Washington D.C. is known for a lot of things. For starters it’s our nation’s capital. It’s the home of the White House. It was also the home of one of the most notorious hustlers in history, Rayful Edmond. For all that it’s known for, hip-hop is not one of them. But things are changing and at a fast pace. With D.C’s golden boy Wale now officially signed to Interscope the city is now on the map and Wale isn’t the only one making moves.

If Wale opened the door then Washington D.C. native Tabi Bonney snuck in right behind him. Having been on the grind for years, the self-proclaimed “cool guy” has had videos on MTV, VH1, and performed in front of crowd ten thousand deep. He has his own clothing line and his music is completely original.

In short, Tabi Bonney is a breath of fresh air. Sixshot.Com caught up with Tabi Bonney to discuss Washington D.C., his clothing line, and why he’s always been popular.

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

Tabi Bonney: Everything is going real good.

Sixshot.Com: So tell us, are you going to be one of the first rappers out of DC to get national success?

Tabi Bonney: Hopefully. Right now I am the only DC rapper with a video on MTV Jams, VH1 Soul, MTV2, MTV U, BET J, and MTV Base Afr ica.  So I guess you can say that is national success especially since I am still indie and not signed to a major label at this point.

Sixshot.Com: Why do you think there hasn't been one yet excluding Wale of course?

Tabi Bonney: Well we did have Nonchalant back in the days. But since then, I don't know why we haven't had one yet. Maybe the time wasn't right. I just feel that right now DC is about to really explode.  We have so much new and fresh talent here. The moment just feels right so hopefully we can become a music haven just like ATL or NY or even Texas and Miami for that matter.  

Sixshot.Com: You have a unique style, how would you describe it yet?

Tabi Bonney: I'm just being me and not imitating anyone else, I guess that's why it comes off as real different. I think that that is the key that a lot of artists need to follow, "just be yourself."  I would describe my music as popular boy music. I just talk about the things that I am on and what I feel is cool or hip. It's just like being in school and everybody is checking to see what the popular kids are doing, wearing, how they’re talking, etc. I was and still am that popular kid, since elementary even to a 15,000 student University in Florida.

Sixshot.Com: You're father was an entertainer, did that have an influence on your career choice? 

Tabi Bonney: I think it definitely made me lean in that direction. Since I was born I have always been around music and the entertainment industry. From going with him on tour, to being in the studio with him, to TV interviews and even rehearsals.  Even though I didn't really know that I wanted to be involved in some fashion with music until I heard people such as EPMD, MC Lyte, Big Daddy Kane and so forth on the radio. That's when I really fell in love with hip-hop.

Sixshot.Com: Is Organized Rhyme still going?

Tabi Bonney: Yes! Organized Rhyme is still going. Actually it's starting to pick up steam.  People will definitely notice as 2009 progresses. I am the first artist out of it, but many more are about to follow.

Sixshot.Com: You've opened for some real big names, what were those experiences like? 

Tabi Bonney: It was cool man. Just having the opportunity to even get in front of other stars audiences’ as well as their big crowds. It is even great to be received well by their fans and make them my own. Half of the big names I didn't get to meet personally backstage so I can' really speak on that. But I have had a handful of other celebrities approach me and tell me how much they dig my music, from Lil Jon, Chingy, Polow the Don, Dead Prez, Camp Lo, Ski and so forth.

The craziest experience was hopping on the stage during the Southern Invasion Tour. Once I started hitting "The Pocke"t, the whole crowd was word for word with me. I think that was like 12,000 people, not sure though. 

Sixshot.Com: Tell us about A Fly Guy's Theme. 

Tabi Bonney: That is my debut album. It's exactly what the title states.  Its theme music for cool people, which I call the coolers or hipsters.  It's really an album for trendsetters; if you don't get it then we know where you stand. (Laughs)  But to describe it more in detail, it just goes back to me stating the whole popular boy thing.  It's just simply what I'm on.

Sixshot.Com: Bonney & Carter was an underground classic. What did you want fans to get from that album?

Tabi Bonney: Man, we were just experimenting and learning about music at that time. It's full of live instrumentation and is really for music lovers. That is when I was in a group and we just rapped to just rap. (Laughs) It is a very dope album though!

Sixshot.Com: You started your own clothing line Bonney Runway, how did that come about?

Tabi Bonney: That came about my senior year in college, when I went to Florida A&M University.  I just really got tired of going to stores and seeing everything in a size XXL or larger. Me being a skinny guy, I always felt like I looked ridiculous in huge shirts so I decided to start making my own. Another reason is that I would see shirts that I thought were ok, but felt that they would've been better if they made them in another color or put an extra design in a certain spot and so forth.

Sixshot.Com: You've been getting a lot of love all over the place, when did you start getting recognition?

Tabi Bonney: I think I first started getting recognition when I shot my first video called "You" and it had a snippet of "The Pocket" at the end of it.  That video hit VH1 Soul and put me slightly on a national level.

Sixshot.Com: A lot of times people don't feel what they don't understand. Was it harder to get attention being a different type of artist?

Tabi Bonney: Of course it was hard and still is hard. But I think it was really to my benefit, because I stood out from the crowd. While everyone blended in, sounding the same and looking the same, I stuck out and you couldn't help but notice me.  Whether you like it or not, you still notice me and know about me, for the simple fact that I am different and have a different sound.

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

Tabi Bonney: Everybody. Ghostface, Kanye, Bob Marley, Coldplay, Bjork, Jay-Z, Outkast, NORE, NWA, Fela Kuti, Special Ed.  Pretty much any genre of music and anybody making an influence.  I am just a student and fan of music.

Sixshot.Com: Where do you see yourself in 5 years in this game?

Tabi Bonney: Definitely a multi-millionaire. A couple of albums in, an entrepreneur and definitely delving into the film world.  More so making my own movies like Ice Cube.

Sixshot.Com: What projects can we expect to see from you?

Tabi Bonney: My next album entitled Dope meet Fresh...Fresh meet Superstar, that should be coming out soon.  After that I am going to start working on and producing my own indie film. I’m not sure when it will be ready for the public, but that's what I am going to focus most of my creative time on this year.

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

Tabi Bonney: Yes! Be yourself! And remember dreams are only dreams. Eventually you have to wake up and live them.

http://www.myspace.com/tabibonney