Artist and Businessman, Boo is a double threat to the music industry and is attacking it from every angle with the goal of success in mind. Boo has put his blood, sweat and tears into the industry and grinded out songs with some of the biggest names in music. He has formulated a strong foundation for himself, and now he’s reaping the benefits of his hard labor. With a solo album preparing to drop and establishing his very own record label Mob Boss Entertainment, Boo is ready to continuously leave his mark in music history.
Boo annihilates the historic, yet prevailing West Side versus South side rivalry of Chicago. He thus chose to represent for the city as a whole. The question is will you represent for him?
What part of Chicago are you from?
Boo: I represent ALL of Chicago. Pretty soon, it’ll be Atlanta, LA, Dallas, New York, Paris, Sydney, Bombay, Internationally known! My music isn’t about where I represent but who I represent and how I PRESENT myself as an artist.
How was your transition from being a rapper looking for a label, to being on a label that didn’t fit your personal vision, to being the CEO of your own label?
Boo: All of my trials and tribulations influenced who I am now. You have to go through highs and lows to have a complete sense of the music business. The majority of artists want to be CEO of their own label so that they can have 100% creative control. That’s just the natural progression of the business.
When was Mob Boss Entertainment established?
Boo: Mob Boss Entertainment has always been a lingering idea. It was put into full effect 2004 and we’ve just rolled with it since then.
What kind of talent will Mob Boss Entertainment be unleashing?
Boo: The first thing is to now establish myself as a respected businessman. Then, we are looking to represent all facets of the entertainment business. Rappers, R&B artists, Models, and eventually urban Actors and Actresses. Where we go from there? The sky’s the limit.
What do you look for when you trying to find “the next hot thing?”
Boo: Everyone always talks about and hears of the “wow factor”. The artist has to have a niche and be distinctive. If they sound like everyone else, then, it will defeat the purpose and the hard work put behind them. There is already a Tupac, Biggie, Slick Rick, Run DMC. From back in the beginning until now. We have to find and only work with artists who bring something new and different to the table.
You’ve been able to have longevity in a business where one hit wonders are common. How did you accomplish this?
Boo: I didn’t give up. Some people have different ambitions. They have fallbacks and other “ideas”. I really put all my chips into the game. I’m all in, so there’s no stopping me. I didn’t give up because I can’t.
From your initial breakout until now, you’ve worked with some of the hottest names in music. Being able to say you collaborated with R. Kelly, Jay Z, and Lil Wayne is an accomplishment many artist wish they could attest to. Explain the experience and feelings of working with such musical geniuses at the forefront of your career?
Boo: I am lucky. As an artist new into your career, your eyes are open to so much. You are susceptible to their influences. Me, personally, I worked with artists who are so accomplished and wanted to share their knowledge of the industry. It was so much to take in but I feel that I was definitely able to learn from them and ensure that I would have longevity.
Many people think being able to spit a few rhyming sentences mean they have what it takes to make it in the music industry. Enlighten us on the difference between freestyling and being able to lay down a record.
Boo: I actually think it’s the opposite. There are a lot of people who can lay down a record. Now, whether it ends up being hot, that’s up to the listeners to decide. If people call that talent; that’s the variation. Freestyling is more of a natural-born ability than a developed talent. Either way, both are artists in their own right.
Do you think hailing from the Chi stifled your progress in the music industry?
Boo: Chicago artists suffer. By suffer I mean struggle to make it. People don’t say; “I’m going to go to Chicago and make it big.” They go to NYC or LA, someplace where the label headquarters are. This city is so hungry for its turn to be seen. There are artists everywhere you go. There are talented artists everywhere in the city; South, West, North, East, downtown – you have the bucket boys that used to be on Michigan Ave. We could almost create our own universe.
It’s rumored that your solo project should be dropping this year. Can you give us a glimpse of the direction you went for with this album?
Boo: I created this album from my past and my future. To represent who I am as an artist but at the same time give people something they want to listen to… maybe move to. You’ll see.
Looking back in retrospect, in regards to being in and out of groups, switching record labels, and now finally being about to release your solo project, do you feel you’ve come full circle?
Boo: Coming full circle is about everything I’ve been through. Everything that you see I have done the ups and downs. I know I’ve come full circle, but I’m ready to go a second round; without the downs.
It seems hip hop is being blamed for most of the negativity in today’s society. How do you feel about hip hop being the scapegoat to the world’s problem?
Boo: It is a scapegoat which is unfortunate. For people involved in the industry itself, it’s a release. It’s a way to express suppression, aggravation, everything that we want to say, we can do it in our music.
What can we expect from Boo in 2008?
Boo: Well, of course the solo album. Giving back. Helping other people get to where they need to be musically and in other ways. And platinum hits.
What advice can you give to up and coming entrepreneurs who want to start their own label, as well as aspiring artist?
Boo: Don’t burn any bridges. Learn from people whether its good or bad. Don’t be in it for the money. You have to have ambition for this that nothing else can override. Never be afraid to be influenced. You have to be able to close your mouth and open up your ears in order to learn. Anyone that is capable of that, they can make it. Don’t forget where you come from and appreciate each fan because without them building them you up, you’ll stay at the bottom.
To find our more info on Boo and listen to his music, visit his Myspace page:
http://www.myspace.com/boombe
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