HHDX: So, why not just battle it out like they did back in the day?
JB: That’s a rapper thing. I’m not a rapper. I’m an entity. You may think that I’m being funny, but it’s real as hell. Being an entity is about broadening your marketability. Me, I don’t really spend a lot of time writing poems about other dudes. I am inspired by Fela Kuti, Bob Marley and 2Pac, just to name a few. I’m focused on my marketing plan and I’m not going to let an emotional rapper who’s not on my radar throw me off my game. I have soldiers who are ready to rhyme. I’m on TV to let America watch me. Those that champion immature outbursts and usage of force are obviously going to look at that and think whatever. But, if you have a boss mentality, you’re going to know at the end of the day, it’s whatever.

HHDX: You had made it all the way down to the bottom two and you were heavily favored to win the whole thing after Persia and Sullee both went home. What was your first thought when Serch called Shamrock’s name?
JB: You know… it was just what it was. Basically, I came out there trying to showcase myself during the performance. I had the opportunity to change it up from the songs that I had done like, “Smoke in the Club” and “Grown Ass Man” and to do something that had some substance. I banged the ideology behind being the King of the Burbz. Afterwards, I talked with Clinton Sparks to see if he got some background information behind the artists. He said he kind of just showed up after they had called him last minute. So, when him, Dante Ross and Prince Paul looked at the song, they made their decision. To me, I feel that it was a blessing in disguise.

HHDX: You and Shamrock got into it after the Hot 97 incident. He mentioned that one of the things that got him upset was you saying that the altercation would’ve been “good for TV”. Do you think that John Brown, the character, can ever overshadow the rapper-slash-businessman?
JB: In this era, business and art are one in the same. I represent that combination. So, in my opinion, the character is exchangeable with who I am. They’re the same. The source of my lyrics and my antics come from the same being. So, I don’t think that they’ll be overshadowing anything.

HHDX: You and Persia got into it quite a few times. Since then have you guys mended the fences?
JB: Nah, I don’t know. A lot of the kids… I read their interviews and they spend a lot of time thinking about me. I’m not even worried about them. I’m focused on doing photo shoots for this DVD, coming out with this album and making moves within the industry. As far as I’m concerned, that was all “Week 4” hoopla. Continued on page 4 »