ION INDIE MAGAZINE February 2016, Volume 21 | Page 58

TVT filed for bankruptcy, and eventually his contract was
acquired by digital music label THE ORCHARD in 2009.
After the fiasco of his deal with TVT, and subsequent
release from The Orchard, the diligent Rapper vowed never
to be placed in a situation where he wasn’t keenly aware of
the business side of his career.
Now calling the shots on his own label, SAFEHOUSE
RECORDS LLC, with his partner HOLLYWOOD O, they
created as a label with a non-profit entity. SafeHouse
Records is designed as a “safe haven for kids and artists
where they can feel protected”. His philosophy is simple:
“You can let down your guard and concentrate on your
craft when you know you are working with a trust worthy
group.” The charismatic Rapper wants to educate other
artists so that they can avoid the pitfalls that he endured early in his career, as well
provide guidance to children in the system.
I recently sat down with O-Solo to chop it up and see where he stands going into 2016.
Jay Petsko: What's can we expect from O-SOLO in 2016?
O-SOLO: Well, 2016 is big for me. I have a lot in store for the fans that love me so much. We
have: SAFEHOUSE RECORDS LLC (recording studio), SAFEHOUSE SNEAKERS & CO.
(Shoe Store) SAFEHOUSE REAL ESTATE (buy & flip foreclosure's) SAFEHOUSE TRAVEL
AGENCY (vacation timeshares) and A SAFEHOUSE FOR KIDS FOUNDATION (counseling,
outreach, shelter). Also be expecting a lot of new music in store for 2016 shows as well as
battles…I'm on a few cards this year!
JP: My first exposure to O-SOLO was the "Straight Outta Jersey" video…I was floored.
Your flow was slick, your delivery and annunciation crystal clear and the lyrics were
cleverly written. Besides being a battle Rapper, you can actually write intelligently
penned hits. With that in mind, do you anticipate the return of intelligent Hip Hop?
O-SOLO: Hopefully, people can realize what is what in music. Some like a sound, and buy it for
the sound. But in Hip Hop, it's about what you are saying--and for me to promote your words, you
got to be saying something o