Artist Feature: MO BETTA Of Skull Gang Records

Ladies and Gentlemen: this is the future. And if I'm co-signing, then you know it's hot! I would like to introduce you to my new-found friend: MO BETTA. Not only is Mo-Betta a fierce lyricist who's work ethic and focus is about to take him to the top, but he's one of the most talented and humble members of Juelz Santana's SKULL GANG RECORDS label. For all of you that don't know, MO is a best-friend and brother to Mr. Santana, and they both hit the scene together with their rap group: Draft Pick. Unfortunately, Juelz got signed into a solo deal to DIPSET records but that didn't stop Betta's stride... Not one bit. I had a chance to catch up with MO a couple weeks ago on Riverside Drive. Check out what he has to say to the world about his message, his movement, and the future:

COCOA-B: So, tell me and my readers a little bit about yourself, where you're from, and what SKULL GANG RECORDS & MOVEMENT is all about?

MO-B: You know, I'm just your average rapper trying to make a difference in this world, trying to make that influential music. As far as SKULL GANG, that's basically my brother's { Juelz Santana's } label, and he's been on his grind for a while, as I'm sure most of you already know. His hard work finally paid off and he was able to be in a position to get the things that he wanted. He had a lot of people around him with a lot of different talent, so naturally it was the next step for him to try and put his peoples on. All we're really trying to do is make that powerful music that will make a difference in people's lives... I was born in the Bronx, but raised in Harlem. I left the Bronx when I was one year old. Coming from Harlem, there are a lot of legendary things out here: from the APOLLO Theatre to legendary drug lords like Alpo & Rich Porter. All these things influence our lifestyle, our swagger, everything. I was never in the streets selling bricks or nothing like that. I was never a kingpin, but I've been around it. I'm a real cat, and I speak on real-life experiences that everyone can hopefully relate to. I've seen the struggles & successes. Dressing and getting fly is important. Everyday is like a fashion show in Harlem-- you know how it is. Head-turning. That's what makes my music.

COCOA-B: That's wassup... A lot of fans of Juelz Santana know that initially he was part of a rap-duo with you called Draft-Pick. How do you feel about Juelz decision to fly solo? Was it a good move or a bad move in your honest opinion?

Mo-B: I mean, let's be honest.. At the end of the day Juelz is my brother, I love him. When we started the vibe was there, we knocked down tracks in 15 minutes flat. We went in. So naturally, at first to see him sign with Cam solo was a disappointment. To sit here and say it wasn't would be lying. But you gotta see the bigger picture. He came to me and told me Cam wanted to sign him. He asked my opinion before making moves and I appreciate that. I told him cool as long as when he got where he needed to be, he would have my back. And of course he did, and I trusted that. So at the end of the day, it was a power-move that benefited us both in the long run. I knew what he was capable of, so I had no problems with that. We are loyal to each other, so it was always love and support. When people ask why I'm not constantly in his videos, or where he's at that means nothing. I'm a man first and a father. I got to feed my daughter. While he was doing him, I did what I had to do as a man to support my household. And there was never any love lost between us. I think it was a great decision. For him to get in the door and pull me in was the perfect plan...



COCOA-B: Ok, that leads me right into my next question. Did you feel any animosity towards Cam for wanting to sign Juelz exclusively?

Mo-B: I don't have any animosity. I don't really know him to that degree to feel any kinda way towards him. I'm an observer. I sit back and watch and make my decision on what I see. It seemed like Cam had a plan about what he wanted to form, and a group was not part of that. But he did what he promised and put Juelz on and made him famous. I can't bite the hand that feeds me. If he gave Juelz an in, which meant an "in" later on down the line for me then why not? I have no ill will towards Cam whatsoever. If it wasn't for him, we couldn't do what we doing right now.

COCOA-B: When will your debut album be completed-- if it's not already, and when will it drop?

Mo-B: Right now, there's no date. I'm on my grind recording right now. A lot of people think because you have a deal it's all set. But that's just the beginning. This is a label with over 9 artists, and we're all trying to do our thing as fast as possible. A friendly competition, but a competition nonetheless. So now it's my job to prove myself, get my name out, and show I'm grinding to get to that top spot. I have a mixtape coming out before the end of the year called "Day One". Juelz has a mixtape coming, and I'm working on some features. There is also a SKULL GANG mixtape that will be out on September 19th... I'm actually working on getting the right deejay to host my project, and I'm doing a lot of recording. This is a never-ending grind.

COCOA-B: What separates SGR from any other record label out there?

Mo-B: Ok, I'mma tell you my little secret, and I don't like sharing my secrets but I'mma bless you with this one: me and my brother are definitely one in the same... My opinion on most crews with a big headlining artist, they expect the artists under the label to sound just like them. We don't need another DMX or Jay-Z. We are individuals. We do not stand in Juelz shadow and do exactly what he does. He perfected his style, and that's cool. Our artists are all diverse, and we all have our own style. If you think about it, Juelz did the same thing. He didn't sound like Cam or Jim. He made his own sound outside that "dipset" sound. We have diversity. We even have London cats down with us (big shouts to SAS crew, whattup?) A track with a London and a Harlem swag? Now that's innovative. This is the factor that separates us from a lot of other labels out there...



COCOA-B: That's dope. Can't wait to hear some of that! Now tell me what artists have influenced you musically? What songs are burning up your IPOD right now? What types of music outside hip-hop do you vibe to?

Mo-B: I'm definitely universal. I love rap, my Dipset, Jay-Z's and Nas's. But I also like r n' b. I dig Ne-Yo. I like what he's doing with that whole gentleman theme, that's hot. Mariah, Beyonce and at the same time Avril Lavigne, Likin Park... There are a few more cats like them that I like, but I don't know them by name. I just know when I hear their music I can vibe to it, and that's all that matters. I love old music too, like Rolling Stones, and other alternative and soft rock singers. At the end of the day, I'm an artist and I must know my craft fully. I can even bump a Britney or a Jessica Simpson. If it knock, it knock!


COCOA-B: How do you feel about the latest obsession with Lil' Weezy. You can't run from him-- this man is larger than life. It seems like everyone has an opinion on him, so what's yours?

Mo-B: Honestly, that just shows what hard work does. You can't knock what he does because whether you like him or not, you have to give him props. His work ethic is ill, and he should be an inspiration to us all. He shows just how great you can be if you put the hard work in. I'm feelin' Wayne right now because he goes in. He really spits. I liked him before all the buzz. And what I like about him is he's there. Even if he just does a little hook on a song, he's in the video, he's at the show. You can't be two places at once, but if anyone came close, it's Weezy...

COCOA-B: How do you feel about Soulja Boy's success? Do you agree with Ice-T that his fame indicates the decline in hip-hop music?

Mo-B: Soulja Boy is young. He makes music for the younger kids, and it works. You can't knock that. He writes his own rhymes, produces his own music and spits. How can you knock that? I'm not his biggest fan, and I honestly don't bump his music-- although I did like that Soulja GIRL song (LOL). He does his thing. He came out, and came out so strong. Even cats that didn't like him took notice. As far as Ice-T he's an OG. He has a right to his opinion, but I don't see the sense in beefing. But if it got people talking, I guess he did something right!

COCOA-B: For all my lovely female readers out there... We need to know what your relationship status is... Inquiring minds would like to know!

MO-B: There's a lot of beautiful independent women out there. It's very sexy to me, and I love it. But honestly, I'm a father. The most important girl in my life besides my daughter is my music. So in a way you can say I'm married to my music. I'm not exactly where I want to be right now, so it would be unfair to introduce a relationship in my life when I really don't think I have the time to put in the way I would need to. Although it is good to know a woman is in it with you for the long haul, whether you're rich or poor, I just think a lot of women don't understand how to deal with a man with those types of responsibilities. It can strain a relationship. My daughter is 10 and growing up fast-- I have to be focused.

COCOA-B: Harlem cats are infamous for their swagger, style, demeanor. Put us on to what labels you rock and how you stay FRE$H...

MO-B: Well, we all Gucci's and Louis Vuitton'ed out. But honestly, I don't worship labels. A lot of people wear something just because of the name, even if it's not hot and that's just not me. I'm just as likely to roll up to a Dr. Jay's and cop something with no-name. As long as it doesn't have stupid names all over it, I'll rock it. But the way I rock it will make people look twice and wanna know where I got it from! At the end of the day I do wear Prada, Louis and Gucci. But on any given day, I'm SKULL GANGED out. With my tee's and shit Gotta rep the name and put it out there!



COCOA-B: No Doubt. So tell me where you see yourself in ten years?

MO-B: first and foremost, I see myself living. A lot of our youth are dying over jealousy an bullshit. Life, first. Secondly in ten years I will be an entrepreneur, in a position to put some of my peoples on. Help people on the come-up get to a better place, and sit back and observe the movement. This is not to say I won't still be grinding, but I will definitely be in a better place to where I can put others on as well.


COCOA-B: Alright, good answer... We gonna ride this thing on out with my next question, which also happens to be about the future. How do you feel about Obama and this election season in general?


MO-B: I ain't gonna lie, I'm not big on politics. I was raised by my Grandfather. And, not to be racist, but I was taught that things are either going to go one way or another in this country... No matter who is running it. The president is like a poster-child with a bunch of people behind him calling the shots... That being said, this is historical. We've never had a black president or ever came this close, and I think that is amazing That right there shows how time is changing, and that's a beautiful thing. I won't endorse any particular person, I will just influence people to vote. We are blessed to have the ability to vote, and we all should. Obama is powerful and I respect him. watching him speak has given me chills. To see something like Obama in my lifetime is amazing, and an honor.

That's that y'all... Mo Betta is a coo,l down-to-earth guy that will surely hit ur brain and bless your spirits with his thoughtful lyrics. Ya boi is just getting started... Want more MO-BETTA? You can check out his music, pics & more on his MYSPACE page : www.myspace.com/SkullGangMoBetta! IN the meantime,  check out me and MB throwin up the SG sign-- HOLLA!!!!