First off can you give us some background as to who you are?

I'm an MC from Oakland, California raised on Rakim, NWA, Public Enemy, and Too Short.

When did you start to take MC'ing seriously?

In high school.

Who are your influences?

Ice cube, Rakim, LL, Nas, Jay-Z…too many.

You've got a real good buzz going around now, how did you get that up?

I started from the lowest compilation in my backyard to mix cds around the world. I've been hustling for 6 years now and I'm finally breaking through the underground, a little.

In your opinion, what's the most important thing a new artist can do for themselves?

Be self sufficient. Make it happen don't wait for a deal, for a person to help u. Help yourself. when I did my first mix cd I didn't wait till a DJ asked me too or a CEO asked me to, I went and did it. Do it yourself, and people will come to you.

You're working with Sly Boogy now, how did that happen?

I'm coo wit sway and king tech I've been up to wake up show a few times, and I studying music. So i knew of him I like his style and I reached out to him to get on my new mix cd.

What about Scipio?

Scipio is another cat I met when I was up at the wake up show last time. He is tight, he's a real mc he can bust of top at the drop of a dime and a lot of people say he and I are the next in line to blow from the west.

I understand you've also put in work with E-A Ski?

E-A-Ski is like a bigger brother to me he schools me on the industry and to be prepare musically and business wise for this industry. He is a genius when it comes to making music and concepts. He is a perfectionist, he reminds me of Dr. Dre.

What MC's should we look for coming out of the West?

The frontline (bay), San Quinn (bay), Scipio, Crooked I, The Game, Sly Boogy, hmmmmm that's all I can think of now I know I'm probably forgetting a couple

Should we believe the hype behind Game?

I think the bottom line is game is a good rapper and he is an MC meaning he tries to say something dope or ill every time he writes. As far as hype, hype is created by a machine…I haven't heard his album but he's working with the dream team so we shall see if he lives up to the hype. He has a lot of pressure on him.

What DJ's are the hottest out West?

DJ Vlad, DJ Warrior, Rick Lee, Mad Idiot, Dow Jones, DJ Strong, DJ Fingaz, DJ Vice, DJ Jam...It's a lot.

Let's talk about production, what producers have you worked with?

E-A-Ski, Amp Live (Zion I), Omen (Rasco), Fusion, Sean T, Left, and a lot of unknown producers.

What do you look for in a beat?

I look for knock. If it can knock hard then I know no matter what I rap the song is gonna appeal to somebody. Then I play it for different people to see their response once it gets a good response then I sit wit it and write my rap around the track.

You've got a mixtape circulating now, what's good with that?

I dropped a best of mixtape earlier this year in February called BALANCE "THE MIXTAPE" I did about 3,000 copies and got bootlegged on the net and the streets. It did a lot better than I thought it sold out fast. You can get that off my website www.balanceskillz.com and off www.mixunit.com

What's your next project?

My next project is a big mix cd called "BAY AREA MIXTAPE KING" and I'm gonna reach the nation with this one. I got sum collabos that is gonna kill people. I got Royce da 5'9, Chamillionare, etc. I'm linking with other rappers from around the nation. Its gonna be big. I think DJ Vlad is gonna host this cd.

Any last words?

Don't sleep on the bay we making sum good Hip Hop and thanks to hiphopgame.com

How can Heads reach out to you?

Cats can hit me at my website

www.balanceskillz.com