Virginia’s own Jon Wertz isn’t worried about what you may think about him. Eager to prove his worth, the producer-slash-lyricist auditioned for VH1 and Ego Trip’s the (White) Rapper Show. Amidst the criticism from fans and writers, alike, Jonny Boy withstood eliminations, won challenges and became one of the running favorites on the show.

Jon Boy was eliminated after a weak showing in the final challenge. With his stay on the show over, the “Chief Executive Paper Maker” embarks on putting the finishing touches on his solo debut, Unsigned Hype. The current owner of the Lucky 7’s recording studio and CEO of High Rolla Records is also set to start a regional tour.

HHDX sits down with the recent victim from the (White) Rapper as he talks about life after having to “step off”, if he really felt that his song/video should’ve won the challenge, and HHDX challenges his decision making from last night’s episode.

HHDX: Virginia native, right? Home of the Clipse, Timbaland and Missy Elliot. What part of Virginia are you from and who were your influences growing up?

JB: I live out in the Reedville, Virginia. My influences growing up were definitely Dr. Dre, Pac, B.I.G., Jay-Z and Nas. I lived out in the country, so I could only get my hands on things that were mainstream. We only had two major radio stations out there.

HHDX: But what about your hometown heroes?

JB: I feel like they weren’t around when I was starting to really check out people. But, I know a lot of people come out from major cities because they have a lot of eyeballs looking at them. When we finally get the same thing in Virginia, then a lot more talent will be discovered that’s from here. But everybody in the state is proud of Pharrell and all them who are from here.

HHDX: You pretty much stayed out of the elimination process of the show for most of the episodes. Whereas, Sullee had been involved in almost all of them. You guys had some friction when finally paired up. What was the cause?

JB: It was probably because it was 3 o’clock in the morning. But with the show, a lot of what you see is due to the editing. Sullee and I are really good friends. When we were in the top 25 [before the cast was chosen], all we did was smoked trees and get drunk. But when you’re doing a show like this, a reality show period, you got to expect people to create drama and make things more than what they were. But, check it, at the end of day, Sullee is a good friend. Continued on page 2 »