Hip-hop isn’t dead, it’s just sick and Miami native Brisco has the antidote. With the release of his debut album, Street Medicine hitting shelves this summer, Brisco will be turning up the heat way hotter than Miami natives are used to.

The 305 has been a major hub of hip-hop since the 80’s and has certainly made major waves since then. Miami has been the culprit responsible in bringing us some of the rawest and realest in hip-hop like Uncle Luke and 2 Live Crew and now Rick Ross, Flo-Rida and none other than Grammy-nominated lyricist Brisco. He’s kind of a big deal as far as the dirty south goes and if you’re sure you haven’t heard of him—no worries—you soon will. Being featured on everyone from DJ Khaled’s to Lil’ Wayne’s projects, Brisco will soon be a household name. So check your medicine cabinets this summer and make sure it’s stocked with Brisco’s Street Medicine.

-Danielle Young

Are you a major part of the underground hip hop scene in Miami?

I am underground hip-hop. I’m light years ahead of my competitors. Basically, you come to Miami and all you’re going to hear is Brisco. Everything you hear on the radio.  if I ain’t featured on it, it’s my song. Believe that.

How did you manage to get signed to Poe Boy/Cash Money?

My cousin - he tours with mutual friends of E-Class, that’s how I got with Poe Boy. I’v been with Poe Boy forever. They raised me from the get go. Cash Money—after the Katrina situation—they moved to Miami. Like I told you in the beginning, when you come to Miami, all you hear is Brisco so they heard me. E-Class always talked about doing business anyway, so it was perfect. It was love.

Why did it take so long for Street Medicine to come out?

Basically it’s a whole bunch of business in the midst of a whole bunch of bullsh*t…I know God don’t put nothing on your plate that you can’t eat, so I’m just getting ready for my plate, so I can eat right.

So, Street Medicine is your first true album release. There have been others, mixtapes, right?

Yeah, I always did that. Street Medicine is all these years gathered up. I got a song on there called “RI3.” You usually say RIP, but I say RI3 because I lost my mom, my brother and my dad. I got songs like that, that touch the masses and people’s hearts too. Street Medicine is all the years of my life [rolled] into one…It’s my autobiography…Certain things I did on certain days might be a record, certain experiences I went through—I’m just trying to throw that all up into this album.

Why the name, Street Medicine?

Since the death of Tupac Shakur, the streets [have needed] a little healing with the genuine music and the feeling of it.

So you place Tupac a little higher than most other lyricists?

You won’t believe this, but at first, I was a huge Biggie fan. That was a time in my life that I wanted to be a player. I wanted to sit back and do my thing. I listened to that Biggie. But, when somebody made me mad, I was on that ‘Pac. When I got into ‘Pac, we had so much in common. Being spiritual, I just took that from him. You can hear the hunger and aggressiveness in my lyrics, same as him.

What sets you apart from other Miami rappers?

People probably don’t know this, but I am up for a Grammy for Lil’ Wayne’s album. I’m rapping on that. I’m on the Rick Ross album, Flo-Rida and DJ Khaled. I’ve been grinding for so long, I’m just perfecting my craft. I’ve been getting great reviews from all these artists’ albums that I’m featured on.

How do you think your life has prepared you to be Brisco?

It’s funny you ask that because when I was 9 my mom died and I got a wrongful death suit because of complications with the practice they did on my mom. When I was 18, I got [a settlement of] $400,000 and I blew it within a year. That’s what grew me up… I had to get this money back. I had to get this status back. I had $20,000 a month worth of bills that I had to pay. I had to grind and sacrifice. I went to the studio from 9 a.m. until 12 a.m….I closed myself in the studio and worked hard.

What does music do for you?

It’s a psychiatrist.  [A] beautiful beat is a psychiatrist because it gets me out of things. I can say it’s like a YMCA—the studio—because it keeps me safe. I could be out there wilding with my homeboys, but I’m sheltered off, doing music. If you want me, [you’ve] got to come find what studio I’m in.

Top 3 MC’s of all time?

The first cat I was ever in the studio with was Rick Ross. That was the first cat that let me record on the mic, ever. So, I owe him a lot. That’s my brother and one of my favorite rappers. Flo-Rida. I love Flo-Rida. I have to rep my home team, that’s just me. I wouldn’t be real if I didn’t. That’s how I ride…Other than that, Tupac Shakur, Biggie Smalls, Scarface, DMX when he slowed down on the crack (shout out to DMX, get your mind right boy). I used to listen to everything—MC Sha D. I’m talking old school—Luke Skywalker—all of that…Trick Daddy, I learned a lot from him with the delivery. Lil’ Wayne, I learned a lot from him - just being around and coming to my city accepting me and me accepting him. He accepted me into the Hot Boy family and all that. So shout out to him too.

I know you’ve done the ghostwriting thing for a few artists. Can you tell me who?

Naw, I don’t want anybody to stop my money. Like I said, I got $20,000 worth of bill every month. *he laughs* I’m sound. So if you hear something, you’ll know it’s Brisco.

What made you ready for this debut?

Aw man, I’m ready. I was born ready. I got a lot of faith. I have no doubt in my mind that I’m going to do good at whatever I do. I know I’m a good person…I just know I’m ready for this opportunity. I’m humble and loyal to my people. I’m still a student to the game. I’m still studying. I ain’t sleepy or tired yet, just ready to work.

You were specifically requested by Timbaland for a project. Can you tell me more about that?

It’s basically my grooming. If you hear a couple of my songs, you’re going to love me. You’re going to want to hear more. The arrogance isn’t coming from some conceited sh*t. It’s from what I know and practice on…I just prepared myself for this date.

How are you able to assure that your music will touch people personally?

Because you’ll hear my story [and] what’s really going on… I’m straight to the point…I’m hood ghetto…I’m that dirty ghetto and that’s what the streets [are] missing. Tupac Shakur and Scarface were dirty ghetto. It’s certain things about the ghetto that run the world.

What are you currently working on?

Everybody else’s albums. Honestly, I got like 70 records to pick from on my album. They are starting to pick now and I be crying everyday because it’s songs that I love that I want the world to hear…but they can’t hear it this time. So basically, I’m just about to punch E-Class in his mouth for taking all my good songs out. *he laughs*

What’s on your plate for the near future?

I hope it’s a lot of money, but since that Street Money album is going full force, we’re just making it a hip-hop classic album.

Anything you wanted to add that people don’t know about you?

I’m the biggest thing since Tupac Shakur. Just expect greatness and prepare for greatness and longevity when it comes to Brisco. Prepare for the best rhymes you’ve ever heard in your life. [This] literary is going to be on a whole different level…I’m going to tap into other genres of music and tap into other things… Believe that!