Rich Boy: It's a great feeling. I'm takin' it all in and just using it to push this album to the next level. It's an album that really deserves a chance for everybody to hear it. I'm just enjoying this time right now. I'm young. I can't be in a better situation. With the recent hip hop takeover by Southern artists, some are now starting to look at it as saturation, with claims that the music is starting to sound the same.
If you're from the South, you're just going to have to reinvent the sound. So on all of my songs on the album, we just found new sounds that we ain't used to hearing coming from the South. Most of the tracks on the album are universal-Southern sound. No one will be able to restrict me because I switch up my style too much for you to just say, "Yeah, he's just a regional rapper." There are great expectations for your album.
I feel like my album is so strong. So much stronger than "Throw Some D's." I think it was kind of good we put "D's" out first, because it's not the best song on the album. I think that was the trick, to put something out that people would catch on to. Now we can come hard with the next single cause it's like we ain't give them our best yet. Watch exclusive video of Rich Boy talking about Mobile, Alabama:
You collaborated with more than a few notable names on your album from Outkast to Timbaland. How was it getting together such great talent?
A lot of people just wanted to be a part of the project. It's strange. It seemed like it was meant to be. The only person we reached out to was Snoop Dogg.
What tracks stand out most to you?
"Get to Poppin," produced by Brian Kidd, is hot. It's just a vision of the hood. I'm trying to paint a picture of where I come from. Another is called "Lost Girls." It has a reggae feel to it, like a Bob Marley type of track. It's talking bout a high level of prostitution, girls selling themselves, but it's a positive song.
Is reggae a major part of your musical influence?
Rich Boy: I love reggae music. I thought it would be great if I'd just try the track because of the feel that it gave me. And that's where I got it from, the whole reggae point of view. I just love it.
Watch exclusive video of Rich Boy talking about "Lost Girls":
In 2001, you enrolled in Tuskegee University. By 2002 you were out in pursuit of a career in music production. How hard was it to officially make this transition?
It was a real big decision, but I just love doing the music so much that I ain't never really think about it. I never really thought about the gamble I was taking.
Where did you want to go with a major in Engineering?
I wanted to design cars. I was a car freak growing up as a kid. That's all I liked was cars.
Are you into cars because of the name or does the design strike you first?
When I see a car, I mostly likely look for the design more than the name. It really don't matter the name, as long as the car got a slick look to it.
Did you ever envision yourself as a rapper or were you more focused on producing?
I was definitely focused on being a producer. Rapping was something I tried because Polow da Don pushed me to. He just kept calling me, motivating me to strive. So one day I was like cool, I'll try it. So that's when I flew to Atlanta. And we just put a demo together and I got a deal. Me and Polow used to get into it all the time because I'd want to make beats all day instead of rap. Eventually I just started falling more towards the artist way. I started writing more and just took my career to another level.
From working with and around experienced individuals, what kind of lessons are you picking up?
I've learned if you keep good product and relationship, you'll survive a long time. The best advice I got is don't burn bridges.
How are you handling being the first hip hop artist from Mobile, Alabama to signing with Interscope?
I feel kind of strange. I just really figured it out; this is something I was meant to do it. I'm comfortable now. I feel just like everybody else at the label.
What immediate goals are you looking to achieve?
If I could bring checks home and come from Mobile, Alabama, it's most definitely a big goal. That's my goal - to just bring the checks home.
Comments
1.
Lil' A says:
a, a big shout out to rich boy he is holding down alabama u know wha im saying, good luck man, im from alabama to trying to do it big here too, with my home boys the kuntry locos we rep. albertville al. to the foolest man
March 26, 2007 at 11:05 am
2.
bama girl says:
i'm from moblie,al and i think what he is doing is the best shit that ever happen to mobile,al.he is a good rapper.alaest he give to the coummity.f**k all you hateding as hoes.
March 15, 2007 at 5:51 pm
3.
ALABAMAIAN says:
OH AND BY THE WAY EDMOND....KISS OUR AFRICAN-AMERICAN ASSES OR BUTTOCKS IN WEBSTERS DICTIONARY ENGLISH
March 12, 2007 at 10:38 pm
4.
ALABAMAIAN says:
RICH BOY IS NOT THE 1ST ALABAMA RAP STAR. YOU ALSO GOT THE DIRTY BOYZ FROM MONTGOMERY AND THEY ARE NOT UNDERGROUND.HOWEVER, IT DOESN'T REALLY APPEAL TO ME.THOUGH, I DO WISH HIM LUCK.
March 12, 2007 at 10:35 pm
5.
bananapeel says:
nice job, barbosa.
March 6, 2007 at 10:05 am
6.
LESLIE says:
rich boy is soo fine.i'm his biggest fan.he is sexy.i luv him sooo much
March 3, 2007 at 12:04 pm
7.
Kaylin says:
i love rich boy! he reppin alabama to da fullest!!
and to edmond...shut the hell up trick..african americans aint no disgrace to nobody! u a disgrace.
March 2, 2007 at 1:03 pm
8.
samantha says:
i just want to say thank you to rich boy! You represented, others that came from here dideent like TQ i went to highschool with him but he reps california! how you figure??
anyway thank you for pushing the door open for people like my husband who cant wait to make it too.
February 23, 2007 at 11:47 am
9.
djsnake12 says:
I'm from Mobile too, Richboy is doing his thang,(just like Luda, T.I., Wayne, Jeezy, and alot of other rapper in the south..people should be happy that a nigga is doing something good, instead of killing one another..Dude is makein money legal now....which one would you want????
February 22, 2007 at 1:08 pm
10.
Reece says:
Rich Boy is doing his thang!I'm more of an old school kinda girl.There's a lot of rap music today that I can't stand listening to.Rich Boy "Throw some D's" is on fire.
February 22, 2007 at 8:41 am
11.
ModernHarlequin says:
No one will be able to restrict me because I switch up my style too much for you to just say, "Yeah, he's just a regional rapper."
Let's see...Lyrics about niggas, gangstas, guns, drugs, complete lack of respect for women, ludacris amounts of money, cars with huge rims, the hood... Yeah, real original.
Next time I see his album, it'll be in my microwave.
February 22, 2007 at 12:58 am
12.
edmond says:
he cannot speak english...African Americans are disgrace to nature
February 21, 2007 at 6:41 pm
13.
Haywood says:
Rich Boy is making so much noise and put Alabama on the map. Easy platinum when he drops in March.
King Young Pimpin
Alabama representa
February 20, 2007 at 7:54 pm
14.
DOT says:
I def commented on the last one but who cares if it didnt post cause rich boy's my nigga! Lemme find out Shauna...you always did have a good ear for music but lemme find out you know who to interview too! Good job goin 2 for 2. Keep it up...TTYS
plus he hit it right on the head w/"lost girls". It aint just in Mobile rich boy, aint just in Mobile...
February 20, 2007 at 7:21 pm
15.
willy says:
hola como esta soy desanto domingo
February 20, 2007 at 12:25 pm
16.
FourEyez says:
WAT CAN I SAY HE DOIN HIS THANG
February 20, 2007 at 10:30 am