"Throughout music history, in any genre, there have been one hit wonders, mediocre artists, and superstars. It's no different in Hip-Hop. The only thing I'm not content with is these labels signing mediocre artists, and force-feeding them to us trying to make us believe they superstars when they not!"

Jigg what? Jigg who? Sorry I couldn't resist! If you don’t know the name yet, you obviously don’t read liner notes. Jigg has been slowly, but surely, building his unique brand of Hip-Hop for several years now. To date, he has produced hit records for Rick Ross, Young Buck, and, most recently, Ice Cube. Get familiar!

So, how long exactly have you been doing music?

I've been doing music ever since I can remember. I started really producing though when I was twelve, 'cause I have an older brother who was doing it, and I wanted to be like him.

Where exactly do you hail from?

I'm from a small town in Georgia called Thomasville.

Well, growing up, who all were you influenced by?

Growing up, I loved Snoop, Outkast, Goodie Mob, 8Ball & MJG, Cube, Biggie, 'Pac, the Cash Money click, T.I., and really anybody who was putting it down for the south. As a producer, I would say people like Rico Wade and Organized Noize, Mannie Fresh, T-Mixx, DJ Toomp, The Hitmen, Dr. Dre and Rodney Jerkins, all influenced me.

How do you classify your actual style of music?

My overall musical vibe is hard to describe besides it's so wide. I'm able to do any kind (of) music you can think of. I think it comes from me being able to play a few instruments. It really helps in my creative process. I have records that no one will probably ever hear, but if they did they would be shocked and probably wouldn't believe I did them.

Where did the Jigg moniker originate from?

Originally, I was Jiggolo. People would always call me Jigg for short. After awhile, I just dropped the o-l-o. It felt better to me, 'cause I had kinda outgrew the name Jiggolo anyway.

Now although you are just coming out on your own as an artist, you've actually been in the "game" for awhile, producing on others' works -- Can you give me a quick rundown of your resume…

I produced Say It To My Face for Young Buck off his Buck The World album. I produced 4-5 songs off the album Rise To Power from Rick Ross. I produced a song for Tupac off the Nu-Mixx Klazziks album. I just did Ice Cube's new single, I Rep That West, off his I Am The West album.

Which do you actually prefer, producing or rapping? Or, do the two pretty much go hand-in-hand for you?

To me, they really go hand in hand. I consider myself to be pretty good at both.

Was it always in the plans then for you to eventually pick up the mic?

To be honest with you, it just kinda happened. I was producing and writing at the same time. My older brother, and the people around me, thought I was pretty good at it, so I stuck with it and honed my craft.

With that being said, what particular string of events led to your initial linking up with Mr. Tony Draper, and later signing to his Suave House imprint?

Me and one of my production partners at the time was actually shopping beats to an artist Draper had. While we were shopping beats, we were also trying to start our own independent label with me as the first artist. We didn't really have the funding to make it happen like we needed to. We gave Draper a CD of the music, he heard the single we were trying to push, and the rest is history!

So, how does it feel to be the flagship artist for the just re-launched, legendary Suave House?

Man, it's a beautiful feeling! I grew up on Suave House music, so to be a part of it and its history is a blessing to me.

Well, lately there has been a major buzz surrounding your artistry -- Are you kinda taken aback at the huge reception you've been receiving? Or, because you have been doing this for sometime now, are you just feeling, "It's about damn time"?

Man, to be honest with you, I just feel blessed. I've been around for a little while now lurking behind the scenes, so nothing really catches me off guard anymore.

Have you titled your forthcoming solo effort yet?

We've been through a few names, but I haven't really settled on one yet.

On the set's lead offering, What I Want, you teamed up with veteran rapper/actor/you name it, Ice Cube -- What was that actually like?

Man, it was a blessing to have Cube bless me with the verse. I grew up listening to this dude's music, writing down the words, trying to rap along -- So for me, it's big! I'm happy he was willing to be a part of it.

Aside from the trunk rattling I Rep That West, I understand you've done some additional work on his I Am The West collection -- What all did you do for his LP?

And, do you have any personal stories, memories, anecdotes, etcetera, from your sessions with, arguably, the West Coast's finest?

I produced a few songs on his new album. Like I said, I did the lead single for his latest album I Am The West, called I Rep That West, and I'm also featured on that record. And, the response has been crazy! To be honest, when I work I really like to be in the room by myself. So, when I was in L.A. working outta his studio, he wasn't really there.

As for now though, your "official" lead single, What I Want, is circulating now! Is there a video for it in the works? The album is due out when exactly? And, are there any plans to tour behind it all?

Video is in the works. We don't have solid release date for the album. I'm supposed to do some spot dates with Ice Cube this summer, so hopefully that pans out.

What's that "live" show element (been/gonna be) like?

Well, I wanna incorporate some live instrumentation into my show just to give the people something different than just a rapper up on stage holding a mic. I haven't put it all together yet, but when I do it will be mind-blowing!

Aside from, and I'm assuming here, yourself, who else are you enlisting, or have you enlisted, in regards to your album's production?

No one really. Man, it's hard for me to rap on other producers' beats 'cause my best lyrical ideas come during the creative process of making the beat. It's like each one is a baby being born.

Are/Will there (be) any other special cameos to look out for?

We got Rick Ross on the album, Ice Cube, Twista, and a special one that people really gone have to wait and see. I don't wanna say who it is just yet.

So far, do you have any personal fave track(s)? And, why that one/those specifically?

I would say my favorite song right now is this song called How It Should Be. It's just something about the beat that draws you in. It switches up during the third verse, and it's just crazy! Ask me the same question a month from now, and I'll probably have a different answer though.

What has been the key to your success thus far?

My faith, and God.

Besides music, is there anything else that you'd like to get involved in or with?

Graphic design. I used to draw growing up. I've put it down for years, but I would like to really get back into it as an alternative way to express my creativity.

On a more serious note, how do you view the current climate of today's Hip-Hop artists -- Are you content with it?

Throughout music history, in any genre, there have been one hit wonders, mediocre artists, and superstars. It's no different in Hip-Hop. The only thing I'm not content with is these labels signing mediocre artists, and force-feeding them to us trying to make us believe they superstars when they not!

Everyone either knows your music already, or will become familiar with it soon, but who exactly is Jigg?

Jigg is a genius!

And, what do you like to do in your spare time completely away from this music?

I don't have any spare time. Music is my hobby and my job. I love it, and wouldn't have it any other way.

Ultimately, what is your 5 to 10 year plan in entertainment?

In 10 years, I will be an established artist/writer/producer helping new upcoming artists live out their dream.

Are there any future mixtape(s) and/or cameos on other projects to look out for from you in the meantime? What about outside production duties for other acts?

Right now, I'm just concentrating on finishing my record. That's my main focus.

Is there anything else that I may have left out or forgot to ask about?

No, you did a pretty good job of covering it all.

Any message for our Yo! Raps readers?

I just wanna say thank you for taking out the time to read. Make sure you follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/jiggolo, and hit up the website at www.jiggonline.com to find out exclusive news, and get exclusive new songs and updates.

Thanks for taking your time out with me today, good luck with everything, and continued success to you!

- By Todd Davis