The Inland Empire got another new artist on the come up and Dubcnn is here to present it to you. His name is Props and that’s what he’s out to get. The I.E. rapper has been on the grind for a minute putting in work for his own label Western Konference Entertainment. Props was featured on Dirty Birdy‘s "Mixtape Volume 2" (which still hasn’t been released yet!) on the song "
But before that joint on the Birdy mixtape, Props was out in New York working with Marley Marl back in 2002.
"I did 8 tracks with him and I was supposed to put out an album, but it never got released. I signed with BMS Records which is a sub-label of Marley Marl’s label Cold Chillin. But that didn’t work out cause my manager at that time was full of shit. I guess there was a money issue between him and Marley." Props told Dubcnn.
As mentioned earlier, Props was born & raised in the Inland Empire and is also Dirty Birdy’s cousin. "I grew up around Dirty Birdy and Sly Boogy." Props continued. "I’m younger than them but I grew up around them. Birdy is my cousin through marriage and Sly is my very next door neighbour, and Bird and Sly are blood cousins, so I been around them all the time. When I was young I used to go out to Riverside to their studio, and I was already rapping but I didn’t know the difference between rapping and recording. So they tought me how to deliver."
Props has recently released his album entitled "Where Props Is Due". The 14 track deep album has guest appearances by Fear (featured in the Unsigned Hype in The Source in 2005), Dirty Birdy, Seefor from The Outskertz, Shorty Mo from Homeless Nation, Hi-life Hustlas from West Covina, R&B from PBG. Production on "Where Props Is Due" was handled by Tap Money, Props, Kingsman, JC Beats.
"I decided to do an album because everybody is doing mixtapes, so while everybody is going left I go right, so my album will stand out. It’s like rappers are only rapping over other rappers beats, so I decidede to record 20 songs with original production, and chose the best 14 songs. People will buy it like that. But I do have a mixtape coming out called "The Mixxtape Murdera". It will be out by the end of September." he said.
Props also stated that he wouldnt turn down an independent deal or even a major deal, as he’s doing all of the work himself which keeps him busy 24/7. "Right now I’m talking to The Source about getting the Unsigned Hype. If I get that spot I feel that something major will happen. I feel like I’m pretty much there. I say I’m there because everything that I’m doing, I’m doing it a 100% by myself with nobody backing me and putting money up. From putting my flyers and posters together, to pressing my albums up, to studio time, to features and beats, to everything. Everything is out of my own pocket. So if a label comes and say they wanna help me, that would be the best. So I’m ready!" Props told Dubcnn.
Dubcnn has some exclusive audio from Props below. The first track features Dirty Birdy and is from the "Where Props Is Due" album. The last 2 songs are from his upcoming mixtape "The Mixxtape Murdera".
Props – Props & Birdy Feat. Dirty Birdy
Props – Chapta 1
Props – On The West
"Where Props Is Due" is now available on Props’ official MySpace page. You can also hit up his page to contact him.
