YoungBloodz 'Presidential' album

Members of the media, I have the high privilege and the distinct honor of presenting to you those Presidential YoungBloodZ from Atlanta. You may take your seats. Now — before we open this up for questions from the press corps, an introductory statement from J-Bo and Sean Paul. Sean Paul: "Like J-Bo said in his verse on “Presidential” - our first single and official reintroduction to YoungBloodZ, produced by Lil Jon — we're on some brand new s***. We started this crunk movement. And there's been so many people who came under YoungBloodZ since then. And we love it. We were lucky that we could start a voice for the youth in these southern streets with “Shake 'Em Off,” “U-Way,” and “85” back on that Against Da Grain album in '99.

"But we're coming back brand new and “Presidential.” While everybody else is doing it big, we're doing it 'Presidential'. The younger cats are going to want to get back motivated off this. That's what we do. We're the spokesmen for the younger generation."
J-Bo:
Thank you Sean Paul.
"First off the album title is “Anotha Level.” While everybody else is doing it big, we're doing it 'Presidential'. The younger cats are going to want to get back motivated off this. That's what we do. We're the spokesmen for the younger generation." "And literally, pretty much we're on another level already. You know, we've got a record label jumping off, YBZ Records. A production company — GMC Productions. Then there's the group GMC, with Mister Mo from Jim Crow and Ben Hated; who's straight from Alabama. Birmingham to be exact. We've got their singles "Big Big" featuring Jazze Pha in the streets. Just putting in footwork right now, grinding it out. And we've got a Cuban restaurant in the Wyndham Hotel in Midtown Atlanta. You know, after selling 300,000 of our first record Against Da Grain, and more than doubling that with Drankin' Patnaz over 700,000 sold, again, we're on another level. Making money now. And making investments."
Alright then. We'll take the first question from the Source Magazine— Oh and thank you, first of all, for that 2004 Single of the Year/Collaboration award for "Damn" with Lil Jon.

"Tell us about some of the songs on Anotha Level and the stories behind them."

Sean Paul, please address that…
"Us being vets, a little bit, to the game, we got some vets who are already in the game too. Who need to be recognized from Atlanta— like T-Boz. She's on “It's Good,” produced Mr. Collipark. It may remind you of the Ying Ying Twins “Wait” a little bit because Mr. Collipark did that too. And they're both a part of what he's calling this intimate club music he's doing.
"Anyway, it feels real good to have our former LaFace labelmate T-Boz from TLC on there, and Kandi from Xscape wrote her part. Everybody's got their females these days —Olivia, Ashanti and whomever else. It's time for T-Boz to shine again man because she's a vet from Atlanta and it's time to crank up the original Atlanta movement again.
"Then there's “Grown Man” featuring Shawty and is produced by Authentic Productions. You know how a lot of people drive their new cars up north and everything? They're 2005 and '06? Well in the 'A' we still ride old school and fix them up just like they were '06s. We call it that ‘grown man.’ The hook goes: ‘You got that grown man under the hood.’ Meaning your engine will kill everybody on the street —really! Like I can race you in your 2006 and I will win!"
"We've got something for the ladies though, too. The track “Play Ur Position” is produced by Jazze Pha. The beat is more laid back and more musical so we know the ladies will like it. But the dudes will listen to because it's basically telling the ladies, you know, play your part in the relationship. Whatever it is. Because like Jazze sings, ‘I'm in the position to take you places; and show you things you've never seen…’”
"Now I've got to speak on “Ev’rybody Know Me.” Because we're some old-school dudes but young. We started early. We know this music. And I had to do something for Willie D of the Geto Boys. So we pay homage to “Mind Playing Tricks On Me.” I love that song man! 'I make big money/I drive big cars/'Everybody Know Me'/ It's like I'm a superstar...’”
"Finally, let's take a trip to “Niagara Falls”. There's no rapping on it at all. It's just something for when you're riding late at night, and you still want to keep YoungBloodZ in your change, but you might not want to hear rap right now. Like what OutKast did with “Funky Ride” on 'Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik.' We're taking y'all back to another level as well."

OK Vibe Magazine, your question. Wait — thank you as well for getting on board early with the YoungBloodZ and recognizing from the jump that Sean Paul and J-Bo can take it to 'Anotha Level’. Particularly for calling Against Da Grain' 'delectable', and 'not only full of bright promise, but it breaks the monotony of some of the same ol' sounds...'

Go ahead…

Talk about the process. What was it like when you were in the studio very purposefully trying to take music to Anotha Level?

Sean Paul, you want to take that too?
"Actually, this is the first album me and J-Bo just went in and didn't have any particular concept or anything for the album. We're at a point in our life right now man where we're having a good time. Able to pay bills —on time. And we bought equipment and just wanted to do us. In the house. We didn't want to have to go to the studio all the time. Wasting time driving. We wanted to be able to come downstairs and just vibe out with all of our homeboys and whoever really mess with YoungBloodZ.
"Like, we've got Daz on the album too. Too Short. Young Buck. Scott Storch producing. So we wanted to work with some names, but at the same time we wanted to do it, just, comfortably. We didn't want to get all mixed up in this industry bull s***. We wanted to just do what we do. We didn't want to make it a job. We just want to do us."

MTV — thank you as well for including the YoungBloodZ on 'MTV Cribs.' Can you believe people still think that was their house, and not one of their friends', like they said in the opening?
Anyway, you have a final question?

What makes you confident audiences are ready to travel with the YoungBloodZ to Anotha Level?

Sean Paul— since you've been so talkative, go ahead…
"My bad folk. I got it from my mama. She loves to run her mouth too. But to answer your question Miss Lady, I think we've got what people have been waiting for. Because a lot of people, they love YoungBloodZ already. But they don't know we've had respect from other artists and everything all along. Now we've got collabos with these other artists. Letting 'em know everybody's been messing with YoungBloodZ. You just probably didn't see it on TV.
"Beyond that though, everybody just go back to '98, '99 and see what the hell the South was playing at the time. Yo, it was nothing but us, Goodie Mob and OutKast really. And OutKast still wasn't all the way getting the respect they were supposed to get. Luda wasn't out there. There wasn't no T.I., no Bone Crusher, Jeezy, Ying Yang Twins and Lil Jon. There wasn't none of that. It was us three. And we were like the slaves of the game because we were cracking it. And they were listening. But they couldn't give the south the respect yet. So we're the ones who cracked it open for folk to listen to it and love it like they are now. And I'm happy to see what it's doing now. But now it's time for YoungBloodZ to be right there too because we rolled it out. And the YoungBloodZ are just back to take over and claim what's ours. This one's fixing to jump. Believe that!"
And with that ladies and gentleman, we conclude this YoungBloodZ bio.
Please remain seated until the Presidential YoungBloodZ from Atlanta have made their way towards the door to multiplatinum sales, successfully. Thank you.

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YoungBloodz - Presidential