1: Can you give a short introduction of who you are?
My name is President Bell and I am a rising artist in the United States from the state of Mississippi. I am the Owner and Executive Producer of Holdin’ Our Own Records, LLC. I talk about the issues in society that ordinary people face on a daily basis. I take pride in producing and releasing quality albums. A hit song isn’t good enough for me. President Bell make hit albums. That who I am in a nutshell.
2: When did you start rapping/producing and how difficult was the start?
I started rapping and producing in high school. Around 17 or 18 years old. It was very difficult to get off the ground back then. There are studios everywhere now, but back then, there were very few.
3: Which mississippi rappers were an influence for you, when you decided to rap, produce and found a rap label?
My biggest influences in Mississippi was Boo Da Boss Playa aka Rossini, who is now on my album and signed to Young Jeezy’s label Corporate Thugs Entertainment, and the group Crooked Lettaz, which was the group David Banner was with before he got signed.
4: What was your first release?
The first release I had was with a group called the Secret Emissaries. They released their album in 2003, and it was named the “Element of Surprise”.
5: Since "Secret Emissaries - Element of Surprise" cd and your solo album was 4 years, what did you do in this 4 years?
I took a break from music to be honest. I took time off to decide if this is what I really wanted. The rap money was slow, but a hustler keeps getting paid. You know! The streets know what it is. I’m back now though front and center. 100% music. Nothing illegal. Also, the business of music is a lot more complicated then most people are even aware of. Fans don’t really get to see the dark side of music. They see what’s on television or hear what’s on a CD. Most artist are told that a hit song is all you need, but what they don’t tell you is, your hit is worthless if no one knows it exist. And for people to know it exist, advertising is necessary and is very expensive.
6: What happened to the other members of "Secret Emissaries"? Are you still making music with them?
The other group members of the Secret Emissaries have taken other paths in life. Like I said earlier, the business side of music is demanding. I love them though and respect their choice. Hopefully one day we will make music again, but right now, I’m the only one pushing Holdin’ Our Own Records.
7: You are from a small town called Vicksburg. Are you the first person ever from Vicksburg to put out a rap record or was there some rappers/producers from Vicksburg before you?
No I’m not the first. There were a few artist and producers before me. I am the first to get major radio rotation and become a legal business though.
8: Your cd can be purchased worldwide thru the internet, but can it also be purchased in retail stores outside of Mississippi? And if yes how difficult was it to get a distribution for more than just one state?
My music can be purchased at most stores in the United States. If they don’t have it in stock, you can go in and pre-order it. That is handled through Super D/Phantom Distribution. They are one of the largest one-stops in the United States. CD Baby makes it fairly easy. Sign your album up with them and they make your music available at most retail stores and digital outlets in the country.
9: Your album features Boo Da Boss Playa and Benz of Queen Boyz are there some other mississippi rappers you would like to work together?
Yes. I would like to do some production with David Banner, and work with other artists in this state that’s serious about their craft.
10: I really like your beats. Do you also produce for other peoples besides your "holdin our own records" labelmates? Do you sell your beats to other rappers or do you just take em for your own releases?
I sell beats to artist outside of Holdin’ Our Own Records also. I am actually getting ready to add some of my tracks to my website, which is HooRecords.com or PresidentBell.com. Anyone interested in purchasing instrumental tracks will be able to purchase them directly off my site in the near future.
11: What projects can we expect from you in the future?
I’m working on an album now called “Going Fed”. It will talk about the federal drug raid in my city in which I was arrested. I was later released because of lack of evidence, but a lot of my homeboys are in prison now. So I’m doing this album for them. Lot of rappers lying in their songs, but I put my life on these tracks. No exact release dates have been set, but just keep your eyes and ears open for that. It will be another classic.
12: Any last words?
I just want to thank you and all my fans that support me. It’s because of ya’ll i'm spreading like a wildfire. I also want you to know it takes time to create hit albums. But know this, If Holdin’ Our Own Records name is on it, it’s worth buying. We won’t release if every song isn’t worth hearing. That’s the business. And no amount of money, no major label, not anything will come in between that. That’s my word.
