As the end of Black History Month approaches, the end of another historical moment came last night as Jus Rhyme was eliminated from the (White) Rapper Show. Jus’s anti-racism rants earned him a niché spot on the show as the “social conscious” within the White rapper collective.

Last night, the White rappers went to Motor City to battle it out 8 Mile style. After taking the tour of the city, meeting the likes of Insane Clown Posse and Kid Rock – the melanin-deprived emcees took it to the Shelter. Home of the late Proof, D12, and Eminem, Jus just couldn’t cut it on the battling tip.

Always the hip-hop enthusiast, Jeb Middlebrook breaks bread with HHDX as he talks about his brand of edutainment, compares his fifteen laws to the business of hip-hop and gives his thoughts about his experience on the (White) Rapper Show.

HHDX: From you doing the show, you lost your fellowship for school at USC. What would you say was more important for you – entertaining the masses or gaining your PhD?
JR: I guess it would have to be both. They’re both important to me. For those who watched the show and were concerned, I got a break and I was reinstated back into my fellowship at USC. Being on the show was a test for me to see if I can juggle them both. I’m working on getting my Ph.D. in Ethnic Studies.PhD. My dissertation is about the recording industry, Black music and the prison system and the relationship between them all. I am just starting on my research right now, but I am interested in the Gangsta rap lifestyle. There is a history of rebellion and celebration within the music. But you also have these institutions established here in America whose objective is to silence Black America. So, my question that I’m trying to state is – What does that mean when that type of voice is celebrated? What is the power within that voice? How can it change and help communities? Within Gangsta Music, the artists have all harnessed their voices and their energy and utilize it for positive social change.

HHDX: But doesn’t the message still don’t add up? The imagery behind being a “gangsta” and the influence that that carries weighs more than the community services that they do behind the scenes. Do you have any thoughts, Jus?
JR: You can slice and dice it up, but everyone gives what they can, when they can. But I can see how you can make an argument. You don’t want to take two steps backwards and only take one step forward. But I honor everyone’s movements. At the end of the day, I feel like myself, all of us… we’re not perfect. I don’t hold others to a standard that I cannot adhere to, too. Lil’ Wayne, Ice Cube, Jesse Jackson, Barack Obama all do what they do, as well as I do… and the world needs them to stand out and speak out. They need a Barack Obama and an Ice Cube. They both have unique voices that play out to a broad appeal within the community.

HHDX: Over the course of the show, you got a chance to talk about your believes. AR-15 are your principles, but do you think that you’d be able to entertain people and not compromise yourself?
JR: Yeah, I think so… my tour schedule is proof. I have been touring since 2003 and have been rhyming since 1998. My crew, AR-15 even has a lecturing circuit. We’ve just hired 70 street team members from all over the country. So, they’re getting paid while helping to push forward the revolution. I’m talking to you right now from a college event in Nashville, Tennessee. We’re one of the top draws within college campuses. We’re educating people. I think there is a time for partying and dancing, but it can tie along with the conception of activism. Community work can be celebrated. We can make parties that are enjoyable, but they also should put us ahead in life.

HHDX: You’re a very smart dude, but could your actions be misconstrued as trying to make advantages for yourself through a Black and Brown artform?
JR: Oh, yeah, most assuredly. The thing about being White in hip-hop is that I have to prove that I'm giving more than I am taking. That is what I asked myself initially when I started to rap. But I believe that I speak truth and put it to power. There weren’t that many White emcees whom was leaders within the culture. We can support the blacks. When we’re not needed, there’s work within the White culture that we can help there to. It’s just about ending supremacy and ignorance. So, the message can be misconstrued. But that’s the danger when using media of any kind. I was willing to run the risk of just that by being on the show. I respect Ego Trip. I knew their background. But I wanted them to be clear on their intentions with me being on the show. They found my submission tape on YouTube… I had missed the deadline. Someone said that they had got over 7000 applications and I was one of the few who were talking about politics in the right way. Long story short, I just want to play my position in the game and to Ego Trip, props to them for letting me take the risk.

HHDX: There have been a lot of political groups within hip-hop. KRS-One, dead prez, Immortal Technique, just to name a few; how does your principles affect and help the oppressed within the urban communities of America?
JR: I’ll answer the question in two parts. It’s there to support the oppressed groups within America. My view on White Supremacy… because that’s what racism is… just like sexism is MS Supremacy… is that White Supremacy limits White people, just as much as it does Black and Brown folks. Number five on the list… following leadership of color directly supports my principles. But I think that that principle is important. In terms of racism, Black people do not need to be taught about what racism is, but Whites can help promote the idea broadly to others who may not be able or be receptive to what the Blacks and Browns are saying. We should acknowledge their leadership.

HHDX: What would you say are the adverse effects of sticking to your principles?
JR: That’s a good question, I appreciate it. I’d have to say… keeping your mental health intact, man. People see it on the show that anytime you’re committed to a certain belief, that you’re going to be confronted with people and with systems and institutions that don’t want to see that happen. I surround myself with people who believe the same way that I do, but I know when to cut loose. I think the biggest obstacle is saying sane and making sure that AR-15/Jus Rhyme is still around 30, 40 years from now. That’s why our last fives principles are left to future generations. I hope that people change up the principles and make it work for them.

HHDX: The rest of your comrades felt that sometimes your beliefs would hinder your rap progress.
JR: It’s up to record executives to make that call. But emcees with political messages come in all genres of hip-hop. You can get the message from mainstream rappers. I think the only obstacle is myself. There are huge multi-platinum recording artists who say some of the most powerful stuff. Jay-Z has amazing rhymes… you’ve heard Minority Report. Lil’ Wayne has done some tracks about Hurricane Katrina that have been big... from Hollywood Divorce to joints on his mix tapes. I think that maybe it comes to changing how we receive politics. It’s not our fault, in the community, of not seeing that. I think it’s the powers-that-be who have a key to the game that don’t want to realize that there is truth in power. I think it’s funny, but to answer the question directly, if people think that’s true that I can’t make a club track… it’s up to the fans to decide. I think for any emcee, it’s a positive challenge. I’d rather write through the challenges than to let that stop me. At the end of the day, it’s not going to make or break my career. There is a market for anyone to say anything in this business. I say to people, sign yourself to your own deal, until a label comes to the table. Pool your money, promote, get a street team. You may not make a million a year. But how much you need to live is dependent on you. I don’t need to make that much. I can live well and within my means by doing something that is positive.

HHDX: Well, the business of hip-hop is based upon another belief all together. So, how do you work within those confines to create a pure product?
JR: I have no idea. That’s a good question, too. I think I’d take tips from people who have already been in it. People don’t know this but Remy Ma gave us some great tips. She was edited out of the show. But I think it’s the same question that can be asked when I went on the (White) Rapper Show. What more can I make? You just do what you can. I would be very careful and go into a major label contract with an Entertainment lawyer. I would talk to people to get their opinion. Everlast told us not to sign a major label deal. He’s been signed to quite a few and had some bad deals, so you know where he’s coming from, but Remy said the same thing. It’s more negative than positive, but I think that that’s the future of hip-hop business. Hip-Hop isn’t dead. The industry is dying, the people aren’t. I think that I’d have to take it day by day and talk to people to see if it’s even possible. Who knows, next week a major label could go bankrupt. At the end of the day, the people win and that’s what I keep in my heart.

HHDX: If rapping doesn’t work for you, what are your next plans?
JR: I’d probably keep doing what I’m doing with school. I’d love to teach high school or college. I imagine that I’d use that to pay the bills. I’m not afraid of work. I’ve shoveled snow, painted houses, work construction… I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty. I’ll always be in a community whether I’m paid or not. It’s not about money that fills me up. Smiles, justice, all the things that they're not trying to pay us to do fill me up. People aren’t told that all the time, but it’s the truth… you can get paid to give back.

HHDX: You stood out amongst your competitors on the show, but you made it to the final three. What do you think was your opinion of your fellow castmates?
JR: I think the same with my opinion on how people do what they do. Each of them brought their own style, their own energy and I’m just blessed to have met them. Personally, I’m always down to build with anyone to cultivate people’s dreams. But if getting down with working with the community were an obstacle, then that would be a problem with me. I’m down for whatever though. But if no one wants to work for a better cause, then that’s fine. I still wish the best of luck to them all.