HHC: Divo, thanks for taking a seat with HHC; How about you start things off with an introduction for those who don't know. Where you reppin'? Who you move with? Etc.
I'm based out of Kitchener right now; this is where I came up. I'm rollin with Q It Up Records right now just tryin to make power moves.

HHC: What was it like growing up in Kitchener? What kind of influence did Hip-Hop have on the city?
Kitchener isn't that big but I always loved hip-hop cuz it rep the streets and that's what I was livin. People everywhere love this music so of course it had an impact on the city but I'm proud to say I'm the first one to make them power moves here and come out with an album like mine. There's a lot of talent here that's comin' up so you going to hear a lot more soon.

HHC: Your new album, The Evolution Theory dropped not to long ago - How have things been sales wise? What's the overall public response to your work?
Man, I'm loving the responses cuz everybody's feelin it. I haven't had a single person say anything negative which makes me feel good. I recorded like 50 tracks then narrowed it down to 18 of the best ones. Theres somethin for everyone on there. I wanted to make sure I came out right with a tight package and that's what I did. Sales wise the albums available across Canada so I've had people from all over the country pickin it up. Once I start getting more radio play it'll be even better and once I shoot this video in the spring you know its gonna be on from there. I'm just takin it a step at a time cuz being independent is hard ass work. You gotta work three times as hard cuz you don't got a million dollars behind you so you gotta do everything yourself some how.

HHC: What kind of marketing and promotion has gone into making Divo a household name? What's up with a video?
Well HHC has helped a lot and I wanna thank you guys for that still but I been doin as much promotion as I can on the net cuz I know that's a huge outlet right there. I also made sure I had some of the illest artists in Canada right now. Cats like Dan-e-o and Charisma from Monolith, Classified, Bishop and my R & B Girls Latoya & Miranda. They all workin hard right now and they all goin' be blowin up this year so when you see them getting their shine and you hear them on my album you know that's the level I'm workin at. No more small time. I'm aimin big. You'll be hearin and seein more of Divo in 2003. Right now we just gettin started. Yeah I got plans for a video in the spring like I said. Right now it's all in the works and we just figuring out details but watch out still.

HHC: Can you speak further on the album? There are several guest appearances such as Sharky and Toronto's Bishop. How did they come to be on The Evolution Theory?
Sharkys always been family with us and he just tears up the track so I got him featured on a few songs with me. His album's drops in a couple weeks as well. Bishop is actually from Scarborough and we linked up last year. He's a hot name on the streets right now and he laced 2 tracks with me. Both are straight fire. I'll probably drop the one called "Built Like That" as a single in the summer but we'll see how everything goes.

HHC: What's your favourite cut on The Evolution Theory and what sets that track apart from the rest in your own eyes.
Man it's hard to pick one cuz there's a lot that I feel. I think the one that gets the most response from other people and that I feel my self is called "Feel the Rain" featuring Trishanna on the hook. The beat on it is sick. This song is a story about a conversation I had with one of my boys. In it we're just chillin getting blazed and talkin' about life in general. He tells me his drama and dreams but fails to see how to reach them. So I try to bless him with knowledge but realize that he won't apply it and with his seed and all, it will just be a never ending cycle of youth growing up in dysfunctional single parent families. That's why this song means a lot to me.

HHC: Have you been shopping your materials down south or to any majors (major record labels) or are you working the independent tip?
I'm scared of the majors dawg. Straight up! I like having the freedom I got right now but like I was sayin though, its really hard work and you're limited by how much cash you got to put in. Majors have a lot to offer but the plan has to be right. I'm focusing on just Canada right now. We'll see what happens though.

HHC: How would you say you've advanced as an artist since your debut release?
I learned a lot from the emcees that are on my album. Things that they did different than me and I applied to myself like flow, and mic presence, and delivery; just learning from them older dudes with experience. Cuz I feel young in this game. I'm turnin 23 still. All the cats I'm workin with are older than me. As a businessman I've been dealin with everything my self so I've had to handle the ugly side of the music biz. I just find the right people to work with and put behind me. My all around knowledge is building.

HHC: What would you say is lacking the most in Canadian Hip-Hop? How's it that so few artists are able to make successful impressions on a national level?
I don't plan on fallin into this trap. I see it and I don't want to be apart of it. I wanna make an impact and I feel I'm gonna do it. Canada's hip-hop scene is young. Ask your average kid what Canadian emcees they know and they'll list off like 3 or 4 and that's it. Canada didn't have many outlets for its own hip-hop before and the majors weren't supporting the music as much. It's all changing now though, slowly. Urban radio stations are poppin up and they play a huge roll. The rise in freestyle competitions is a great outlet for emcees. There's more independent labels comin out since the majors aren't' doin much for hip-hop here. Universal Urban I feel is on the right path. Artists need to get out of the whole doin it for their friend's thing. They need to see the big picture and learn how to get exposure, market, promote, and be able to sell their music on their own cuz nobody else is going to do it for them. There's a lot of talent here, it just needs to be exposed better.

HHC: What's next for Divo? You got 2 releases under your belt and we're interested in seeing where you are headed. Speak on this for minute.
I want to push this album hard. I listen to my music as if I were just a fan. That's why I feel that this album has been so successful. I put everything into it that I would want to hear as a fan, that's why I'm happy with it and I need to make sure everyone hears it. I know I'm just gonna keep growin and expanding from here on and nothin can stop me.

HHC: Any Shout outs?
I wanna big up HHC and everyone on The Board (HipHopCanada's message board) for puttin up with us; Dubble J for the production and peace to everyone else that's shown luv and support. Be sure to hit up www.qituprecords.com.