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Elliot Ness - The Lockness Monsta

Interview By: Quinton Hatfield



Now I know most hip-hop fans remember the show that P. Diddy produced called “Da Making of the Band”. While each artist had strong personalities, there was one who stood-out among all. With his hunger and hustle Elliot Ness showed his aggression of how bad he wanted to be in the game. Many wonder where he’s been, but come to find out E. Ness has been on the full-time grind.

Elliot Ness QuoteNobobysmiling.com’s Q-Hatfield aka "Q the Question" got up with the hungry E. Ness to see what’s been really good with him as far as his latest grind in the music business. E. Ness gave the details on why he’s ready to come out the water as “The Lockness Monsta”. E. Ness also address the question of still being signed to Bad Boy, why P. Diddy inspires him and his new “Gangsta Grillz” mixtape “The Ness Best Thing” by the Apphiliates



Nobodysmiling.com : Now a lot of fans outside Philly want to know what you been doing lately, so what’s been your latest grind?

E. Ness : I’ve been mixtape crazy and that’s been my latest grind. I just came out with a “Gangsta Grillz” hosted by the Apphiliates DJ Drama and Don Cannon. Their part of Grand Hustle as you know DJ Drama is T.I.’s official tour DJ. Basically me and DJ Drama built a relationship going to school in Philly. We both went to Central High School and we both share the same level of music. We just decide to do a mixtape, because he already had his thing popping down south in Atlanta. His “Gangsta Grillz” became popular as he did one with almost everybody in the industry. Everybody that blew up in the last two years had a “Gangsta Grillz” like Bun B, Young Jeezy, Young Buck, T.I., everybody. We just felt like we should do this mixtape and it’s called “The Ness Best Thing”. It co-stars P.Diddy and the Apphiliates and it’s on the streets right now doing real heavy numbers.

I have another mixtape under the same name called “Gunline.com” and it’s going to be a series of mixtapes hosted by the hottest artist in Philly. I’m just keeping it moving man and I recorded like 200 songs for my album. My release date for my new album will be early May of 2007. The album will be titled “Nessassary” and I have everybody from Kanye West, to Will I am, Scott Storch, Swizz Beatz just everybody. This album is going to be well-rounded and it’s crazy. I’m still with Bad Boy and I just came off a promo tour with P. Diddy promoting his new album. I’m on one joint on Diddy’s album with this one joint called “Diddy Rock” with Shawwna and Twista. Bad Boy has the momentum and a lot of people are looking at Bad Boy again. I want to be one of those artist on there that get it popping to where it used to be.

Nobodysmiling.com : What is the difference between working with P. Diddy now then when it was with “Da Band”?

E. Ness : It is a lot less pressure. The reason why I made it is because he felt my music and he knows people would buy into it. The situation is different now because I’m solo and I get to express myself through my music. When I was in a group situation with “Da Band” you might only get to spit one time or eight bars on a song. Now people can open up to the real Ness that you didn’t get to see when I was on the band. Everything was just based around television and now I had some time to wear off so people can see me in a different light. Now I’m “The Lochness Monsta” the animal, that beast, the dude that just won’t stop and have to give it to you.

Nobodysmiling.com : So you feel as though you better off working by yourself?

E. Ness : Yeah, I feel as though I’m better off working by myself, because a lot of people can’t take criticism. I don’t have a lot of people around me telling me everything I do has the golden-touch. It’s better to work solo, because you get to get deeper into your story and people get to understand who you are. It’s all me on this next album and Diddy and not all over my shoulder. Diddy’s not picking every beat and coming up with every concept. This time around he’s letting me do me and becoming that animal I’m supposed to be.

Nobodysmiling.com : Now hold-up what made you decide to call yourself “The Lockness Monsta” now?

E. Ness : Basically “The Lockness Monsta” is a reflection of Elliot Ness. The real Elliot Ness was a cop and it didn’t fit in too many people mouth’s of a person that was a cop. To just get into my character more I just named myself “The Lockness Monsta” man and that’s the animal. I’m coming back under the water and people don’t believe I exist asking questions if I’m with Bad Boy or not. This is just letting them know “The Lockness Monsta” is still here and I’m coming from under the water on everybody. Not to single out one crew or one rapper, I’m coming out for everybody. When I get on it’s going to be crazy, because people not going to be able to eat.

Nobodysmiling.com : I see you are real confident and hungry?

E. Ness : No doubt man!

Nobodysmiling.com : Why haven't you and Babs came out with that album?

E. Ness : Basically that was just how the show ended. Me and Babs were the ones that showed the most growth and the most work-ethic out of everybody. They decided instead of giving us a separate budget they can just package it up as “Bonnie and Clyde”. As time went on and I got “My Hood” cracking it open markets for me by myself without the label. They just thought it was best for me since I was the one almost finish.

Nobodysmiling.com : Back to the tour with P.Diddy, what you like most about this touring?

E. Ness : It’s real hard-work man. With Diddy he’s a major artist, so his accomplishments reflect what he’s done and all the records he sold. He has a major campaign behind him and he got the key to every city. His day starts at 4:00 A.m., he does all the morning shows, visit schools and just make the people love him. He just loves the people and he’s just on the grind promoting this new album “Press Play”. I got the opportunity to be on it and he’s just making it pop-off like that. He works 24/7 around the clock and I can’t even keep up with him. By the time he gets ready for bed he might have to get up and do it all over again, so he’s lucky if he might get four hours of sleep.

Nobodysmiling.com : That just shows the music business is a hustle.

E. Ness : Yeah and that just inspires me. A lot of people can say what they want about Diddy, but we have a good relationship and our situation is cool. I would never go off the record to disrespect that man, because he gave me the opportunity to share my music with the world. I can’t speak on everybody else situation. I just know my situation of where I came from and where I’m at now. Diddy is my number one supporter and my biggest fan. Anything financial wise that needs to get done he’s all for it.

Nobodysmiling.com : What’s good with this new movie coming out with Freeway and the Young Gunz?

E. Ness : It’s called “What We Do is Wrong”. Freeway has his new album dropping soon. He has 50 Cent and Jay-Z behind him so the movie going to drop near the album release. If you look inside the Freeway album look inside the credits and you’ll see “What We Do” the movie. It features me, Freeway, Omillio Sparks, The Young Gunz and a couple other dudes.

Nobodysmiling.com : It’s good to see a bunch of dudes from Philly working together?

E. Ness : Definitely.

Nobodysmiling.com : I always thought it be hot if you and Beanie Sigel did a mixtape together?

E. Ness : Yeah I got a chance to get on Beans “Public Enemy” before he went to jail. I’ve been trying to get at Beans for the longest and he wanted me to do the State Property thing. Who knows what the future holds for us, but hopefully he comes and do a tape with your boy.

Nobodysmiling.com : Good looking out Ness. You have anything to say to the readers of and where fans can get at E. Ness?

E. Ness : Definitely to all the cats that’s doing it in Philly. Meek Mills, Reed Dollarz, Gillie Da Kid, Joey Jihad, Beanie Sigel, everybody. Fans go out and cop that mixtape “The Ness Best Thing” by DJ Drama. Shout-out to Cassidy, Peedi, Freeway and the Gunnerz also. Fans hit me up on www. . Once again thanks for the love.

Sole1

ness is a beast, props. that battle with jae millz was sick

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