Jody Breeze Interview:
"The Best Thang Patiently Smoking"
February 2008

Interviewed by: LexiLex

Wise men have always said, “Patience is a virtue,” but for the average person patience means nothing more than a waste of time; especially in the music industry where you’re only as good as your last hit record. However, for Georgia native Jody Breeze, patience has been more than a virtue. It has been a talent acquired and achieved. While waiting for nearly five years, Jody has illustrated that he has been more than patient in waiting for his dreams to come true. Although there have been numerous one hit wonders to have come and gone with yesterday’s wind since his initial signing to Sho’ Nuff Records at 17, has stayed around developing his craft as both a writer and a rapper. He was even in the hit group, Boyz N Da Hood along side of band members Young Jeezy and Gorilla Zoe. However obstacles would continue appear in his road to fame. Band mate Big Gee was arrested. There would be a constant struggle between his homes with Sho’ Nuff Records and Bad Boy South/Block Entertainment – and Jody had to make a decision. While deciding to leave his nest at Sho’ Nuff records, he would continue to let people know who he was with several mix tapes, landing him the nomination of the Mix Tape of Year Award from Ozone Magazine. Additionally, he continues to do spot dates without an official album release. During the summer, Jody Breeze heated up the gossip columns with his comments regarding Soulja Boy’s infamous new dance craze. In addition, he’s been also labeled as being quite a lady’s man. Recently, GritsandEggs.com’s own Lexilex had the opportunity to sit down with Jody Breeze to clarify the many misconception surrounding the man who has been patiently waiting throughout the years to finally blow. Here is what he had to say.

Lexilex: What’s up Jody, what’s been going on with you?

Jody Breeze: Right now, I’m just recording and working on my album. I just got out of the situation with Sho’Nuff. I’ve just been working, trying to shop around for a deal. You know?

Lexilex: I know that you’ve been rapping for a long time now. What was it about the game that made you want to be a part of it?

Jody Breeze: I’m straight from the hood. Music has been a big part of my life for a long time. I haven’t seen myself as being a rapper though. Once I started doing it and seeing the people reactions to it, and it was something legal – it helped me stay out of trouble, then I just tried something new and it worked for me.

Lexilex: I read that you left Sho’Nuff/Warner Brothers. What made you leave? You’ve been signed with him since you were about 17/18 right? How did ya’ll (Jazze Pha) hook up?

Jody Breeze: To make a long story short, Jazze Pha manager Noon was looking for an R&B artist. I was doing a rap battle on 97.9 in Macon on the radio. They put me in a car show. They were holding the event in Macon. Noon drove down to see the R&B group but it’s just so happen that I was going on the stage before him. When they saw me, they called Jazze on the phone right on the spot. They took me to Atlanta. They heard me rap. I got a deal then within a month. Then, Boyz-N-Da-Hood came about. That itself created conflict between Block and Noon, which made everybody split and kind of go their own way because I had stuff to do with Block and I had stuff to do with Noon. It was just so conflicting. Block started Block ENT with Boyz-N-Da-Hood. It became a little too much for me because I was putting my solo album on hold for Boyz N Da Hood. I couldn’t do shit for Sho’Nuff ‘cause I was doing stuff with Block – Puff Daddy type of shit. The situation itself just grew pretty old.

Lexilex: Are you working on a solo album to finally be released? I heard the song Crack, is that going to be on this album? Or are you just trying to stay fresh and innovative?

Jody Breeze: Pretty much I’m just trying to stay busy. I’m used to throwing songs out there but Crack is a song that I’m about to push for my album. I have a song with a girl named Kristi called Rap is my Boyfriend. I’m just trying to switch it up and find my lane. I’m going to keep rushing the streets with this heat until they start biting on this shit.

Lexilex: Do you think that people aren’t going to respond to you, you mentioned staying in your own lane?

Jody Breeze: Basically, right now I’m trying to get my business right. I pretty much know some of everybody already but it’s all about the business. It’s a lot of politicking going on. Without that business, everything else will fall through the floor. That’s what I mean by staying in my own lane. Getting my weight up.

Lexilex: Now, tell me for all of the viewers out there, what’s going on with Boyz-N-Da-Hood?

Jody Breeze: It’s still a Boyz-N-Da Hood but the next album will be more like a compilation. It’s going to be people from different labels. Right now, Big Gee is locked up. Free Miguel Scott. That really put a strain on our album since he got locked up. We couldn’t go anywhere and do anything as a group because of that. I never stopped doing solos though. But it did take me having to leave me alone more or less because I couldn’t keep trying to hold Boyz-N-Da Hood up by myself – especially when people were asking for me. I love them, though. It’s 2008 though. A new year, new money, let’s get it.

Lexilex: You started out as a solo-artist. How did you feel being asked to join a group?

Jody Breeze: At that time, I thought it was an advantage for me since I hadn’t been in the business before. I didn’t know anything about the rap game. I came strictly in the game head first. I wasn’t too familiar with anything about the industry. It was an advantage. It helped me. I needed it. Everybody was hungry then. It was a different vibe. I needed it and it showed me a lot. I learned a lot. I have a lot of connections. It really did me well. The Hot Boyz ain’t last long, NWA didn’t last forever. Niggas just start to go on their own ways.

Lexilex: Do you feel like your few solo tracks off of Jeezy’s mix tapes have helped people take heed to Jody Breeze?

Jody Breeze: Most definitely! I think that every song that I’ve put out could have been a single for me. I still do shows off of them one or two records today. All of my mix tapes – I’ve done three mix tapes; The Best Thing Smoking 1, 2, and 3. I put out Staking that Paper in 2004 when I came out. Every since then, I’ve been doing shows since I’ve started. That’s been a big cliff for me. I never put out an album or had a video but I can still do shows. I’m in the same places a major artist would be. Everybody already know what’s up, it’s just all about me getting out there so that I can promote me and do me – believe in my movement.

Lexilex: Recently, I spoke with DJ Teknikz and he mentioned to me that he would love to work with you again on a mix tape. How do you feel about the mix tape game as it stands? Do you feel as though mix tapes allow artist to mature, and if so, do you think that this is what has helped you develop as an artist?

Jody Breeze: Most Definitely. The mix tape game makes it easier to get the message out to the streets. I don’t give a damn who you are, if you don’t have the streets just a little bit then you don’t mean anything. You can have all of the money and cars but if you ain’t got the streets fucking with you then it don’t mean nothing – especially if it ain’t from where you claim you’re from. The mix tape game has always kept their ears tuned in. The streets keep up. They’ve always known what’s been going on with a nigga because of that. It’s like college for a nigga that’s going to the NBA. It’s like a prerequisite. If you can run the mix tape game then you already have a fan base. Niggas grew up off of mix tapes. I think I actually won a mix tape of the year award for this year I think, in 2007. They fuck with it.

Lexilex: I’ve read on your MySpace page that you’ve won the BMI award for writing Come to Me for Diddy, is there anyone else that you’ve been ghost writing for? If so, how long have you been doing so and what has made you want to ghost write instead of being the featured artist yourself?

Jody Breeze: Really, that was my first time writing for someone. That was a blessing. That was a really good look for me. I won an award my first time around. I just try to stay busy. Puff fucks with me a lot. He said he really wanted to see what I could do. I went there – in Miami – and we banged the album out in about two or three weeks. I wrote about six songs for him. Writing is a big way of getting big cash in the industry. As long as it’s legal to me, I don’t care what it is. That’s the easy way. I’d rather do it that way ‘cause it’s nothing to go in there and ghost write for somebody and sell a nigga a dream. It’s what I do. I just do it. This money situation is a pleasure. The publishing is where the money is. As long as you’re publishing, you’re writing stuff for these niggas, you’ll have that money. If I could, I’d stop rapping to just write for mother fuckers. It’s that serious for me.

Lexilex: As an underground artist with a lot of buzz (in my opinion), how do you feel about the average artist that’s out here now? Do you find it frustrating that they’re out here selling records whereas there is more talented artist struggling to blow?

Jody Breeze: It’s pretty much all about timing. I really can’t just say that because everybody went through this stage that is successful in this industry. It ain’t too many niggas that are out here in this industry that haven’t gone through what I have right now. If I would have known more, I would have been blown. It’s all about that process, steps, and time. You got to do some stuff in order to blow. I respect the game. I’m a hustler. I can’t fall off. I was never a broke nigga from the get-go. I just do shit. A lot of niggas just was rapping their whole life. I can’t say that – that was me. I never wanted to just be a rapper like that. Some of these niggas have 10/15 years and are just now starting to be recognized. I have only four and already I feel like I could quit. It’s whatever is clever. I just do me. I don’t be tripping on the other shit.

Lexilex: I saw the video on YouTube.com where you were quote-on-quote dissing Soulja Boy – which by the way I feel wasn’t a diss. It’s an understandable concern that you have about the state of rap. Do you wish to clarify or retract the statement made? Or do you stand firm by the fact that grown men shouldn’t be in the club doing the Soulja Boy dance?

Jody Breeze: Exactly. I don’t knock anybody. I don’t say that niggas can’t party and have fun. They’re kids. I feel like kids are kids. They’ll believe whatever they want to believe. I’m a real nigga. I’ll speak my mind. I’m a fan of music so I can’t sugar coat shit. I don’t want to act like I love watching niggas doing the superman. I don’t get that really. I don’t hate because I respect him for doing his thing. He’s getting money. I wish him the best. Me personally, I wouldn’t be doing that shit. I don’t wanna be seeing my niggas, older niggas, tapping their feet and doing that shit. No. Nah, don’t do that shit around me. Do that shit at the crib with ya kids, having picnics. Don’t do that at the club VIP and shit. No. Then, everybody claiming their so gangsta and doing the Soulja Boy. Stop contradicting yourself. That’s all I was saying. Much love to Soulja Boy though. That’s the jock dance. Niggas got their own shit but that don’t mean that everybody got to agree with it. I’ve done enough in this industry where I can state my opinion and that’s how I feel about it. I ain’t about to be kissing no asses. I’ve seen lil’ homie, we’re cool, and he knows what’s up.

Lexilex: Everything that you’ve just stated was expressed in that video also but for some odd reason everybody took it as if Jody Breeze was dissing Soulja Boy.

Jody Breeze: That’s because they put a big fucking Jody Breeze is dissing Soulja Boy. If they would have just let it play – whomever did the shit - then they would have taken it a different way. I can understand how people thought I was dissing him when they have that big ass sign on the video but no, that wasn’t the case. That’s all politics. That’s that publicity shit. Niggas know what’s up. People want to know what’s going on so bad that they’ll believe any and everything that they read.

Lexilex: You’ve been nominated for Ozone Awards in the past without an album; do you feel like that has helped magnify your hunger as a solo artist?

Jody Breeze: Yeah! You know what, this is about me being able to go out and be affiliated with the same people that are major, on TV every day – the people that other people go out and look up to – for me to go and stand in the same circle with them is hot. Without all the shit that they’ve got going on, I’m still somebody to be reckoned with. Where ever I am, I want to thank all of my fans. I want to thank any and everybody whose ever picked up a CD with Jody Breeze on it. I look on my MySpace every now and then. I see the comments. People are genuine and loyal. Why not do it for those who are out there fucking with you? I think that’s why the shit really means what it means by giving back to them and showing them the positive shit. That’s how I do it. That’s the only reason why I’m still in it. If it wasn’t for the fans, I’d been gone.

Lexilex: Do you feel like you’re one of the most slept on as an artist?

Jody Breeze: Yeah – statistically. If you really check my stats, I’m really not slept on. Mother fuckers know me, I just haven’t gotten my turn yet but I’m on the way to get it. Being slept on means that niggas just do not listen to you, know about you, whatever. They act like they don’t know but they know. It’s a difference when people act like they don’t know and they really don’t know and it’s a big difference to me. They know me.

Lexilex: How do you feel about your group-mates, Young Jeezy and Zoe’s success? Does that motivate you to continue to grind it out?

Jody Breeze: Yeah, it’s a big part of it. I’ve watched them do their thing. I see how fast and how quick situations turn. Just being around them makes me humble myself and stay humble. I keep doing what I’m doing. I’m not worried about all of this other shit that people say and does – all that talk. I do what I do. I stay in my own lane. I don’t have a click or no shit like that. I’m on some other shit. I know it’ll happen. I’m just still here.

Lexilex: Okay, I want to step away from the rapping aspects just a little and dig in personally just a bit. On one of your songs, you mentioned that girls know your dick game is known like your whip game or something like that to that effect. Is your groupie game that crazy?

Jody Breeze: Yeah cause really baby, I’m out there (laughs). I can be compared to Jeezy, TI, and ‘em. I can be compared to anybody you wanna name in this industry. I’m a real street nigga for real. My love is genuine. My love is going to be there with or without the rap. A lot of these niggas love is based upon what they’re accomplishing right now. That’s what makes it different. That’s what makes a star a real star. I might not have a #1 hit single, the jewelry, the cars, and all the houses, but I have cars and a house. I am still good. It’s just like that to me. It’s not to compare me, if you’re real and stay real then people will always respect you because of it. When it comes to girls, I ain’t trying to toot my own horn, but I’m the king of the broads. On the low I am. For real.

Lexilex: What’s been the craziest thing that a chick has done just to kick it with Jody Breeze?

Jody Breeze: I can’t tell you the craziest thing but I can tell you the most disrespectful thing. Girls have done some of everything you can think of but the most disrespectful thing and they thought it was so cute. Granted, certain types of niggas would have liked that shit but I didn’t like that at all. I was in the mall. I ran into a little girl that was about nine or ten. She was a big fan, she was with her mom, and they stopped and asked me for an autograph. I was standing there talking to the girl and her mom. These girls, big ass like 21, 22, 23 year old girls was walking by and yells, “Boy! I’d fuck the shit out of you” in the middle of the store in front of this little girl and her mom. I just looked at them like they were crazy. The lady started looking at me crazy because of that. I was looking at them like why did ya’ll just do that. Like, where do ya’ll come from? That was so lame. She should have known better than that. Late that day, I was on the radio and mentioned it, called them out. The lady called the radio station and said that it almost made her cry – she was that proud for letting the girls know they ain’t have to act like that. Hoes out here is really lost. They really don’t know what a real woman is. I was looking at it as if what if my daughter was right here; would you walk past me and say some shit like that? Niggas was laughing as if it were all good but it was crazy.

Lexilex: Since we’re talking about women that are classless, a lot of girls don’t know when it’s okay to do some things. From the way that they dress, down to the way that they speak. If you were looking for a girl, what would you look for?

Jody Breeze: I’m real picky. I’m real choosey. I like girls that can hold a decent conversation. You can tell a lot about a person based upon their conversation. If they can hold a conversation, then I’ll kick it with them. I’ve seen some of the prettiest girls that are just dumb as fuck. They had no conversation besides how they hate niggas. It’s 2008 man. We need smarter women. In the 1990s, girls were off the chain but they had sense. Girls weren’t like this about 10 or 15 years ago. I wish I could video tape them cause then they want to turn around and dog out the niggas. Ya’ll can’t keep doing that man!

Lexilex: A lot of dudes dumb girls down though. They say that they want certain characteristics in a girl and when they get it, they don’t want it or know how to receive it. Then they get insecure and turned off so they dumb her down and prevent her from doing that ‘grown strong woman’ thing. What do you say about that?

Jody Breeze: You know what, you’re absolutely right! They do. Niggas bring it on themselves though. You’re so right. They do try to bring girls down, but that’s the girls fault. If you’re a real woman, you know right from wrong. You know what’s right and wrong. Ya’ll know that it’s wrong but still let a dude do that to you. Girls ain’t that dumb. You know when you being dumb and are doing dumb shit. You know you’re letting a nigga doing whatever he wants to – to – you. If you’re letting him do it then I ain’t got nothing against a nigga for doing it cause you letting him do it. I’m talking about them independent bitches that have their own mind. They don’t need a nigga but need a nigga in different kind of ways. They don’t need him for cars and money. I like girls with their own shit. They like to have a good time. I’m not on that groupie shit. I hate groupies.

Lexilex: Are you in a relationship currently? If so, what has that been like for you? I mean after all, you’re Jody Breeze, the King of all Broads.

Jody Breeze: (laugher is in the background) Well… nah. I can’t – I really can’t do that, I’m not that type of nigga just yet. I have too many pot’nas for that. I do have a lil’ homie that I kick it with though. I’m trying to slow it down and a lot of people don’t know that. I’ve been a real bad guy these last couple of years. It’s time to slow it down though. I’m trying to calm it down. I ain’t but 23, I’m still young with a lot of life in me. I’m trying to get right but it was a couple of days when I went crazy. I’m just maintaining taking it one day at a time.

Lexilex: I’ve read interviews when other artist claim they keep it so real but they don’t handle their own business. Then I read an interview when you were saying how you don’t have bodyguards or people like that around you all the time. So with having said that, do you get on your MySpace page or do you have someone else checking that stuff for you? (laughs)

Jody Breeze: Nah my publicist, CJ, keeps that up for me. She keeps all of that to look good for me. I get on there and see the comments but I can’t look at MySpace for too long. I didn’t even know how important that stuff was until recently. MySpace is very important now. I’m not an internet type of person. I just check messages and try to show the fans love. I care that they care. I just can’t sit there and surf MySpace like that.

Lexilex: Who are some other artist and/or DJs that you’d love to work with?

Jody Breeze: DJ Scream, DJ Smallz and everyone else that I haven’t worked with yet. I’ve worked with some of everybody already. I just fucks with everybody out there that is hungry and trying to get it.

Lexilex: What else is new, up and coming, for Jody Breeze?

Jody Breeze: I have movies, watches, and clothes. I’m trying to take over everything. I want to be in everybody’s market. Everybody’s doing it. I’m just trying to brand my name so that I don’t have to stand in just one market. I’m versatile. I’m just not trying to be rapping my whole life. I have to come up with a strategy to be a real company.

Lexilex: For anybody to get in touch with you, how would they proceed to do so?

Jody Breeze: Hit me up on MySpace at MySpace.com/JodyBreeze. Send me a message and CJ – my publicist, will get back to you. We got a number that we’ll give it to you. Whatever you want or need, hit us up. Hit me up and let me know exactly what you want or need me to do and we’ll get back at ‘em.

Lexilex: Any lasting comments?

Jody Breeze: I’m coming in 2008 – a new year, new situations, new money!