"I talk about loyalty and everything else that deals with life and manhood. I went through a lot with those dudes [Dipset] and we all grew as a result of what went down. I learned a lot of things about myself and others as well. Folks can’t get mad because I'm expressing myself and telling my side of the story -- it’s my side of the story! At the end of the day all of this means one thing to me.... L.I.E. which means Loyalty Is Everything. "

The music industry is a game. The more you know about flash, fame and respect, the easier it is to ensure that you will be a success. The master of such artistry is world renowned Freekey Zekey, a self made man that utilized building connections to solidify a spot in Hip Hop that would honor his side-door hustle.

Known for being the support system during the rise of Cam'ron and The Diplomats better known as Dipset, Freekey Zekey became the mastermind of a new type of branding that always ends in a little fun.

You are a hard man to catch up with, what keeps you on the road so much?

Yeah, it’s an honor to connect with Yo! Raps. I respect what you guys are doing for Hip Hop. I am always traveling to make music, kick it and just enjoy life. I can’t really say everything I do, I really just be on trying to chase that money. I’m a businessman and I’m always looking for more ways to make more money and if that involves traveling then so be it.

You entered into the industry as a behind the scenes guy doing management, what sparked your interest in becoming an artist and how has that shift allowed you to use your skills as a manager?

This is a business and people forget that a lot of times. All they think about is the jewelry and the parties which is of course the best part but they don't concentrate on the hustle. My personality was made to be in the forefront. Don't get me wrong I‘m a cool guy and I get stuff done but I was always an artist. What I did with the team was help get stuff done. The business was handled, you know what I mean. The fact of being dependable and making connections, that’s what I do, I'm good at it and you see where it got us. We all are good at it but that is just what I did. That’s what I’m made of so that made me what I was and allowed me to see how I can better myself as an artist. This here was a long time coming and it still is but I'm here now, Yo! Raps, everybody, I'm here and I'm not going no where. I done got a seat, kicked my legs up and I'm comfortable. Happy and comfortable. You feel me?

I feel you. You mentioned the fact that people always focus on the parties and the jewelry and that is mainly what you talk about in your songs. Tell me about your writing process and goals with your lyrical message, let the people know about the diversity of your subject matter.

You're right, I do talk about the parties, the ladies and the good side of what I do. Most of the time that is what I’m doing in order to unwind from all of the hard work that had to be done in order for us to pop those bottles. I talk about what I had to go through as a man with loyalty issues, making sacrifices to do what I have to do for my family and how I go about getting my head together. First and foremost I’m a man and nothing about me changes the fact that stuff happens in life out of my control. I just gotta focus and keep my eye on the prize. Being here where I am and thinking about where I came from is hard, I don't wanna do that and I don't want my family to have to go back to that so I work hard and when I party I party hard because life is a bitch, do what you gotta do to her to enjoy it.

You're so right about that.

I know, like right now I had to sneak off to the bathroom to get this business done with you. You just gotta know how to make time. I gotta be carefully it’s a group of half naked women in the next room waiting on ya boy. They might get impatient and break in on me talking to you but don't worry, I'll stay focused [laughs]. It’s about you and Yo! Raps. Ya’ll my priority right now! We have to get this done and let people know what I’m on. This isn't a game for me. This was made to be.

You are a riot.

That’s what they tell me – I’m just being Freekey! Gotta be about that business and make those connections. Make sure people always have something good to say about you.

You're absolutely right. You're known for embarking on multiple business endeavors, what do you look for in a collaboration for you to invest in it?

Man, I need to see what people bring to the table. If you want me to invest money or my talent I need to see that you thought things out. I need to see a little leg work. I need a business plan, a few followers, a mission and passion to get stuff done and make this money. If you want me at your club I need to know you're promoting it and you bring people out. If you want me to make music with you I need to know you got people on your MySpace, YouTube, you have a following. People don't understand the grind and how to sell yourself.

I know you get artists coming at you all of the time wanting to know if you can make them a star. What’s your thought process when this happen? Tell the artists out here the fundamentals of establishing their career from a business perspective.

Keep in mind that this is a business. You want to meet people that can allow you to meet people that meet people. You have to be sure of what you do and love it. You have two different types of artists in my opinion; one of them is really good and they make music just to make music but the other one makes music to survive. That dude that makes music to survive is going to do everything and more to be about that hustle and grind to get on. That dude may not be the best rapper or have the dopest beat or the hottest single with a buzz but he is putting in work. I see him every time I’m in the club, walking down the street and I see his YouTube hits, I see him on Twitter, Facebook and when I Google him stuff comes up. That other artist who is the better rapper, has a better song, a better beat, more marketable, is sitting at home just making music, Nah, I can’t deal with that -- I can’t put more time into you as an artist that you are willing to put into yourself. I need to know that the footwork is done. That is what it is all about and these young cats have a hard time seeing that. It’s a business know that son.

I appreciate you educating the babies. Your doing some clever things to promote your new project, lets talk about that.

Yeah, I'm always on the internet. That’s one thing my fans love about me. They love to see what I am doing. I'm on YouTube and Twitter going hard. I'm offering my services for people that want to feature me on their mixtapes, I'm going hard. I'm networking building bridges with people. I'm making myself accessible. That’s what you gotta do in order to grow. I want to make sure people know that I’m here. They have to know what I’m doing and Yo! Raps is making that happen.

What in the world were you doing in your last YouTube video, I laughed so hard at y’all in your soldiers uniforms, were you really in Iraq?

See people think that Hip Hop can only be influential in certain areas. Yeah, I was in Iraq and I shut it down. I be all over the globe. I make sure I don’t leave anyone out. If they want Freekey in Iraq, I’m there and then I'll head to Iceland. That’s what we do. People need to stop minimizing their fans, people that judge and think that they can only be successful in certain markets are fools and they aren’t about that money.

You are about the business but at the same time you seem to be a real down to earth guy that just wants to enjoy life.  How do you find that balance between being serious and goofy?

I’m me. That’s what I am and some people look at me and think I don't know nothing about this business but I do. Everything Freekey does is for the betterment of Freekey. I’m a brand, I’m a business and it all revolves around me and what I stand for. I'm going in with this mixtape of mine. I really want to do three different mixtapes before I drop my actual album. People need to take me seriously. You're right some people just look at me and they see the laid back guy but they need to recognize and respect the business side of me. That is there too and that’s the side of me that makes the money. At the end of the day it’s about that money. I can do shows, I can pop bottles, I can hang with my boys and see a few girls but if it ain’t about that dollar I can’t do it. I'm about change not change. You know what I mean!

How will the mixtapes prepare your fans for the album?

Man, see once again I have to make sure people know that I’m taking this seriously. I’m not here just to do this, I was made for this. This music game was made for me. I’m a beast at this. The Dipset crew isn’t here by chance. We all have an individual mission and an area that we have to conquer. All of us have different styles and we were made to make big things happen in our line of work. Nothing but greatness here baby. That’s what my mixtapes bring to the table, good feel good music that makes you wanna go out and have a good time with a pretty lady or two. I'm all about that good life. That’s what my fans know me for and that’s what they can expect from me because that’s what they are going to get. I know I shocked a few people with the title.

With the Diplomats situation do you think y'all can make money together again? What’s an update?

Man, we are all like family and we will always be. You know when you grow up with somebody and that’s been your foundation for years, y'all know what things are and what they mean. It’s hard to find a bond like that. It’s all about loyalty and understand what is really important. Things are good but they can always get better. We are gonna make stuff happen. I wouldn't put it past us. People don't need to worry.

Some folks are saying you might be taking shot at your counterparts with the title Loyalty Is Everything for your new release, is that true or are people just trying to keep stuff brewing?

People are always going to talk and to be honest as long as you're still talking about me and my crew I'm happy because you helping us to constantly make that money. But I’m doing nothing but speaking the truth in my project. I talk about loyalty and everything else that deals with life and manhood. I went through a lot with those dudes and we all grew as a result of what went down. I learned a lot of things about myself and others as well. Folks can’t get mad because I’m expressing myself and telling my side of the story – it’s my side of the story. At the end of the day all of this means one thing to me.... L.I.E. which means Loyalty Is Everything.

With T.I.’s most recent release from jail and Lil Wayne still in prison, did the jail time change you?

Man, that’s a topic that make a brother sensitive. It was hard in there. It was hard missing out on the success and only hearing about it. I was happy for my camp. I missed a lot but then again it helped me to appreciate it. I found out who I was while I was in there. I had to evaluate what was important to me and what the hell I was going to do when I got out. Everything happens for a reason and I am sure that I had to be an inspiration for my family. Not having me there made them grind more and me not being there made me think stuff out more. You have nothing to do but sit and think about your life when you're behind bars. I wouldn't wish that on no man. It’s really a time when you see you for who you really are. It’s reflection from every aspect. Man you getting me to tell it all I see. Damn jail was hell. But I'm free now and I appreciate being able to take a shit and go to the store.

What else is on your mind as we close this out.

Man, we been on the phone for over an hour, this like some regular conversation here. I just honestly love the music. That’s my life. I love my life. I love doing what I do and as long as you are doing what you love you don't work. You don't care about sleep, you don't care about anything but what makes you happy. I have kids to feed I have goals to make happen and I'm just doing all I can to make sure I stay relevant. Some people may know me and some may not but I’m on the grind to change that.

- By Jessica LaShawn