Block and Diddy have two things in common – they make hits and bands. Block took a few Georgia rappers, placed them over some gritty beats and Boyz ‘N Da Hood made a splash in the mainstream market. You already know that the standout from the first album was Young Jeezy, but these solo artists now turned group members also had a beast in the young gunner – Jody Breeze. The upstart lyricist is more than just a trap rapper, painting vivid imagery that harks back to his [location] roots. After releasing such mixtapes as [what?], the public was eager to hear the man who’s cooler than the other side of the pillow after he dropped Stay Fresh. It was with the flipped remixed version of Floetry’s Say Yes, Breeze was able to catapult himself into a limelight.
Eager to capitalize on the buzz, Jody was set to release A Day In The Life of Jody Breeze. The project still hasn’t been released, but Jody Breeze won’t let a little harsh wind deter him. He’s re-upped with Boyz ‘N Da Hood and their first single, "Everybody Know Me", is doing well on radio stations, with a video set for release soon. HipHopDX.com sits down with the homie, Jody Breeze as he talks about his love for the people, why his solo album is still sitting on the show and shares his thoughts about fellow member, Gorilla Zoe
HHDX: The single joint is doing alright – how do you think the fans are going to receive the revamped Boyz ‘N Da Hood line-up?
JB: For me, personally, I think that the people are going to like the group. It’s not much of a difference. But… Zoe… man, he’s a real *****, for real! He’s on that Screamfest Tour, right now. He’s getting a lot of promotion that we need as a group and for us on the solo tip. Our music hasn’t changed, it’s grown. We still keeping it hood for y’all.
HHDX: There are a lot of people waiting on you to start shining since you dropped Stay Fresh awhile back. How is that coming with you?
JB: I stay working all the time, but I’m also trying to be patient and let the shine come to me. Trust, I’m still dropping mixtapes, I have a new one that’s dropping in two weeks. I still get love everywhere I go. I just want to say that I appreciate all of the fans and their support. I am just trying to get my business straight. That’s the one thing about this industry, you have to have all of your business straight in order to make it.
HHDX: To play Devil’s advocate – are you happy with your current situation? It seems as if there’s a significant push behind Gorilla Zoe with “Hood *****.”
JB: Pretty much, that’s what it was made for. That was why the whole group was put together. It was there for us to do our thing and take it to the next level. It’s up for the members in the group to do their thing to make a situation. Zoe came in at a good time. He got a song going strong in the game, right now, with that "Hood *****" ****. All you need is a song to keep it moving. I’ve been doing this for four years, but I keep doing shows and I stay everywhere. I’m on other people’s albums, I’m writing joints on their ****. I still get money. I’m going to always be around. My time may come when a lot of these party records die down. I like to keep my music real. When you see me, you never see me with any security, no bodyguards or anything like that. I have what it takes to stay long in the game. A lot of people aren’t really built for this.
HHDX: What else do you have in the works that people should get ready to see soon from you?
JB: People should really get ready for my album. When it comes out, everybody is going to know about it. I’m trying to get the people to be patient. It’s harder for me than it is for my fans. I’m dealing with people that they [the fans] don’t know anything about. I got all types of ****. I got clothing lines and watches. I have tours that I’m going to be on. You already know that I’m on that new Boyz ‘N Da Hood album, I’m on Gorilla Zoe’s album. I’m just putting in work, man.
HHDX: Do you think that right now everything is being done to promote this next Boyz ‘N Da Hood album?
JB: We just shot four more videos. The album is like a movie. That’s why we pushed it back. We just came off of a 45-city promo run. They know that we’re coming. We’re just trying to push it and grind.
HHDX: Block is doing really well by pushing certain artists. It made him a player to watch in the industry, but if you could go anywhere – where would you go and why?
JB: Really, I would go anywhere where they believe in me and my project. It’s whatever. I am not that hard to get along with or talk to. If you see me, then you see me. There’s a lot of **** that one has to go through in order to make it in this business. You have to work hard just to get to one simple situation. It ain’t about where I go, it’s about what I do. I like dealing with a real *****. I don’t give a damn where it’s at.
HHDX: Jeezy left and now is having major success as a solo artist. Was being in a group ever the plan for you or was that just a stepping stone to greater things?
JB: It was definitely a stepping stone for me, but at the same time, I knew exactly what it was and what it could be. I was a solo act before I got with the group. Any dude that was in it before, already know that the group **** isn’t going to last forever. Whatever I’m doing, I put my all into it, so they can’t just say that I’m doing it for so-so reasons. It’s a lot of grinding.
HHDX: Well, how much progress do you think you’ve made?
JB:From the time I got in the game, I’ve made serious progress. I get better and better whenever I go into the booth. The way I work is so different. I have never wrote anything down, seriously! When I spit, it’s more real, the more I keep talking, the more I know people are going to feel me. I just talk about real **** and it sounds good.
HHDX: At the end of the day, with the business being a shady place – what keeps you going and wanting to be heard?
JB: …The people. Common said it best. It’s nothing like being an inspiration to someone who loves what you’re saying. Cats all over the world come up to you – kids, girls, aunties and the grandmas come up to you to know what you doing. If it wasn’t for them, I’d damn sure not be called no rapper!
http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/features/id.878/title.jody-breeze-just-another-boy-n-da-hood/p.2
