Interview with Add-2

Photo Courtesty of WritersChicago.blogspot.com

I recently caught up with Chicago MC Add-2 after his two performances at Tini Martini.  We talked about those performances, his influences musically, what he thinks about collaborations between artists, future workings with 9th Wonder.  We also talked a little sports, Chicago Hip-Hop, having his video “Luxury” on MTVU and a few other subjects.

Sports Hop: First off I would like to say congrats on your video Luxury being #1 on MTVU.  For those who don’t know explain how this came about.

Add-2: To be honest I really don’t know, it surprised me especially since we placed 2nd in The Freshman contest.  But my gut feeling is we either had the most positive comments, views or something.  I honestly don’t know how they rank the video but I ain’t complaining either (haha).

Sports Hop: When did you first start rapping and who are your influences?

Add-2: I think I really got started around 6th or 7th grade, I always listened to hip-hop and rap but it wasn’t until my friend Jeremy would tell me to freestyle did I really start getting into it.  I started writing everyday and it became a habit and later turned into a love.  My influences where Stevie Wonder, Common, Kanye, Jay-Z, Nas and 2Pac.

Sports Hop: You just did two different performances tonight.  This was your first time doing so how was it?

Add-2: It was pretty tiring but real fun.

Sports Hop: You mentioned the other week on Twitter how you want to be front row for a Bulls game before the end of the year.  Being from Chicago besides the Bulls who did you like growing up as far as sports?

Add-2: I have always been a Chicago Bears fan because it was passed down from my dad.  A lot of people also don’t know I was a huge Tim Hardaway fan as well.  So when he played for the Golden State Warriors and later the Miami Heat I was fans of those teams to.  Especially when he first started with Golden State I knew like almost all the players on the team.  Starts randomly naming most of their starting line up.  I collected his jerseys and cards everything.  A funny story though is I actually got to meet him but he was such an asshole it tore me up inside a lot.  So I ended up burning and throwing away all my Tim Hardaway cards and everything because I was so devastated from my hero being like that.

Sports Hop: You said you plan on working with 9th Wonder soon.  Will it be a mixtape or an album?

Add-2: I don’t really know.  He has an artist of his that’s called Tim Harday working on a mixtape that I’m supposed to be doing a verse on a track for him.  We are really just getting to know each other right now first though.  Him and a lot of his people keep randomly hitting me up on Twitter lately telling me how 9th refereed me to them.  They said that he’s just been vibing and listening to a lot of my mixtapes and stuff that I sent him to I guess to get a feel for how we could work together.  If I got my wish it would be on an EP if I did one like the stuff he did with Murs and Buckshot.

Sports Hop: Who else do you plan on working with in the future?

Add-2: I don’t really collaborate with too many artists not because I don’t want to but more so because I like to be a fan of music and enjoy their work for what it is.  But producer wise I’m working with Antman Wonder, Slot-A, Ill Meel, Ken B, Marcus Banks, Charli Brown and many others.

Sports Hop: What projects can we expect this year?

Add-2: Not really sure not really planned out anything right now.  But I can’t go a full year without doing anything so I would probably say an EP or another mixtape.  As you know though most of my mixtape work is like albums though since they are all original material.

Sports Hop: Being from Chicago there is a lot of talented rappers yet they never work together as much as they probably should.  That has started to change some what recently.  What do you think it will take for us to unite and show that to the rest of the world/industry?

Add-2: It honestly is going to take multiple people to make it from Chicago so it can help more independent/up and coming artists see that there’s room for all of us.  I think Chicago gets labeled with the “Crab in the Bucket” mentality because there’s little opportunity here compared to other cities with established music scenes.   If we where able to capitalize on all the talent and resources we would have the next hip-hop mecca in my opinion.

Sports Hop: Being independent you have a pretty strong fan base of loyal fans.  What do you think helps you maintain it?

Add-2: Being down to earth and grounded.  As you know I don’t play up to being a celebrity type figure.  I’m a regular person like the rest of you.  I don’t let things get to my head like a lot of people do.  Also as you know I’m real interactive with my fans and try to hit them back as much as I can when they try reaching out to me.  So just being humble and thankful for everything I think helps me with that.

Sports Hop: Speaking of which how could your fans keep up to date with you?

Add-2: They could keep up with me at http://Twitter.com/ADD2theMC and Addtwo on Facebook.  Also they could reach me at http://MySpace.com/Add2.

White Sox Unretire Hall of Famer Aparicio’s No. 11 For Vizquel

Yesterday Monday February 8th the White Sox announced they would be un-retiring Hall of Fame shortstop Luis Aparicio’s No. 11 jersey for the newly acquired fellow future Hall of Famer Omar Vizquel.  That is with Aparicio’s consent of course.  Vizquel is also a fellow Venezuelan native like Aparicio with both players being some of the finest from not only Venezuela but in the history of MLB to play shortstop.

They have a combined 20 Gold Gloves between them at shortstop.  Plus most of their career statistics are very similar with Vizquel most likely being the next Venezuelan to be in the Hall of Fame.  As of right now Aparicio is the only one.  That’s unless Dave Concepcion goes in by the veteran’s committee.

Vizquel said he will wear the number in tribute to Aparicio and it’s a great honor.  He’s worn No. 13 in the past but that belonged to White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen who said he wouldn’t give it up.

“Every kid in Venezuela has to follow the tradition of shortstops and Luis Aparacio was on top of the list.  You have to know about Aparacio,” Vizquel said Monday in a press conference.  “It’s a huge privilege to come to this organization and follow the shortstop tradition and become another one of that group.”

Vizquel and Aparacio who have been friends for a while now have been connecting over the past few years according to the White Sox new utility player.  So Vizquel said naturally he wanted to honor Luis in some way and wondered if his number would be available.  Aparicio reportedly took a while before he thought about it and with a smile said it was a great idea.

“If there is one player I would like to see wear my uniform number with the White Sox, it is Omar Vizquel,” Aparicio said in a statement.  “I have known Omar for a long time.  Along with being an outstanding player, he is a good and decent man.”

This is the second time the White Sox have unretired a uniform number, having done so for Harold Baines No. 3 in1996 for his second and third stints with the team.  Being a White Sox fan myself it will be good to see a legend like Aparacio’s number being worn by another Future Hall of Famer again like Vizquel.  Can’t wait for the new season to start too got a lot of high hopes for the South Siders again this year with the way they finished the last few weeks of last season on a little bit of a high note with the better play they had and the acquisitions they made during the off season.

Some info from WhiteSox.com was used in this report.

MVPuppets: The Handshake

Here’s another funny video of another new of the Nike MVPuppets commercials.  This one even has a few guest appearances.  See if you could see who they are and get a good laugh will you are at it?

A Letter To All Of You Fake New Orleans Saints Fans!

For the first time since I started watching and following sports I did not watch the Super Bowl.  So I guess I was one of the few people who didn’t watch the game.  The game drew a record 106.5 million viewers according to Nielson it was estimated on Monday.

Call me a sore loser or whatever you want but I was still kind of but hurt from the Vikings loss to the Saints in the NFC Championship game.  Not to mention I didn’t watch the game because I was and still am tired of all of these bandwagon fans that all of sudden liked or now like the New Orleans Saints.

I mean yea it was good for the city of New Orleans with all they went through with Hurricane Katrina a few years back.  But that’s the only reason most of these people all of a sudden jumped and are still jumping on the Saints bandwagon.  I mean I could understand if you are a true Saints fan from New Orleans or somewhere else and always have been a fan.  So to those fans I salute and congratulate you on the Saints victory.

But for all these fake no jive looking fans that all of a sudden always come around at times like now you gets no love.  Being a true sports enthusiast like I myself have been most of my young twenty-three years here on earth it’s good to see for the true fans.  But every time new bandwagon type fans like those come around it really irritates me and I’m sure most other sports enthusiasts or fans because we have always been win or lose fans or enthusiasts of the teams we like.  While all of those other fans come around all of a sudden and jump on the bandwagon for no good reason most of the time.

Not to mention it will help New Orleans somewhat but it wouldn’t fully help the people still there recovering from Hurricane Katrina.  The way I was told the announcers and the media made it seem is this would all make everything from Katrina go away for those New Orleans natives.  But the sad part is it truly wouldn’t.  I mean yea it will make it somewhat get that off those natives of New Orleans mind but there is still plenty work there from the hurricane that needs to be put back together the last I remember hearing.  Like the situation going on it Haiti right now it will take years for everyone to help and fix.

Enough of my rant though.  Now that the NFL season is over I could focus on the NBA and upcoming MLB season again.  Not to forget boxing and some NHL hockey as well.

New X.O. – The Whoryde feat. MC Eiht & D.V. Alias Khrist (Day 8) [28 Days Later]

X.O. brings it back with that 90s type gangster vibe for Day 8 of his 28 day later series as he brings along fellow MC and West Coast legend MC Eiht. Definitely one of the better tracks from the series so far for too.

Download: X.O. – The Whoryde feat. MC Eiht & D.V. Alias Khrist (Day 8 )

For those who missed it her is yesterday’s track I meant to post as well but didn’t get a chance to from X.O.  This one is appropriately titled The Hit and is not only a hit but got some of that good gangster westcoast vibe to it as well.

Download: X.O. – The Hit (Day 7)

Bloody Edwin Valero Stops Hometown Favorite Antonio DeMarco in Mexico

A bloodied Edwin Valero of Venezuela retained his WBC lightweight belt Saturday night by defeating hometown favorite Antonio DeMarco of Mexico to stay undefeated.  Seeing his bloodied face you would think he was on the short ends of the ropes but it was the exact opposite.

Valero put on one of the best displays of boxing I have seen from a young boxer in a while with the way he dominated DeMarco with ease throughout the fight.  He was the aggressor throughout the fight as he virtually outpunched and outboxed DeMarco in every round of the fight.

When DeMarco’s corner finally stopped the fight after the ninth round beating he had taken Valero was up on all three judge’s scorecards by eight points 79-72.  Valero suffered the gash of blood on his forehead in the second round, which came from an elbow from DeMarco that was ruled accidental.

It was a very dominant and impressive win for Valero with a worldwide audience of boxing fans like me watching on Showtime’s Championship Boxing.  His defense was real great to as he made DeMarco look like a stiff as he virtually landed nothing throughout the fight.

The announcers said they liked Valero to a younger Manny Pacquiao but with a little better defense and jab.  This is something I agree with myself from watching the fight.  So it’s even more interesting that Valero in the post fight said he would like to fight Pacquiao.

“That’s the fight the world wants to see,” Valero said.

I myself think it could be a good fight from the way Valero fought.  But not right away it would probably be something he should explore after he has a couple more big type fights like this that he displayed Saturday night in Mexico against DeMarco.

Tearful Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith Headline 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class

Today to no surprise a tearfully happy Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith where elected for enshrinement into the 2010 Pro Football Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility.  The two powerhouse offensive players who broke down defenses throughout their careers couldn’t handle the emotions of being elected.

“They told me, Don’t cry,” Rice said, his eyes wet with tears.  “It meant the world to me, just like winning a Super Bowl.  On draft day, I didn’t take that for granted.  I didn’t take this for granted.”

Smith teared up when speaking of his father and how “I was living his dream.”  “We are blessed to share this level of success together,” Smith said, referring to Rice.

Five other players guard Russ Grimm, linebacker Ricky Jackson, cornerback Dick LeBeau, running back Floyd Little and defensive tackle John Randle where also elected.

Growing up a Minnesota Vikings fan it is real good to see such a great player like John Randle being inducted this year with Rice and Smith.  He was one of the greatest defensive tackles to ever play the game but never really gets his just due respect.  The stats don’t lie he’s tied for sixth overall among defensive tackles with 137 1/2 and played in seven Pro Bowls.  Those are only a few of the many accomplishments he had throughout his career with the Vikings and Seahawks.

All of the players will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on Aug. 7th.

New X.O. feat. The Hundred – LA Girl (Day 6) [28 Days Later] & Mikkey Halsted – I’m The Man feat. Sly Polaroid & Cloak Hancock

X.O. brings yet another heater for Day 6 of his 28 day later series as he brings along fellow MC The Hundred.  With The Hundred putting a really nice verse on the track as well that’s dedicated to LA women & appropriately title LA Girl.

Download: X.O. feat. The Hundred – LA Girl (Day 6)

Here’s the 1st leak from Mikkey Halsted upcoming mixtape The Best You nEver Heard.  This track is a monsta produced by SC & features fellow Chicago up and coming MC Sly Polaroid.  Expect Mikkey’s mixtape to drop this Thursday Feb. 11th with a release party that day.  Info on the flyer below.  Shouts to the homie Andrew over at FSD for the track download.

Download: Mikkey Halsted – I’m The Man feat. Sly Polaroid & Cloak Hancock (Prod. by SC)

New Video Jaheim – Ain’t Leavin’ Without You (Remix) (feat. Jadakiss)

Jaheim brings a very dope video for this nice smooth club banger from his upcoming album Another Round dropping Feb. 9th.  The video is for the remix of the track feat. Jadakiss & has some really nice eye candy in it to for the fellas.

Interview with Skooda Chose

Photo courtesty of WhatsYourStrive.com

I recently caught up with Chicago’s own Skooda Chose of Chicago Hip-Hop pioneer Twista’s GMG (Get Money Gang) Ent. before he performed for Writer’s Wednesday at Tini Martini.  We talked about everything from his influences to what it’s like being signed to Twista’s label.  I also talked to Skooda about his thoughts on the current state of Chicago Hip-Hop as well as his upcoming projects and a little sports talk.

Sports Hop: What up Skooda? How’s life treating you?

Skooda Chose: Everything is good and great.

Sports Hop: Alright that’s good to hear. Besides Twista, Jay, Big and Pac who influenced you to start rapping?

Skooda Chose: Nas, Outkast, and all my fans in the neighborhood. (FYI: For those who don’t know Skooda had those MC’s I knew influenced him as his top 5 on his latest mixtape Top 5 Material with DJ Green Lantern released in 2008)

Sports Hop: Being from Chicago and signed to Twista label Get Money Gang how does it feel?

Skooda Chose: It’s definitely a really good thing. I actually got my own label to called Karnegie League.

Sports Hop: How did he discover you?

Skooda Chose: Through the buzz I had in the street with my mixtapes.

Sports Hop: You have one of the biggest buzz in Chicago right now. Besides the internet and blog sites what do you think helps you maintain it?

Skooda Chose: These shows like this.

Sports Hop: What do you think of Chicago’s Hip-Hop scene right now and who from Chicago do you listen to?

Skooda Chose: It’s decent, but it’s getting bigger we are definitly starting to get to where we need to be. I listen to everybody in Chicago who’s nice and has some type of skills.

Sports Hop; Your new single Represent Fly is really buzzing right now. Can we expect a big video for it like your previous effort Loungin?

Skooda Chose: Most definitely.  I got a big response from Loungin so the only thing I could do is go up.

Sports Hop: What upcoming projects can we expect this year?

Skooda Chose: My debut album The Heir Up There.

Sports Hop: When do you plan on trying to drop it?

Skooda Chose: In the 2nd quarter right before the summer.

Sports Hop: Any new mixtapes?

Skooda Chose: Yea I got Top 5 Material Part 2

Sports Hop: The first one was hosted by DJ Green Lantern so will he be hosting again?

Skooda Chose: Right now I ain’t got no one.  But I will probably found someone I’m not sure yet though.  I also got The Best of Me mixtape dropping on March 9th.

Sports Hop: With this being a sports and hip-hop related website and being from Chicago you have mentioned Kobe in a few of your rhymes.  One of my favorites is “Shooting guard like Kobe.”  So what do you think of the Kobe and Mike comparisons?

Skooda Chose: Kobe is right there and the closest thing to Jordan. But Jordan is the greatest.

Sports Hop: What sports do you like to watch or keep up with besides basketball?

Skooda Chose: Pretty much all of them. I like football, soccer, a little hockey and baseball during the playoffs.

Sports Hop: How can your fans keep up to date with you?

Skooda Chose: The best way to reach me is on http://Twitter.com/SkoodaChose or Skooda Chose on Facebook. I also got a website coming soon so be on the lookout for that.