What's good man?

I'm chilling, you know what it is.

How's the independent grind going?

Just working, staying on the DVD's and mixtapes. I'm the youngest in charge, you already know.

What separates you from every other New York rapper?

Everybody is trying to be killers, that shit is old. I'm just being me. That's what's making me stand out from the rest of these niggas. Musically, you already know what it is. Niggas want to get on and talk about guns all day. If you were a killer, you'd be in jail. I just want to be me.

What do you want to give people with your music?

Me. Everything I've rapped I've seen or heard. I ain't trying to sugarcoat nothing or be something that I'm not. I just want to show niggas my world.

How did becoming DMC's protégé come about?

I met DMC in the projects with Jam Master Jay and he was loving the music. It's crazy man. He's a regular dude. You could be in the middle of Atlanta, and he'll stop and sign a million autographs. He's been around for 20 years and he's still doing it. It's crazy. I hope I can be around that long. He's got an album coming out too, by the way.

What is he teaching you?

That there are a lot of ups-and-downs in music. He's also making the transition of going from rap artist to C.E.O. It's a learning process for the both of us. He's also showing me that nothing in this game comes for free. No one's your friend. Once you stop putting out hot records, no one's going to want to hear you. He's showing me how to maneuver around to get what I need.

You've got management with Trice Blam (DMX), how important is that to you right now?

It's hard to come by. You've got most niggas that say "I've got my own artist, I got my own record label." That's easy to say. Anybody can say that. A 20 year-old kid can say that. It's all about the push. How can you get everything heard and move to the next level? You have to do everything from shows to mixtapes, you have to get that buzz starting something from nothing.

What labels are you looking at?

I'm looking at whoever's looking at me. We're just out here grinding. If the numbers are right, that's what this business is about, getting the best deal possible.

Who has stepped to the table so far?

Def Jam, Capitol. We've got a couple situations on the table, it just depends who's talking the best numbers. Right now, I think we're trying to push the cards to Capitol because Capitol is offering the best right now, plus it's an open market for rap over there. They have no successful rap artists over there besides Chingy over there, so they're looking for more rap artists.

What have you put out so far that Heads might have seen?

I've got a couple of joints on the streets. I got one with On Point "Watch and Learn." I just cater to the DJ's, I give them what the music they want. I never push one song as an artist. If DJ's want something exclusive, I give it to them. You just have to flood the streets.

What are you working on right now?

I got a CD coming out called "Youngest in Charge." We're working hard over here.

What producers have you worked with so far?

I got two in-house producers, Shatek, who just did a song with Cassidy on his album, and Normal R, who did "You Already Know" with Bathgate. And for beats, I'll work with anybody, just holler.

What do you look for in a beat?

Drums and bassline. I'm a big fan of Timbaland beats. Just get creative with the beats. I like niggas that just put their all into a beat.

You've done tracks with Petey Pablo, Maino…who's been your favorite artist to work with?

Petey Pablo's a real cool dude. He doesn't have a big ego even though he's on and all that. He's a cool nigga. And he's got a million and one stories.

What have you and DMC recorded?

We've got a couple of joints recorded. He's a stubborn artist too.

How is it working on a song with him?

He just lets me go. He doesn't hold me back. He just gives me the green light and says "just do what you do." It's not like he's holding my hand coaching me. Every time I finish, he's like "you never cease to amaze me." Hearing that come from him, wow, it's amazing. It's crazy.

Where do you want to be a year from now?

I want to be filthy rich and happy, and still grinding. After a deal, that's not just the end of the day for me.

Is the album done?

I'm still working on it. People tell me I've got an album right here, but I want to do more joints. I'll never be satisfied. I probably have like five albums done. I just want to keep recording, I don't want to stop.

What do you want to say to everybody out there?

To everybody out there in the same struggle, keep your head up. It's an easy game once you get the hang of it, but it can be a hard road.