Some people call it the fifth borough, the last to be mentioned when thinking of the places that make up New York City. Some people call it Shaolin. Some people call it Staten Island. Up and coming rapper AC calls it home.

Rapping since he was a teenager, Latino rapper AC is definitely somebody to watch out for. A hip-hop head to the core, AC produces, writes, and raps. But it’s all in a day’s work for the hip-hop hustler, who right now is carrying Staten Island on his back.

It’s been a while since Wu-Tang was reigning supreme on the streets of Staten and AC is determined to bring it back. While extremely talented as a lyricist, there is more to AC than that. There is more to him than production and writing skills. He is also knows for his pioneering and originality, which in one case, gained him national attention. That was with his mixtape Twinz, where he decided to mix Hector Lavoe music with Big Pun vocals. It’s this quality that separates him from the millions of would be MC’s who are trying to figure out the millionth way to spit about how much money they have.

A true student of the game, you can hear the hunger is his flows, appreciation for those that came before him in his lyrics, and his love for the game in his production.

Sixshot.com caught up with AC to discuss Tapemasters, Inc., This is AC, and what projects we can check for in the future.

What's good man, how's life?

Everything is real good right now bro, I'm at a happy point in my life.

So how did you get into rapping?

I would say that I began writing a lot around 1998. It started out as a fun thing to do
with friends but then I see dudes actually starting to get money from making music.  After endless trips to Canal and Fulton for mixtapes and records, I knew it wasn't going to be just a hobby for long. It meant a lot more to me and I was real into it. I love listening to the finished product there's really nothing else like it because you created that yourself from the beginning to the end.

It's been a minute since there was a big MC reppin' Staten Island, (besides
Wu-Tang) you plan on being the new face?

I am pretty much the only mixtape dude the island got right now, I’m definitely trying to break out of the underground and put Staten Island back on top like it was in the 90's, for sure. That's real important to me.

The Truth About The Industry got a lot of attention, what was the thought process behind that joint?

Ahh, that just was just a drunken, spur of the moment idea that wound up really taking off and people noticed it. I seen Jay and Cam was goin' at each other with the biter writer thing so I took the idea and ran with it. It was just good timing so it got a great response.

You feel the mixtape game has done a lot for you?

Oh without a doubt, the fact that I got my own mixtape crew (Tapemasters Inc.) was a great help and still is. When everyone else fronted on us, we just created our own lane. I love the mixtape game; it’s a straight hustle. Its all about timing and what kind of product you're gonna drop to the fans. I'm trying to break out of that scene though, and move on to bigger things. Being on a mixtape used to get me excited, I'm over it now. I need something else to get me wildin' out.

This is AC was hot, how did the fans respond?

It got an overall good response.  I feel I've grown a whole lot since that project.  It was my first solo release and I think it showed everyone that AC can actually write a song and he wasn’t all about punchlines. Writing songs is a whole different thing and I think I displayed that I can really do that well.

You had tracks from Dilla on there. How much do you think he did for hip-hop?

Oh, Dilla is a pioneer, a true maestro with the MPC. He has really built a cult of followers that try to mimic his style and his fans are so diehard. There is only one J Dilla, that’s for sure.

Tell us about This is AC Part 2, Staten Lives.

Staten Lives is my second solo release. It has done very well in the streets, and has fell into a lot of hands.  It was hosted by 4 of the biggest Dj's in the game (DJ Big Mike, DJ, Skee, Dj Smallz and Dj Mick Boogie) and it was really more of an album than a mixtape. It just felt bigger than a mixtape and people were really feelin' it.

Tell us about the Twins project, how did you even come up with the idea?

Twins was an idea Popular B and I came up with through the course of brainstorming. We were thinking of a good concept CD to release around the Puerto Rican Day parade. I wanted to do a project that really represents my PR culture.  We took Hector Lavoe songs, chopped them up and put Big Pun over them. The CD came out crazy and attracted a huge amount of press and positive attention. The fans loved it, the magazines, whoever, the response was dope.

What do you think Pun meant to hip-hop?

Big Pun represents all Latinos in Hip Hop. He is one of the most talented lyricists ever regardless of race but he did a lot for Latinos in hip-hop, no question.

How do you manage to stay fresh in a music industry that is so crowded?

I don't look around to see what these dudes are doing. I mainly listen to talk radio, News, Entertainment. I rarely listen to top 40 stations or urban stations. I get all the songs I need to be hearing in my email, and read all the charts on paper. I create from my own mind, and try not to be influenced by the next man.

Who were some of your musical influences?

Rap wise I would have to say Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, Canibus, Big L, Timberland, The WU, Red and Meth, etc. All of them had a real big influence on me musically. All the dudes from that 90's era of hip-hop. I also listen to a lot of 70's and 80's music.

You produce, write, spit. Which do you prefer?

I like to write and produce the most; I really enjoy the creative process. Rapping is just as liberating but that's more the constructive process. I like laying the foundation and building on top of that to create a masterpiece.

Any labels knocking on the door yet?

We have had a few come a knocking. (Laughs) Nothing is inked or set in stone by any means though. We’re gonna take our time and make sure everything is just right.

What projects can we expect from you in the future?

I'm working on releasing something for my fans overseas and a DVD in 08.
Look out for that because it’s gonna be hot.

Anything you'd like to say to your fans at Sixshot.com?

Just that I appreciate all the love and support. As long as you look out for me and I’ll look out for you. Also, support tapemasters inc. and go pick up This Is AC Part 2-Staten Lives at Www.thisisac.com or www.themixgame.com. I’d also like to thank Sixshot.com for interviewing me. Peace.