I’ve said it before and I’m going to take this opportunity to say it again. The music business is a funny business. About six months ago I sat down with my man Wes Fif and had a discussion about his recent deal with Slip-N-Slide. Miami was hot but Wes Fif was repping for other parts of the state and he seemed destined to blow up.Instead of seeing him at number one on the charts, I read one day that he left Slip-N-Slide.

Luckily for Fif, he’s still one of the best things smokin’ in Florida and his fanbase didn’t go anywhere. Never a stranger to the independent grind, Fif is more ready than ever before to make sure everybody knows his name. I caught up with the Florida spitter to discuss leaving Slip-N-Slide, the Florida hip-hop scene, and why he loves being independent.

So first off how you been man?

Can't complain, I'm breathing. All is well, just heavy on the grind tryna get it.

Last time we talked you were freshly signed to Slip-N-Slide and I recently read that you left. What happened with that situation?

Man, I'm so tired of talking about that situation but I love Sixshot so here it goes. Basically what it was, was a major miscommunication I feel as to what was supposed have went on from both sides, per our agreement. It was a unique enough situat ion where we were able to pull out if we did not see the same dedication that we were applying. And that's basically what happened. Much success to those guys in the future.

Absolutely, so are you with a new label or are you grinding independently? What’s good?

Back to the indy grind family, which never stopped even through that "situation". I was still very visible through the whole ordeal which was 100% my immediate team. So expect much of the same. We just put out a video to a street record called "I'm Here Now" which we'll service to many of the secondary video outlets and is already all over the net. And my single "Wasting Your Time" is picking up steam at radio so we'll see man. I feel good about it. I have a mixtape coming out with my DJ, Young Legend, The Empire, Big Mike, and DJ Prostyle (106 & Park) called "I Plead The Fif". We just working, hopefully another situation will arise. I'm a cash cow baby. (Laughs)

So do you feel like you get more freedom working independently?

Yes, but I feel like I've done so much to this point on my own be it exposure, marketing, or what have you as well as building a fan base and finding a niche that any situation I enter that freedom will have to remain in tact or it can't happen unless its to better me, ya dig? Like if a major was to tamper with my creative control for the worst then nobody wins. I know how to make hits, hot records. I've been doing that.

So what’s the secret then Fif, how have you accomplished all this?

Just by not being afraid to reach out dude. I've learned that the worst a person in this industry is going to do is either hear what you have to say, ignore you, or shoot you a bullshit answer. Either way it can't hurt to reach out. After that I let the music speak for itself and the movement speak for itself. I've been blessed to have a partner as well who is very media savvy and net savvy to also help with email blasts, press kits, and things of that nature. All of that coupled with a grass roots campaign in the streets of areas that I can touch have enabled me to be very visible. I don't think there's a secret; I think it’s about persistence, caring about you present yourself, and above all-good music.

Are your surprised by all the success that Florida is having overall?

No sir, not at all. I'm surprised I haven't got a piece of the pie yet. (Laughs) But Florida as a whole has been waiting our turn family. Alotta shit you see from neighboring states music wise and lifestyle wise is shit they adapt from us, and just don't give us credit. Whether its slang, clothes, to cars, alotta niggas copy us and don't pay homage. So I'm very glad that the originators of a lot of this shit you've been seeing are finally getting our just due. It’s still some cities in Florida that haven't been tapped into. Aside from T-Pain who is from Tallahassee, all this music you're seeing is South Florida product. Cities like Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, are still waiting their turn, so its more different shit to come, being that each of these cities are different.

I also wanted to ask you, if you could either print up physical mixtapes or use that money to increase your visibility on the internet, which one would you choose?

I would put equal funds into both because they are both equally important to an underground artist. With the internet a local artist has the capability to be worldwide and tap into markets they might can't reach. But at the same time u need to be as visible on the ground in your city and surround areas as well, some of your target audience might not be computer savvy and have that access, so you definitely need to use both avenues effectively.

Why do you think South Florida has blown up before the other areas in Florida?

I can't call it. I think its because Miami itself is a spot that has alotta money in it and the cats with money know how to use it. New money is moving there everyday. And I commend these niggas because to me it looks like they doing whatever to keep that money there and keep that spotlight there. Alotta majors are basing offices there; their radio is breaking locals, etc etc. Alotta things play a major roll in their success. If other metro areas did the same they could have the same success.

Yeah I hear you, so Fif where do you see yourself in the hip-hop game in 5 years?

Falling back and putting out other artists and letting them piggyback off my name. I'm sure everything will be damn near 100% digital in 5 years time. Hopefully ill be 3 albums deep and talking retirement like my nigga Game. (Laughs) Just successful bro and talked about as one of the best, in the South at least, if not abroad.

Aight man give us the rundown of everything you got coming out that we can check for.

Aiight if u haven't checked it check out DJ Smallz/ Wes Fif The Streets Chose Me, its all over the net. The video "I'm Here Now" all over the net as well, and coming to your TV screen very soon. "I Plead The Fif" mixtape w/ Young Legend, Big Mike, The Empire and DJ Prostyle on the way. I'm looking at doing a digital release this summer possibly, looking over paperwork for that. And Get Money Guidelines will be in ya face sooner or later. Other than that man look for me any and everywhere aint no telling when/where I'm going to pop up.

No doubt man, anything you wanna say to all your fans at Sixshot.com?

I wanna thank Sixshot for this opportunity to be heard, it means a lot. To the fans man check ya boy out; www.wesfifonline.com, myspace.com/wesfif, youtube.com/wesfiftv and all that good shit. If you like good, quality street music with potential to crossover, I'm your dude. All yall that send me messages askin why I'm not signed? All I can say is they scared of me, I'm too outspoken I guess. (Laughs) Anybody wanting to reach out on some business fizzleboy@tmail.com or 407-704-4600, no bullshit please.