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

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.

It has been exactly a month since the launch of MVExposé. I want to thank everyone for their love, support and encouragement. Almost 200,000 readers were exposed to eight talented and diverse individuals in February. During the first month of this newborn column, I didn’t know what to make of it. I want to keep this column open for improvement, so any ideas, suggestions or if you know someone that should be featured, hit me up with an email, I’d love to hear from you.

This week is the last chance to get tickets to Breakin’ the Cycle 2 presented by LOVE @ York. Tickets are only available in advance through Piecez, who I will be featuring this Tuesday. Last year, Breakin’ the Cycle was sold out before the show, so make sure you hit Piecez soon. For tickets call 416.938.9693 or email leaveoutviolence@hotmail.com.

MVExposé: Q Boogie a.k.a. Da Poet

A man of many talents, Quadir Habeeb, best known as Q Boogie or Da Poet, is a well-known emcee and Spoken Word Poet in New Jersey. Q Boogie’s passion for basketball early in high school earned him a scholarship to Howard University in Washington, DC, where he found his true calling for poetry.

“While in the Washington, DC area in 2001, I found my writer’s voice that eventually helped me to create intense soul-inspiring poems. I began to perform my original spoken word pieces and soon to the student organizations, sororities, and professors for paid performances.”

However, two years later at the age of 23, Q Boogie dropped out of Howard University after hosting the poetry section of the Youth to Leaders National Summit held in DC.

“I left Howard to pursue my career in spoken word poetry and rap music, published my first spoken word CD entitled “Words of Awakening”, which included a fiery political base of commentary.”

Since then he has performed for the Annual Black Face Awards, the Pre-Tony Award Show for the Def Poetry cast and the BET All Star Tour. In 2005, he released his first hip-hop album, The Unheard of: Volume 1, foreshadowing his upcoming album out this year.

Q Boogie is a devout Muslim and spends his spare time playing chess or with his wife, a soul vocalist and composer, Drea. Keep on the look out for his upcoming album, The Unheard of: Da Block Da Devil Da Deen at www.shalemanagement.com or www.myspace.com/qboogieakadapoet

Thank you to all for your emails of love, support, suggestions, and comments. Keep them coming. I hope you enjoy this week’s two profiles as much as last week’s. Here is today’s profile from mee to you.

Michele@mvremix.com

Normally, one would say that it is not everyday you find someone with a passion for so many talents; however MVexposé profiles a second diverse individual, an emcee, a poet, and a radio show host in Toronto, Ontario: Arowbe Arowbe Arowbe “in recognition of his many selves…”

Known best as an emcee, Arowbe has released four albums and three mixed tapes with close affiliates like Rhythm of the Soul (ROTS) and DJ Mensa. It all started growing up in Vancouver, BC where Arowbe “woke up one night at the age of eight and was possessed to rap.” In 2006, he toured Japan and Cuba promoting his new single “Once Upon a Time

with Toronto songstress, Zaki Ibrahim and the remix featuring the Harlem lyricist Tom Gist of Dip Set.

Outside of the hip hop community he is known as Robert Bolton and hosts a York University radio talk show, Kaleidoscope, focusing on international issues such as a recent discussion on global human trafficking. He is currently working on his bachelors’ degree at York University majoring in Fine Arts Cultural Studies and minoring in Creative Writing.

Arowbe hosts a weekly night, Peachfuzz at Chinadoll on Thursdays along with cohorts DJ Mensa and Rod Skimmins at 587 College Street in Toronto.

You can also catch Arowbe at his best this Thursday, February 8th at the Republik for the Hip Hop for Africa show hosted by Choclair. All proceeds go to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (Canada).

For more information on Arowbe Arowbe Arowbe hit up his website at http://www.myspace.com/arowbe.

Next up, MV will be profiling Stylewalker, a bboy from Winnipeg, MB. Feast your eyes this coming Friday.

* Photo’s taken by Owen Scott, republished with expressed consent.

While kids in Hobart, Tasmania, a small island off the coast of mainland Australia, were listening to AC/DC, growing mullets and wearing tight jeans, Shane Millhouse opted for baggy pants and a shaved head. He diverted his attention to RUN DMC and Public Enemy for a couple years until he discovered his creative disposition.

“I always wanted to be a DJ, but could never afford turntables, so I started writing rhymes instead. When I got sick of rapping over loops I would make from U.S. hip-hop songs (pause tape style), I started digging through $1 bin records and making my own beats.”

Known as Crixus in the hip-hop community, he taught himself the basics to making beats and mixtapes on an old record player one of his relatives gave to him. A year after he moved to the mainland, he released his debut album, “Abstract Junk.” Receiving positive feedback, he received a spot on the “Culture of Kings 2” compilation, released by Obese Records. The album was distributed nationally in Australia and received heavy radio play.

In 2002, Crixus moved back to Tasmania and began performing regularly, assisted in creative writing and hip-hop workshops, and developing his scratching skills while earning a university degree. Crixus co-hosted a weekly radio a weekly radio show for Hobart’s Edge Radio and hosted a monthly open mic nights for emcees and DJs. This provided an opportunity for Crixus to meet a group of DJs with the same passion for spinning. He was able to establish a successful turntablist crew for a short period of time. He moved back to Melbourne three years after his return to Tasmania, “in search for bigger things.” For the next two years, Crixus took a break from stage-life and dedicated his life to the studio, working on solo material, collaborative works and production for other artists.

“I rarely stepped to the stage and only ventured back to Hobart to perform at a few shows, basically just to test out the new material I’d been working on in the studio. I also hit up various, Melbourne-based, spoken word poetry nights to compare my poetic lyricism with some more established writers.”

Recently, Crixus joined the MVRemix team, with upcoming Australian hip-hop podcasts to be broadcasted on MVRemix.com soon. He is expected to release two albums this year, one of which is released this month called “Throwaways Vol. 1″ and another later in the year.

If you happen to be in Melbourne, Australia, be sure to stop by Blue Bar in the suburb of Prahran to see Crixus spin. His next performance will be on March 31st at the Laundry in Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia. You can find all updates on Crixus’ myspace at
http://www.myspace.com/crixus.