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7/27/2007 What’s up?   I’m great, man. I’m feeling good.   What was it like growing up in Miramar, Florida?    I’ve been living in Miramar since middle school. I was born in Canada and lived in Hollywood for a minute. Most people have the idea that Miramar is great, bills paid, two-car garages, both parents, you know, that typical American dream shit when it's really not the case. People are struggling and hustling to make ends meet just like anywhere else.  There’s a lot of New York people out here also. The influence in Miramar is a real Caribbean and New York feel. That influenced my music a lot also. That’s why I rap the way I rap. A lot of people think I’m from up north when I rap.   How did your parents’ Jamaican heritage influence you?   Yo, island parents don't play that shit! That keeps you out of trouble to a certain extent. I was raised by my mother. I had an every three-month father. My mother, when she grew up in Jamaica, she had less opportunities then I did, so she always wanted more for me. She would always push me the extra mile, whether it be getting a job, going to trade school or going to college. And then on the music side, the artists that they used to listen to, like Bob Marley and Dennis Brown, influenced the type of music I make and the production I look for.   How did you find your style?    It’s really the niggas I hung around. When I first moved to Miramar I was into Poison Clan, Eazy E and the Chronic album. My homies were from up north so they were listening to Wu-Tang, Nas and Smiff N Wessun. So I started getting in to AZ, Biggie and Mobb Deep. But at the same time I'm listening to Outkast, Geto Boys and Trick Daddy. Basically I'm a mixture of East Coast and southern music. All of that has influenced me and how I come across in my songs.  What was it like recording “All I Know” with Akon?    That song was produced by Ron Lawrence, who co-produced “Hypnotize” for Biggie and “Where I’m From” for Jay-Z. He is a Czar producer and he was already working with Akon. He came to me with the track. I wasn’t actually in the studio when he did it with Akon. He called up Akon’s people and we made it happen. It was a blessing.   One of your biggest singles to date is “Pom Pom.” How important was that single to your career?    My mixtape actually got me out, but that single got me recognized. That is what caught Jimmy Henchman's ear. He came out here and set up a meeting. That record was big for me, but due to some political issues, the song never saw the light of day. There were big plans for the record that never got executed. Everyone has heard of ‘pom pom,’ but no one has heard “Pom Pom.” How's that for some shit? (laughs) We updated “Pom Pom” and the reviews we are getting on the new mix are crazy. It's crazy to think that a year later that song would still be relevant. We are about to put that out there and show a lot of the people who hated last year what's up.  You’ve also worked with The Runners. What was that like for you?  Me and my manager, Big Wills, ran into them at DJ Khaled's “Holla at Me Baby” video shoot. We spoke about doing some work and they sent me over a couple of tracks. Those cats are real talented dudes. It was a blessing to get production from producers of their caliber.   How did your mixtape, Watch My Moves, do for you?    That’s doing real good in the streets and down here in the South. That’s getting the buzz up and getting my name out there like crazy. I got Rick Ross, 3-6 Mafia, Akon, Pleasure of Pretty Ricky, Gunplay (Triple C's), and Brisco on there. It's hosted by Rick Ross. Ross looked out for me. He used to come by the studio I had in my garage. It’s a real good look for me. You can download it for free on my MySpace blog.  What made you want to sign with Czar Entertainment initially?    My manager, Big Wills, sent my music to Czar and they were interested. I heard of Jimmy and decided to do a little research, because everyone says he’s a gangster. Business-wise, I saw him as a stand-up business man and I knew that Czar is heavily respected throughout the industry. At the time, he was coming off Game’s first album, fresh off five million. I knew his ties and what he could do and it was really a no-brainer to go with them.   What went wrong with Czar?    We’re not actually finished, but we are in the process of parting ways. I'm thankful for everything Jimmy and Czar did for me. I learned a lot about the business while I was over there, but I kind of wanted to do my own thing. We’re still on good terms, but we’re parting ways so I could do it more my way.  How important is it to have that sense of urgency as an up-and-coming artist?   I don’t want to sit around waiting on nobody. I learned a lot at Czar. When you get with any label, you can’t just expect to kick back. That’s when you have to pick it up even harder and make yourself a priority. Otherwise, you’ll just sit on the bench and never come out. You have to stay hungry.  What exactly are you looking for from a label?    I recently started my own label, Currency Exchange Entertainment. I just want to be more into ownership. I want to be a CEO. I want to wear both hats. I don’t want to just be an artist. I want to be able to control my destiny, like a Grand Hustle, CTE or Cash Money. I have to have creative control and the money has got to be right.  What’s the biggest lesson you learned at Czar?    Don’t wait on anybody, whether it’s Dr. Dre, Jay Z or Puff! No matter who signs you, get out there and get your mixtapes out. In every city, network heavy. You have to go even harder and pick it up another notch once you get signed. Nobody's going to work your project harder than you.  How much of the game today is grind and how much is talent?    70% grind 30% talent. It can go both ways because I’m seeing a lot of people who are talented and got a hit single but their album is terrible. Then I’m seeing people that grind it out and have a crazy following like Plies and Lil’ Boosie, who are getting 10 stacks or better a show. It's more of a grind now. You have to show people what you can do and that you're capable of making good consistent music or you're only going to do 50,000 and that's it. You’re done. Say goodbye to rap.  Do people expect a certain sound from you based on where you’re coming from?   Of course. I'm from Florida, so they expect me to sound like Luke. (laughs) I want to be recognized not just as a southern artist, but as a good, solid, all-around artist that’s versatile and can be put on a track with anybody, from a T.I., Jadakiss and Game to a Gwen Stefani.  Can you appeal to everyone?   I do appeal to everyone, and what I mean when I say that is I studied Jay-Z, ‘Pac and Biggie and looked at what made them so loved and what made them so appealing to the masses and I applied it to my music. My thing is that I want to be the best rapper. I don’t want to just be an average rapper. Everybody has their different goals. I study the lyricists. I have to cater to everybody, from the streets to the mainstream to the women. Be a full package. That’s what makes you the best.   How do you feel about the Miami scene today?   I love it right now. It's way better then it used to be. Artists are working together like in Houston and Atlanta. We were never really known for lyrics. We were known more for raw emotion like Trick Daddy. People fuck with Trick. But you also got people like me, Rick Ross, Dre, Smitty, Prime, Brisco and Garcia that are really showing people that these Miami rappers can really spit. It’s not just crunk and booty music. These cats can really bring it and we got some spitters down here.   How’s your debut album coming?  It's coming along real good. The tentative title for now is Against All Odds. I'm about 30-40 songs deep. I'm going to continue grinding to get my buzz up to where it needs to be. And I’ll just keep recording ‘til I get that right situation.  How much longer will you be unsigned for?  I hope not much longer (Laughs). Boy, the way things are picking up…I recently just did a show and the turnout was ridiculous. I’m about to shoot a video for “Beg to Differ (Hip-Hop Ain’t Dead).” We got a couple people hollering. I don’t think it’s going to be much longer.   Why should a label sign you?    Like I said before, I bring the total package. My swag is mean. I got that star quality and my music speaks for itself. What label wouldn't want to make some money with me? I’m next up! Watch my moves, baby.  What can Against All Odds do once it finally comes out?   The sky’s the limit, to be honest with you. I think I can do some serious numbers with the right push and situation.  What are your plans for the summer?    Right now I’m working on my new mixtape, The Underdog hosted by DJ Kronik and Big Chuck of Poe Boy. I’m working on that as we speak and I have a lot of shows that are lined up. I have to get that buzz up. The Ozone Awards and TJ’s DJs are coming down to Miami. I’m trying to get ready for that and let the people coming to the city know about Webbz.  What do you want to say to everybody?    Y’all just look out for Webbz. Miramar in the building. Watch out for my new street single “Helluva Day” and the b-side, “Beg to Differ (Hip Hop Ain't Dead).” The video’s coming soon. I just did an independent movie that’s coming out called The Last Hustle. Look out for me in that, starring as Lil’ Kenny. I’m coming. Check me out online. And shout out to the Collect Gang (Prime and Lord Zoe), the whole Miramar, Jroc, Midus, Shonie, Poe Boy, Freddy B and Big Chuck.  http://worldwidewebbz.com http://myspace.com/worldwidewebbz Download the Watch My Moves mixtape at http://rapidshare.com/files/38368608/Watch_My_Moves.rar

By Brian Kayser

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