Capone N Noreaga w. The Clipse
David Banner, DJ Premiere, Styles P
If you're an Artist/Group 
“A Stoke of Genius, Rapper Do-It-All Isaiah Talks About Grind” by YaBoyJavi
Posted at 5/12/2008 08:52:00 PM
If it’s true hustle respects hustle, then you have to respect Southside Jamaica Queen’s Isaiah Stokes’ hustle. At 26, the rapper-slash-actor-slash-chief executive officer has accomplished more than most will accomplish in a lifetime.Isaiah has dropped a couple of mixtapes and has made a cameo on the television drama Rescue Me as well as Fitty’s Get Rich or Die Trying and most recently American Gangster. Most impressively though, Isaiah brokered a deal with Hennessey Cognac to distribute his latest mixtape “I Love You Isaiah, Vol. 2: Like It or Not.”
YaBoy had the pleasure to poly with Isaiah at a recent listening party and scribed a Q&A session. Here goes.
YaBoy: I understand music is a family thing huh, your pops played Jazz and your granddaddy played the Blues, what effect did their music have on you as a child? Did you know from young that you would pursue those family vibes?
Isaiah: Not at first, I actually liked music but wasn’t concerned with creating it. My pops used to make me stay in the house as a young kid and learn the piano. I was stubborn and never wanted to give up time in the park to stay in the house. Till this day I don’t play any instruments professionally but I have a great ear for what sounds good.
YaBoy: Now you’re an innovative dude. Your latest mixtape, I Love You Isaiah, Vol. 2: Like It or Not, was released on your label, Fonty Records, in conjunction with Hennessy Cognac. Tell HipHopRuckus readers how that came about and how they can get a copy of the CD.
Isaiah: Well they can obtain a copy of the CD on iTunes or when they buy a 5th or more of Hennessy from a liquor store in New York City they’ll get a free copy. It was the first ever deal I came up with after having the opportunity of meeting Gilles Hennessy, who’s part of the board of directors for LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy).
YaBoy: What should listeners expect to hear on I Love You Isaiah?Isaiah: As opposed to Volume 1 having mostly freestyles over known commercial beats, Volume 2 is all original productions from an intricate list of multi-platinum producers that are responsible for the successful careers of artist like 50 Cent, The Notorious B.I.G. and Jay Z - and I also provide a taste of lyricism that’s been missing from the hip hop game as we know it today.
YaBoy: Now, aside from music you also act. You’ve appeared on the television drama Rescue Me, as well as in 50 Cent’s “Get Rich or Die Tryin” and Denzel’s “American Gangster.” How did you get involved in acting?
Isaiah: I just jumped in headfirst when I realized my videos were playing on public access shows and BET. Although I always had a love for films, I figured it would be a good way to cross promote myself as a rap artist. I go to mad auditions and castings and I'm not afraid to speak up when I need to.
YaBoy: What was it like being around Hollywood elitists like Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe?
Isaiah: It was an honoring and humbling experience because I realized how many people didn’t know me and how much harder I needed to work. I get more attention as an actor even though I feel music is the most influential universal language.
YaBoy: Are you currently working on other acting projects?
Isaiah: I’m working on a couple of films, TV shows and commercials. I don’t want to disclose it right now [Laughs], but keep your eyes open. FYI, movies come out a year to 2 years or more after you shoot them – I’m constantly working.
YaBoy: I read where you were cited as a “Diddist.” Explain the catch-all-phrase?
Isaiah: I guess that would be referring to me being from the hood and having an entrepreneurial spirit. I feel like there’s nothing I can’t do once I focus my mind on it.
YaBoy: You have your hands in several cookie jars: you rap, act, you’re the CEO of an independent label. You’re doing it pretty big, however, if you were forced to choose one over the others, which one would you choose and why?
Isaiah: I get this question all the time. I feel like I don’t have to choose, I just want to be very successful.
YaBoy: Finally, when we first spoke you told me your motto was “A Billion and Beyond.” Tell readers what exactly that means to you and how they can perhaps apply it to themselves?
Isaiah: I heard Quincy Jones say to dream big and think astronomical so if you get half way there, you still good. I might wind up somewhere pissed off sitting on $999,000,000.
Listen to “Radio” off of I Love You Isaiah, Vol. 2: Like It or Not.
Catch some cuts of Isaiah here. (Radio - The Video / Acting Reel)
For more insight into Isaiah visit myspace.com/fontyrecords.
Source: YaBoyJavi - Writer for HipHopRuckus-If you have any questions or comments for YaBoyJavi, hit him up by E-mail, MySpace or AIM (YaBoyJavi)
Labels: InterView, Isaiah-Stokes, YaBoyJavi
* Young Buck w.Sizzla - "Babylon" (Audio)
* Nas interview on The Colbert Report
* Prodigy Interview from Prison with DJ Envy
See More Headlines -->
0 Comments:
Post a Comment