KJ: Um... not to sound cocky or anything but no
I'm not really surprised. I say that because I
was very strategic going into this album. I've
learned what works and what doesn’t. I really
planned out what was going to happen and
worked hard to get where I needed to be. 2.5
years of hardcore touring helps also :) 

HHG: On this album, you show the many sides
of KJ-52; which artist or artists did you enjoy
working with the most during the process of
putting this project together? 

KJ: Nobody in particular everyone was equally
frustrating to deal with. I'm just kidding! Nah, I
enjoyed all the tracks equally because they all
represented different sides of me. Pigeon John
sent me 75 takes (and none of them were
labeled!) on one disc for his verse and hook.
So that was actually funny listening to him do
one verse 75 times... actually after 2.5 hrs. It
wasn’t but at first it was. 

HHG: “Collaborations” seems to have a greater
focus on Jesus Christ and presenting the
gospel through hip-hop than your “7th Avenue”
release; was there a specific purpose for this,
especially in songs like “5th Element” and
“Dear Slim”? 

KJ: I just wanted to write songs that minister
to people’s needs, and while 10 songs of
punchline battle raps might be cool and get me
respected by the emcees, I wanted tracks that
would really meet people where they were at. 

HHG: A lot of people are probably wondering
(although I already know the answer), do you
really name 47 emcees in the track “47
Emcees” and were you really a nerd in high
school? 

KJ: CMON NOW GO AND COUNT THEM! Of
course there is 47 emcees.. but it is debatable
how its counted up. And yes.. I was nerdy more
in middle school than high school. High school
was better cause I got saved and learned how
to be nice to people. And people respected my
stance for Christ. I actually was on Prom Court
my senior year.. not bad for a kid who was a
dork and couldn’t get a date in middle school. 

HHG: Your first single “Dear Slim” has been
received with mixed feelings; what do you
expect your listeners to take from this song
once they hear it and/or see the video? 

KJ: Mixed feelings huh? 95% of the people I
know love it.. but then again what do I know. I
just hope people see my heart and God's heart
not only to Eminem but to those who are lost
and hurting. 

HHG: I hear that you're working on a book of
devotions, when we can expect to see this?
And do you plan on having it widely published? 

KJ: Maybe another month? I plan on getting it
out through the label and Interlinc (a youth
pastors network) 

HHG: Finally, do you have any final words that
you would like to say to those reading this
interview? 

KJ: Check out the album, check out the
Scream Tour, check out my site
(www.kj52.com) and check out the baja fish
tacos @ Iguana Mia (they are bangin!). Thanks
and love. I appreciate everything you guys are
doing over @ Hip Hop Gateway. The site is
really nice.. 
KJ

~Hiphopgateway