Huey speaks out about his upcoming album Redemption, his takes on hip-hop, and upcoming
projects in an exclusive Urban Feed interview.

Ke’Andrea “Kiki” Ayers
Editor-In-Chief
The Urban Feed

The St. Louis native had everyone “Pop, Lock and Droppin,” when his hit single was released from his debut album titled Notebook Paper in 2007. Huey is back and this time with another hit single, “Smile & Wave” featuring Dorrough. His sophomore album titled “Redemption” will be released in stores and online everywhere
September 14, just two days after his 22nd Birthday. The Urban Feed caught up with Huey today to discuss his upcoming album and the situation he was going through while out of the music game for the last couple of years. This is what he had to say:

How did you get your start in music?

Basically I was into music as a child. It started in church. My momma raised us at the church house. I started playing the drums and keyboard here and there. My momma bought me a keyboard when I was 14 years old. After I got that key board I started making beats and from there, started rapping to those beats. Five years later I ended up being signed to a major label.

How did you come up with the name Huey?

My last name is Huey and I was the baby boy of the family so I was baby Huey.

How was it like growing up in the music scene in St. Louis Missouri?

It was hard. Everyone was trying to make it. The next man coming up might be the next man trying to knock you. Mainly, in St. Louis if you want to try to come up and be successful you have to surround yourself around hotter people and stay a way from a negative environment or else you’ll get off track because you’ll get off track by the haters and the critics.

Your debut album Notebook Paper dropped in 2007. Why did it take you so long for you to record your sophomore album?

I was steadily according for one but the main reasons why that break even occurred is because of the simple fact that I had to get myself out of that last situation. I said one in my family that handled my team so I had to get out of his committee and get into a new situation and now that I am, I’m out here again right now. Other than that I spent time with my daughter, finished recording. I had interviews and shows here and there. I always try to make myself stay relevant as possible.

How did the collaboration for your first single “Smile and Wave” with Dorrough come about?

It started from twitter. Me and Dorrough were following each other on twitter and we ended up on the road together. We emailed each other the track and when he sent his verse we put it together. The song goes out to the haters. Instead of us being from the hood and acting in a negative way lets kill them with kindness and Smile and Wave.

What’s the meaning behind the title of your sophomore album redemption?

I feel like I let my fans down. There were die hard fans for Huey and I need to redeem myself. That has something to do with myself to. There’s a lot of people that look at me as a dance record type artist and I’m not. There’s more to Huey than “Pop, Lock & Drop It.” The world was so focused on that so they never really got a chance to know that or to know who Huey is. I have to redeem myself to a lot of people.

Your dropping your sophomore album around the same time as your 22nd Birthday. Was that planned?

Yes, my birthday is on the 12th of September and my album drops September 16th. Everyone go out and get the album. Follow me on twitter @Huey314 and add me on skype at HueyOmg. We have fun on skype and I definitely respond to twitter messages.

What would you say the hardest part about being a rapper is?

I would say the hardest part about being a rapper for real is staying humble. All of this hype can get to your head, change you and who you are. You can turn into someone you never planned on turing into. The hardest thing is to stay humble, stay focused and remember where you came from. Another hard thing is trying to be that one hit wonder and trying not to let the label put you in a position that you think is good when the whole time it’s bad. That’s very hard especially your first time around. I had to go through that myself but you live and you learn.

Who are some artist that inspired you?

From Wayne to Eminem, to Juelz Santana to Jeezy to Plies. Any artist that is out here doing their thing have all helped me when it comes down to hip-hop. You have to keep up with the industry. You can’t make the industry keep up with you.

Song Title: Moving My Way Up
Artist: Glen Jones
Twitter: Follow him @gmoneymusik

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Ke’Andrea “Kiki” Ayers
Editor-In-Chief
The Urban Feed

Since the release of his 2006 album Blue Collar, rap artist Rhymefest has come a long way and is back with the release of his “brand new” album “EL Che.” The Chi Town native earned himself the title as the Goodwill Hip-Hop Ambassador in 2006 when he met with David Cameron, The United Kingdom’s Parliamentary Leader of the Opposition to discuss the issue of violent lyrics in rap music. Rhymefest released the hit song “brand new” in 2006 which featured Kanye West and co wrote Kanye’s Grammy award winning song “Jesus Walks”. The Urban Feed recently caught up with Rhymefest to discuss his perspective on hip-hop, music and life. This is what he had to say:

TUF: Why should people go out and buy this album?
Rhymefest: Because it’s for people that have an independent mindset. Who cares what someone says about me.

TUF: Why do believe this album is important for the history of hip-hop?
Rhymefest: I don’t know that this album is important for the history of hip-hop. I think there is a difference between a dope album and a hot album. A dope album is forever and hot one cools off. My album is a dope album.

TUF: What buzz have you been getting off your mix-tape?
Rhymefest: I’ve been getting a lot of good feedback. I want some more criticism because criticism is a way to grow and get better.

TUF: Do you believe there is still a future for hip-hop?
Rhymefest: It depends on what you’re talking about. Hip-hop as I know it is dead. What I grew up listening to doesn’t exist anymore. Even if I sell 10,000 records that doesn’t matter. There was a day where public enemy sold 2 million records. That day is dead we need to focus on what’s born from it.

TUF: With that said what do you believe the biggest problem with hip-hop now of days is?
Rhymefest: The biggest problem with black music in general is the ignorance factor. Everyone wants to make songs based around alcohol, drugs or sex. You se that with songs like “Blame It On The Alcohol” or “Say Ahh.” Artists perceive that the only way they can be successful is to coon out. We have to think of things as black artist that other artist have to think about. We have to be conscious.

TUF: What separates Rhymefest from other artist?
Rhymefest: Fearlessness. I don’t care about repercussions or about what people think. I don’t care if people buy my albums. I’m going to say what I want to say because I want to say it.

TUF: Is there anything else that you want to say that you want the public to know?
Rhymefest: June 8th El Che is dropping. I encourage everyone who is independent minded to go out and buy the album.

Make sure to check Rhymfest’s new video for Talk My Shit below. The single is featured off his new album El Che which was released in stores and online June 8.

www.diddyblog.com from Diddy Blog on Vimeo.

Diddy seeks to inspire, motivate, and create through an inspirational trailer for DiddyBlog.com. Featuring clips from Barack Obama, Will Smith, and more profound and influential moments in American history. Check out the clip above and see why Diddy states this as the most “inspirational blog ever” via @iamdiddy

-Andrew

@Tip congrats to @bobatl for having the #1 album in the country! shout out to all the fans who made it possible!! #GRANDHUSTLE

The Adventures of Bobby Ray is in stores and online now featuring appearances from Bruno Mars, Lupe Fiasco, Hayley Williams of Paramore, and T.I..

–Andrew

1. Intro
2. The One
3. Love & Guns
4. Shut It Down (Feat. The Dream)
5. Return the Favor
6. Light Up (Feat. Jay-Z)
7. It’s Not Personal
8. Hold On
9. She Goes, I Go
10. Fireworks
11. Riding Music (Feat. Young Jeezy)
12. Don’t Change (Feat. Kid Cudi & Kanye West)
13. Fiction (Feat. Andre 3000)
14. Go Hard
15. Fear (Pt. II)
16. Momma
17. I Love H.E.R. 2010
* Forever (Drake & Eminem Feat. Kanye West & Lil Wayne)

Check out the latest video for Jaheim’s “Find My Way Back” from his latest album “Another Round” in stores and online now.

16 Grammys you got to dust off! Check out the latest video from Beyonce titled “Why Don’t You Love Me.”

In addition to anticipation of his debut album B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray, B.o.B premieres “Bet I” featuring T.I.!