T.Ellis : how was your life growing up in Staten Island New York ? Pop Da Brown Hornet : my life growing up on Staten Island was actually great.played in S.I.B.F.L. out in T.Ellis in the early 80's,Back then that was a big thing playing organized ball... Teen life we ventured to 42st ( the deuce) we traveled to downtown Brooklyn as well,hit the mall,copped some gold fronts,fresh kicks from out of V.I.M.. We'd go places back then uptown Harlem, & ppl would be shocked Staten Island was in the building, Always the underdog coming out Staten Island, Always overlooked, which made things more enjoyable to be heard or recognized. T.Ellis : when did you get into rapping ? Pop Da Brown Hornet : I got into rap as a youngin as a form of recreation.. Hearing it on the radio & being intrigued by the various different voices & styles in the golden era.. So yeah my start in Hip Hop started in my early teens. T.Ellis : how did you get the record deal with MCA Records when you first came out ? Pop Da Brown Hornet : The Impact of the Independent single "Black on Black Crime" that dropped on Smoke Records helped grabbed the attention of the A&R up at MCA Records at the time Hank Shockley. T.Ellis : how many albums did you put out during your time with MCA Records ? Pop Da Brown Hornet : One, Don't Go Against The Grain. T.Ellis : what was your experience like with MCA Records ? Pop Da Brown Hornet : MCA was bitter sweet, Felt great coming from Stapleton Staten Island catching a deal on a major label, the bitter part I wasn't taken serious as a group or individual on MCA, Had we was even giving a fair opportunity, I'm sure we would have had a serious impact on the Hip Hop community. T.Ellis : what cause you to sign with another Record Label ? Pop Da Brown Hornet : I was actually signed to Smoke Records before signing with MCA. T.Ellis : how many albums you out put with Thrice Great Records and Bombafire Enterprises ? Pop Da Brown Hornet : one album Emperor & the king. T.Ellis you independent now ? Pop Da Brown Hornet : I do drop my music Independently now, Bombafire Enterprises. T.Ellis : have you worked with any other artists from Staten Island ? Pop Da Brown Hornet : yes plenty of m.c's from Staten Island I made money with.. Shyheim, TMF, Gp the Grain, King Just, Fes Taylor, Don Dollars are just a few. T.Ellis : what's your thoughts about the music industry today ? Pop Da Brown Hornet : I feel as if the industry is a big fraternity, That hand picked rappers they can capitalize off of, It's ran by gatekeepers who Black ball artist that don't agree with their programming.. the artistry is a very low frequency with a few expectations. T.Ellis : would you say your one of Staten Island legends ? Pop Da Brown Hornet : I would usually let others give me my flowers, but on this question here, that's a definite yes. T.Ellis : what does Staten Island mean to you ? Pop Da Brown Hornet : Staten Island is where I was born & raised.. I've seen brothers migrate to Staten Island from other boroughs & states & embrace it as their own and show love to the grain of the land of Staten Island, & I've seen other people migrate to Staten Island, rape it for it's resources & talent while never coming back to water the plants, with that being said, Staten Island, Stapleton to be exact is the nucleus, The temple, it's where Wutang & Gp the Grain made their start I was part of the beginning, the flood that came after The Force MC's. T.Ellis : what could you tell the world about Staten Island ? Pop Da Brown Hornet : Staten Island has a bunch of talent, it's eventually going to erupt because true Staten Islanders haven't been represented correctly.. we're all proud of the "W's" accomplishments, But Staten Island is so much more then a clan. T.Ellis : you have any new music out ? Pop Da Brown Hornet : My latest work I dropped was a single called "Soldier" produced by Myke Diesel, it's on all digital platforms with a video on youtube.. I have the next single in the Chamber dropping this Fall. T.Ellis : what will your legacy be ? Pop Da Brown Hornet : I'm still adding to my legacy.. when it's all said & done, I will be Soul Brother #1 from out the 5th Borough.