First off, what's good?

Everything is good right now. BEETNIX has gone through a whole phase of restructuring. We have solidified our team and are moving forward with our vision of AudioState. AudioState is the combined musical visions of over ten artists, producers and dj's.

Can you give everyone a brief 101 as to who you are?

BEETNIX started as a two people just fucking around making music. People started to really feel what we did so we just kept pumping it out. The sound evolved. More people got involved. Issues were ironed out, problems got solved. VA started to rally behind us because we were doing shows for big ass audiences and no one else was really doing it like that out here (Central VA). Next thing you know we are a household name.

How would you describe your style?

We just go with the hip hop philosophy: If it's dope, use it! We sample, program drums, use live instrumentation. Our music has a feeling that is dark and driving. We ain't on that copycat shit. So if you've heard it somewhere else you're not going to hear it here. People listen to BEETNIX cause they want a new experience.

What music did you grow up listening to?

My father had the illest record collection. He was the envy of all his friends. He used to make mixtapes for all his friends. He had everything; jazz, soul, funk, gospel, r&b and even a lot of classical. My mom raised me in the church so gospel was always there, plus my sister used to pump top40 radio so I even got that. There were always different kinds of music going in my house, but in my room it was always hiphop.

What projects have you put out on your own?

BEETNIX have release two full-lengths: Homesick and Any Given Day. We have put out a mixtape for VA artists Supreme Council as well as just finishing two EP's: Black Ice Bullets and Professional Thieves.

Can you talk about the *Any Given Day*?

In retrospect, that album was a struggle. My crew was having creative and personal differences. Plus life was just beatin' us all in the head. The album came out with that rawness though. It is so real, you can't deny it. It is so original that you have to respect it. Stay tuned for what is next.

What's the biggest obstacles you've faced being independent?

Having to be patient. Everything comes to those who wait. We have been building our fan base for a while. It's like I can taste it but it ain't in my grasp yet. We just work hard and don't worry about approval or acceptance. We just put our heads down and keep on, only looking up when it's time to shake hands after we ripped a show.

What would a perfect label have to have for you?

A perfect label would have national distribution and could put us on tour in Europe and across the U.S. in front of decent audiences. I don't care about the up-front money. I tell anyone, put us in front of people and we will make them believers. The music will sell, the merch will sell. We know how to make money, we just want more exposure.

What DJ's have supported you so far?

We put out our own mixes. If a DJ wants to rock our shit, cool. More than likely we beat the DJ to the punch and dropped 500-1000 promos on the streets already.

What producers have your worked with so far?

My production team is thick: Crimefighterz, Bovay, Rhettoric, Jack Move, and Myself. There are more just signing on with the team now.

What producers would you like to work with?

I have so many original beats at my crib right now I can't think of working with anyone else other than my own team.

What do you look for in a beat?

A foundation on which a good song can be built. All our producers are different and we all have different tastes. I usually have the final say on how the song ends up (whether it has live instrumentation added or how the mix sounds) but other than that we can build a classic off a kick and snare if it has the right feel.

How do you know when you've made a good song?

It has a feeling. Period.

There's a lot of biting in Hip Hop, as a new artist, how do you make sure that you don't sound like anyone else?

I can't sound like anyone else. I am me.

There was the group of writers awhile ago with the same name, why did you guys choose the name "Beetnix?"

Philosophically, the original Beatnicks of the sixties and seventies were similar to us. We want to push the boundaries of what is considered taboo and what is considered art. They did that as well but for a different era. We don't go with the structures of society, we see what is real and in front of our face. We don't co-sign any one way of thinking, we just tell it how it is. There is no good and bad, there just is.

Your name sounds very similar to the Beatnuts, have you run into any problems with that?

Not really.

What do you think is the best thing in Hip Hop today?

The diversity. There are so many different styles in hiphop right now, so much inspiration.

What about the worst?

What I love is what I hate. There is so much diversity but a real lack of unity or continuity. Also, I wish some my favorite artists would just put out albums that they want to put out, not what they think people want to hear. A great artist puts out what they feel and others feel it too. I want the good artists to become great.

Finally, when people hear "The Beetnix," what do you want them to think?

Professional Thieves that spray Black Ice Bullets at the Homesick on Any Given Day.

Shout Outs:

If your fam, give me dap when I see you.