Rapper Mike Schpitz is used to giving interviews, not doing them. Always up for new things and challenges, he took the opportunity to interview God-Des and She for BallerStatus. These lovely ladies had huge success on MTV before LOGO licensed one of their songs for "The L Word." When they're not on stage -- they play about 150 shows a year -- you can find them in the studio. Their album Three was produced by none other than Brian Hardgroove, the producer for Public Enemy. Plenty stuff to talk about during this interesting conversation between three creative artists.

Mike Schpitz: First off, tell people who might not know about you, "The Reader's Diges" version about yourselves.

God-Des: We're a very unique, hip-hop, pop, soul duo. We mix a lot of styles in our music from emceeing, to singing, to poetry mixed with melodies. We're just a very different sound from what people expect or have heard.

Mike Schpitz: What was the one song or songs that really opened the door for your career?

God-Des: We have been doing shows and touring together for a long time and building the interest or buzz that way. People have been spreading the word through word of mouth, press, music festivals, etcetera. Getting our song "Lick It" featured on the Showtime series The L Word drew a lot of attention. I had 200 new emails in my inbox the following day. Every time we have performed, we get asked back, and the next show is double or triple the size of the first one. Music festivals like the Dewey Beach Fest and SXSW drew a lot of attention from fans and industry people. Really, it's been a constant progression of building the buzz and gaining attention and recognition.

Mike Schpitz: I'm going to throw out one comparison that I immediately drew when I heard your music, and I want to know your thoughts on the comparison as well as how comparisons influence how you go about making your music. Floetry.

God-Des: Floetry has never been a comparison we have drawn a lot. We have heard anything from Black Eyed Peas to TLC to Salt N Pepa, but it's really hard for people to draw those comparisons because it's rare that a group has an equal amount of singing and rapping. It's hard for a comparison to stick especially with our sound and style being so different. We draw influence from everywhere and all different styles of music. We have a lot of personality, humor as well as more serious stuff like political commentary. I have heard Eminem as well.

Mike Schpitz: As females, it is almost expected for rappers/singers to play up their sex appeal to become successful. Has it been harder for you both to receive the attention and recognition you feel you deserve because you are not putting yourselves out there like that?

She: Actually, I think because we are not overly sexual, it has helped us draw more attention and more interest. We performed at the Dewey Beach Music Fest and because we were so different, we were the talk of the festival. People were drawn to us and the music because it was so different. Labels and industry heads seem to have a more difficult time with us because they love the music, but they can't just check the boxes and fit us into these neat little categories. There are definitely challenges, but at the end of the day we are not going to put ourselves out there in a way that isn't us. We are both comfortable being who we are, and that comes across in our music. The music is powerful and meant to inspire people to be themselves.

God-Des: For me, there really hasn't been anyone who has come up to me, at least not to my face and said, “You suck!” One experience I had in Chicago was at a record store when I was 18. I was talking to the guy who worked there about music and me being a rapper, and he said something along the lines of, “Rap is a man's world, a man's game and you're not going to make it unless you put yourself out there like that.” That was a critical moment for me where I said, “You know what, I am going to do this, and I am going to do it on my terms and by being myself.” It's hard for people to knock it when they hear the music and see the performances like, “They aren't talented.” I think because the music and our image are so different it helps us stand out among a lot of the same types of things.

Mike Schpitz: I often feel like a lot of mainstream music is all style and a lot of underground music is all content. I feel like your music has a balance of both. Do you guys lean one way or the other in terms of what you listen to and what you try to create? Is it hard to incorporate "style or swagger" into music that also has a lot of content? How do you find the balance? Who are some other artists that you feel are able to do both successfully?

God-Des: This is a big challenge because we don't make music that just fits into the "indie, backpack category" or just the "pop, mainstream radio." A lot of our music sounds too "mainstream" for the "indie, backpack scene", and a lot of the music doesn't cater to mainstream, pop radio. The longer we do this, the more people hear the music and really get us and the music. We just stay true to ourselves and make the music that we want to make rather than trying to make records to sound like something that is out or to cater to a certain audience. For us, it doesn't matter who the person is; if they like the music, we share the love back and appreciate any one who gets it.

Mike Schpitz: When did you both first realize that music wasn't just a dream, that this could actually become a reality and your full time jobs?

She: For me, I was in Wisconsin playing in a band for eight years when I met God-Des at a show. The singer she was working with was going to school, and she wanted to do some songs with me. I wasn't sure about doing hip-hop, but we got together and just "vibed", and the music came out incredible. It became a choice to pursue when God-Des said that we needed to move to New York. She put it into perspective for me, and even though it was really hard, the hardest thing that I have ever done, it was the best decision because we became stronger and more focused. It really humbled us because it prepared us for the grind of the music business and turned us into smart, strong businesswomen. After that, I knew we could handle anything.

Mike Schpitz: Drake (well Trey Songz) recently said in a song, "I just want to be successful." Have you ever thought about the point where you feel like you succeeded at making your mark in music or fulfilling what you set out to accomplish? What is that point? Are you there yet? How was your definition of success changed with all the "success” that you have and are receiving?

She: Success for me is just being able to live off of music and not having another job but more importantly provide for my family. The day when I can go to my immediate family and say, “We don't have anything to worry about any more.” is that point for me. The further things progress, the more stuff there is to take care of, but learning along the way and becoming smart businesswomen as well as successful artists is something we take very seriously. There are really two perspectives when it comes to the music business. People see it as a glamorous lifestyle where you get to travel the world and make money from music, but they don't see all the work that goes into it. We travel and tour, but people don't see the long nights, being broke trying to pay bills, and helping support our families. If anything, I think the music has humbled us. Having the opportunity to do music as a job has become empowering and drives us to help people in the music business as well as become philanthropists. Rather than spending money and using our power and gifts to be famous and buy stupid things, we can give back and help other people succeed.

Mike Schpitz: Who are your musical influences? Who makes you excited to write, rap, sing, record, and perform?

God-Des: Lately, K'naan has been really inspiring to me. I am really happy to hear a new sound from someone who is hungry, honest, and sincere in his message. He is very inspiring. Most of our inspiration just comes from life experiences- good and bad. I have been making beats lately and trying to create some clever, new sounds.

Mike Schpitz: So music is clearly your passion, but if you couldn't do music at all, what field would you be in?

God-Des: Music is pretty much engrained in my family, so it is hard to imagine doing something else, but I would probably be involved with animals, something like a dog sanctuary. I would definitely be doing something helping people or animals - a job that is rewarding and meaningful.

She: I have pretty much been fired from every job that I have worked, so music is it for me. I worked at a group home with kids, and I really enjoyed it though. I feel like music is a gift, and I need to share that with people. Music is what I love to do.

Mike Schpitz: You guys have been all over touring and performing. Is there a difference to the way the music is received overseas compared to here in the states? Is there a certain country, city, or state that you guys receive the most love? Is there one show that sticks out in your minds?

She: Three shows really stick out in my mind; the first is Sweden. We have been there several times, and each time the shows get bigger and bigger. Last summer we went and not only was the show packed, but people knew all the words. To see that in a different country, where English is not their primary language, is incredible. People were already waiting for us when we got there to perform. That type of response is absolutely amazing. The second one is at the Whiskey A Go Go in LA. There is so much history tied to that place. Artists like Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix have performed there, so being able to do a show on the same stage was amazing. We got a chance to open for the band Vixen, and even though it was not a hip-hop show or a hip-hop crowd, when we started performing, the energy that kept building during the show was incredible. We got an email after the show from a lady who said she was really just there to see Vixen, and she was irritated from a long day and wanted to see them perform, but after we performed, she said she hadn't been that excited about music since she saw Sublime perform at some shitty venue. That was amazing for us. The third show was at the South by Southwest Music Festival. We performed on the roof at the Blind Pig for a hip-hop showcase. The crowd started to die down and leave after a few performances, but once we started performing, the place got filled to its capacity. There were even people down on the street congregating - just listening to the music. Those three shows really stand out just because the energy between the crowd and us was just incredible.

Mike Schpitz: As an artist, I often battle with the thought and idea of "selling out." I am curious to know where other artists draw the line of things they will do in terms of marketing, sponsors, shows, and creating the music. Is this a conversation that you both have had with each other about certain things you will or won't do?

God-Des: The main thing for us is just making sure that we are being ourselves. We will never pretend to be something we are not. People can sense when artists are not genuine, so we make sure that we are 100% us. We write all of our own music so, everything you hear is us, unless we are speaking from another person's perspective. We make sure what we say is true to ourselves and what we stand for. Also, we make sure that we are comfortable with what we are doing - not being overly sexual just to be sexual. We both like to look good, but we won't wear things or be doing things that we are not comfortable with. I put on show make up and wear my hair different ways like a Mohawk or a shaved head, but I have to be comfortable with what I look like.

Mike Schpitz: Now for the million-dollar question. A lot of artists are making a name for themselves by giving out free music or getting bootlegged on the net. How do you feel about illegal downloading? Why haven't labels come up with a successful way to combat this issue? Do you foresee all music being free in the future?

She: We always address that in our shows and make it a point to really connect with people so they have incentive to buy the music. So it's not just like buying a CD; it is a whole experience that comes along with the music so people have a connection not only to the music but to us as artists and as individuals. We always stay around after shows to take pictures, sign autographs, and really connect with the people who are coming out to see us. Our fans are really loyal. They travel from other cities and even other countries to see us perform, so we really make it a point to connect with the people that are supporting us.

God-Des: It seems like a lot of the labels and artists don't have that connection. People are hearing music but don't even know who the artist is and that doesn't encourage people to support music. Fans don't share a real connection with artists, so they are not going to really go out and purchase the music.

She: Like she said, we bring a whole experience with the music from the show, to taking pictures, signing autographs, and meeting the people who come to the shows. We also talk to our fans on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace too so people can share this whole experience with us.

Mike Schpitz: Now let me ask you both a few random questions. What is your favorite viral video? Think in terms of "Chocolate Rain " or "Charlie Bit Me".

God-Des: I really like the Will Ferrell Landlord video where little girl comes to the door. I love that video.

Mike Schpitz: What is the last album you purchased/burned or downloaded?

God-Des: K'naan is definitely one of the more recent ones. Mostly people make me mixed CDs. I got Kings of Leon too. I also want to get the Blueprint 3 soon.

Mike Schpitz: Everyone has their guilty pleasures as far as music they are kind of ashamed to listen too. Are their any artists or songs that you secretly love that you don't want anyone to know about?

God-Des: I'm really not ashamed to listen to anything. One of my favorite songs of all time is Lionel Richie's "All Night Long." I also like Neil Diamond.

She: I like Dolly Parton a lot. I likw that that Miley Cyrus song "The Climb" too. God-Des used to sing it a lot. She even sings it in the morning while I'm still in bed. I can definitely relate to the message in the song though.

Mike Schpitz: Alright, I want to thank you guys so much for your time. Now is your chance to give a few shout outs to people who you feel may not get their proper due.

God-Des: Definitely everyone who helped make this record, DJ Pain 1, J Deisel, Rein Williams, Brian Love, Brian Hardgroove, Audible Treats and definitely all the fans. Big thanks to everyone.

A word from Mike Schpitz: I wanted to share some thoughts and comments about my interview with God-Des and She. First off, I am neither a journalist nor a writer so the exact wording is my own summaries of the questions and answers from the actual interview with God-Des and She. I had 25 questions typed up in preparation because I feared I would race through all the questions and have nothing to work with. I made the mistake of attempting to ask the questions, hold a conversation, and type little notes that would allow me to expand on all of the things that we talked about. I quickly found out that it was impossible for me to type out exact quotes from God-Des or She, so I had short notes written down. I apologize for not taping the interview and sharing answers verbatim because both God-Des and She were not only well spoken, thoughtful, and honest, they were also a lot of fun and funny as well. I tried to ask questions that I personally wanted artists to answer as well as some questions that interviewers don't seem to typically ask. I wish I had the audio of the entire interview because it would be much more indicative of the type of people that God-Des and She are. They are very humble, talented, passionate, and intelligent women who are breaking ground not only in with their music but also for what they stand for and represent for so many different types of people. The opportunity was an absolute pleasure. Make sure you check out their music, their website, Twitter and MysSace and go catch a live show if possible. I highly encourage everyone to reach out to them as well because they really care about the people and the fans.

For more inforation on God-Des and She, visit their official website at God-DesandShe.com.
For more information on Mike Schpitz, go to his official website at MikeSchpitz.co.