BlackListed! Magazine

Backstage, he reminds you of a Lupe Fiasco with electric sneakers, black rimmed clear specs, and a meticulously unkempt mane. But Gemini Soundz isn’t at all what you’d call an average underground artist.

Often accredited as being the originators of the hip-hop snap movement, Dem Franchize Boyz have become a staple of southern rap in a little over four years. They’ve had a slew of infectious number 1 hits and platinum album sales.

Backstage at the Hustlenomics Tour, Yung Joc and Gorilla Zoe are preparing to go on stage. First Zoe, then Joc. I caught up with the two artists right in the middle of their pre-performance tape-ups.

Kendra: Thanks for giving us the time, I know you’re getting a haircut. [Laughs]

Gorilla Zoe: You good.

Kendra: How’d you get started?

Gorilla Zoe: I’m a real artist, so I talk about real life shit. I been through ups and downs to make me who I am, so I talk about it. No goals, no plans. Just thuggin’ and hustlin’. It got to a point where I stopped hustling for fun and started hustling for funds. I was an entrepreneur. I had my own music store in Atlanta. I had a studio there too.

Kendra: A studio?

Gorilla Zoe: Yea. When I first bought it, no one was even buying recording time there, so I taught myself how to record.

Kendra: So how’d you get involved with Block Entertainment?

Gorilla Zoe: I was introduced to Block by a mutual friend, and it was then that I had to learn how to actually make a song. I always had the voice, always had the swag. But I had to learn how to really do it how it’s supposed to be done. It was like boot camp.

Kendra: Now that you’ve done it, who’re you trying to reach with your music?

Gorilla Zoe: The West Coast is my biggest fan base but I’m always gonna be in the South. I’m the hottest thing in it and coming out of the South right now.

Kendra: Ok. Why are you calling yourself Gorilla Zoe?

Gorilla Zoe: I don’t call myself Gorilla Zoe. That’s what they call me. I got that name in the streets. I just have the characteristics of a Gorilla.

Kendra: Who inspires you?

Gorilla Zoe: A lot of greats inspire me. I’m surrounded everyday by people who’ve done something and made something of themselves. I’ve been with people who have listening audiences more than a million strong. I’ve gotta do it like them.

Kendra: Are there any personal reasons you do music? For yourself, for your family? What keeps you going?

Gorilla Zoe: It’s a war. I’ve been fighting all my life, so I’ve got no choice but to keep going.

As Gorilla Zoe’s barber finishes his tape, he moves to the other side of the room to go on stage, and I had a chance to speak with Yung Joc after a brief pre-performance prayer.

Kendra: So how’d you come up with the name Hustlenomics?

Yung Joc: ‘Cause I hustle, baby. That’s what I do. As long as you hustlin’ you good.

Kendra: How is Hustlenomics different from New Joc City?

Yung Joc: Bigger production. More cameos and features. I’m also talking about different topics…

Kendra: You do have a lot of cameos. A lot of them are from Gorilla Zoe. How do you feel about working with him?

Yung Joc: That’s like my brother. It’s always been love. He has the same passion for the music and the same hustle mentality that I do.

Kendra: Do you ever see yourself staying away from that and releasing an album or mixtape that just features you by yourself?

Yung Joc: I don’t even know of anyone who’s doing that. There’s always someone that you’re trying to put on. There’s always favors, and there’s always favorites. Y’kno?

Kendra: Well you’re doing it big in the South right now. Are you trying to expand your fanbase, or are you keeping it here?

Yung Joc: The West Coast is my second largest market. Actually, sometimes I get more love on the West Coast than I do in the South. I love the fans out there.

Kendra: An influential person in your career is actually from up North, though. You know I’m talking about Diddy. How is it working with him?

Yung Joc: It’s cool, but he is a perfectionist. He always demands your best, and you know there is nothing wrong with that. I come to expect it now.

Kendra: You do know a lot of people are saying hip hop is dead, that artists should be retiring the N-word, etc. How do you feel about all of the hoopla?

Yung Joc: I never got caught up in the whole “Hip Hop is Dead” thing. Joc is gonna be Joc regardless. Can’t nobody tell me how to be me.

Kendra: What inspires you?

Yung Joc: I just love the music. I love the freedom to express my feelings and being able to relate to people through it.

Kendra: Alright, ya’ll are about to go onstage. If you could talk to each fan face to face, what would you say?

Yung Joc: I would just say thanks for givin’ me the opportunity to be me—to be Joc.