After grinding on the mixtape scene which lead him to
linking up with Cool & Dre
followed by inking a record deal with Bryan
Leach (former VP of TVT) Polo Ground Music/J Records. I recently got in
touch with C-Ride and talked about everything from his first single
“Sittin On Da Porch” which I personally thought could have turned out
to be huge with a little backing from his label to him pulling the plug on his
latest mixtape with DJ Khaled. Not to mention his possible new label deal where
he mentions it feels similar to being traded from the Hawks to the Celtics to
his up coming street albums with DJ Phill Gates, Bigga Rankin, Daddy Fats and
DJ Showtime.

24: The last time we spoke was right
after you inked your deal so tell how have things been since?

C-Ride: You know I could go and be political but I’m not,
I’m going to be all the way trill. In the beginning things were looking good
but then it stopped looking real good. So right now where in the process of a
trade, but I doubt if he trades me like that so it most likely will be a split
type of deal with another label.

24: Can you tell the
readers what label it is?

C-Ride: You know everyone says I don’t want to say because
they don’t want to jinx it, so I’m going to say I don’t want to say so I don’t
jinx it (lol). So stay tuned and when I get there (lol), I wish y’all could
here my expressions while your reading this interview. Shout-outs to the big
homie Dre doing everything it takes to make things happen.

24: The streets want
to know more about your latest mixtape you did with DJ Khaled?

C-Ride: I actually cancelled that mixtape and didn’t put it
out all the way, I did a couple of copies then I fell back from it because I
personally didn’t like it.

24: Not many artists’
pull back a mixtape so what made you decide to not really release it especial
with the DJ Khaled stamp?

C-Ride: I wanted to stay closer to the streets with the
niggas that really saw me come from nothing to something and put in that work with
me. I’m working on about 4/5 mixtapes with the street DJ’s such as DJ Phill
Gates, Daddy Fats out of Palm Beach and DJ Showtime in Lauderdale. Then I got
one with Bigga Rankin and B Lord coming also.

24: After
“Sittin On Da Porch” everyone expected a video and an album to follow
but seem like you never got the right push from your label?

C-Ride: That’s absolutely what it was and not what it seem
like, things happen and I feel like every thing happens for a reason. And
“Sittin On Da Porch” is still one of Dre’s favorite songs in the
world and he just played it for the people (Label) and they were crunk. So I’m
kind of glad man, like I said every thing happens for a reason because you can
see I’m in the process of being in a block buster trade from the Atlanta Hawks
to the Boston Celtics.

24: Through your
experiences from the things that’s going on now to want you to let all of the
up and coming artist who think once you sign that the grind is over?

C-Ride: Right now I’m in the streets trying to lock down the
streets because I feel like it’s not relevant to be worrying about label shit
if your buzz ain’t right in the streets. I’m on ground level still no matter
how it may seem or what you may think, I’m out here getting money because that’s
all I know how to do but when it comes to my music I’m still a new artist. I
might be better then you but when it comes to the grind I still have to be out
here grinding every day to get where I want to be in my career. What you put
out is what you will get back.

24: Not too many
artists’ do concept songs these days and make it work so tell how did the whole
“Virgin” concept came about?

C-Ride: Basically when I first got with Cool & Dre they
told me I needed to do a couple songs so they could set up some meeting for me
and I need to do something that wasn’t sounding like the normal records that
was out. I wanted to do something that felt like something out of a movie and I
had the concept in my head already. As I was writing it all just came to me. Then
“Virgin Pt.1” made me do a “Virgin Pt. 2” and part 2
made me do a “Virgin Pt.3”. And I didn’t get it from no person
no how so when it blew up for real and I get sued from who ever thought it was
about them they gone get the business.

24: I was just about
to ask you was “Virgin” about a real girl from Diamonds?

C-Ride: It’s probably 4 or 5 of them but the one I made up
in the song no. I ain’t see know movie, no book I just was writing a song and
it came out good so congratulations to me (lol).

24: I know a lot of
up and coming producers probably are reading and want to get some beats to you
so as far as your album “The A-Rab Store” what type of production are
you looking for?

C-Ride: I want that “undeniable” production, them
records that everybody wants from that producer I want it because I’m going to
do your beat justice feel me. I’m going to the Atlanta next week to work with
Justice L.E.A.G.U.E. and Drumma Boy. An this is all on me on the strength
nothing to do with any label. This is me getting my own ticket, my own room and
the studio time to go work with them because the block buster trade I’m about
to be in “I Need That Monster Production” so I’m about to get my mind
right feel me. An people should be smart if you follow Cool & Dre and the
records they just did then they should know the label that’s affiliated with
those records, so lets see if the readers and my homie Jay can figure it out be
the end of this interview.

24: What are you
currently working on and what’s next for C-Ride in the future in 2008?

C-Ride: Look for me to stamp my self as being the best. I
call myself Top 5 in the South since I started rapping. I got my four favorite
rappers and I felt like I was number five, so you know you can agree or
disagree. I call myself the best from the crib no disrespect to nobody but when
I hear my shit I feel like it’s the best and I don’t know who can hate on that!
Just look out for all of my mixtapes I know it’s been a while since I dropped one
because I’m dropping about 5/6 and they will be more of a Street Album before
the “The A-Rab Store” album. The Khaled mixtape didn’t seem all the
way trill with me, I don’t be with Khaled like that he’s my brother but I don’t
be with him like that compared to Phill (DJ Phill Gates) I’m with him everyday.
DJ Field is an up and coming DJ and I felt like you know lets do it the street
way DJ Scream did it with Shawty Lo and you saw what happen. DJ Drama with
Young Jeezy and we all know the outcome from that mixtape.

24: What’s the best
way for someone to get in contact with you for future collaborations, Mixtape
hosting or booking for shows?

C-Ride: Hit me on the myspace ya dig www.myspace.com/cride0
and of course all of my music here on 24HourHipHop.com.

24: Any last words
for the readers?

C-Ride: Do you and don’t do know one else, if you wasn’t
sticking and Rolling last week don’t start because you’re going to make
yourself look bad. Shout out to everybody doing there thing and shout out to
Princess Asia.