Draze: Introducing The Mixtape Movie

Coming from under the shadows that have plagued hip-hop, the self-proclaimed Prince of the Thieves is set to debut the latest concept in buzz creation for an unsigned artist, "Mixtape Movies." By no means are you dealing with the typical rhyme slayer, humility precedes him and the intelligence spilling out in high definition onto your screen and bleeding from your speakers, serves as a challenge to the listener. "I spend so much time challenging myself for the better," said Draze (a.k.a. the Prince of the Thieves). "Something I serve up has to require some type of positive life alteration for the listener."

The biggest challenge facing Draze is hoping the lovers of the culture will enjoy what he's bringing and recognize his creativity. There's no denying mixtapes are still huge and have a large impact on future notoriety of an artist, however, this new concept of a mixtape movie could be the wave of the future. It takes pure creativity and reaching back into the days of classic story-telling to pull something like this off. If a DVD can be a magazine, I suppose a mixtape can be a movie.

Hip-hop has always been about elevation; mixtape movies mark the elevation and the marriage between the mixtape and the DVD magazine. "I wish people would come back to the days of loving new ideas for content and not so much of the homogenized material out there today," said the creator.

The debut installment of his mixtape movies is a hip-hop adaptation of the movie, "Trading Places," starring President S. "Jay-Z" Carter, as Eddie Murphy's character Billy Ray Valentine, and Draze takes on Dan Aykroyd's character Winthorpe.

Draze sat down with Ballerstatus to explain where this idea came from and why he's navigating through the industry with no face.

Ballerstatus.com: The newest fans of hip-hop and all that is corporate with it have proven to not be all that interested with the new and innovative. How do you feel about that?

Draze: I'm the Prince, anything I do is laced with hood innovation! I have no damns to give to the naysayers who don't comprehend what I am bringing to the game. Being a former radio personality, I've learned more about people as listeners and consumers, [and] I've tried the formulas set by those who came before me. But, like everything done in our culture, by the time you think you have the hottest idea, the game is over saturated and no one cares.

Ballerstatus.com: Where did this idea/concept come from?

Draze: My dudes and I were chopping it up about how Jay-z was living the life that every dude in the hood wanted to live, from the music to the clothing to Beyonce. That was when I came up with the concept for "Trading Places." I've always been a fan of concept raps and innovation brought into hip-hop. The mixtape game is so oversaturated, I felt like it was time for someone to give the people something new. Why not the Prince of the Thieves?

Ballerstatus.com: Your mixtape movie depicts the rise and disbanding of the heads of Roc-A-Fella, but the main character is Jay-Z. Are you subliminally taking shots at him? You know you don't want it with Hov.

Draze: [laughing] You're exactly right, I don't want it with Hov, but I do want him to see the movie and love it. If anyone can respect my creativity, it's him. Many have looked at it like I'm taking shots at Jay, but I don't see it like that. This is hip-hop music [and] my way of paying homage to one of the greatest emcees of all time. In fact, when I hear people say that, I question whether they are really listening to the song.

Ballerstatus.com: What kind of response are you getting from it?

Draze: Well, I'm an unsigned artist, so not too many people on a major level have seen it, but my fans and word of mouth is going real well. It makes me feel like the hard work I put into this is more than worth it.

Ballerstatus.com: Do you think this concept will have the same effect as the DVD magazines?

Draze: I actually call it the marriage between the mixtape and the DVD. To me, it's exactly what the game has been missing. I am hoping this catches a nice wave. My mixtape movie is hood, but the creativity is something out of this world.

Ballerstatus.com: Exactly who is the Prince of the Thieves? Your site has no photographs and the one that's up there is blank in the face.

Draze: The Prince of the Thieves is me. I wanted my introduction to game to be based on my music and my skill, not my swagger or my camp. So, I created a way that I can be heard, but not seen. I'll take off the hood when it is time, but first, I want the world to see if what I am bringing will amaze and wow the culture. No one has ever navigated through the game without a face.

Ballerstatus.com: After you've created a solid buzz for yourself, then what?

Draze: I have to take this as far as it can go. I'm hoping the people will see something different, but real and be just as excited about it as I am. Not as an artist, but as a fan of the culture. I feel good about being the only person doing something like this. Do you know how big it will be for me as an artist when someone bites this concept? I'll have a chance to see what it feels like to have influence in the game and that is huge.

Ballerstatus.com: 50 came in and brought heat and awareness to the world of the mixtape game, which landed him a deal. Are you hoping for same thing?

Draze: You're right, 50 Cent made the mixtape game what it is today. But, unlike the rest of these cats, I am not trying to follow his blue print. But, don't get me wrong, my team and I brainstormed for months on how I was going to impact this game and yes, I put out a mixtape prior to making the mixtape movie. From the 7,000 units sold and the response from the consumer about me holding my own on original tracks from Toni Braxton, Kanye to Jay-Z, it still wasn't enough. After the summer was over, people put away their summer riding music and I soon drifted off into the mix tape oblivion. I had to make sure my next move would be the best move. Instead of trying to be the next 50, why not just become the first?

Ballerstatus.com: You didn't answer me about wanting a deal. Do you want a major to jump aboard with a deal, hit you off with $100,000.00 and a chain?

Draze: The "Trading Places" joint is doing so well right now in so many different markets that I am in no hurry to move on. Yes, I want a deal with a major, but I know the major labels will "sign and sit" you and I cannot have that. I can't lie, I'm hungry to get on! With every taste that I get, it's like the hunger grows stronger. For the first time in a long time, the music is not just a hustle. I'm actually having fun with it too. If my buzz goes well, the signing will be good for the future of my career and whatever label gets with me won't approach me with one of those slave contracts.

Ballerstatus.com: What's next for you and the mixtape movie movement?

Draze: I have another one coming out pretty soon. The second one is called "Scarface," featuring 50 Cent and the rest of the G-Unit family. I don't want to give up much of the plot, but trust me, this joint promises to be just as crazy as the last one. What I like about these films is that they give me a chance to take on different characters. Taking in theses different characters forces me to challenge myself as a writer and an actor. Right now, I'm having the time of my life as an artist and this is really stretching me creatively.

Ballerstatus.com: Any closing remarks?

Draze: Some say that I am just trying to make a name off of these big time artists, which has an element of truth to it. But, I say when you experience a mixtape movie for the first time, you'll ask, "Who is the Prince of the Thieves?" And you won't be able to deny that the kid is nice.

You can find out more at MixtapeMovies.com

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