Virginia Beach - KP_Suckafree’s very own M.A.C. cooks up the rap game with a dish of gumbo to spoon-feed amateur lyricists and shows 'em how a vet puts together a real hip-hop entrée.  

I chose a comfortable booth by the window at a local Starbucks anxiously anticipating the arrival of M.A.C., one-half of the group KP_Suckafree.  After a couple of moments of waiting, we spotted each other, and he walked over with a presence that would have trembled little Napoleon Bonaparte at his knees.  It evoked strength and confidence without narcissism, much like the presentation of his music.  Underneath his entire “hardcore” exterior, I was able to extract a gentle smile from him that showed his flattery and appreciation for the display of his craft to the world.  I, in turn, valued his time.

When I first heard the name KP_Suckafree (KP is short for King Palace), I instantly extracted the word "Suckafree" from the name and began thinking of the once syndicated show on MTV that showed re-runs of hip-hop videos being counted down to the number one slot.  I often showed annoyance when the number one slot was given to an undeserving song.  Aside from that, KP_Suckafree is far from re-run, because this group does not shortchange their fans and repeatedly give them the same show.  This two-man force will be syndicated in a moment’s time when they are placed in the legendary lane.

According to M.A.C. (Making A Cent), Suckafree means not dealing with any bull.  These veterans have been in the game for a while, with their first mixtape dropping in 2006, so five years under they’re belt is a good resume to show to the hip-hop empire.  Their latest mixtape Welcome to the Guillotine, Vol. 2 features an array of songs that will make Virginia hip-hop fans testify with praise.  Why should people listen to his music?  “One - lyrical content; that seems to be missing a lot nowadays.  It’s real…when you hear it, it’s just real.  I’m not a one-sided person; I don’t think anybody is.  We all have emotions; that’s what I thrive off of.”  With so many Virginia rappers pumping out mixtape after mixtape, the competition can get sweltered with an overwhelming response from the listener.  “Mixtapes are important in the R&B and hip-hop world because everyone is not receptive to new music…a mixtape is a resume.”  This accounts for why mixtapes are a must in the hip-hop world especially for upcoming artists.  No one really knows who you are yet, and to push an album would be a waste when there is not a response.  Saving oneself from the embarrassment of low album sales is always vital and makes the time of building one’s “resume” much more crucial.  This is coming from a group that will possibly put out five - yes, five - mixtapes BEFORE summer hits.  “Some setbacks [occurred], such as losing our studio the second half of last year…we are using all of our resources to create five mixtapes before the summer.  It’s a lot, but we have so much material written.”  One can never market themselves enough.

The “VA Sound“ is always an impeccable one.  When I hear local artists such as Intalek, Peso Dolla, and Kap Rizzy, I often wonder how people compete as far as versatility and creativity.  “I like to sing and make melodies.”  I chopped it up with a number of hip-hop artists in the area, but this was a first for me.  This most definitely puts M.A.C. in a category of his own and with rappers/singers such as a Drake and Trey Songz.  I can see this remarkably working in his favor.  I listen to a lot of local music but never really hear anyone sing.  I guess auto-tune would be a good investment in many of these studios.  Besides singing, the idea of working with artists in the country genre music is also an open-minded idea for this Virginia Beach native. “I’m open with working with other genres of music.  If it makes you feel good, then I’m all for it…I listen to everything from R&B…to Dolly Parton.”  Dolly working with a rap artist on a song would send my heart on attack.  Country and rap would be an interesting force, and even though it was attempted by Nelly and not perceived very well by the hip-hop community, it still has potential.

Remembering the first time is a recollection that will always remain in episodic memory.  The first time someone got super-hype off of a song they created is always heaven to feel.  “I mean, it's been a minute since I [felt that way]….but my manager use to tell me all the time, 'Yo, ya’ll way too caught up on ya’ll selves; ya’ll need to learn how to stop dick riding your own self…Know that [and] put yourself out, and act like it's been there before….you don’t see Kobe celebrating after every shot he makes, you feel me?

"I would have to say "VA State of Mind"...that came out a year and half ago…I thought that came out really good.  That was the first time we got back in touch with Ace 21 after a while, so it was a minute that we were out of touch.  He was here, then in Germany, then in Jersey then Cali.  We finally got back in touch with him and was like, 'We really need to do some music'…It was like two or three years we been missing him.  We banged that track out for him and it felt like home…”  Getting in touch with Ace 21 had to been a good luck for the crew because he worked with Virginia’s very own the Clipse along with Jamie Foxx, Lil' Kim, the Game,  and Twista.  What a great way to put oneself on the roster.  “We known him since high school; we seen him grow up, and he seen us grow up.”

 With an upcoming album Paradox in the works for the group, and the possible array of mixtapes about to flood the scene, this group is doing rather well.  M.A.C. prides himself on his unique smooth style of lyrical word play and never wants to slack on his lyrics.  His fans are his listeners, and they are the ones who confide in him for good music.  “My music is a wide range of things from upbeat club tracks, to emotional life situation tracks, to sexually charged tracks, to straight venting tracks, to money motivated tracks.  My music is sort of a gumbo [laughs]...Right pieces from everywhere to make a great dish.”  Well, I’m ready for that entree plus dessert.  Check please!

Twitter.com/KP_Suckafree

By Correspondent: Jasmin Jamison

“Confidence is from believing in yourself, and ambition is from your personal strength.”  These are the words spoken from a true go-getter by the name of Jasmin Jamison.  She was born in Olongapo, Philippines, January 6, 1986.  At six months, she moved to Philadelphia and then finally settled in Virginia Beach where she spent most of her life.  A self-proclaimed “Blasian,” she is mixed with Black and Filipino and embraces both sides which she claims define who she is.  She graduated from Old Dominion University in 2009 with a degree in Fashion Merchandising and a minor in Marketing.  Her drive for fashion and music comes from the desire of learning the art and breathing it as if it were her life.  She also gained passion for music from her brother and local rapper, Intalek, whom she claims “is her best friend and the reason why she loves hip-hop so much.”  Her main focus is to bring Virginia music to the forefront and stand tall in mainstream media and claim its mark as a force to be reckoned with.  “Virginia hip-hop is big...why not share it with the world and let it bring forth something spectacular?!”

More Featured Articles