One of the most unique things about Hip-Hop is that is has something for everybody. If you’re a conscious individual, then artists like Common, Talib Kweli, or most Mos Def will feed your apatite. If you’re looking for rhyme-animals, then go no further than Joell Ortiz, AZ, or Black Thought from The Roots. But if all you want to hear is “street sh*t” then people like Mobb Deep, and The LOX are always willing to oblige you. But if you want to hear catchy dance tunes, then pack your bags and head down South. Your first stop will probably be Atlanta, where you’ll run into groups like D4L one of the originators of “snap music” and the people behind 2005’s hit "Laffy Taffy".

Even though this brand of music continues to take criticism from fans and Hip-Hop purest alike, for lack of content and lack of creativity, the founder of the D4L, Shawty Lo has shunned the negativity and managed to be successful from a solo standpoint by releasing his mixtape "I’m Da Man" and the song with the same name.

The mixtape went on to sell over 40,000 copies opening the door for his debut solo project titled Units In the City. So now the head of D4L Records embarks on another Southern musical journey through the South. Now only time will tell i f he’s still cool under fire.

When did you first get into Hip-Hop?

To be honest I really wasn’t into music until like 2003. And that’s when I founded the group D4L. Then in 2004 we made our first song called "Betcha Can’t Do It Like Me", and then we did "Laffy Taffy". But I was trying to be more of the person behind the scenes, and when I got out of jail in 2005, I did a song called "I’m Da Man". And the people around Atlanta really liked the song and they were like; “We wanna hear more of you.” And that’s how it went. 

So that’s why you decided to come out with a solo project?

Well I’m doing the solo project, but we’re still a group, everybody is just doing their own thing right now. As for myself, I’ve only been rapping for two years, so I don’t call myself a rapper. I got a new style sort of like a “slow-flow” and everybody likes my style. So I ain’t trying to sound like nobody, I’m just trying to be me.

I dig that. Do you feel any stress to perform well since you’re venturing out into the solo world and leaving the group setting behind you?

I felt a little pressure, because my manager wanted me to do more shows, and I was never on stage by myself. But after I started doing more songs and I put out the mixtape with DJ Scream and the mixtape was a success I got the hang of it, and things were good. And now I got it.

So you’re more comfortable performing on your own now?

I’m a lot more comfortable, but I still got a lot to learn. I’m really just telling stories about my life, and what I’ve been through, I want people to relate to my music. I’m not trying to be anybody else, just Shawty Lo. 

Your album is named Units In The City. Any meaning behind that?

When I did my first song, "I’m Da Man" that was my jump off and it took off really fast. So it was like I was moving units in the city. And that’s the whole goal of it all, just trying to move more units.

Did you work with D4L on your album too?

Yeah, they’re all over my album.

A lot of people say that the South relies on beats, hooks, and dances as opposed to lyricism. What’s your take on that?

Everybody got their time. If that’s what they say, then that’s what it is. That’s what’s happening right now. I feel my stuff is in the lyrics, I can’t dance, but I can two-step. But I’m just doing what I got to do. Like I said before, I’m just trying to be me. I’m not trying to be what other people want me to be. 

You’re also the CEO of D4L Records. Is it hard going back and fourth from the studio to the boardroom?

I can’t say its hard because I got a mean staff, know what I’m saying. And we all work together to get the job done, so I know how to separate the CEO from the artist. A lot of the thanks goes to my manager because we handle it pretty well.

Are there any other projects you have in the works besides your album?

Well on top of that, I have a book that’s coming out, and a movie. I also got some real estate, I got a little land. I try to do a lot of different stuff besides the music.

What would you say is the hardest thing you’ve learned in the music game so far?

When you come in you’ll get f**ked in the beginning, you got to have a lawyer with you. When you’re coming in, just don’t go in and start signing paper work and you don’t know what’s going on. You just have to crawl before you can walk, know what I’m saying.