Nobody remembers second place. Ever heard that saying? Well, for John Brown of VH-1’s the (White) Rapper Show, he doesn’t even think that he even lost. The California-to-Brooklyn transplant has been quietly making moves since the end of the show. Having been the butt of everyone’s jokes, John Brown is hoping to capitalize on his marketing strategy by preparing his album and going around the country doing shows.

After having a dildo placed on his lips, a man would take a second to re-evaluate his situation. But, Brown continued to trooper on and with the Ghetto Revival spokesman campaigning his “entity” status every week, millions grew accustomed to the outspoken antics of the melanin-deprived emcee.

The hilarious businessman sits down with HHDX in an exclusive interview as he talks to us about his start as a White rapper, defends his crown as the King of the Burbz and talks about losing to Shamrock in the series finale.

HHDX: Hip-Hop was founded on bragging. It has a basis in thinking that “I’m better than you.” How did you get started in hip-hop and how has it been rising through the ranks being a white rapper?
JB: Well, I know for me hip hop wasn’t necessarily about me proving that I was better. Hip Hop for me is about adding onto the culture. I can never do what someone else does and likewise. It’s about doing what you do at the highest potential. As you know, I’m from the suburbs. I wasn’t surrounded by the culture on a day-to-day basis. But I was an oasis within my own community. I tried to create my own hip-hop scene in my city.

HHDX: You’ve laid your head in a few places, from Cali to BK. How has either placed influence the style and the persona of John Brown?
JB: I mean, you’re growing up in California and I live in a very small town. It’s very limited. I felt like I was a mummy. I felt like I was wrapped up in everyone else’s expectations. I embraced the fact that I was from the suburbs and I flaunted the lifestyle that I live. But don’t get it twisted, I was raised on Spice-1 and C-Bo, but when I got to Brooklyn, I built with a lot of people from around that area. So, from them, I got a chance to learn more.

HHDX: When I first heard someone talk about this “King of the Burbz” from the White Rapper Show, they didn’t mention the whole “ghetto revival” mantra. As an outsider looking in, doesn’t it seem more apropos to be just the King of the Burbz?
JB: I think that obviously the confusion is natural. I think that what it is that it’s affecting people in a way to where they want certain people to talk about certain things. I am a member of Ghetto Revival. We’re a modeling, clothing and lifestyle brand. With Ghetto Revival, the music is about the struggle. It’s about American inequality. I’m known as the King of the Burbz because I’m representing it different than anyone else. I’m for the kids who want to be respected as men, but are connected to something deeper than just going on tour and getting your dick sucked. That’s the nature of capitalism... it only makes sense to have a kid from the burbs telling his story.

HHDX: So, do you think that the show made fun of the White emcee?
JB: I think that the show did a great job to showcase everyone’s personality. Everyone was trying to exaggerate their characteristics. I was saying, “Ghetto Revival” and calling myself the “King of the Burbz.” I know the show wasn’t about finding the next Eminem, but with it, there was a chance to promote yourself and create discussion amongst people. I don’t know anyone who has been that savage in marketing on a reality show… well, anyone except for myself. There are little things that are misleading, but the point that they’re getting across is evident. Like when we had done the show, “U Betta Recognize”, they tried to make Jon Boy look like he was off the wall. But at the end of the day, we were still slow with the music. So it kind of reflected the general point of thinking.

HHDX: What have you been working on lately?
JB: We have been consistently on the grind. The first product we’re pushing is our mix tape called Hallelujah Holla Back! It’s going to showcase our business mind and our multi-philosophical artists. There are some cats on here representing for the serious struggle. You have my man, Dred Scott from Brooklyn, Experienced Members of the Streets from Harlem and they’re just bringing the raw New York shit. Obviously, I’m on my King of the Burbz shit. Everyone thinks that it’s a joke, which is fine, I understand people, I understand haters, but I want to take this opportunity to brand my company. I’m all over the mix tape, but it’s also going to introduce these kids to this new essence of hip-hop. Nowadays, it’s about how you floss, but hip-hop really came from not having anything and trying to explain that to the world.

HHDX: So what were some of the things that you learned that you may not have known about hip-hop?
JB: There were small things. I was familiar with the artists and legends that we met, but the thing that I learned is that the record company is savage. The more pain you’re in the more they’re attracted to the artist. Obviously, you can see that I was on fire, but recognize that you have to stick to your guns if you believe in what you believe in.

HHDX: So, on one episode you talked about how you love haters and that you bask in their animosity. Do you have any?
JB: Not really. What you saw on the show was pretty well reflected on what went down.

HHDX: But you and Persia… and later on, you and Shamrock were getting quick testy.
JB: People at home know that if you hit someone you go home. Their reason for them acting like that was them trying to get me to smack someone so I can go home. I was ready for that emotional outburst, but it was one of those things. Don’t interrupt your enemy when they’re making a mistake. Don’t ever argue with a fool, because people from a distance can’t tell who is who. That’s one of those situations where it is what it is. It’s a show, it’s a reality show. If it happened on a street, then it would’ve happened in a different way.

HHDX: So, why not just battle it out like they did back in the day?
JB: That’s a rapper thing. I’m not a rapper. I’m an entity. You may think that I’m being funny, but it’s real as hell. Being an entity is about broadening your marketability. Me, I don’t really spend a lot of time writing poems about other dudes. I am inspired by Fela Kuti, Bob Marley and 2Pac, just to name a few. I’m focused on my marketing plan and I’m not going to let an emotional rapper who’s not on my radar throw me off my game. I have soldiers who are ready to rhyme. I’m on TV to let America watch me. Those that champion immature outbursts and usage of force are obviously going to look at that and think whatever. But, if you have a boss mentality, you’re going to know at the end of the day, it’s whatever.

HHDX: You had made it all the way down to the bottom two and you were heavily favored to win the whole thing after Persia and Sullee both went home. What was your first thought when Serch called Shamrock’s name?
JB: You know… it was just what it was. Basically, I came out there trying to showcase myself during the performance. I had the opportunity to change it up from the songs that I had done like, “Smoke in the Club” and “Grown Ass Man” and to do something that had some substance. I banged the ideology behind being the King of the Burbz. Afterwards, I talked with Clinton Sparks to see if he got some background information behind the artists. He said he kind of just showed up after they had called him last minute. So, when him, Dante Ross and Prince Paul looked at the song, they made their decision. To me, I feel that it was a blessing in disguise.

HHDX: You and Shamrock got into it after the Hot 97 incident. He mentioned that one of the things that got him upset was you saying that the altercation would’ve been “good for TV”. Do you think that John Brown, the character, can ever overshadow the rapper-slash-businessman?
JB: In this era, business and art are one in the same. I represent that combination. So, in my opinion, the character is exchangeable with who I am. They’re the same. The source of my lyrics and my antics come from the same being. So, I don’t think that they’ll be overshadowing anything.

HHDX: You and Persia got into it quite a few times. Since then have you guys mended the fences?
JB: Nah, I don’t know. A lot of the kids… I read their interviews and they spend a lot of time thinking about me. I’m not even worried about them. I’m focused on doing photo shoots for this DVD, coming out with this album and making moves within the industry. As far as I’m concerned, that was all “Week 4” hoopla.

HHDX: It’s hard to come in second place, especially with big money on the line. But with your mix tape out and a healthy buzz after the series finale, what’s next for John Brown?
JB: Following the mix tape, we’re going to be hitting the nation going on tour. People want to know what the “revival” is all about. We’re going to do our tours, looking to build bigger and more innovative shows. The “King of the Burbz” album is wrapped up and big producers are trying to get placement on some tracks. The best case of promotion was that show. From it, I have the independent control and options. "Ghetto Revival” are selling out hoodies and t-shirts every week. So, it just expands from there. It’ll be a pretty profitable venture.