Playaz Circle

The latest southern rap duo Playaz Circle presented their debut disc, Supply & Demand in 2007, one of the most anticipated debuts in years. Signed to the groundbreaking Disturbing Tha Peace label, founded by multi-platinum and Grammy winning artist and actor Ludacris and Disturbing Tha Peace CEO Chaka Zulu, these Georgia boys have already been making noise with their first single “Duffle Bag Boyz.”

Hotter than a bowl of grits, “Duffle Bag Boyz” is the perfect introduction anthem from a new duo Tity Boi and his partner in rhyme Dolla. The popular track, with a hyped video (directed by Chaka Zulu) in heavy rotation on BET and a ringtone blaring out of phones, has also led to a growing popularity on Myspace. “We get like 600 friends a day,” says Dolla. “Personally, I just think it’s a blessing that we’re being heard.”

While the Playaz Circle prides themselves on being laid-back Southern gentleman, Tity Boi laughs, “The Duffle Bag Boys is our wild side.” Produced by newcomer M-16 and featuring Lil Wayne, the groove-induced funk also has fly flourishes of haunting keyboards, souped-up 808 and operatic wailings.

“We come from the era when hip-hop really had substance,” Tity Boi says. “We were students of artists like NWA, Too Short and Big Daddy Kane. We knew all of that music.” Growing-up in the College Park section of Atlanta at a time when hometown groups like Goodie Mob and Outkast were pioneering a southern hip-hop sensibility, the Playz Circle rap duo Tity Boi and Dolla were

“I called his mother mom too,” the talkative Tity Boi says. “Me and Dolla grew-up hustling together, going to school together and struggling together.”

While their community was considered the hood, the other side of College Park was where bling boy Jermaine Dupri and prizefighter Evandor Holyfield chilled in luxury mansions. “We weren’t as privileged as that, but I think it just made us strive harder,” reasons Dolla. “Seeing nice things makes you want to work to get your own. Where we came from, it was all about hot cars and hot chicks.”

Still that didn’t stop them from filming their video in their old stomping grounds. “We had the whole neighborhood out there,” says Tity Boi. “People were barbequing, we had a hundred people in Playaz Club t-shirts and we had Lil Wayne. That was one of the best days.

Practicing their skills in the basement of a neighborhood friend’s home or free styling on the bus, Tity and Dolla were both good students when they attended North Clayton High School. “These kids today act like its cool to be dumb, but I love going to school. We both graduated, which, where we come from, is a miracle considering there is a huge dropout rate. Kids need to understand, you need school sense as much as street sense.”

Joking around (or, maybe not), Tity Boi exclaims, “The real reason we went to school was for the girls. I always got dressed-up with a fresh outfit, hot shoes.” While he also played basketball for the school team, that did not stop him from getting into trouble. “I got arrested twice in school. Man, sometimes I had so much money on me, I was buying the teachers lunch.”

It was during this time that Tity and Dolla met another up and coming hip-hop kid who was already getting a little play as a radio jock. “Luda moved into our apartment complex for a minute,” remembers Tity Boi. “That was shortly before it was torn down to make room for the airport expansion. Still, that’s where our stories come from, that’s where our crew comes from; PC will always be a part of us.”

Appearing on the club banger “Betta Knock,” their homeboy Ludacris has been a positive influence on the duo. “The energy that Luda displays is crazy,” says Dolla. “Whether building relationships, being in the studio or making decisions, Luda has shown us just how important it is to be business savvy. In this industry, you have to create your own way.”

In addition, Supply & Demand features; a guest appearance from labelmate Shawnna (“Gucci Bag”). “This may be our major label debut,” says Tity Boi, “but, we been doing this for so long we feel like we’re seasoned.”

While Tity Boi (who got his nickname from his mama) got a scholarship to Alabama State, he still found time to come home and record with Dolla. In 1998 they put out their first mixtape “United We Stand, United We Fall,” which was followed by “Fuck You” and Fuck You 2.” Laughs Tity Boi, “Of course, both covers had middle fingers extended.”

Yet, before they could do their thing, Dolla was locked-up and served two years in prison. “It was crazy,” he remembers, “because, I was sitting in a cell when I first saw Luda and Tity Boi on television. I started screaming, ‘Yo, those are my boys. It’s goin’ be on when I get out.’ Dudes were like, ‘Yeah, right.’ At least I felt like I had something to look forward too.”

After getting out of jail, Dolla and Tity recorded their first DTP track “Playpen is the Statepen” for the Golden Grain compilation. “Luda though