Originality, substance, and grind make up the elements of an artist. Intertwine that with talent and image, a musician becomes a star. As I’ve said before Miami is a breeding ground for artists all across the city limits, they inhabit and represent their respective cities throughout South Florida. They say that rappers come a dime a dozen, well, they haven’t met BallaToine yet, his lyrics and delivery define creativity.

His moniker is based off his real name, given the characteristic ‘real name, no gimmicks.’ With his inability to stop or even be away from the studio, the dedication is there. Off to commence his solo career, he has a lot to say and prove to the world. His music will take you to higher levels; I introduce you to the one and only BallaToine. This the exclusive interview that you will only see here.

24: Introduce yourself to people that might not know you.

BallaToine: My name is Balla Toine; I’m 19 years old and I’m a rapper out of Dade County. I’m from the Vulture click, for those of you who don’t know who that is, they are a rap group out of Zoned Out Entertainment and I’m just here grinding, as well as pushing my new single called ‘Cloud 9.’

24: You mentioned Vulture Click, can you talk a little about that and how Balla Toine came about?

BallaToine:First of all, I’ve been out here doing music for years, since my elementary school days. The Vulture Click was always around and I joined them in my high school days. Throughout the years, certain members gave their respects, and then everyone did their own thing; followed their own path. I stayed pushing my music and that’s where I’m at now with my solo project.

24: How long have you been in the game to the point where you could say that you’re on a different level and your grind is much more serious than before?

BallaToine:I would say probably like two and a half years now.

24: Is there anyone that you’re working with on any projects?

BallaToine:You could hear me on tracks with people like, Neo Brown & Jaydoe, Billy Blue, Cuttaman, Tytanic and so on, just a lot of hood niggas. Anyone who is doing the same shit I’m doing and a 100 with it, then I”ll fuck with them.

24: You grew up listening to Miami, down south, stick and roll music. If you could place your music in any particular genre what would it be and would you say you want to step away from that style to your own personal style?

BallaToine:On most of my songs you’ll hear a lyrical aspect on a down south beat. With some of the songs like the club ones, you don’t have to be that lyrical on the beat. I’m going to just bring it to you with the hot punchlines and the beat. Everyone will see that different style as soon as the mixtape drops, which is coming soon, so look out for that and you’ll be able to see what I bring to the game. I don’t want to just rap about it, I want people to see it.

24: What artists would you say inspired you?

BallaToine: I’ve been inspired by Soulja Slim, the Hot Boys, Kid Rock, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, all of those artists. I listened to all types of genres. The Miami artist I listened to the most that inspired me was Trick Daddy, just like that. As long as I could relate to it I’m going to bump to it.

24: You mentioned Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, and Kid Rock. Now they are totally outside of the Hip-Hop genre and right now we see Hip-Hop and Alternative merging. So would you say that if the opportunity came about, you would do an alternative song?

BallaToine:Every day I bug my producer to give me a rock track, because I know I could rip it. I can be versatile on any type of beat. I like that type of music also, it’s not only rap. I don’t like to limit myself. I listen to all types of music, Rock, Pop, R&B, all the way to Country, everything.

24: When it comes down to writing an actual song would you say the beat speaks to you and tell you what to write as most artist say or do you have a different method of writing from certain aspect of inspiration in your life?

BallaToine:The beat always speaks to me and lets me know in which way the song is going. Whether it be a club track, a fighting, vibin’ or getting at a girl in the club track, I’m going to write about that, the beat’s going to always show me the direction in which to go.

24: ‘Cloud 9,’ is your first single. Exactly how did that come about and what was going through your head with the beat that’s featured on there?

BallaToine:Well, we were in the studio for a while getting ready to start production and we decided to start pushing some tracks. We had this one track called ‘Stickin’ we were going to drop and then we got another track which was ‘Cloud 9.’ We drop the beat and I just made up a hook right then and there. From then on we were like, ‘We’re going to drop this one first.’ We put it out on the streets and so far the streets have loved it, so we’ve continued to push it.

24: Besides the producer of ‘Cloud 9,’are there any producers that you have worked with on a professional level?

BallaToine:There are a couple people who have come around and given me beats, but I’ve mainly worked with my producer of Music Vision Productions and the Zoned Out Entertainment producers Steve Snques & E-Knock.

24: You mentioned you mixtape ‘Boo Koo Bags.’ What will that consist of as it pertains to original tracks, industry free styles or subject matter?

BallaToine:It will be everything from mixed songs with our beats to mixed songs with other people’s beats. It’s going to be everything. Once you put in that mixtape you’re going to feel like you could listen to the whole thing and not have to skip a track. You’re going to hear everything from everyday reality to club shit.

24: What venues have you performed the single ‘Cloud 9,’ that you could mention, whereas the fans gave you a good response?

BallaToine:We’ve performed everywhere with ‘Cloud 9’ and got a good response, not to mention before that single, we performed a lot of other tracks. We’ve performed at Metropolis, Nocturnal, Bayfront Park,Club Boca and a lot of other places I can’t remember.

24: For future reference, let’s say you get that deal which everyone is looking for; that seven figure contract. Who would you say you would like to work with production wise and feature artist wise?

BallaToine: As far as producers go, I wouldn’t mind doing something with Timbaland, Mannie Fresh, and whoever comes along that I’m feeling at the time. If I come up with a hook in my head and I feel like that person is the one that can bring that beat then I’ll fuck with them. As far as an artist, it’s the hood niggas that are delivering. I’ll fuck with the niggas I fucked with before, the Vulture Click of course, and all those niggas from before.

24: What quality sets you aside from every other rap artist trying to make it in the game?

BallaToine: I don’t know what everybody’s inspiration or purpose is in life, but I do know that my purpose in life is to reach people and help them with their everyday life, to jump on that beat, spit some real shit and give people something they can relate to, to get through there everyday struggles and realities.

24: How can the fans go about contacting Balla Toine?

Balla Toine:You can find me at MySpace at www.myspace.com/ballatoine or at ballatoine@gmail.com.

24: Any last words for your present and future fans?

Balla Toine:Look out for the mixtape ‘Boo Koo Bags’ coming soon, also you already know about the single ‘Cloud 9,’ go ahead and keep bumping that and show your boy some love. Shout out to my DJ Killa Mike, Underdawg Entertainment, and my foolay Hood Rich who made that single ‘Talking This Money,’ can’t forget about that. Also lookout for the remix to Cloud 9 that’s going to drop real soon.