Toronto, ON – Confident, driven and talented, three words to describe one of the hottest new artists coming out the north-west corner of Toronto. Big Troopz Northsidez Finest, coming out of Rexdale, has been working hard to not only establish himself as a leading Canadian artist but to also unify the country through his Northside movement. While many artists are focused on bringing up their city, Troopz has kicked off a campaign to put the North on the map and he’s looking to work with anyone sharing that same mentality.

He’s been building his network locally and has also affiliated himself with one the hottest movements coming out south of the border, Uncle Murda’s Getting Money Gangstas. He’s enlisted the help of strong DJs and has realized the need for a powerful street team to solidify his grassroots promotions. To sum it up, Troopz knows success comes from hard work and consistency, and after various sour experiences with managers and industry types he’s taken things into his own hands to see through his career development.

The summer season is kicking off with the release of Big Troopz’s Welcome To The North, his official album debut coming out on his own label Doomztown Records. With 2 solid singles burning up the streets, he’s building up a high level of anticipation. “King Of The North” called out a lot of names and let Troopz voice his discontent with the state of the scene. Part 2 (produced by Mazaman of 16 Bars) carries on along the same path to establish his claim to the throne. The latest buzz builder, the Bossman produced “Bang, Bang” featuring fellow Rexdale associate Vertigo, was recently featured on HipHopCanada.com’s Canadian Choice Cuts and was extremely well received. The video will be dropping very soon.

He’s extremely busy with the upcoming release of his album, but Troopz recently took a seat with HipHopCanada.com to discuss the Northside movement, his views on the Canadian scene and his plan leave his mark on the industry, amongst various other things.

Here we go:

HipHopCanada: Big Troopz, thanks for stopping by HipHopCanada.com. You were born in Toronto, North York, Flemo Park but grew up largely in Rexdale. What was your biggest influence to get involved with hip-hop, whether it was a person, or specific artist?

Big Troopz NSF: My mother and brothers were a big influence for me. My mother was a singer, also my brothers were MCs. This all lead me to follow their steps in to music, producing and writing.

HipHopCanada: For those that don't know, can you describe how Rexdale is laid out and the different areas within Rexdale that you yourself have ties to — Orpington, Doomztown (Jamestown), Stove Top etc. Is it all love?

Big Troopz NSF: Well to me Rexdale is just a street, it ain’t no hood. The core spot in Rexdale that I fuck with is Orpington (Orps), Doomztown (Jamestown), [and] Martingrove (Stove Top). Those are the hoods I fuck with. You’ve also got Kipling and Mount Olive, but that’s on the other side they do their own thing. Those are the hoods out of town people call Rexdale. Rexdale is just a main street, ain’t no projects on Rexdale. Boulevard celebrities come to Doomztown, Orps, and Stove Top.

HipHopCanada: What kind of influence did growing up in your neighbourhood have on you and the type of music you make?

Big Troopz NSF: The influences I had while growing up in Orpington was my brother and the streets. My brother is a producer. I got a lot of old school hip-hop, soul, and funk experience from my brothers, and the streets… blood, sweat, and tears to make a long story short.

HipHopCanada: Describe the Northside movement — when did you decide to go hard on that and what does it represent to you (aside from the obvious Canadian representation).

Big Troopz NSF: My Northside movement represents me, Big Troopz Northsidez Finest, king of the North! My movement is bigger than me; it’s an International, worldwide movement for Canadian hip-hop/Northside gangstas. I’m the king of the North... we got the East coast, the West coast, the Dirty South and we are the cold North. Northside represents Canada as a whole nation, not just a city. Northside covers all territories for Canada. That’s what I’m doing for Canadian hip-hop with my Northside movement, king of the North. What made me go hard is when I decided to open my own label DT/Hollyhood. I’m the only artist on the label. Free G-Squad (Illy, Payback). I wanted to be different from everyone else, so I said, “Fuck T-Dot. I’m representing for my Northside gangstas”, to set my own trend. I’m a leader, not a follower.

HipHopCanada: You've been telling Toronto artists for a minute now that if they’re screaming out T-Dot in their lyrics, they're behind in the times. Speak on it.

Big Troopz NSF: Artists always complain saying that Toronto/Canada would never blow up. Wonder why? ‘Cause everybody is stuck in this small box, T-Dot… that boat has a hole in it, it’s going to sink. [Laughing] Wake up and smell the Northside. We got a whole continent to defend: Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, and Edmonton etc. Other cities can’t yell out T-Dot ‘cause they ain’t from Toronto. Now, if every MC starts yelling out Northside, we’re moving as one unit. It takes the whole country to put Canada on the map… universal, international, worldwide. By yelling out T-Dot, it ain’t going to work. Look how many years went by… I didn’t see no progress for Canadian hip-hop/Canada.... for the urban community. T-Dot is dead… follow me Northside, we’re worldwide Northside gangstas!

HipHopCanada: Doomztown Records is the label and Hollyhood is the team — can you describe the different roles each unit plays and how it has all come together?

Big Troopz NSF: Doomztown Records is the label which I’m the C.E.O and the only artist on the label. The reason why I did it like that is I’ve been in both worlds already… as an artist or being managed by management, it didn’t’ work… so I opened up my own label with my own money so I could do me. Hollyhood is the team which I’m the C.E.O of. Also, I got my own street team, DJs that promote me as an artist and upcoming artist on my label and also for artists worldwide. Shout-out to DJ Grouch. The way it came together: I knew from the jump that when I opened my label, I was going to need a street team that’s how the Hollyhood street team got connected with DT. Hollyhood street team is a bunch of DJs. Shout-out to DJ Grouch and “G’’s from hoods to hood worldwide that go club hopping and promote whatever project is going on at that time. It’s a worldwide thing. [The] Hollyhood street team is connected with hoods worldwide. It ain’t just Canada. It’s DT/Hollyhood nigga.

HipHopCanada: Tell us about your connection to G-Squad and how that came about. Payback and Illy definitely held it down for Toronto and they've both been incarcerated for a minute now.

Big Troopz NSF: G-Squad… Illy, Pay, my niggas from the hood, the streets. Free The Squad. With me and The Squad, it’s deeper than music. Don’t need too much detail. When Illy and Pay get out the bing, everything is going to be ready… unlike certain other artists from the hood that fucked up the game. I feel sorry for you industry cats. It’s G-Squad, DT… Bang Bang. Give it up!

HipHopCanada: I've heard various claims that the song/video for "We Need More", which was featured on various DVDs, has been labeled by police as the cause for a war between rivals Ardwick and Doomztown. Can you comment on this and your overall take on the roll DVDs have played within hip-hop in Toronto.

Big Troopz NSF: The DVDs that have played a roll within Canadian hip-hop in Toronto was stupid. I’ll give you heat bags some advice: be more business minded and oriented instead of more gang related. Stop dry snitching on yourselves, you dummies. Get money. Free Illy. Free Payback. No comment.

HipHopCanada: What about your connection to 16 Bars Productions, who your brother, Maza, is a member of... You guys have an entire network of people you’re working with.

Big Troopz NSF: Shout-outs to Mazaman/16 Bars, one of the creators of the northside sound. I do my thang he does his thang.

HipHopCanada: Okay, what about your connection to GMG (Getting Money Gangstas) — a crew getting a lot of shine as of late through Uncle Murda.

Big Troopz NSF: Shout-outs to Uncle Murda, G.M.G., Getting Money Gangstas. The connection I have through GMG is with my homie IC from Wilson, North Carolina. WIDE AWAKE, Cackalack. G.M.G and Shallah, shout-outs to my homie Shallah. As well, getting my product flooded in the South… look out for some upcoming projects with the G.M.G. family. Also, shout-outs to Cut Master C, Team Invasion and Green Lantern.

HipHopCanada: You're working hard on your upcoming album, Welcome to the North, and have recently released your second single, "Bang Bang" produced by Bossman, which has been getting crazy love! Speak on the album release and what the overall concept is for it.

Big Troopz NSF: My Welcome to the North album is a worldwide project. All productions done by Bossman, and Mazaman, Stove Top Productions: the creators of the Northside sound. We’ve got that universal, international, and worldwide sound. People always ask what the Northside sound is…It’s the East coast sound, West coast sound, dirty south sound all wrapped up in to one: the Northside sound. This Welcome to the North project will be distributed around the world with my own money. It’s mostly just to get the North on the map. I’m doing my own shipments and I ain’t seeing a cent back. The only money I’m seeing from this project is in Canada and in the streets ‘cause I’m a hustler. So I’m going to see back my money regardless. My distributors keep the fees, what ever they make, and what I ship to them, you dig me? Stay on your grizzly… I’m coming right around the corner on you motherfuckers! Independently! Imagine if I had a major label behind me… It’s DT/Hollyhood nigga!

HipHopCanada: On all the tracks I've heard from you as of late, you've been claiming the title of King of the North (not to mention the actual songs with those titles — Part 1 and 2). What do you feel makes you the King of the North and what sets you apart from the rest of the artists up here?

Big Troopz NSF: What makes me the King of the North is Big Troopz Northsidez Finest... my whole Northside movement. When I decided to do my own thing… I’m a king at anything I do. I claimed that on my first song I wrote which was “Northsidez Finest It’s Your Highness”. That hook came out naturally. I did a next banging song, “King of the North Part 1”, that’s when I got at everybody… got their attention in the city… let them know I’m the King of the North now. I’m on Part 2 right now and like I said, my music speaks for itself. What makes me different? DT is the Kings of this whole game. Don’t get it twisted. Niggas been eating off our plates a long time, even Directors. I’m here to stop all of that shit. Big Troopz Northsidez Finest, King of the North is going to guide Canadian hip-hop. Northside internationally, universally, worldwide… it don’t stop till the casket drop.

HipHopCanada: It's no secret that Canadian artists have experienced sales woes when it comes to moving units. What do you feel is the biggest thing holding back sales in Canada and do you feel your album will break that trend?

Big Troopz NSF: My album is independent; you’ve got to remember I’m doing everything on my own powers. I don’t have no hand outs like other artists. I manage myself, promote myself, market myself etc. The only dudes that help me put my projects together is Bilow, my engineer, and Bryan Brock, the designer for my artwork. They get paid from my own pockets as well. Everything is done by me. I’m the boss of my own shit so here’s my answer for that: I’m signed to the streets right now, so only I can stop my press. With a record deal or without a record deal, I’m going to eat regardless and move units. For an independent artist, for my last project, I broke even; the same loot put me back to market. All you’ve got to have is a hustling state of mind and you could do what ever you put your mind to. You feel me? Real talk; I put out 10 g’s I’m going to make sure to get that back through music and the streets with interest… trust me on that. It is what it is till I get that major push behind me, Imma keep pushing, keep thuggin’ it! It’s DT/Hollyhood nigga!

HipHopCanada: Which other artists will be featured on your album and how did you decide who to bring on with you?

Big Troopz NSF: I was only going to fuck with my own niggas… Free Illy and Payback, G-Squad. Vertigo is the only one out on road so he is mostly featured on my album. Mazaman, he’s my bro, it’s only right he’s featured on my album. I also got a surprise: I’ve got R.I.P Big L on my album. R.I.P to Biggie B.I.G on my album, and Candy Bun to represent for the ladies on the Northside tip. Also, Murda Mami Lydia just to name a few. I just wanted a well rounded Northside sound album to represent the ladies/bitches and niggas/Northside gangstas from the North and for the world to listen how we do things in the Northside. King of the North, Big Troopz.

HipHopCanada: Who else are you going to be working with in Toronto? Canada?

Big Troopz NSF: I’m willing to work with anybody as long as they’re representing the Northside.

HipHopCanada: Can you tell us more about the "Bang, Bang" single — when can people check that video. I know it's highly anticipated based on the overwhelming response to the single. Our community has received a great amount of positive feedback for the song as well as people e-mailing us to let us know they're with it. There’s also a version floating around with Big L on it… is that strictly for the mixtape DJs?

Big Troopz NSF: The “Bang Bang” single’s production is by Bossman from Stove Top Productions. It’s a definite banger. The video will be dropping for the summertime, right round the corner: “King of the North Part 2/Bang Bang” video. I know I’m going to get a lot of good feedback. I don’t really need to say much ‘cause my music speaks for itself. Thanks for all the support from every Canadian citizen, zeen. The Big L version is floating around for DJs… yeah; I got another version leaking around too. You never heard that one yet… Crazy!

HipHopCanada: Now, I wanted to go back a bit and ask about "King of the North Part 1" — in there you make a reference to Jelleestone and people weren't sure if you were going at him with that. Can you breakdown your thoughts on Jellee?

Big Troopz NSF: Fuck every artist from RX that claims to represent. All they do is burn bridges. Fuck Jellee, Fuck RX as a record label and fuck their staff. It’s DT/Hollyhood all fucking day. You dig me? That’s what’s up.

HipHopCanada: What about other artists from Rexdale... Ghetto Concept or Red Life or anyone else?

Big Troopz NSF: Fuck Ghetto Concept, fuck Infinite, fuck Red Life, fuck every artist from Rex that burned bridges. Y’all could eat a dick. Get the fuck out of here… everything I’m doing, I’m starting from scratch. Nothing, I dare one of you idiots… try, say or do something. It’s all blood, sweat and tears. Deeper than music over here, you dig me? It’s DT/Hollyhood nigga!

HipHopCanada: So who did you grow up listening to in terms of local/Canadian hip-hop? Besides yourself, who are you listening to now?

Big Troopz NSF: Who did I grow up listening to? My brothers… banging beats and oldies but goodies. I’m an 80’s baby so you dun know. I’m listening to G-Squad, G.M.G, G-Unit and the R.O.C.

HipHopCanada: What is your view of Canadian hip-hop in general? What has improved and what needs improving in order to make the type of impact that breeds successful/careers and legacies?

Big Troopz NSF: Right now, we are going in the right path with this Northside movement. I see a lot of people on that Northside shit, finally. When I started this Nnorthside movement, I was the only one; now Canadian urban heads is getting the picture like, for example, Hip-Hop Ain’t Dead It Lives In The North We’ve got other Northern movements going on also… the world would notice Canada as Northside, instead of T-Dot… that’s the only way I think we could take this urban music business corporate and international and start bringing more money into Canada.

HipHopCanada: Thanks for coming through Troopz. Before we wrap this up, was there anything you wanted to comment on that wasn't brought up in one of the questions?

Big Troopz NSF: I’m the King of the North, there is no higher. Sucker MCs you better retire… It’s DT/Hollyhood nigga! Good look to all of HipHopCanada.com staff. Let’s put Canadian hip-hop international, universal, worldwide… the Northside! Peace and love. Keep doing y'all thing!

HipHopCanada: Any shout-outs?

Big Troopz NSF: To my family DT/Hollyood nigga! Mazaman ,Bossman, Big Sproxx, Stove Top Productions, 16 Bars, Bilow, WorldRyda Studios, Brock, HipHopCanada.com, the whole staff, Canadian urban radio stations, and DJs. My homie Neekz, Cat, Vertigo.Free DT (G-Squad, Illy, Payback). Hollyhood street team, DJ Grouch, shout-outs to Cut Master C, DJ Green Lantern, Team Invasion, Cocaine City, French, G.M.G family, Uncle Murda, Killa Kill, IC, Shallah and my Norththside gangstas! It’s DT/Hollyhood nigga!

Editor’s note: Check out Big Troopz NSF at http://www.myspace.com/bigtroopz.