Illuminati 2G

I2G is back with part 2 of our interview with J-Kwon. Part 2 deals with Hood Hop 2.5, the new album dropping July 28th on EMI/Gracie Urban. We talk about the new single Louie Bounce, his thoughts on what  the St. Louis music scene needs to be unified once again, some details about a new group he is forming and much more so check it out.

Alright we are back with J-Kwon how's it going man?

I mean I am good what's happening?

Not too much. Since the last time we talked, you dropped the street album Hood Hop 2. What has been the reaction from the fans about the street album?

It's crazy. It is probably one of the biggest street albums out right now. It's everywhere, they love it. It's me, I do this.

Let's get into the new album, Hood Hop 2.5 coming out on the 28th of July. First single is Louie Bounce. Tell me a little bit about the single and the video.

I mean basically Louie Bounce, it is a playful record. After Hood Hop 2, I am coming so hard on it, and 2.5 as well. For the first single on this album, I wanted to go a different route and play with them a little bit. This whole music industry is my playground so that is definitely the definition of it. Then with this whole I smacked Nikki thing, it is just a metaphor for me. I am smacking everything and I am running through it. The video is crazy, we did it on a set, it is like a behind the scenes type set up. The day of the shoot, I just woke up out my bed, went to the shoot and did it. It's hot.

What else is in store for people on the 28th when they hear the album? Guest appearances, any details that you can give about the album?

I mean yeah I can give you a couple of details. Gino Green is on the album, he is with Hood Hop Music. Basically it is my label, a Hood Hop Music street album. We are going to give you a different look but at the end of the day it is me and my artists, period.

What is next after Hood Hop 2.5 as far as the label? Any artists that you have set to drop after the album?

After this album is Hood Hop 3. That is coming up next. We already in the studio with that right now cooking. We ain't stopping. Buy 2.5 or not, 3 is coming. I got my money, I am killing the game but at the same time I stay humble and I am ready to do it right now.

I know you are also a producer and you are working on beats. Are there any upcoming projects that people will be hearing your beats on any time soon?

Well I did alot of the beats on Hood Hop 2 and I have a couple spread out with some artists right now. I have a couple on 2.5 and I am going to do some on 3. I am just really working on me right now. If someone wants to contact me about beats, they can hit me up on the myspace (http://www.myspace.com/jkwon) but get them while you can because I am taxing. I am taxing alot!

Laughs

So just get with me man. Beats by the Kwon!

I know before we had spoken on the state of music in St. Louis and you dropped your two cents on it. What do you feel the city will need to do to really be unified once again like it once was? Or do you even think that is even needed at this point? Do you think everyone should just do their own thing or do the artists need to link up and work together?

You know what I think it comes down to my dude is honestly I am going to give myself alot of credit with this one. When I was out, it was during the same time that Nelly and Chingy was out. I had both of them on my album and we all got on stage together. I feel that I am the piece that was missing. So as long as I am popping, the whole St. Louis is popping. I am St. Louis, I am going to bring all that together and do that. As far as everybody is concerned, we cool. Everyone is getting older and growing up and everybody got hot music it is just about who is going to push it the best. Right now that just so happens to be me because I don't see nobody else out here doing it. I say what is on my mind and I am St. Louis. So the city is good, and once this J-Kwon movement keeps going like it has been going, you will shortly but surely see the city doing the same thing.

Do you have any upcoming shows or tour dates?

Well I know we are doing the west coast next month. I just did a crazy party to celebrate the new single, Louie Bounce, because it is doing so wonderful right now. The song is already in the top 100. We threw a party for no reason in Minnesota for that. I am just going to keep it moving, you will hear about me.

What is your website information for people looking to check out your music?

http://www.myspace.com/jkwon, My twitter is www.twitter.com/jkwon_hoodhop. Hit me up, I got my pen and my paper ready so if you hot and your record is already gaining a buzz come get down with me.

Alright well that is all the questions that I have for you....,

Oh yeah I forgot, I got the group album coming out, S.O.C. That is bigger than me. I care about that more than I care about me. S.O.C., Show Out Click, I got yall, we gonna do this.

Ok, do you have a release date or anything or are you guys just in the beginning stages of it?

Yeah we in the beginning stages, we had a couple problems that went down but we back together. We are in the studio working on that too, so be ready. I want to shout out the crew, I got to always do that and we just gonna keep it moving. It is all Hood Hop Music.

You got any last words you want to get out there to the people?

Nah I just want everyone to know that you gotta stay focused. God is in control. R.I.P. Michael Jackson, I am sorry to hear about that. J-Kwon just gonna keep doing me. Everyone better watch out for real. Hood Hop Music we coming.