Burmy: Hello and welcome back to Burmy's Industry Rehab, where yesteryear's rising stars get their voices heard again!  Joining me for this interview is an ATL icon who's kept a solid regional fanbase for about eleven years now, and has been signed to several rising labels in that time.  You probably remember her best for her verse on Gucci Mane's 2005 single "Go Head," but she's finally ready for something that'll break her into the national charts on her own!  Please welcome Da Kandi Lady aka Ms. Mutha Nature aka Miss Atlanta aka The Shero...but best known as Mac Bre-Z!  It's an honor to finally be talking to you for this interview!

 

Mac Bre-Z: The pleasure's all mine.

 

Burmy: What's happenin' is you right now!  You're set for another huge comeback, back in the studio, constantly grindin'...how does it feel to get back into that music life?

 

Mac Bre-Z: It just feels great to be back in the mix again.

 

Burmy: OK, so let's get into how this all started.  You as truly ATL as they come, growing up during the rise of Dungeon Family and So So Def, hence your city's hip-hop scene.   What were some of your favorite artists, both from ATL and outside, that inspired your flow, verses and career?

 

Mac Bre-Z: Growing up I listened to a variety of R&B, Hip-Hop, & Gospel music. I love music in general. But if I had to say an artist that influenced me, It would have to be Beyonce and T.I.

 

Burmy: Their influence is evident from seeing your style and hearing your music.  Now, of course your own style developed as organically as it could get, coming from turning your diary entries into rhymes and performing them.  What led you to want to turn your own personal stories into something to perform on a wider stage?

 

Mac Bre-Z: Well, because I got a thrill out of the reaction I received from my peers when I rapped. It was also therapeutic for me and an outlet to express myself & a way to communicate with society. 

 

Burmy: The best of 'em indeed do see music as their outlet!  Anyway, that V103 talent show is where things really got off the ground, leading to your deal with Dee Money Records (home of such ATL stars as D4L, Frank Real and Que).  Your debut single "Uh-Oh" caught fire throughout the city, leading to a remix with fellow teenage ATL femcees Diamond and Princess of Crime Mob.  Tell me, how'd that collabo come about and what was it like working with them?

 

Mac Bre-Z: Crime Mob & I shared the same manager & booking agent (Johnnie Cabbell) at the time. We spent a lot of time together on tour and seldomly recorded at the same studios. So that's how the collaboration of "Uh Oh" & "Rock Yo Hips (Remix)" came about. Our chemistry in the studio was fun because we all shared the same passion and had a lot in common. 

 

Burmy: So it's bigger than the music, I see!  Well, that song's success preceded your debut mixtape, "Making All the Cash".  Of all the mixtapes you've done since then, which has been your favorite?

 

Mac Bre-Z: My second mixtape with DJ Scream entitled The Kandi Lady has been by far my favorite cd to date. 

 

Burmy: I can see why; it established your whole identity and M/O which is what keeps the fellas comin' to you.  Of course, your biggest success was yet to come, with your feature on Gucci Mane's single "Go Head" which he featured on TWO albums (Trap House and Hard to Kill).  What was the process going into that song and did you expect it to be as big of a hit as it was?

 

Mac Bre-Z: Basically, "Go Head" was inspired by me due to the relationship I was in with Gucci Mane. Shortly after we started dating he wrote the song and let me listen to it. Later on that day I joined him in his studio session. After he recorded his first two verses he thought it would be cool to have a woman response, so he asked me to put a verse on it and it was the last track to make his album "Trap House". I didn't expect it to be a hit, but I'm glad it was.

 

Burmy: And it still plays in clubs to this very day!  Around the same time you left Dee Money to join Gooch's then-budding So Icey Ent. label.  How was he as a label boss, and what memories would you like to share of your time on the "Squad before they were the Bricks?"

 

Mac Bre-Z: Through experience I've realized that it's not smart to sign to an artist. Especially an upcoming artist at that. The pro's of being on the label was that I got to travel & perform as an opening act at all his shows. But the cons were that I didn't have any marketing or promotion behind me or towards any of my projects. My best memories were being able to work closely with our in house producer Zaytoven. Building a relationship with him and making great music with him and Gucci Mane. 

 

Burmy: Besides the Gooch, which So Icey artists did you most enjoy collaborating and working with?

 

Mac Bre-Z: OJ da Juiceman of course. He's like a brother to me and I love his spunk.

 

Burmy: I must (AY!) amidt (AY!) Young Juiceman (AY!) is really (AY!) the kind of (AY!) flow you'll (AY!) never forget (AY!) *laughs*  Moving on now, even that would not last long, as you became independent again very soon.  From your own perspective, how would you compare being your own boss on your own independent brand to being in that major-label scenario?

 

Mac Bre-Z: I can't compare because I've never been on a major label (So Icey was just an imprint), but I can say that being my own boss has been most rewarding. 

 

Burmy: Understandably so...now a while back you had started your own group, the ATC.  Do you still keep in touch with them?  If so, how's it been and what are their plans as of this moment?

 

Mac Bre-Z: Yes. I still keep in touch with them.  Every one is doing their own thing. It's my movement and the members are a collection of ladies I roll with that supports me.

 

Burmy: Bein' that Peach State dreamboat since high school, you are no stranger to turning heads-better yet, breaking necks!  Would you consider yourself at least a regional "sex symbol" (that's "sex as in gender"), and how big of a part would you say it's played in your career thus far?  (I know that even those who never heard your music, I'd send pics of you to them, telling them to check out your songs.  I don't know how many really did, but at least I'm doin' my part!)

 

Mac Bre-Z: First of all, I have to give you your props for doing your research & those two songs you just referenced are my mothers favorite.  (Huge shoutout to Mom Dukes Vanessa Grier, who's been my greatest supporter).  But to answer your question, I learned early in life that beauty is only skin deep, so no, I don't consider myself a sex symbol.  But yes, I am very comfortable in my own skin and I think that shows in my  persona.

 

Burmy: I can tell!   Now this is where it gets more personal, and the next few questions I ask you, if you don't want to answer them, just let me know.

 

Mac Bre-Z: OK, run yo' mouth!

 

Burmy: *laughs a bit, but then continues* The last few years have seen you do a few stints away, both in short jail stints and in voluntary checks in for mental treatment.  Would you mind giving us details of that, for those who might be in similar situations?

 

Mac Bre-Z: Actually, no I don't mind. The reality of it is for a couple of years I experienced several mishaps due to stress, depression, anxiety, trauma, & meltdowns which sometimes were overwhelming for me and caused me to develop bipolar disorder.  Therefore, a couple of those episodes landed me in jail a few times. 

 

Burmy: I won't ask to go into any more detail, but we're all glad that you're back and stronger than ever!  What kept you strong throughout these times, and what would you say to your fellow survivors?

 

Mac Bre-Z: Thankfully because of God's grace and my faith I was able to recuperate and get my life back on track.  For those of you who may be experiencing similar situations, don't be afraid to get professional help.  As my mom would say "Make your tax dollars work for you".

 

Burmy: OK, well, we're all grateful to see that you're back in better shape than ever!  The reason I'm doin' this interiew with you is because you let me know that you're working on some new music.  Can you give us any details about the project you're working on, namely what's your vision for it and how it differs from your other ones?

 

Mac Bre-Z: Of Course. I just dropped a brand new mixtape on datpiff.com called "Mechanicsville's Finest" which displays a collection of my music to date. It has that southern swag & a variety of songs you can jam to. This cd is a bit different from my previous mixtapes because there's no dj or drops. It's all me with a few features. It won't disappoint. 

 

Burmy: And it certainly didn't...our readers can download it right here!  Last question of the "main segment" Looking back on your career, if you could do it all again, what would you change, if anything?

 

Mac Bre-Z: If I could change anything it would be to educate myself on the business aspect of the industry and make my own connections instead of trusting others.

 

Burmy: Well, you're learning that now, and it's paying!  Now, before I go, could you give us a Twitter, Instagram or anything fans can get ahold of you at, as well as an e-mail for booking and collabos?

 

Mac Bre-Z: For all business inquiries you can email me at dakandilady@gmail.com.  My Twitter and Instagram is @dakandilady, and you can follow my music page on Facebook at "Mac Bre-z Da Kandi Lady" & "Lavaneka Grier".  Also visit my website macbrez.blogspot.com, and check me out on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/macbrez.

 

Burmy: Once again, thanks a MILLI for joinin' me at Burmy's Industry Rehab, and I wish you all the best in what's ahead for you!

 

Mac Bre-Z: Thanks for having me.