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What's good Pooh? What's good! What made you want to put out a solo project? A couple of things. I had something to prove to myself. After we put out 'The Listening", everybody was working. 9th started getting his due and going into the studio with Jay, Masta Ace, etc., and Phonte had started working on The Foreign Exchange album. I was working too but people didn't know a nigga was over here busting his ass in the studio trying to get better at this rap shit. I started hearing people talk, saying I didn't belong in the group, I was sub par, and after a while comments like that start eating at you and eating at you, like an ulcer. Instead of feeling sorry for myself or going into an unnecessary state of depression cause some people wasn't feeling me I decided to get on my grind, and ended up getting into a zone and that's how Sleepers came about. At the same time it was things that I needed to work on and making an album became the perfect way to do that. What's the difference working with dudes like Khrysis instead of 9th? Its not really a big difference. Both give you the space to be creative. Khrysis wants you to go further with it than 9th does. Khrysis is also the "call me up whenever and lets go record dude" as well. 9th has the family so he likes to shut it down early or get in the studio early where as I like to get started around 9-10pm. Other than that there is really not a major difference with me because I have built up that rapport with both. What made you want to get Murs on the album? I was suppose to be on 3:16 but the song we were going to do 9th didn't feel fit the mode of the album so we scrapped it. We had to do something together though. To be honest I had never heard any of his stuff until I met him on the Hiero tour back in 2003. When we got off tour he was in NC working with 9th so we got to kick it. When my album came around I called him up and he said say no more. We did that joint and I did a joint for his new album. That's my nigga right there...FUCKING MURRAY WHAT UP! What's your favorite song on "Sleepers?" It depends on what day of the week it is. Today is Friday so I'm going to go with "The Fever." I was talking about a lot of shit on that joint right there. How different is it going solo than doing a Lil' Brother album? Big difference right there. For starters, you are not just going for self anymore. Now everything, every decision is a vote. It shifts from dictatorship to democracy quickly. You have to sacrifice some of what you like to do for the greater good of the group. Phonte and I approach song making completely opposite, but we make it work because we both know our roles. I have no problem falling back and getting my Scottie Pippen on when we do songs. You can't have two niggas in there trying to quarterback at the same time, shit will be fucked up. When you, Phonte, and 9th met, did you ever envision reaching the success that you've had? Of course! Did we see us three as group in the beginning? No. When we did form Little Brother did we think it would happen as quickly? No. I feel blessed and thank God every day cause shit can be done and over with tomorrow. How has your music changed from your college days to now? We are constantly refining it. Tweaking it trying to take it to another level. Its been four years, two deals, a U.S. tour, two European tours, a couple of guest appearances, and a couple of albums (group and solo) later. I got more shit to talk about now, feel me! How was it working with Pete Rock? Crazy, any hip hop niggas dream. If you grew up listening to Pete and C.L. albums like I did and then get to work with one of them niggas...crazy. How did you feel when he reached out to you? Flattered. You got one of the dudes you looked up to calling you reciting your lyrics, telling you they trying to work with you. Phonte kept that voice mail on his answering machine for a minute. How involved is Desi Relaford in the Justus League? Desi Relaford isn't involved in the Justus League. Desi owns 6 Hole Records, the label along with Hall of Justus Music Group, that put out my record. He's a cool dude, and we appreciate the opportunity he has provided us to put out a couple of albums. Good luck on the new season homie. What can we expect on "The Minstrel Show?" A more mature sounding Little Brother. We took our time making this album. We wanted to make a statement with this album. Everybody is sitting back waiting on this one. Some wanting us to fail, some praying we live up to the hype, some wanting to know what all the hype is about. Early September, (crosses fingers) all your questions will be answered. Do you consider "The Listening" to be an underground classic? I'll let the people debate over that question. I know what doors "The Listening" opened up for Little Brother and The Justus League. I'm biased about my shit anyway. If you could pick one album that put the Justus League on the map, would it be "The Listening" or 9th's Nas Remix album? "The Listening". "The Listening" is the foundation to everything after that. Without that album 9th might not have been able to get his hands on the Nas acapella album, who knows. Your live show is dope, I saw you guys in Baltimore a couple years ago, how important is it that you have a good live show? That's very important. When people come out to your show and spend that hard earned dollar, with Bush in office its become even harder to earn, they want to be entertained, I know I do. Don't nobody wanna see you posted up on stage, in one spot, looking sedated, spitting over a record with your vocals on it, seventeen of your niggas in the back WITH MICS, everybody drunk and/or high. Even niggas with hits can only get away with that shit for so long before the people like, "that's all...shit I could have saved my money, stayed at home and put the fucking CD on!" Word starts spreading and next thing you know you done cut out a piece of your revenue. A major chunk of your revenue. Who else should we watch out for in the Justus League? May 17th The Away Team's "National Anthem" L.E.G.A.C.Y.'s "Project Mayhem" with for a limited time "Mr. Dream Merchant v.1" June 7th "The Chittlin' Circuit v.1.5" re-released by Koch with 7 new joints. Coming Soon: 9th Wonder presents "Mr. Dream Merchant v.2" Little Brother "The Minstrel Show" Chaundon tha Backtwista "Live from the 718" mixtape Chaundon tha Backtwista "No Excuses" Joe Scudda "Open 4 Business" mixtape Joe Scudda "The Authentic" What separates the Justus League from other groups? Consistency. That's the key right there. We set a standard of the quality of music we put out and strive to uphold that. What else are you working on now? A lot of behind the scenes stuff right now. I'm working on Joe Scudda's album, and building up the brand Hall of Justus. I got a couple things I don't want to reveal just yet, but 2005 is just the beginning, God willing! Shout Outs: Hall Of Justus, J League, all NC artist, Jazzy Jeff, Jean Grae, The Roots, Skillz, Just Blaze, Saigon, Young Guru, Fucking Murray, Hiero, my momma and nem, Craig and nem and Matt Conaway. Artist's that wanna submit something to the Hall of Justus do so using this e-mail address: sleeperhoj@gmail.com EZ

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By BRIAN KAYSER