D.C. - Live in full effect at the Twelve Restaurant & Lounge, AB the Pro lived up to his name.  If I had to make up a slogan about AB, I would say he’s done more before the age of 23 than most people do in their entire lives.  He’s collaborated with many influential acts in the D.C. area, not to mention some heavy hitters out of New York and Chi-Town.  When I sat down with the trailblazing twenty-two-year-old, it was obvious age really is just a number as his track record points out.  While other guys his age are preoccupied with a PlayStation controller in their hands, AB is busy with beats in his head.

It doesn’t take long for those beats, lyrics, and ideas to manifest themselves.  Type his name on YouTube and you’ve got more than enough chances to see the prodigy in action.  After the interview, I was mad at myself for not asking him the obvious question…When does he find time to sleep?

33: What was it like to see Kanye working? 
AB the Pro: It was crazy, because I was actually a singer before anything.  But I heard about Kanye, how he was getting all this crazy loot, money for his talent, something he was really passionate about.  So I had to take those traits on because I’ve been doing music for so long.

33: How long have you been involved in music?
AB: Since the age of five.  I’m twenty-two now.  I’ve seen a lot at a young age.

33: What were you doing that lead you to be in the same room with Kanye?
AB: Through the efforts of one of my friends, he had a connection to get me in there.  Being a good friend he just got me in there, and I took the opportunity to learn.

33: What’s the origin of your name?
AB: Aleem Bilal, which stands for the all-knowing.  Everybody’s familiar with the artist, so just AB.  They’ve been calling me that since the fifth grade.

33: What genre of music do you consider yourself??
AB: I call it a fusion of hip-hop, because there are a lot of genres mixed into the hip-hop drums.  There are a lot of 808's with a lot of techno sounds - you know, house music.  A little bit of everything in a futuristic sense.

33: Who writes your songs?
AB: I write everything.  I really don’t write, though, I just go in the studio and never turn the mic off.  I Just go in there and let everything come out, ya know?  I have fun doing it.

33: Who influenced you?
AB: I would have to say Kenny Burns, definitely Pharrell, Timbaland, Will.i.am.  There are a lot of producers that inspired me.

33: You wear a lot of hats - singer, writer, producer.  Did I leave anything out?
AB: I’m an artist, man, to the fullest.

33: What’s been your biggest challenge as an artist?
AB: Just maintaining a personal life, making sure that’s secure because you can definitely get lost.  Just trying to balance that out a lot.

33: Do you think a lot of authenticity is missing from music these days?
AB: Yeah, there are a lot of authentic artists as well, but music is music, you can’t put it on anybody.  I feel there’s a lot of cats out there who aren’t really representing what music should be, but then again, who’s to say?

33: Is hip-hop still hip-hop, in your opinion?
AB: Hip-hop is always going to be hip-hop, because it always evolves.  Every ten years, they’ll come up with a new sound just like they did with disco music.  Everything gets recreated for different generations. 

33: Are you under a record label? 
AB: Studio 43.

 33: So tonight is for your mixtape release?
AB: It’s not a mixtape; it’s like a lifestyle.  It dropped two weeks ago.  We’re getting a lot of love from it.  My EP is coming out in March, the next one is coming out before the summer.

33: Who have you collaborated with?
AB: Aw man, Raheem Devaughn, Nipsey Hustle, Fat Joe, Phil Ade.

33: Ten years from now, what do you hope to have accomplished?
AB: I want Grammys; I want wealth and good health.

33: Why isn’t the talent in D.C. showcased more throughout the country?
AB: There are a lot of politicians here.  As the capitol of the United States, they have to give off that impression that this city is for Congress and for justice.  Out of all of that, the music gets overlooked even though there are a lot of talented artist here.

33: Who do you make your music for?
AB: I make my music for the lifers.  The people who enjoy life to the fullest.  You’re a lifer if you enjoy life to the fullest.

33: So what’s next for AB the Pro? 
AB: We’ve got my album titled And You’re Welcome.  That’s going to be on iTunes very soon.  Shout out to Crown Vic Music, Studio43.com.  You can look at my tour dates on there as well.  Get at me, man.

ABThePro1.Bandcamp.com

By Correspondent: Michael Cohen

Michael Cohen catapulted into this world via the Lone Star State during the cute baby shortage of ’78, and thus ended the crisis.  He then went on the military brat world tour, laying his hat down in Japan, Alaska, Florida, Virginia, and now watches the sun set in Washington D.C.  He’s been known to mumble in his sleep “I’m hip-hop ‘til I die.”  With a passion for arts and entertainment, Michael has produced his own public access television show, has been beaten up as a small time hustler on HBO’s “The Wire,” and writes screenplays in his spare time.