B.G. Chopper City Boyz

     By: Serge

       The city of New Orleans, Louisiana in  1999; B.G. releases ”Chopper City In The Ghetto”, off Cash Money Records. The album reaches platinum success, and the primary reason for that is the heavy rotation of the hit song, ”Bling-Bling”, a phrase coined by B.G. which means to have shiny and expensive jewelry. That phrase would soon cross over into mainstream America, and place B.G. firmly on the map.

      The city of New Orleans, Louisiana 2005; Hurricane Katrina devastates the state, leaving most of it submerged under water and causes billions of dollars in damage, forcing B.G. to relocate due to the natural disaster. Although he is no longer with Cash Money, B-Gizzle still manages to release a few acclaimed albums through Koch Records, while getting into disputes with Trina and former label mate, Lil Wayne.           

     Now fast forward to 2007; B.G. buries the hatchet with Cash Money label head Baby, while running his own imprint, Chopper City Records. He forms the group, Chopper City Boyz along with Sniper, VL Mike, Gar, and Hakim (AKA Hakizzle) for the their debut effort, ”We Got Next.” Not to be out done (by himself) he also plans to release his solo album through Atlantic Records and it’s rumored to be executive produced by the self proclaimed king, T.I. If all that isn’t an example of perseverance and determination, it would be really difficult to find what is.        

CrackSpace.com: Why do you think the South is so hot now, do you think it’s any particular reason for it?

Chopper City Boyz: We ain’t taking away from nobody else, but we are just strong right now. You can tell the difference between Southern rap and anywhere else, ya heard me. Bottom line is we are just bringing a different flavor right now.

CrackSpace.com: Do you think there is some animosity towards the South right now because the spot light is on you guys?

Chopper City Boyz: It don’t bother us, everybody got their personal opinions, and their personal feelings about what they want. Everybody gets their turn to do their thing, and right now we got the game in the mothaf**king choke hold, ya heard me. 

CrackSpace.com: How did The Chopper City Boyz come about, did you guys know each before getting into music?

Chopper City Boyz: Well B.G. Left Cash Money, and he was doing a little project and he wanted us to go on the road with him. We all grew up together, and it just went from there, we all street n***as, born and raised so it was on from there.

CrackSpace.com: David Banner did the production on ”Make ‘Em Mad,” who else have you worked with on this album?

Chopper City Boyz: Production wise, we just went with David Banner and all the features were just family. Not to be sh*ting on any outsiders, but we just wanted to do our own thing. We’ve been hungry for a long time, so we have a lot to say and just wanted to get it all out.

CrackSpace.com: So that was a conscious effort to just stay within the group setting?

Chopper City Boyz: Well yeah, it’s all about the Chopper City Boyz over here. Like we said we ain’t trying to sh*t on anyone but we just wanted to do our own thing, ya heard me.

CrackSpace.com: How do you feel when you hear Lil Wayne say things like he’s the best rapper alive, do you think that’s a matter of opinion?

Chopper City Boyz: To be real, if he wants that sh*t, he can have it that sh*t. That stuff don’t even float our boat, so he can have that bullsh*t. That best rapper alive sh*t; f*ck that sh*t. This is VL Mike, ain’t no cowards over here. I say something about that sh*t on the album, f*ck the best rapper alive. Ain’t nobody worried about that sh*t, I’m trying to eat. You can be a rapper, but I’m a street n***a, so it is what it is. Who ever don’t like it, get at me this; is VL Mike.

CrackSpace.com: So you’ve always felt that way?

VL Mike: Yeah I have, and just like I said who ever doesn’t like it they can get at me. Put that in print, or how ever you want to put it.

CrackSpace.com: During the whole drama of Southern rappers claming to be the kings of the South you guys managed to stay clear of that, was there any reason for it?

Chopper City Boyz: Well n***as want to call themselves that, then that’s what it is. W just try to steer away from other rappers talking about their titles and what not. We just try to keep it all about Chopper City over here.

CrackSpace.com: What would you say to people that just think Southern music is relevant because of beats and hooks, and that the South isn’t known for lyricism?

Chopper City Boyz: We don’t get bothered by none of those statements. If that’s how people feel, then they are entitled to their own ideas and opinions. But I’ll tell you this, we got this whole thing in the choke hold as of now; and I love when are haters involved. Because it only makes us go harder, so we can make the critics even angrier.