Back in 2000, Michael Render, professionally known as Killer Mike, made his “official” music industry debut, alongside both Big Boi & Andre’ 3000, on ‘Snappin’ and Trappin’,’ from their quadruple-platinum, fourth LP, Stankonia. Later, the, now, 33 year old wordsmith collected his first, and only, Grammy trophy, thanks in part to his involvement on Outkast’s smash hit single, ‘The Whole World.’ In ’03, Mike dropped his first major label outing, Monster, and it appeared that his future in music was pretty well sealed. Or, so he had thought…

Mike, who has appeared in the films; 20 Funerals, Idlewild & ATL, and voices a character named Taqu’il in the Adult Swim cartoon Frisky Dingo, eventually had his highly anticipated, second rap music album, ‘Ghetto Extraordinary,’ permanently shelved, due to Big Boi and Sony Records’ inability to come to terms with the set’s, then pending, release. So, rather than sit on the shelf for an indefinite period of time, Killer Mike instead opted to bounce, and is now finally going for self…

You are about to drop your brand new opus, I Pledge Alliance To The Grind II, the follow-up to 2006′s first installment — Why did you choose to title the series this?

This music is about being the soundtrack to the listener’s success. My album was done for real time and right now. So, it’s for people that are on their grind and acting professional. This is the music for them.

Are there any highlights; i.e., cameo appearances, favorite tracks, producers, etcetera?

The record features cameos by 8 Ball & MJG, Messy Marv, Chamillionaire, and Ice Cube. Featured producers are; Chaotic Beats, Heatwave, and The D Majors. My favorite track is ‘God in the Building.’

This is the most cohesive and best album to date. 

They offered me a joint venture, and not a funky record deal. Yes, (it) is absolutely a co-venture.

What are your upcoming plans for the label?

Ultimately, I want Grind Time to be recognized as a Roc-A-Fella of the South.

When did it all begin for Killer Mike?

I began free-styling around my uncles, (who) are older, (and) were crooks and criminals, and if I can keep them entertained with my rap music abilities I could hang around them longer. Rapping was the way I entertained them. Twenty years later, I am still entertaining crooks and criminals.

When I realized that I would never in my life become a real drug kingpin. The rules had become too (much) out of a hustler’s favor. There would never be another Rick Ross, Terry White or Charles Black.

How did you first come to the attention of Mr. Antwan “Big Boi” Patton?

I was using drug money to buy studio equipment and studio time to finance my group, Slumlords. Big Boi’s younger brother, James, bought one of the CDs, let Big Boi hear it, (and) he liked it and signed me.

How did you get your moniker, Killer Mike?

When I was 15 years old I battled like 7, 8 guys, and a big deejay down in ATL, Double D, gave me that nickname.

I am too dumb to quit. I am honestly in love with Hip-Hop. As long as my supports support me, and I have an opportunity to be an emcee, I will stay in this business.

Do you have any other ultimate goals?

Yeah, my ultimate goal is to become a businessman. I would like to own everything (from) gas stations to grocery stores — Anything that services the black community (on) a day to day basis.

I’m going to go on some casting calls in L.A., so I hope so. I will continue my relationship with The Cartoon Network (, too).

Most Hip-Hop sucks right now and most Southern Hip-Hop sucks ass. But, I’m happy that my company, Grind Time, is doing the best Hip-Hop in (the) South today.

I am a doting father, and they are all my babies. (And,) I’m a romantic when it comes to my woman. Hopefully, (one day) I will become a household name (, too). 

Fishing, firing range, or Kung-Fu — Those are the things I love outside of music.

I promised myself after I left Purple Ribbon that everything I did after that would be on my own merits and be independent. I would make a name for myself without the association of Purple Ribbon. That is the highlight of my career; to have achieved that.

Futuristically speaking, what do you see for yourself in the years-to-come?

(I see myself) as the face or creative mind behind one of the biggest houses of Southern Hip-Hop since Suave House or Rap-A-Lot (Records).

Yes, I’m a performer first. I love being on the stage, (and) I hate being in the booth. So, being on the stage is my reward for being in the booth.

Pure energy! I came out during the “Crunk” era, so I don’t believe in leaving the stage without being soaking wet, and out of breath.

Grind Time Rap Gang; Bang, Bang, Bang! Hit us up on My Space!

As the latest act to emerge from the ‘House that T-Pain Built,’ Nappy Boy Entertainment, Young Ca$h is out to show and prove that his mentor/boss isn’t the only one who came to bring the, pardon the pun, Pain!

Although he’s currently holed up in the lab, hard at work on his anticipated, still untitled solo debut, in the meantime peep Young Ca$h’s undeniable ‘star power’ on two of the hottest records of the summer; “All I Do Is Win (G-Mix),” spitting alongside the self-proclaimed Teddy Penderazdoun, Bun B, Gudda Gudda, Yo Gotti, Tity Boi, Iceberg & Field Mob, as well as Travie McCoy’s, “The Manual” — Nappy Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooy!

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When did you first fall in love with Rap Music?

It all began with my parents, they were both gospel singers. So, music has always been in me. I didn’t really entertain it till about junior high when my homeboy wanted me to join a chorus class with him. I didn’t even know I could sing till then. Then in high school, my brother was really into the rap thing, and I looked up to my brother, so I just followed his dreams to get into the rap game. So, we started a group called the 904 CLICK.

Where exactly do you hail from?

I’m from the westside of Jacksonville, Florida, and grew up between Duval County and Clay County. That’s why I say, “DUUUVAL!” a lot, because it’s a saying we say to represent where we’re from.

Oh, okay. So, whose music did you actually grow up on?

I used to like a lot of up north music, like; Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, and a lot of others until the south came in with that major movement! The older southern cats I liked a lot, like; Geto Boys, 8Ball & MJG, and, of course, my favorite group of all time, Outkast. Outkast, and the whole Dungeon Family, influenced me musically, but what really got me motivated to get in the business was the independent movement that Master P and Cash Money, and all the artists in Texas, that were making moves without a major record label.

When did T-Pain, CEO of Nappy Boy Entertainment, come into the picture?

I used to come to Tallahassee, Florida, a lot to promote music, and one day at the radio station the deejay played me a song called “I’m Sprung.” It wasn’t big at the time, but I knew it was going to be a huge song. Then they told me the person who did the track and the song was one of the guys from a popular Florida group called the Nappy Headz. So, I asked the deejay how much did this dude charge for beats, and he told me fifty dollars and called the dude to come meet me at the radio station so I could buy beats. The guy was T-Pain! So, we met, and I followed him back to his house in my Hummer where he had a lil studio set up in his room. Then, I asked how much for tracks and he said, “From $100 (to) $500 dollars.” Then I told him how the deejay told me he was selling rap music cds to them for fifty, and he told me that people have been hating on him and try to lowball him to potential clients. Me coming from a place where hate is at an all time high, and understanding his pain, gave him $1,000 a track for 2 or 3 tracks. Then I told him to come back to my city and I would work out another deal for 10 tracks, and we did. After that, he would come to Jacksonville and stay at my crib when he was in town, and we became close friends. Eventually, my music took notice to Universal Records, and I was flying to L.A. to sign a deal and I told them about T-Pain and his song. So, they agreed to fly him out, too. I signed my deal, and Pain didn’t ’cause they only wanted to give him a single deal because they didn’t know his talents at the time. Months later, he signed with Akon and the “(I’m) Sprung” song blew up, as well as his career, while SRC/Universal we’re dragging their feet with me. Pain then told me a couple years later that he wanted me on his label and bought me out of my deal at Universal, and signed me to his label, Nappy Boy.

Musically, what type of “vibe” are you on?

My music “vibe” is a big melting pot of all types of music. I started off my career with “gangsta” rap music, because that’s what my life was. Basically just doing reality music, but as I started to grow as an artist and started expanding my musical talents and singing more, I started mixing my music with rock, alternative, pop, and “gangsta” music. So, there really isn’t a name for the type of music I do.

Young Ca$h, a.k.a. Joey Galaxy, how did that moniker come to be?

Young Ca$h came from the O.G.’s who raised me. They knew I liked money, so they started calling me Ca$h. I added the “Young”
later. Joey Galaxy was kind of like my alter ego when I sang on records, because nobody knew that I could sing. I would sing hooks and tell people it was somebody else, because I was afraid of people looking down on the fact that this “gangsta” rapper was singing. Then I learned to embrace it. Now, Joey Galaxy is here forever!

Have you titled your forthcoming solo debut yet? If so, what does that name represent both to and for you?

I think I’m gonna name my first album Contradictions. I just feel like that’s what life is all about. Sometimes you feel one way, and sometimes you feel differently. That may change though, that’s just how I’m feeling right now.

Who all did you enlist in regards to the album’s production? 

I have my own production team which consists of the Trump Boyz, which is Bishop Jones & Kenn Franklynn, and my first in-house producer, MGeezy. Also, Nappy Boy producers; Tha Bizness and Young Fyre. I also work with a few other producers like K.E., Jim Jonsin, Cashous Clay, (The) Diaz Brothers, and many more.

Are there any special cameos to look out for? 

Besides the Nappy Boy artists, nobody as of right now. I want to let people hear Joey Galaxy first.

Do you have any personal fave track(s)? And, why that one/those specifically?

I like everything I do ’cause if I don’t, then I’ll scratch the song. If it’s done and completed, that means it’s one of my favorites.

What are your immediate plans for lasting in this grueling business of music?

Keeping God first.

Besides music, is there anything else that you’d like to get involved in or with? 

Of course movies. I feel like I can do anything, especially acting. And, I also want to write cartoons. I got inspired from the cartoon T-Pain did that I’m a part of called Freaknik on Adult Swim. I’m the main character on the cartoon, Virgil.

On a more serious note, how do you view the current climate of today’s Hip-Hop artists — Are you content with it? 

I’m cool with it. I think the people that aren’t are the ones that aren’t eating. Hip-Hop is always changing, and you gotta keep up and adapt with the times. I just wish that MTV and BET would start playing more videos — MORE VIDEOS!!

Everyone either knows your music already, or will become familiar with it soon, but who exactly is Young Ca$h?

I’m just a man of God trying to be successful in the music/movie business, and provide for my family and friends.

And, what do you like to do in your spare time completely away from this music? 

Play with my son, and that occupies most of my spare-time ’cause he’s autistic, so he’s a handful. Also, in my spare-time, if I’m not with my son I can’t escape the music. It’s work and a hobby!

What are your future long-term goals in life?

Simply to win!

As for now though, your debut solo album is due out when? What will the “official” lead single and/or video be? And, are there any plans to tour behind it? 

I’m not sure when my album is coming out, but my single we have in mind now is called “Club Hoppin’” or “Round of Applause.” I have lots of singles to choose from. These are the ones that are up right now.

What’s that “live” show element (gonna be) like? 

It’s a blessing to have people vibing off of music that you created in your own head, then put down in the studio, then put out to the masses. I feed off the peoples’ energy, and no matter if it’s one person in the crowd, or 100,000, I’m going to give the same energetic show.

Are there any future mix-tape(s) or cameos on others works to look out for from you in the meantime? 

Yeah, I have two mix-tapes out right now. One, hosted by DJ Khaled, called Motion Picture, and I’m Just Tryin’ To Win, hosted by DJ Smallz. I also have (another) one called Fedbound. Also, (Adult Swim still plays) the cartoon Freaknik.

Is there anything else that I may have left out or forgot to ask about? 

I have my own label called WIN ENTERTAINMENT. I started this thing called the “Win Movement” that a lot of people are getting down with all over the world. The definition of the win movement is this, “A positive thinking group of individuals, who put God first on their journey to success with no hate towards others.” — Joey Galaxy

Sadly, nearly one-year-to-the-date, on Thursday June 25th 2009, the world lost the greatest entertainer who ever lived — What was your first reaction upon hearing the tragic news? How does Michael Jackson’s untimely passing affect, not only you, but, music in general? And, in the wake of his demise, what does this mean for the future of recorded music? 

It was a sad day for the whole world. I just feel like Michael Jackson should be used as a status you strive for, ’cause no one has reached it yet.

Resistance exercise is any exercise where muscles contract against an external resistance with the objective of increasing strength, tone, mass, and/or muscular endurance. The resistance can come from dumbbells, weight machines, elastic tubing or bands, cinder blocks, cans of soup, your own body weight (for example, pushups), or any other object that forces your muscles to contract. Results occur when you train consistently over time.

What are types of resistance exercise?

There are several types or styles of resistance exercise. Power lifting (a weight-lifting competition in which participants compete in the squat, dead lift, and bench press), Olympic weight lifting (the type you see on TV where athletes lift the weight overhead), strength training (lifting weights to get stronger), and weight lifting (the sport of lifting heavy weight, typically fewer than six repetitions). Weight lifting should not be confused with “weight training,” which is the general lifting that you do at the gym. I’ll discuss the basic principles of all resistance exercise in this article.

What is progressive overload?

One of the fundamentals of resistance exercise is the principle of progressive overload. Progressive overload means that you increase the workload gradually over time as your muscles accommodate to the resistance with the objective of gaining strength and/or mass. For example, suppose that you’ve been lifting biceps curls for two weeks with 12 pounds, 10 repetitions, and then at week three, 12 pounds is easy and you can lift more. According to the principle of progressive overload, at this point, you would increase the weight if strength improvement is your goal. Your strength will remain the same if you keep the weight the same.

What is volitional fatigue?

Another fundamental of resistance exercise is to lift each set to volitional fatigue. Volitional fatigue is the point in the set where you can’t lift one more rep without cheating it up (using momentum, leaning way back, etc.). Although there isn’t a large body of research to prove that lifting every set to volitional fatigue is necessary for maximal benefit, most strength and fitness professionals agree that working to exhaustion changes muscle fibers in a way that leads to significant growth.

Most guys want a good-looking set of abs, but few truly know how to achieve them. This is because sculpting a great-looking stomach entails more than just doing countless sit-ups or crunches. Getting that “washboard” mid-section involves developing a strong core, the group of 29 muscles that form a body’s center of movement. Add these advanced ab-building exercises to your routines to shape and mold a beach-time body.

Oblique Rotation

Sit on a mat or the floor, with both arms folded across your chest. With your knees bent, place your feet flat on the ground in front of you, preferably under something stable for support. Lean back halfway and stabilize your torso at an angle 45 degrees to the floor. Twist to your left and lower your body toward the ground on that side. Just before reaching the floor, begin turning your trunk clockwise to the right. Simultaneously, swing your lowered body back through the center position and up toward the right. Coming back up, complete the right-side trunk twist so that you reach the uppermost position with you torso facing that side. Repeat the process, this time starting on your right, and coming up on the left. Continue alternating in this way for maximum rotations.

Hanging Knee Cross-Over

Hang by your hands from a pull-up bar, placing them slightly farther apart than shoulder width. Your palms should face outward, with your feet barely touching the floor. With your legs together, slowly raise your knees up towards your left shoulder, lifting them, and remember the hard work is because you want to get ripped abs, lift your legs as high as possible. Hold the top position for a few seconds, then straighten your legs and do the same thing on the right side. Repeat for maximum repetitions.

Hip Lift

Lie with your back flat on the floor. Hold your legs together straight up in the air and point your toes toward the ceiling. Place your arms along your sides, palms down on the floor. Concentrating on the lower part of your mid-section, lean your legs back towards your shoulders. At the same time, lift your hips up off the ground, raising them as high as possible. Pause at the upper-most position, then slowly move back to where you started. Continue in this way for the most repetitions possible.