While California isn’t the powerhouse it once was in the hip-hop world, things are brewing on the West Coast. There’s a line of talented young rappers coming out of Cali and one of its brightest stars is Watts native, Jay Rock.

With a sick flow and lyricism that is generally reserved for East Coast artists, he is poised to do big things in 2008. A true student of the game, Jay has been expose to music since a young age and never limited his scope.

From Pac, to Big, to the oldies, Jay listened and absorbed. Tearing up the mixtape scene for a while now, Jay secured a deal with Warner Brothers and is looking forward to dropping his debut album.

With his own company Top Dawg Entertainment up and running he also plans to release artists of his own. With Jay Rock looking to capitalize, we should expect to see a rise in the West.

Sup Jay, what's good?

Man, I’m just chillin’, what’s good with you?

Same old man, so you seem to be a real student of the game, what made you appreciate all types of music?

Yeah, absolutely, I’m a real student, my moms used to have card games with her friends when I was younger and she would play all kinds of music. I really didn’t have a choice but to listen. I used to be hot but after a while I started feelin’ it . I think that what really opened my ears to all types of music.

What was it like for you growing up in Watts?

Growing up in Watts was crazy, real crazy. You never knew what was gonna happen. It’s an everyday struggle to survive man. You might have to kill a nigga or a nigga might kill you but it’s the gutta and that’s how we live. What up to all my Watts niggas.

Who were some of your musical influences?

People like N.W.A, Pac, and my homies OFTB, Biggie, and really a little bit of everybody.

How would you describe your rap style?

Straight gangsta my nigga. I’m not like all these other fake niggas with these fake ass gangsta tales they spit. I live what I speak. I’m for the Nickerson Gardens and we ten times worse than The Wire.

You were just featured in XXL, how was that experience?

That shit was cool. Comin’ from Watts you never think shit like this can happen for you and it’s a whole lot better than a mug shot. (Laughs)

Tell us about your single "Lift Me Up".

"Lift Me Up"  is the West Coast anthem. Everybody know the coast been down for a while so I knew I had to come out hard and let niggas know we still got spitters and we comin’ back for our crown. I got in with Sounwave and QTR and came out with "Lift Me Up". Shout out to Julio G. He was blastin’ that shit the next day and it took off.

What was it like working with DJ Skee?

Skee is my dude. It was great working with him. He’s one of the biggest DJ’s in the world and he’s been holding me down from day one.

How was the response to the No Sleep Til NYC mixtape?

They have been going crazy over it. They tell me it’s the hardest mixtape out. K Dot and me put a lot of hard work into it.

Watts Finest was crazy, what did you want the fans to get from that?

I wanted them to get to know a lot about me and where I come from and what I represent. Through mixtapes I can get deeper into different things about my life, my hood, and what I’ve done and been through so I tried to touch on everything with Watts Finest.

So how did you get with Warner brothers and how does it feel being signed to a major?

My big homie Dude Dawg blessed me with that situation at Warner. He hooked up with Naim Ali and they made it happen, good lookin’ homies. 

It’s cool but I still grind hard like I don’t have a deal. I’m a go hard nigga and Top Dawg Entertainment is a go hard company so with or without a major we gon’ get it. Comin’ out the Nickerson Gardens you learn fast that nothing comes easy.

"LA Shit" was hot, what gave you the idea to flip Busta[Rhymes'] joint?

I was in the studio when I heard it and I told K Dot that it’s time to get on our L.A. shit. Busta came hard with that and I felt that if I did an L.A version I could get a lot of people to start noticing who I am. A lot of niggas thought Busta flipped my shit. They was hitting me up saying Busta stole your song.

When can we expect your major label debut?

I’m trying to get it to yall for the first quarter. It’s a few things that are not in place at my label that need to be in place before I drop. I’m in this shit to win so I’m not rushing to drop my album and flop, you feel me? I’m making sure everything is in place so I can win.

Any other projects coming up?

I’m working on a new tape and finishing up my album. Also look out for my nigga K Dot, he got projects comin’ out in 2008.

Where can the fans check you?

They can check www.myspace.com./jayrock or topdawgproductions.com.

Anything you’d like to say to the fans at Sixshot.com?

Thanks for the support and I do this for yall.