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www.newenglandhiphop.com/Certified_Gz
Check out Certified G'z featured on New England Hip Hop!! - NEHH
Certified G’z work on setting hip-hop scene on ‘Fire’
By Lauren Carter
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Making good music doesn’t guarantee success in the rap game. Just ask Cambridge duo Certified G’z.
Chief C and Young Don deliver nimble wordplay and tales to appeal to thugs and ladies alike. The duo is backed by production from up-and-coming beatmaker J. Cardim, a Cambridge native based in New York who has worked with the likes of Lil Wayne, Ludacris and Talib Kweli.
The G’z, who open for M.O.P. at the Middle East in Cambridge on Thursday, are learning that they’ve got to put as much energy into their promotional efforts as they put into their music..
“I feel like we dropped the ball with the last project,” said Chief C (real name Chris Davis) during an interview at Boston’s Hip Hop Studio in Framingham. “We weren’t focusing 100 percent on the music. We were in the streets still doing other things. So we’ve got to take a different approach. We’ve got to go make better music and actually promote it and really go hard and get it to the people.”
The G’z are currently at work on a new album, “Set the City on Fire,” a metaphorical blaze tentatively set to drop in November as a follow-up to their second CD, 2008’s “Fly Boys.”
“I feel like this is our debut, even though it’s not,” Chief C said. “This is our coming out to the world. We’re gonna start with Boston and take it nationwide.”
The 24-year-old G’z, childhood friends from Cambridge who still live there, are not entirely on their own. They have the support of Respect and Power Records, a label co-owned by Cardim and Boston wordsmith G-Eyez.
“We’ve got a nice little team,” Chief C said. “The people in power are good people. It’s not like being signed to some major (label) and you don’t even know these people and your destiny is in their hands. It’s more of a family as well as a business.”
Having Cardim as an in-house producer certainly helps.
“That’s our man,” said Young Don (real name Jose Fuentes). “Working with him is incredible. It’s crazy because the dude is so talented. You’re just fortunate to work with somebody that’s so blessed.”
If the G’z ever took their position for granted, that changed when Young Don was serving an 18-month prison sentence for dealing drugs.
“When you realize you’re in a good position and surrounded by good people, you don’t want to blow a chance like that,” said Young Don, who was released in May. “Because anybody would kill to be in our shoes. It makes you appreciate every little thing when it’s taken from you. So things are different now. I’ve got my head in the right place and we’re trying to keep it moving with this music and do things positive.”
Certified G’z, with M.O.P., Mayhem, Hybrid Thoughts, Smyly and Mynestate Militia, Thursday at the Middle East, Cambridge. Tickets: $17 in advance, $20 at the door; 617-931-2000.
- lauren-carter@hotmail.com
http://www.bostonherald.com/entertainment/music/general/view.bg?articleid=1202491&chkEm=1 - Boston Herald
Discography
Goin Hard Mixtape (2006)
Fly Boys Album (2008)
Fly Boys Single (Radio Airplay throughout New England)
Photos
Bio
When discussing the key attributes of today’s hottest MC’s, a few factors come into play. Critics and fans alike believe characteristics such as flow, wordplay and swagger all help shape a well- rounded MC. Chief C, founding member of the Certified G’z, embodies all of these qualities and proves to everyone that he is capable of carrying the torch for the new generation of rap. ”When you listen to our music you know it’s authentic,” says Chief C, Certified G’z unofficial leader. Chief C, born Chris Davis, grew up in Cambridge Mass’ Putnam projects. It was there he met Jose Fuentes, aka Zay the Young Don, his best friend and future Certified G’z member. As a youngster C spent most of his time in the streets. School provided little inspiration. He was always passionate about music and experimented with rap, but his grind became serious when he teamed up with Boston- bred producer J. Cardim. J. Cardim’s hard hitting, sample-heavy production perfectly complimented Chris’ gritty, street tales. “J was the first one who really pushed me,” says Chris. “I realized ‘We could actually do this for a living.’ It could be more then just a hobby.” J. Cardim, who has since gone on to produce for prominent industry artists such as Joe Budden, Talib Kweli, Saigon, Papoose and AZ, still feels closest to his first artist. “Chris is my favorite rapper,” says J. “His versatility is crazy. He got a real aggressive flow when it comes to the hood shit, but then he’ll turn around and spit some smooth, pimp shit for the ladies.” Chief C is considered a veteran when it comes to street hustling and earning paper. Now is the time for him to prove his worth in an over saturated, highly volatile industry, and to eventually establish the “Certified G’z” as well as “Chief C” brand in the eyes of the consumer. Don’t let the Chief catch you sleeping, or he’ll prove why they call him a true “Certified G”!
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