An Interview with DTP Family Members Steph Jones & Small World

It is being labeled the ultimate mix tape event of 2007, as STRENGTH IN NUMBERS showcases Disturbing Tha Peace (DTP) family of artists on 12 brand new previously unreleased tracks, set to arrive in stores on August 28th.

Accomplices Include: Ludacris, Bobby Valentino, Block Xchange, Brolic D, Chingy, I-20, Serius Jones, Steph Jones, Lil' Fate, Playaz Circle, Shareefa, Shawn Jay, Shawnna, Small World, Smoke, and Willy Northpole

TWO ADVANCE TRACKS IMPACTING NOW ARE:

"Duffle Bag Boy" by Playaz Circle feat. Lil' Wayne

"Celebrity Chick" by Ludacris, Chingy, Steph Jones, and Small World

I was on the phone with both Steph Jones and Small World last week, as they found out that their much anticipated release was playing on MTV's TRL. What excitement that was for the both of them and a fun moment for me to be a part of.

My conversation with Steph and World about their ride to fame, Luda & Chaka Zulu's influence on their lives, staying true to one's passions and of course "Celebrity Chicks, " made for a fun and impactful afternoon. Join me for a re-cap of our "no holds barred" coversation:

Saba, Ink: Hey Steph how are you?

Steph : I'm good and yourself?

Saba, Ink: I'm good, I'm good. So you're Mr. Ordinary huh?

Steph : Yeah that's what they call me.

Saba, Ink: Now, how did that come about?

Steph Jones: I was just writing a song. It was one of my songs and then people just started calling me that on MYSPACE. I'd be walking down the street and they'd go...yo there goes Mr. Ordinary. So it wasn't a name I came up with for myself...I was just writing a song.

Saba, Ink: Well, it's good when it sticks right?

Steph : Yeah, definitely

Saba, Ink: (laughing) Well I guess it was meant to be.

Steph : Yeah, it definitely was, because things are starting to fall into place now.

Saba, Ink; You've got a little bit of a Jackson 5, Beatles, Stevie Wonder kind of flavor going there.

Steph : Yes. It is really hard to put me into a box because I'm influenced by so many different genres musically. Basically, I just love the music. Music to me is anything that comes from a person's soul I would sing around the house and my Mom would tell me to shut up. Whether I knew it or not, everything she was playing around the house was sticking. I didn't know any of this would come about. I thought I would be some sort of athlete or something. But when I started making music it all came out...that's why I call it my soul music. Because it comes from my soul. You can't really put me in a category. Whatever category you put me, that's what you put me in.

Saba, Ink: Now that you are in the position of where you've wanted to be, how do you feel?

Steph: Well I haven't really gone anywhere, I'm not at the place where people are going "Oh my God there go Steph Jones from the Celebrity Chick Video" it still feels the same because I have known people that have been in the same position and nothing came out of it. So I know that there is so much more that I have to do. My dream is to buy my mother her dream home, become artist of the year. There are so many things I have to do before I can start doing cartwheels and back flips of my house. It feels like with every good thing that happens to me I get more and more calm. I can't really explain it you know what I mean? That's the stage I'm at right now.

Saba, Ink: I understand. I guess you're steppin into your "Season" and you know it right?

Steph: Most Definitely!

Saba, Ink: Tell me about your ideal woman?

Steph: I'm not really looking , because I already have her.

Saba, Ink: Oh, Ok...

Steph: She is the inspiration for 6 or 7 songs on the album. She just understands me... the weirdo, alien, quote on quote things that I was called growing up. She understands me and fills the void that it just makes it a straight line. If that makes any kind of sense? She goes hiking with me, we go paintballing, and she understands when I don't want to talk on the phone. I can get into my own world where I don't want to be around any body or talk to anybody...she far surpasses any woman I have been with so far....

Narrative: Ding, Ding on phone signifies the entrance of Small World into the conversation...

SW: Hey, how you guys doing?

Saba, Ink: Good. Small, how you doing?

SW: I'm doing wonderful

Saba,Ink: Good, Good. I guess I'll just finish off the last question with Steph and then I'll come to you.

Saba,Ink Narrative: At that moment, DTP family chatter and bonding begins and the two start rebel rousing and I'm actually feeling the genuine support and appreciation they have for each other and the DTP relationship. Needless to say, I'm not telling ....(you'll have to, well keep reading to find the clues).

Saba,Ink: Well, I guess I'll move on and pose a question to both of you. A couple of months ago, I spoke to Bobby V and that was a really good conversation. He talked to me about how Luda inspired him. So tell me from both of you guys, what has it been like working with Luda?

Steph: Luda real he gets his hustle on. He is smart and is in a position of power where I'd like to be one day. He is real cool to work with, because everybody and their momma knows that there are a lot of snakes in the industry. Me personally, I haven't experienced anything false or shady coming from him. Everything is about family and coming together..He is the captain of the ship and is a great leader...I really appreciate the relationship that we have, you know.

Saba, Ink: Small?

SW: Pretty much the same. You know Luda's a family guy, he is definitely someone's whose footsteps I'd like to follow one day. Coming from North Carolina with those roots of family, he is just the kinda guy you'd want to be around. There's no foolery, he's always kept it 100% and I can appreciate him for that...

Saba, Ink: So tell me individually, has he given you any "man to man" advice privately?

SW: You know, work hard. You know everyday is a new day. You have to take like it come. Work hard and know that as long as you're doin' the work, the rest will follow. As long as you're in the studio, doin' your interviews, treating everybody with respect, it all comes to you. It's like Karma you know (and that's Luda's daughter's name). Those are definitely some things I've learned from him personally.

Saba, Ink: Ok...I'm going to go back to you since you missed my question about Celebrity Chicks..

SW: Well, you know to go into the Celebrity Chick thing, every one has some sort of celebrity status in her town or where she is from. She might be the hot girl in the club on the club scene, she might be a promoter at a bar, and she has ties and appreciates the very best things. I wouldn't say a celebrity chick would be a degrading example of a woman you know, it is a woman who knows what she wants and goes after it. I'm not mad at her at all but um, my ideal woman, I don't really know.

SW: She would have to be sure of herself. Know how to cook, 'because you know the way to a man's heart is through his stomach (laughing). Love and respect her family, takes care of herself and knows and respects herself. Strong, sensitive and stability...a woman is comfortable with herself....I love that!

Saba,Ink: Cool. Well, I'm not too far from your home town, I'm now in Charlotte, and have some friends from Henderson. So how are people feeling you out there?

SW: Man it is so much love. I can't tell you what it's like to come home. I had to come to Atlanta (thank them for all the love they showed) 'cause I had to get away from some of the things that were happening, to do my album for about 2 months or so but when I go back, it is so much love. They love the music, tell me how they like the fact that I stay down. I'm just representin' the City of Henderson, State of North Carolina...they are very much excited.

Saba, Ink: That's wonderful. Now, I remember Robin Harris and Bebe's Kids, and they tell me that that is where your name originated from. So, there is a line in the song, which is straight from Bebe's Kids and Luda says, "We don't die we multiply." Is that a tribute to you Small or are you guys just all Bebe's Kids and Disturbing the Peace? (laughing)

SW: (laughing). It is true it's just like that. We're like family. I hadn't thought about it until you said it, so it is really ironic. But Luda always says it like "we don't die, we multiply." I don't know if he thought about it, but it must be something "divine" going on over here at Disturbing Tha Peace. Whatever, it is, it is a wonderful thing.

Saba, Ink: I told Steph the same thing. It is always divine when you are in place you need to be at the right time

SW: Yeah, Yeah!!

Saba, Ink: Now that you're with DTP, how are you guys looking to transfer your knowledge into personal projects, goals and things like that? Or is that down the line?

Steph Jones: When it comes to writing, music, interviews and all that I give you all of me. I give you what comes from my soul. Like this cat on the phone with you right now, that's me. It's as real as it gets.

Saba, Ink: Like are there other personal ambitions and things you want to do that this will help you get to that next level?

Steph: Well, people will take you more serious now. Now that we have a video on air, all these people that I been tryin' to work with are like, "Yo, I just saw your video, when you tryin' to work?

Saba,Ink: Of course..

Steph: It's almost like a stamp of approval. Here we are, me a World next to two platinum selling artists that have sold over 20 million records, so it's approval for me and Small World.

SW: Well, I've always had projects I was working on like back home in North Carolina. I had my company Norfclk Entertainment. We had our own equipment, production with my extended family out there. I definitely want to bring that talent aspect of North Carolina to the world. Because you know North Carolina has so much talent that it is crazy. There is just so much energy there. I predict North Carolina to be the next Mecca of Hip Hop. North Carolina, South Carolina, we're bringing it and I pride myself on that.

Saba, Ink: Give me a few last words for your fans, now that you're blowin' up! What do y'all want them to know.

Steph: First, check me out on MYSPACE at www.myspace.com/stephjones2. Another word of advice...always go with what your heart tells you. Don't go with anybody else's heart because you'll be living everybody else's life and not your own. So always go with what your heart and soul tells you.....I really say that with 100% of my livelihood. Go with your Heart!

SW: You already know him. DTP, North Carolina, Norfclk all day. Accomplish your dreams and don't let anybody tell you you can't. You can do ANYTHING. I came from nothing and have made something. I came from the grit and straight dirt...so if I can make it you can do it too. Keep GOD first. You always got to have somebody to look to. Keep doing what you doing...and be on a look-out for us, cause we comin' Disturbing Tha Peace...

Saba, Ink: Thank you both for a great conversation. Good Luck and peace and blessings to you.

Both Steph Jones and Small World have been signed to DTP family. Their energy and passion for their life, career and family was so contagious that I couldn't help but wish it could be bottled up and passed along, so that it truly would not "die but multiply."

Until next time, keep following your dreams!

- Various Artists Lyrics