While working on his next album, Memphis Bleek has taken up a 9 to 5 promoting his new clothing line, IMI Apparel.

We’re at an office in midtown Manhattan. What is this?
This is my clothing company, IMI. It stands for I’m an individual. Something we started back in April. It’s really picking up now. This is my office.

Do you have partners?
My friend Radu and Danny, they helped start Rocawear. Once they left that and started they own situation, I had came over here and we had a couple of meetings about bringing me in as a partner, making this thing grow and happen in the hip hop world. And it just happened.

What is the style?
Our style is just being an individual. Everybody out here is they own individual, own person. So it’s all about being a leader, not a follower. The shirt I have on says, Don’t imitate. The style of it is setting our own mark for all the youths and adults, everybody. Setting everybody apart. Because if you look at hip hop right now, everybody is the same. Everybody is tough. Everybody dresses the same. Nobody has nothing that sets them aside from everybody else. That’s what IMI is for.

Is your brand similar to Sean John or Rocawear?
It’s in the middle of both. We have our urban look and an elegant look. We combine them. We make a dress shirt, like a button up shirt but it zips down in the middle so it is a jacket too. We reverse a lot of things and combine a couple of things. My idols coming up were Guess Jeans, Polo and Nautica. Then once we got involved in Rocawear, that was it.

Where is Bleek at musically?
I feel like I’m below where I need to be. I’m not in the musical world where I should be. I think that comes from lack of promotion. People don’t see me enough. I don’t get enough videos, airplay. It’s on me. I’ll just work harder and it’ll all happen. I’m still working on the new album right now. It should be out the fourth quarter. I don’t want to rush it. I want to take my time. Hopefully, it’ll be a classic. And the label will stand behind me like they should.

Are you with Def Jam now?
I’m wherever Jay goes. My deal is basically a lifetime deal. It’s not a contract we renegotiate over and over. Without paperwork, I’m signed. Jay is like my big brother. Wherever he go, whatever decision he want to do, I’m there 100%. I’m still Roc-A-Fella. Roc-A-Fella exists. Kanye. Young Gunz. Both companies merged.

Do you think you’ll get a better, stronger push this time around?
I don’t know what situation is better because I don’t know the business. I don’t know the logistics about what’s going on behind closed doors. But from what I know, it feels like a better situation. It feels like it has the potential to launch me in a better situation than what I was previously in. But who knows? Time will tell us that. Continued on page 2 »