Interview: Julius “Dr. J” Erving – Entrepreneur, Humanitarian and NBA Hall of Famer

Date of Interview: 02/18/2011

Julius Erving is one of the greatest basketball players of all-time. Known and revered as the incredible “Dr. J,” Erving was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993. Three years later, he was named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time team. To date, Julius is the fifth-highest scorer in professional basketball history, with 30,026 points between his ABA (1971-1976) and NBA (1976-1987) years.

On Friday, February 18, 2011, hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons presented Julius Erving with Hennessy’s Privilege Award. The award was created in 2003 and serves as recognition for outstanding individuals who give back to their communities through service, leadership or the arts. Just a few moments before the award ceremony, Julius Erving managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on the importance of service, the need for mentorship, and the dynamic relationship between basketball and hip-hop.

Interview: Jaime “Taboo” Gomez – Founding Member of the Black Eyed Peas

Date of Interview: 02/17/2011

Jaime “Taboo” Gomez is one-fourth of America’s best-selling hip-hop collective, the Black Eyed Peas. Since 1995, the group has sold more than 27 million albums and 20 million singles in various international outlets. In February 2011, the Black Eyed Peas performed in-front of an audience of millions as the headliners of Super Bowl XLV’s halftime show.

With the assistance of Steve Dennis, Taboo has written a behind-the-scenes look at the phenomenal rise of the Black Eyed Peas, as well as the personal and professional demons that he has fought along the way. Appropriately titled, Fallin’ Up chronicles an amazing life story that will serve as an inspiration to any person in active pursuit of their dreams.

In the midst of a promotional campaign for Fallin’ Up [released February 8, 2011, via Touchstone, a division of Simon & Schuster], Jaime “Taboo” Gomez managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on the influence of Nanny Aurora, the challenges of marriage and fatherhood, and the cultural diversity of the Black Eyed Peas.

Interview: Bobby Brown – “The King of New Jack Swing”

Date of Interview: 02/15/2011

Bobby Brown has never been afraid to push the envelope – musically, artistically or socially. His sheer bravery and brash honesty are the very characteristics that make him “Bobby Brown” – a pioneering entertainer with over three decades of experience. From his successful debut in New Edition, the boy bad prototype for groups like New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men and the Backstreet Boys, to his multi-platinum career as a solo artist, Brown has left a mark on the music industry that can never be erased.

On May 10, 2011, Bobby Brown’s fifth solo studio album – The Masterpiece – will be released via Brownhouse Entertainment and Fontana Distribution, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. In the midst of a promotional campaign for the album, Bobby Brown managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on fatherhood, the rise of Atlanta’s music scene, and the profound influence of Louis Silas, Jr.

Interview: Lloyd Banks – Founding Member of G-UNIT

Date of Interview: 02/10/2011

As a member of G-UNIT, Lloyd Banks has garnered universal acclaim for his incredible lyricism. And while less outspoken – in the public arena – than Tony Yayo and 50 Cent, Banks erupts like a volcano as soon as he steps behind a microphone. With the release of his latest effort, H.F.M. 2 (The Hunger for More 2), Lloyd Banks’ love of rap is perfectly clear, as well as his inextinguishable desire to reign supreme over his peers.

In the midst of a promotional campaign for H.F.M. 2’s third single, “Start It Up,” Lloyd Banks managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on Nicki Minaj, the evolution of mixtapes, and G-UNIT’s contribution to hip-hop.

Interview: Plan B – British Rapper, Singer and Actor

Date of Interview: 02/03/2011

As a rapper, singer and actor, Plan B has quickly evolved into one of Britain’s best-selling entertainers. At the 2011 BRIT Awards, he received recognition as the “Best British Male Solo Artist.” And this accolade, along with many others, came in the wake of his triple-platinum sophomore release: The Defamation of Strickland Banks.

One year removed from the British release, Plan B’s breakthrough album will be released in the United States on April 19, 2011. During a promotional campaign for The Defamation of Strickland Banks, Plan B managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry – reflecting on his view of hip-hop as an artistic medium, the significance of “Stay Too Long,” and the personal bond forged with fictional character Strickland Banks.