Having a buzz in hip-hop used to mean something. The anticipation of the greatness that a rapper could achieve was enough to have A&R’s, executives, and label heads clamoring at the chance to work with an artist. There weren’t a hundred meetings to be had. There was no reviewing soundscan numbers. The MC was just signed off of pure talent.

Today, that’s really not the case and a perfect example is Godwon. Godwon has been hot on the Houston hip-hop scene for years yet he still has no record deal. He does shows in different states and even different countries but no exec has presented the man with a contract. Sixshot.com caught up with Godwon to discuss coming to America from Africa and his rough and tumble youth.

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

Godwon: It's your world man it's all good here.

Sixshot.Com: Aight man, what was it like moving from Nigeria to the States?

Godwon: Actually it was supposed to be temporary, my dad was an adviser to the President and we came to America after an assassination attempt in the early 90's but the people looking out for my father ended up overthrowing the government so I never went back.

Sixshot.Com: When did you get into hip-hop?

Godwon: I got into hip-hop in Nigeria; I am the average immigrant from a 3rd worl d country. Music was an outlet to the everyday suffering and few things that could bridge the religious gap in the area I grew up in. I fell in love with music almost before I was walking and hip-hop was my favorite genre.

Sixshot.Com: You got into some trouble. What made you stop running the streets?

Godwon: Yeah man I caught some felony cases as well as a misdemeanor escape charge. When my family lost contact with my father we really didn't have much, my mama was working in Wendy's and I had an older brother and sisters that she was providing for as well so to lighten the burden on my mother and also trying to fit in I was getting my own money doing anything from selling drugs to theft which lead to jail and almost getting deported. Stopping is not an option when you have two strikes; I’m trying to raise my kids man.

Sixshot.Com: Who would you say are some of your musical influences?

Godwon: I am influenced by many different genres but Notorious B.I.G was my main influence. I am also influenced by The Fugees, Chubb Rock, Bobby Brown, Heavy D, Enya, Timbaland’s camp when they first came out like Magoo, Missy etc., Rick James, Jimmy Hendrix, Elvis (laughs) the list goes on man. I just truly love music.

Sixshot.Com: What do you think your role is in the Houston hip-hop scene?

Godwon: I am the hip hop cat of the Houston streets which makes me sort of an outcast and I believe I am the most imitated unsigned rapper in America period. I think it has a lot to do with the knowledge that Jay-z signed an artist who stole my music but I hear my sound from indie's to major artists but it is what it is who cares?

Sixshot.Com: Has the hip-hop scene in Houston changed a lot from when you were coming up?

Godwon: Nah man Houston hip-hop is the same man, same niggas that are blown up now been the same niggas around for years. Houston blew up by accident; we have always had the talent but the radio DJ's are competing with artist. There are a few real DJ's but most of these cats rap themselves or have a son or brother that raps or they simply see themselves as Houston stars so they almost never played local music unless it was themselves (laughs), no bullshit. See Paul Wall, Flip, Cham and all them boys blew up in NY and Houston couldn't do anything but bow down to the masses because the message was already out.

Now the DJ's are back in "control mode" (laughs), at first it was Houston artists everywhere in the industry, the reason why it seems the South is dying is because these Houston DJ's aren't trying to let the rest of us up cause they honestly believe they are the stars. My nigga Rob G signed to Universal and had two smash singles playing on every radio station down here besides the main one that reports BDS because the DJ's are pushing their own singles and a bit of hating and don't want niggas coming up. It’s some extreme bullshit (laughs) but don't shoot the messenger, shoot the haters!

Sixshot.Com: You've been buzzing for a while. Why haven't you been signed yet?

Godwon: Buzz deals are dead man, A&R's are gonna sign their brother, two cousins, and best friends for the finders fee even if those cats are not really talented but have one radio friendly single. A&R's have lost their damn minds man, you get 10k for your cousin but you find the new Eminem and your set for life but they don't think like that. Also I think because I am so prepared it works against me, an A&R wants to be responsible for my sound instead of simply happy he found me so they rather sign they kinfolk and say, "I made him". I also believe if I was less of a man I woulda been on long time ago. A lot of rappers are on they knees!

Sixshot.Com: Have a lot of labels been showing interest?

Godwon: The majors all have shown interest, but this is the day of sell 50k records first then we sign you. It's the most foolish bullshit ever. If you do the history of hip-hop the successful ones have never done this. They were found the traditional way. I could easily "sound scam" and get on like the rest of them but what’s the point? I do music for the love so there is no rush, God knows this is what I do, I just hope I get on before my hairline start receding ya know (laugh)? I don't want to be spitting bars looking like a twit. I see myself as a 10 gold or platinum album artist, not a hot single dude.

Sixshot.Com: How would you describe your music?

Godwon: Fresh, unique, I think my shit is a breath of fresh air and I rep the real hip-hop but in a very commercial way, its a gold mine over here. I have enough material unrecorded to drop 10 records back to back.

Sixshot.Com: Are you cool with a lot of the other artists in the area, especially the ones who have blown up already?

Godwon: We are not best buddies or anything but I know all of them. Scarface took me under his wing for a little bit but he was doing his thing so we fell out. I haven’t talked to him since but it's reassuring to know he thinks I have "it" because that’s a legend. He woulda put me on but I think he has a bad taste in his mouth from those experiences in the past.

Sixshot.Com: What do you want to accomplish in hip-hop?

Godwon: I believe I can change the world and hip-hop if I get the chance to be broadcasted nationally. I believe my sound can do that plus I have tricks up my sleeve. If I simply get on a major I will change the world! I have Africa on my back and I think that speaks volumes. I can do a show with 100,000 people right now in Africa, and only a few artists can say that.

Sixshot.Com: Who would you say is really representing Houston correctly right now?

Godwon: Chamillionaire is cool.

Sixshot.Com: What projects are you working on that we can check for?

Godwon: I’m working on the Music For Me album. Itwill be a musical experience man so stay posted.

Sixshot.Com: Anything you'd like to say to your fans out there?

Godwon: Free Mike Vick, fuck them dogs! Shouts out to my nigga Rando the Boss, Victorious Green, Reggie B, African Maab niggas, GC Fam, my nigga Devaughn, Hollywood Boys, Ron-E-G, Face Mobb and Rap-A-Lot camp, and Sixshot.com no doubt I appreciate ya’ll