By Jamie Benson

The hip-hop world suddenly turned their attention to Washington, DC when in 2006 two of the city’s most popular artists, Tabi Bonney and Wale, emerged as the leading candidates to represent the local scene on a national scale. Although Wale has since signed a major label deal with Interscope, Tabi has remained on the independent circuit with the release of his first album, “A Fly Guy’s Theme,” plus a follow-up LP that is set to drop this fall.

In fifteen minutes with elitaste.com, Tabi reveals a few details about his new album, his take on Wale’s recent success, and whether or not he’ll be making the switch from music to movies in the near future.

Tabi, for those outside of DC who have never heard of you, who are you and why did you choose hip-hop for a profession?

Wow, I’d just say the first thing is that music has always been in my blood. My father, Itadi Bonney, was like the biggest musician out of Togo, West Africa. When I first heard hip-hop around the time of EPMD, Big Daddy Kane, Special Ed; that’s just when I fell in love with it. I’m pretty much that cat that is just himself who speaks on what everybody else doesn’t speak on and isn’t afraid to be himself.

I ask the profession question because you have a Masters in Biology. Why aren’t you sitting in a lab all day?

Once I graduated from college, my last semester it just hit me. I knew it wasn’t for me; I knew I was going to be hip-hop. It almost felt like I wasted four years in college, but I just turned that into learning the discipline and applying that to music.

You’re of West African descent and some people might have trouble spelling your name. Why is it that you chose to use your birth name as a rapper rather than a typical alias?

It just goes back to me being myself. And I was blessed…well, I think I have a pretty cool name. (Laughs) I’m blessed to have such a unique name so why be anything else than myself. That’s how I was brought up, to just be yourself.

You formed the group Organized Rhyme with a friend of yours in college. Now it’s the name of your indie record label. What does being an independent artist mean to you, and do you plan on pursuing a major label deal anytime soon?

Eventually you always have to take it to the next step. I’d say it’s almost like following the footsteps of a Roc-A-Fella, eventually pairing with a major. I think we’re doing a pretty good job being on VH1, MTV Africa, all of that with no major. I don’t know if anything other indie, like straight up indie, has made those moves.

A Fly’s Guy’s Theme hit stores in 2006 and suddenly your single “The Pocket” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqiKdUke69Q) was all over the MTV Networks. Historically, it’s been difficult for DC artists to make it on the national stage, and between you and Wale, you were the first to make it on television. What are you doing personally to force the public to recognize DC’s hip-hop community?

It’s just making sure I capture what DC means to me. It really took the videos that I personally directed to get that imagery out there.

What’s your opinion on Wale’s buzz right now?

I think it’s great, man. I’m just happy to see a peer from the same group break through; it’s actually inspirational to me.

We heard that incredible snippet of “Bonified” on Wale’s “100 Miles and Runnin” mixtape. Are we ever going to hear a full version, and have you two found the time to work on any other collaborations?

Yeah, he’s actually going to be on my new album, which is coming out this fall. I should hopefully be on his major label release. And y’all might see a joint album together, almost like a Blackstar album between the two of us, like a Mos Def and Talib [Kweli]. I’ve never been one for the mixtapes, but I might do one and put “Bonified” on that.

The second single of A Fly Guy’s Theme, Doin’ It, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljblgZU3r8s) featured well-known R&B artist Raheem DeVaughn, (www.myspace.com/devaughnenterprises) another proud resident of DC. Are you two still in touch/working on anything?

Yeah, he’s actually on this next album too, man. I’m not big on features at all, but Wale and Raheem are almost the only two featured on the album other than the people who are actually on the Organized Rhyme label. The one with Raheem is actually going to be the second single this go-around.

Dope Meet Fresh…Fresh Meet Superstar is the new album. What does that title mean?

It’s pretty much what the title says. It’s me taking it from the essence of hip-hop when I first fell in love with it and you can just expect to hear that raw lyrical flow of everything. And then it ends off with the alternative and pop world where I call it “meet superstar.”

Angel Lola Luv, (profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user. viewprofile&friendid=95429627) one of the most popular video models, is a friend of yours. What’s your relationship, and if you don’t mind me asking, have you ever, um…

We just real good friends. She’s cool and down to earth and like LL Cool J says, “a round the way girl,” you know? She’s making moves and I just feel fortunate to be in this circle out of DC of people actually making these moves, between here, myself, and Wale right now. I can’t forget Big G from The Wire.

I hear you’re out in L.A. now. Why make the move and leave DC?

At this point I’m barely in DC right now. I’m probably in DC one to two weeks out of month, anyway. That comes from having to travel and do shows and so forth, but I just found a natural love for L.A. and I’m about to delve into the film world, so I just think it’s a move for me.

You’re a music video director now, with credits on the “Syce It” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2-BZmEX9p4) and “Beat Rock” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvDsYUu1HFQ&feature=related) flicks. Plan on ditching hip-hop for the movies anytime soon?

Nah, [hip-hop’s] always my first love. I think I always be into it. Once I release this next album, I’ll probably go ahead and start work on my first indie film. It’s just an idea in my head right now and I don’t even have a script yet.

And we should probably vote for your videos on the MTV VMA site, right?

Yeah, if it’s not too late. I don’t know what other categories I’m in for, but I’m just humbled to be in that selection process. Being an indie artist and also being the one who directed those videos as well. For all those out there just know that you can do anything you want to do.

Speaking of side projects, you’ve got a clothing line called Bonney Runway. (www.bonneyrunway.com/) Speak on that for a minute.

That developed during college when I just loved shopping and I was always looking for something to wear but couldn’t find anything that I liked. That’s when shirts were in like triple and quadruple XL and I couldn’t even find a shirt that fitted me because I’m a skinny dude. It’s just developed from me wanting to have something that I could actually wear, man. It’s a euro-chic type of feel; since I was born I’ve been between Africa, Europe, and the U.S.

Okay Tabi, I’m going to let you go. With the last question, what’s the first single of the new album going to be?

I still don’t even know, man. I’ve got the second, third, fourth singles, but I still don’t have the first one. When I’ve got [the single] y’all will know because I’m going to immediately shoot the video for it, put it out, and get started.