Legendz

Ramone Johnson aka Ca$his is a native Chicagoan, and one-time member of the infamous Gangster Disciples. After moving out West to escape the dangers of the streets, the self-proclaimed Blacc Jesus aligned himself with Eminem's Interscope distributed imprint label Shady Records.



His first major appearance was on 2006's "Eminem Presents: The Re-Up" compilation project resulted in Ca$his' very own CD release, last year's "The County Hound EP".



Yo! Raps recently spoke to the Shady Capo as he puts the finishing touches on his forthcoming, full-length solo outing "Loose Cannon".



Where did the name CA$HIS, aka. Bogish Boy, originally derive from?



Ca$his came from [Muhammad] Ali. I was a cocky, arrogant dude who was known for throwing hands and having girls. The Bogish Boy is my Uncle Pac Man's organization -- R.I.P. Pac. He was the realest dude ever. And, I had to re-emerge that back to the public, outside of Chicago. Beause it's a lot of families mourning over something he did. But, no matter what, I love him beyond the grave, and all his kids, too. It's still considered dangerous in some areas to even say you're related to him. But, fuck it kid! Ain't none of us hoes in our family. We ain't going!



How did you first hook up with Eminem, and later sign with Shady Records?



Richard Spoon got the music to my homeboy for life, Dart A.I. Parker, who heads the A&R Department in the Shady family. Dart recognized the talent, and picked me out of the group. Em heard the record "Talkin All That" and I was in N.Y.C. recording at Quad Studios the next night. Till this day, King Mathers has never heard a song of mine he didn't like. He saved my life, and don't hold it over my head. That's why I'm riding with Shady for life, good [or] bad, ya dig?



You're about to drop your "official" debut "Loose Cannon". Why did you call it that?



It represents my roller coaster lifestyle, which I don't even understand, so I'm sharing it with the public so I don't feel as if there is no one that truly understands me. That's why I lash out a lot. Imagine having drama er'day, and having no one to share it with. One day you will snap, Ya dig? And, I snap lyrically, conceptually, and in real life. King Mathers named my album. He said it best described me, and it truly does.



Who laced you on production?



King Mathers, Rikanatti, Jake One, Sha Money, Alchemist, C Major, and others I will name soon. I pick all my beats, I write all my songs & hooks, and I even help on the production and mixing sometimes. I'm learning er'thang, kid.



What are your favorite tracks on the new record?



The whole album -- both sides of the disc! My favorites switch up everyday. Today they are "Miana" and "Get Out The Way".



You also have two additional upcoming releases "Six-Point Stars & Cocked Hats" and "CONS-Piracy", a joint effort with Young De, on schedule as well. Can you tell me about these projects?



"Six-Point Stars & Cocked Hats" is my second EP and LP to be released in 2009. You know how most artists get soft after the first LP, not me! Pac and Em are the first ones I really know to get grittier on album number two. So, I'm following great tradition. "Homeland Security LP" is me and E, collabing, and doing solo joints that sound crazy. You get the real demented side of me, because during this project I've been dealing with a lot of drama; from botched hits on me, to the bullshit story about my kids, and a whole bunch of other shit.



You were born in Chicago, IL, but eventually settled in Southern Cali, right?



Yep.



Give me a quick rundown of some of the artist(s) that you favored coming up...



Common Sense, Twista, R. Kelly, 2Pac, Snoop & Kurupt, DMX, Em, Crucial Conflict, Scarface, Method Man, Mobb Deep, (and) Ice Cube.



Why did you, too, decide to become a rapper?



I've always had an interest in music and I was born with the gift of gab. When I speak, you feel my sincerity of whatever the subject may be; so, Hip-Hop was a common form of dialogue for me. I started rapping serious when I was 17.



What prompted you to start taking it seriously?



When I became a felon and a single parent.



What are you truly bringing to music?



My music is my soul. It's like the essence of me -- no homo -- giving to the public. No exaggerations, nothing held back -- just my goods and faults, which make me more accessible to the public than most artists. I give you my all, my fears, my secrets: Ms. Jenkins, my struggles, and my joys. There's only a few of us really doing that. I'm probably in the best position, out of us, and the most heard.



What do you feel it is that will keep sustaining you in music?



I over-saturate the public with quality music. All my mixtapes get rated high, my videos get play without having to use the Shady name to get airtime, [and] the people fuck with me as a person. That was from me bonding with them for 3 years now. Now, my family sees my fan base and I've generated revenue for us. I haven't waited for my family to walk me through it. Now, we can launch another successful project with the push of a major artist behind me since I've worked to that level.



Are there other things that you are looking to do?



Being the best daddy possible. Honestly, that's it. I also have a few movie roles coming up. So, I'm very interested in that.



So, your kids are your main focus these days?



Right now, yeah, just being with my babies. Before, it would've been in the streets on some bullshit, but now I'm trying to square up and keep my promise to them.



That's real cool. So, what's going on with your offshoot group The Renegades?



We got consolidated into the Bogish Boyz. [laughs]



What are your thoughts on what's been going on in Hip-Hop?



Lil Wayne just sold a grip, so that is great for Hip-Hop. G-Unit and T.I. both run the charts, and that leads to my album. People want that true street life music that they can relate to...without overkill. I give them that.



What does the future hold for Ca$his?



If alive, I'll be a much better individual still doing quality music and helping a host of other talented people change their lives.

With that being said, what's next for you?



9-23-08, my release date, on Shady/Interscope. The video for another single is being written now and "22" will be a B-side...more touring and taking my kids to Rome with me. That's gonna be crucial, Joe.



What's up with your label boss, Eminem? How is he doing? Do you have any news on his highly anticipated "King Mathers LP"? If so, will you have any involvement with it?



That's my brother, he don't like the word boss. Not in that way. He's doing great. He's mixing my album and recording. I'm on 3 or 4 joints on "King Mathers". It's a classic.



Any parting words?



Thank y'all! 9-23-08, "Loose Cannon". Celebrate for Hip-Hop y'all

reeuQ A sI emyaG

damn can't w8 for his album to drop, he gonna have the next big album, hopefully it drops on time and doesn't get pushed back further.

Yuri Orlov

I ain't sure about the release date.but i'm looking to it.

Tha Unit On Top

Im pissed about this shit, I def will be copping that album when it drops, but come on, to think it will drop in a month when he aint even got a single out, video out, nothing, it aint happening. I'd expect to probably see the album this year but probably not till end of Oct or Nov/Dec, I think most will agree, this album will not sell, just wont, even if he came out with a banging big time single still wouldnt do 100k first week, but to me I dont care, its just will they drop the album if they dont think it will sell is the problem. I think the album will be fire, big time production, features etc, but they need to step it up promtion and sdhit, he should do a mixtape with Whoo Kid, get with Thisis50 heavy to get his name out there, get singles with Keysha I think is on the album, she will help him get spins, get a single with Em, shit get a single with Em and Fif on the same track, drop a video soon, cause right now shit aint dropping in Sept.