Fred Knuxx is one artist that you can watch grind. I can’t imagine what it’s like trying to get on coming from Delaware, a state not known for it’s Hip Hop presence and being a state that ranks 45th overall in the nation's population. Google his name though and you will see that Fred Knuxx is the face (or 'Face) of the first state. Confident in himself feeling that his music is just as good if not better than today’s superstars it’s understood why the industry should let him in and that’s now.

When you call yourself the kind of grind you have to be doing something right. Branding yourself in this game is a key and is one downfall Fred feels Delaware artists don’t do. Speaking on how state’s hottest artist mimicks Philadelphia artists, he isn’t knocking the talent, but believes Delaware needs to do Delaware. To succeed in this game is to drive in your own lane and if that’s what will make you stand out among the copy cats, Fred Knuxx has no problem with that.

Is He Upset Delaware Doesn’t Have Solid Presence In The Game And Glad To Put On Map: "It’s kind of a double-edged sword, but at the same time, I know I put in my grind with the work I put in. At the same time, it’s a lot of artists in Delaware that kind of make it look bad. Certain artists feel like they gotta do a song with Philly dudes to get a name, they feel they gotta go to the Philly artists to get themselves hot. Artists like me is out there putting in work and basically making things happen for the home state along without having that crutch man. The reason why is, because at the end of the day, the artists out of town don’t really care about Delaware, they just see it as a paycheck and a way to keep they name hot. I feel good that I’m doing what I’m doing for the state. Philly got their movement, Jersey got theirs, New York too, so let’s get together and do this Delaware movement."

How Delaware Can Distinguish Themselves From Philly: "Sound original, it's like we don’t have an identity. Since Delaware is so close to Philly, like the hottest dudes that people think is hot in Delaware they sound like Philly dudes. It’s like, 'I did a song with Joey Jihad, Reed Dollaz, Meek Millz, I gotta sound like them so I can have a name in Delaware.' Yes, that might make you hot, but you not separating yourself from the next artist. If you talking about the same stuff that a Philly artist is talking about, how can you set yourself apart and get the proper shine that we supposed to get as a state? I’m not tryna toot my own horn, but I try to be original. If you listen to Trel Mack [click to read], he separates himself and that’s why I’m willing to work with artist like that."

Why Fred Knuxx Decided To Ride In His Own Lane: "I always felt that way and that’s the reason I’m separated from the rest of the pack. It is a lot of artist out here doing they thing don’t get me wrong. From the time I started rapping, I wanted to be original and that what got me looked at on other regions. I think outside the box."

The New Age Industry And The Ups Of The Internet: "If it wasn’t for the Internet my buzz wouldn’t be as strong as it is now. I wouldn’t be able to reach cats in Japan, Cali, Alabama just off me being from Delaware alone. Of course you gonna grind and put some projects out in the street, but online is where it’s at right now. It’s to the point now where you got record execs and A&R’s checking for YouTube spins, MySpace hits just to see who’s hot online."

Does He Agree Industry Now Lacks Artist Development: "Hip Hop is always gonna be around and you just gotta know where to go to find good Hip Hop. Let’s be real, all the artists that’s doing well in the Hip Hop game right now already is established. Look at Ludacris [click to read], [Lil Wayne], T.I. [click to read], 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Dr. Dre. All these cats is in the game eating doing good, because their established artists. You can’t really name too many new artist that’s in the game that really had longevity like that. Each year you get a new artist, a new song, a new one hit wonder. That’s because now instead of creating and developing an artist, everything is fast-paced right now. Back in the day, labels was more patient, but you can’t blame everything on the label you gotta brand yourself as an artist too."

Why Is Fred Knuxx Good Hip Hop That’s Bigger Than Delaware: "The music speaks for itself and as far as the music is concerned I’m not tryna be like anybody. If you got good product people gonna gravitate to it, because they respect if you got good music. If you can support ya family off of music you doing a good job and that the way I look at it." Continued on page 2 »