West Coast MC Stix is bringing a new style to the Gangsta Rap Capital

Motivated by the disparaging environment in his hometown of Watts, CA, Stix, born Brandon Salaam-Bailey has emerged as one of LA’s most promising talents. The Watts California native is a founding member of the rock band Life Nine. The band recently inked a production deal with Headquarter Entertainment which is owned by Grammy nominated artist Tyrese. As an independent artist, Stix has successfully built a worldwide following for his music. He has worked with numerous big name artist including Will Smith, Tyrese, Tank, Busta Rhymes, Jay Rock, Ginuwine, Method Man and R. Kelly. Stix has been featured in dozens of magazines and online sites including The Source, True magazine, In Touch Weekly, and Hollywood Life Magazine, Yo Raps.com, Dubbcnn.com (noting Stix release of 6 mix tapes in 6 weeks), westcoastrydaz.com, ballerstatus.com, and dastreetbuzz.com. Due to unrelenting grassroots marketing and promotions, Stix has received worldwide airplay on radio stations such as: Power 106, 93.5 KDAY, 100.3 The Beat, L.A.’s 102.3, Philadelphia’s WLVR and WXAC 91.3, Las Vegas 1230AM, Japan’s Joint One Radio, XM radio and other stations across the nation.

West Coast stand up!

Additionally, Stix, has been featured as the exclusive artist for the Akademik’s Clothing Mixtape for the 2004 All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles, Ca. Spearheading the Creation of The Pit, this annual event has been created by Stix as a gateway for undiscovered artist to be seen and heard while battling each other. The Pit is attend by a host of celebrities who support Stix’s movement including Young Jeezy, Teairra Mari, Redman, Nas, Tyrese, Glasses Malone, along with other top label A&R’s. Currently, Stix has an album on iTunes with Def Jam recording artist Bobby Valentino titled, The Next of Both Worlds, which to date has received over 10,000 downloads worldwide.

In addition to creating a music presence, Stix’s added business opportunities have garnered him a name within the children’s market. He is the creator of a children’s clothing line Q&A and the Executive Producer, of the children’s cartoons, The Adventures of Stix, and Antwon Spinach, scheduled to debut on networks worldwide in late 2010. Stix is presently authoring a book titled Hello is Anyone Home, a book for parents understanding the minds of a child, written from a teenage perspective. Famed pastor T.D. Jakes said, “This is a book that must be exposed“.

Stix has also entered the comic book world with the creation of the graphic novel Hell Angel which is currently under heavy negotiations.

SDE Magazine sat down with the Watts MC to discuss life, music and the future of West Coast Rap!

Who were you musical influences growing up?
My musical influences growing up were Jay-Z, Fabolous, Biggie, 2 Pac, Marvin Gaye, Sade, Kenny G, & Sting

What made you want to become a rapper?
Listening to the Hot 97 freestyle takeover by Roc-A-Fella with my friend “Badlucc” made me want to rap, I thought it was dope how they were lyrically destroying those beats. Every since then I wanted to rap

What was it like growing up in Watts?
It was good and bad, growing up in Watts taught me street code ethics, which is key and pretty similar to the entertainment industry, it was a bit dangerous but I survived

You have a unique style for a West Coast artist. What do you attribute your style to?
I attribute my style to Kanye West and Jay-Z; I have a Hova swag with a Kanye musical style with a Chris Martin energy!

What do people in Watts think about your style?
People in Watts think my style is very different but they love and respect it because I’m real to myself I’m not trying to be nothing that I’m not

What is your relationship like with other up and coming West Coast MC’s?
I have great relationships with other West Coast artist like Glasses Malone, Nipsey Hustle, Jay Rock, Bishop Lamont, Tyrese, Badlucc, UNI, PAC division, Damani, etc…. Anybody who’s anybody on the West Coast I know them

How long have you been rapping?
I have been rapping for 7 years

How did you start your label? Describe the process?
I started my label this year in “09 it’s a multi-media company, we do music, fashion, TV, film, and consulting, the process was very simple because of my resources and I hope to be one of the fortune 500 companies in the future.

What’s the most important thing you learned in the music business that you didn’t know when you started?
Relationships are everything; it’s not what you know it’s who you know

Who are some artist you would like to work with?
Kanye West, Mr. Hudson, Paramore, Chris Martin, John Mayer, Dr. Dre

Describe your musical style?
My musical style is like a mix between, Kanye, Chris Martin, and Jay-Z if there was a comparison

What main stream MC’s are you most like?
Jay-Z, Kanye, Chris Martin, Kid Cudi in that lane

What would you tell aspiring artist out there?
Put the great God 1st and the rest will prosper, have faith!

Where can people find out more about you and your music? Myspace.com/wattscity, twitter.com/wattsstix
Album “Late 4 Sound Check” drops Aug 18th, and my single “I’m fly” is available on iTunes and you can see the video on YouTube now.