I caught up with Richie Righteous to talk about his album R.I.C.H. (released today), his goal to sell 50,000 albums in one week, being an independent artist, family, losing his father and much, much more.  This has been my most favorite interview to date.  Check it out!

ZEE: Richie, thanks for agreeing to this interview, man. What's good?  Tell us about yourself... Who is Richie Righteous?

RR: Everything is good, I can't and I won't complain.

ZEE: Amen to that bro...

RR: Richie Righteous is someone who loves God. I am a father of two and I have been married for 7 years. I am family man. I am married to a amazing woman named Sherry-Ann. I have two wonderful kids that love God. Savannah is 4 and Sehven is 9. I am simply trying my best to live according to the word of God.

ZEE: Sehven? That's a cool name. Where are you from?

RR: I was born in Guyana, South America. I was raised in Queens, New York... where I still live today.

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ZEE: Word. Shoutout to Queens! (laugh). Let's jump into it... Your last album was called Censorship.  When was that album released and what was your goal with that album?

RR: When I did Censorship, which I think was released in 2004, I was brand new to the music business. I understood the ministry end of it. On the ministry end I wanted to win souls. I also was trying to make the point that society seems to have a problem with the mention of the name Jesus. I wanted people to hear the music and not be ashamed to represent Jesus. I wanted them to not compromise but stand for what you believe in every arena. On the business end I had no idea what I was doing. But I learned fast. (laugh) I wasn't full time. I was a teacher at a private school, but after that first year of the album being out, I had to make a choice, and I am now a full time minister.

ZEE: Wow! That's what's up man. I didn't know that. We'll talk more about that in a few. It's 2009 and you are about to drop RI.C.H. I could easily assume that the album is titled after your name, but is the meaning of it much deeper than that?  What do you mean by "rich?"  What does this acronym mean, and does it have anything to do with money?  Some might assume that.  Fill us in.

RR: R.I.C.H means "Resting in Christ Hands." It's not about money, but I do have songs that address money. On this album I wanted to let people get a look at my relationship with God.  I am learning how to rest in Christ, knowing that He is in control. I have songs that talk about my personal struggles, my prayer for this generation... I am also trying to clearly define who I represent, while asking this generation who do they rep? Also I wanted people to know that true rest, joy and peace comes from knowing Jesus. Matthew 11:28.

ZEE: Amen. Most people have only heard two singles off of R.I.C.H. - "Do What It Do" and "Who You Represent" - and both have used Autotune.  Have you grown fond of this effect and does the majority of the album have this? I know the answer, but I'mma let you tell it. (laughs)

RR: (laughs) I do like autotune, and that's exactly why I use it. (laughs) Autotune is hot.. But the whole album is not like that.

ZEE: (laughs) They also seem to have more singing to them rather than just straight rappin'.  Why is that? Don't get me wrong, I'm feelin' it big time.  But I also loved your flow on Censorship.  Can we expect some of that on this upcoming abum?

RR: Absolutely. I am still rappin on this joint. I am singing too, but I am still spittin.  I got songs on there about the crucifixion, about what it's like to be a Gospel rapper, songs about New York. They are all straight rap joints.

ZEE: I'm sure they're hot! Let's talk marketing for a minute.  I see you have a campaign in which you are wanting to sell 50,000 albums in one week as an independent artist???  Is that correct? What's the story behind that?

RR: A lot of people think that this is just another artist trying to get paid. (laughs) I am an independent artist without a major label or investors. And first, just the cost of recording, buying beats, mixing the records, getting the artwork, printing 50,000 CDs, paying for marketing.... Keep in mind that I am trying to sell 50,000 this number exceeds way more than the average gospel rapper sells. My MySpace hits are now touching close to 150,000... and that's free!! So, imagine having to convince 50,000 people  to buy your record...and this without a major label, radio or TV support.

So as you can see, it’s a hard task...but we are losing a generation and we cannot be quiet anymore. We gotta make noise and draw man’s attention back to the cross....50,000 records is making noise.

Imagine  the number one record in the country is a gospel rap record from an artist who is not scared to mention Jesus in his music. Can you imagine what the label heads would start thinking? Can you imagine what the magazines would say? Or what the music channels would say? Can you imagine if we are always number one? Everytime they look at there Billboard chart they see Christian artists making noise! What would the music mainstream sound like then? What would radios begin to rotate? We complain about the lack of airplay. There are many reasons for that. One is because they don't want to play songs that boldly show what the word of God says and because we have no ownership they don't play us. The world owns the big radio stations, TV, etc. I am not gonna wait for them to play my music. To some people, the height of there career is getting on a BET, MTV, etc. But I want to be able to rep Christ without having the world filter or censor me out first. To do that we have to have some type of control.. As a youth leader, I see the effects of secular music but I also see the effects of gospel rap too. The kids love it and I know more people would too if they knew we existed. We can change this if we start supporting each other in big ways..

It can easily be done..We have got churches in this country with total membership of 30,000. Some with twenty, others five, others a couple hundred. Why are our sales low in the gospel market - and not just Gospel Rap? What are the believers buying? Imagine if the body begins to buy our records when they are released. We could change the face of mainstream music. We have got to start owning our own stations (Radio and TV), Magazines,ETC..

ZEE: Wow man, you said exactly what has been on my heart for a long time. More people need to get this in their hearts and minds. This is serious business bro! Souls are at stake! (sigh). There are people who say it's wrong to desire money, but how are we supposed to do business and make moves for the kingdom if we're broke and have no financial power? It's because the world has the money that they are able to call seemingly all of the shots. But so many just want to sit back and pray for God to have his way. But he has been waiting on us for years to do something! (sigh) Man, let me stop there (laughs), because I could go on all day with that. I see you could too. Let's keep it moving.

What was the recording process like for this album? Did you face any challenges recording it? Cause you had quite a gap between R.I.C.H. and Censorship...

RR: Man where do I start to answer that.. It seemed like with this album, everything that could go wrong did.. When it came to getting tracks, producers were charging me prices that I could not afford at all. Even when I explained my situation it did not make a difference.. It's not that the producers were not worth it, but I could'nt afford it.. So I was happy when I finally started meeting brothers who were willing to work with me.. I started recording and the album was supposed to be released in January Last year.. We taped for TBN and I was sure I was gonna make some noise now..I put it out there to look out for the TBN special I did with Jose Velez and Tonya Wilder from the American Bible Society.. I made youtube videos advertising it..I told everyone.. So you could imagine how I felt when I found out they were not gonna air it...I felt like a clown.. I asked the powers that be why were they not airing it.. To this day I don't know the answer.. I recently watched the recording and I saw some of the things that I was saying and I called the Pastor who hooked it up and asked him if I was too radical and was it what I had said about Homosexuality that stopped it.. He did not confirm that..but I suspect I might have been too radical for the TBN audience..

So I decided to push the album to last May..I begun the campaign of 50,000 records in one week. I was recording and writing. I did an interview with Rapfest's Bert Bocachica to push the campaign..Then when I was taking my music over to master, my computer crashed.. I lost all the plugins that I had used to mix the records..I lost some files.. So once again I felt like an idiot.. Here I am saying I am gonna sell all these records and I can't even get it out..I was able to save a lot of the files.. I got a new computer and started again..I borrowed money from a friend and bought a computer.. I was not gonna quit, even though at times I felt like it.. I kept on...money was tight from month to month...but God was meeting every need in my house.. I felt like just quitting but God did'nt let me...I finally made it through summer and when Fall hit I made up my mind to finish this project.. When it came down to pay for the pressing up of records..LOL.. I did not have it.. I put it on a credit card... I had to pay the master,( that is a whole other story).. BUT I just knew I had to get it out.. Over the last weeks I have cried and broke down in front of my family.. My son's birthday was on the 8th of January and he saw me crying, I wanted to take him out but the funds was not there like that and I still was not finished with all the songs.. The deadline was fastly approaching.. He is such a good kid.. He said I understand dad.. Thank God, God came through for me cause I was able to take him out the sunday after church and celebrate... I cried like crazy in frustration..Then my mind was being attacked.. I was wondering if people will even like the album.. Man I was contemplating quitting altogether and refunding all the pre-orders..My wife was the one whose strength kicked in and because of her determination and belief in the fact that God had called us to do this album, on her birthday last Thursday the masters were handed in. My wife knew the music was anointed and knew that I was buggin and was overloaded.. The album was done... Now it was just to put it out and let God do wut He Do.... You could imagine how I felt when I saw the comments you guys gave me on the review.. and the testimonies that are coming in already..TO GOD BE THE GLORY.... "GET UP OFF THE COUCH HOMEBOY AND DRY YA EYES." IT'S HERE I realize now that GOD WAS TEACHING ME HOW TO REST IN CHRIST HANDS....MATTHEW 11:28...

ZEE: Dude... that's a testimony right there!  Praise God!  And with that... back to what you said earlier, though. Being a full-time minister as well as an independent artist, how do you plan to accomplish all of the things you just mentioned? Believe me, I know that with God ALL things are possible.  So, I commend your faith ambition and support you man.  I don't think you're thinking too big at all.  Still you have to have a plan.  What's your plan with this?

RR: Well if I am gonna push 50,000 then at least 500,000 people have to know about me and my music. So it's a lot of work. The plan is to promote as much as I can. Through internet sites like DaSouth, social networks, radio promos, magazines, youtube, texting, emailing, television, touring. Whatever is in my ability to do I will. I can only work what I have been given. And believe me I will work it. Anyone reading this interview that want to hit me up go to RichieRighteous.com.

ZEE: What are ways people can help support you to accomplish this goal?

RR: One of the best forms of promotions is still word of mouth. People can simply help me by texting and emailing all your friends in your contacts and tell them the new album is out and available at www.richierighteous.com. If you are a radio personality or you own a magazine, I would love for you to carry the story. I am open to suggestions. (laughs)

ZEE: Who do you have on production on this project, and do you have any guest features?

RR: I worked with The Smith Brothers, Shawn Smith ( NY) Jimmy Khendrix (NY) Tony Stone (VA), Twyla (NJ), Fresh Air ( VA). I have one feature with a legendary Gospel singer in NY, evangelist Valerie Boyd.

ZEE: How have you grown and developed as an artist since Censorship?  Do you try to reinvent yourself musically?

RR: I have grown a lot. When I did Censorship I was younger and saw the world differently. Now I am a little older. I have got a nine year old son and a four year old daughter, and my knowledge of God's word has increased. My releationship with God has grown. I believe this is reflected in my music. Also, I am a musician and I love all genres of music, so I tried to get on tracks that are musical as well. Also Censorship was written almost from like a young man concerns about the world. This album is written from someone who is turning into an activist or a voice for the Kingdom. I hold no punches on this one. I tell it like it is. I speak on politics, the church, the streets, the youth, family, and the various ideologies that are on the rise today. The ideologies that seems to be creeping in the Kingdom and misleading the people. I also talk a lot about grace and the fact that this corrupt world takes it for granted.

ZEE: What would you say is your favorite track on the album and why?

RR: It's hard for me to say. It's like picking a favorite child. I love all the songs. But if I were absolutely forced to pick one, it would probably be Salvaion 101.

ZEE: Yeah, that joint is hot!

RR: The reason is the song speaks of how much God loves us, and He gave us a  second chance. His death gives us a second chance.

ZEE: I heard a song that you wrote to your father who had died.  My father died in 2007 eleven days before Christmas.  Unfortunately he died a devout Muslim. Your father was a pastor though right?  If you don't mind me asking, what was his cause of death?

RR: My dad died in 1997 of a heart attack. My dad's name was Mohammad Ishmael. My real name is Richard Mohammad Ishmael. My dad was raised in a muslim home, but he converted to Christianity, and became a Pastor.

ZEE: Man! Who would've known that in this convo such a distinct difference between our fathers would be brought up? God, of course! But I'm saying... that's powerful. I hope anyone peeping this interview who has muslim relatives or is of another religion will find hope in that. I only wish my father would've died a Christian. Praise God you'll see your father again, fam. Mmmm... Was it difficult to write that song?

RR: It was one of the hardest songs to write. I cried several times while doing it. I wish even today that I had my father. I wish I had my dad to mentor me and to give me advice on "grown man" issues.

ZEE: I feel that. My mother and father divorced before I turned one year old. So, I had no father in the home. Thank God our heavenly father was keeping watch over us and we had the grace enough to come to Him. Praise God!

I've been on your YouTube channel and I was flippin' through your different videos (laughs) Flip the Channel! (laughs)  You've started a new online reality show on there with you and your wife.  Ya'll be buggin' on there! What's it called and what's the show about?

RR: It's called Life of a Gospel Rapper, and yes we be buggin. The whole concept is to get people to see a little of my life and what a gospel rapper's life is like.

Life Of A Gospel Rapper - "Shopping for a Coat"

ZEE: On the real, I like the jacket you chose in that one particular episode, but I was also feeling that Sailors coat.  (laughs)  I saw some videos a while back where you did some acting or a skit or something. Do you plan to go into acting?

RR: I graduated from college with an acting degree. That is something that I do have a major desire to do. I think this year I will start auditioning again and even venture into making independent films.

ZEE: I definitely think you should do that, man. This interview is just flowing man. Folks we did not discuss this interview beforehand! Godjust works like that!

I have seen some of you RapFest performances online, and your sets always seem to steal the show.  Have you had a lot of experience on the road doing shows?  Do you practice your stage presence?

RR: I don't practice, but I have been performing since I was like 7 years old. So the stage is not new to me.. I am very comfortable on stage. I love performing/ministering. I am on the road a lot and I have learned that crowds are different, people react different in different places. So you learn real quick what works where..

ZEE: Do you plan to go on tour and produce any videos?  What does the future hold for this project?

RR: I plan to tour for the rest of this year. (laughs)

ZEE: Well alright! (laughs)

RR: I am currently trying to get the funds up for a video. I want it to be hot. I actually want to do a few videos for this album.

ZEE: Man, I see how you grind, so I know you want settle for anything less than the best. We all gotta have that mindset about ministry - excellence. So the obvious question is when does the album drop and where can people pick it up?

RR: The album drops on January 27th, 2009. It will be avaible at www.richierighteous.com That's the best place to get it. Also right here at The Bus Shop and iTunes etc.

ZEE: How do you like the new DaSouth.com?

RR: Man I love this site! Very informative. The news is great that yall have on here. Keep it up man. For real, I would recommend this site to anybody.

ZEE: Thanks man! We certainly are grindin' to make it better literally every single day. The site is still new and we've yet to scratch the surface with what we're trying to do. DaSouth because of people like you. We're here to provide y'all more exposure and let the world see that we're also doing our thing, but better! Thanks again, man. That blessed me to hear that. When is the album release and who is gonna be there?

RR: The album release party is taking place on February 21st in Queens, NY. The line up is crazy! We got Twyse, J.A.Z., Lavoisier, Peoplez Choice, Gauge, Slave, Dunamis, Magellan, Q the Prophet and the list is growing. We got NY coming out strong that day.

ZEE: Honestly fam, I'd love to be there for that one. Please record it on video and we'll put it up and show the world. It's stuff like that that helps us grow as a genre. Word... Any last words for our members and visitors?

RR: My last words to the people are give your life to Christ if you have not done so! Jesus is amazing and has an amazing plan for your life. Matthew 11:28 says "Come onto me all ye that labor and are heavy ladden and I will give you REST."  And finally, please cop the new album and let's make history together.

ZEE: Good stuff, good stuff right there man. I'd have to say that this has been my favorite interviews to date. Thanks again, Richie aka Double R! (laughs) We out people! Cop that R.I.C.H.! It's hot!!!!!!!!