The successful independent artist-turned-businessman has become an enigma of sorts in Hip Hop. While many people claim that artists need to wise-up and “learn the rap game,” there are relatively few examples of success stories, compared to the “get a deal or die trying” model that still largely dominates this industry.

For that reason, HipHopDX sought out such an example; an exception to the rule known to the world as Remo Da Rapstar. His performances on the mixtape circuit (everyone from Kay Slay and DJ Drama to Big Mike and DJ Vlad), supplement his own catalogue of stellar releases, including 2006’s Rapstar Phenomenon and his new project, One Hit Away. The 2006 Justo Mixtape Award-winner for “Best Underground Artist” is founder and CEO of All City Distro, a music marketing, promotions and distribution company that caters to the mixtape business, and has parlayed his business acumen into a national advertising campaign with New Era.

Da Rapstar spoke on the decaying relationship between artists and deejays, whose mixtapes sound better than their major label releases, and why above all, he’s a business, man.

HipHopDX: First of all, congrats on all of your recent success in the recording game. Is Remo Da Rapstar still an "underground" artist?
Remo Da Rapstar: Thank you. Somewhat…I'm not known on the mainstream level yet, but I'm a hood household name.

DX: Obviously you’ve worked with some of the more prominent deejays in the game. How important is it in this day and age for the artist to have business relationships with deejays?
Remo: It's a gift and a curse situation, deejays have now become artists, so it's harder to get them to push your record based on good music. Business secures an open dialogue to get a record spun but hot records are what guarantee support.

DX: I see...you mentioned 'a gift and a curse' type of situation; what do you think about recent problems between deejays and artists? Funkmaster Flex, Lil Wayne etc…
Remo: Touchy subject.

DX: How so?
Remo: Because you need the deejays to play the music, but they need artists with hot music to keep their jobs. We need each other. However, politics kill the music… so it's more business then good music. Deejays rarely break new artists nowadays… unless you’re signed to them or giving them something in return.

DX: Let me play the devil's advocate for a second: Why should they?
Remo: Because that's their job to play music and break new acts. The deejay makes the artist. They play the music in order for the emcee to move the crowd. They are the backbone of Hip Hop, take Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa for example.

DX: Right. In your mind, what's the key difference between a mixtape and an album?
Remo: Mmm…Good question…. Okay, a mixtape is free reign to exhibit your raw talent and style. An album is more structured and geared towards being sold as a commercial product to the masses. I think personally certain artist’s mixtapes are better then their albums.

DX: For example?
Remo: 50 Cent [click to read], Lil Wayne [click to read], L.O.X., Young Jeezy [click to read], these are the mixtape game. As a fan, when you hear them in raw form without the pressure of delivering a commercial single the music is so pure…I think that once the labels get involved they water down shit. Their labels kill the whole vibe.

DX: So why did you decide to develop your own distribution company?
Remo: So that I can control my own destiny in this music business. I'm one of the few artists out of New York City to ever build a buzz without a major label, a major artist affiliation or co-sign. I wouldn't mind it; but I couldn't wait for it.

DX: What all does the distribution business actually involve?
Remo: I actually evolved the All City Distribution company into a grass-roots branding firm which includes breaking new artists/ deejays on the street level via promotional mixtapes, DVDs, press, etc. We have become the starting point for many artists’ and deejays’ careers through consulting, marketing and “mom and pop” distribution.

DX: In terms of your own career does it help or hurt to play both roles?
Remo: A little bit of both. On one hand, it opens the door to build solid relationships with good people, on the other hand it's hard to get people to respect your artistry because they don't know if you’re serious. I was an artist on mixtapes before All City Distro. I just cultivated my hustle…which brings a lot of hate and jealously.

DX: What artists/projects is All City Distro currently working on?
Remo: Besides Remo Da Rapstar and Canadian rapper Richie Sosa, I work all of DJ Whookid’s artists' projects. We have DJ Peter Parker from Minnesota and Leo G. from XM Radio. His project is heating up. Also we’re working with DJ Scream from Atlanta. We just did a Soulja Boy [click to read] and Shawty Lo tape with him. He's on fire right now.

DX: Earlier you mentioned branding... what was it like working with New Era and how did you get involved with that project?
Remo: I got featured in the New Era campaign networking at 2007 Magik Show Convention in Las Vegas.

DX: You touch on some important issues in your music (absentee fathers, etc)... how does that affect your marketability from a sales/business standpoint?
Remo: I never thought about it until now. I just record music from my heart. I don't worry about sales and marketing while making the music. That comes after it's done. I feel I talk about stuff people really want to hear, like not having a father, or having a mother on drugs, or having kids as a teenager... It helps me connect with my audience on a personal level.

For more on Remo Da Rapstar [click here].