Aftermathmusic.com:
What you been up to recently, G.A.G.E?

G.A.G.E.:
I been up to a lot just finnishing up my dvd, I got the street banger “Be easy” feat. Akon causing a whole lot of noise all across the globe. I just dropped a classic mixtape called “CEO of the East” hosted by DJ Khaled. I’m also working on 3 more mixtapes. I been working harder than ever and you can here the truth and samples from the new mixtape at MySpace.com/gage4real. We got an artist contest going on right now. Check out the video on my page for the details. Other then that I just been really branding my AMPM Ent Company / Film Co. We going hard for 2007 so either get with it or get lost.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Ok. Let’s talk about this rumor – G.A.G.E.’s leaving Aftermath. We talked about it, but now the info is for the fans and official.

G.A.G.E.:
Yes Yes. I’m sorry fans, but the Aftermath chain is gone like The Game says. But there’s no beef or nothing like that. It’s just a lot of artists on the roster right now and to be honest ain’t nothing dropping before Detox. I got a family and friends to feed. I can’t wait. But it’s still nothing but love. Me and the Doc still gonna do business on a different level. I can only be me. I feel, that I was placed on this earth to bring good music back. So my fans that love me are gonna support me with or without me being signed to the Doctor, because that don’t change how I rap or how I talk. I’m still the same N*gga won’t shit change, but a body bag. And if I need a n*gga to blow me up I don’t deserve to be rapping. AMPM.

Aftermathmusic.com:
What do you feel separates yourself from other artists and makes you worth checking out?

G.A.G.E.:
Because these other artists out here is wack (laughs). Naw I’m just kidding, but for real it’s no love in the music industry any more. I can hear in these N*ggas songs that they rap for the money nowadays instead of the love. It’s no originality. Everybody’s following the next man, but I try to be a trend setter everytime I pick up a pen. And most of the new artists have no story to tell. They are just there. They probably had a good life with no troubles pain or worrys yet. Everytime you hear them they are talking about murdering something. It’s funny, because the fucked up. The thing is, I was on the phone with my cousin Mel today and he asked me who am I feeling in the industry right now and the sad part is I couldn’t think of one person that I`m really feeling. That’s sad.

Aftermathmusic.com:
You answered my next question who are you feeling. Ok. What has changed for you since you started AMPM, from a personal point of view and from a business point of view?

G.A.G.E.:
I look at things with a hawk eye. I analyze everything and everyone. AMPM is like an unwritten novel or an unscripted blockbuster that you know. If we just get the chance we could make history. The fans have been showing a lot of love and I thank all of you for the support. AMPM has taught me the true meaning of being a mo’fucking CEO. (laughs) I smell money!

Aftermathmusic.com:
What’s the main vision of AMPM?

G.A.G.E.:
To make good music. We’re not trying to go diamond and crystal. We just wanna be heard, loved and respected. Also give people their money worth. I know it’s thousands and thousands of people out there in the past years that has bought a cd that they regret buying. And that’s real talk.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Ok, you recently released your new mixtape and you said you’re working on new mixtapes too. Any information on that?

G.A.G.E.:
Yeah, I got the “CEO of the East” out right now. Come and order that on MySpace.com/gage4real. I got a mixtape dropping soon called “AMPM the movement”, then I got 2 other mixtapes dropping. One called “Tale of a thousand souls” and a duo mixtape with me and one of my Partners in Crime Chic Raw. I`m going all out this year. It’s no holding back. Either go hard or go home. Oh yeah, I can’t forget my dvd, which will be in stores early summer.

Aftermathmusic.com:
If it was up to you, what artists would you like to collaborate with?

G.A.G.E.:
I gotta do shit with Slim Shady – crazy ass (laughs), Buck, R Kelly, Snoop, Music Soulchild, Diddy (laughs) ha ha sike, Linkin Park, Michael Jackson, Fergie. I`m trying to do shit with everybody. My list goes on and on.

Aftermathmusic.com:
A lot of people say that you are one of the future young stars of Rap. Do you feel the pressure when you hear comments like that?

G.A.G.E.:
Naw, I don’t feel pressure, because on my team we got a saying and is goes ‘You chose this life’. I was not shoved or pushed into this game. I knew exactly what I was facing. I chose this path and now I gotta walk it. I’m ready.

Aftermathmusic.com:
What is the highlight in your career till now?

G.A.G.E.:
The highlight of my career had to be taking a tour bus down to Miami and lighting the city on fire when I first dropped my “Crack Murder and missed Meals” mixtape with Whoo Kid. It’s also available on MySpace. I feel like a walking commercial. Everywhere I go I’m promoting. I’m turning to a workaholic. Also the filming of my DVD was the best. I can’t wait to start the next one.

Aftermathmusic.com:
2 Years signed to the Math! How did you like being an artist on Aftermath and are you happy with its musical direction?

G.A.G.E.:
I’m very happy, because I learned a lot from being with Aftermath those 2 years. I was able to do things that a lot of people could only dream of. Like being in the studio with Dre, D.O.C., Snoop or in the booth recording with Game or Good Charlotte. I have worked with some of the best and I soaked it all up. I was never just the kid hanging around. I was always observing and learning. So when I stand up to that mic, I got tips and pointers from some of the greatest. I learned from the best. That’s why I am how I am.

Aftermathmusic.com:
How has being around the Aftermath team affected the music you’re making?

G.A.G.E.:
It gave me a whole different way of looking at music. It taught me that half of the music that is on tv today is bullshit. It taught me to stay true to myself and keep shit 100 percent real.

Aftermathmusic.com:
You did a song with The Game last year – “Welcome to Aftermath”. And as you know, The Game got dropped last year from the Math. What’s your relationship with him now?

G.A.G.E.:
I haven’t talked to him in a few month, but when I see him it’s nothing but love. We’re cut from the same cloth. That’s why I wish him nothing but success with the “Doctor’s Advocate”. When nobody showed me love that game did, weather it be in the club or in the studio, it was love. We actually recorded “Welcome to Aftermath” in Game’s house. The first day he had set up his studio. It was me, Game, Damo, Devil and Juice.

Aftermathmusic.com:
So what have you been working on right now in the lab? Who have you been working with?

G.A.G.E.:
Awww man, me and Akon got like 3 bangers. I got 4 with Good Charlotte. I just sent a joint to Game for him to get on. Other then that I just been putting together this album “My Life”.

Aftermathmusic.com:
In our last interview you said that the album would be out soon. So when do you think we’re going to be able to cop that record?

G.A.G.E.:
I’m gonna have it to the public as soon as I can, but until then I will keep the music in the streets. We are about to go so hard with street albums, mixtapes, dvd’s and videos. You will forget that I’m suppose to have an album (laughs). Then I’m just gonna pop up with it on some look what i got type shit, because the album is done.

Aftermathmusic.com:
What’s the direction you have taken on this album and what specific things are we going to hear on your debut?

G.A.G.E.:
You will hear “My life” – 24 years in the making my struggle with death, family, incarseration and starvation. Keeping it real for this one, ya digg?

Aftermathmusic.com:
Do you have a lot of different producers on it, or is it mostly consistent production like back in the day?

G.A.G.E.:
I got Dre, Focus, Khalil, Cool and Dre, Akon, Eric Sermon, Just Blaze, Good Charlotte, Black Key, Ez Elpee, Fitz, Rush, K-Fam … the list goes on and on.

Aftermathmusic.com:
How was it recording with Dr. Dre and Focus? What’s the difference between working with them and working with other producers?

G.A.G.E.:
I mean it’s always a learning process when you are in the studio with Dre, because he will tell you your shit is wack with no hesitation and you look at him like this n*gga is crazy. But in the inside you know that this n*gga Andre Young knows what he’s talking about. Focus is my n*gga. He’s been there from the start. I think my style and his beats are like twins or some shit. They just go perfect together.

Aftermathmusic.com:
There was a song on Focus’ “It Had to Happen” mixtape with you and Bishop Lamont. A lot of Hip Hop heads liked that track… could you tell us a bit how it came to be?

G.A.G.E.:
My big homie Focus hit my phone and said he needed a 16 from me. So I did it with no hesitation. It was just as simple as that.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Do you have any features on the album?

G.A.G.E.:
Good Charlotte, Sunshine Anderson and Akon. We keeing it real simple. I`m gonna make sure you’ll hear nothing but G.A.G.E.. But there are still some openings if any of these n*ggas wanna make history.

Aftermathmusic.com:
How different will your album be from your mixtapes?

G.A.G.E.:
Completely different. It’s really no holds bard on mixtapes. Anything goes just rap. But on the album I’ll give ya’ll stories, blue prints and my personal life indepth.

Aftermathmusic.com:
How does your album compare in your view to other Aftermath solo releases?

G.A.G.E.:
I wouldn’t compare the sound or the style. The only way I will compare them if we’re talking about the impact thats it’s going to make when it drops.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Your debut album is done. How involved will Dre be on your record?

G.A.G.E.:
Yes, my album is done. It’s still room for changes, but the blueprint is laid out. That’s something that me and Dre would have to sit down and discuss.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Tell us a little bit about the creative process and how you and Dre make the songs together.

G.A.G.E.:
I do my best work alone really. See, It’s not what the world thinks. We’re not just one big loving family where everybody is in the studio together, recording together. Everybody has own studios where they work at. Then you can either take your songs to Dre for him to listen or you can email it. I was on Aftermath for 2 years and til this day I have never met Shady or 50. But to the outside world it may appear like ‘Oh they on the same label. They all hang out’. Wrrrrroooong! (laughs)

Aftermathmusic.com:
You are a real workaholic, you drop new songs and freestyles, what pushes you to record songs all the time?

G.A.G.E.:
Nothing pushes me. It’s just a part of me. It’s in my blood. I love music and after I listen to the song a thousand times I get tired of it. And that’s when I know it’s time to make some more music. Just knowing that somewhere on earth someone is actually listening to what I have to say makes me creating. A fan told me that they had so many problems in their life that they couldn’t go on living anymore until they listened to my songs. I ain’t gonna run with Good Charlotte and it inspired them to keep living on. That’s all the push I need.

Aftermathmusic.com:
How does it feel to finally get your first solo album out, especially someone like yourself who has been grinding at a young age?

G.A.G.E.:
It feels good. It’s like a big weight of your shoulders, because trust me getting the deal is the easy part.

Aftermathmusic.com:
There’s a lot of talent on Aftermath and I guess everybody’s working on their own projects. But who’s the next to drop an album and are you set to be on that album?

G.A.G.E.:
Detox is the main priority right now.

Aftermathmusic.com:
2007 is set to be a big year for Aftermath with planned releases from 50 Cent, Stat Quo, Eve, Bishop Lamont and Dr. Dre & Eminem. How is Interscope going to fit all these albums in a year? Or do you think that some of those projects may get pushed back?

G.A.G.E.:
Definetely gonna be some push backs.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Let us talk about the line up on Aftermath at the moment. Can you give us your thoughts on the artists?

Dr. Dre: A genius at what he does

Eminem: A lyrical monster

Bishop Lamont: A real humble brother, Westcoast Representer

Raekwon: Real n*gga

Busta Rhymes: Big homie. He’s a beast.

50 Cent: Captain Hook. That n*gga got hooks for days

Joell Ortiz: The 07 Pun. He’s sick!

Marsha Ambrosius: You gotta love her.

Eve: Philly’s Queen

Dion: Homie for life. A man of soul.

Tiffany Villarreal: Beautiful and talented

G.A.G.E.: CEO of the East, bringing the Eastcoast back.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Any exclusive info on “DETOX”? Like has Dre talked to you about his vision for the album? I know you can give us something!

G.A.G.E.:
Not much. I know he just got Mel Man back with him. So they can get the same energy and vibe from the Chronic 2001.

Aftermathmusic.com:
It must be pretty hard for Dre to concentrate on his last album and produce for all his upcoming artists in the same year. Do you think it’s really possible for Dre to put out “DETOX” this year?

G.A.G.E.:
I think the Detox will be out before anything.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Does Dre still have plans to do a big Aftermath tour after the third part of his solo trilogy is released?

G.A.G.E.:
Not sure.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Thanks for all that input man! What is your top 3 list of best lyricists out right now?

G.A.G.E.:
Like i said. Nobody is really trying to be lyrical right now. (laughs). You might wanna ask me that again in a year. maybe things will change.

Aftermathmusic.com:
Okay man, that’s about it for the interview. Good looking out!

G.A.G.E.:
Thank you Chris, because you held me down from the beginning. You told me you would and you kept your word – MRF & AMPM. And thanks to all the fans that support me wether I got an Aftermath chain on or an AMPM chain. Like I always say – Let’s get these billions. Thanks to my family and friends, because without you there would be no me. R.I.P. Curt.