To start off tell us how you got about setting up Da Ambush compilation and what it's all about?

Well, first off my brother (Jon Hart) who happens to be the C.E.O. is the brain behind this whole M.I.H. Entertainment thing had a dream that he decided to make reality. To make a long story shorter Hart was pushing a 6 song EP entitled "Next Breath" back in 1998 if I recall correctly. He later approached me about lending a helping hand in pushing the "Next Breath" and from that point forward we got bout a 1,000 units out on the streets in no time. Then everything else just seemed to fall right into place from that point beyond. Hart was like yo brah, there's actually a local underground Hip-Hop market around here to the point that if you go about this music thing right he can make it happen because there is a lot of money just walking all around us. Some time had passed by and I later met Jay Allen who did 4 tracks on the "Next Breath." He and my brother joined forces and Jay agreed to produce "Da Ambush" and then the look was on for the M.C.'s that would fit the bill which wasn't to hard to pull off because Jay has been doing this music thing for many years and he knew all the qualified M.C.'s that lived in Harrisburg, PA. that were capable of laying down skillful songs or verses. Me being the A&R of the company I put my ear to the streets of York, PA. and found some people that I thought may be suitable as well. We then went into the studio and dumped the beats and laid down the lyrics and from there "Da Ambush" just escalated to what some consider being a classic underground album. 

What does "Da Ambush" mean? I guess there were two subliminal messages intended to infiltrate the Hip-Hop scene. One was to attack all consumers with unknown talent that needed to be heard. 

Now we come to the album cover that raised a few eyebrows because when you look at the front cover you see just a bunch of people just running towards the main entrance of the State Capital, which is located in Harrisburg, PA. and then when you flip it over to the back you see the State Capital daaammn near broke down to rubble, which looks to be rather violent. A few people have even brought up the question were we against the government? Ha,ha ha!!! The subliminal message to the rubbish on the back is to say that M.I.H. and the album "Da Ambush" itself wants to leave a strong impression that we were here and heard. 

Being an independent label what lessons have you learnt through releasing this comp from the planning stages right through to production. What pointers can you give to other people who are trying to bring out albums?

The lessons that weren't possibility missed are the scariest thoughts that run though my mind? I would have to start off with getting in that pre-production it's something that really needs to be enforced when dealing with artists because it saves so much time and money while in the studio, plus it lets others in the session know what kind of lyrical performance to listen for. 

Secondly making sure that whatever currency you plan on spending on advertising and promotion is spent in a very efficient manner. M.I.H. has found out that advertising through network of TV commercials is great for creating that awareness to your album/ company but you have to put a limit on where you want them to be shown and how long you plan on running them also. Knowing that it takes some time to get an independent company's name out to the Hip-Hop consumers, we've noticed passing out of filers is so much more effective then poster in our area. The reason being is that posters are stationary and fliers circulated from one location to the next. Poster work out very well in the record stores because where they place the poster it remains there until the store removes it or the tape just loses life, ya know!!! Plus it's like there is the poster and here is the product. Now on the street level of plastering posters on telephone poles and wherever else you choose to represent your camp they seem to vanish or get torn in some cases. (Hatred or not, you make the call?) 

Third and not least keeping the name of the company and any project(s) out or on the verge of coming out in people's minds so you're never counted out. Rather it be shows, website, newspaper articles or the most powerful one of them all just mentioned "word of mouth." You should never stop trying to sell your product just because it's old. There are tons of people all over the globe that would really enjoy listening to your old music. There's always somebody out there that hasn't heard of your album/company. (Old to you and new to them!!!) Your fan base should never stop growing as long as you keep putting in that work.

What kind of response have you had from the comp?

The responses have been almost unbelievable. The reason I used the word unbelievable is because it's like you know you have the talent to make it happen but until the consumers determine the final synopsis you can't be 100% confident. About 90-95% of the feedback we've received has been pretty positive and that's always a great motivator. But even the bad feed back is kool because that lets you know that you still have work to put in even though you know deep down that you will never please everyone. 

In terms of marketing the album where has it been most responsive, offline or online?

I would have to say the offline is more influential because we are right there at the malls, carwashes, fairs, Hip-Hop events, family reunions, etc. just passing out fliers and pushing those CD's mad hard to any and everybody. 

If some guy were to rip your whole album and distribute it on the net in mp3 what would you think of that?

Daaammn!!! That's a question and a half there because if people just actually knew how much time these producers and M.C.'s and whomever else who has time and any involvements into putting an album together they would think twice before doing that stupid shish. This is how a lot of people support their families just think about it you bootleggers, you maybe taking the food out of a mouth of a child, thanks a lot!!! Then people wonder why so many artists with superb can't sell at least 250,000 units on a major label with proper promotion. But hell shish happens and something's you just can't change so we try to look pass that kind of shish because real Hip-Hop head will support you to the end as long as you keep giving them that heat. 

Tell us a bit about the artists who featured on this album, where they from?

Seldom Seen - A Thought provoking MC, that is able to intertwine life tales
with music like few can. His drawl like flow, mixed with heart felt
content wraps and sooths you for the kill like a king cobra. Harrisburg, PA.

Hazidus Da Fly Apostle - A smooth laid-back type of fellow that will brings the streets to you in a calm like fashion. Bronx, NY

Smurf - A really powerful and humble person who intertwined book smarts with street smarts in his lyrics. Harrisburg, PA.

Mr. Blackston - Serious, A battle M.C. that unlike others easily makes the
transition to and from universal lyricist. Harrisburg, PA.

Penhead - The Future, it's been said that the Mayor of Harrisburg has been
considering stepping down to make room for this fiery lyrical leader. Harrisburg, PA. 

AlterEgo - He's that person that's full of surprises on and off the microphone but isn't to be taken lightly. Waukegan, IL. 

Dayne Jaxs - Insightful MC with the knack for making a fuzzy picture
clear. Harrisburg, PA.

Sean Brox - Energy. Hidden jewel sometimes overlooked but those foolish
enough to, will become victim to a lyrical thrashing. Harrisburg, PA.

What is the philosophy behind MIH Entertainment?

I would have to sum that question up with these few words. We particularly endeavor to present any form(s) of professionalism to Hip-Hop because it seems like few aspire for these essentials anymore.

Can you tell us a bit about the Hip Hop scene in your area?

It has really blown up just in a three-year span. There's a numerous amount of people getting acquainted with this Hip-Hop thing now that it's become fairly obvious that a person is able make money off this hustle, ya know!!! I'm sure my area is just like every other place on this earth that has Hip-Hop because everyone wants to blow and be the boss instead of kind of working together in a minimal way. I say minimal because it keeps egos at a balanced level. 

What's the next step for MIH?

Currently the first step has to be getting the "Life Music and Paper" compilation out to the consumers and after that is accomplished the company's main focus over the next two years is to release 4 albums and sell in excess of 20,000 units, collectively; which will solidify our core fan base for future expansion. 

What are your thoughts on Bush's attitude towards Iraq and North Korea? What about all the nuclear weapons that America has?

I don't get to involved with politics even though in all probability I should. Everyone has flaws I guess!!! It's something that never really grabbed my attention enough to actually flood my mind with. As far as the nuclear nonsense goes I don't think no country should be entitled to have power like that, period. 

If people want to learn more about MIH and hook up what do they need to do?

Diff
Director of A&R 
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (Please do not send attachments because they will be deleted.) 
www.mihentertainment.com

Make It Happen Entertainment
P.O. Box 5616
Harrisburg, PA. 17110-0616
United States

Ever thought of coming out to Africa?

Shish, there isn't a place on this earth that M.I.H. plans on not going to if this music thing blows like we know it's capable of doing. We just want to see what the world has to offer to successful people. 

What was it like doing this compilation? 

It was a learning experience for everyone that was involved I'm sure. It's funny because you just don't realize how fast time just blows right past you while preparing an album. I must say it got kind of frustrating at times because you have to work around everyone's schedules but you learn pretty fast how to have patients especially when you know that you are dealing with pure talent. This album "Da Ambush" has open the minds of so many people within the Harrisburg, PA. area it's scary. The reason why it's scary to me is because it only takes one person to screw-up in Hip-Hop and that notorious bright spotlight shines on everybody within that area. I mean "Da Ambush" has opened doors for us in various cities and states but sometime you can't walk into all doors that are opened because you may not have the proper tools to actually operate the way you need to, so you have to let some of them doors close from time to time and just pray that when you're able to function properly they'll still be showing some kind of interested in your work. But over all it was fun and a lot more stress free then working on the upcoming project "Life Music and Paper." 

Tell us a bit about the producer from this album.

Damn where should I begin because Jay Allen of Heist Productions is merely brilliant when it comes to composing beats. He never lets up on the beats because just when I assume I've heard his finest work he throws something new in your ears that just screws up your entire thought process of him making beats. I've come to the conclusion over the years of knowing him that he has no limits as far as originality. Unlike so many others, he's not just a beatmaker he's a producer. Oh, and don't think that every beatmaker is a producer because their not. A beatmaker just makes beats as to where a producer has that talent to create beats and put entire albums together plus having studio awareness helps excessively. 

What are your thoughts on the different styles of hip hop that exists e.g. East Coast, Bay, Down South etc. Do you listen to all styles or are you only interested in one particular one?

Well, I love it all the past and the present because unlike the younger generation of Hip-Hop lover's I've had the pleasure of seeing it grow from M.C.'s like Sugarhill Gang, Cold Crush Brothers, Afrika Bambaataa, Mantronix, T-La Rock Just-Ice, Egyptian Lover, M.C. Shy D, 2 Live Crew etc., etc. I listen to it all East Coast, West Coast, Mid West, South and whatever else I can seep into my ears because I think regardless of where you come from everybody has that similar verbal cry of expression, it's just spit with different slanguage. Hard times are hard times and good times are good times, ya know! Oh, keep your ears open for that Hip-Hop coming out of the United Kingdom as well because the world is sleeping on the UK but that will change in due time also. 

Thank you for taking the time to talk to us, do you have any last words or shout outs??

It's been a pleasure! I just want to thank all the M.C.'s that have and continue to contribute their words to those Heist Productions banging tracks that Jay Allen has provided. Thanks goes out to all the fans that had faith in Make It Happen Entertainment from day one and thanks to the many more that will become fans. 

Oh, and be on the look out for Make It Happen Entertainment second release entitled "Life Music and Paper" coming @ you sometime within the first quarter of 2003

R.I.P. William Smith, James Johnson and Smurf

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