Sup man, it's been alot of recording, alot of shows and alot of hustling trying to keep the name alive.

You got the new single about to drop with Kno called "Forevershine." Can you talk about that song and what it's like working with Kno?

Well, while most would look at that track and consider it a straight battle track, you have to look at it as me patting myself on the back. Everything I said in that song wasn't just a line I made up because it rhymed and sounds cool, these are all my observations on me and my place in this industry. I may not be on top but I'm still shining. As far as working with Kno goes, he's one of the best out there right now and he always makes a beat taylor made for artists. I heard this beat and claimed it within 3 seconds.

You're about to drop a song you did with Jean Grae as well, when can we expect that?

Yeah we recorded that a while ago, around the time I was doing the Extended Famm project. Now that it's seeing light thru Parallel Thought/ Day By Day Ent. on an EP that features Breez Evahflowin, GM Grimm, Slug, and C Rayz Walz. It should hit the streets in April.

When are you looking to drop your official debut album?

I couldn't honestly say a date. I'm hoping for an LP in the fall. I know people have been waiting, but you gotta go things when the time is right.

You've been in a lot of battles, what's your game plan when you approach a battle?

I havent battled in a long time, but the main thing I try to do is work the crowd. I'm not one for dick jokes, I'm more into visual things, like I'll take a picture of someone while they trying to diss me. It's all about the visual, anyone can tell a joke.

What's been the craziest battle you've been in?

So many. I can only think of one right now though and mentioning it will start so much beef hahah.

If you could battle anyone in the world right now, who would it be and why?

I wouldn't battle anyone now, I've moved past that stage. I just want to make a classic album.

What do you think of the way battling has been commercialized sine "8 Mile" dropped?"

It's pretty sad because all of the really talented battlers have pretty much retired and never got a chance to benefit from that exposure. Now kids just get in it with no true passion for it and have no clue what they're doing.

Being that you have a reputation as a battle MC, and the stigma that goes along with that being that battle MC's can't make songs, how do you work against that and make a song?

I make songs that I want to hear. I choose beats that fit the mood of my ideas and I make sense when I rap. Simple formula, no?

The Extended F@mm album was dope, how did you go about making tracks like "Line Drop" and "Obligatory Posse Cut?"

We say to ourselves "what has nobody done yet?".

What's good with the QN5 Fam lately?

Everything.

What have you guys been up to?

Everything. We just got a great distribution deal so we can finally put out the records that we want. Everyone is completing their albums and we're ready to take over the planet.

If you could run up on Hot 97 and control the station for a day, what would you do?

Play things that people never heard before, but wouldnt make them turn the station.

What's your goals for 2004?

To be everyone's favorite mc.

Shout Outs:

Peace to those who are wondering if I'd shout them out, I mean if u're expecting it...then you probably deserve it.

email Brian Kayser