Profitne$$ {thanks, Shy Moody}

From b, the paper:

Listen to the song “Fantasy World” off the incomparable mixtape, Mr. Untouchable, and you might think you were listening to a lost song from the vault of the classic Jay-Z album Reasonable Doubt. That just might have been the intention of Shy Moody, known to the underground B-More hip-hop scene as Profitne$$. Not as well known as many of the mainstream Baltimore artists, Profitne$$ earned his stripes studying the game and recording non-stop. He also earned respect from an early admirer of his work, local rapper B. Rich, known to many as the Atlantic Records signee who had the breakout single, “Whoa Now,” in 2002.

Profitne$$ looks to bring back the art of storytelling in hip-hop, as he intertwines stories of street life, lost loved ones, survival and regrets. But he also can please the mainstream, as he proved with the summer smash, “Top Drop,” which got a few spins on 92Q Jams. This brings us to the aforementioned mixtape, Mr. Untouchable – a facts-of-life piece that mixes both underground and mainstream, featuring superb production from in-house producers Bubby and DJ Squeeze. Having been featured on numerous projects from B. Rich and on the Baltimore compilation album Paused in Time, Profitne$$ is sure to be one of the next marquee artists from this city to make noise. And if you don’t think so, you’re living in a fantasy world.

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Was B. Rich instrumental in your introduction to hip-hop?

I met him through some homeboys of mine. At first I was just doing [hip-hop] because my guys said I could [rap]. I just realized that a lot of people were interested in it, and I always liked to compete. It seemed like I could make money doing it, seemed like an easy hustle.

There are a lot of artists – i.e. Jay-Z – who started out as introspective musicians, but admitted to dumbing down their music to make a profit. Do you think artists can reap monetarily from true art?

Definitely, it’s just that different people got different ways of doing it. I think as far as making money, it probably helped [Jay-Z] out a lot; but it’s probably a traditional fan that really missed his original style, and you got to throw a couple of those type of songs on the CD for them. Jay is always hot. I just heard The Game’s new joint, and I liked it. Kanye West is another guy I’ve been checking out.

Being an artist who tells the stories of the streets, do you think a kid living in the suburbs and going to private school can relate to your music?

Yeah, because I have a school background. I’m pretty book smart. I would say most of the people who say they enjoy me, enjoy me because they learn from me. I don’t disrespect none of my fans, those who have their own and those who don’t.

You have a new mixtape coming out called Hard Rock. Can you talk a little about that project?

It’s going to be like when 50 Cent did the old school joints from the club and remixed them. I’m rapping over some old, classic rock ‘n’ roll. I’m trying something different.

Can you describe what real hip-hop is to you?

Honesty! If you can just be yourself and still entertain people, then you’ve got it right.

To download Profitne$$’ mixtape Mr. Untouchable for free, and to listen to his new music, visit www.myspace.com/profitnessmusic.

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