What’s a rapper to do when the dynamics of the hip-hop game are quickly changing?  Major labels are becoming less and less attractive, the digital age is forcing artists to get really creative about making a dollar, and some are still saying that hip-hop is dead.  If you’re J-Kwon you simply move with the times and change up your hustle.

The St. Louis rapper best known for his 2004 hit single, “Tipsy,” is doing just that by retiring from being a rapper, and pursuing his new dream of being hip-hop’s next great mogul.  It’s a lofty goal but in a troubled music industry, do you really have any other choice but to take a risk?    

Sixshot caught up with J-Kwon to talk his final album release, Man in Da Mirror, being young and confused, why he considers himself a legend, the one wrong he feels that he must make right, and more.

How does it feel to have just turned 22 recently?

It feels good.  I’ve been doing the same stuff since I was 17.  I've been gambling—been drinking so it ain’t nothing really.  I guess I'm getting older now.

With getting older are you thinking more about the future and planning ahead?

Definitely I got Hood Hop Music.  I got my own management firm.  I’m making beats and I’m on the business side.  This is my last a lbum too.

Why?

I’m going into the business end.  I felt like I know how to get these artists sold.  So I’m gonna go on that side and do me.

Was there any disillusionment from being an artist that contributed to that decision to focus on a more behind-the-scenes role?

No.  I get to a certain point sometimes where I had all the fun I can have with it.  I did everything I really wanted to do.  I accomplished a lot from where I set my goals to.  Now I want to do the whole CEO thing—the whole star producer thing.  So that’s where I’m going next.

The album is entitled, Man in Da Mirror.  What kind of man do you hope to see when you look at yourself in the mirror?

The whole album is about from younger to now.  When I’m in the mirror now I see an adult.  When I looked in the mirror then I looked back at the 17, 18 year old and he’s confused.  He’s had guidance but he was still confused.  Now I’m getting clarity.  When I look in the mirror it’s so clear now.  It used to be blurry.  So I got everything how I want it now.  So it’s just time to run.

What was that young man so confused about?

He was confused about love. Everybody was so caught up on J-Kwon.  So who the hell cared about Jarrell?  So now it’s like I’m a grown man and I love myself.  My mom and [my] kids love me.  So that’s all I really need.

During your absence from the spotlight how did you grow?

Musically, I grew so much because I had time to step back for a minute [to] examine the game.  I saw what everybody else was doing on the music level and I elevated myself.  Personally, I cut the hair.  I lost the braids.  I did that because whatever demons was around me was in the hair.  That’s what I believe and now I’m fresh to death.  I got a new beginning and a new start.  So I’m just gonna do me.

When exactly did you decide to cut the hair?

It was ’06 and I said this ain’t me.  It was time to grow and I had to sacrifice.  I loved my hair but I wanted a new beginning.  Soon as I did that everything changed for me.  I started doing my own thing, got my own studios, and my own people.  Now I'm a better business man.  I talk to people better.  All that arrogant s*** is for the birds.  It’s straight humble from the womb to the tomb.  It’s J-Kwon season for real

You were signed by L.A. Reid and Jermaine Dupri at 17.  Do you still keep in-touch with them?

Yeah, when I see them it’s still on a good basis.  I often kick it with Jermaine a lot.  I love them and that’s why I still rock the So So Def chain.  That meant a lot to me and it’s still all good.

Some wonder why you didn’t go back to them with this album project.

I’m too far in the game—doing my own thing and I got too much money invested.  If I win, I win and if I fail, I fail.  I’m gonna always win.  As long as the project comes out I won.

I read the flyers on your MySpace page and it stated “The return of a legend.”  Do you truly consider yourself a legend?

Damn, right!  I’m from St. Louis and I’m a legend with this city down here.  I’m thorough and everybody wants the album.  They ask me where is it at constantly.  They say that, “We need you in these streets.  The game is not the same.”  Now I’m coming back for that.

Some of your critics may wonder how you can justifiably call yourself a legend since you haven’t been around long enough?

If they ain’t a legend in what they do that’s on them.  The only person who can say something like that is if you’re not a legend yourself.  I want them to get the album too and then they can tell me if I’m a legend.

I read that one of your albums, Louisville Slugger is shelved.  Any chance it will see the light of day?

No, never.

Why not?

It’s dead.  I wasn’t even feeling that album.  That wasn’t the album I was trying to put out anyway.

You started out so young with fast success.  When you see young artists like Soulja Boy and Hurricane Chris are you concerned about what they're being exposed to in the industry?

Both of them I like.  Right now I probably like them more than a lot of the entertainers.  I like them because they’re focused and you can see their focus. I want both of them to stay on track and keep doing good.  They’re the new generation as well as me.  It’s time for this new blood to circulate, have our own labels, and be young bosses.

How are you aiming to position your label in the midst of a digital age/revolution?  So much has changed in the industry since you first came out.

We gon’ move with the times.  When I had the hair I had to cut it and let it go.  So I move with the times.  I came up under Jermaine Dupri and he’s one of the best with keeping with the times.  We’re gonna play the game how it’s supposed to be played and be the best at playing that game.  That’s what it’s always gonna be about.

What’s a typical day in the life of J-Kwon?

A lot of phone calls ‘cause I handle a lot of business.  A lot of MySpace stuff and not too much having fun—just grinding right now.  Now a year from now I might tell you something different.  But right now it’s just work, work, and work.

How has fatherhood been going for you?

It’s alright.  I can’t complain.  I got time to see my kids grow up.

How old are they?

Five and six.

Being out of the spotlight have you some time to sit back and look with fresh eyes at the industry.  What are your thoughts on the industry now and the evolution of hip-hop?

Whew!  That’s all I can say on that one—whew!

So you like most of it?

I just give a whew to it—good or bad.  [Laughs]

What are your dreams for yourself at this stage?

Just to be a CEO and a mogul.  I want my kids to do their thing—whatever they’re gonna do.  I know my daughter wants to do the modeling thing.  So I’m gonna watch out for her.  My dreams and goals are to be a good father, a good CEO and a good manager to whom I’m managing.  I just want to be a good person all the way around, and right all my wrongs basically.

Is there one particular wrong you need to right?

There definitely is.  I think when you’re climbing up your head kind of gets wrong—it just grows bigger than your body.  I probably said something or did things which I can’t tell you particularly.  People say, “Back when you was 18 you didn’t even say hi to me.”  A lot of people say that’s a little thing, but little things count.  If I did that or said something about anybody I apologize.  I just want to right my wrongs and be a better person.  So in order for me to get there I have to work on it, which I have been doing for years.  I guess now that I'm back I got a chance to do that.

For more information please visit:
www.myspace.com/hoodhopmusic86