Track 8.

I decided to do an interview with a really cool cat. His name is Sais, you'll see how to pronounce it if you read further, (that's only if you've never heard of him, which I doubt). He's pretty well known amongst the sneaker community, and in addition to that he raps. To learn a more about him scroll down and check out the interview. You can also check out his Myspace page at www.myspace.com/imsais.

Start off by telling everyone your name and where your from?

My name is Sais© , which is pronounced Size. I'm a New Yorker..

How did you get the name Sais?

When I first started rapping my name was Jiggy Blades and then shortened to Jig Blades. I didn't feel like associating myself with the jiggy era so I made a change to Sais© and it stuck. I didn't even mean for the meaning of jig to be flashy more like a stabbin motion. [Laughs].

How do you feel about the current state of Hip Hop? Has it taken a turn for the worst or is it just a fresh approach?

I'm a fan of the 90s golden era of hip hop so I would say a turn for the worse. It seems like rappers nowadays are looking to this as a get rich quick scheme but the hustle is way different. A Fabolous clone is just not cutting it nowadays. Even looking at people's flow everyone seems like a carbon copy. I tell people it seems like hip hop evolved then devolved right back to its simplistic ABC flow.

Well anyone whose heard your music know you have a really unique flow. Where did you get your flow from?

I googled it. Nah just playing, as I said before I draw inspiration from the golden era really. I respect the flows of Treach, Big Pun, Kool G Rap, Camp Lo. More recently Freeway, I fux with his unorthodox flow. Lupe do his thing too.

In addition to rap you do many other ventures. What do they include?

I got a couple things, but I'll just shout out Laced Magazine right there so I don't jinx the good things coming up. Shoutouts to Steve and Kwazz and the whole GFC. I got my own column in each magazine.

How did that begin?

Well Steve-O hit me up when I had signed on a old screen name getting ready to delete my AOL account, Sais© 9 JordanZ. He had heard of me and peeped me in the sneaker scene so he offered a spot in the magazine. My brother always says if someone invites you to a party, go. So I'm here!

What artists are you listening to right now?

I don't even know, I don't really fux wit current rappers like that because they're all the same but I'll give Peedi Crakk some burn in the iPod, Freeway, Jayz, Lil Wayne and Nas.

Your kick game is pretty vicious. How many do you own?

Thanks. I may have like 50 to 55 now I used to have almost 100 pairs of pure Jordans. But then there were so many I didn't wear I decided to break down the count and do the quality over quantity thing. I don't care about having a million sneakers. I smush the competition not smash but smush. [Laughs] but really I aint one of the other rappers that don't know about this sh*t walking around with fakes claiming to hold that power. Shoutout to Fabolous by the way [Laughs].

When did you start collecting?

Around 1999 is when I first started really copping. I always loved sneakers but didn't have the money.

What is your favorite pair?

Air Jordan VI black/infrared.

How do you feel about the new cats jumping on the sneaker bandwagon? Is it a good or bad thing?

Well I'm from a different era of sneaker collecting because I got into it before the hype of this sh*t started. If you want to be real about it, hood niggaz and chicks been sneakerheads. People know that back in the day you go to Brooklyn you can see a girl or a dude that had to get every Jordan to stunt with right when it came out. Now this is all commercialized and like the thing to do. Before people aint know they were sneakerheads until they had like 20 kicks and someone would be like "damn you be copping mad kicks" Nowadays you can find kids with no sneakers on some "yeah I'm a sneakerhead I'm just trying to build my collection heheheh" its disgusting, but its whatever at the same time [Laughs].

Would you prefer a woman in heels or sneakers? Why?

I prefer a woman in heels, its all about the femininity for me, although I can appreciate a girl in a hot pair of nikes. Femininity is a word right? [Laughs]

I'll give you a couple words and you give me the first thing that comes to mind.

New York-The start

Waffles-Belgium

Sneakers-Jordans

Music-Sais

Sais-Sexy

Women-Beautiful


Thanks for allowing me to interview you.

Peace, Stay Up, & Good Luck.

Track 7. Mickey Factz Interview!!!

Happy to be doing this again. I'm sure everyone knows your name by now and wanted an update to see how you've progressed thus far. Make sure you download Flashback at http://gfcny.com/.


>So I'm gonna jump right in. Flasback will be dropping on Friday. What can we expect from that?


Woooooo. You can expect the hottest mixtape to drop everrrrrrrr. Its an old school cd, but its musical. We got Jazz, Rock, Pop, hip-hop, Lounge Music, R&B.... expect to be blown away.

>You recently discovered that rapper O-Solo had pretty much stolen the concept from your song " You Remind Me". When did you find out? How do you feel about that?

Well, [pauses to laugh].... I put this record out in February. Apparantly homeboy heard my song awhile back. Fact of the matter is his song catalogue is terrible. So to avoid getting dropped from TVT, he had to come up with something to save himself. This is the sad part, he did it for his career, I did it for fun. Haha. Now I knew about him trying to do the record back in april or may. And its sad that he's manipulating the people to have them think it was his idea. His version is corny, u can't understand what he's saying. Its just terrible. Its cool tho. Just lets me know I'm on the right path to success. We'll handle the situation accordingly. GFC style.....

>Everyone wants to know is there any deals in the works?

I got a couple of deals on tizzable. I've been to every label in the city so far. They know about Mickey and the offers/interest are there.

>What will be the name of the album? What is gonna be the first single off of the album?

The name of the album is called "Itz Mickey". The single is still undecided because there are sooooo many of em. Hard to choose.

>When is the album gonna be dropping, and will there be any collaborations on it?

Album is dropping late 08. I wanna big release for it. I should be signed before the year is up.

>I recently saw a Youtube video of you, and there was a guy named Precize doing the beat. His beats are ill. How did that relationship come about? Will he be producing anything on the album?

Precize did half of flashback over. We met through myspace and he's like my brother. He's going to be producing more than half of the records on the album and upcoming mixtapes.

>Tell me a little about the Japanese Fader photoshoot?

Yeah that was a good look. We went out, met with our fellow Japanese comrades. That's where the statement konichiwa comes from. They put me on. They came to us because of the strong movement and unity we're showing through-out the city.

>When can we expect you on the cover of Laced magazine?

When I go platinum. So next year.

>In the song Truth or Dare on In Search Of... you brought up Lupe Fiasco, and that you guys should do a collaboration called Blind Fury. Can we expect a Mickey Factz x Lupe Fiasco joint?

The Lupe and Mickey collabo is going down and its coming reeeeeeeal soon. Please keep ur ears open for that.

>Ill give you a word and you tell me what word comes to mind:

>GFC-Independent

>The Bronx-Home

>Sneakers-Culture

>Fame-Over-rated

>Struggle-Beautiful

>Hip Hop-Life


Thanks for another great interview with you Mickey. Peace. Stay Up.Good Luck.

Itz Mickey! GFC

Track 6. [Dreamcloth]

When the chance presented itself to get to interview a talented up and coming designer I decided to take advantage of the oppurtunity. You can take a look at it at http://www.dreamclothnyc.com/ or http://www.myspace.com/dreamcloth.

> Start off by telling everyone your name and where your from?

Rugz, Deniro,The Artist I go by many name.

> You have a pretty ill clothing line called Dreamcloth. Why did you pick that name?

>Because we all have dreams but not many of us take charge of them. My dream was to create my own cloth (clothing). I used to be a big dreamer when I was younger and as I grew a lot of it happened to be taken away from me at an early age. So now it's all or nothing and dreams aren't dreams anymore. Thats how the name came about.

> What made you want to start a clothing line at a time when so many > clothing lines are emerging?

>You are correct lots of lines are out and coming but its the art of it. A lot of these lines come from money. This is the growth process, I'm an artist in every shape and form. It's not how many lines its who can put out great shirts and jeans etc. Secondly most of these other dudes have mom and dad to give them money to start off thats not where I am with it. I mean if you have the funding cool, I'm happy for you. But How long can you keep coming up with nice things is the question. It's about being creative. I see through a special set of eyes, so I'm going to stay afloat.

> Right now your only doing male clothing. When can the ladies like myself expect a female line?

Happy you asked. The female line is being printed as we sit here. The Myspace page is up go check it out the lifestyle of the Pretty Crooks, High Class Sh*t Poppers http://www.myspace.com/belladreamrock.

> Who are some of your favorite designers? Who would you like to do a design collaboration with?

Ummmm my favorite would have to be Nigo for his vision and his style. He is a collector of many things from all over the world, so I admire what he has built with the Bathing Ape line. Who would I like to do a collabo? Anyone with talent thats ready to work.

> What is your ultimate career goal? What are some of your accomplishments thus far?

I just want to leave my mark here on this earth as an artist, originator, collector, etc. As far as accomplishments I have been in several magazines, video blogs, things are picking up, I'm just building to put us where we need to be.

> What would be a typical everyday outfit for you? How would you describe your style?

My style is terrific [LAUGHS]. I do what I want thats the key to fashion. Don't think to hard, just flow and you will wow them, if that's your aim. As of everyday fabrics for me hmmmmm I can't tell jackers probably scrolling down right now to jock my sh*t. Get your own sh*t poser!![LAUGHS]>

> Rumor has it that people from Brooklyn have the best style. What do you think sets us apart from anyplace else?

Because we are the birth place of style. Robbing and boosting you name it [LAUGHS] I hate to state that but it's true. From the start of Hip Hop we created the that "Get Fresh" attitude, and we are still setting trends today. From Kane in the 80's to Jay-z, and Fab now, just to name a few. You still see Lil' Kim crushing 'em in the streets with the $5,000 bags and heels. NY period is the birth of Hip Hop and Hip Hop fashion, so you already know!!

> What is the key item that every man should own to be on his style A game?

Haaa. Rare kicks. Gotta be able to pull out some before seen joints on them or exclusive accessories, change holders, watches, scarves, (not to put over your face). A nice cell phone is important as well, it says a lot about you as a man of business. In addition to those a nice backpack and chain ring, etc.

> Your kick game is pretty crazy. If you had to give away all your kicks and keep one pair what would they be?

The Nike Supreme Blazers red joints, with the Gucci color scheme.>

> Would you prefer your girl in heels or sneakers? Why?

Umm can't pick. I like them to switch it up both are sexxy [LAUGHS].

> I'm sure the ladies would like to if your taken or not. Is there a female in your life right now?

Yes there is my mom and grand mom [Laughs]. They mean the world to me, but nah I'm single.

>Shoutouts to Dreamcloth/La Bella Dream fam, Brooklyn, My family, I live this thing called life for them. Have a billion dollar day.

Track 5.

SPEECH. An urban renaissance man, well thats what I call him. He does clothing design, web design, photography and a broad array of other things. Although I am from NY I do have to show love to cats from other cities, especially if they've accomplished that much at the age of 19. Yeah YOU reading this, step your game up.


> Start off by telling everyone your name and where your from?

A : I'm from Detroit, Michigan, born and raised. Joy Rd.

> You have a clothing line? Who is involved in it? How did that begin?
> Where can we purchase it?

A: I own 1/3 of The Welldone, along with Raymidwest and Albyn Maranen. It's actually the final product from the merge of ABE Clothing and Farclose Clothing Co. You can purchase it at www.thewelldone.com, and you should be able to get it from sk8 shops in Michigan and Japan.

> If given the chance to collaborate with a designer who would it be and why?

A: Wow. That's a hard one. It would probably have to be the Designers of Nike. They work so hard to do what they do, and I comes out so nice. I'd love to have a Welldone X Nike shoe out.

> Photography means a lot to you. When did your love for that begin? Why did you continue to pursue your love for it?

When I first started skating, most of the photographers wanted me to take their photos while they skateboarded also. From there they just taught me how to use a camera. I can't put a camera down. i have to create media that puts people in awe. It's an addiction.

> Do you have a favorite photograph and photographer?

I don't have a favorite photograph, but right now, my favorite photographer is Richard Avedon.

> Your a skater. How long have you been skating? How do you feel about the sudden interest in skate culture? Is it a good or bad thing?

Skateboarding and Photography came hand in hand, so since 13. The sudden interest in sk8 culture is a good and bad thing... when I first started, I sacrifice myself just so I could skate. I got into fights, arguments, and been misjudged all because I've wanted that one thing. With sk8ing in the media now, it's easier to except. But many people are abusing their rights. There is no such thing as half way crooks. Go all the way or go home. No experimenting.

> Your an avid traveler.Where have you been? Does that influence you artistically? What have you learned while abroad?

I've been to Japan, and I plan to hit the UK in the next couple months. Besides the 50 states, traveling does influence me artistically. Going somewhere and breathing someone else's air, or eating their food, it's great, because you learn more about things that are different to you. Japan is great. That's my second home.

> Who and what influences you?

A : People who defy the law influence me. Not so much as criminals, but people who go out of the ordinary to make something happen and they stand by their commitment. That's what makes important people.

> So you do web design, clothing design, and photography. What don't you do? How do you manage it all?

I don't do ballet [Laughs]. I don't try to see it as me managing multiple tasks.. they all go hand in hand. I think it's beautiful when you can just take whatever you have around you and make something out of it. Don't be an artist of paint, or pencil. Be an artist of life.

> What has been your greatest accomplishment? What do you plan on accomplishing in all aspects of your life (career, relationship, etc) ?

Most people would say that I've accomplished much, but I don't see it as accomplishment, because I'm not done yet and I'm not stopping until I'm on top. I want to run a corporate multi media publishing company, doing everything from photos to sound. And I will have a big family.

> What artists are you listening to right now?

Termanology, Kool G Rap, Saigon, Tasha(Korean), and Breakbeats.

> I'll say a word and you give me the first word that comes to mind?
>
> Detroit- Nest
>
> Struggle- Training
>
> Love- Product
>
> Skating- Freedom
>
> Photography- Expression
>
> Art- Manipulation
>
> Thanks for allowing me to interview you.
> Peace, Stay Up, & Good Luck.

Track 4.

T and I did not feel up to it, so we didnt go to the BHF. While T held down the fort here, I was in Jamaica for 10 days. Did alot of partying, it was fun while it lasted, but I started to miss home. Here are a couple of random ass pictures, it wont be much because I'm way too lazy to post them up. I cant remember where I took em so I guess they wont be captioned either.

Big Happy Birthday Shoutout to Mickey Factz.