Rappers NEWS

Introducing Fame and Chizz with an interview

Published by MVExpose on March 4, 2009

Words by Hugo Lunny, Vancouver Writer

Who are Fame and Chizz? MVExpose took some time to talk with them to find out…

Fame and Chizz Interview

To hear more of their music, head to www.myspace.com/FameandChizz

MVRemix: For those that are now hearing about you for the first time, tell us about yourself.

Fame: Well we are Fame & Chizz ya dig! Fame hailing from Bed Stuy, Brooklyn and Chizz repping that Jamaica Queens. We are indeed the illest duo out right now, hands down.

MVRemix: How did the names Fame and Chizz come about?

Chizz: It was basic and to the point. He is Fame and I am Chizz. We could have spent all day thinking of a name of a group but nothing describes who we are better than our artist names. It shows two different people combining styles to generate something new and something hot.

MVRemix: Do you feel because of your New York locations, your styles contrast?

Chizz: I feel they do at times. I feel that every borough in NY has their own style. You can look at some dudes and know exactly where they are from simply because of how they are dressed. That comes out in our music also. There are certain things that I may rap about because of what I was exposed to in my hood and the same goes with Fame. To the untrained eye, we may appear the same, but our cultures are somewhat different in my opinion. All in all, when we get on that mic or hop on the stage we compliment one another. The haters hate it, the real people love it.

MVRemix: What is it about the New York sound that the world loves so much?

Fame: I think its just that rawness, originality, hunger and passion that is instilled in every NY rapper. I mean if you can make it in NY you can make it anywhere! I mean after all Hip Hop was born in NY.

MVRemix: How does living in New York shape your attitude towards music, art and culture in general?

Chizz: I think that living in NY made me understand the business in a different way. I believe if you are a artist in NY, no matter how talented you are, you aren’t going to be able to cause an impact lyrically unless you go see the rest of the world and come encounter with other cities and their cultures. If I stayed in NY my whole life and didn’t travel I think my songs and lyrics would be bland. When I spit I talk about things to inspire people in the hood to find a way to get out of the hood to go see it. Broaden their horizon. We have traveled all over the place and have found out that every city has their own style.

MVRemix: You’ve both interned with some major labels, what did you learn whilst under Roc-A-Fella and Ruff Ryders?

Chizz: When I worked at Ruff Ryders under Mimi and G-Roc, I learned the importance of promotion. Being that I worked in the office I learned how they ran a label and how to conduct business. I had the advantage at learning this at a young age because I was only 16. In addition to that I had the opportunity to go to the video shoots and gain access to the VIP and listening parties. This showed me the process of starting and completing a project. There are certain steps you have to take to promote and have the best possible outcome. Working at Ruff Ryders showed those steps, and gave me a glance at the good life…

Fame: Under the Roc-A-Fella umbrella I learned timing is everything. You never want to wait too long to execute your next move but you always plan strategic in your moves. Watching Jay[-Z], Dame and Biggs run the Roc was phenomenal. I was glad to see firsthand what really goes on at a successful record label.

MVRemix: You were originally known as The Commission, why the name change?

Chizz: There were a few reasons. When we went on the road with the name “The Commission” people didn’t give us any slack about it. We would go tear down shows and do what we do. However some of the people that were around in the original Commission era didn’t like that we had the name and were going places with it. Some people took it as if we were trying to disrespect B.I.G. That wasn’t the case, “The Commission” never had their chance to shine because of the devastating loss of B.I.G., and no one decided to link up with Jay and make that happen. So we decided to do it, because we were a hot duo. We had a sit down with Jean Nelson, he is a A&R at Atlantic Records, he basically co-signed that the name wouldn’t fly and we couldn’t get it trademarked to own the name. So we basically changed it to Fame & Chizz, something that is ours and something we could own legally.

MVRemix: Does Hip Hop and Rap today leave you jaded, or inspired?

Fame: I think it is a little bit of both. Hip Hop has changed so much from the time that it inspired me and Chizz until now. We still feel inspired because music is in our Bones like for real. There is not a day I wake up and don’t think about a beat, a hook or some bars… Jaded because the industry as a whole has changed so much and shut so many things out. Its like its not about what matters anymore and that’s the music. Its a game of relationships nowadays.

MVRemix: What are you currently working on?

Chizz: Right now we are working on this movie, I am not entitled to share too much information about it, but you better believe its going to be crazy. I would like for everyone to keep an ear and eye out for it and when you see the preview of that movie saying “Starring Fame & Chizz” make you support it. We are also pushing this new single called “Get Off”… Some know it as “Get Off My Dick,” or “Get Off My Tip.” It is becoming more and more popular in the clubs, so listen out for it. If you don’t hear make sure you have a conversation with the DJ.

MVRemix: If I’m coming to a Fame & Chizz show. What is it that I’m going to experience that I wont experience simply from listening to your material on CD?

Fame: Wow. If your coming to a Fame & Chizz show expect to see the most energy you ever saw in your life. Chizz rhymes with such a swagger that will have you hooked from beginning to end. If you can keep up with Fame’s energetic marches and bounces across stage you might b aight. Basically at any of our college shows expect to see flocks of girls huddled at the stage going crazy. And if we are at a NY show you are sure to see the thugs nodding to agreement of our lyrics. From the CD you can hear the distinct passion and reality in our voices on all records.

MVRemix: Any new videos planned?

Chizz: We recently went down to Virginia to shoot the video for “Get Off”. The shoot was about 15 hours long. We were exhausted after it was completed. We recently seen a preview of it and it looks bananas. I know the public will be pleased with this one. Everyone get ready to start requesting this video.

MVRemix: What separates you from other rappers? Why should I opt to listen to your music above others?

Fame: The separation lies with the mere use of word play and song topics we produce. Like we have a song called “Having A Talk” where we zone in on the topic of a mans girl being pregnant and not telling him. So many guys can relate to this. Nowadays so many rappers are out of touch with society. Not everybody can afford the things most rappers speak about. That is the total opposite with us, we have fun in our lyrics and songs but at the same time help the regular folks get through the day and let ‘em know that there are artists out there that they can relate to and do it for the love just not a check.

MVRemix: Have fun with this one, a la “Fight Club” – “If you could fight any celebrity, who would you fight”?

Chizz: If I could fight any celebrity, I would fight one of the robots from Transformers [laughs]

MVRemix: Would you win?

Chizz: Yes, I would destroy him.

MVRemix: Do you have any non musical aspirations?

Fame: Yes. We are also dabbling into acting and screenplay writing. I had a role in a straight-to- video movie called “Endz” that is available in Blockbuster. The movie money is so much longer than music money so it is definitely an interest to us.

MVRemix: Any last words?

Chizz: Just shout out to the whole B.Q.E; G-Money, Kuka, Dave, Taz, Blee, C. Brown, CapOne AG, shout out to Dj Premonition, Ready, Set Go, LGI Entertainment, Talk of DC, Michael K, C tons, Tinman, Mike A, Nick Rice, Cashflow, Esh Coleman, Lo, and everyone who is apart of this movement.

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