Philly has always been a breeding ground for dope hip-hop artists. From Gillie to Beans to Freeway to Dice Raw, Philly has always had a wide array of talent that could satisfy any type of hip-hop fan. Commercial and underground, Philly has them both. The latest group the throw their hat in the ring is one that has a big co-sign, G-Unit.

G-Unit Philly is a new extension of 50’s brand and they are getting ready to take the game by storm. The crew led by Philly native Mike Knox has already started making waves and if they keep this up the sky is the limit. With hardcore rhymes, a city devoted to them, and the co-sign of the biggest rapper in the world it seems like it’s only a matter of time.

Sixshot.Com recently caught up with Mike Knox to discuss Philly hip-hop, working with Don Cannon, and how G-Unit Philly came about.

Sixshot.Com: Sup Mike, what's good?

Mike Knox: I'm just grinding right now man. At this point I’m just staying focused and doin’ what I got to do.

Sixshot.Com: So tell us man, how did you get into rapping?

Mike Knox: I always used to listen to rap when I was a young kid. I loved Run-DMC, EPMD, Kane, G-Rap, Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames. ONG>Rakim, and KRS-One, all the legends in the game. Artists like that made me really want to get into the game myself and become a rapper. They were inspirational to me and they played a huge part in me wanting to rap. 

Sixshot.Com: Now I don't want to dwell on this but you and Beanie Siegel had some bad blood, what went down between you?

Mike Knox: For me it's not anything to really talk about man, you feel me? I’m really from the streets and that's where it stays at so I ain’t really got nothin’ to say about it at all.

Sixshot.Com: How did you get with G-Unit?

Mike Knox: My man Steve Brodie actually took me to see 50. It was a real big moment for me for that to happen because he did not have to do it at all but he knows me very well and knows I do what I got to do to make it happen so he took me to see him. 50’s big in the game so it was definitely a cool moment for me.

Sixshot.Com: Tell us about G-Unit Philly. Is it a group, is it a label? Tell us exactly what it is.

Mike Knox: G-Unit Philly is a label, a movement, and a family and it’s all thanks to Tony Yayo. Without him, New Money and Monster, man none of this would be possible but they worked with us and we all made this happen man.

Sixshot.Com: What is your relationship like with 50?

Mike Knox: It’s good man, he really shows me a lot of love, he put me on MTV with him and he brought me out on stage in my own hometown at the Power 99 Powerhouse concert which was a great look, that was amazing for me. No one knew they where coming except for the station and me so it was a real special moment for everybody. A lot of mouths were left open that night for real. Tony Yayo is my brother and I love him to death, I will do anything for that nigga, that's my big homie so whoever don't like it fuck them, period.

Sixshot.Com: Who is involved with G-Unit Philly?

Mike Knox: Mike Knox, Tone Trump, Ive Vegas, and Cotic. That right there is who makes up G-Unit Philly. That’s the squad that makes up G-Unit Philly. We got a lot of good music and a lot of talent over here.

Sixshot.Com: What is it like working with DJ Don Cannon?

Mike Knox: Cannon is just amazing to work with in the studio. He makes you not want to stop recording. I could do cd’s with cannon all year and he understands the music and why you are doing it the way you’re doing it. He is very unorthodox with the beats and he is a major problem for sure, a real talented dude. I salute him and thank him for working with me

Sixshot.Com: How was the response from the fans to Money in the Makings?

Mike Knox: It was a great response. People did not expect that out of me the way I did it. I had a lot going on at that time in my life when I recorded that mixtape. It was war and I was willing to die for my respect before I let any nigga stop me from feeding my family. I’m not having it and the streets felt me. I’m a good person but don't try me because if you do that movie will end real fast so just know that.

Sixshot.Com: What can we expect to hear on the G-Unit Philly mixtape?

Mike Knox: Hunger man that’s what you going to hear on this joint, all of my niggas is hungry and they only respect real niggas. We got a thing called old school loyalty and when I say hungry I don't mean in a broke way. We just want our spot, it's time for Philly to do it and we going to play a major part in it, believe that.

Sixshot.Com: You're from Philly, what other rappers are you feeling from Philly?

Mike Knox: I’m feeling everybody out of Philly; we’re definitely trying to do it this time around. The murder rate is crazy right now. Everybody got to get in and do their thing. Shout out to Hedonis, she crazy with it. Kay Slay got her and she is a beast with it.

Sixshot.Com: What do you feel you are bringing to the game that it doesn't already have?

Mike Knox: Me, G-Unit Philly as a crew and a movement, what we’re bringing is a new beginning and a new sound to the hip-hop game. Serious, G-Unit Philly is definitely something different. It’s just different overall from the music to the movement and that’s what it is.

Sixshot.Com: How do you feel about the music coming out of Philly right now?

Mike Knox: I think we got good music, real good music. Our number one DJ out here Cosmic Kev really goes in on artist records from Philly. It is a good inspiration to the up and coming cats and the labels up top. Not everybody gives people a shot but he does and that’s a good look for up and coming cats from Philly.

Sixshot.Com: What projects can we expect to see from you in the near future?

Mike Knox: As long as I’m alive, you can be expecting to hear a lot of music from the squad and me. We got mixtapes and shows man, we stay real busy so expect to see a lot out of us, we’re ready to work and we’re definitely out here grinding real hard.

Sixshot.Com: Anything you'd like to say to the people at Sixshot.Com?

Mike Knox: Thank you for the support and for giving me the chance to express myself to the world. It means a lot. Pick up the G-Unit Philly mixtape hosted by Tony Yayo and Ace Mccloud.