AZNRaps –The last time we spoke with you was back in 2002 around the time of your debut [click here to read 2002 interview]. Six years later what’s changed? Both personal and career wise..

Southstar – It’s been 6 years already? Man, time flies! I’ve grown so much in the last 6 years homie. As far as personal, my son is 6 years old now. He’s who I do everything for! I’m 6 years older and definitely a lot wiser. Career wise, the game has changed so much. I’ve been thru so many label and management issues in the past few years that my mind is so much stronger to deal with all the bullshit that comes with this game. Plus I definitely have a better sense of this business.

AZNRaps – Let’s take a step back real quick. “Tell Me” was your first single. It was, and still is, the most popular song from you guys. After that though it seems the buzz died and you guys slowly withdrew from the public eye. As a result you guys dropped another single, but it didn’t do as well. Agree, disagree? What are your thoughts on the matter?

Southstar – {josquote}“Tell Me” was huge for us! It’s a HIT RECORD! We still go around performing it and to see the people still sing along with it after all these years, it really shows how big that record was. {/josquote}To keep it short it took us a year and a half to get released from Artist Direct with all our masters. They folded in 2004 and since we were their highest selling artist at the label, we were gonna do a second album with them under a new imprint. When that fell thru we asked for our release. When we finally got our release, we still had a deal in place with Transcontinental Records. The first album was a joint deal between Transcontinental and Artist Direct. We started pushing a few records but never really got the support from the label so the records kinda came and went. We signed a new joint venture with Pure Records in the end of 2006 but then Transcontinental fell apart in the beginning of 2007. For that story, you’ll have to Google it. That was a crazy situation! So we eventually got our releases from Transcontinental and reworked out our deal with Pure middle of last year. This business can be crazy I tell you!

AZNRaps – A lot of people called you guys a one-hit wonder; drop a dope track then disappear. What went through your mind as all of this was happening? Did you think the group Smilez & Southstar was gonna break up? What about support from your label?

Southstar – Really, I don’t pay no mind to what anyone else has to say. I mean we are one-hit wonders, until we get our next hit! Simple as that! The key for me was to always stay focused and think positively and get around whatever obstacle was being thrown at me at the time.

AZNRaps – Well, the past is the past. Since then, there was a lot of stuff going on, many projects both group and solo work. What were you up to in particular?

Southstar – Working on side projects and recording! I just recently started working on my solo project and the group album is done with the exception of maybe 2 songs that we’re gonna add to the album. I can’t do anything about label issues but I can stay recording!

AZNRaps – I know you connected with JimmyBoi over there in the South. Can we expect anything from you two anytime soon?

Southstar – Most definitely! We are working on a mixtape together. I promise it will be out soon! We’re gonna continue to push and expand the Live 2 Hustle movement. So be on the lookout for projects all throughout the year from JimmyBoi, myself and our other artists.

AZNRaps – Let’s talk about the new project. Smilez & Southstar’s sophomore album, “The Reintroduction.” What’s with the title?

Southstar – I mean it is what it is.{josquote}It’s been a minute for us and plus we’ve grown so much personally and musically that we felt like we needed to reintroduce who Smilez & Southstar are to the public.{/josquote} This album sounds nothing like the first album. We put this album together from track selection to concepts to marketing plans. We didn’t have much say the first time around so we feel like this is really our first album! The songs are much more personal! Plus the younger hip hop audience might not remember us so it’s only right that we reintroduce ourselves!

AZNRaps – “U” featuring KC. Is this the same KC from the hit group KC and Jojo that dominated the charts in the 90s or am I just nuts?

Southstar – Lol! Nah it’s not the same KC from Jodeci. He’s actually an extremely talented songwriter and upcoming R&B singer from Orlando. He’s written hooks such as “Go Getta” for Young Jeezy, “Speedin” for Rick Ross & “All The Above” for Beanie Sigel. He’s also working with Danjahandz on his upcoming project right now. You’ll know who he is when it’s time I promise! He’s the truth!

AZNRaps – Haha, damn, it’s all good. Dude is talented. So let’s talk about “U.” The track is hot; I can see it getting picked up quick. It’s doing pretty well. On your site it says “‘U’ takes off where ‘Tell Me’ left off”. How so?

Southstar – The “U” record goes after the same audience we had gotten with “Tell Me”. When it comes to us, everyone seems to want another “Tell Me’. So we give them “U”!

AZNRaps – Comparing this to your freshmen release “Crash the Party,” what’s different? What can we expect from this latest installment? When will it be available? Where can we get a copy?

Southstar – We’ve grown so much personally and musically. You can hear the difference in the music. We’ve been thru so much since 2002 so there are so many new experiences to talk about. The album should be available sometime before the summer. It will be available in stores and online!

AZNRaps – Do you think you’ve grown as artists over these last couple years? Learned from pass mistakes and experiences? What will you do differently this second time around?

Southstar – I guess I answered this in the last question. I’ve grown a ton since the last time most of you heard me. From the flow, voice, arrangements and everything musically to learning how to market a record, work radio, and everything on the business end. {josquote}If there’s one thing I learned the most, it is to be fully involved in all the decision making when it comes to your career. No one can make decisions regarding your career better than you can!{/josquote}

AZNRaps – You recently came back to our forums and posted up a couple tracks up. What’s your opinion on getting back to the roots, getting feedback from users directly whether positive or negative?

Southstar – You know nowadays the internet is everything. It’s always important to reach out to the people anyway possible. The feedback definitely helps me in my decision making when it comes to picking a single or what markets are best to attack for the project. Or just to see what people think. I use it as guide!

AZNRaps – The music industry is changing. CDs are losing to the MP3 format. Are you guys worried? Are you prepared? Maybe offer a MP3 album as well to hardcopy?

Southstar – You can’t be worried! You have to adapt with the times. You gotta stay in touch with what’s new! We will definitely offer the album digitally as well!

AZNRaps – Glad we can connect again, let’s talk again sometime. But try not waiting another 6 years buddy! Any last comments?

Southstar – Appreciate the love homie and thanks to everyone for all their support both in the past and present. You can hit me at www.myspace.com/mistersouthstar! One last thing, I love how far as Asian Americans we have come in the hip hop community. Let’s not slow down now! Let’s get it! Much Love!

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Be sure to check out Southstar's MySpace at www.myspace.com/mistersouthstar

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