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Cadillac Don & J Money - Positive Attention
Interview By: Claudio E. Cabrera
 Outkast, UGK, 8Ball & MJG, Cadillac Don & J Money. Your probably looking at the last of the four and wondering who they are or why there in that company. Because that's where the Crawford, Mississippi natives envision themselves being in 10 years in conversations concerning the greatest groups of all time.
With their hit single ode to Chevy's, 'Peanut Butter & Jelly,' and their recently released album 'Look At Me,' there will be more to Mississippi than just football and David Banner.
Cadillac Don (Donald Sharp) and J. Money (Tiyon Rogers) grew up like many black males in this country, without a black male in their household. Despite the fatherless childhood, both had support systems around them that encouraged them to become their own men and follow their dreams. From earning baseball scholarships, to becoming an art teacher, and giving back to the community, Don and Money have always had other routes to pursue for success, but followed what was in their hearts, music.
 Now with a mixture of Mississippi staples like Blues and R&B, and features from Bun B and Paul Wall, Cadillac Don and J Money claim their music's going to make them every "DJ's favorite group." I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Nobodysmiling.com : Today is the release date for your album. How happy are you guys that this day has finally arrived?
Cadillac Don : Man, how happy are we? We excited man. It's a blessing. Cadillac Don and J Money go get that.
Nobodysmiling.com : Now I got to ask 'Peanut Butter & Jelly,' what's the concept behind the song because people on first glance would think you guys are talking about sandwiches?
Cadillac Don : It's representing Chevy's, the cars we ride down south. We ride the SI peanut butter that's light brown with the tan interior. On the outside what we used to call candy, we now call jelly.
Nobodysmiling.com : So what cars can we usually catch you guys riding in?
Cadillac Don : My name says it all.
J Money : I got this new Chevy Avalanche on 24's. I got two Chevy Monte Carlo's and they both 72 models. I'm working on getting those two done when I get out on the road but I'm focusing on this music right now.
Nobodysmiling.com : Now you guys come from a historic state in Mississippi. A lot of civil rights era marches occurred there. How was it growing up with all that history?
Cadillac Don : We didn't really experience a lot of the things directly related to the Civil Rights movement. But it's like Ice Cube said: 'Every hood's the same.' We've been through everything everybody else across this country has. Both of us have traveled a lot and we all live the same. Of course, there are places which have bigger buildings, bigger malls, etc, but there's no major differences in the end. But, one thing about Mississippi is that it's very limited in regards to opportunities.
Nobodysmiling.com : What inspired the both of you to start rapping?
Cadillac Don : My brother was into Hip-Hop while I was young and all those rappers he listened to back in the day inspired me along with today's artists as I listen to all types of music.
J Money : I like to entertain man and that's why I decided to do this cause it's in me to rock a crowd
Nobodysmiling.com : What artists do you guys look up to?
Cadillac Don : In terms of the old school, MC's like Big Daddy Kane and Slick Rick. In today's landscape, rappers that are doing it big like Jay-Z, Trick Daddy, and T.I.
Nobodysmiling.com : I know Mississippi has a rich history in Blues and R&B. Is that reflected in your music?
Cadillac Don : We definitely got tracks with those influences in it. There's a track called 'Weekend.' We also have 'Go Hard,' and an inspirational cut called 'Got To
Believe.' Also, a lot of stuff that we did on our mixtapes had that feel to it. There's more soul down south in the music.
Nobodysmiling.com : How were your mixtapes instrumental influential in landing both of you the deal with Asylum?
Cadillac Don : Once we had the mixtape out there titled 'Flood The Block' and it had 'Peanut Butter & Jelly' on it is when the labels started calling.
J Money : At the time, we were signed with 35/35 Entertainment and that allowed us the opportunity to go everywhere to distribute our music. We went across the south grinding heavy and got our names out there. Any major event, you can bet Cadillac Don and J Money were there.
Nobodysmiling.com : Speaking of 35/35 Entertainment, I heard that's run by former NBA ballplayer Clarence Weatherspoon. How did you link up with him?
J Money : He's my cousin.
Cadillac Don : We all from the same neighborhood. He heard the stuff we were doing and he wanted to invest in it.
Nobodysmiling.com : What's the rap scene like out there in Mississippi? I know Banner was one of the 1st acts to come out of that area and represent.
Cadillac Don : It's just like anywhere else basically. Everyone is doing the same exact thing as everybody else.
J Money : We got a lot of good artists out here. A lot of artists are just trying to get heard and need to get their music in the right hands. Sooner or later, it's all going to come together and people are going to see the talent coming out of Mississippi, because there's a lot.
Cadillac Don : There's a bunch of talent here. Some need the finances, some need the supervision, and some need to just venture out. We tell a lot of these artists just to go
out and start networking because if they just stay here, they're never going to gain exposure.
Nobodysmiling.com : Both of you grew up in a single parent household. How difficult was it for you without your fathers? Also, how did it make you into the men you are today?
Cadillac Don : I had an older brother and one sister. My mom and my brother basically raised me along with people in the neighborhood who looked out for me. My father was
never there so it was it rough from a financial standpoint, but we managed to get through.
J Money : I grew up with me, my mom, and my brother. I'm the oldest so it was tough. When you grow up with your mom and your a boy, your never going to have a curfew. Despite this, I never went to jail or involved myself in activities that could put me in prison. Big up to my mom for doing her thing. A lot of people take the wrong route and blame their fathers, but I don't blame anybody, I had to be a man about it. Mom always did what she had to do and I understood if I wanted something in life, I had to work to get it.
Nobodysmiling.com : Growing up, you guys were baseball prodigies. You both went to college on baseball scholarships but eventually stopped playing. What caused the halt and do you still love the sport?
Cadillac Don : We both still love the sport. I was playing in an independent league and got released from the team. After that, I began teaching for a couple of years and then
proceeded to rapping.
J Money : Both of us were known around the area for excelling in all 3 sports. When we got to college, we both decided on baseball. Unfortunately, I had arm troubles and that forced me off the team. I was a pitcher and I threw hard but no one knew my arm was hurting but me. Looking at the consequences of possibly losing my arm if I continued hiding my pain, I decided to stop playing and focus on music.
Nobodysmiling.com : Cadillac, you said that after baseball you became a teacher. How was that experience?
Cadillac Don : It was cool man. I taught art at the High School me and J Money graduated from. It felt good giving back to the hood.
Nobodysmiling.com : Did you see a lot of problems in the education system?
Cadillac Don : Yes, there were problems. A lack of teachers in many areas. Many schools didn't have enough funds to bring in more teachers. There also wasn't a lot of involvement from the parents in their children's lives where I taught at. I encourage all parents to stay informed when it comes to their child's education. Extremely important.
J Money : Education is very important right now. It may not seem like it, but it is. You can't get jobs right now if you don't have a High School degree.
Nobodysmiling.com : What can you tell me about 'Look at Me'?
Cadillac Don : It's a hot album. We got features on there like Paul Wall and Bun B. There's something for the club. DJ's are going to love this album. We got something for the ladies and for the cats who keeping it pimpin. Everyone will be able to relate to this album. It's a classic!
Nobodysmiling.com : I know you worked with producer Big Fruit on the album. What was that experience like?
J Money : Big Fruit is one of our homeboys. He's like one of us and it was great working with him.
Nobodysmiling.com : Outkast, UGK, 8Ball & MJG. Three of the biggest Southern groups ever. Five to ten years from now, do you expect to be mentioned in the same sentence with those groups?
Cadillac Don : Yes. That's what our goal is right now. We want to have longevity just like them and hopefully stay together. Through all the ups and downs they've had throughout their careers, they're still going strong and we want to replicate that.
Nobodysmiling.com : You mentioned staying together. The groups I mentioned have been able to but there's an endless lists of others who couldn't. What makes Cadillac Don and J Money think they can avoid breaking up?
J Money : We got a strong bond. Me and Cadillac are childhood friends and plus we got an understanding of what each other's going through. It isn't always going to be sugar and cream, but we'll overcome the bad times that will eventually occur.
Nobodysmiling.com : Who's your favorite group ever and why?
J Money : It'd probably be between those three. All of them are doing their thing and I like them all equally. Can't really pick one though.
Nobodysmiling.com : I read somewhere that Cadillac used to break dance at age 6 for money.
Explain please...
Cadillac Don : My brother listened to Grandmaster Flash, Kool Mo Dee, Kurtis Blow and all them. When break dancing was out in the 80's, he'd leave the house to the club and I'd sneak out with him. We'd go to the clubs and do our thing. The older people loved to see break dancers so we performed. People throwing money at us and everything (laughing). We
had a little tip cup to go along with it (laughing).
Nobodysmiling.com : Did you make a lot of money off of that?
Cadillac Don : No. It was just a little break dancing here and there. It was more fun than anything.
Nobodysmiling.com : Can you still break dance?
Cadillac Don : (laughing) I still got a few moves here and there.
J Money : (laughing in the background)
Nobodysmiling.com : Are you guys going to be doing any touring and where can we find out which cities you hitting?
J Money : Yes, we are going to be hitting overseas spots like the Dominican Republic. In the states, you could catch us in Phoenix, Alabama, Florida, and Columbia, South Carolina. Check us out at www.myspace.com/CadillacDon. The 35/35 Entertainment website is under construction.
Nobodysmiling.com : Forget the lights, camera, and action. Who are Cadillac Don and J Money?
Cadillac Don : I'm a laid back, chill cat. Trying to learn something new everyday.
J Money : Me and Cadillac are the same. Personally, I'm trying to find ways to start my own business. I love spending time with my family when I'm able to.
Nobodysmiling.com : Any last words for your fans?
Cadillac Don & J Money : Fans, go out and get that album. Do not sleep on it cause it's hot. We are going to become every "DJ's favorite artists" with the cuts we supplying on
'Look At Me.'
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