Trey P: What’s up 4-ize?

4-Ize: What it does…

Trey P: What’s new with you?

4-Ize: I’m now working on my second independent album “Awesomania” and just released another mixtape called “Illuminated Animals,” which is available for free download from my website. I also am doing promotions for Conjure Cognac. It’s Ludacris’ brand, he’s one of the owners.

Trey P: I went ahead and bought some of the Illuminated Animals tracks on iTunes. Gotta support.

4-Ize: That’s totally awesome bro. Thanks man!

Trey P: So are you currently with a label or on a label for the next record?

4-Ize: I’m independent. The label I’m working with right now is Revolt Media/Revolt Records. They are a new label and I’m pretty much the first artist. I just found some guys who believe in me and look out for my best interests and support my cause and are down with the movement. We’re going strong and we’re going to do something in Atlanta that’s not there and really be a strong powerhouse on the hip hop label side. You got your So-So Def and DTPs and all the labels that exist, but then it’s like, “ok, what about a great hip hop label outta Atlanta that really looks out and represents?”

Trey P: Tell me a little about your relationship with Ludacris.

4-Ize: Chris and I grew up together. We started rhyming together back on the west side. When he moved down here to Atlanta, I followed him.

Trey P: You poppin’ off with Ludacris on anything in the future?

4-Ize: Other than the song on my album and working on this Conjure Cognac to get the world up on it to let them know they need to switch over from Hennessey to Cognac cause it’s better for you (laughs), that’s all right now. I’m sure more is developing in the future. Those are my main priorities. Get that man’s verse on my song and sell the Conjure out here.

Trey P: Tell me a little bit about the “Classic Example Freestyle” video, which is from the song which appears on “Illuminated Animals.” I was like “this guy is on some horror flick stuff.” I’ve never seen anything like that. What was the inspiration behind that? What was it all about?

4-Ize: A lot of that comes from the mind of the director Mike Moore over at Studio 8. He had a vision to do this video that was based on that kidnapping, hostile, Saw-vibe. And that was against all the BS in the game. He had the vision, said he needed a song, and we felt like Classic Example best represented that feel. We’ve been getting a lot of good feedback, and folks are happy that we’re really bringing back the essence of what hip hop music used to be like.

Trey P: Tell me about the kind of role fashion plays in selling an image. Your image after all is based upon your handle (4-Ize). Your name itself is derived from a piece of apparel. What does fashion mean to the hip hop community and what does it mean to you?

4-Ize: Fashion is basically the reflection of one’s mentality. It’s a part of who we are and our expression. People like to be up on the latest trends, but it’s not even about trends if you can coordinate your own style and charisma that makes people look at you and say “you know, I would do that, but that guy is doing that really good.” It’s part of the culture.

For me and my glasses…just because my name is 4-Ize, I make fun of myself before you meet me. Most people think it’s an insult and they are like “I don’t want to call you 4-ize” but I’m like “it’s ok, don’t worry about it.” Nothing should really matter except for how you feel. You don’t need Nike, Dolce & Gabbanna, or Louis Vuitton. You don’t need all that because it’s just an accessory. It’s cool to have, but it’s not needed.

Trey P: Thanks for talking to me.

4-Ize: Thanks. No problem, brother. Have a good one!

For more info: Visit www.4ize.com

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This entry was posted on Friday, February 26th, 2010 at 4:27 pm and is filed under News, Trey's blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.