20Bello and Kat Galloway of SkinnyFatz Records are as real as they come. Two of the most creative minds and producers in the DC, MD, & VA hip-hop scene. Check out what he has to say in an interview with Rhythmplaza.com

Rhythmplaza.com:  Where are you originally from? 
20Bello: I am originally from DC born at Howard U. Hospital raised between the Shaw neighborhood and various spots in SE.               

Rhythmplaza.com: When and why did you start using the name 20Bello?
20Bello: I started using 20bello about a year ago; I got the name from my attitude towards other rappers that try to come at me. It was suppose to sound like 20 below but (Bell-lo) stuck to me.

Rhythmplaza.com:  When did you first get into the music game and started making music?
20Bello: Well I been in and out of music my whole life from working a summer gig at WHUR back in the early 90s to recording songs with dudes I grew up with to deciding in 97 that this was what I wanted to do.

Rhythmplaza.com:  Your tracks are hot, where do you get your concepts when creating and producing tracks?
20Bello: Partner Kat Galloway is responsible for making all my tracks. He has a strong musical background. If I have a beat in my head I will make it but then turn it over to him to tighten it up.

Rhythmplaza.com:  Tell us a little something about your crew at SkinnyFatz Records.
20Bello: Man my crew is crazy we always keep each other on point. We meet regularly to sharpen skills and work on what we want to accomplish in the short term and long term. Most of us have been friends for at least 10 years and all of us are very talented.

Rhythmplaza.com:  What artist and producers are apart of SkinnyFatz?
20Bello: It's me and Kat at the head of SkinnyFatz directing the show. Kat and I am also solo artist. We also have some artist by the name of The Franchise and a collection of about 8 rappers under the Ill Circle. All of these guys are very talented but we are organizing them and letting the ones that stick out branch out under our direction.

Rhythmplaza.com:  What's up with the On Line Free styling on DC MD and VA RAP LIST?
20Bello: It was just a little thing me and Nile Nu' Man was just foolin around with till it got out of hand. We was like man let's just start this thing and see what it will lead to. It did lead to the UFC (Ultimate Freestyle Challenge) which Nile and I go head to head live for the first time ever.

Rhythmplaza.com:  Do you get a lot of feedback for your music using the internet?
20Bello: I get some feedback but I get more feedback from people on the streets that I give CDs to. When I give them a CD I just ask that they e-mail me their take on the CD. Most of the people do that for me.

Rhythmplaza.com:  What do you think about using the internet as a marketing tool?
20Bello: I think the internet is a great low cost marketing tool. You can market to a world-wide population without leaving your desk. At the same time there should be some restrictions as to what is marketed and who is contacted because the internet is so wide-open that it can have a reverse effect and drive people away.

Rhythmplaza.com:  What producers do you have on the album, and has worked with in the past?
20Bello: I have worked with DC Pack CEO of Dirty Mac Records (Los from BYB); I have worked with Michael Esoula, An upcoming producer in this area. Of course Kat is my in house producer but he is the best producer I have worked with.

Rhythmplaza.com:  Do you produce your own tracks?
20Bello: Yes I produce some tracks.

Rhythmplaza.com: What does rap music mean to you? Where is it headed?
20Bello: I think rap is going to make a u turn and come back in its full glory. Right now it's all about pimpin and bling due mostly to the radio choosing to play those types of songs. I think that artist like Kanye West will remind hip-hop that it's more to talk about then the normal ho, coke, weed and killin someone.

Rhythmplaza.com:  Are you working on any new projects?
20Bello: I am working on an Ill Circle mix-tape and I am working on my album and Kat's album.

Rhythmplaza.com:  When is your solo album coming out?
20Bello: Hopefully my album will be out by mid summer 2004. I already have the songs I want it is just the act of tightening everything up that will take some time.

Rhythmplaza.com: What are your goals in the business as a rapper/producer/and entertainer?
20Bello: My goals are to succeed in this entertainment business. To stand in front of crowds, hit my songs and just rock with them. To be able to have the funds to help out the community, to show other youngens alternatives and to just be stable in my life and the life of my family.

Rhythmplaza.com:  What do you like to do when you are not rapping?
20Bello: Spend time with my daughter, I like to do web design, paint on canvas, and write.

Rhythmplaza.com:  What is the most important aspect of the music industry you have learned?
20Bello: The business part is the most important. I think that if an artist neglects to learn the business side and what they are suppose to be getting then they will get burnt.

Rhythmplaza.com:  What advice would you give to some of the up and coming rap artists and producers in the DC, MD, and VA areas?
20Bello: The only advice I would give is to stick to it. If this is what you want you have to go after it aggressively. Take the bitter with the sweet and it will work out for you.

Rhythmplaza.com: Whom would you like to leave a shout out too?
20Bello:  Shout out everybody on the DC Rap list, Jay Bee, Mz Daviz, DCHHA, My whole team, Dirty Mac, Cha & Why Entertainment, Big Grand, and a host of others.