Question: Where you born and raised?
 
 I was born in Berkley, I lived toddler life in Oakland, and I was raised in a town noticed but not on the map town called Smallzville,actual town name is Rodeo. Smallzville is more than a nickname for a town as you can see. It's more like a movement of rappers trying to succeed in this rap game. I call it Smallzville unity in rap and hip-hop. The rapper Yukmouth had a show where two artist named Rich Lawson and Circus The Kid were the opening act for him. So I like to see how my hometown is making moves from recent radio play and great charismatic events, so I felt like it's time to break my silence.
 
 
Question:  Where did the name Oktayne come from?

 I was one of those rappers who had trouble coming up with a rapper name. I had at 13 started rapping 13 with name Lil D then I was Avalanche. I then became Venom at the age of 15 for one year. After that year was up I ended up being Phrost, I got tired of that name. I used say this line, "don't try to step up or you get gassed up." A friend of mine at the time told me that Oktayne should be my rap name. It stuck to me like it was super glue ever since that day. The next day I saw oktayne ratings on a gas pump while I was getting gas. I used to say cars can't run without Gasoline.
 
 
Question:  When did you first get into Hip Hop?

I had this old Yahama keyboard that was not good for beat making when I was 12. I has the drum beat playing and I was free styling. It was my first time so I wasn't saying anything. My brother Jason walked in on me and asked what I was doing. When he asked I told him I don't know. He said well if you got practice you probably rap. Well I did exactly what he said, I waited until I felt my skills was ready. I'm so confident that my shot won't be far from now.
 
 
 
Question:  Who are some of your influences?

First off, before I mention the musicians that inspire me, I like to mention my family influences me in many ways. I'm influenced by Tupac, Jay-Z, Nas, Biggie, Big Pun, Talib Kweli, Kanye West and Lupe Fiasco. Those rappers will always be the best at what they do to me.
 
 
Question: What you got worken on right now?

I'm working on a mix tape called Self-Explanatory Vol.1. The reason for that title is that people are afraid to be themselves in the rap game. Either that or their label won't let them be themselves. It is to help promote the album that I'm working on called Self-Explanations.

I got production from Beat Catererz, Kajmir Royale, my boy Big Gene from Smallzville and I'm looking for some more hot beats as we speak.
 

 
Question: What kind of album do you want to make?

Something that I enjoy doing. yes I'm a commercial rapper but that's not all I do. I could flip a concept about anything I want. That depends on the mood I am in. I want the production to be nice. The lyrics to be dope as well. I can't stand just having a hot hook and a beat. I make songs for the ladies because I love women, and I don't want them to feel disrespected when they hear my swagger player and club type songs.
 
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Question: What makes you stand out from everyone else?

It's my flow, it's so unique that you don't think it's there, but it is. I know how to structure my songs better than most people. I heard a song where people go off topic. The topic in a song was clearly about having sex then they switch up to talking about how they going to kill somebody on the same song.
 
 
 
 
 
 Question:  Tell us about your mixtapes?
 
 The problem with my mixtapes is that I always scrapped them when I don't feel they would get done. I had George Gervimade Then Jr. Mixtape when I was Phrost, the quality of the recording was wack. I had Ignition Vol.1 and 2 and there were only 4 songs that really got people's attention on myspace. The new mixtape for 2008 will not fail like the others did, and I believe I'm trying to get DJ Hurricane to host.
 
 
 

Question: On your track "BRIM LOW" who was it received

 Brim Low was a song I put together on a beat I wasn't suppose to use on a mixtape. It was a hot thing around some people at Laney College up in Oakland. On Myspace, several people from Arizona put the song on their IPods.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Question: What do you think of mainstream, how does it differ from the "underground' artist, Mainstream today lacks what the Golden Era of Hip Hop brought, would you agree?

The mainstream world is full of gimmicks, not that anything is wrong with gimmicks. The problem is the dumb gimmicks. That is why we got more dance artist than real artist in the mainstream. I don't really pay attention to underground if you ever heard Kamikazee Lyricist and I know you feeling Immortial Technique, I can't deny the underground talent at all. Yes I agree because as a kid I saw the East Vs. West Beef, I seen how Jay-Z and Nas was the only ones Tupac didn't try to embrace. I saw the copkilla controversy unfold as a toddler didn't understand until I got older. As I grew up Hip Hop started depreciating slowly, but no one knew it was going to end up like it did.


 
 
 
Question: Who would you like to collab with in the mainstream
 

I would love to get a beat from Timbaland, I always wanted to work with Busta Rhymes, Get  hooks from T.Pain, Do several joints with Juelz Santana, Young Jeezy, Rick Ross, Pitbull, and Eminem. I always wanted to do something with Fabulous. I can't forget about R&b: Mary J Blidge, Mariah Carey, R.Kelly, Ne-Yo, Bobby Valentino. The Bay area artist: Messy Marv, J.Valentine, Clyde Carson, and Ya Boy.
As time progress my list may decrease or increase
 
 
 
Question: Are you under a label?

 I signed myself until I can get under a label, I'm Chozen Swag baby haha.
 
 
 
Question: How do you plan to make it in this business?

 I know that I have a lot of ideas in my head. I'm going to have my own filming company where we film anything from shows to videos to commercials and documentaries. I got a business partner for that venture, so when both our pockets are ready we will set it up. That will more versatile because I'm a camera man, but of course when it's my video someone else is holding the camera. Soon as I get that camera I will get that business. in the music industry, when I do mixtapes I will concentrate on making good enough to keep. I will keep the dedication I have to this because I know it's not easy. If I didn't have a job I wouldn't of got started with the business side. I have a mind of a business man, so those around me know I'm serious.

Question: How can people contact you and peep your music?

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