was somewhat similar – did identity as an artist become an issue for you?
Juice: The more people [saw] me with Game, the more difference they put between us. I think that it was a great thing to be attached at the hip with Game, ‘cause, like I said, we’re both form the West Coast, we do have similar vocal tones, we do have similar writing styles and tactics, but at the end of the day, once people see me next to Game, [they see], “Okay, this kid right here is the new fresh, he is the new West, he brings something a little different than Game does.” Game has been around Dr. Dre and 50 Cent , so he has a whole lane to himself. I’m from a whole new generation of emcees, and I’m about to garnish my own lane and my own legacy.
DJ Booth: Well, Game’s part of the equation. The other man that’s now part of the equation is Mr. Amar’e Stoudemire. Athletes have backed musicians for a long time – this is well-documented. Two reasons: one, they’ve got a large amount of disposable income, and they feel that it’s a good investment, and, two, there is an affinity to the lavish lifestyle that is portrayed in rap music. Now, here’s my question for you: Amar’e, right now he’s averaging about 21 points per game, but are you one hundred percent confident that he can take his skill off the court, into this situation with you and this entertainment company, and allow your career to take the next step?
Juice: Of course, of course. Before we even sat down and had this business discussion, there were two things that me and him did really get out there, and one was just coming up with a creative business plan to execute my skill and my album to the maximum capacity, but also stayin’ in each other’s lane. Like I said, he is a basketball star, he is a businessman, he is a mogul. At the same time, I am a recording artist and I am tryin’ to classify myself as a business mogul myself, so the agreement was, I’m not gonna jump on the court and try to act like I’m Raja Bell or Jason Richardson or someone like that, but he’s not gonna jump in my lane either and try and play Ron Artest and start rapping. No disrespect to Ron Artest, but we really sat down and put the blueprint together, we totally agreed on both situations, and we’re gonna put it down on a blueprint and make it go.
DJ Booth: Well, I’m glad you guys have got that all figured out, because I don’t think the public really wants to hear Amar’e try to rap, and I don’t know how good your basketball skills are, but I don’t think you’re NBA-ready, right?
Juice: I mean, I can’t lie – I am lightweight nice with the rock, but I’m not gonna jump into that.
DJ Booth: So you’re an all-star on the pickup game court.
Juice: Yeah, I’m nice with it, but my pen game is better.
DJ Booth: I’ll tell you what: next time I’m out in Arizona, we’ll play a game of Horse.
Juice: Two bottles; if I win, you owe me two bottles, if you win I owe you two bottles.
DJ Booth: That’s fine – after you reimburse me for my flight out there. Sound good?
Juice: I’ve got you on that.
DJ Booth: [laughs] NBA All-Star weekend, like we mentioned, comes through your hometown of Phoenix, Arizona February 13th through the 15th, during which you’re planning on doing crazy promotion for the new mixtape, Position of Power.
Juice: Yes.
DJ Booth: So, Position of Power, is this a dope title for a project, or how you really feel about your current career?
Juice: You know what? I named it Position of Power for a couple different reasons. One, that is the way I totally feel about my career – like I said, I feel I’m in a position to do a lot of great things: release a mixtape, release my album, go out there and find some new action, create a new, solid company and garnish new artists. Second of all, I’ve seen a lot of people who were successful that never really wanted to extend their hand to help young, new artists garnish their craft. What’s really, really crazy is, the person who’s sold five million records or 10 million records can really help a dude who hasn’t sold any records. I’m not even talkin’ about financially, I’m talkin’ about music-wise, business-wise, really [furnishing] them with the skill to become successful. And it’s funny, because I am a new artist, and there have been a lot of artists that I’ve met and I’ve seen – and I’m not gonna name no names – that really didn’t want to reach out.
DJ Booth: Juice, let’s play devil’s advocate real quick. You’re talking about artists being able to recognize talent and lend a hand; let’s look at two really high-profile artists: Nelly and Jay-Z. Both of them in the position for a very long time to make that happen for less established artists underneath them, but both struggled mightily to see any success. Do you think artists see that people like Nelly and Jay-Z can’t do it and think to themselves, “Why bother?”
Juice: That might be true, but I think, at the end of the night, when you start dealin’ with things like that, you’ve got to look at it like, Nelly and Jay-Z have put artists in good positions. Keep in mind, some of their artists and acts may not be as relevant as of now, [but] Jay-Z has put out a platinum artist, like Beanie Sigel , he has put out a Memphis Bleek. Granted, they haven’t gotten to the five million mark or six million mark that Jay-Z has sold, or maybe even have been [knowledgeable enough] to do other business ventures outside of music, but keep in mind, they did do what they were supposed to do, to go back to their hood or their community to find new talent and put them on. Same with Nelly; he came in, dropped his album, he pulled in the St. Lunatics, Murphy Lee . I think that those two guys have done a good job, but there are a lot of other artists and executives who don’t do that. And I think it’s for their own selfishness and pride, to not see that next young guy shine.
DJ Booth: Let’s get back to what’s goin’ on. Prior to the actual NBA All-Star Game, the league holds All-Star Saturday Night, which has been a fan favorite for years. You’ve got the skills competitions for the solid playmakers, the three-point shootouts for the cocky sharpshooters, and the dunk competitions for the young, fly, and flashy ballers. So, Juice, what category do you think people will associate with you – a solid playmaker, a cocky sharpshooter, or a young, fly and flashy baller?
Juice: I’m all of ‘em.
DJ Booth: All three together?
Juice: Real talk; I’m young, I’m vibrant, I’m energetic, and I do sh*t big. When everybody comes to my city All-Star weekend you’re gonna see Juice, you’re gonna see HYP, you’re gonna see Amar’e Stoudemire, and we’re gonna look real big. Anybody who comes to the city to see me that weekend, I’m givin’ out golden tickets to all the major events. Of course that Thursday I’ve got the “Welcome to Arizona” party – myself, a couple of the Grand Hustle artists – Friday, I’ve got Amar’e Stoudemire’s Nike show release, Saturday I’ve got Victoria’s Secret, of course, and I’ve got the grand finale, which, actually, T.I.‘s gonna be shuttin’ down. So it’s gonna be a real, real big weekend. I’m givin’ bottles out to anybody who says, “Juice.” I’m with you, Z; you can hop on a plane, come out and holla at me, we can play Horse right quick, I can drop 30 on you and we can go have a drink.
DJ Booth: In December, we featured your Bun B-assisted “Salute” record. In honor of the calender flip to 2009, and, of course, we’ve got a new President in office, with our glasses held high, what would you like to toast to, my friend?
Juice: First off, I would like to toast to my new situation, toast to my album, and everyone comin’ to bring it in with me in my city, in my state All-Star weekend. Like I said, just pop a couple bottles and “Salute.”
DJ Booth: Juice, give everybody a website or a MySpace page so they can find out more about what you’ve got goin’ on.
Juice: You already know what it is and who it is: it’s your man Juice, the new breath of the West Coast, the Arizona crown-holder in the flesh. Make sure you’re stayinn’ in tune to my mixtape, Position of Power, comin’ out February 17th. Also, make sure you log on to myspace.com/juice for all the information pertaining to myself, HYP, and also All-Star weekend. You already know what it is with me, homie. I’ve got it, Z.
DJ Booth: As always, my man, I appreciate you takin’ the time to join me inside the DJ Booth, and I wish you nothing but the best of luck.
Juice: You already know. Z, whenever you come to the city, All-Star weekend, holla at me, homie, I’ve got you a bottle – it’s nothin’.
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INTERVIEW WITH JUICE FROM BLACK WALL STREET: PART 1 OF 2
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Although it is unclear just how involved the only other rapper in The Game's Black Wall Street stabl...Although it is unclear just how involved the only other rapper in The Game's Black Wall Street stable of talent (Bay Area heavyweight Ya Boy) will be in the camp's future, Phoenix Arizona's Juice has made it clear that he has taken the reigns as the "heir to to the BWS dynasty". With the release of a promising mixtape and a DVD on the horizon, a rep in his home state and a steadily-growing buzz throughout the rest of the country, and a full length in the works, things have never looked better.
Last week, this rising star took a moment to catch up with SOHH Left Coast and get everybody up to speed on what he's got going on right now and more importantly, to anser the question... who is Juice?
SOHH: So first off, what are you up to right now?
Juice: Right now, man, I’m just putting these finishing touches on my mixtape The New Breath Of The West Coast that’ll be reaching everybody May 18th, ya dig. If you don’t know about it, learn about it.
So May 18th is the magic day, huh?
Yeah, you know the business. It’s the magic day.
Who are some of the guests you got on there?
Of course I got the homie Juelz Santana, I got 334 Mobb, I got Game, I got a record with Wayne on there. I got a couple features, man. Real real talk, I’m really trying to not do the whole feature thing right now ‘cause I want the world to know me for me and let n****s know how real it is.
So as far as the ratio of features to non-features, there’s a lot of just you on there.
Exactly, exactly.
That’s something you don’t see a lot on mixtapes these days. It seems like people are just trying to ride the strength of everybody else.
With me comin’ from Arizona and havin’ that classification of a couple of the artists who got signed and came out and they didn’t really live up to the expectation of the other cities and other states, so I really feel like I want the world to know me and know ya boy Juice is a real lyricist, ya know what I’m sayin’? He really is the real deal with Phoenix, and I’m gonna do what I gotta do to put my state and city on the map, by all means.
Now I obviously don’t know Arizona as well as you do so I could be wrong, but it seems like as far as making connections to get some people as guests on the mixtape, it would be harder place to poly than in California or New York or some places in the South.
I mean, Arizona’s been overlooked for a long time. LA been running it for so long, New Yorkbeen running it for so long, Atlanta had their time... Now, it’s time for the new West Coast to begin. Real talk, if people ain’t been to Arizona, this mixtape is really gonna show them, yo, Phoenix is the real deal. We got the same s**t goin’ on that the next city got, man; we got hoods, we got ghettos, we got white collar cats, we got million dollar s**t goin’ on. Everything that the next city and next hood got, we got too. It’s just about time for a person like myself who got the quality and skills to really highlight our state and city.
So as far as other people that are reppin’ Phoenix, who else do you feel is representing the city properly?
I mean, I really can’t fake... it’s just me right now. Like I said, there’s really only two signed artists from Arizona- there’s that other guy from that other crew, and there’s me. And at the end of the night, we’re two totally different artists who represent two totally different things. I ain’t gonna sit there and hate on dude ‘cause I ain’t got time to do that, you know what I’m sayin’? I’m worrying about myself and my situation on my label that I run with, but as far as Arizona go man, I got my whole city behind me and it shows. If you go to my myspace page you can hear a couple of tracks, but on top of that I got a theatrical trailer to my dvd that’s comin’ out called The New Breath of the West Coast.
What’s the DVD gonna be all about?
I mean, basically it just takes you through Phoenix and lets people know how real I got it out here. With me, man, I’m not all fake and slanted, you know what I’m sayin’? N****s don’t write my music. I was the dude who was out here in the streets slangin’ my mixtapes that the city respect, that the city uplifted. But I got Amare Stoudemire on there from the Phoenix Suns; I’m doin’ his Nike commercial. I got GLC and Good Music. When people come to the city, they holla at me, you know what I mean? And I just make sure everything is good; set ‘em up and do the right thing, man. People really f**k with Phoenix, I just gotta be the one to highlight it and put us on the map like that.
As far as people rolling through Phoenix and getting a hold of you, is that kind of how you linked up the features that you do have on the mixtape?
Not really. The reason I got those particular features is just cats really respect my hustle, respect my grind and really respect the way I spit. One thing about myself is, I’m a West Coast dude mixed with a East Coast swagger, you know what I’m sayin’? So I kinda got the best of both worlds, you feel me? So it’s kinda like when people come out here, they just respect the way a n***a move, man. I’m not tryin’ to be something I’m not. I’m not out here disrespecting websites and this and that. At the end of the night my dude, I’m trying to build a positive relationship, get money and break bread between everybody so we all can eat.
You kind of touched on it earlier for a second, but as far as you being a lyricist... There seems to be a major lack of lyricism in the game right now- I think that goes without saying. So you obviously tried to do what you do and make that shine on the mixtape, right?
One thing about me is, I want the world to see that ya boy is a lyricist- Juice is a solid lyricist at the end of the night. I think that a lot of rappers and up and coming cats feel like they gotta bang out an album in 2 months and don’t wanna put that real effort and time behind it, you know what I mean? And real real talk, I think that’s effecting hip hop in a strong way, and it’s starting to show in sales, and in the level of music that’s being put out. I totally agree with you about the whole lyricist thing. I think that a lot of cats right now aren’t really taking the time to master their craft.
As far as major label artists that are doing high volumes of sales, you signed with a camp that’s one of the more lyrical camps out there. Was that kind of a conscious decision as far as you signing with them, or how did that all come along?
I was going through a time in my life where I felt like I was at the bottom. A lot of people was overlooking Arizona, a lot of people really wasn’t checkin’ for what we had goin’ on out here as far as this whole lyrics situation. So of course, I put a mixtape together and Game was out here with Swizz Beatz working on his album- they was recording a track called “Scream On ‘Em” -and Swizz Beatz owns a club out here called CBNC where they had an afterparty. I was lightweight tipsy, but I felt like if Game at least got my mixtape he would listen to it and understand my hustle, my strive and what I’m tryin’ to do. I went to the club and the security dude came up to me; I asked him could I get through to the VIP, he told me no, but he would take my mixtape. And I told him, like everybody know, man, I’m not gonna give my mixtape to nobody but the person it’s intended to go to, because if you give it to a manager or give it to a security guard, man, that shit ends up in the trash- I been there. So long story short, I see Game get up and walk through the VIP area, and I kinda just swing by the security guard, he grabbed my arm- the magazine (XXL) made it seem like I caused this big ol’ fiasco, but I didn’t man. I did it out of pure reaction; he grabbed my arm, I swung on him. Everything started getting crazy- Game kinda got in fight-back mode and I told him, ‘Look, my dude, it’s no disrespect. I’m not here trying to get an autograph, I’m not back here trying to just hang wit’ you. I just wanna at least give you my mixtape and if you throw it away, you throw it away but at the end of the night I know it got to you.’ He took it and two days later I got a phone call and a plane ticket to go to LA and it’s been Black Wall Street ever since.
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Juice - Say Hello
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Determination means taking no for an answer. Phoenix bred rapper Juice is the perfect example of how...Determination means taking no for an answer. Phoenix bred rapper Juice is the perfect example of how far determination can take you in life.
Hungry for a deal, Juice approached The Game with one of his mixtapes at a nightclub but was met with resistance from the West Coast rapper's bodyguard.
Not taking no for an answer, Juice laid out Game's bodyguard.
That kind of determination got Juice signed to Game's Black Wall Street imprint.
Since then, Juice has appeared on Game's video's, been on two world tours and garned a large following.
He is now setting up his debut album and is planning to release his latest mixtape titled Death Certificate.
The Black Wall Street soldier recently sat down with Sixshot.com to talk about his free mixtape, hip hop and knocking out Game’s bodyguard before he was signed.
Sup Juice? So tell me how you got started rhyming?
When I was young, my uncle took me to an Ice Cube concert and ever since then I was a fan of gangsta rap music.
Who influenced you in terms of music?
Ice Cube, Nas, Game, Common, Talib Kweli.
The Game was doing a show out in city, and recording with Swizz Beatz. There was a event at one of the local clubs, I had just completed my mixtape at the time, so I went to the club to see what's good. I was at a point where I wanted Game to hear my music so I went to hand it to him, but his bodyguard grabbed my arm in a crazy way, so I knocked
Game's bodyguard out.Real talk, Game respected that ... Listened to my mixtape, hit me on my cell when I was in Phoneix, flew me out to California and it's been Black Wall Street ever since.
Is it beneficial to have a boss who sold millions of records?
It is beneficial to have boss who has sold millions because it makes me work harder to be just as good, and strive to be better. It's more than just the fact he's sold millions - I've been able to learn what it is to put an album together.
I was there during the entire Doctor's Advocate project. I pulled all nighters with Game in the studio I was able to study what to do and not to do. I've been on two world tours, and been able to see what a lot of artists new to the industry don't.
You really pay attention to your lyrics? Is lyricism a lost art?
I believe a lot of artists don't give a fuck about what they say. Despite me being a gansta rapper, I'm a lyricst with substance in my music. On some real talk, the West Coast gets a lot of flak for being too gansta, and not really lyrical. I'm different than your average
West Coast artist, I pride myself on lyrics and providing my fans what they want to hear, but I keep the gangsta in it at all times.
How do you feel about the hip hop right now, is it going uphill or downhill?
I believe the industry is changing at a rate that artist's don't understand. We got major labels cutting costs by firing people to focus business online. I try to stay on top of the game by seeing what is going on, and one of the ways I do that is through Myspace to
stay connected with my fans.
I am one of the most viewed profiles without a single on the radio, ya dig. I get about 500,000 views monthly because I stay connected with the industry and the people who
buy our music. If us, as artists can't keep up with the industry, we're going to be left behind, and that's why I called my mixtape Death Certificate.
I believe this industry at times is full of shit. I believe a lot of artists don't understand the risk they're taking with their lives. As much as the good shit you can attain as an artist, the flip side is this music industry can kill you. Being a new artist I fight for the death for what I believe in, and that's expressing my music with no stipulations to it.
It's hosted by Skee and Haze. Is It improtant having big DJ's hosting your joint?
To an extent, yeah, but when your the new breath of the west coast and good at what you do it don't really matter. The whole point was to get my music spread on a national level. I'm a West Coast artist, but I'm such a diverse MC that niggas from every hood will feel me.
I fuck with Skee because he is one of the most prominent DJ's in theWest Coast. And DJ Haze is out of NYC, and he's got that on lock. I also have DJ September 7th who's from the Cali Untouchable DJ's. I think I brought the right connects to provide my music to the world.
Is there a lot of original music on there?
Yeah, I've got a record called "Put Cha Hands up". I also got a record called "The W" which features Crooked I and Roccett. The track is going to really show the strength in this New West Coast movement. I've got more available but you're gonna have to grab the mixtape, Nov 28th!!
I see there's a lot of big name guest apperances. How did they come about?
I have a lot of respect for each artists, and they share the same feelings when it comes to this music shit. Right now I'm known as being Game's right hand man, the frontrunner of Black Wall Street, however at the same time I want people to know me more for being that nigga. One way of doing this is by having the features I have. Nov 28th, you're gonna know Juice is that nigga.
What direction did you take on this mixtape?
I really wanted to connect with the people. I want people to know there is a new breed out here in the West Coast, and it starts with me. I ain't really gonna speak to much about the direction, I want people to vibe to it Nov 28th.
I like the artwork and the whole blueprint of this mixtape. It seems more like an album. Was that planned?
Of course. I'm going to use a quote from Jay-Z, "I got a CEO's mind. The marketing plan was me." (laughs). On some real, I don't accept mediocrity, and that goes from my music to marketing and anything affiliated to my name.
How far do you see yourself going in the music industry?
I feel I'm a rare breed. I feel my name will go down in the likes of Game, Scarface, Jay-Z, Nas, etc.
Anything you want your fans out there to know?
Death Certificate November 28th. It will be available at www.myspace.com/juice. I am the new breath of the West Coast and indue time the world will know what it is...Black Wall Street!!
supersonic
Get It How I Live (Prod. by Zone Beats)
