Jodi:  Hi J.

J. Knox:  Hello.

Jodi:   Last time we talked you were working on your second album.  Where are you at now a year later?

J. Knox:  I’m completing the album.  We’ve done two more videos since then which makes four total.  I’m working on a getting a distribution deal.

Jodi:  You have your own record label, Big Money Entertainment.  Are there any other artists on your label?

J. Knox: I’ve collaborated with artists but none that I’ve signed.

Jodi:   Who are you looking to work with as a distributor?

J. Knox:  A company that goes with Transworld, so it goes everywhere.

Jodi:  What’s Transworld?  I’ve heard of it, but what is it?  Is it for independent artists?

J. Knox:   It’s to send out to record stores.  If you have your own record label the hardest thing to get is distribution.

Jodi:   How much do they charge?

J. Knox:   They’re gonna charge you based on how many records you sell.  So, it’s a percentage.

Jodi:   Do they take any material, like, is there a submission policy?

J. Knox:   I got this through a referral. The guy who I talked to knew I had videos out and opened up for 50 Cent.

Jodi:   How was it to work with 50 Cent?

J. Knox:  It was fun.  There were like 15, 000 people there, so I was glad he was there.

Jodi:  How were you received?

J. Knox:    I think it was good – it was a tough crowd because I think they really wanted to see 50 Cent, but other than that it was pretty good.

Jodi:  Did you meet a lot of new people?

J. Knox:  I think I hit a lot of people up.

Jodi:  Are you a Rap Artist or a Hip-Hop Artist?

J. Knox:   I’d say a Rap Artist.

Jodi:  Fundamentally, what’s the difference between you and a Hip-Hop Artist?

J. Knox:   It just depends on what you’re talking about.  There’s radio, underground, club.  It just depends on what direction you’re going with Rap.

Jodi: What direction are you going?

J. Knox: More toward radio and club.

Jodi:  Is it easy to reach out to fans?

J. Knox:   You always have the opportunity to gain fans.  I’m still in that process.

Jodi:  Do you have a street team?

J. Knox: When I have a product to get into stores there are different street teams out there.  It all depends on what you want to pay.  You can get out your own flyers or get someone to do it for you.

Jodi: I just read somewhere that Fabulos had some weapons charges.  Do you know anything about that?

J. Knox:   No I don’t.  A lot of people just do that just for the hype.  Believe it or not that gives you street credit if there’s bad news. 

Jodi:  That’s very interesting.  Why do people thrive on bad credit?

J. Knox:   It’s happened ever since Tupak and Biggie.  It’s either the scope is on them or it’s careless or a ploy to get some news and to sell more records.

Jodi:  If it’s just a ploy, is there no violence in the Rap world?

J. Knox:   If you leave a gun in your car – you’re obviously not worried about getting caught.  So it’s either careless or to purposely get attention.  If you are in the limelight people are watching you a lot closer.

Jodi:  Is there a deal with guns?

J. Knox: There might be.  There probably is.  I think it depends on what you’re into.

Jodi:  Is it a sport or what?

J. Knox:   If you came from selling drugs or that type of environment, that would require you to have protection, or if they tell the story of what they’ve seen and it’s the environment.  It’s not a sport, it’s just how he’s seen it.  I don’t think all rappers have guns.

Jodi: Do women rappers have guns?

J. Knox: Well, some women have guns, so I guess some women rappers might have guns.  I don’t really know. 

Jodi:  Is it trendy to have a gun?

J. Knox:   I don’t think so.  They just have a gun for their own safety.  I think they have the guns and use them for protection.

Jodi:  Do people use guns other than for protection?

J. Knox:  I don’t know, there’s all types.  I think-

Talk It Out with Jodi Leib
May 2003
Telephone Interview

Jodi: I’m curious.  I always think of guns as a symbol of power and I just wonder if there’s some sort of a  -

J. Knox: I’ve lived in Arizona [where gun laws are liberal], it just depends on where you live.

Jodi:  Are there a lot of records being made from drug sales?

J. Knox:  Unless you have a big record deal, it requires a great deal of money to put a record out.  A lot of people do whatever they can to make their record.  It’s a tough question, but, you know, there are drugs everywhere.

Jodi:  Do you think that creates a heightened sense of danger?

J. Knox:   I think dealing is much more dangerous than using.

Jodi:  Is that necessary to make rap?

J. Knox:   No.  It might be necessary to make a living.  To make rap music, no, it’s not necessary.  You might have a drug dealer that is aspiring to get out and rap might be their only way out.

Jodi:  Why take that route in the first place?

J. Knox:   There’s a lot of money.  If there were no money in drugs, no one would do it.  That’s the sole reason people sell drugs.

Jodi: What’s your music about?

J. Knox: My new stuff is about partying and having fun and good stuff.

Jodi:  I think your music is a breath of fresh air.

J. Knox:   Thank you.

Jodi:  It’s sexy and has great rhythm.  What turns you on?

J. Knox:   In music?  What turns you on?

Jodi:  Hmm.  I get turned on by people getting excited about their life, by what they’re creating, and the energy, when someone is totally self-realized.  That turns me on.

J. Knox:   I like creating music, so maybe that’s what turns me on.

Jodi:  Are there any women you’re inspired by?  Is there a woman you’ve written songs about?

J. Knox:   No, not really.

Jodi:  Are you looking for a woman, and if so what kind?

J. Knox:   Yeah, I guess I’m always looking for a woman.  Everyone’s always looking for that right one so I guess I’m still in that category.  I haven’t found her yet.

Jodi: What do you think she looks like?

J. Knox:   No idea.

Jodi:  What are her qualities?

J. Knox:   She’d be open, flexible.  She’d be cute.  She’d have some hobbies or talents, I guess.  She’d have a big chest, just kidding.

Jodi:  How important is sex appeal?

J. Knox:   It’s very important.

Jodi: What is sexy?

J. Knox:  A girl that dresses cute that knows she’s cute.  That’s sexy.

Jodi:  What else interests you?

J. Knox:  (laughs) Sleep.  I’m being facetious.  As far as girls go, anything.  I don’t know.

Jodi: Do you have good friends here [in LA]?

J. Knox:   Yeah, I have a core group of guys out here I would consider friends; a support group.

Jodi:  You’re an actor.  Where are you headed in that direction?

J. Knox:   As far as my videos will take me.  At this point, I have no ambitions to act.

Jodi:  We met on the set of ER.

J. Knox:   It’s all good. 

Jodi:  Have fun.  What’s the name of your new album?

J. Knox: No Luck Involved.

Jodi:  I like that.  Have a good night.

J. Knox:   Thanks, you too.

J. Knox's music can be found online at www.bigmoneyent.com.