Sic-Osyrus

Whats the definition of Grind? Everyone has their own answer and opinion. When you couple a great team, pain music and one man's will to survive, you get a grind that cant be compared to the average. Originally from Philly, now a NY resident, Sic Osyrus takes you through his life and experiences and explains why 'Sic O Nomics' is a word you need to have in your vocabulary to understand the current state of music.

Whats good Sic Osyrus?

Nothing just trying to stay above this water out here ya know.

How did you get the unique name?

Well I got Sic while I was in high school spittin my lil rhymes, people thought I was crazy so its stuck. I was given Osyrus by my cousin UN who past, I just put those two names together and been running ever since. I even named my son Osyrus.

What sets Sic Osyrus aside from these rappers with a funny dance and corny hook?

Lol, A funny dance and hook? I can say that one of my advantages would have to be my team.I am signed to Inasirkl Music Group as my production company, they also handle my day to day mgmt responsibilities, I have a street team, a powerful DJ to break my joints, an aggressive publicist, someone who handles all my online marketing and myspace, I have a great production team thats already given me hits. So big shout out to J Hatch, Drawzilla, Bedtyme357, Franchyze Bless, Al Bundles, Khadejia and Tammy Feliciano. Im definitely blessed, now I can focus on my craft.

Why should someone cop your new mixtape 'Sic-O-Nomics' hosted by Bedtyme357?

If you haven't copped the mix cd then you're not eating properly; ‘Sic-O-Nomics’ is a mini street album that covers everything from the street to the sidewalk. I take you on a short trip for 38 minutes through my life and experiences. Every song or freestyle is like a piece of a puzzle that fits just perfect and makes so much sense. This is a lead up to my first album entitled 'Straight Money'. The idea is basically that cash cannot be denied. You can go to a store and they can deny your check, food stamps, credit card, money order but not cash, by law. That's how I feel about my music, its straight money, undeniable.

Your sound is considered 'Pain' music, why is that?

Pain music is a good name for it and pain always gets a bad wrap but the best thing about pain is that its job is to bring the real out of that person, how can that not be respected? We all go through pain, but its what we do with that pain to further our progress that is most important.

Who are some of the producers you are working with to get them bangers ready for your album project?

My main producer is Drawzilla, he has worked with Remy Ma, Chrisette Michelle, Capone from CNN. I am also working with Versitile & Dilemna,
(Versatile did Brooklyn for Fab w/ Jay Z and Uncle Murder) my man Raf Moses hit me with heat for my joint 'Spit it 4 Philly' thats gotten over 5000 hits on Allhiphop.com, my dude Shuko from German did 'Killin Em' which is on over 30 mixtapes right now, my dudes Oz and Cloudism laced me for collabos with Skyzoo and Sha Stimuli. Im also in the studio with the legendary Buckwild (Black Rob's 'Whoa', Jay Z 'Lucky Me', BIG "Story to Tell') and Amadeus who has worked with 50, Jim Jones, Mike Jones and more. I also have a dude named ryan from florida who is a problem. Plus I’m getting beat daily, so get at me.

Thats whats up, sounds like the next project is going to be crazy. How did it feel to get nominated for 2007 Best Male Rapper of the Year at the UMA's?

It was a blessing man. I just wish I would have won, but it made me realize what it is that I need to improve and work on to hone my buzz into the coming year and really make my mark. The publicity the nomination brought me was priceless though, the underground showed your boy some love!

Whats next for Sic Osyrus?

Im currently in the studio working on my album and the next mix cd, staying bizzy and out of jail. Thanks for the support Rap Fanatic.
If anyone wants to check me log on myspace.com/SicOsyrus1 or get at my management jhatch@sprint.blackberry.net
- Woodley germain

he sun cannot come out every day. Everyday struggles, life’s experiences and the pain one may feel from these occurences can even make the sun stay away when the sky is clear. Well, It’s time for the sunglasses to come out because one of today’s newest stars is about to shine through the scene.

Having dealt with a rocky past of losing a close family member, surviving a shaky household that raised 9 kids- one mother, no father- and getting caught up in the hustle game only to do a year and change locked down- Sic Osyrus is about to bring the ‘Pain’. In his real life approach to making credible hip hop music for others to relate to, Sic Osyrus takes some time out to talk about his UMA nomination, new mixtape and his stance on today’s music industry climate.

What’s good Sic Osyrus, give the people some background on yourself.

I’m originally born and raised in Philly. I lived in South Carolina & I am currently residing in NY and I’m on my Grind right now!

What’s the origin of your name?

My Cousin UN, god bless the dead, gave me the name before he passed. Osyrus is my sons name as well.

So originally your from philly, you spent some time in the south and now your residing in ny, how do you mesh the different styles and experiences you’ve had in each location?

Well, Most of my travels have been involved with a whole lot of struggling, different cities, states everywhere I go I’ve met people who are struggling & going thru the same things I go through. So my music reflects the pain involved in those same experiences, thats why I label my sound, Pain Music.

You’ve also done some time on drug and gun related charges, how has that affected your career and musical content?

It definitely made me realize the type or road I was on, but thats just one aspect of my sound. I am not the cookie cutter rapper that will just talk about one thing, or just one style. I use all my life experiences to create.

Your home now, new mixtape in the streets called ‘ Sic-O- Nomics’ hosted by Remy Ma’s DJ, Bedtyme357, the reviews I’ve seen have been real positive, what’s the feedback from the industry?

Actually, I try not to let the industry drive me, I just stay focused and make inspirational pain music that I know the street is gonna feel, hopefully the industry does too.

If someone hasn’t copped it yet, what can they expect after first listen?

The joint is basically all me, all the freestyles are real life experiences. The songs go deeper in meaning. If you want to feel what you haven’t felt in music in a long time, especially hip hop, then you’ll find the cd and check it out.

Congrats on your recent UMA Nomination for 2007 Best Male Rapper of The Year, must feel good to be recognized!

Definitely did, it was a wake up call at the same time because now I know what I have to do. Now I know what my grind has to look like and how I have to bring it to the forefront of this hip hop shit.

One thing I def hear about you Is that your stage show is powerful, how important is an artists performance and overall presentation when it comes to being recognized?

My stage presence is monstrous, if you don’t feel me after a show, your not balanced as a person. My stage presence is the picture, my words and tracks are the sound, its like watching a movie and feeling like your actually there.

On youtube.com , I saw you rock the iStandard ‘Beast Of The Beats’ showcase opening for Saigon in front of 900 people, and you got quite an impressive response for a new artist, what are you trying to do to stand out amongst the million rappers trying to get deals?

I’m not trying to do anything. I just do it. I’m just myself because nobody can be better at being me then me.

Let’s discuss production, who are some of the producers on your current project?

I cant front I’m getting that heat from across the globe, my man Shuko did my first street smash ‘Killin Em’, got my man Drawzilla of my Inasirkl Team who did ‘Lockdown’, my dude Raf Moses laced me with a joint called ‘Spit it for Philly’ that’s crazy, but I also have tracks from Platinum producers Buckwild, Amadeus and working with some other up and coming producers from Philly- Oz, Mix Mechanic and Cloudism.

What can we expect from Sic Osyrus in the near future?

Right now Im focusing on recording, performing and getting my face seen in the press and online. I have a ton of collabos about to drop- Skyzoo, Sha Stimuli, Fred Da Godson, Big Lou- all the hot n*ggas thats making noise right now, Im also trying to work something out with Mysonne and Omilio Sparks. So keep an lookout for those records. Im about to keep the winter real hot for the streets.

Thanks for your time, shout your myspace out to the people so they can reach out.

Def get at me on www.myspace.com/sicosyrus1, always looking to work with new producers so send my mgr that heat at inasirkl@gmail.com - Hoodgrownonline.com

It’s the summer of 2007 and guess what’s coming up? The UMA'S...... Sic Osyrus is nominated for Best Rapper of the Year award. This isn't a nomination you take lightly......right now Rapcapital.com is gonna kick it with Sic Osyrus and see what’s going on.....

What’s good fam? It must feel good being nominated for "Best rapper of the year" ...... we got our fingers crossed for you ...but if you had to take a stab at it do you think you will come out the victory?

I would say I have a good chance but I’m up against a couple of good dudes. But I know I did some numbers, we had the internet in a frenzy.

You definitely have an "intense in your face" kinda style, something that will make the fans listen ... what would you say makes you differ from a lot of the other artists now a days?

My heart is in my music. I am passionate with the things I say, things I talk about are my experiences, if not, then it’s something that is close to me.

What made you pick up a mic and get busy?

I fell in love with hip hop the first time I heard “Love is gone get ya” by KRS One. The first time I said I could do this, is when I heard Red Mans first album ‘Whut Thee Album? ‘

Are you on a label? If so let us know..

No, I am not signed to a record label. But I am signed to a production deal with Inasirkl Music Group and they handle my project better than a label can and will. We run things!

Any new projects coming out? Any features?

We are putting a lot of effort and time in to the ‘Sic-O-Nomics’ mixtape. We are working hard to promote it so that people know what the fuck we do and how we get it done. But I do have a bunch of collabs scheduled with Skyzoo, Sha Stimuli and my dude Big Lou. But on ‘Sic –O-Nomics’ My boy Apple on the track we got called “2 Bent”.

Are you disappointed in Hip Hop now-a-day or impressed with it?

I am not disappointed, but I am definitely not impressed with it. There are things I like and things I don’t, but Hip Hop grows and we have to let it.

Name a Golden year in hip hop in your opinion?

1995 has to be my golden year, that’s when Biggie & Tupac was going at it. Hip Hop is still Hip Hop, but Hip Hop is saturated. The Mainstream is watered down. I don’t think enough of the pain music is Mainstream. There should be a balance because it isn’t all about party music. People are not really saying what they want to say and they are not getting what they need to hear through mainstream.

In your song "Spit It For Philly" you got a track that will make Cassidy and Beanie proud ... you are definitely in the zone right now ... is Philly really the city of brotherly love or is there lack of support for up and coming emcees ?

When I’m out there I see everyone supporting each other and reppin the town, at the same time you have haters wherever you go. I’m constantly back and forth from New York to Philly it’s the same thing, you’ve got love and you have to balance that out with the hate. “Spit it 4 Philly” is an International hood anthem. What makes it specifically for Philly is just the chorus. If I was reppin any other hood the verses would be damn near the same and the only thing that would change would be the chorus.

What’s your goal for the hip hop game?

Make a mark. I want to be an artist that inspires one to write or to be who they are and express that. My goal is also to become a force to be wreckoned with and to become legendary.

Does your agenda include trying to change what’s going on now-a-days?

Nah, niggas gotta do what they gotta do. Whatever they feel like they have to do to make their mark so be it. Me, the music that I make is the music that I feel is going to make my mark .

Does it frustrate you that to get major spins or radio play you have to "party like a rockstar" ?

Not at all, I am not one of those artists that want to complain about everything and how everything is moving just because I am not apart of it. I don’t care to party like a rock star cause I party like a hoodlum who just got his rocks off and is ready for the re up. It’s a crazy situation.

Does Sic Osyrus have any cross over tracks?

I don’t really like to label my songs and my tracks. I would say that I have some songs that are more radio friendly than others but all have elements of my life’s story and what I go through on the daily.

If you had to compare yourself to any 2 rappers dead or alive who would they be?

I wouldn’t compare myself to any other rapper. I have the heart and soul of every rapper in me relating to the struggle, the hustle, the ups and downs, in the hood or not in the hood. People are people and to relate to people, you’ve gotta be able to relate to yourself.

Here at Rapcapital.com we like to ask our features some questions that really are out of the norm. We do this because it gives the fans a broader outlook on you. So let’s get it cracking....

Are you gonna vote? and if so ..Hilary or Obama?

I can’t right now, (laugh) I ’m an ex con I can’t vote. I would love to, if there was a program where I can earn my rights to vote again I would.

They both would bring something fresh to the table so in order for me to make a decision I would have to toss a coin.

Are you more concerned with global warming or the state of Hip Hop?

We should all be concerned with global warming, shit is real out here, you saw what happened in New Orleans, lets just hope the right people are focusing on handling these things when we go through them. New Orleans stay strong man!!

Do major ringtone sales make up for bad albums sales?

Cant be mad at technology, gotta get that money from all avenues. Things have changed in terms of how people listen to music, they want it fast and they want it now, you cant hate on that.

And speaking of album sales ... is the internet really the reason that the music is failing?

Not totally. People need to look at what they do, there are a lot of factors to why records don’t sell, it it’s not just the music, its behind the scenes too.
Back To The Norm.......

Where can the fans vote for you to become the "Best Rapper of The Year" for the UMAS?

The voting is actually done, it ended on July 27th but you can check out myspace.com/sicosyrus1 for updates on the UMA’s , my schedule and my music as well, we have some things in the works that are going to surprise a lot of people.
Name 1 song you've done that will have the Rapcapital.com viewers hooked!?
There are a lot of different taste’s out there so hopefully I can satisfy everyone with all of my music, but I have a record called S on My Chest Produced by Drawzilla of Inasirkl Music Group (Remy Ma, Capone, Sha Stimuli) that is crazy, straight street and then I have what looks like my first major record, cant give you the title yet but it’s produced by Versatile and Dilemma , those guys did Omilio Sparks single ‘DJ Turn it up’ and Versatile did ‘Brooklyn’ for Fab F/ Jay Z and Uncle Murder.

Thanks for hollering at us and in closing give any shout outs...F.U.'S or whatever’s clever?

Shout to the whole IMG- J Hatch, Drawzilla, Bedtyme357, Franchyze, Dehja, Priscillya, Tammy Feliciano, Drew, Khadejia, Slim Mcmillzmy peoples Apple, Nice, Gil, Decepts stand up!, Don Di Napoli, Chalant, Reality, Ace Of Spades, Versatile and Dilemma, my man Ryan, the kid Shuko, 2ew Gunn Ciz, Pounds, Big Lou, Skyzoo, and anyone else I forgot you already know, and as far as the FU’s, I can only say that people who don’t listen to the music with an open mind and denounce what im trying to do get the middle finger. You don’t have to like me, just respect my hustle, chea!!


- Rapcapital.com

Few rappers branch out further than their own nation at an early stage in their career yet Philly born rapper Sic Osyrus is doing just that! With mixtape features in the UK and France as well as his native America this rapper is most definitely one to watch for in 2008.

Taking influence from the late great Tupac Shakur amongst others and with nothing more than the desire to show his son a positive way in life it is easy to see why Sic Osyrus is making noise and getting the people interested.

Defining his musical style as "if my skin could talk" I’m sure we now have your attention! So sit back, relax and take in the inspirational words of a rising star as Yo! Raps brings you Sic Osyrus.

For those unfamiliar give us a breakdown of who Sic Osyrus actually is?

Sic Osyrus is a starving artist out hear to make his mark on the music world, I'm looking to bring real experiences and life's untimely struggles to the forefront.

Tell us about your recent release "Just Heat Part 2" that you hosted for DJ Ophax. What response have you been getting?

Response has been great; you can actually download it at www.myspace.com/sicosyrus1. My overseas DJ's have been supporting my movement heavy. I'm also hosting DJ Bedtyme357's (Remy Ma's and my DJ) "Concealed Weapons Pt 2" and DJ 1 Mic's "Get Down Or Lay Down" which is an all Philly mixtape, and then my mixtape comes mid February, the follow up to my critically acclaimed "Sic-O-Nomics". I was on over 30 mixtapes in 2007, at least that I know about.

Was music something you always wished to be involved in?

Definitely, but I didn't get real serious with it until after my cousin UN passed, and then after I got locked and came home, my team Inasirkl had me running out the gate, 2007 has been an incredible year honestly.

You were nominated at this year 2007 UMA's for Best Male Rap, that is a huge accomplishment for any artist but what does it mean on a personal level for you?

It’s actually very humbling; when someone recognizes your talents on a level like that you can’t help be humbled. It was a great way to expose my brand and for us to get the internet convinced of the Sic Osyrus and Inasirkl Music Group movements.

There is immense talent right now within Hip Hop, what sets you apart from your competitors?

Well first of let me say I don't try to be different or set myself apart, I just do me, because at the end of the day no one is better at being me, than me. What makes me accelerate is my passion for making music and performing as well as having my team support me while my vision is carried out.

You were born and raised in Philly and openly admit you had a difficult childhood, do you think the experiences you had at a young age have shaped you into the Man you are today?

I would be lying if I said they didn't. Everywhere I have been, every single experience that has affected my life has affected me musically. Some call my music 'Pain' music; because Pain is the only emotion you cannot fake. That is something people must respect.

Everyone has an influence in their lives and people they look up to, who gives you inspiration?

Living a life where I don't have to do anything illegal to stay above the water is what inspires me. Living another day, spitting another verse, not getting swallowed up by the system, those are the things that inspire me. Providing a safe environment for my son. You can’t have anything inspire you more than that.

With such a busy lifestyle how do you ever find time to just kick back and relax?

We really just started, all of what we have done really took place in 2007, I was locked for almost a year and a half so we built the foundations late 2006 but all the press, collabs, music, mix-tapes, awards, shows and travels came in 2007. 2008 is going to be there year that is considered the pay off. I’m not concerned with sitting back and relaxing, I want this too bad to kick back. While I sleep, someone else is trying to take my spot, and that isn’t going to happen.

How would you define your musical style?

I would define it as if my skin could talk. If I experienced it and would Tattoo myself with its words, then I lived it and can communicate it. I just do me.

You have featured on Mix-tapes by the UK's DJ Ames, how did that link come to surface?

My team has the internet going crazy, big shouts to Franchyze and Swirv. Ames caught wind of the music and been on Vol. 10, 11 and 19 of his UK to US series, and we definitely plan on doing some things in 08 together. Big shout to DJ Pimp too in France and Germany.

To date which track from your back catalogue do you believe shows you at your truest form?

Man they all have a special place and represent who I am in a well rounded form. I can’t just pick one. But if you want to know me through my music then download the mixtape at www.myspace.com/sicosyrus1 and you can find out everything you would need to know.

If given the opportunity who would you most like to work with and why?

Probably Tupac because I feel we both show extreme passion for our love of music, but realistically I would love to work with some of the people who I looked up to on the way here like KRS-One and Redman because of what they represented and brought to the game.

Where do you see yourself being in 3 years time?

Hopefully alive and living my dream.

Do you feel there is enough support within Hip Hop for up and coming artists like yourself?

Absolutely, but I think it’s within each of us to prove ourselves first. The days of the demos are gone. Labels want to see me stand on my own two first. Plus I got a surprise for them when they come for me.

Got any shout out's?

Most definitely man, shouts the whole Inasirkl Music Group, J. Hatch, Drawzilla, Franchyze, Bedtyme357, Al Bundles, Swirv, Khadeija, Priscilya, Dejha B, Tammy Feliciano, Don Di Napoli, Ariel, as well as my Decepts, Hook, can´t forget Reem, Nice, TFL, Apple, the rest you already know!

- By Danielle Fear - Kai derringer

Hip-Hop is missing something. According to Sic Osyrus, he is that missing element. Not because he is new with catchy rhymes but, because he represents the missing links in Hip-Hop. Claiming to make love to a track, the MC is not worried about competition, or even gaining popularity from having Hip-Hop’s most notarized producers. The only thing that he can focus on is being the best. Not the best in the game or even arguing over who is the best, rather giving his best to the game. This is something he claims that Hip-Hop is missing.

What you won’t hear in his rhymes are the typical braggadocios lines about having the flyest car or the biggest chain. What you can guarantee you will receive is authentic Hip-Hop like his new song "S On My Chest" and his song with his angst with the music industry called "F The Industry," Sic Osyrus promises to give the people what he knows and not a make believe world that so many other rappers have created. Philly-bred with a NY residence you can expect to not only get the real but to have a Hip-Hop evolution.

AllHipHop.com: How do you think you’re experience in Philly has influenced you’re rap style?

Sic Osyrus: My experience in Philly influences everything about me. How I handle myself in the streets my approach with my music. So that’s why I still rep as hard as I do even though I’m not living there at the moment. It don’t matter where I go Philly gonna always be my home.

AllHipHop.com: You came from a home where you had a lot of brothers and sisters.

Sic Osyrus: Yeah I got nine brothers and sisters. I actually talked to my moms today and she picked up one of the magazines I was in. She’s asking when am I gonna get money. She wants to know what the hold up is.

AllHipHop.com: [Laughs] She wanna know where the money at. You on the magazines, getting these interviews, show the money.

Sic Osyrus: She not really like that but, that’s what she wanted to know. She look on the internet and see my face in places and she like when they gonna stop playing. I feel the same way that’s why I made the track called “F*ck The Industry.” I feel like sometimes they play with people’s lives. Like myself when you going through a lot of hard times. You have people from the industry come through to the shows and say ‘you got something.’ That’s not gonna pay no bills. If you like me then put me in a position where I can grow from there. A lot of times when they are ready to open up doors for you it be too late. A lot of niggas catch cases. They get killed. They don’t have it so they have to go out.

AllHipHop.com: Yeah, they get back to grinding. Give me your dream production team.

Sic Osyrus: I definitely gotta have my boy Drawzilla. That’s my in house production. He knows what I like. It’s a couple of people. Buck Wild. Honestly, the people that I am working with right now. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I don’t really care who makes the beats. I just love for the beat to say something to me. So other people can feel where my heart is at.

AllHipHop.com: You wouldn’t want to work with Timbaland or Kanye?

Sic Osyrus: That stuff really… I could really care less. It don’t matter who doing it as long as I’m feeling the beat. It would just be to say I did a track with them. They could just throw me anything. Something I’m not feeling but I do it based on the fact that it’s Dr. Dre.

AllHipHop.com: Where did you get your name from?

Sic Osyrus: Psych was my name in high school. I was a knucklehead. I was on some crazy bullsh*t .

AllhipHop.com: Psych like psychopath?

Sic Osyrus: Yeah. When you get older you got start looking at things different. So, I took it as I’m using my mind when it comes to my rhymes. I use to be like I wish a nigga would. [yelling] When I got older it was like I do what I do with the rhymes. My cousin and I use to go out and do our thing together rhyming. Sometimes when you dealing with certain people you don’t want to give them your real name, I will tell people Osyrus. My cousin was like my bigger brother. When he passed away I just changed it to Sic Osyrus. I even named my son Osyrus Syquan. I know that it’s a biblical fact around my name but that just makes it even better.

AllHipHop.com: There are a lot of people rapping now. Why should a consumer pay attention to you or buy your album?

Sic Osyrus: I feel like I'm a fan of myself. Hip-Hop is loosing a lot of stuff and I’m going to bring it back. I’m just trying to do me. Do me so hard that I do it to death. I don’t know. I just feel like by me being a fan I know exactly what I want to hear. I take heed to the people that say I’m a beast. It gets me in the mood to write something else. If you are a fan of Hip-Hop then I’m just giving you what a fan would want to hear.

AllHipHop: What do you feel Hip-Hop is missing?

Sic Osyrus: I feel like when you get an artist it’s not really them. If you sit and talk with me then you know that what I rhyme about is really me. I’m being as much of myself as I know. When people evolve then my music will grow and evolve. I give you what I know. A lot of people can’t do that. A lot of people say they are being themselves but I don’t believe them. A lot of people put out what they feel is going to sell and fit in. A lot of stuff I don’t even listen to.

AllHipHop.com: What was the last rap album you bought that you were disappointed in?

Sic Osyrus: The last one I bought was the Black Album. He has evolved where I am trying to catch up. I’m still on Reasonable Doubt. I don’t spend as much money as he spends on things. I can’t relate to him. It’s not where I’m at. I feel the same way about Nas last album. I’m not sh*tting on them. I just couldn’t get into them.

AllHipHop.com: How did you originally get involved with rap?

Sic Osyrus: When I first was listening to KRS-One “Love Is Going To Get You.” That’s when I fell in love with the aspect of saying what I feel. It was better than falling love with a female. When you fall in love with a female it’s always that thought to question where is she at.

AllHipHop.com: You better watch it! I gotta defend the ladies.

Sic Osyrus: Where is she at mentally I mean. You never know if she is sincere. I always pull back with love with women but with music. I can let go. Let go to the point that my emotions can be felt in the song. I try to make love to it every time I get on a track.

AllHipHop.com: What got you to the point where you wanted to pursue rap full time?

Sic Osyrus: It was like; I was listening to a Redman. That right there let me see that I could do this. I was doing my own thing but I was sounding like Redman. I’m just comfortable with my own self and started breaking off into my own shit. I remember we use to beat on the lunch table. We would go in when I was in school and the love just kept growing. When you say something and the crowd is like “OH!!” That's like food.

AllHipHop.com: What are you working on now?

Sic Osyrus: I’m always working on something. The last mixtape was Siconomics. The new mixtape we are working on now. The reaction from the last mixtape was we need more. It had a lot of freestyles on it. This time around we are going to put more songs. It’s coming at the end of February and the beginning of March.

Sic Osyrus' MySpace Page is www.myspace.com/sicosyrus1
- La Jaunda Knight

"'Work smarter, not harder' Sometimes artists feel they need to do more to get more, sometimes its do less,but do the right things, the smarter things. This music industry is like a big chess game, its all about strategies, placement and positioning yourself for success." - Sic Osyrus.

With the industry in a state of emergency there's not a lot of rappers coming out and living what they rap about. With cases like Akon and 50 Cent perhaps fabricating or manipulating the truth for more record sales, some artists still keep that integrity that makes them successful and more appealing to the common folks and to the people that can relate to their music through their own struggles.

One thing to say about Philly is that they stay pushing some "real" music. You know if someone is birthed out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, you're not going to hear any bubblegum pop music. You know it's going to be that gutter street sound which Beanie Sigel attempt to go "from the streets to the fame." Don't be mad at The Roots for bringing that dark feel to their music on their last album either. Illadelph stays consistent with their product and Sic Osyrus is no different.

Growing up in a single mother household with nine siblings, and moving around from state to state can affect any child. All of our experiences and lessons learned throughout our youth, is what molds us to what we are today. For most artists, embellishing the truth is the name of the game, but Sic has proved through humble effort that he is worthy of DXnext.

What Sic Reps: "I rep music that provokes an emotion, I want to move people with my music. I've been through a lot. None kids in my family, one mother, no father. [I[ jumped from Philly, to South Carolina to New York to jail and back to New York, so every life experience, every struggle, every breath I breathe is real and it effects how I paint my lyrics into a vivid and descriptive audio experience. I always say that if my skin could speak, the lyrics would be tattooed all over my body. I truly live what I speak, but I let my music translate that to the rest of the world."

On Tap: New mixtape album Sic-O-Nomics 2 [click to listen] hosted by Remy Ma's deejay, Bedtyme357 (also "Underground DJ of The Year" nominee) features with Skyzoo, Sha Stimuli [click to read] and The League, and production by Drawzilla (Remy Ma, Chrisette Michele, Capone) Raf Moses, Oz and CokChop Productions, shooting full length video for "S on my Chest." Will be dropping Sic-O-Nomics 2.5 in June, hosted by DJ Superstar Jay. Also in studio with Amadeus (50 Cent, Jim Jones, Talib Kweli) and the legendary Buckwild (Jay-Z, Black Rob, O.C.), so keep your ears open. I am also performing in front of 20,000 at Greekfest in New York this year.

You Might Have Heard Me On: "A few mixtapes (over 50 in last six months), Audio posted on all major sites (35,000 spins and building), college or mixshow radio. I'm hard to miss."

Seven Degrees of Separation: "The one thing I never try to do is try to separate myself. I just do me. However my passion for making music, as well as my strong team and our vision of my project has all bases covered, alot of artists don't have what I do in terms of a support system and a reason to succeed."

Where Can You Find Me: "Somewhere between New York and Philly on the daily, tearing a stage down, or murdering the booth. I try to stay with fresh materials for my deejay family, the sites, just staying creative and using my life experiences as my direction."

If It Wasn't For Rap I'd Be: "Sad to say but probably locked up or laid out. I took a 14 month vacation, when I came home. I had to stay focused and this rap shit is my therapy. My music is described as 'pain music' because that’s an emotion you cannot fake, so what's realer than that?"

Opinion on Current State of Hip-Hop: "There is nothing to look forward anymore. Where are the classic albums, the lyrics, the inspiration? I'm not mad at anyone for their hustle or what their style may be, but I'm not gonna follow some trend to get on. I'm gonna ride out as me, Sic Osyrus, because at the end of the day, no one can be better at being me, than me, so how how could you expect me to be like someone else?"

Influences: "Musically, definitely KRS-One [click to read], Redman, but most of all I have to say my cousin UN who, after passing, gave me the strength to follow my ambitions and kept me focused on what I really needed to do to become who I really want to be."

Last Call: "I just want people to understand my motives and really embrace my music for what it is. Check my progress [click to view] and know that Inasirkl Music Group is a fucking problem this year! Google the name!" - Jake Paine

Sic Osyrus’s assertive flow has garnered his accolades from the Underground Music Awards in consecutive years. However, the Philadelphia-born emcee is not looking for accolades, he’s looking for respect, and that respect comes in the form of a record deal.

YaBoy can’t blame the man neither his resume is serious. Sic O’s underground grind has been highlighted all over the internet. He’s been featured on 60 mixtapes, including four of his own mixtapes, hosted by Bedtyme357, DJ Rhude, and DJ Pimp among others.

In addition he’s been in the lab with super producers Buckwild, Jimmy Kendrixx, Amadeus, Vinny Idol, Illmind, and Drawzilla; and has opened for KRS One, EPMD, Freeway, Beanie Sigel, Peedi Crack, Maino, Black Moon, Joell Ortiz, Heltah Skeltah, Young Chris, JR Writer and Dru Hill - not bad at all.

On the eve of his Sic O Nomics 2.5 mixtape release, Sic O chopped it up with Hip Hop Ruckus about his new mixtape, his style and love of Hip-Hop as well as his plans for 2009. After you read up, check out “I Know They Gonna Hate Me” and “Who You Is?” off Sic O Nomics 2.5.

YaBoyJavi: What’s going on Sic?
Sic Osyrus: Living, breathing – the usual fam.

YaBoy: Sounds good. You’re Philly-bred and now a Big Apple resident; can you compare and contrast the two cities rap styles for Hip Hop Ruckus readers?
Sic O’: It’s pretty similar in style, however it’s different to me in regards to the experiences I have had in both places.

YaBoy: When did you realize Hip-Hop was going to be your livelihood?
Sic O’: The first time I heard KRS’s “One’s Love’s Gonna Get Ya,” right there I knew what it was I wanted to do. But what really pushed me to go harder was my cousin UN - after he passed I had to continue and strive to reach that next level.

YaBoy: What artists have influenced your style?
Sic O’: Definitely Redman, KRS One. My style is mainly influenced by my experiences and also how each track speaks to me. I rarely sound the same on a track.

YaBoy: Redman was ill and everyone knows about KRS’s contribution to Hip-Hop. Now you have a new mixtape out, Sic O Nomics 2.5 hosted by Bedtyme357. Tell Hip-Hop fans what they can expect to hear from Sic Osyrus on the mixtape.
Sic O’: You can expect to hear me being me. I don’t sugarcoat or follow trends. Its 38 minutes of adrenaline, short and to the point like riding in the front seat of the fastest rollercoaster. I have a collab with my fam Donny Goines - original production from Drawzilla, Oz, DJ Kep and Buda da Future who did 50 Cent’s ‘Paperchaser.’

YaBoy: Sounds like a “go-to-have.” I know that you were first were nominated for the Underground Music Awards’ Best Male Rapper in ‘07, then in ‘08 for the UMA’s Buzz Factor award. What does it mean to have been nominated for awards two years in a row?
Sic O’: It’s a good feeling to be recognized for all the hard work. It was good exposure and we took full advantage of the promotions.

YaBoy: Talking about “buzz factor.” Yours has been serious. Not only here in the States but also overseas in France, Germany and the UK via some mixtape features. How have you been received in Europe? What feedback have you gotten back?
Sic O’: Europe so far has shown a lot of love - big ups to my peoples DJ Ames in the UK, DJ Ophax in Germany and DJ Pimp in France, who have been supporting me for over the last two years on their tapes and podcasts. I’m looking forward to getting out there in 2009 and tearing down some stages and doing some collabs.

YaBoy: That’s what’s up. Your music has been dubbed “pain music” and your song “Fuck the Industry” is synonymous with the term. Can you explain the term and the motive behind the song?
Sic O’: I actually feel like its more “life music” than anything. We all go through pain. It’s the only emotion you really cannot fake. But we also go through other emotions and realities, so I just try to tie them in and intertwine my experiences and create good music. F the Industry was my way of relieving some frustrations about the industry and all the execs and people of influence who tell me, or others for that matter, how hot we are but then won’t take a chance on our talent. I think it struck a nerve.

YaBoy: So what does Sic Osyrus have lined up for ‘09?
Sic O’: More music, more shows. I’m in the studio with Jimmy Kendrix, Amadeus, Vinny Idol, Drawzilla, the legendary Buckwild and many other talented producers just getting it in and making a classic.

YaBoy: Any last words?
Sic O’: Shouts Decept, IMG, the rest know what it is!! U Know!!! - Javier Sanabria

The buzz on the street is that Sic Osyrus could be the next “it” to hit the streets, with raw lyricism and in one instance being compared to ODB by a fan, this Philly born artist says when discussing his sound, ”My sound is my strength, my flaws, my fears, my ups and downs, my sound is that which makes you second guess your reason for being who it is that people see you as, my sound is Life. ” HHLO.net’s Zack-Strange sits down with Sic to discuss his current and past projects, his upcoming video for “Make Moves” the single from his upcoming Mixtape “Siconomics 3.”

HHLO: Zack Strange here for HHLO.net. “Respect Our House”. This is a continuation on the “Restoring Order” theme that began with Chaundon’s interview; a second sicosyrus_newinstallment, if you will. We like to interview artists who have the correct orientation about hip-hop as an art form, and are good at what they do. This time around, we’re interviewing emcee Sic Osyrus, who definitely lives up to those criteria. Sic, give us a brief bio about yourself; let the people know who you are and what you do.

Sic Osyrus: My name is Sic Osyrus, a.k.a. The Ref. We out here in NY right now, Inasirkl is my team. I’m out here grindin’ real hard, just doin’ what I do. I was originally raised in Philly, but now I live here in New York. Lived down south, lived all over, you know. I basically do what I do. I just got an article in The Source magazine, so the people can familiarize themselves with me there as well. Shout out to Mecca for that.

HHLO: Okay, so I was doin’ some research about you the other day on the internet, stumbled across that youtube video “Everyday’s A Battle,” which was ill shit. Everyone should check that out, heads up. But I was readin’ a little bit about you, and I’ve come up with a few questions. First off, how did your upbringing influence your music?

Sic: My upbringing influenced my music a lot man. I think that me just being in so many places informs my thinking about my observations and my knowledge. It all broadened my mind by allowing me to experience a lot of things. I’ve seen things many ways, and I’ve met all sorts of people, so it definitely helps a lot.

HHLO: OK, that makes sense. So give us a little more info about your music, tell us about albums, mixtapes, what’s coming out, what’s came out, you know.

Sic: Well, not too long ago we put out my last mixtape called Siconomics 2.5. If you go to datpiff.com you can listen to that, and the rest of the mixtapes I did. Down Payment was the first one, Siconomics and Siconomics 2 came out after that, Siconomics 2.5 just dropped, and we’re about to release Siconomics 3. We tried to get it out at the same time as the Source Magazine article, but it’s still a work in progress, near completion.

HHLO: OK, so where does “Everyday’s a Battle,” that video and that song, fall into there?

Sic: That was one of the songs off of Siconomics 2.5. We shot a video for that. Right now, we’re in the process of shooting another video for a song on Siconomics 3 which is called “I Make Moves on ‘Em.” That’s our main focus right now.

HHLO: OK, got it. So let the people know some of your major influences?

Sic: Everybody influences me, man, you know. I like all types of people; it depends on how I’m feelin’ that day. When I first started writin’, I’ll say Redman, KRS-One. They definitely influenced me at the beginning, and I grew from that onto listening to all sorts of people. But they definitely influenced me at the beginning.

HHLO: And how old were you when that happened?

Sic: That’s a good question. I musta been in middle school man. In junior high, just writin’ poems n shit. And by the time I got to high school, lunch time standin’ on tables. All of that was in full effect, you know. I was pretty determined when I was young, just starting out.

HHLO: So can you attribute one moment or one person in inspiring you to rap?

Sic: Yeah… Like I said, them two dudes I just named KRS-One and Redman. That was when I first took hip-hop and thought: “I need that,” you know. I remember I was listening to “Love’s Gon Getcha” by KRS-One. That was even before I got into Redman and all that. That song by KRS was definitely very powerful. But Wha” the album by Redman, that was my trigger right there. I was like, damn, Imma try this shit too, let me get in there. From there on, I took my poems and made them into rhymes. From that point on, my aggression, and things I couldn’t explain… I was just writin’ em down, you know.

HHLO: I did notice that. You had a lot of raw aggression in that “Everyday’s a Battle” video. That’s something I haven’t seen in a rapper in a long while, genuine aggression.

Sic: That’s that raw shit, nah’mean? That’s just another emotion that people feel, and if people can relate to feeling that aggressive or that mad about the shit that’s goin’ on, then that’s a good thing. Sometimes you just wanna lay back, pour you a shot of that thang and roll something… Those types of times require those types of rhymes.

HHLO: So is your favorite rapper KRS-One? Redman?

Sic: I don’t have a favorite rapper. To be honest, I don’t really do the favorite thing too hard. I think I’m just a fan of all of it mostly. I’m gonna say my favorite music is hip-hop. I don’t have one favorite artist, because everyone always has different emotions that’ll do different things to them.

HHLO: I respect that. Here’s an interesting question: What is the most important thing a hip- hop artist must have to succeed?

Sic: I think. Well honestly, I honestly haven’t succeeded or nothing like that… so in terms of that, I’m not too certain. What I can say is that artists need character. The second most important thing has to be heart; it’s hard out here, you know. So many other people are trying to be rappers out here with you…it’s difficult to get your voice and opinions heard. The third most important thing is determination… you’re focus definitely has to be at a high level in order for you to accomplish your goals. You have to find the resolve to stay strong. If you ain’t got determination, you gonna fall off, cause it’s easy to get side tracked out here man.

HHLO: I can see how that’s true… OK, so we’ve sort of got a feel for who you are and how you express yourself… We’re now going to talk about the theme in this interview series… What do you think the major problems are or the main problem is in hip-hop today?

Sic: Biggest problem that I find is that I’m not signed. That I’m not rich! That’s my biggest problem with hip-hop. Seriously though; the biggest problem in hip-hop is that a lot of the original stuff and a lot of the underground stuff isn’t really being put out there for mass consumption. A lot of dudes who are underground are makin’ a lot of noise, and I just don’t feel like everyone gets their due. Problems in hip-hop… there aren’t too many problems that I can control. I’m not gonna sit here and complain about things that are happening in the industry. All I can control and focus on are the problems that face me, so I try to combat those, you know, just do me to the death. I appreciate all the artists that do what they do, and I hope they succeed as well. But I’m out here just trying to make my presence felt.

HHLO: Interesting. Do you like where hip-hop is headed? I know you’re just focusing on your personal goals, but we just want your opinion about the matter.

Sic: I’m more or less pleased about where hip-hop is headed, to be honest. I think people are appreciating lyrics now, appreciating good music. And that’s a good look, know what I’m sayin’

HHLO: Even with some of the more popular rappers being guys whose lyrics really aren’t all that innovative or creative, like a Soulja Boy for instance? Do you think people appreciate those kind of lyrics?

Sic: I think those kind of lyrics will last for however long they’re meant to last. Clearly, somebody’s buyin’ it, you know. If that’s the way Soulja Boy expresses himself, then that’s the way he expresses himself. Myself, I express myself very differently, but every artist is different, know what I mean?

HHLO: Sure…

Sic: You don’t like Soulja Boy?

HHLO: I have no problem with Soulja Boy’s business model. You were just talking about how hip-hop fans appreciate lyrics, and I was taking an example in which an artist’s lyrics weren’t really very thoughtful or varied.

Sic: Yeah, but you know what… [Laughs] You trynna get me stompin’ on this nigga [Laughs]

HHLO: [Laughs] I mean, not really…

Sic: OK… You listen to my joints, right?

HHLO: Yes, I’ve listened to them.

Sic: You’ve listened to the lyrics, right?

HHLO: Yes I have… You have some killer stuff in there.

Sic: Would you agree with me when I say that some people aren’t going to be able to relate to what I’m saying in my music?

HHLO: Yes, without a doubt.

Sic: So you say that some people won’t get it, and some people will. This is a curve ball or whatever… but some people need things to be a little more intricate, a little more complex or whatever, for intellectual stimulation or whatever… And some people need that shit to be put out there simply for them. I never listened to the dude’s album, but I heard a lot of his stuff on the radio. And he’s just a young dude, you know, doin’ whatever. So, hopefully when he gets older, his music will get older. My music, at the peak, is talking about things that people that I know deal with on a day to day basis; you know… my niggas… the females that I hang around. All types of shit like that, you know. I guess its all how you lookin’ at it.

HHLO: I can see where you’re coming from. So you’ve said that a major problem in hip-hop is that a lot of the guys with the original stuff, especially underground guys, don’t get enough attention. Would you say a way to solve that problem is to give them more publicity? If not, how can we remedy this problem?

Sic: I mean, I been in underground for a long time. And I think the only remedy is for the artists to have determination, heart and all that. Keep grindin’

HHLO: But in terms of the industry, do you think guys like Jay-Z should sign more original guys whose music has something to say?

Sic: I mean, I’m not gonna say what Jay should do or not do, because that’s his job, you know… I’m sure he’s trynna put his niggas on and all that. But I can say that a lot of the A&Rs aren’t looking for the right things. A lot people out there are just lookin’ for that buck, and that’s cool, you know… Lord knows I ain’t got a problem with a dollar, you know. But I don’t always agree with that dollar all the time.

HHLO: I think true fans of hip-hop can all relate to that. Well, I think that was a good discussion… Got some feel for you, your opinions and thoughts about hip-hop, and got some good things to think about in terms of how to approach criticizing popular hip-hop. Sic Osyrus, born and raised in Philly, resides in NY… Mixtape that just dropped is Siconomics 2.5 with the single “Everyday’s a Battle,” which I encourage all hip-hop fans to check out, that song is deep shit. Sic’s forthcoming mixtape is entitled Siconomics 3. Sic, tell the people where they can find you and give us some shoutouts.

Sic: Aight, well I’m on that twitter man, you know. SicOsyrus. I’m on that MySpace, you know… myspace/SicOsyrus, the number one, you know. You know what, Imma stop all this. Just google me man. Google me. I appreciate this opportunity and you’re time.

HHLO: Well thank you for taking the time to talk to HHLO Sic. This is Zack Strange in the second installment of our “Restoring Order” interview series about hip-hop’s problems, the solutions to those problems, and the music’s direction in general. Be sure to check out some of my editorials coming out soon, including a overview/critical review of Rock The Bells Chicago. Peace. - Zach Strange

What's good Mr Osyrus, welcome to Rapmullet.com.

Good evening. That's that grown man thug shit.
Tell us about 'Sic O Nomics' 2.5 hosted by Bedtyme357, what can we expect?

The usual Sic Osyrus heat. We keep it short and to the point though, 38 minutes front to back including skits. 4 songs, 12 Freestyles. It's out there and the response is good thus far.

Where did the whole Ref thing come from?

People say dont hate the player, hate the game. I say dont hate the player, hate the ref. The Ref calls the shots, I'm not trying to be on the field, I'm controlling the game and calling the shots.

You have been one of the few artists that have balanced there presence in the streets as well as online, how important is that balance and how did your buzz build?

Just stayed consistent. We focus on the streets with the mixtapes, shows, magazines, dvds etc, then online we hit the blogs, sites, downloads, podcasts, youtube, myspace, facebook and over 40 other online profiles to get the google presence up.

You've collabed with some of the hottest up and coming artists over the last year such as Skyzoo, Sha Stimuli, Donny Goines, E Ness, Reed Dollaz, The League and others, who are you planning on rocking with in the year to come and why do you feel its important to collab with other up and comers?

I have a new movement along with Bedtyme357 called WRU, standing for We R The Underground. Its myself, The League, Clap Cognac, J Trigga, Lexx9Eleven and a few other choice artists repping themselves and getting the word out. We are dropping a tape soon so you know you'll get that first. But it's important to collab to diversify your fanbase, when I did 'I Still Love her' w/ Skyzoo, that really opened the online market for me, so big ups to Skyzoo, Donny Goines, Sha Stimuli and other artists that looked out for the kid.

You have a joint on 2.5 called 'Everydays a struggle' which is an crazy horn driven, mid tempo, street anthem produced by DJ Kep, you seemed like you really went in on this joint, take us through the concept and your creative process.

Man, when I first heard that i Dumbed out. I just went into a zone. DJ Kep did a record on Vol 2 called 'Who would I kill' that featured The League that was crazy so I know he was gonna bring that heat on round 2. We are shooting a video for the joint in December.

I've heard that your currently in the studio with Jimi Kendrixx, Amadeus, Vinny Idol, Drawzilla and the legendary Buckwild working on an album, how's that coming and what other producers or artists do you plan on working with in the near future?

These guys are all legends in my eyes, but its not about their names, its about the chemistry and the vibe when we get in the studio. I also work with the kid Oz who did the Skyzoo and Sha Stimuli record, as well as 'Thats My Style' on Vol 2.5, my man Ryan from Cokchop productions, he has done alot of work with me in the past. Buda Da Future who did 'PaperChaser' for 50 did 'Get Your Weight Up' on 2.5, and I have recently gotten tracks from Illmind, Versatile and many other producers.

You've built quite the buzz for yourself over the last 2 years, what is it about you that people want to talk about?

Im me. No Sugarcoating it either. This is who I am. You dont see if often so when you do you pay attention.

What other aspirations do you have aside from the rap game?

Taking care of my son, living comfortably and acting.

Where can fans find you online?

www.myspace.com/sicosyrus1 - Big Chew

Many people wish they could rewind the hands of time to bring back the golden years of DMX. Although the Y.O. lyricist has hit a rough patch, there’s an artist who carries his flavor and then some. Sic Osyrus (pronounced Sike O Seye Rus) is a Philly bred rapper who views hip-hop as a passion, not a pay check.

Living in Philly with nine siblings and no father made it difficult for his mother to keep her children out of trouble, so she and her children relocated to South Carolina. While the fast paced Sic faced challenges adapting to a relaxed paced Southern environment, he found a commonality in his cousins Gabe and Un where they spent time making music. Hard times came unexpectedly when Un, a New Yorker, and Sic moved to New York shortly after Sic’s last year of high school. Un suddenly past away leaving the young Sic in limbo and homeless. Situations ran further south when Sic caught a 14 month bid. At this point is where Sic sought a meaningful way to strive towards success.

His struggles are what helped shaped Sic Osyrus as one of the hardest working Underground rappers on the come up. UMA nominated him for “Best Male Rapper” (2007) as well as “Buzz Factor of The Year” (2008). Testament of his hard work could found by DJ Rhude of XXL Magazine/King Magazine: “Sic Osyrus’s thoughtful lyrics combined with his passionate delivery make him one of the more anticipated emcees to come along in awhile."

His endurance with working with some of the industry’s known producers such as Drawzilla, Vinny Idol, Illmind, Jimmy Kendrixx are appreciated as his lyrics continue to wow listeners all over. On stage Sic has opened for Peddi Crack, Maino, Heltah Skeltah and more, which made Sha Money XL say, “When I watched Sic Osyrus perform for the 1st time and he rocked the crowd for dolo, which is very rare with new artists because they feel they need their whole block on stage, and Sic really gave a powerful performance.” Despite all of his success so far, Sic Osyrus stays humble and tells Thatshiphop.com why keeping artists like him in a box is detrimental to the future of hip hop.

Thatshiphop.com: You worked pretty hard within the last 11 months having being featured on 70 mixtapes. That’s an outstanding amount of work. How does that feel when you look back at it?

Sic Osyrus: I don’t look back at it, yo. I don’t want to see how far I am in the sky [because] that would make me afraid of heights, so I just keep goals.

Thatshiphop.com: You’ve been featured on over 100 websites. Do you feel your image is finally getting noticed the way you want it to or do you feel like it needs more work?

Sic Osyrus: Yeah, I think it still needs more work because I think most of the music that people get a chance to hear are mine and it’s mainly directed in the same area where it’s like straight hard like, there’s nothing to it. I mean there’s always something in it, but I do all types of music. I try to branch off in everything and try to give them everything. I don’t think they’ll actually see that until we actually put that out in the forefront.

Thatshiphop.com: What is it that you want people to grasp from you?

Sic Osyrus: I want them to understand that I can’t be bounded into a box. I don’t think anybody is just capable of just being put in a box and being content with just being in that box unless they train their mind to be in that box. I really don’t like being put in a box. Not to be rebellious, but I like to do whatever the fuck I want to do. I just try to make my lane wider than the average lane so I can make moves the way I’d like to make them.

Thatshiphop.com: I had the pleasure to interview some of the people that you’ve worked with like Donny Goines, Sav Kills, Esso, Sha Stimuli, Skyzoo—that’s basically a group of underground people. Do you feel like you’re beyond Underground?

Sic Osyrus: See, that’s another box that they actually put us in—the Underground circuit. We are the Underground, but we’re only Underground because that’s where they want to put us at. Just because a person is from the hood don’t mean they want to be there, but they rep that because that’s where they’re at. When you hear me scream out “We are the Underground” or when you hear everybody that we rap with scream out “We are the Underground” it ain’t ‘cause we made that up, it’s just we’re repping where we’re at. A lot of them dudes that I did music with I think they’re really talented, that’s one of the reasons why I did some of the tracks with them. I don’t think I’m better than nobody. My lane is my lane and that’s where I’m at and I try to make moves on it like I’m doing.

Thatshiphop.com: Do you feel there’s enough diversity in new music right now?

Sic Osyrus: I do think so, I just don’t think it’s all being brought to the forefront so everybody could see it. Sometimes the politics in the game is so crazy. It’s where the artists can be what they want to be, but it comes down to where their manager or producer or [other] people try to shy away from the “not normal” type of music, if you understand what I’m saying to you. The “not normal” for that artist. You don’t want to step too far to the right because you don’t want to lose the people we already have that are grasping on to the music that you’re making. I don’t think it’s the artist’s fault. I don’t think it’s the artist’s fault at all. I think a lot of people are actually doing different things, but the intake—it’s not really the output but the intake of what people are taking in—is not being receptive enough for people to be motivated enough to make different shit.

Thatshiphop.com: For the new rappers that are making nose right now like Mickey Factz, Wale, Corey Gunz—do you think their music deserves the hype that it’s getting?

Sic Osyrus: I think they deserve whatever they get. Who am I to say they don’t deserve it? Who am I to say they’re not hip-hop? Who am I to say they not representin’? My reality might not be the next person’s reality. I never put myself in a position where I’m judgmental over anyone of their perception of what hip-hop is or what life is.

Thatshiphop.com: Everybody has invested different amounts of time and energy into their career, but do you ever look the years and energy the people you’re grouped with invested and get scared that things might not work out?

Sic Osyrus: I’m not doing it for the money. I don’t get paid for this shit! I’m not even looking at it like that. I don’t want to put a time frame on my shit, that’s why when you asked me that question about me looking back at the shit that I’ve done—that would be a time line. I don’t want to look at a timeline because that’s going to make me think that time is running out and I’m not trying to look at it that way. After I’m gone my music will still be here, so I’m looking at my music as forever. I don’t really look back too much, not unless I’m getting drunk or getting high and I just want to listen to my shit. Other than that, I just try to keep a forward movement on my situation. I know some people in the game get tired of sitting and sitting and sitting. I don’t even look at it that way because that could happen to anybody and I’m not trying to accept that for myself.

Thatshiphop.com: Out of all the mixtape features you’ve done. Which one is your favorite and why?

Sic Osyrus: One of the mixtapes that I was on was Bedtyme357. That’s just because that’s my peoples and all the mixtapes that he do that I’m on I just feel a different closeness because I slept on his couch before, we in the club and we drink and look at females together, talk real street shit. We’re like brothers. It’s more than a music thing when it comes down to mixtapes.

Thatshiphop.com: Some of the producers you’ve worked with have done music for some of the popular artists that’s out now. You’ve worked with The Legendary Buckwild, Amadeus, Vinny Idol, Illmind, and so forth. Which producer do you feel is the one that understands you to the fullest?

Sic Osyrus: [long pause] That’s a good question. [long pause] I would probably have to go with Drawzilla, then again he’s also with the camp, and that’s just because he knows me. He was there when I went to jail and when I came back he was still there. He really knows me. Sometimes we sit in the studio and I’ll start the beat up and he’ll take it and run with it. All the rest of them dudes that you named, I know them dudes like really really know them. I knew them for a couple of years. They all good dudes and they all bring out a certain side of me, so I dig working with all of them.

Thatshiphop.com: These days an artist can upload software on their laptop, create a mini studio and send it out on the internet. Do you think that’s killing the art form of making music traditionally in the studio?

Sic Osyrus: I don’t think it’s robbing the art form, it think it’s robbing itself because you got to step outside to see different things. You’ll never know what the world is like if you’re on your block all day. I got tracks from dudes from out in Germany. With that being said, just to see the different directions different people go in I think it’s a blessing because it actually opens your eyes up to different things. If you don’t have different things coming at you then you can’t really grow.

Visit Sic Osyrus at the following links:

Myspace: www.myspace.com/sicosyrus1

Sonicbids: www.sonicbids.com/sicosyrus1

Youtube: www.youtube.com/sicosyrus1 - Swift