MAINO

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Maino: Brooklyn,New York

24: How long have you been in the game and when did you start rapping?

Maino: I started rapping when I was in prison and I haven’t been the game that long at all. I came home from doing 10 years March of 2003 and I have been grinding ever since then got signed to Universal last year Feb 2005.

24: While being locked up did you experience any change in your mentality?

Maino: Definitely. One of those changes was that I started rapping because while I was in jail, I use to get into trouble and be in the box a lot.

24: How did you get signed to Universal?

Maino: When I got signed I jumped into the mixtape scene and started grinding, meeting people, getting my name out there. The DVD thing started taking off so I started giving the people a visual with the music. Then I did a song called “Rumors” and that led to labels coming to me.

24: Speaking of “Rumors” you did an interview with Jarrod( Miller Dean) for AllHipHop.com and you stated that you did “Rumors” to challenge the game can you elaborate on that?

Maino: Yeah, sometimes you got to challenge the game. Sometimes you have to make noise especially right now. Its hard being a new artists coming out of New York not coming out of a camp or getting Co signed where people can know you automatically.

24: It’s said that you have been on over 1,000 mixtapes why so many before an actual album?

Maino: Grinding and getting my name out there so when my album comes out my buzz can be crazy.

24: Where does your work ethic come from?

Maino: Just being hungry and tired of the lifestyle I have been living, in and out of prison all my life plus everyone around me is like that to so when do we change.

24: What have you been up to lately, working on the album?

Maino: I’m not just working on my album. I’m working period. Just to keep my name out there doing Shows, Features, Mixtapes, everything possible to keep me at the forefront of this New New York Movement.

24: What’s your Affiliation with Lil Kim?

Maino: That’s my baby sister right there. The best rap bitch in the game to ever do it and we just showing support to each other.

24: Getting back to your up an coming album on other interviews you have stated how your vision for this album is for it to offer songs that are “conceptual”. A lot of today’s artists are not bringing that “Conceptual” quality to the table but still seem to be doing well with their record sales?

Maino: My album is honest its called “Death Before Dishonor” I’m not just rapping about a Benz, Lexus, and Mansions but if I am I’m explaining how a nigga was able to get it. My album is reality and in reality most niggaz aint going to be able to get that the average nigga. I’m coming to the people as the people and showing them my life. My album is very personal and honest I express my wins and losses.

24: Is there anything you would like to include or promote?

Maino: The name of the album is “Death Before dishonor” I’m doing a new mixtape right now its called “Hands Of God” that will be out in a few weeks it is what it is.

Interview by: Jay Carter/Karima Latifah