What’s an emcee without a story to tell? It’s almost become the perfect Hip Hop recipe for artists to spit how past hard times have contributed to the artist they have become. For Alfamega, his name and story began at the end of his federal bid in 2002. During his seven years on lock, this ATLien used his time to pen over 1,700 songs, arming himself with enough lyrical ammo to come out spraying. After recording with David Banner, he signed to Universal only to get dropped. Keeping it close to home, he eventually hooked up with old friend T.I., signed with his label and became the official “Grand Hustle Muscle.” His stand out verse on the platinum selling T.I. vs. T.I.P. cut "Hurt" featuring Busta Rhymes only increased his visibility and made him hungry for more.

Flipping his lyrics between the personal and the party, his video and single “Uh Huh” has been getting plenty of play on the airwaves. With his debut I Am Alfamega finally set to drop in October, this bully-rapper is eager to make up for lost time. Take a ride with HipHopDX as this Atlanta Westside O.G. gives an introspective glimpse into the life of man who says he’s just like us, a hood messiah, and so much more.

HipHopDX: What section of Atlanta are you from?
Alfamega: West side. You know that’s the best side. Born and raised on the West Side. Techwood Projects. The first projects in the United States. 118 Pine Street, apartment number four. Google me. [Laughs]

DX: Once I Am Alfamega hits the streets October 14th what do you think the world is going to know about you as an artist and a man?
Alfamega: They gonna know that I am real. They gonna know that I am me. And I’m just like they are.

DX: In what way?
Alfamega: I’m human. I don’t have anything to hide from anybody. I dig in my nose too.

DX: What’s Hip Hop missing that Alfamega is bringing?
Alfamega: Some reality. Reality and that story. Remember how Biggie and 'Pac used to do that storytelling music? Music like if it wasn’t nothing but one song on the album, you think, “I fucks with that song.” Ya feel me? So that’s what I’m bringing.

DX: How was it working with T.I. and Busta Rhymes on the "Hurt" track?
Alfamega: It was lovely. It was a funny story. When I did my verse, Busta [click to read] hadn’t done his verse yet. Tip [click to read] did his. So, I knew that in order to sit on a verse with Tip, I had to come hard. I didn’t know who Tip was gonna put on, but I knew I had to outshine everybody that was on that track. No disrespect to either one of them, those are my brothers, but I had to stand out because no one knew who I was. I had to put my twist in it.

DX: Your sound is so aggressive. I saw a description of one of your videos on line describing you as a beast. Do you think that was accurate?
Alfamega: Umm hmm. What you think? That’s basically me. I’m still a good person.

DX: I want to quote one of your lyrics. “I did the totally impossible when I touched down. Like the rose that grew through the crack in the ground. With no rain no sun or love at all just my heart my dedication and some very big…"?
Alfamega: ...Some very big balls, so I don’t owe a nigga nathin'.”

DX: What have you gone through and experienced that makes your lyrics feel so real?
Alfamega: I’ve been through it. I’ve been to hell and back. You are a woman. Women go through hell every day in the world. That’s why a lot of women feel [Mary J Blige]. When she sings you can feel her. People took to Tupac because they felt 'Pac. People took to Biggie because they felt Biggie. Biggie said, “Heartthrob never, black and ugly as ever.” That said to you as a woman, “Yo, that’s an ugly nigga but I like him.”

DX: You had a contract years ago with Universal. How much did having that situation fall through make you grow in the music business?
Alfamega: I already had the business side. When we went into Universal, we had a joint venture. I didn’t go in as a regular artist. It helped me grow and know you had to have an opinion. Don’t go in just looking for the money. Have an opinion on the type of music you do in your career. Take more of a hands on approach with everything.

DX: Has being down with the Grand Hustle family been one of your biggest accomplishments?
Alfamega: It’s been an accomplishment but not the biggest. My biggest accomplishment has been staying free.

DX: You mean that literally and figuratively?
Alfamega: Yes. Staying free on the streets. Not going back to prison [and] doing a lot of negative stuff I used to do. That’s an accomplishment.

DX: What got your mind there?
Alfamega: My children and the things that I went through the last bid I did. I said never again. They not going to get me like this. I’m going to turn this negative into a positive. Imma make them hate they locked me up. Continued on page 2 »