Bona Phide takes it right at you with raw energy, straight forward lyrics, and a no holds barred attitude. Minneapolis' already diverse Hip Hop scene has another emerging face. His deep voice stands out among MC's, and is sure to grab your attention. Bona Phide got his first breaks competing in battles over on the East Side of St. Paul. At little bars like Schweit'z Saloon they'd rent a room, throw parties with Dj Fu Man Chu runnin the wheels and Mazta I hostin, and nice lil battle for the showcase of the night. Soon he was following his true passion, which was to write n create an album. Since those days he has moved away from battling and into performing his work. You can usually catch him a couple times a month doing shows in the Twin Cities.

HHC: How you doing?
Bona Phide: Cool. N you?
HHC: We are good!

HHC: How did you get into rappin?
Bona Phide: I've always loved hip hop ever since I was a lil kid. My dad brought home a Kool Moe Dee cd when I was like 5 or 6. I listened to that Wild Wild West joint like a million times n was hooked ever since. As far as when I started actually rappin myself it was like 97. I had always wrote music, mostly blues n rock joints, and it was aight but I was always amazed and respected the ability my favorite mc's had to spit so much more content in one song. It was something that I had to do no question. I started freestyling with other mc's all the time, and at first I have to admit it was a struggle. Luckily for me my attitude is the bigger the challenge the better, and I just stay hungary. Rapping is definately my passion in life. There's nothing like spittin 16 bars to a packed house.

HHC: Didn't you start out being a battle rapper, tell us a little about that?
Bona Phide: Yeah I had to battle to let people know who I was. Every show I went to made me want to perform that much more. I realized I had to do something to show n prove I deserved a chance to join em, so I started battling. Alot of em were over East Side of Shots Paul at lil bars like schweitz Saloon n Minnehaha Tavern. I remember Mazta I used to host alot of em n DJ Fu Man Chu n Reno would be on the wheels. I won some n lost some, but the thing was I started to meet producers n other people that wanted to work with me.

HHC: When did you know you wanted to be serious about being a rapper?
Bona Phide: I think it was always there for me. I was serious from the start of it. I always thought that in order to be taken serious you have to be serious. I don't consider this a hobby.

HHC: Are you signed to a label?
Bona Phide: Nope

HHC: You have worked with some of MN's best producers tell us who and how that came about?
Bona Phide: One of the first producers I worked with was Lazerbeak from Doomtree. I was introduced to him by Camino, who had done alot of work with him and thought we would work well together. Lazerbeak is really on point, and his sound is really epic to me. He produced a few cuts for me. One of my favorites is "Simple Minds". I've also got a cut that D Mil(Stereotype Click) produced. D Mil is just a great engineer to work with, and he's definately got some bangers in his catalogue. The majority of my production so far has come from Flynch. He produced Bona Phide Anthem, Summertyme, and a whole bunch of joints you haven't heard yet. Flynch has probably been the biggest influence on my developement as an mc. His production is some of the best I've ever heard hands down.

HHC: What artist's locally and nationally have you worked with?
Bona Phide: Locally:
Idara from Inebriation is my right hand man, and has been doing shows with me for a min. Moochy C n me go back, and have been working together for a while. He was always there to back me up n vice versa. Kamillion, Mashout, Mujah Messiah, Kanser, Purest Form, Stereotype Click, T la Shawn n Mo Rocco, Tony Bones n Big Wiz, Outside, Carnage, Capaciti, Desdamona, DAPO, Delicious Venom, Loonatix, Konflict, Tango Town Ent., Grimmy n Camino, Trama, Lucca Brazzi, R world, EMS n DJ Green, Uneasy, Cleva, RDM, PLC, and a whole bunch more I know I'm forgetting.

Nationally:
Smaller list lol. I've opened for 2 live Crew and DJ Rectangle.

HHC: Where can people catch your shows around town?
Bona Phide: I play all over you just have to check my listing.

HHC: What is your favorate venue to play at and why?
Bona Phide: I'd have to say the Cabooze is one of my favorites, because it seems like the energy is always high for music in there. My favorite venue is probably First Ave, but I haven't played the main stage yet. Soon though...

HHC: Some people like to stereotype Hip Hop Shows as violent events, is there much violence at hip hop shows?
Bona Phide: Hell no. Whoever has that preconceived notion has never been to a hip hop show. I was reading Pete Sholtes Blog spot after the Lil Flip show n I was disgusted by some of the blatently racist comments people were posting. Those people know nothing about hip hop, and get all their information off the evening news. I've seen more violence at heavy metal shows than hip hop hands down. Hell even that boy band at the Disney sponsored event at the Brooklyn Park Mall caused more violence than most hip hop shows I've been to. Now why aren't we calling for an end to Boy Band events? Cuz it's easy to target hip hop. F*ck that.

HHC: What sets Bona Phide apart from other Artists on the scene?
Bona Phide: I think if their is anything that sets me apart it would be my voice. I've had alot of feedback on that. Other than that I just try to do me, and hope through that I can carve out my own lil niche in hip hop.

HHC: Have you done shows outside the state do you plan to?
Bona Phide: I've done some shows in Fargo with Inebriation, but haven't had alot of opportunity to tour. I'm definately working on that right now. I'm working on some out of state stuff, and some out of the country shows as well.

HHC: Name something good about MN Hip Hop Scene and something about the scene that needs to change?
Bona Phide: I'd have to say we have probably one of the highest talent level per capita around. The Twin Cities as a whole isn't that big compared to the major markets, and yet there is alot of really talented artists. If I could change anything it would be to make the Twin Cities really appreciate what we have here. Alot of people busted their asses to make this scene what it is. Respect that.

HHC: You recently put together a hip hop band tell us about that project?
Bona Phide: Yeah Black Belt Jonezin. It's been something I have really always wanted to do. Now that I got the opportunity I'm real excited to see where it takes me. Peter Day(Drums) helped me put the project together, and it's really starting to be on point right now. We picked up Dan Ristrom on bass, and Mitch Quist from Dirty Sanchez on Guitar. On the wheels we picked up one of the best in my opinion DJ X Caliber. We all have really clicked, and I think we will be doing alot of things in 06.

HHC: When is the album comming out for that?
Bona Phide: I'm really not definate yet. We're just getting some new stuff put together right now, so I couln't say when we will release an album

HHC: How is it differant being a solo artist compared to heading up a band?
Bona Phide: It takes alot of pressure off of me to have them backing me up. The chemistry is also a great benefit. Being able to control the show with a look or signal is great where being solo I didn't feel like I had as much control, because I was pretty much confined to a show disc. The biggest thing is the energy. There is something about a band that no show disc can trult duplicate.

HHC: What are the future plans for Bona Phide and or your band?
Bona Phide: I want to start getting us on the road soon. The Twin Cities are great to us, but we've gotta expand our horizons, and reach as many people as possible. I hope to finish up my solo project(Anthems) soon, and get rolloing on the Black Belt Jonezin project. My plan is to just keep grinding tell it pays off.

HHC: Is there any shout outs you would like to give?
Bona Phide: Alot of em are listed under the people I've worked with. I'd like to thank Wizdom from Hip Hop Club, And Lars from Du Nation for their continued support of the local scene. Egypto Knuckles big shout out to you for your work on the Beatbox, and everyone that really makes this scene what it has grown into...A force

HHC: Where can people get your music and more info on you?
Bona Phide: I think you can download stuff off of Myspace. www.Bonaphide.com brings you to that right now.. Anyone can contact me at bonaphide1@hotmail.com.

Be on the lookout for Bona phide's upcoming solo release Anthems, and release of the Black Belt Jonezin Project