For Harlem rapper Jim Jones, the Capo, outside of his history as part of the Diplomats, was able to establish himself initially through Koch Records.  At the time, Koch was dubbed as being “the graveyard” for some artists and signs that a rapper was quickly fading into obscurity in the Hip Hop scene.

Jones actually left the independent label to join forces with Columbia Records where he released Pray IV Reign.

Since then, Koch has shed its skin and now stands as E1 Music and it might be time for Jones to return home as the label has catapulted itself from being a small fraction to being a factor.

The deal made between the two entities as he returns back to his initial nesting grounds is for one mixtape and one album.

After a joint album with DJ Webstar, the rapper's next solo studio album is expected  to drop in 2010 although no further details have been released.

Rumors were circulating last summer that the rapper was in the process of being dropped from Columbia and a “source” from A&R had made the rumors concrete facts by stating that he was in fact dropped. According to Jones, however, the reports had no validity and even added that he's not really an artist there but just in a partnership with the label pursuing a venture.

While Koch was on the climb to the top, the rapper was named Vice President of Urban A&R last January.  As the move to independent releases was slowly brewing, Jones was having his contributions to music acknowledged.

His work with E1 found the rapper introducing the world to Mr. Ice Cream Paint Job, Dorrough, along with working with the ranks of D-Block and the team of DJ Khaled.

Jones spoke on his relationship with Koch through Artist Direct, stating that the label allows him to do his thing which only makes him create music with better quality due to him not having excessive constraints in the creative process.

“They recognize all the money I've made them and all of the moves I've made throughout the years over the course of our relationship.  They understand the way I have to work.  Freedom is definitely a must for me to get the best quality of product that's usually a hit.”

The move back can only mean great things for both Jones and E1.  As he was able to help in establishing Koch as being formidable and in turn, them becoming a new utopia for artists that were tired of the majors, the two can only further progress as they have departed to learn the way on their own, but come back once again.

“I think there were a lot of misconceptions about me , but I can understand why it was like that because people didn't know me, I wouldn't let them in my world."

There was a certain point in time, believe it or not, when rapper Gucci Mane wasn't in high demand as he was on his come up in the music world.  Outside of his collaboration with Young Jeezy back in the day on “So Icey” , La Flare has always seemed to be an artist that preferred to keep to himself.

Recently, however, the feeling must have changed as Gucci has almost become the new Lil Wayne due to the fact that a person can't go anywhere without hearing the rapper featured on a rap record.  He has even stretched his wings and aligned himself with R&B.

From Outkast's Big Boi to Juelz Santana to Cam'Ron, the Georgia native is almost untouchable and can do no wrong on a track as artists across the country are looking to work with him.

He's even created a high demand for his crew as OJ Da Juiceman is another rapper being utilized by big names.

Although Gucci is currently dealing with a prison sentence stemming from probation violation, luckily with good behavior, he will be able to return within six months and continue to find his way in infiltrating the mainstream.

La Flare was able to speak with Miss Info where he revealed how he initially came into the game in regards to him working with others stating that he was more attracted to the underdogs of the music industry.

“Very isolated person as far as musically or industry wise.  I kind of look down on being major or major artists.  I look up to and respect the more independent person, paying out their pocket and running their own show.  That's where I came from.”

Now that he has exploded onto the scene, however, things have changed as everybody seems to want to be on Team Gucci.  Realizing that there is such a high demand, he only feels that it makes sense and is aware of the fact that his buzz can only bring buzz to these other artists that affiliate themselves with him.

“By me never reaching out to them, they didn't have no clue what I would say or think and then as my stuff started to pop, not to say that they jumped on the bandwagon, it was just a smart choice.  South is on the rise and if I was on the rise and fell off, I can get this to take me back up there or if my stuff on the rise too, we can go at the same time.”

Whether artists are trying to ride the wave of success that is Gucci or just have a general interest in collaborating, one thing is for certain and that is the fact that Gucci has been able to claw and crawl his way from the underground to establish his dominance in Hip Hop.  As he sits behind a jail cell, he can only expect even more opportunity once he is freed from incarceration.

“I can't use my own music without getting your permission?”

The music industry isn't always what it's cracked up to be.  Images may seem a lot different from afar and as people continue to look at artists and envy their luxurious lifestyles has a reality gut check to look forward to. 

Too many have been blinded and confused by the flashing lights.

DMX is an artist that has seen the sky as well as the pits in his rap career.  Many remember the days when X was on top with Ruff Ryders, but people continue to wonder what actually happened as he seems to be a past memory since as his exploits outweigh the music.

Also making a move towards being independent, there is clearly something going on with major record labels as artists, particularly rappers, continue to find solace in their career when they do it on their own.   

While on SLF (Sounds Like Fire), the Dark Man gave some incite about the actual game and the politics that take place behind closed doors between the artist and those that help to shape his/her career in regards to exposure. 

“The highest paid artists get 26 cents off a dollar.  They sell your Shyte for $20.  C'mon dawg, you can do a little better than that.”

Back in the day when Def Jam actually gave priority to their rap artists, the video game industry was hit by storm with the game Def Jam Vendetta which featured the Def Jam roster in a WWE style fighting game.  The game's initial success resulted in two sequels.

The rapper, who was featured as a character as well as having his music played, stated that shifty business deals in that forced him to receive the short end of the stick.

“They sell a game for 50 fu&^ing dollars.  These ni**as come to me like ‘Yo, guess what X?  We're gonna do a part 2 now.'  Mind you, they use my music throughout the whole fu$#ing game and I'm the hardest character to get to.  So it's pretty much my Shyte.  They say they're going to give me a $25,000 advance signing bonus and 2 cents off of every game sold.  $50 fu&%ing game and you're giving me 2 cents?”

For young artists that think that the life of an artist is all glitz and glam, think twice before adapting this type of mentality.  Nothing comes free and fame has its own prices.

Being quiet for almost eight years in the Hip-Hop scene, Monch made his return with the release of Desire, but it seemed to be a lackluster homecoming for the rapper.  Whether it be the fault of his label SRC or the actual material and transition in music, the rapper has decided to cut the middle man as he has decided to part ways with his label.

According to Monch, the label made an offer for him to create another album, but with the changing industry, he felt as though he would be better off to try it out on his own instead of being backed by the label.  What would be the purpose of the label if they were doing what he was fully capable of accomplishing by himself?

Although fans had to wait eight years for Desire, the next helping shouldn't be as long as he is in works of making a new album entitled W.A.R. or We Are Renegades.  The title of the upcoming project is also the title of his emerging label.

Speaking with XXL, the rapper has added that he has many deals that have been placed in front of him as it pertains to distribution, but maintains that he wants to overall have ownership.

“We Are Renegades is the name of the label, which is also the name of the album.  And we have a plethora of distribution situations and label situations but I definitely wanna stay on the ownership side and the independent side and gain a little bit more control in this point of my career.”

Always willing to show support for their fellow underground artists, the likes of Talib Kweli, Styles P, Black Milk and others have been named to be featured on the album which is set to drop early 2010. 

Monch had his own reunion last Friday as he blessed the stage with Prince Po, they were formerly in a group Organized Konfusion.  Fans, unfortunately, can pick up their jaws as no full album has been planned between the two, but a track is in store that will feed the appetites of the masses and leave them full.