Takes Money To Make Money

With, “HL,” the initials of his independent record label, Hot Lava Records inked closely under his right eye, Detroit  rapper, Stretch Money, says he’s ready for the world to hear him.

Discovered by Hot Lava Records, C.E.O and executive producer Crane Novacane, Breeding Ground’s newest recruit has turned his once hobby, into a street-worthy name, with Detroit radio buzz to match.

Releasing his 18-track album, Take Money To Make Money with the singles "Let Me Be The One" and "Take Money To Make Money," the onetime honor roll student/hustler, has gone on to open performances for major acts, such as, Young Jeezy and Rick Ross.

As the industry spotlight continuously moves from region to region, Stretch Money hopes to someday bring Detroit to the forefront of Hip-Hop music and industry credibility.

AllHipHop.com: Where did the name Stretch Money come from?

Stretch Money: I was broke and I was telling myself when I got paper I wanted to stretch money. I wanted long money. That’s how it came about and I needed a catchy name. I needed something that was gonna sound good with everybody saying it. Stretch Money was just so catchy to me, I took it and ran with it.

AllHipHop.com: When did you first pick up the mic?

Stretch Money: I started spitting when I was about 15-16. It was just a hobby then though, I didn’t even know how to write songs or count bars. I just had a few little slick things to say. My homies used to be like, ‘spit something.’ So, I started to spit and my homies were really the people to believe in me first.

AllHipHop.com: I read in you bio that you became the man of the house at 15 when your father became absent. How did that effect you personally and how does that effect your writing?

Stretch Money: As far as my writing, it gives me something to talk about. But you know, [at 15] I had to go get that money, time to get money and help Moms. I got a little brother that can’t work yet. He can’t get the money with me yet. So, I had to do what I had to do. As far as the rhymes, yea, its everything I talk about now. It was influence.

AllHipHop.com: You got into a little trouble in your younger years with hustlin’. Can you speak about that with us?

Stretch Money: I mean, I could, its not my thing though. I’m not trying to glorify it or be portrayed in a certain way. But like I said before, I had to do what I had to do from sellin’ weed to crack or whatever. But, it is what it is, baby.

AllHipHop.com: How has the city of Detroit influenced you as an emcee?

Stretch Money: Detroit didn’t influence me. You mean, like as far as starting to rap? It wasn’t Detroit that didn’t it. But as far as my music goes, its all the way Detroit. My slang, my swagger, I’m all the way Detroit. So, that’s where I’m influenced at. But as far as my city influencing me to do this – Nah.

AllHipHop.com: What’s the  Hip-Hop music scene in Detroit like right now?

Stretch Money: Its poppin’ right now. There’s a whole lot of us doin it and I’m just happy to be involved. They know my name out here in these streets alone with various other artists. Its going down in the D right now.

AllHipHop.com: What type of promotional campaigning are you doing to create buzz for yourself, as an unsigned artist?

Stretch Money: See, you gotta understand, its not a campaign, it’s a movement. You ain’t got a movement, if you ain’t go people in the streets trying to get with you and be apart of your movement. We got everybody from DJs to regular people in the streets that want to be down with Hot Lava. From the east to the west, we got respect from all over. The grind is tremendous. People seen us grinding putting posters, flyers and stickers up – Anywhere and everything in the city, before they really heard what I even sounded like. Once I hit the streets and radio got a hold of me, that’s when they put the name with the face.

AllHipHop.com: Would you say your bringing Detroit to the forefront of Hip-Hop right now?

Stretch Money: Without a doubt. Without a doubt. Without a doubt. That’s what I want to do. I want to be known for that, that’s my whole thing.

AllHipHop.com: How did you link up with your record independent record label, Hot Lava Records?

Stretch Money: Well, I met Crane Novacane in like ’03, somethin’ like that. [Crane is the] uncle to my homeboy, Jerry, one of my closest homies, we went to high school together. Crane is the CEO of Hot Lava Records. I was introduced, my homie Jerry was like, ‘Spit somethin’. I rapped for him and that’s how it happened. We been rollin since.

AllHipHop.com: Your mentor Crane Novacane was recently locked up. When does he get out and did this slow down the promotion of your music?

Stretch Money: He’ll be home in the summer of ’09. Free Cane. Its effected us, but its not really effected us. I just miss the Bossman. He really got the ball rollin’ before he left, so you know, I’m just happy to have it rolling. Its rolling enough where nothing stopped cause he sitting down right now and he still runnin’ Hot Lava Records. Ain't nothing stopped us.

AllHipHop.com: You were quoted as saying that you would pass on a million-dollar  recording contract if it meant leaving Hot Lava Records.

Stretch Money: I wouldn’t.

AllHipHop.com: Whys that?

Stretch Money: Because y’all and no one would know about me right now if it wasn’t for Crane right now. Because I wasn’t taking this rap thing seriously. It wasn’t what I was trying to do and was just a hobby. You know? When I meant him, he seen that I had the full potential. He sat me down and said, ‘Man, I’m in the position, right now where I could put something behind you and we could really do something. We could make some noise.’ If it wasn’t for him, I probably wouldn’t even be involved right now. I don’t know what I would be doing, to be honest with you.

AllHipHop.com: How do you, as an artist, differ from other up-and-coming emcees?

Stretch Money: Well, the way I see it, they ain’t ever seen….Hmm, how can I put this? We got Eminem, we got Obie, and they’re my dogs, they’re my dogs --  but like I don’t think the world has seen Detroit. And I got something you ain't seen in the game and appeal to the masses. My flava, my album, my style, I’m versatile, I got songs with substance. A lot of these dudes listen to how another guys raps, so that’s how they rap. And that’s what’s wrong with a lot of [rappers] right now. But my music, I’m all over the place with it and as an emcee you should be able t get on anybodies song and get on any level that they on. I definitely can do that.

AllHipHop.com: What’s the next step for you?

Stretch Money: The next step for me, is for just the world to see me. I’ve conquered my city. I mean, really, the next step for us is to just open up another market in another city. I’m ready for the big screen. I’m ready for the world to see me. I done burnt the local channels down, its time for BET and MTV, you know? I feel like my new music is so tremendous, I’m ready for the world. I want the people to know that I’m 100% genuine real. I’m just a regular, street dude from the east-side of Detroit. I’m real and all about representing where I’m from. That’s about it . That’s what’s missing in the game.

Visit Stretch Money MySpace page at myspace.com/stretchmoneymusic