When you think of Hip-Hop what usually comes to mind? New York? Biggie? Jay-Z vs. Nas? Run-DMC and Public Enemy? Grandmaster Flash and the Furious 5? How about Boston?

As far as Hip Hop is concerned, "Murda Mass" hardly ever gets a mention. Most people would hardly even consider it being on the radar. Line up 100 Hip Hop fans and they probably couldn’t tell you one name from the area, but with artists such as Termanology & ST Da Squad, Statik Selektah and Clinton Sparks paving the way, it seems like Murda Mass might be a dominant force to reckon with for years to come. Don’t count Massachussetts out of the picture, let DXnext get you familiar with Sev One.

Hailing from: Chesterbrook Housing Projects, ten miles outside downtown Boston, Massachusetts.

Affiliates: G.E.M.S Worldwide and Clinton Sparks.

On The Boston Music Scene: "The Boston Music scene, as far as Hip Hop is concerned, is mostly underground. There is a lot of talent but no real mainstream artist at the moment, and a few people doing they thing: folks such as Supastar LT, and dudes like Termanology. But I, along with Clinton Sparks, are gonna make you all 'get familiar!'"

On That Relationship With Clinton Sparks: "I was Recording at Sony in New York, and the CEO of my label and I were having a conversation about what deejays I liked, and who I would like to work with and Clinton is from the same city as me, and has always been someone who I thought was talented and I figured it would be perfect we set up a meeting Clinton. He came through and listened to some joints and what not and since then we have had a great relationship he's an intelligent dude and an excellent producer."

How Sev Plans To Change The Game: "I will provide originality and bring creativity back to the forefront. Nothing great was ever achieved without risk, and I’m not afraid to take risk. I was actually in the studio today working on a record Clinton produced, and I had an Opera singer in there breaking glass."

On The Eminem Comparisons: "I am a fan of Em and there will never be another Eminem. I don't think people should concentrated on the color of an artists skin, but rather the music and the talent they have. Em is the Jackie Robinson of Rap. He broke down that barrier. I'm Hank Aaron, get ready."

'80s Babies Influences: "I grew up and such a diverse community and moved around so much I was exposed to everything from Soul to Rock, Country, Kompa, Reggae to Classical; everything, but as far as Hip Hop, I grew up on everyone from Run-DMC, Nas, Whodini, Wu-Tang, Rakim, Boot Camp, KRS, Jay-Z, OutKast, Scarface, N.W.A., Snoop...shit... I could go on all day...if you from that era, you know what was hot!"

Sev Summary: "I would describe my music as a mix of me and...me. Soul-influenced, actual lyrics, punchlines, great hooks, original concepts, thought-provoking powerful truthful music. I dont rap, I translate life into songs."

On The Music Business In 2008: "The game has come along way from its roots and technology has evolved to the point where everyone with a computer a Radio Shack mic and a Myspace page is a rapper. The once dominant major labels are now having to look seriously at the internet/digital age and Independent labels as the future of the industry. My label G.E.M.S Worldwide is about to make a major impact."

On The Future Of Hip Hop: "The future looks bright. Everything works in stages and cycles. I here a lot of people say they wish Hip Hop would go back to where it was in the mid-'90s, but I think that what people really mean is that they want to see a change from what they are hearing in the mainstream media and they want to see creativity displayed like back in the day... and that’s perfect, 'cause that’s our plan."

What's On The Table: "My label G.E.M.S is a well-funded independent label with connections at the highest levels in the music industry and in the technology world I feel as though I'm in a good place and that they are behind my project 100%, so I’m comfortable where I'm at this year. I should be dropping a few more mixtapes and an album. My current mixtape, The Bootleg, is hosted by Clinton Sparks alongside Kay Slay, DJ Drama, Whoo Kid and Big Mike and is available for free download [click here...]."

To check Sev One's Myspace [click here...].